Category: Game Releases

New game releases.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Substance Painter Fall Update

Substance Painter, the popular PBR based texturing application, just received a major update.  The fall update comes with a completely new rendering engine resulting in better performance with lower hardware demands by incorporating Sparse Virtual Textures, which simulate large textures using less memory.  The new engine also supports up to 300 UV Tiles at once enabling support for massive scenes.  There are also several new tools aimed at mobile users including a new 2D viewport exporter with the ability to bake into a single high resolution texture and more.

Complete details on new features from the release notes:

Added:

  • Summary: a huge boost in performance, viewport upgrades, proper 2D view export, new UI helpers, an enhanced symmetry tool and new content
  • [SVT][Engine] Sparse Virtual Textures (SVT)
  • [SVT][Preferences][UI] SVT hardware support acceleration option
  • [SVT][Log] Additional information for Sparse Virtual Texturing feature (e.g. size disk)
  • [SVT][UI] Message window at start if size on disk too low for the cache
  • [SVT][Preferences][UI] Substance Painter global cache location
  • [SVT] New environment variable to specify the path of the cache of Substance Painter
  • [SVT] New environment variable to activate the SVT hardware support acceleration
  • [SVT] Detect sparse support by hardware
  • [SVT][Hardware Sparse] Raise minimum driver version for Nvidia GPU
  • [SVT][Shader][[Viewport][UI] Warn user if artefacts present with Sparse Virtual Texturing at project opening
  • [Anti-aliasing][Viewport] New temporal anti-aliasing filtering for 3D viewport (via Display Settings)
  • [Export] Export the content of the 2D viewport as a single texture
  • [Export][Dithering] Expose dithering at export
  • [Layer stack] Colors on layers and folders
  • [Layer stack] Quick activation and deactivation of multiple layers and effects
  • [Layer stack] Easier navigation for blending modes with up down keys and mouse scroll
  • [Proj][UI] Additional rotation manipulator on all three axis for triplanar
  • [Proj][Shorcuts] – and + to change the UV projection manipulator size
  • [Shader] Control coated layer parameters with channels in the PBR-coated shader
  • [Substance] Expose new mesh-based texture inputs for filters and generators
  • [Symmetry][Viewport][UI] Control symmetry offset with manipulators
  • [Symmetry][Contextual toolbar][UI] New symmetry panel with options
  • [Symmetry] New symmetry line intersection mode
  • [Symmetry] New symmetry clone cursor
  • [Symmetry][Shortcuts] Q to hide and -, + to change size and shift to snap
  • [Log] Improve error messages when unable to export textures
  • [Scripting] Allow to change or update the resources in Display Settings
  • [Scripting] Allow to create or remove channels in Texture Sets
  • [Content][Shaders] Add support for anisotropy with a dedicated shader (pbr-metal-rough-anisotropy-angle)
  • [Content] Update of the preview sphere with anisotropy and modified angle
  • [Content] Updated matFx shutline
  • [Content] New Texturing.XYZ seamless face scan
  • [Content] New anisotropic procedurals
  • [Content] New filter: baked lighting stylized
  • [Content] New environment map: studio automotive neutral
  • [Content] New project template: PBR – metallic roughness Anisotropy angle (with anisotropy channels)
  • [Content] New project template: PBR – metallic roughness Coated

Fixed:

  • [Color Picker] Painting cursor appearing when trying to pick a color
  • Crash by Selecting or Unselecting layers in a specific order can lead to crash
  • Crash when pasting as an instance a layer with a mask
  • [User Channel][Regression] Crash when renaming user channel
  • [User Channel] Grayed brush preview
  • [Alembic] Only one texture set from several materials after import
  • [Engine] Exported texture differs from viewport for brush stamps
  • [Engine] Invert with a level effect does not fully affect a texture
  • [Material picker is applying a brush stroke while picking
  • Switching resolution to 128x128px leads to a crash
  • Mesh map links are not updated properly when rebaking or instancing layers
  • [Substance] UserData ColorSpace does not work on Baked Mesh Normal requested as input
  • MDL association mismatch when using multiple shaders instances
  • [Symmetry][Fill Layer] Symmetry plane and its manipulator active in Fill Layer
  • [Viewport] Pivot point for translation not always updated after clicking
  • [UI] Fixed icons and removal of placeholders for HDPI monitors

Known Issues:

  • Computation freeze on AMD VEGA GPUs
  • Huion tablet issue with shortcuts on Windows OS
  • Anti-aliasing and shadows when active together may give unexpected results

You can learn a great deal more about this release in this blog post.

Art GameDev News

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Jump into an ever-evolving cooperative experience

Jump into an ever-evolving cooperative experience

In this free-to-play, third-person, looter-shooter, play solo or with a squad of up to four players to complete objectives, explore the Plains of Eidolon open-world environment, play through Cinematic Quests, and much, much, more!

Story:

After generations in cryostasis, the Tenno wake to find a solar system devastated by war and greed. The Grineer, clones twisted by genetic degeneration, and the Corpus, credit-obsessed scavengers, fight for control of the Origin System.

Your task is to assemble an Arsenal of powerful Warframes, ancient armors equipped with the power of the fallen Orokin Empire. Master the Warframes, and none will be able to stand against you.

If would like to download the game for free, please visit https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/warframe-switch.

Nintendo Account required for online play.


Blood and Gore
Violence
Users Interact
In-Game Purchases

Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Best Location-based Games on iOS and Android

Pokemon Go was a sensation when it first launched, and for many people it may have been their first brush with the idea that the GPS locator in your phone could be used for gaming. But Pokemon Go is not the only location-based augmented reality game out there, and it’s definitely not the one offering the deepest experience.

Here are several other strategy, puzzle and RPG games that will challenge your mind and the soles of your shoes.

Geocaching

Platforms: iOS & Android

Best location geocaching

First of all, why not go back in time to the very first GPS game? Geocaching goes back to the age when GPS units were expensive contraptions primarily of use to forest rangers, not something we forget is built into our phones and constantly monitoring us like SKYNET. It’s a straightforward game of going to a specific GPS location and finding a hidden package … at first.

Each geocache is hidden by another player, and some of them like to set up puzzles first. Unlike most GPS games, geocaching is a curated tour of your surroundings. The standard app is Geocaching, based on geocaching.com. The game has a freemium model where a lot of caches are free to find, but some you’ll need a subscription for. More so than other games on this list, though, Geocaching is the way to really explore your surroundings. It must be noted that there are plenty of different apps that plug into the geocache database, however

Ingress Prime

Developer: Niantic
Platforms:  iOS Universal, Android

best location ignress prime

If you like Pokemon Go, you should try Niantic’s first GPS game Ingress, which has recently been rebooted as Ingress Prime. In what is a common theme for augmented reality games, there is a secret world hidden behind our everyday lives, with Exotic Matter spewing into our reality at various hotspots. In a clever bit of post hoc justification, these hotspots show up at cultural markers in major population centres because humans are naturally attracted to them.

Also attracted are two rivals conspiracies that will recruit you to use your phone as a scanner to control fields of influence. The old guard is not happy with the new changes to Ingress, but for a brand new player, they may be welcome. The interface is smoother and a bit flashier (at the cost of data usage). Plus, it’s about to be an anime on Netflix!

Maguss

Developer: Mawa
Platforms: iOS Universal, Android

Best location maguss

Another recent GPS MMO is Maguss, which is definitely not trying to make the player feel like they are in the world of Harry Potter. This is a very polished RPG with unique combat and potion-brewing systems. You pick spells like cards and have a limited number of slots for each round, which happen in a timed-turn-based fashion. Then, you use your finger to draw the spells you want to cast.

The devs are apparently working on a magic wand peripheral for when you want to stop just playing games and really go LARPing. Maguss is also unique in having real PvP combat. However, it is definitely not a Harry Potter game. We cannot stress this enough. Maguss may be about a secret world of magic, and have four rival schools, and magic wands, but it is not a way to live out your Hogwarts fantasies in the real world … at least until Niantic’s third game comes out.

Orna

Developer: Cutless
Platform:  Android

Best location orna

A new kid on the block is Orna, which basically takes your classic SNES JRPG gameplay and plops it into a map of your actual neighborhood. It’s Dragon Warrior, but instead of wearing out your thumbs stomping around looking for random encounters you’ll wear out your actual feet. There’s also some multiplayer aspects where characters can grow strong enough to become Duke of their area and be challenged by other players, and the ability to form parties to cooperate.

This one is only available on Android for now, but hopefully it will gain enough attention to make the jump to iOS. IAPs get you class specializations for more options but aren’t necessary to play the game.

CodeRunner

Developer: Robot Chicken Interactive
Platform: iPhone
Price: $1.99

best location coderunner

A much stronger story is found in this AR game, which puts you in the shoes of a secret agent tasked with hacking suspicious citizens for the state by solving puzzles around town, some left by other players. CodeRunner really goes all-in on the augmented reality through its awesome audio, asking you to plug in headphones to play and giving you immersive spy ‘dialogue’ like instructions to keep your head down and don’t look behind you.

The game demands that you move around a lot as well, which is great if you’re trying to exercise more. It hasn’t updated in a while, and you won’t find many other players, but it’s a lot of fun while it lasts. Best of all, CodeRunner is a premium app, with no questionable IAP nonsense.

Resources

Developer: UN3X
Platform: Android

best location resources

This Android game puts you in the middle of a war of tycoons. The real-world map gives you various resources to exploit, but after that advancing in the game is mostly up to you. After building mines, you can refine the raw materials with factories and sell them on a standard or black market. Plus lots of other economic trickery, including attacking the facilities of nearby players.

That said, you don’t need too many people playing in your area thanks to the global trading layer that keeps things interesting. If you’re interested in tycooning and walking, give Resources a shot. It’s free to play, and the IAP are more for early boosts or developer tips than for late-game domination.

DominAnt

Developer: Erik Melkersson
Platform: Android

Best location dominant

Speaking of domination, this is another one-man-developed location-based game on Android. Here, you’ve got a great ant-based theme with three teams to ally yourself with. Build up your anthills anywhere you like, and they’ll expand on their own, gradually overrunning your whole town. Not only this, but the game is truly free-to-play, with IAP only for donations to the developer!

Do you have a favourite GPS/Location-based game or experience? Let us know in the comments!

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Daily Deal – Monkey Island Collection!

killer7 is Now Available on Steam and is 10% off!*

Step into the stylish and sinister world of killer7, the cult classic from Grasshopper Manufacture, Ltd., available for the first time in 13 years. Renowned for its unique gameplay and legendary storytelling from SUDA51, Hiroyuki Kobayashi, and Shinji Mikami, arrives on Steam for the first time.

*Offer ends November 22 at 10AM Pacific Time

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Daily Deal – Oriental Empires, 66% Off

7.20b:
==
* Meepo: Agility gain reduced from 2.2 to 1.4
* Meepo: Poof damage reduced from 80/100/120/140 to 70/90/110/130
* Meepo: Ransack hero steal reduced from 8/12/16/20 to 6/10/14/18
* Meepo: Level 10 Talent reduced from +15 Damage to +10
* Meepo: Level 15 Talent changed from +10% Lifesteal to +15% Evasion
* Meepo: Level 20 Talent changed from +15% Evasion to +10% Lifesteal
* Meepo: Level 25 Talent reduced from +600 Health to +400

* Luna: Lunar Blessing reduced from 8/14/20/26 to 6/12/18/24
* Luna: Level 15 Talent changed from +14 Lunar Blessing Attributes to +30 Movement Speed

* Slark: Now only steals agility when he kills the enemy himself
* Slark: Pounce leash duration from 3.5 to 2.75/3/3.25/3.5
* Slark: Pounce leash range from 325 to 350
* Slark: Shadow Dance cooldown increased from 60 to 80/70/60
* Slark: Level 20 Talent reduced from +3s Pounce Leash to +2s

* Dazzle: Poison Touch manacost increased from 80/90/100/110 to 80/100/120/140
* Dazzle: Bad Juju debuff duration reduced from 10 to 8

* Sand King: Sandstorm cooldown increased from 34/28/22/16 to 40/32/24/16
* Sand King: Sandstorm manacost rescaled from 60/50/40/30 to 60

* Underlord: Intelligence gain reduced from 2.6 to 2.3

* Lone Druid: Spirit Link attack speed reduced from 30/50/70/90 to 20/40/60/80
* Lone Druid: Spirit Link cooldown from 42/34/26/18 to 44/36/28/20

* Wraith Band: Attack speed bonus reduced from 8 to 7

* Drow: Base agility increased by 4
* Drow: Precision Aura increased from 20/36/52/68% to 20/40/60/80%

* Outworld Devourer: Base Intelligence increased from 24 to 28
* Outworld Devourer: Equilibrium mana restore from 60/80/100/120% to 80/100/120/140%
* Outworld Devourer: Equilibrium slow from 8/16/24/32% to 12/20/28/36%
* Outworld Devourer: Equilibrium cooldown from 20 to 18

* Clinkz: Burning Army base attack time improved from 1.8/1.65/1.5 to 1.65/1.5/1.35
* Clinkz: Burning Army cast range increased from 800 to 1200

* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike cooldown from 8/7/6/5 to 7/6/5/4
* Chaos Knight: Phantasm damage increased from 40/70/100% to 50/75/100%

* Centaur: Retaliate max stacks increased from 10 to 13

* Ember Spirit: Fixed a bug with multiple Fire Remnant instances not doing damage properly
* Ember Spirit: Sleight of Fist damage increased from 30/60/90/120 to 35/70/105/140

* Medusa: Agility increased from 20 + 2.5 to 22 + 3.4
* Medusa: Level 15 Talent increased from +20% Mystic Snake Mana Steal to +35%

* Treant Protector: Nature’s Guise fade time reduced from 4.75/4/3.25/2.5 to 4/3.5/3/2.5
* Treant Protector: Nature’s Guise total damage increased from 30/80/130/180 to 30/90/150/210
* Treant Protector: Nature’s Guise movement speed increased from 10/15/20/25% to 14/18/22/26%

* Storm Spirit: Electric Vortex duration from 1/1.5/2/2.5 to 1.4/1.8/2.2/2.6
* Storm Spirit: Electric Vortex cooldown from 21/20/19/18 to 22/20/18/16
* Storm Spirit: Overload attack speed reduction from -50 to -80 (matches movement speed now)

* Sven: Warcry shield health increased from 100/200/300/400 to 110/220/330/440

* Venomancer: Poison Sting slow from 11/12/13/14% to 11/13/15/17%

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Daily Deal – Trailmakers, 33% Off

7.20b:
==
* Meepo: Agility gain reduced from 2.2 to 1.4
* Meepo: Poof damage reduced from 80/100/120/140 to 70/90/110/130
* Meepo: Ransack hero steal reduced from 8/12/16/20 to 6/10/14/18
* Meepo: Level 10 Talent reduced from +15 Damage to +10
* Meepo: Level 15 Talent changed from +10% Lifesteal to +15% Evasion
* Meepo: Level 20 Talent changed from +15% Evasion to +10% Lifesteal
* Meepo: Level 25 Talent reduced from +600 Health to +400

* Luna: Lunar Blessing reduced from 8/14/20/26 to 6/12/18/24
* Luna: Level 15 Talent changed from +14 Lunar Blessing Attributes to +30 Movement Speed

* Slark: Now only steals agility when he kills the enemy himself
* Slark: Pounce leash duration from 3.5 to 2.75/3/3.25/3.5
* Slark: Pounce leash range from 325 to 350
* Slark: Shadow Dance cooldown increased from 60 to 80/70/60
* Slark: Level 20 Talent reduced from +3s Pounce Leash to +2s

* Dazzle: Poison Touch manacost increased from 80/90/100/110 to 80/100/120/140
* Dazzle: Bad Juju debuff duration reduced from 10 to 8

* Sand King: Sandstorm cooldown increased from 34/28/22/16 to 40/32/24/16
* Sand King: Sandstorm manacost rescaled from 60/50/40/30 to 60

* Underlord: Intelligence gain reduced from 2.6 to 2.3

* Lone Druid: Spirit Link attack speed reduced from 30/50/70/90 to 20/40/60/80
* Lone Druid: Spirit Link cooldown from 42/34/26/18 to 44/36/28/20

* Wraith Band: Attack speed bonus reduced from 8 to 7

* Drow: Base agility increased by 4
* Drow: Precision Aura increased from 20/36/52/68% to 20/40/60/80%

* Outworld Devourer: Base Intelligence increased from 24 to 28
* Outworld Devourer: Equilibrium mana restore from 60/80/100/120% to 80/100/120/140%
* Outworld Devourer: Equilibrium slow from 8/16/24/32% to 12/20/28/36%
* Outworld Devourer: Equilibrium cooldown from 20 to 18

* Clinkz: Burning Army base attack time improved from 1.8/1.65/1.5 to 1.65/1.5/1.35
* Clinkz: Burning Army cast range increased from 800 to 1200

* Chaos Knight: Chaos Strike cooldown from 8/7/6/5 to 7/6/5/4
* Chaos Knight: Phantasm damage increased from 40/70/100% to 50/75/100%

* Centaur: Retaliate max stacks increased from 10 to 13

* Ember Spirit: Fixed a bug with multiple Fire Remnant instances not doing damage properly
* Ember Spirit: Sleight of Fist damage increased from 30/60/90/120 to 35/70/105/140

* Medusa: Agility increased from 20 + 2.5 to 22 + 3.4
* Medusa: Level 15 Talent increased from +20% Mystic Snake Mana Steal to +35%

* Treant Protector: Nature’s Guise fade time reduced from 4.75/4/3.25/2.5 to 4/3.5/3/2.5
* Treant Protector: Nature’s Guise total damage increased from 30/80/130/180 to 30/90/150/210
* Treant Protector: Nature’s Guise movement speed increased from 10/15/20/25% to 14/18/22/26%

* Storm Spirit: Electric Vortex duration from 1/1.5/2/2.5 to 1.4/1.8/2.2/2.6
* Storm Spirit: Electric Vortex cooldown from 21/20/19/18 to 22/20/18/16
* Storm Spirit: Overload attack speed reduction from -50 to -80 (matches movement speed now)

* Sven: Warcry shield health increased from 100/200/300/400 to 110/220/330/440

* Venomancer: Poison Sting slow from 11/12/13/14% to 11/13/15/17%

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Delver Source Code Released

The source code to the indie game Delver was just released under the GPL2 license on Github.  The release includes full source code to the engine and editor, but does not contain the binary assets needed to run the game.  Delver itself is available on Steam and can be purchased here.  Delver is a 3D roguelike game, a bit of a mashup between Spelunky, Minecraft and Ultima Underworld.  The source code is written in Java and is configured to use  the IntelliJ IDEA IDE.

Delver is described as:

Delve into the shifting dungeons on your hunt for the Yithidian orb, but getting it might just be the easy part. Delver is a single player first-person action roguelike dungeon crawler, just like you wished they used to make.
Slay monsters, blast wands, hoard potions, and loot everything.

  • A silky smooth mix of 90s FPS combat with classic RPG mechanics.
  • In these dungeons once you’re dead you stay dead. Permadeath means that when you die, you begin each run into the dungeon anew.
  • Tough as nails gameplay will test your skills, no grinding will save you here.
  • A procedural dungeon that will keep you on your toes, no two runs will ever be the same.
  • Delicious chunky pixels!

If you are interested in checking out the Delver source code, be sure to watch the following video for instructions on how to install, navigate and run the source if you are new to Java or IntelliJ development.

[embedded content]

GameDev News