Triple A game titles may be all the hype for gaming enthusiasts, but if there is a biggest takeaway from STGCC’s Good Game Experience (GGXP), it is that local indie games can thrive and find success in the industry as well.
A new addition to STGCC’s 10th anniversary line-up, the GGXP is an area dedicated to gaming enthusiasts that featured an e-sports stage, as well as spaces to kick back and play console or PC games for free. It also highlighted an indie game developer showcase, where exhibitors can interact with the public and further explain the workings behind the undiscovered gem that is their yet-to-be-released games.
Tan Kang Soon, founder of indie game company Joysteak Studios, expresses, “I think it’s really good (that STGCC is displaying indie games) because since the local game industry is very small, indie studios need as much [sic] opportunities for exposure as possible… and the gaming community is not complete without the indie game developers, so I think it’s a good start for us to showcase some of the local games here.”
The sentiment is shared by Jojo Chia, the PR publicist of Daylight Studios, who explains that the addition is very sensible in light of “the public slowly accepting indie games as part of the community, especially in the local market”.
While we’re at it, here are some local indie game titles displayed at STGCC to look out for in the near future:
Stifled
Probably the most well-known title in the market currently, “Stifled” is the successor to local company Gattai Games’ final-year project in DigiPen, which was known as Lurking then.
Despite not being ready for launch yet, the game already has many prestigious awards under its belt, and it’s no wonder – the mic-enabled stealth thriller features an interesting concept that sees players creating sounds through the microphone input to reveal a hidden black-and- white world through ‘echolocation’.
And therein lies the catch: generating noises may grant the player a bigger field of vision,but doing so also attracts the attention of creatures lurking in the darkness.
The key is to strike a healthy balance between making sounds to see, and staying quiet to remain hidden – allowing for an immersive and thrilling experience. Stifled is scheduled to be released in the later part of 2017 for Playstation 4 and Playstation VR.
Holy Potatoes! What the Hell?!
Building on the massive success of the previous two games, “Holy Potatoes! We’re in Space?!” and “Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!”, the third installment of the series returns with more wholesome fun, wackiness, and of course, potatoes!
The light-hearted game follows Sweeny Tots, a potato chef in the Afterlife, as he works to ascend to heaven in a bid to find out what had happened in his previous life. Little does he know that he turns up late for his first day of work, only to be thrown in the kitchen of hell (quite literally) to sort potato sinners into the rightful stations, and cook up delicious dishes befitting the Gods.
With additional references to pop culture characters such as Sephiroth and Loki (named ‘Sephiroot’ and ‘Loki’ in-game respectively), Holy Potatoes! What the Hell?! sure comes across as a hell lot of fun for both the geeks and the casual gamer!
The game is slated for release later this year, and will be available on PC and Mac via Steam.
A Hunter’s Tale
Developed by _NaNicStudios, “A Hunter’s Tale” is a casual strategy turn-based game with an interesting twist – it pits the player against a selected prey, but with self-chosen skills that may put the former at a disadvantageous end.
Add on that fact with the enemies’ own abilities, and you’ll have a level field, although there are cases where the battle leans towards one side more than the other. Really, it’s all about strategy.
Perfect for tactical-minded, the game promises a difficult fight as players optimise their strategies, accumulate as much gold as possible, and work towards defeating the final boss. While a release date has yet to be announced, the title will be coming to both PC and Mac in the near future.
Songbird Symphony
Innovation in terms of bringing games as a whole in a new direction – that’s what Joysteak
Studios aims to achieve with its first game, “Songbird Symphony”.
The title goes beyond the typical, run-of- the-mill genre, and instead explores the concept of a 2D musical adventure. It is a simple, cheerful game depicting the tale of a young bird named Birb, as he leaves his nest to confront the outside world and discover his true identity.
The premise is rather straightforward, but allows for a great deal of fun. With gameplay mechanics reminiscent of the rhythm games in arcades, the game is very easy to pick up, making it an ideal choice for beginners and individuals who are just looking to have an enjoyable time.
Songbird Symphony is slated for release on PC and Mac, although no release date has been confirmed.
by Wong Si Jia
