Reporting on the games made in Canada and the creators behind them
Vertex Pop announced on their Twitter page today that Graceful Explosion Machine will be available on Nintendo Switch on April 6, 2017 for $12.99. Last week we posted about how this game was doing at PAX East, so it's great to have an official date!
Two years ago today the dream was born. What started as a Twitter, then became a tumblr, was then transformed into the website you see today (with most things remaining the same).
Just want to thank everyone for their constant support. We have big things planned for the future. Subscribe on Youtube, follow on Instagram, and consider becoming a Patreon - good times ahead.
Mirage: Arcane Warfare by Torn Banner Studios has announced that their Closed Beta goes live today, and if you pre-order the game, you can get access to the beta testing. There is a standard edition and a special edition: the special edition including an original game soundtrack, an HD Fan Pack, and Chivalry: Medieval Warfare Complete Edition.
Pre-order Mirage on Steam to play the Beta - on NOW! http://store.steampowered.com/app/368420 Get 10% off of all Mirage pre-orders if you own Chivalry: Medieval Warfare on Steam. Pre-orders grant Beta access for you - and a friend too! Mirage: Arcane Warfare is $29.99 USD and will release May 23, 2017.
The official release date is set for May 23, 2017. You can check out the game's Steam page here.
Capybara Games has announced that they are teaming up with Cartoon Network to create a console game based on the series "OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes." Ian Jones-Quartey created the short "Lakewood Plaza Turbo", and Cartoon Network released a mobile game (OK K.O.! Lakewood Plaza Turbo) for iOS and Android based on Jones-Quartey's shorts. Now Capybara Games will work to create a new console game.
“OK K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes is set in Lakewood Plaza, a mall for heroes, where K.O. and his kooky crew of friends are always working to outdo each other as they try to level up and thwart their evil foe Lord Boxman’s plot to destroy the plaza.”
Toronto-based CAPY Games continues to release updates for their matching hit 5 years after its Apple Arcade debut.
One of our favourites on iPhone, and Nintendo Switch is now heading to PC via the Epic Game Store. Grindstone, the Capybara Games hit also recently received a new Daily Grind mode and Fortune Grind on both Nintendo Switch and Apple Arcade, the Epic Game Store version is out tomorrow.
We’re a little late on this one, but Capybara’s mobile hit, Grindstone, is out now on Nintendo Switch.
Toronto-based Capybara Games (@CAPYGAMES) has released an update to their 2019 sword-slashing puzzle battle game Grindstone adding new levels, bosses, items and more.
As previously announced, Capybara’s roguelike Below has launched on PlayStation 4, while also enjoying a 10% launch discount. You can head over to the PlayStation Store right here to pick it up.
The studio co-founder is leaving after 16 years of making indie games with the Toronto-based studio.
"Rima: The Story Begins" is a modern 2D platform game developed by UP Entertainment Ltd. It consists of many supernatural characters including: Rima, a small mutant blue-green algae; Razgon, a giant dragon and the main antagonist; and Ilathen, the Goddess of Ila. Rima is tasked with restoring major elements to bring life back to the land as the land has been seized by Shadow. Check out some screenshots below.
“In this humor-filled adventure game, the player controls Rima, a small mutant blue-green algae in cyan who is on a mission to save his homeland seized by Shadow. Rima has the ability to run and jump but needs to learn a lot more as he interacts with his environment. The player helps Rima to collect new abilities, Life Plants and upgrades as he jumps from different platforms and solves various puzzles.”
“Rima: The Story Begins" will be available on the App Store and Google Play this summer, with a planned Steam, PlayStation, and Windows Store release in the Winter. If you want to keep up to date, you can follow them on Instagram @u.p.entertainment
Here's one that almost snuck by us, but the developer behind Rex Rocket will be releasing their next game, Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King, later this month on Steam. The Zelda inspired game has players controlling Lily, Knight of the Rose:
Slash your way through monster-infested dungeons to save the Kingdom of Blossom from eternal darkness. Collect unique weapons, spells, and more during your journey to take down powerful bosses and solve clever puzzles. Be part of a vivid, dynamic story passed down from grandfather to grandchildren by influencing the course of events yourself!
Explore a huge open game world in classic action-adventure fashion as Lily, Knight of the Rose! Slash your way through monster infested dungeons to save the Kingdom of Blossom from eternal darkness. Collect key items such as bow and boomerang on your journey to extend your fighting capabilities and solve dungeon puzzles.
Blossom Tales: The Sleeping King releases on Steam on March 28th. You can check out the Steam page right here.
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
We found out about party game Use Your Words late last year, and now we won't have to wait much longer to play the game on Steam, Xbox One, and PS4. (Wii U users will have to wait a little bit longer it seems). According to a tweet, players will be able to be funny again April 4th.
Use Your Words is a party multiplayer game which has players using their smart-phones in different minigames (listed below). Check out the trailer below, and see you April 4th!
We're releasing April 4th on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Steam!
— Use Your Words (@UseYourWords) March 24, 2017
(Wii U coming soon!) pic.twitter.com/nSWGGgtgtU
Coming Spring 2017, it's Use Your Words! The party game for funny people and their unfunny friends! Get more info at http://useyourwords.lol Pre-order it for Steam at https://store.useyourwordsgame.com Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/useyourwords And like us on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/useyourwordsgameSBG
Our friends over at 13AM Games have announced a huge sale for Runbow. You can pick up the 9 player party platformer on Wii U, Steam, and Humble Bundle for 50% off.
Runbow is on sale! Tons of single player content, online, 50% off. On sale on #Steam, Humble, & #WiiU! #pcgaming https://t.co/6IE0BZumj9 pic.twitter.com/uAG3cM7hr1
— 13AM Games (@13amgames) March 23, 2017
We don't know what's next for 13AM Games, but the sale goes until April 5th. If you're looking to Switch* up your wardrobe a little, you can see similar savings on their official store.
*That's me being funny.
Toronto-based 13AM Games have announced a new paid expansion for their 2022 co-operative kaiju beat ‘em up Dawn of Monsters releasing in 2023.
Toronto-based 13AM Games have announced their side-scrolling, kaiju beat-'em-up game will be releasing on pretty much every platformer later this month on March 15th. Limited Run Games also has a physical edition for all platforms you can check out here.
GRIP is available on Steam, and it looks like a pretty sweet racing game. All the vehicles in GRIP have armour and weapons, and it looks really intense. The creators at Caged Element are planning a console version this year (which I will be all over as soon as it's available). Check out the screenshots and trailer below.
GRIP is now available for purchase on Steam Early Access! Visit the store page here: http://store.steampowered.com/app/396900/ We'll be updating the game frequently, so be sure to check the page for news! You can download a true HD version of this trailer here: http://www.cagedelement.com/grip/video/GripTrailer3.mp4 http://www.twitter.com/gripvideogame http://www.facebook.com/gripvideogame http://www.gripvideogame.com http://forum.cagedelement.com We appreciate the praise and support we've gotten from all of our fans so far.
Hey everyone, I downloaded Float on iOS and wanted to share some quick thoughts. Don't forget to subscribe to TorontoGameDevs on YouTube.
Heather from TorontoGameDevs.com downloaded Float from Galactic Thumb and wanted to give her thoughts on the indie game. Remember to subscribe and leave a comment! Website: http://www.torontogamedevs.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/torontogamedevs Patreon: patreon.com/torontogamedevs Store: designbyhumans.com/shop/TorontoGameDevs
Our friends at GalacticThumb have released Float on iOS. In Float, you tap around the flower to move it through various obstacles, and it can be quite challenging. Each level has different aesthetics and music and I am really enjoying it.
Float is a beautifully crafted game that offers calming and meditative yet challenging gameplay, with unique aesthetics and music for each stage. In Float you have to tap around the flower to maneuver it through obstacles. The closer you tap the further the flower moves.
We're going to get back to Toronto developed games - I promise. In the mean time though, check Chris and I playing Horizon: Zero Dawn!
This week we reviewed Horizon Zero Dawn, while Chris tries to take down a corrupted area (with not much success)
Solo indie dev expert and longtime friend-of-the-site Devon Wiersma joins us to talk their latest release Centauri Dark, working across AAA, mid-sized and solo indie dev and how to fix this goshdarn industry.
David B joins us from the west coast best coast to talk about the upcoming Quiver Games Incubator!
Bizdev extraordinaire Eric Beer joins us to give his Hades II impressions and chat v-bucks subsidized game preservation.
We break down Baldur Gate 3's unprecedented success & the knock-on effects it'll have on the industry and how we make games moving forward. We also speak to Ontario-based indie game devs Twinolli about their upcoming action-puzzler Highlighters which just got a (Dad Deck-verified) Steam demo!
We speak to Québécois game dev Dragon Slumber, creator of Tech Support, Aethernaut and many more!
We reveal the winners of our ‘23 Community Awards poll and discuss Drinkbox’s latest teaser for their next project- and more!
This week thousands more game developers join Stephan in the "terminated by evil, stupid people" camp as layoffs hit tons of studios all over Canada and the world. We discuss Sonic as well. Sonic supports Unionizing your Workplace!
Stephan got terminated but that’s okay he just has more time to cover Canadian games now.
Graceful Explosion Machine by Vertex Pop is set to release in April, and check out all the love that it’s getting on Reddit from its’ appearance at PAX East. There is definitely hype growing for this game, and I can't wait to play it myself on the Switch and see all the combo variations.
Graceful Explosion Machine is a side-scrolling shooter. You are the pilot of the Graceful Explosion Machine; a fighter ship battling your way to get home. Your ship has four weapons with combos and you can travel over 30 levels across four unique worlds.
Graceful Explosion Machine is coming soon to Nintendo Switch™ http://vertexpop.com/gem
Illumination Games is releasing Bee Odyssey, officially launching on March 28, 2017 on iOS and Android. They created a fun and educational game for all ages. Check out some screenshots and an updated gameplay trailer below.
“We are a game development studio that has partnered up with the Canada Agriculture & Food Museum to create Bee Odyssey, a fun all-ages mobile game that educates players about bees and their importance to our survival. Our intention is to create a mobile experience which draws attention to the risks and lives of honey bees. The game features real food sources, predators, hazards and environments which Honey Bees encounter (in the North East) and a field guide which includes additional reference information.”
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.illuminationgames.beeodyssey App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bee-odyssey/id1120206404?ls=1&mt=8 Fly and survive through the beautiful adventure game, Bee Odyssey. Experience the story of a lost bee trying to find her missing hive. Pollinate flowers, navigate obstacle-filled paths, and evade predators and pesticides. This game features the plants, predators and wildlife that the common honeybee would encounter in a northern climate.
You can follow Illumination games for updates on their social media pages:
![BeeOdyssey1[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025762190-S453IV8BNSC152IEFSEZ/BeeOdyssey1%5B1%5D.png)
![BeeOdyssey2[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025791086-0P4ITHACF9JIF01GG5C3/BeeOdyssey2%5B1%5D.png)
![BeeOdyssey3[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025808681-DTOIKYOTE3T76MWA01O1/BeeOdyssey3%5B1%5D.png)
![BeeOdyssey4[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025821351-8YSXJIUQ3H3U69A3HW49/BeeOdyssey4%5B1%5D.png)
![BeeOdyssey5[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025847320-ROC3F5LTSNFCRRJWI7IZ/BeeOdyssey5%5B1%5D.png)
![BeeOdyssey6[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025865778-BAV23EP505BZ8QQCVBAR/BeeOdyssey6%5B1%5D.png)
![Screenshot14[1].png](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5516beafe4b0c6d76a97bb4d/1490025878444-2491F8TRWQSQAOLPEE92/Screenshot14%5B1%5D.png)