Develop:Brighton today announced the shortlisted games to be on display as part of the seventh Indie Showcase, sponsored by Unity.
Running on 12 and 13 July within the Develop:Brighton Expo, the Indie Showcase highlights independently-developed games selected by a judging panel of industry experts. The process takes into consideration graphics, gameplay, technology achievement and originality.
Attendees will be able to play all the games at the Expo and on Thursday 13 July the overall Indie Showcase winner as chosen by the judging panel and the People’s Choice winner, as voted for by delegates through the Develop:Brighton website, will be announced.
Past shortlisted games over the last four years include critically acclaimed PC title Gunpoint; arthouse video game That Dragon, Cancer and PC title Action Henk which was picked up by Curve Studios after the event.
"Every year we’re blown away by the standard of submissions for the Indie Showcase and this year was no exception,” commented Adam Green, chairman of the selection panel. “We had over 120 games submitted this year, which is the highest number yet. Selecting the finalists from such an incredible range of diverse titles was as challenging as it was inspiring. Be sure to swing by the Indie Showcase and check them out!"
Managing director of Tandem Events, Andy Lane, added, “It’s been seven years since we launched the Indie Showcase, and the creativity displayed by all the indie developers that submit never ceases to amaze me.”
“It’s fantastic to have Unity on board as sponsors for another year. Everyone involved is excited to see the industry reaction when they have hands-on opportunity at Develop:Brighton in a few weeks.”
The shortlisted games for the Indie Showcase 2017 sponsored by Unity (in no particular order):
Loco Dojo (Oculus Rift)
Make Real
Enter the whimsical wooden world of Loco Dojo! Discover a wealth of uses for Oculus Touch, taking it in turns to spin the wheel of a central board game and launch one of sixteen minigames in which to compete with your rivals for Grand Sensei's (voiced by Brian Blessed) favour.
From Light (PC)
Faffinabout
A 2D-puzzle platformer that uses photography-inspired mechanics to challenge players to light-paint their own platforms and rescue their lost penpal.
Dead End Job (PC)
Ant Workshop
Dead End Job merges the frantic gameplay of a procedurally generated twin-stick shooter with the look of a 90s cartoon. You take on the role of a worker at Ghoul-B-Gone – the #1 experts in paranormal pest control. Blast ghosts and then suck them up using your trusty vacuum pack, as every ghost you catch, citizen rescued, and job completed is added to the client's bill.
Space Krieg (PC)
We Heart Dragons
In this tactical space dogfighting MOBA, teams of players fight it out in deep space using an innovative "real turn" system - a hybrid blend of real time and turn-based action.
SVRVIVE: The Deus Helix (HTC Vive)
SVRVIVE Studios
A challenging mystery puzzle adventure game, inspired by classics such as Myst and Riven. With every mission comes entirely new worlds and puzzles.
Abandon Ship (PC)
Fireblade Software
Abandon Ship is a single-player PC game where you take command of a ship and her crew, exploring a procedurally-generated world, taking on quests and dealing with random events. Frequently, you will end up engaging other ships in combat, having to employ your best tactics in order to out-manoeuvre and out-gun the enemy.
ARCA (Gear VR)
Dream Reality Interactive
In this mobile VR physics platformer, you use hands-free VR controls to pilot the ‘ARCA Sphere' through a world of shifting platforms and abstract architecture. As you progress, the world evolves around you. Fully rebuilding a pathway through your daughter's 'mindscape' takes you a step closer to the ultimate goal - saving her life.
Tin Hearts (Oculus Rift)
Rogue Sun
In Tin Hearts players will build elaborate Rube-Goldberg machines to help a battalion of magical clockwork toy soldiers escape a series of Victorian rooms. Tin Hearts is Lemmings meets Pixar with a Dickensian aesthetic.
Rocket Rumble (Android)
Small Jelly
Fight fast-paced space battles in a colourful sci-fi world. Collect cards featuring new ships, weapons, and defences, and build them into custom decks to conquer any foe! Choose from a huge range of Weapons, Nanotech, and strategic Utilities. Build decks from three starter classes - sneaky Smugglers, ruthless Enforcers or mysterious Ancients.
Registration is open at www.developconference.com with passes starting from as little as £160. Entry to the Expo is free.
