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Pixel Heroes: Mega Byte & Magic Coming To Nintendo Switch With Exclusive New Mode On November 5th

Retro-inspired Rougelike/RPG hybrid takes you back to the 80s with a nostalgic adventure full of gags and quirky characters

28 October 2021 We are pleased to announce that The Bitfather’s nostalgic roguelike/RPG, Pixel Heroes: Mega Byte & Magic, will be making its way to Nintendo Switch on November 5th and will be available to preorder from today. The Switch version features the exclusive new Arena mode, a new campaign, new dungeons and new heroes. There is also a brand new Switch trailer, see below. Please find the game on the Nintendo eShop.

With a retro-pixel art style and an 8-bit soundtrack, Pixel Heroes transports you back to the 80s to deliver an old-school experience that draws on elements of the RPG and roguelike genres. The game features 33 unique hero classes to unlock, each with their own individual skills and attributes, four unlockable campaigns, including the new “The Legend of Hack Hammerson” campaign, each with its own final dungeon and boss, and heaps of procedurally generated axes, spears, spells, crossbows and more to add to your arsenal.

In the new Arena mode, exclusive to Switch, players can freely choose a party from the entire hero pool and take them into a series of infinite battles that get harder as you progress. Special bonus effects can be selected to modify the next battle, making it easier, or more rewarding.

It would be an understatement to say that Pixel Heroes doesn’t take itself seriously, so expect a world of weird NPCs and hilarious events among the deadly dungeons. Be careful though! This is a roguelike, so it’s got permadeath! At least if you do bite the dust, you can visit a detailed graveyard to mourn your lost heroes and compare their statistics. 

Check out the game’s tongue-in-cheek nostalgia-trip making of trailer for a look at the “Unity Engine” like you’ve never seen before and their innovative use of the “brand new” NES to help make the game’s 8-bit soundtrack.

“We’re really excited about Pixel Heroes coming to the Nintendo Switch on November 5th,” said lead designer Tom Hirsch. “We’re pretty sure people can guess that we love retro games by taking one look at Pixel Heroes, so we’re naturally thrilled to be appearing on the platform of a company with such a rich videogame history and we think the game is a great fit for the system”. 

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Pumpkin Jack New-Gen Edition out now on PlayStation 5 & Xbox Series X|S

Get in the Halloween spirit with this pumpkin-headed 3D platformer now on next-gen consoles

27 October 2021 Pumpkin Jack New-Gen Edition, an enhanced version of the well-received PS4, Xbox One & PC 3D platformer from Thunderful Publishing and Headup Games, has made the leap to next-gen and is now available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Carved from the legacy of old-school 3D platformers like MediEvil and Jak & Daxter, solo developer Nicolas Meyssonnier successfully melds his love of those titles with a modern approach and sets it all in a spookily atmospheric world that finds fun in monsters, ghouls and devilish challenges. Harnessing the power of the PS5 and Xbox One Series X|S, the New-Gen Edition brings enhancements that have the eponymous Jack grinning more vibrantly than ever before.   

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 with ray-tracing.

Making this Halloween treat just that little bit sweeter is the fact that Pumpkin Jack is cross-buy on both PlayStation and Xbox platforms. So, if you already own Pumpkin Jack on PS4/Xbox One, you’ll automatically get access to the PS5/Xbox Series X|S New-Gen Edition at no extra cost!

Stepping into the shoes of the mythical pumpkin lord, Pumpkin Jack New-Gen Edition sees you set out on an epic quest to help evil triumph over good. 3D platforming challenges in the colourful and diverse Arc En Ciel Kingdom are mixed with fun combat encounters where you can deploy an awesome arsenal of weapons (occasionally with a snarky crow or haughty owl fighting at your side), as well as solve light puzzles and take on various mini-game challenges.

“I’m delighted to bring Pumpkin Jack to new consoles at this appropriately spooky time of year,” said Pumpkin Jack developer Nicolas Meyssonnier. “The addition of ray-tracing and other enhancements I’ve been able to make over the last-gen version makes this the definitive edition of Pumpkin Jack!”

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Terrifying Psychological Horror Silver Chains Out Now On Xbox Series X|S

Explore a haunted Victorian manor full of mystery and madness in this first-person horror hitting Xbox just in time for Halloween

20 October 2021 We are pleased to announce that Cracked Heads’ debut first-person psychological horror game, Silver Chains, is out now on Xbox Series X|S, available for $24.99 / €24.99 /£19.99.
 
Out just in time for Halloween, the game sees you exploring an abandoned Victorian manor searching for clues about the terrible events that took place in this oppressive old house where mystery and madness exude from every surface. An intriguing story will keep you exploring hauntingly beautiful interiors, solving puzzles as you seek to uncover the secrets the house has to hide.

It all starts when protagonist Peter is unfortunate enough to have a car accident. Happening on the manor as he searches for shelter for the night, he soon finds himself trapped inside. Worse, he realises that he’s not alone. Something is out to get him and things seem to get weirder with every door he steps through.
 
Rendered in Unreal Engine 4, the game offers stunning photo-realistic graphics that help immerse you in Silver Chains’ detailed and carefully-crafted setting. These visuals combine with an eerie soundtrack to keep you on the edge of your seat as you find yourself being hunted by a terrifying monster.

“We’re really excited about Silver Chains releasing on Xbox Series X|S and especially delighted that the timing has worked out to have it ready for Halloween!,” said Headup COO Marcel Aldrup. “We’re hoping it will be appropriately terrifying for the Xbox community as they seek their holiday thrills!”

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First-Person Horror Game Silver Chains Is Going to Send Cold Shivers Down Xbox Gamers’ Spines

Releasing for Xbox Series X|S on Oct 20, just in time for Halloween!

13 October 2021 Headup and developer Cracked Heads Games announced that their first-person horror game Silver Chains is coming to Xbox Series X|S in just a week from now, perfect for your Halloween itch: the release date is locked in for October 20, 2021.

After a car accident, the main protagonist Peter finds himself trapped in an old English manor. He went there as it was his only change to get help and shelter for the night, even if it didn't look too welcoming. Soon he realizes that he's not alone in there, something is lurking in the shadows. To find a way out, he explores the ancient building and it's getting weirder with every door he's leaving behind...

Using Unreal Engine 4, Silver Chains' graphics bring to life the hauntingly beautiful interiors of an early 20th century English manor. The Victorian architecture plays its part in creating an eerie atmosphere which will keep you on the edge of your seat as you unravel the mysteries of this place and uncover pure madness!

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Surreal story-driven shooter INDUSTRIA out now on Steam

30 September 2021

INDUSTRIA, a surreal first-person shooter from Headup & Bleakmill, is available now on Steam priced at $19.99 / €19.99 / £16.99. To celebrate the announcement, a new launch trailer gives a flavour of the compelling story that drives players through an eerie and atmospheric world, where dangerous robotic foes roam the city streets in a title inspired by the classic narrative shooters of the 2000s.

INDUSTRIA is set in 1989 on the eve of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Playing as a scientist named Nora, you set out to search for your missing friend and lover, leading you into the parallel dimension city of Hakavik, where East Berlin’s brutalist architecture merges with strange technological apparatuses and futuristic robots.

The enigmatic shooter combines the imagery and themes of surrealism and science fiction to create an unforgettable world where the player will be driven forward by a compelling story, a Lynchian ambiance, and intense FPS action sequences as they work to save their missing friend and discover the secrets behind INDUSTRIA’s beguiling setting.

Players will be equipped with four firearms and a melee weapon as they roam a dystopian landscape populated by mechanical monstrosities that reflect the strange state of a city augmented by unrecognisable technology. They must also be mindful of scarce resources should they hope to survive long enough to put together the pieces that will allow them to decode the mystery at the heart of this intriguing tale.

“INDUSTRIA started as a two man-hobby project, but it’s grown into something much bigger,” reflects David Jungnickel, Co-Founder at Bleakmill. “After the hard work our now six-person team has put in over the last six years, we’re thrilled that players can finally step into the surreal sci-fi world we’ve created for them. We hope for them to discover a game ambitious in its visuals and narrative, but also streamlined in its mechanics and experience.”


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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!”

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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 TwitchYouTube, or FB Gaming and share some indie love via Twitter!  ❤️


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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 HellDark 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.