Submissions now open through Feb. 20 for showcase from creators of The Game Awards for Games Who Can’t Afford the Game Awards
SHERMAN OAKS, California – Jan. 31, 2025 – After the success of The Game Awards for Games Who Can’t Afford the Game Awards (TGAGWCAGA), organizer Joystick Ventures to provide indie games a new space to spotlight talented teams in the gaming industry this Spring with the SUGOI Showcase, taking place Thursday, March 27.
The first S-video Ultra-64 Gameboy Object Icon (SUGOI) Showcase is here to prove that yes, you can create something amazing with a name like that. The showcase is spotlighting games that live up to their name – ridiculously awesome. Games that show new angles on beloved genres, go off the rails and break the rules a bit, or are just so odd that they leave a mark. SUGOI wants to showcase developers whose heart exceeds their marketing budget.
Developers with titles that fit the bill can submit here through Thursday, Feb. 20. Submission and participation are free, with a showcase to premiere on YouTube and a Steam page highlighting the 35 indie games selected.
SUGOI Showcase follows the successful last-minute awards show idea last December by Joystick Ventures and Pengonauts Studio to help promote their own game StarVaders while side-stepping the gaming industry’s typically steep costs of showcase participation. The showcase strives to carry the warmth and positivity generated by the gaming community in response to TGAGWCAGAs into the new year.
“Our game awards idea became bigger than we ever dreamed. We thought we’d only get responses from maybe 15 or so other games,” said Andrea Alvarez, Marketing Manager at Joystick Ventures. “We received more than 600 responses. We’re glad the success of TGAGWCAGA served as a springboard for our next opportunity to show you some truly cool games you may not have seen otherwise.”
Joystick Ventures is a California-based investing and publishing company whose main goal is to encourage indie developers to stay honest and promote experimentation to push the limits of game design across all genres, styles, and geographies. They are most known for their 2022 release, Lost in Play, which has sold more than 200,000 copies.
TOKYO – Jan. 30, 2025 –Snezhinka, the side-scrolling survival shooter developed by indie developer hinyari9 and published by PLAYISM, trains its iron sights at a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch launch on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, as revealed during today’s PLAYISM Game Show Mini. Catch the replay of the PLAYISM Game Show Mini on YouTube where Japan’s oldest indie publisher showcased the latest additions to their games catalog.
Snezhinka’s sister has been drafted into the frontlines of a neverending conflict of man versus machines. The only way to bring her home to safety is to enlist, climb through the ranks of private military contractor Blue Peacock Co., and protect her on the frontlines.
In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes. Maximize firepower and purchasing power in this easy-to-learn, hard-to-master defensive skirmish against ever-encroaching enemies. Every battle yields an earnest salary, yet each day a new government program takes a piece of Snezhinka’s paycheck. Manage meager funds during days-long battles to purchase new weapons, upgrades, and battle companions.
Master the battlefield by adjusting for each firearm’s rate of fire, recoil, and damage level. Pepper incoming foes with balanced assault rifles to stun approaching enemies, spray and pray with miniguns’ nearly never-ending barrages of bullets, or opt for armor-piercing sniper rifles to penetrate multiple mechs at once.
Spend leftover funds to level up Snezhinka’s base stats, with upgrades available for damage, magazine capacity, knockback, firing rate, reload speed, and cooldown reduction. Deploy defensive barricades to hold back the mechanic hordes, and equip gadgets like grenades and turrets for additional firepower.
Hire coworkers onto the battlefield to provide combat support amidst the maelstrom of bullets. Battle through battalions in an immersive story mode, or compete for high scores in two challenge modes, complete with online rankings.
“Snezhinka builds upon Marfusha: Sentinel Girls’ winning gameplay formula,” said indie game developer, hinyari9. “Fans of the series can look forward to an enhanced experience, and newcomers will enjoy a surprisingly deep side-scrolling shooter.”
Snezhinka is currently available on Steam PC for $7.99 and will become available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on February 13, 2025, for $11.99 with a 10% off launch sale on the Nintendo Switch that runs until Feb 26.
For more information, please visit thePLAYISM website, follow PLAYISM on Facebook and Twitter, and follow the hashtag #snezhinka on social media.
About hinyari9
Creator of titles such as Marfusha: Sentinel Girls and Snezhinka: Sentinel Girls 2, hinyari9 is a developer whose affinity for creative character designs and breathtaking worlds lends itself well to the game development process.
Japan’s oldest indie publisher, PLAYISM is known in the West for supporting popular indie games such as Gnosia, The Good Life, Idol Manager, Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight, Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, the La-Mulana series, Bright Memory, and DEEEER Simulator among other titles.
PLAYISM’s motto is “Bringing a Different Breed of Indie Game to the World.”
Sydney, Australia, 31 January 2025: Warner Bros. Games have announced that PC modding support for the critically acclaimed open-world RPG Hogwarts Legacy is now available. Steam and Epic Games Store players can now download the latest patch to access available mods directly from the game’s main menu. Those who are interested in creating their own mods can do so with the Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit available for free on the Epic Games Store.
In celebration of the release, Hogwarts Legacy developer Avalanche Software livestreamed on the studio’s official Twitch channel showing off a variety of mods that are available to play.
Accompanying the modding update is an all-new trailer highlighting a few of the unique and magical mods curated by the team at Avalanche Software, including the Chicken Wand mod, new hair style mods, and broom mount mods such as a vacuum cleaner and a flying cat. The mods showcased in the stream are available now, along with an array of other mods including new quests, dungeons and cosmetics. Players can expect the variety and quantity of modding tools and mods to expand over time.
Players can also check out the official How To Use Mods in Hogwarts Legacy video for instructions on how to download and use Hogwarts Legacy PC mods.
CurseForge, one of the world’s largest repository of mods and addons for video games, is hosting and moderating the Hogwarts Legacy PC mods. The Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit will support modding new quests, dungeons, and character enhancements such as cosmetics and skins. The mods can then be submitted through the CurseForge platform to be published in the game.
Published by Warner Bros. Games under the Portkey Games label and developed by Avalanche Software, Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, action, open-world role-playing-game set in the 1800s wizarding world. Beginning as a fifth year, players will embark on a journey through new and familiar locations, explore and discover magical beasts, craft potions, master spell casting, upgrade talents and customize their character to become the witch or wizard they want to be.
Hogwarts Legacy, the critically acclaimed, #1 selling new release of 2023,* has sold more than 30 million copies. It is available for PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and on Nintendo Switch.
The Hogwarts Legacy Creator Kit was developed by Certain Affinity in close collaboration and partnership with Avalanche Software. The Creator Kit is only available in English.
About Warner Bros. Games
Warner Bros. Games, Inc., is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all platforms, including console, handheld, mobile and PC-based gaming for both internal and third-party game titles. Additional information can be found at www.wbgames.com.
About Portkey Games
Portkey Games, from Warner Bros. Games, is the games label dedicated to creating new wizarding world mobile and video game experiences that place the player at the center of their own adventure, inspired by J.K. Rowling’s original stories. Portkey Games offers players the opportunity to make their own narrative choices and engage with the wizarding world setting to create new and unique experiences. The label was created to bring gamers and fans new gaming experiences that allow them to delve into the magic of the wizarding world in immersive ways where they can define their own wizarding world story.
About Avalanche Software
Established in 1995 in Salt Lake City, Avalanche Software has been creating interactive experiences for fans of the world’s largest franchises for over two decades. The studio joined Warner Bros. Games in 2016 and was the lead developer on Hogwarts Legacy, an open world, action RPG set in the Wizarding World. Additional information about Avalanche can be found at https://www.avalanchesoftware.com.
About CurseForge For Studios
CurseForge, which is operated by Overwolf, is one of the world’s largest platforms for mods and gaming communities with an extensive library of mods, ad-ons, and community-driven content across popular games including Minecraft, World of Warcraft, ARK: SA, and others. CurseForge for Studios elevates this experience by providing game studios with tools and services designed to harness the power of UGC to enhance player engagement, extend the lifespan of games, and drive revenue. Key features include cross-platform modding via Overwolf’s SDK, content moderation to ensure safety, and robust creator support through monthly payments, contests, and hackathons. For more information, please visit https://studios.curseforge.com/.
About Certain Affinity
Certain Affinity, a Keywords studio, was founded in 2006 with a goal of creating innovative, top-quality action games. It brings together an exceptionally talented group to form one of the largest AAA co-development studios in North America. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with a second, award-winning studio in Toronto, Canada. Certain Affinity is credited in over 40 titles across more than 17 world-class franchises, with 150+ veterans from dozens of AAA game studios. Additional information can be found at www.certainaffinity.com.
PAYDAY 3 Available to Claim for Free on PlayStation Plus Starting off Feb 4
31 JANUARY 2025:The fan-favourite heister, Jacket, known for his iconic chicken mask, voice recorder, and unrelenting penchant for ruthless violence, makes his triumphant return to the PAYDAY universe on February 3.
To celebrate Jacket’s return and give fans a taste of the chaos to come, watch this brand-new trailer showcasing the unique flair only Jacket can bring.
In addition to the trailer, Starbreeze has created a mini-game to celebrate the upcoming launch of Jacket and PAYDAY´S legacy. ‘Don´t be a Hero’ is a stealth take on the iconic Hotline Miami franchise, Jacket’s home.
Don´t be a Hero
Don’t Be a Hero is a stealth-focused homage to the Hotline Miami franchise. It’s created by Vincent Hellberg, a Graphic Designer on the Starbreeze marketing team, who also makes his own games and is known for his memorable role as Robert Banks in the Gateway Live lore videos.
Flipping the script, players step into the role of Milton, a bank teller obsessed with the PAYDAY gang. Instead of being the predator, you play as a survivor trying to outmanoeuvre the gang, save colleagues, and grab some cash along the way.
Since his debut in PAYDAY 2, Jacket has become more than just a playable character; he’s a cultural icon within the PAYDAY universe. The Jacket character pack for PAYDAY 3 includes both free and paid content:
Paid content
‘Jacket’ playable character with signature outfit
‘Richard Rising’ signature mask
‘Miami Decadence’ preset weapon (Tribune 32)
‘Sociopath’ Overskill weapon
‘Letterman’ charm
‘Richard 1989’ sticker
Free content
´Overskill´ system allows players to specialize their Overkill arsenal, enhancing havoc and destruction during heists. Each Overskill provides access to all its upgrades without spending skill points, and some even replace the Overkill weapon for added personalisation
Free Valentine Edition Twitch drops
Coming to PlayStation Plus
PAYDAY 3 will be available for free to claim and keep for PlayStation Plus members starting February 4, for a limited time of one month. This is the perfect opportunity to get your friends onboard and kickstart their new life of crime together!
Starbreeze is an independent developer, publisher and distributor of PC and console games targeting the global market, with studios in Stockholm, Barcelona, Paris and London. Housing the smash hit IP PAYDAY, Starbreeze develops games based on proprietary and third-party rights, both in-house and in partnership with external game developers. Starbreeze shares are listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the tickers STAR A and STAR B. For more information, please visit starbreeze.com
About PLAION
PLAION is a dynamic and diversified business in the global entertainment sector, masterfully crafting franchises that captivate audiences worldwide. Boasting a vast network of eight game development studios, fifteen regional publishing offices, three game publishing labels including Deep Silver, and PLAION PICTURES as an independent film publisher and distributor, the company extends its influence with merchandise production and expansive distribution capabilities across the globe. Founded three decades ago, PLAION has firmly established itself within the entertainment arena. With a diverse range of services and solutions, PLAION stands as the premier publishing partner for console and PC games across both physical and digital channels. Moreover, its strong foothold in the Virtual Reality (VR) domain highlights the company’s commitment to varied gaming experiences. PLAION is an Embracer Group company.
About Deep Silver
Deep Silver is PLAION’s flagship publishing label, and the home of captivating gaming worlds from the gripping post-apocalypse of Metro, to the twisted paradises of Dead Island to the authentic Medieval landscapes of Kingdom Come Deliverance .For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com
Los Santos’ skilled drivers will be handsomely rewarded this week, with Drag Races dishing out double the usual GTA$ and a GTA$100,000 bonus awaiting those who participate in two Drag Races.
In the meantime, Lunar New Year celebrations continue, offering boosts to the new Lunar New Year Stunt Races, a limited-time themed livery, an array of gifts for logging in, and discoverable Yuanbao collectibles leading to a Gold Snake Santo Capra Outfit.
Full details from this week’s update include:
Double GTA$ and RP on Drag Races and Drop Zone
Double GTA$ on Auto Shop Client Jobs
Triple LS Car Meet Reputation
Black Square Shades and a GTA$100,000bonus for completing one Dispatch Work Job
Lunar New Year Rewards (available through February 12):
Double GTA$ and RP on the new Lunar New Year Stunt Races
A limited-time Lunar New Year livery for the Maibatsu Penumbra FF for participating in one of the new Stunt Races
The Black Snake Yogarishima Outfit, Red Serpent Leather Jacket, Snake Soul Pendant, Snake King Pendant, Red Snake Soul Cap and Gray Snake King Cap for logging in
Collect all 36 Yuanbao to receive the Gold Snake Santo Capra Outfit
Weekly Challenge: Participate in two Drag Races to receive GTA$100,000
Luxury Autos Vehicles: The Übermacht Niobe (Sports) and Declasse Vigero ZX Convertible (Muscle)
HSW Premium Test Ride: The Annis Euros X32 (Coupe)
LS Car Meet Prize Ride: Place Top 5 in the LS Car Meet Series for four days in a row to win the Pfister Comet SR (Sports)
LS Car Meet Test Rides: The Pfister 811 (Super, 30% off), Vapid Riata (Off-Road), and Shitzu Hakuchou (Motorcycle)
Lucky Wheel Top Prize: The Gallivanter Baller ST-D (SUV)
Gun Van Discounts: 30% off the Military Rifle, 40% off the Stun Gun for GTA+ Members and a free El Strickler Military Rifle for GTA+ Members
30% off Auto Shop Properties, their Upgrades and Modifications
Vehicle Discounts: 30% off the Progen GP1 (Super), Pfister 811 (Super), Dinka Jester (Racecar) (Sports), Karin Hotring Everon (Sports), Vapid Dominator ASP (Muscle), Obey Tailgater S (Sedan), Vulcar Warrener HKR (Sedan), and Annis Remus (Sports), and JoBuilt Velum 5-Seater (Plane)
GTA+ Benefits: A free Vapid Dominator GT (Muscle), along with new Chameleon Paints, 2X Rewards on Priority FIB Files, and more
Nippon Ichi Software Continues Unique Strategy RPG Series 20 Years After Its Debut
NIS America, Inc. is thrilled to share that the Strategy RPG Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is available now physically on Nintendo Switch. Watch the launch trailer here”
To celebrate the launch, all users will be able to download the Marona and Ash Phantom Isle outfits featured in the original Phantom Brave for free until 13 February at 6 am PST / 2 pm GMT / 3 pm CET / 14 February at 1 am AEST.
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero is an unconventional Strategy RPG that features free movement on a gridless map. Summon your Phantom squad members during battle by Confining their souls to objects on the map.
Phantoms can also Confire with special Gadget items for slow-moving but hard-hitting attacks. In addition, Marona can Confriend with Phantoms to transform her appearance and access show-stopping special attacks. How the battle unfolds is completely up to you!
Create characters from 51 different types of units and make the ultimate powerhouse through a combination of leveling up, finding rare items, and challenging randomized dungeons. There are endless possibilities for customization!
Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero will release on Steam this spring.
About Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
Nippon Ichi Software, Inc. is a Japanese video game developer and publisher founded in 1991. It is famous for its unique lineup of strategy RPGs, with titles such as Disgaea and Phantom Brave. Its mascot is the penguin-like Prinny, which first debuted in the Disgaea series.
About NIS America, Inc.
In 2003, NIS America, Inc. was established in Southern California as a subsidiary of NIppon Ichi Software, Inc., to bring exciting, one-of-a-kind Japanese culture to North America.
NIS America, Inc.’s team members devote themselves to the fans. Their respect for their fans is at the heart of everything they do. As an established entertainment publisher in the U.S., NIS America, Inc. is committed to continuous growth and improvement.
In keeping with its mission, NIS America, Inc. also publishes other popular Japanese games, like the critically acclaimed The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak.
One of Metacritic’s top 100 best-rated games of 2024 adds new after-credits boss, boss rush mode
TOKYO – 30 January 2024 – Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, the pixel art Metroidvania sequel to Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight from developer Bombservice and publisher PLAYISMwhich sold more than 800,000 units, duels demons on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on Thursday, 6 February 2025, as revealed during the PLAYISM Game Show Mini today.
Five years after Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight, a mysterious bell rings in the distance to signal incoming tragedy for the village of Koho and the sacred, life-sustaining Lun Tree. Under the order of the village matriarch, run towards the sound of danger as Priestess Momo. Investigate the mystery behind the bellringers whose ominous chimes summon a devastating demonic invasion.
Traverse diverse biomes in search of this mind-controlling source of corruption. Scour the decrepit dungeons of the Old Sanctuary, the lush Fairy Springs, and the once-bustling Meikan Village. Defeat waves of possessed flora, fauna, and fairies in pursuit of the Moon God Selin and his hordes of henchmen who seek to destroy the world.
Swiftly engage enemies with relentless melee attacks, or strike from afar with pinpoint bow and arrow shots. Personalize combat preferences through the “Sigil” system to aid Momo in battle with special power-ups, such as “The Hunter,” which grants increased arrow damage while maintaining full stamina.
Modify the difficulty level to Light Mode for a relaxed experience prioritizing the epic narrative, or face the Moon God’s full strength in Normal difficulty mode with increased enemy damage output and reduced invulnerability periods. Enjoy an added Boss Rush mode as part of the console release, and face a newly added boss battle after the end credits.
“While Moonlit Farewell was the final chapter for the Momodora series, it’s been an absolute pleasure to continue adding content and reach new audiences on consoles,” said rdein, Founder of Bombservice. “Many thanks to our supporters from our first Momodora title to the last, we could not have reached this point without them.”
Momodora: Moonlit Farewellarrives on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch on Thursday, 6 February 2025, for $16.99 USD (€16.49). Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch version start on 30 January with a 10% off until 26 February 2025. It will support English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Ukrainian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, and Korean.
For more information, please visit thePLAYISM website, follow PLAYISM on Facebook and Twitter, and follow the hashtag #momodora on social media.
About Bombservice
Indie developers rdein, pkbt, and nk founded Bombservice and began creating the Momodora series. After surpassing 100,000 copies sold on Steam, the team is now committed to bringing this acclaimed successor, Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, to new platforms.
About PLAYISM
Japan’s oldest indie publisher, PLAYISM is known in the West for supporting popular indie games such as Gnosia, The Good Life, Idol Manager, Tasomachi: Behind the Twilight, Touhou Luna Nights, Fight Crab, Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-, the La-Mulana series, Bright Memory, and DEEEER Simulator among other titles.
PLAYISM’s motto is “Bringing a Different Breed of Indie Game to the World.”
Existing Maps Will Also be Updated in the Game’s February Update
Mountaintop Studios today unveiled Canal, the new map launching with Spectre Divide’s Season 1 Flashpoint update. Located in Breakwater’s Shadows district, Canal is a multi-level map piled high with cargo containers, perilous blind corners, and chokepoints players can use to gain tactical advantage. Canal’s Fast Recall Zone opens up unique opportunities for quick rotations and tactical movement.
Additionally, Spectre Divide’s original maps – Commons, Metro, Mill, Skyway – will be updated in the February update. This includes improvements to chokepoints and visual improvements that make maps more colorful, vibrant and alive.
Spectre Divide is a free-to-play 3v3 tactical shooter currently available for Windows PC via Steam, and in development for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. For more information about the game, visit the official website, and follow the official social media accounts on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Be a part of the Mountaineer community by jumping on the official subreddit, or joining Spectre Divide’s Discord Server.
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About Mountaintop Studios
Mountaintop is a small, independent, fully-remote studio comprised of industry veterans from around the world, looking to evolve the tactical shooter genre. The team is comprised of developers from major shooter titles including Counter-Strike, Valorant, Apex Legends, Halo, Overwatch and Battlefield. Check out the studio’s official website here.
A free update for DEATH NOTE Killer Within is out now! The game becomes more intense than ever with the introduction of a brand-new playable role: Mello! New paid downloadable content is also available for players.
The free update has reshaped the stakes and the tactical possibilities of the game. Until now, players were separated into two teams, by either joining Kira or the investigator L, and four roles: Kira or one of his followers, and L and his investigators. As of today, a fifth role has been added with Mello, L’s successor from the original series, who belongs to neither Kira nor L’s teams, and whose job is to beat Team L by eliminating Kira first.
Discover now the brand-new role of Mello and the downloadable content in this trailer
When playing Mello, players will need to be careful with their kills. This new role can fire his gun once per action phase to eliminate someone without needing their ID, but the gunshot will be heard by those around Mello, so they need to choose their moment carefully! If Mello kills L by mistake, Team Kira will win the game. The players’ deduction skills and discretion will therefore be needed even more with this new role to suspect the right person. Mello needs to gain L’s trust to become an arrester and eliminate Kira with his ability to be the sole victor.
Finally, new paid downloadable content is available as well with two premium avatars of Mello and Near, and with the Premium Customization Track Vol.3. Mello’s premium avatar has a biker outfit and comes with a Nobori Flag and a motorcycle he moves around with. Near’s avatar is in a police uniform with a Toy Robot he plays with and a SWAT Helmet. The Customization Track includes additional rewards such as the two premium avatars, the Shinigami “Sidoh” as a new pet, 21 accessories, 8 voiced cut-ins and 2 nameplates.
Experience Thrilling Gameplay and Storytelling from The Next Generation of Game Makers at the University of Southern California
LOS ANGELES (JAN 30, 2025) – Game on! Today, North America’s No. 1 collegiate game design program, USC Games, announced its 9th annualUSC Games Expo will return to USC’s campus on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. USC Trojan students, staff, and games fans are invited to get hands-on with over 60 digital and tabletop games at the Expo following the USC Games Advanced Games Projects (AGP) Spotlight Show, streaming live at 4:00pm PST.
Along with an evening of gameplay, onsite attendees can dive into interactive experiences from the Themed Entertainment program and get an exclusive preview of the second season of games developed in the all-new Games as a Service and Live Operations (GLO) course.
“The USC Games Expo is an annual celebration of creativity and innovation, showcasing a wide array of games from our number-one ranked game design program,” says Danny Bilson, chair of the USC School of Cinematic Arts (SCA) Interactive Media & Games Division (IMGD), and director of USC Games. “We’re looking forward to once again opening the USC campus for everyone to meet the next generation of game developers who, over the course of their careers, will shape the future of this industry we all hold dear.”
Expo attendees can play over 60 original games from teams and individuals from the USC Games program, including 8 games developed in the AGP capstone course. This year’s featured titles include:
Art House (PC) In Art House, step into the life of Lisa, a single mother to Ollie and Zoe who’s struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after the passing of her mother, Betty, a painter whose fading memories come to life on a magical canvas. Guide Lisa through hauntingly beautiful paintings while solving puzzles and confronting the shadows of the family’s past. Navigate a journey through grief and towards healing that lingers after the final brushstroke.
Donuts! (PC) Donuts! is a fast-paced arcade experience that mixes whimsical driving/skateboarding gameplay with heartfelt cultural storytelling. As Mony, a young Cambodian-American, you’ll race through vibrant LA streets to deliver donuts while learning more about herself, her community, and her family. With a retro-futuristic art style and 90s SoCal vibes, deliver donuts, dreams, and downright radical tricks in this action-packed ride.
DuoQ (PC) DuoQ is an e-dating sim about romancing another person through an online game. Play alongside Starlight, a mysterious stranger met in the fictional FPS game “To the Heart.” Work – and flirt – together, over real-time voice comms, solving in-game puzzles and trying desperately to win Starlight’s love.
Myth of Lumi (PC) Myth of Lumi is a physics-driven, lightweight strategy card game where the players enlist the help of 2D magical creatures, Lumi, who lives inside the cards. Players will use their mastery of magic and ability to work with Lumi to compete in stylish Magic Duels against rival magicians.
Potion Problems (PC) Potion Problems is a chaotic multiplayer party game that combines social deduction with magic. Navigate through Pigeonpoint’s College for Potion Making as a troublemaker or diligent apprentice. Collect ingredients to make unique potions, avoid being turned into a frog, and vote out troublemakers as you try to complete your degree!
Scare Crow (PC) Scare Crow is a wacky, tower-defense stealth game where players must fend off an army of hungry squirrels from invading a backyard rich with birdfeeders. Play as Casey, a laid-back, nonchalant crow whose lifestyle is rudely interrupted by Sergeant Squeak and his troop of squirrels who are determined to steal every last bit of Casey’s birdseed. Set traps, scare squirrels, and defeat Sergeant Squeak to ensure that your yard remains squeak-free!
Smoke Break! (PC) Smoke Break! is a lighthearted 3D stealth and puzzle game. Play as Applewood, a living cloud of smoke, who uses stealth to outwit bakers, avoid the janitor, and cause trouble as he searches a dessert factory for a delicious–and elusive–burnt pie!
Unchained (PC) Unchained is a turn-based tactical RPG in which the player can achieve victory without resorting to violence. Maintaining positive relationships with party members is as important as combat tactics as you contend with rival Chain Hunters and the enigmatic Spirit of The Chain. Fight, negotiate with, or even recruit these foes to join you on your epic quest.
About USC Games
USC Games is a flagship collaboration offered jointly by the School of Cinematic Arts Division of Interactive Media & Games and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science. This unified brand allows press, industry, students, and faculty to discuss the overall efforts at USC in games and simultaneously clarify the important distinctions between the offerings of the various programs.
The program has been ranked No. 1 for twelve years, as evaluated by the Princeton Review. The program at the School of Cinematic Arts focuses on both the design and production of interactive media and games. Students emerge as creative media leaders, fluent in many forms of visual expression and storytelling, with a sophistication to design and develop innovative interactive experiences that expand the state of interactive art and play across domains, such as entertainment, education, health care, and social action.
The Computer Science Games program at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering provides students with a grounding in the fundamentals of computer science and a cross-disciplinary background in game development. Students emerge with an engineering-oriented game-programming skillset, with an understanding of key technologies and the ability to lead complex technical teams in the development of games.
In addition to the advanced games class, USC Games offers the USC Games Expo and an annual industry event held at the Game Developers Conference. USC Games brings more shared courses under this umbrella, including those from other schools at [email protected].
About the USC School of Cinematic Arts
The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is one of the leading film schools in the world. Founded in collaboration with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1929 over 95 years ago, the USC School of Cinematic Arts has fueled and mirrored the growth of entertainment as an industry and an art form. The School offers comprehensive programs in directing, producing, writing, critical studies, animation and digital arts, production, interactive media, and games, all backed by a broad liberal arts education and taught by leading practitioners in each field. Its more than 18,000 alumni are among the world’s most distinguished animators, scholars, teachers, writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, sound experts, and industry executives. Since 1973, not a year has passed without an alumnus or alumna being nominated for an Academy Award. https://cinema.usc.edu/.
About the USC Viterbi School of Engineering
Founded in 1905, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering was named in 2004 as the Andrew and Erna Viterbi School of Engineering, honoring USC alumnus Andrew Viterbi, who developed an algorithm to connect the world, and his wife Erna. Located in Los Angeles, a global center for arts, technology, business, and innovation in the heart of the Pacific Rim, USC Viterbi draws undergraduate and graduate students from all over the world. With more than 10,000 students, 400 faculty across all ranks and appointment levels, and more than 40 in-residence or affiliated members of the National Academies, USC Viterbi is considered among the top engineering programs. Under the leadership of Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, the school helps re-imagine the 21st century engineer, by pioneering the Grand Challenge Scholars Program, leading national efforts in enhancing diversity, and changing the conversation about engineering. With its vision of engineering a better world for all humanity, USC Viterbi embodies the power of engineering (Engineering+) to advance discovery and solutions across all disciplines, to serve California, the nation, and the world. In 2024, the USC Viterbi School of Engineering launched the School of Advanced Computing, thus creating a new school “within a school.” http://viterbi.usc.edu/
