Pumpkin Jack New-Gen Edition brings spooky 3D platforming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

The popular mascot platformer gets a next-gen release date

28 September 2021 Good news for Halloween: The acclaimed 3D platformer Pumpkin Jack is coming to next-gen, with Pumpkin Jack New-Gen Edition hitting PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on October 27th, 2021.

The fiery glow of Pumpkin Jack’s carved grin will look spookier than ever thanks to 60fps and a touch of next-gen ray-tracing, adding to the already vibrant and atmospheric world crafted by solo developer Nicolas Meyssonnier in his love-letter to the classic era of 3D platforming.

Making this Halloween treat just that little bit sweeter is the fact that Pumpkin Jack will be cross-buy on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. This means that buying the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S version will also grant you access to the equivalent last-gen one, and vice versa. So, if you already own Pumpkin Jack on PS4 or Xbox One, you’ll automatically get access to the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S New-Gen Edition respectively at no extra cost!

On your quest to help evil triumph over good, you travel through a series of eerie themed settings, master combos and dodges to defeat challenging beasts, build an awesome arsenal of weapons and solve devilish mini-games that focus on skills and puzzles.

It’s the perfect mix of old and new, melding a retro-inspired title that builds on the legacy of the likes of MediEvil and Jak & Daxter with the technological power of the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Along with fans of Pumpkin Jack who want to experience the game on next-gen, the New-Gen Edition is sure to carve out a whole new audience looking to get into the Halloween spirit. On PS5 and Xbox Series X|S Pumpkin Jack New-Gen Edition has a Performance Mode that targets up to 4K resolution at 60fps. On PS5 and Xbox Series X a Quality Mode is also available that targets up to 4K resolution at 30fps, adding higher quality effects and shadows witt ray-tracing.

“Pumpkin Jack may be a retro throwback to the golden age of 3D platformers, but it elevates it with contemporary graphics that have never looked better, thanks to the new gen’s ray-tracing enhancements,” said Pumpkin Jack developer Nicolas Meyssonnier. “This is the definitive edition of Pumpkin Jack, arriving just in time for Halloween!”

gamescom 2021: Thunderful and Headup to attend with five titles at gamescom now, with more surprises in store across the event

Plus: AHEAD gamescom live stream event planned featuring deeper dives on all gamescom titles from Thunderful & Headup

25 August 2021

gamescom is happening digitally this year, and Thunderful as well as Headup are going to be part of the show. Expect to see five of their upcoming titles showcased on gamescom now. Free demos for White Shadows and Crowns & Pawns will also be available on Steam, so keep an eye out on their respective game pages.
 

• In Firegirl you’ll chop through obstacles and extinguish dastardly pyro-monsters, use your hose to boost your jumps and reach normally inaccessible places to rescue trapped civilians (and cats!). Hang out at the Firehouse between missions to upgrade your equipment and hire new staff. You’ll need all the help you can get to prepare for the next fire outbreak!
   
• Source of Madness is a side-scrolling dark action roguelite set in the Loam Lands, a twisted Lovecraftian inspired world powered by procedural generation and AI machine learning which offers ever-changing landscapes to explore and new monstrosities to face on every run. Choose a class, upgrade your skills, and unlock all manner of magic abilities as you collect loot and items left behind by those who came before you. 
   
• White Shadows is a modern fable about escaping a dark, weird and violent world. With its striking black and white visuals, deep allegorical story and satisfying puzzles, this 2.5 platformer is a truly unique proposition.
   
• INDUSTRIA is a surreal, narrative-based first-person shooter. Set in 1989 upon the eve of the fall of the Berlin Wall, you play as a scientist named Nora who is searching for her missing loved one, Dr. Walter Rosendal. Her efforts to find him take her to a mysterious parallel dimension that merges East Berlin’s brutalist architecture with futuristic robots and mysterious apparatuses. Where are you? When are you? And what has befallen the missing Dr. Rosendal?
   
• Last but not least, pack your bags and escape to Eastern-Europe with Crowns and Pawns, a beautifully hand-painted adventure game reminiscent of the classic Broken Sword franchise.

 
All of these games and some more will also be showcased at this week’s AHEAD gamescom live stream event, which is taking place on Thursday and Friday at 9 AM PST / 12 PM EST / 6 PM CEST. Tune in to AHEAD on Twitch, YouTube, or FB Gaming and share some indie love via Twitter!  ❤️

Headup Launches First-Person Survival Platformer Escape from Naraka on Steam

Speedrun for your life from deadly creatures and traps in exotic locations inspired by Balinese mythology

29 July 2021

Headup and Xelo Games are excited to announce that the first-person survival platformer, Escape from Naraka, will be available on Steam today for $ 14.99 / € 14,99 / £ 11.99 including a 10% release discount. Set in a nightmarish Balinese temple, Escape from Naraka will test your platforming and parkour skills through a wide range of challenges, obstacles, enemies, and trials scattered across a wide variety of stages.
 
To make navigating this hellscape more manageable, the protagonist has access to unique abilities, which curious players can also use to discover a plethora of secrets. While Escape from Naraka was inspired by games like SEUM: Speedrunners from Hell, Dark Deception, and DOOM, the team at Xelo Games decided to give it a special touch by using 3D scan technology to incorporate real life artifacts, various art from Balinese mythology as well as real temples, and also used traditional Balinese instruments for composing the soundtrack.

“We’re really happy that the game is out in the wild and can’t wait for players to jump into the full experience!”, said Irfan Sarwono, Game Director at Xelo Games. “The demo version already attracted a big number of highly skilled players, so it’s going to be really exciting to see how fast they’ll be able to run through the levels and find different routes that will help them achieve better times.”

For more details, check out the official Steam page and the official release trailer:
https://youtu.be/vcxvuUpL_fQ

You can find more info about the game and its developers on their Twitter page, and feel free to discuss the game with them on Discord.

Also, don't miss the awesome Escape from Naraka soundtrack - many traditional Balinese instruments were used to create its distinctive style! You can find it at this Bandcamp link from tomorrow at 5PM CET / 8AM PST.

GIGAPOCALYPSE Rampages Into Early Access on Steam Today

22 July 2021 Headup is hell-bent on causing some havoc today! They have let loose a new 2D pixel-art destruction game, GIGAPOCALYPSE, inspired by classic Kaijū movies such as Godzilla and King Kong, and the legendary game series Rampage. For today’s Early Access launch, get a taste for destruction with the new trailer: https://youtu.be/myZlUYqaqgc

As you turn towering cities to rubble, a blood-pumping heavy metal symphony will accompany you, perfectly scoring the chaos of your very own monster apocalypse!

Now that Gigapocalypse has hit Early Access, all nine “Gigas” will slowly be added in the lead up to the final game. Each one will bring new powers, mechanics and deadly upgrades, increasing the scope for devastation. More locations will be added too, bringing the final tally to six stages set during the past, present and future - meaning your reign of destruction can span across time itself!

Also, check out the game’s Twitter page and feel free to discuss with the developers on Discord.
 

About Gigapocalypse

As a little kid, picking up your dragon toys, spewing fire, feels powerful and destroying everything is one of the best childhood memories for many of us. Now you become that giant monster in Gigapocalypse, a 2D pixel art destruction game, inspired by classical Kaijū movies such as “Godzilla” and “King Kong” and the game classic “Rampage”.

The game features a selection of different “Gigas” from the Prehistoric era, the uncharted outer space and the forgotten history. Each with unique skills, mutations and manifold skins that can be unlocked with level ups.

FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Nine Gigas with unique abilities and skill trees
• Six beautifully detailed stages based on earth's past, present and future timeline
• Themed enemies and buildings
• Epic and hilarious boss fights
• Unlockable minions, skills, and mutations
• Extra quests and secrets to unlock more abilities for your monsters
• Fast-paced arcade action with simple controls
• Satisfying visual destruction in cute pixel art style
• A heavy metal soundtrack to perfectly complement the chaos
• Razer Chroma support

First-Person Survival Platformer Escape from Naraka Will Include NVIDIA DLSS and Ray-Tracing

Enjoy ray-traced reflections & shadows, RTX global illumination and performance-boosting NVIDIA DLSS with GeForce RTX

21 July 2021 Escape from Naraka is a unique first-person action-platformer with exotic Balinese themes, inspired by local mythologies and legends. Published via Headup, the small Indonesia-based development team, Xelo Games, will launch their game next Thursday, on July 29th.
 
Powered by Unreal Engine 4, players will encounter a beautifully created first-person action-platformer set in a gigantic Balinese temple including real statues, and inspired by real mythology, and creatures straight from legend.
 
If you’re going to play Escape from Naraka on a Nvidia GeForce RTX PC, you can enhance your experience with ray-traced reflections, ray-traced shadows, RTX Global Illumination and performance-accelerating NVIDIA DLSS! Check out these effects in action in this new RTX video: 
 

“It's a great honor to work with Nvidia. Like a dream coming true!”, adds Irfan Sarwono, Game Director of Xelo Games. “Since it's a mix of runner and platformer including Steam Leaderboards, and it is up to the player to achieve the best possible time, the extra FPS won't hurt. DLSS? Check! Ray-Tracing? Check!”
 
Wishlist now if you are a fan of games like SEUM: Speedrunners from Hell, Dark Deception, or DOOM! For more information, check out the official Twitter page and feel free to discuss the game with the developers on Discord.

Lost At Sea, Studio Fizbin’s New Narrative Adventure Game, Will Have You Reminisce About What Was and What Could Have Been

Releasing today for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5

15 July 2021 We are happy to announce that the narrative adventure, Lost At Sea will open its beautiful, surreal islands today. Players can delve into an emotional journey about life, loss, love and reminisce about the past and future. Lost At Sea will be available for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation®5 at a price of € 14.99. Steam users will receive a 10% release discount.
 
The story is about Anna, a woman in her mid-50’s. Thirty years ago, she met her husband, Andrew and they wished for a child, but that took way longer than expected. They had almost given up hope when it happened after all, and Danny was born. Sadly, nine years later, Danny died in a terrible boating accident with a friend. Years later after the tragedy, Anna also loses Andrew to early dementia. After Andrew nearly dies too, she becomes aware that she cannot provide the help he really needs. So, Anna leaves the house and starts processing her feelings on an island she created in her mind, similar to the one that cost Danny his life.
 
With Lost At Sea, Studio Fizbin created a game about universal themes focusing on life and death, coming to terms with your past and family. Set on a beautiful island, this game will force you to face your fears and take stock of your life through imaginative minigames and a relatable story. What are the most important moments of your life, and how do you want to live it?
 
Studio Fizbin are the critically-acclaimed creators of the beloved The Inner World adventure franchise and the studio behind the 2020 IGF honorable mention Minute Of Islands.
 
You can find Lost At Sea on Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the PlayStation®Store. Also, feel free to check out Studio Fizbin's Twitter page.

Cardaclysm: Shards of the Four: The Single Player Card Combat RPG Officially Releases on Consoles August 13

13 July 2021 Thogether with the development team Elder Games, we are pleased to announce the official release of Cardaclysm: Shards of the Four for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on August 13th.
 
Cardaclysm: Shards of the Four is a procedurally generated collectible card game with action RPG elements. Tinkering with magic and spells beyond his ability, a dark wizard accidentally unleashes The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and their minions. The only way to send them back to the fiery pit from whence they came is by battling through with over 240 cards and more that 40 artefacts.
 
After launching for PC in February, the game has been ported to consoles, and includes everything that can be found in the PC version, including all Early Access updates: Besides the 240+ cards and 40+ artifacts, you’re going to fight lots of enemies in 6 biomes and eventually face the fierce final boss in an especially deathly realm, filled with brutal creatures called “Agents of Death”. Only those who win enough keys are allowed to enter the final realm and face the ultimate boss: Death himself!

Cardaclysm: Shard of the Four will be available in English, French, German, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Join the game's Twitter page or Discord channel, and stay tuned for more!

Turn Cities to Rubble in the Rampage-inspired Gigapocalypse Coming 22nd July to Steam Early Access

Create your own monster apocalypse in this heavy metal arcade throwback

24 June 2021

Today we announce the PC Early Access release date for their 2D pixel art destruction game Gigapocalypse. On July 22nd, those with an insatiable appetite for destruction can gorge themselves on the biggest monster mashup of the year.

Amplified by pumping heavy metal songs, players will control giant Kaijū-inspired monsters – the so-called “Gigas” – and leave a pixelated trail of destruction. As the Giga evolves, players will unlock powerful mutations, skills, and skins, or even the ability to spawn up to five cute yet evil minions which accompany the Giga on their destructive journey. Unleashing their destructive power on unsuspecting cities, will ultimately bring them face to face with fearsome bosses at the end of each level.

Take care of the Gigas with Tamagotchi-style mini-games and decorate their “home” to unlock more upgrades and make them even more menacing. The full game will feature six beautifully detailed pixel-style locations based on earth's past, present and future timeline, as well as nine distinct Gigas to bring on the monster apocalypse!
 

GIGAPOCALYPSE FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Nine Gigas with unique abilities and skill trees
• Six beautifully detailed stages based on earth's past, present and future timeline
• Themed enemies and buildings
• Epic and hilarious boss fights
• Unlockable minions, skills, and mutations
• Extra quests and secrets to unlock more abilities for your monsters
• Fast-paced arcade action with simple controls
• Satisfying visual destruction in cute pixel art style
• A heavy metal soundtrack to perfectly complement the chaos
• Razer Chroma support
   

If this tickles your retro feelings, try Gigapocalypse’s Steam demo (available until Sunday 27th of June including Razer Chroma support) and wishlist on Steam to receive a reminder when the game becomes available.

Also, check out the game’s Twitter page and feel free to discuss with the developers on Discord.