How Much Was Callys Caves 3 To Develop? (Hint: Less Than You Think)

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The developer behind the iOS and Android platformer Cally's Cave 3 recently wrote a developers blog about how much their latest game cost.  The final number may come at a surprise (it was to me).

After breaking down the costs by software costs, licenses, marketing, development and assets, we get to the final number of $689 dollars.  

'And all for a total budget of $689. The lesson that we’ve learned after shipping 3 games is that if you really love games and want to make a game, money isn’t going to be the thing that stands in your way, willpower is. Do whatever you have to do to make it happen, and please, share your game with us so we can try it!'

It's an interesting read for anyone who is thinking of making games on mobile devices. Cally Cave 3's developer stresses that it shouldn't be money getting in the way.  You can check out the full article, and breakdown here.  Make sure to download the game for free on iOS, or Android.

Sago Sago Releasing Sago Mini Babies October 8th

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Sago Sago, the independent developer focused on developing apps for children, announced they have their latest app, Sago Mini Babies, releasing October 8th for iOS devices.

Introducing the Sago Mini babies. Boys and girls love caring for these adorable characters. Feed Robin her favorite mush, play dress-up with Jinja, change Harvey’s stinky diaper, then take a dance break with Jack. With cute animations, adorable giggles and even some tears, these babies are a lot of fun.

You can also check out the letter to parents from the Technical Artist here.  Make sure to also follow them on Twitter, and stay tuned to TorontoGameDevs.com for the latest.

Runbow Coming To 3DS?

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Tom from 13AM Games met with the gang over at Nintendo Life about Runbow, including what's next for the title, and what the reception has been like for the game. Most interestingly Tom is asked if there is a chance for a 3DS version:

Nintendo Life: "What about the 3DS? Are we see going to see any portable love for Runbow?"

Tom: "It's something we're looking into. It's something as a studio we're looking into. Most of us have 3DS's, and we're on them all the time. It's something we're looking into. It's definitely something we want to do"

You can check out the full interview below.

DrinkBox Studios Blogs About Testing Severed

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DrinkBox Studios, the developer behind the upcoming Vita hack n'slash Severed, has been blogging about developing the game.  Their latest post is about testing out Severed and analyzing the results:

'Chris and Dave here. This week we start our first internal playtesting for Severed! A DrinkBox mantra is to playtest early and often. Basically this means harassing family, friends, and amazing volunteers to play our game.

The average playtest is streamed to the entire studio so many members of the team will be able to watch in real time. Despite this, we feel very strongly about the benefit of logging playtest data – this is information recorded to the Vita in the form of a text file while somebody plays Severed. Log data is really good at giving the macro view of a playtest session, which can help us as a studio tune the game for maximum ultra uber fun.'

It's a pretty interesting read for anyone looking into game development, or how studios test their products before launch. You can check out the full post here.  Make sure to follow DrinkBox Studios on twitter so you can keep up to date on Severed.

Interview: Alex Rushdy From 13AM Games About Runbow Launching In Japan + Post Launch Plans

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I met up with Alex Rushdy, Creative Director for 13AM Games, at the Tokyo Game Show, about Runbow launching in Japan, the reception since releasing Runbow in North America, and post launch plans, including hints at DLC.

Check out the interview below:

13AMGames_AlexInterview
TorontoGameDevs.com
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Thanks to Alex for chatting with me. We didn't know we'd both be in Tokyo, hence the lack of preparedness. Tokyo Game Show was a lot of fun, and everyone I saw playing Runbow seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Make sure to give Alex and 13AM Games a follow on Twitter.

Gastrobots From XMG Studio Out Now On iOS

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As announced earlier in the month, Gastrobots from XMG Studios is out now on iOS devices.

Gastrobots is a cute arcade-puzzle game where you -- an adorable space-robo-cowboy -- save the Food Galaxy from being eaten by greedy space-robo-critters the only way you know how... Wranglin'!

Congrats to the gang at XMG Studios for the release! Have you download the free to play game yet? You can do so here!

Sound Shapes Celebrates 3 Years With Sale And Bonus Albums

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Sound Shapes, partly developed by local developer Queasy Games, celebrated its third anniversary this past week and is doing so in a big way.

First, if you're not aware, the game is free this month with PlayStation Plus. After the the month, or if you're not a PS+ member, the game is on a permanently sale for $9.99, which gets you the game on PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4. There is also cloud saves, and separate trophy lists (triple platinum!).  The game's DLC is also half off for the rest of the month.

You can check out the PlayStation blog post to see some of the bonus albums by some developers and composers, as well as some tips on how to see the user generated content.  

Congrats to everyone involved! Make sure to follow the game on Twitter for all the updates.

Happy 5th Birthday To Ubisoft Toronto

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This past week Ubisoft Toronto, the biggest game developer studio in the city, celebrated its fifth birthday.  I went up and dug out this old article announcing the studio opening up back in 2009. It's funny to read the rumour at the time was they were going to work on Assassins Creed 3 (which made sense, since the producer of the first two games Jade Raymond was named President of the studio).  The studio had gone on to make Splinter Cell: Blacklist, as well as help out with Far Cry 4, and Assassins Creed Unity.

They are doing a major hiring push right now, since its rumoured they are working on a new AAA game. Congratulations guys and here's to another five (and more) years!

P.A.M.E.L.A. Gets A New Trailer - Vote For It On Steam Greenlight

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Developer NVYVE Studios released a new trailer for their open world survival horror game P.A.M.E.L.A.  The trailer shows gameplay with Pamela (I'm assuming) talking about how shitty everything has become.

"Play as a Sleeper, awoken from cryosleep in Eden, a fallen utopia wrought with death and danger. Meet PAMELA, an omnipresent AI overseer who is left alone watching over the once-vibrant city, now reduced to a silent monolith gliding across the ocean. She will fight by your side as you struggle against Eden’s tortured citizens."

P.A.M.E.L.A. is planned for a 2016 release on PC.  Make sure to hit up the games Steam greenlight page to vote for the game, and follow the developer on Twitter.  We'll have more from NVYVE Studios and P.A.M.E.L.A. as it becomes available.

Starseed And Resonance Unlimited Out Now On iOS

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Two local game developers have released their game on iOS.  We wrote about them before, but I figured a would write something since they are not released.

Starseed: Origin is a pixel action shoot em up from Shane McCafferty that you can purchase at the iTunes store right here.  You can also check the publishers website for some of their other games as well.

Resonance Unlimited is a music based arcade game from Trésor d'If Games which you can pick up right here.  Trailers for both games are below:

Make sure to give these developers lots of love on Twitter, and the App Store. Hit up the comments if you've played these games and let us know what you think!

Toronto GameDev: Rocket 5 Studios - Kitty Disastrous Screenshots

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Developer Rocket 5 Studios is working on a game called Kitty Disastrous that I think you should all check out. A game about "love, adventure, calamity and being a cat" is something that I can get down with.

Make sure to follow along development of the game on the their tumblr page, as well as follow the studio on Twitter. As more becomes available, we'll have it on TorontoGameDevs.com as well.

GastroBots from XMG Studios Out September 24th

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Even though I am a bit jet lagged from coming to Japan, I was able to see that GastroBots from XMG Studios will becoming to iOS September 24th.

Gastrobots is a cute lil' arcade puzzle game where you, an adorable space-robo-cowboy, save the Food Galaxy from being eaten by greedy space-robo-critters the only way you know how... Wranglin'!

 

Make sure to check out the game on iOS when the game drops later this month, and follow the gang over at XMG Studios twitter.

Fate Tectonics Out Now On Steam

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It's a busy day for Toronto game studios as Golden Gear Games released Fate Tectonics on Steam.

Easy to pick up and play casually, but also offers deep challenge for more strategic players. Handcrafted in-game pixel art, a soundtrack of symphony & steam by composer Robby Duguay, and Twitter-shareable worlds! The powerful Book of Fate keeps track of your progress and chronicles your adventures! Two game modes—test your world-building skills in timed cycles of creation and destruction under Ragnarosa and Fortuna's vigilant watch, or take your time and build up a world as large as you can at your own pace, under the calming influence of Serenity. Accessibility options cater to gamers with motor skill, cognitive and vision impairments.

You can pick up Fate Tectonics on Steam right now which has a 15% launch discount.  Make sure to follow the developer on Twitter, and leave a comment letting us know what you think of the game.

Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime Out Now On Steam and Xbox One

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A big congratulations to developer Asteroid Base, who have released their coop game Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime on Xbox One and Steam today.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a frantic 1- or 2-player couch co-op action space shooter set in a massive neon battleship. Only through teamwork can you triumph over the evil forces of Anti-Love, rescue kidnapped space-bunnies, and avoid a vacuumy demise. Deep space is a dangerous place, but you don’t have to face it alone!

The game is doing well with reviewers, getting a 10 from Destructoid who said it "provides a unique and colorful journey to get totally immersed in that can be enjoyed with a loved one".

You can pick the game up on Steam here, or over on Xbox One here. Make sure to give the developer a follow on Twitter as well.  Who's picked up the game, and how are you enjoying it?