Category Archives: Industry Now

Levl Up Bros Seeks to Make a Home for Early Access Titles

Early Access titles seem to be what all the cool kids are doing in the game designing world for better, but more often for worse. From the excellent uses of the system found in Starbound to the terrible lack of attention that destroyed The Stomping Land, Early Access as a term comes with a bit of mixed perception. As a whole, I’m a big advocate of Early Access games, but when the system is abused or the games that lack any sort of coherency get onto the Steam Marketplace, it’s more than frustrating as a gamer and as a writer. It’s hard to find games on the Steam Marketplace as is, so throwing in tons of Early Access titles with questionable quality just makes things asinine.

That’s where Levl Up Bros, a monthly subscription-based platform for Early Access titles, seeks to stand out with its service. Players will be able to play an unlimited amount of games and be given the option to pre-order games when they are eventually published. There are some interesting indie games and rom hacks to check out, but more games should start showing up as the platform develops. So how does Levl Up Bros seek to enhance the gaming experience for both developers and gamers?

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Even seasoned designers often find publication disconcerting. The percentage a development team should make is usually slashed down by larger publishing companies, limiting profits, but adding marketing solutions. Levl Up Bros seeks to give developers a broader range of publishing options, as well as a system that allows popular content to be shown prominently.

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The entire platform focuses on levels in the traditional, RPG sense. Players will be able to gain levels from completing quests, which can be as simple as leaving a comment on a game’s page or pre-ordering a title. This way, feedback is encouraged. The levl up system also wants to reward its players by giving them free memberships, as well as full-game downloads as they level up their account.

Games will also have levels, gaining experience points based on comments, time played and much more. This way, the best gaming experiences is featured by the system. The Levl Up Bros will not only give attention to these games on their client, but also on their various blogs and outlets, such as their Twitch or YouTube channels.

They contain a substance called alpha-androstetenol that mirrors viagra prices pheromones (which is the thing that pulls in truffle chasing hogs). levitra vs viagra This has increased the demand for anti ED medicine in the minds of people. It may include feelings of sadness, anxiety, emptiness, hopelessness, worthlessness, guilt, on line viagra irritability, or restlessness. Erection is the major cause which ruins men’s tadalafil price mood and not allow men to have intercourse. Levl Up Bros seeks to provide a space for game designers to stay focused on making their games. The platform takes care of marketing and distribution, as most gaming clients such as Steam seek to do, but also rewards developers and players for engaging in their service. Where Levl Up Bros currently focuses on computer gaming, it also seeks to branch out into console gaming, giving players a chance to truly shape the way games are designed by giving feedback to developers.

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Many games and studios have already agreed to be featured in the early era of the Levl Up Bros client. Disciples of the Storm, an ambitious attempt to recreate a classic PC game—a game we’ve featured before here on Giga—is on that list. Other than that, the other titles are unfamiliar, but that’s exactly what this client needs: unknown titles utilizing the system to further their goals.

If Levl Up Bros succeeds in its Kickstarter campaign, a test client should be available in the Spring of 2016, with more features slated to roll out by the Summer. Users can take a look at the Levl Up Bros website for an idea of the sort of aesthetic the creators are going for.

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Unfortunately, as of now, there is no prototype available for use. All of the designs proposed in the campaign, as well as the visuals behind the assets used gives a really solid first impression; however, there is no way of knowing how the platform will fair until its available for testing, at the very least. There’s also a lack of editing apparent on the campaign and its website, hopefully it will be rectified in the future.

Either way, it would be interesting to see a new outlet for Early Access. Some games would truly benefit from this system. Until Levl Up Bros rolls out for testing, I’ll continue picking through the mountains of Early Access titles on Steam, searching for gems.

 

Cloud Storms into Battle!

“I’d never thought I’d see the day.”

Truer words have never been said. With Street Fighter creeping into the latest Super Smash Bros, alongside the fan voting system that was finalized in October, there are some crazy things in store for the Nintendo celebratory fighting game. Sure, I’ve seen Cloud of Final Fantasy VII in just about any fan-made game ever, but to see him appear in an actual, professionally designed game leaves me in sheer awe.


This move to bring Final Fantasy back in cahoots with Nintendo after years of it being mostly a Sony franchise is huge. Of course, the franchise found its feet on the NES and made history with the SNES iterations, only to see its golden age on the PSONE. Will there be a resurgence of Final Fantasy games making it to the Nintendo marketplace? Remakes and spin-offs are abundant, but what does this mean for Square Enix and Nintendo?

Speculate in the comments below Giga Bytes! I’ll be sitting here stirring my tea with a phoenix down, while I wait for what other crazy things are coming to Super Smash Bros.
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Cloud. Amiibo.

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Stunning custom amiibos by Compulsif.
Stunning custom amiibos by Compulsif.

Metroid: The Sky Calls

Fan films, as I have discovered before, can capture what makes these honored franchises so special. Metroid: The Sky Calls is a short film by Rainfall Films. The film portrays Samus in way that kind of heals the wounds left by Other M. Rainfall also does a great job of keeping space mysterious, with more focus on the locale than the action.

Check out this awesome fan film before Nintendo takes it down.
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How Nintendo Could Make A MOBA

Gaming trends come and go. Hell, when Doom appeared, developers frantically emulated that iconic first person style. For many years, FPS games were referred to as Doom Clones. When a game truly perfects a style and is wildly successful, developers will inevitably put their own spin on it or sometimes shamefully try to make a quick buck.

Nintendo seems to ignore these trends in the industry. In fact, it’s just now getting into the mobile-gaming scene, years after Apple and Google created an environment, which generates tons of revenue. What’s sad is that there are many Nintendo franchises that can easily be used in interesting ways. I’m not saying it should just copy everything that becomes popular, but there are whole genres being developed that could use that Nintendo touch, just for the sake of the genre.

Nintendo has so many creative licenses that a MOBA just makes sense.

This is why Nintendo needs to make a MOBA.

Before I go any further, let me first say that I am in no way a MOBA fanatic. In fact, the only MOBA I regularly play is Smite and its a prime example of what can be done with the style. That being said, I have immense respect for what MOBA games have done for that style of game, the heightened awareness of competitive gaming that comes with its popularity.

Without MOBAs like League and DOTA 2, this wouldn't be possible.
Without MOBAs like League and DOTA 2, this wouldn’t be possible.

While trying to come up with the general concept for a Nintendo MOBA, I spent hours thinking of how it could be done without it being too much like Super Smash Bros. Using that sort of model, a MOBA by the Big N would simply be an extra mode for Smash, something that wouldn’t really take advantage of the mechanics of the genre, a rushed multiplayer mode on a clearly single player experience if it were.

That's right Bioshock 2! I'm looking at you.
That’s right Bioshock 2! I’m looking at you.

Then, a revelation occurred while playing my DS. What other Nintendo franchise has a vast history, tons of characters, and a strategy-centered gameplay? Fire Emblem.

Fire Emblem has a vast history and cast that can be pulled from to make a truly awesome MOBA experience.
Fire Emblem has a vast history and cast that can be pulled from to make a truly awesome MOBA experience.

Think of it this way. How simple would it be to replace all the characters in Smite or League with characters from Fire Emblem? Even that simple act alone would still be an interesting way to play. Add in some locales from various games and let the money roll in. However, something that simple wouldn’t take advantage of the concept, even though it would inevitably be profitable.

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This Fire Emblem title could also make interesting use of the Wii U gamepad or the dual screens of the 3DS. Not only could maps be presented, but players could also ping locations, and mark out strategies; pretty much anything that could be done with a PC is possible. This would also give Nintendo a chance to add more voice chat support to its games.

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One of the defining features of Fire Emblem is that characters can upgrade their class. This could be done mid-game, allowing players to choose to upgrade after reaching level ten. Players could also hold back on upgrading for the extra stats as well, just like in the source material. This could create many interesting decisions from players and develop unique abilities for characters. Add in characters that can choose between a few classes will make things even better.

As another interesting spin, most MOBA games are played in real time, while every Fire Emblem title is turn based. Thus a MOBA could be created in a turn-based system, fitting more with the style of the source material, while experimenting with the genre. This could also be played against friends similarly to the Civilization series that enables players to play a single game over several days, if not longer. That sort of play could also be ported over to smart phones with little difficulty.

A Fire Emblem MOBA could also give players a chance to create their own champions, due to the classes of the games each having unique looks and skills. Players could choose a class, edit a model, and gank lanes as their own characters. Most characters would be the iconic characters throughout the series and could have powers unique to their stories or design, retaining the general idea of their respective class.

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Even though I can see this sort of project being immensely amazing for fans of Nintendo, MOBA games, and the Fire Emblem franchise, I don’t see this sort of thing happening for a while. Nintendo really doesn’t like to take risks with its franchises. Although, sometimes those titles such as Metroid Prime or Wind Waker, prove to be some of the most interesting. In fact, maybe Retro Studios need to head this project. Seriously guys, this could be a great chance to get Nintendo into MOBA games or even the PC market. Call me if you need a project leader.

Or fans should start making this a reality. Of course Nintendo would cancel it, but hey, it’d be fun for a while.

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Until I can have Lyn take out monsters in the jungle, I can be found putting some serious hours into Shadow Dragon on the DS.

Remembering Satoru Iwata

Nintendo has always been full of quirky folks, ones who have overwhelmed these many years of gaming with an abundance of creativity and whimsy. Unfortunately, there’s only so much a single person can contribute. On July 11, 2015, Satoru Iwata suddenly passed away from an illness that he had seemingly defeated. He was 55.

While there is much sadness in the gaming world, I want to make a recommendation. Let us play the games he helped produce and remember all of the joy these titles brought. Here, I will list some of the greatest achievements of Mr. Iwata.

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Rollerball (NES)

Rollerball was the first game in which Iwata was credited for being a producer, and it  was his first game on the Nintendo Entertainment System. To be honest, I had never heard of this game before researching his massive list of projects he had worked on. Rollerball was a pinball game for the NES that had multiple boards, which stretch multiple screens. Even though it is just pinball, the music and the feel of the game makes it fun and humbling. This simple game was the gateway that led to many other classics for Nintendo.

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Earthbound (SNES)

Earthbound is a game that continues to inspire people to this very day. It takes all the workings of a Japanese role-playing game and applies them to Americana. Throw in comments on psychology, excellent story telling, and off beat humor. Earthbound is not only one of the best SNES games, but also of all time. Fans of the series are still asking for more since there have been only three entries, one of which Westerners have yet to play as an official port.

If it wasn’t for Iwata and his team at Hal Laboratories, Earthbound (Mother 2 in Japan) may have been cancelled. The development process was grueling and Iwata helped alleviate that workload to help the game see release day. What sort of wonder did those men and women feel as they crafted what would be known as a timeless classic?

The game never sold as well as other Nintendo franchises, but it had so much heart that it has never truly left the minds of gamers. Even though we may never play another new title in the series, Ness and Lucas continue exploring the world in Super Smash Bros.

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Super Smash Bros (Nintendo 64)

Speaking of Smash, Iwata was also the producer of Nintendo’s greatest fighting game, putting all the characters from across the platform into one game. The game broke the conventions of typical fighting games and has rapidly evolved into one of the most complex games around. There are still players out there playing the first Smash competitively, to outstanding use of the game’s mechanics.

Super Smash Bros was the first game I bought for the N64; it essentially sold me the console. I didn’t like Mario running in circles, but I did like the idea of Mario battling against Pikachu. In fact, I waited months after buying an N64 before getting Smash. My family could barely afford the console, so I waited patiently to earn enough money for the game. Needless to say, I have the entire box of the system memorized. Smash was not only one of my favorite games for years, but it also pointed me to other Nintendo characters I had never seen. Playing Smash led me to discover the Metroid games and sent me on a quest to find out who the hell Ness is. I loved every second of it, and I owe a large part of that experience to Iwata.

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Animal Crossing (Nintendo Gamecube)

There is a simple joy to Animal Crossing. No monsters chase the player. No princesses are in danger. No realms are being razed by evil kings. There’s simply a community of animals and the player that lives among them. The neighborhood is filled with unique personalities and lots of things to do to bring them together. It’s not about getting a high score; it’s about enjoying life by catching bugs, remembering old experiences, or just growing a garden.

Unfortunately, the Gamecube classic is a little hard to find and can be expensive to buy. Luckily, Animal Crossing: New Leaf is available on 3DS, and taking the experience on the go feels more natural. While I haven’t had the chance to play many of the Animal Crossing games, I’ve always had immense respect for them and what they’ve accomplished. Such simple designs can bring great joy to everyone, and that’s something that I think Iwata truly wanted to deliver.

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The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker (Nintendo Gamecube)

I can only imagine how Iwata must have felt when the harsh criticism came to light on this game. I’ll admit that I was one of those gamers who felt anger towards the way the game looked when compared to Ocarina of Time. I wanted Link’s world to be more detailed, but I and everyone else were completely wrong. Wind Waker is a beautiful game that captures all of the staples of the Zelda franchise, while adding the freedom of sailing. This version of Link may have been less detailed, but he was more expressive than ever before.

Many franchises were reborn on the Gamecube. Wind Waker is one of those gambles that resulted in one of the most regarded Zelda games. It is so good, that just updating the graphics made it seem like it had been made for the current generation of consoles. Iwata must have known that Link as a character had more going on than heroism. He is much more complex than that. The struggle to show this side of such a well-loved character could’ve been the reason for such a stark change in presentation. Iwata and his team took a bold chance and the world of gaming was made the better because of it.

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 Wario Ware Inc: Mega Party Game$ (Gameboy Advance)

To truly understand the simple joy Iwata brought with his design, one must spend at least an hour with any of the Wario Ware games. They are sheer absurdity in a frantically paced mess, yet they remain overwhelmingly hilarious and fun. These sort of games are the kind that people want to share, just to bring laughs. I used to look down on this franchise, but did eventually try it out on the DS years ago. I laughed so hard that I practically wet myself and proceeded to play for several hours.

This franchise reminds me of being a kid who wanted to make people laugh, no matter what sort of weird, embarrassing act it took. Many of the game’s laughs are crude or random, which fit into that childish sense of humor that makes many of us laugh at farts and dirty jokes. Wario Ware takes an establish Nintendo villain and makes him the embodiment of humor, which is something everyone could use more of.

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Iwata helped make the world laugh, not only in his games, but in his nature. He was naturally a funny guy and that came out during his appearances at E3 and Nintendo Direct presentations. I also have a feeling that he was funny in person.

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A Conclusion of Wonderful Memories

I may never have personally known Mr. Iwata, but the games he helped create brought me smiles for the entirety of my life. The games he and his team created explore everything it means to stay youthful and having simple joys in life. These games have brought together people of all ages and all nationalities to simply have fun.

So yes, I have never met Satoru Iwata, but I do feel a closeness to his ideals and dreams. I feel sadness in his passing, as if he had been a family friend. However, it’s this sadness that reminds me of the things he had accomplished and the mass amounts of joy he left for everyone in his games.

Let his whimsical nature live on in the people he’s touched over the many, many years of game development.

Nintendo Co's President Satoru Iwata poses with the company's Wii U gaming controller at the company headquarters after an interview with Reuters in Kyoto, western Japan January 7, 2013. Nintendo's year-end sales of its Wii U games console were steady, though not as strong as when its Wii predecessor was first launched, Iwata said on Monday.   REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY) - RTR3C6EF

On my business card, I am a corporate president. In my mind, I am a game developer. But in my heart, I am a gamer. – Satoru Iwata

Rest in peace, Satoru Iwata, you will be missed and remembered.