Day of the Devs is another showcase featuring many, many, many great-looking games from independent developers. This year, there seems to be a good amount of my fellow Canadians on the list – congrats y’all, happy to see you! I’ve highlighted a handful of my favourite games shown off today but as always, I recommend checking out the entire showcase so you don’t miss a word!

Catch up on prior Day of the Devs news with highlights from Day of the Devs SGF 2023 and Day of the Devs TGA 2023.

Game highlights

Battle Vision Network (Capybara Games)

You might know Capybara Games from one of its previous titles, which include Grindstone, Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, and Below. The developer’s next game is Battle Vision Network, combining cozy puzzle solving gameplay and fast-paced battles into one online PvP title. Go one on one with teams worldwide while trying to win the ultimate championship in tactical turn-based puzzle battles. That’s right, turn-based haters: it’s coming for your puzzle games next! Customize your team with a large roster of unique units; you can also earn custom looks for your captains, emojis, win screens, and more. Since it is a live game, Battle Vision Network should have a consistent stream of new content post-launch.

Battle Vision Network will be released for iOS/Android via Netflix and PC via Steam in 2025.

UFO 50 (Mossmouth)

Reality TV and Twitch icon Dan Gheesling is excited that Derek Yu is back, and so am I! (Yes, I am bringing Big Brother and The Traitors into this. Because I can.) UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games spanning a variety of genres. It combines an 8-bit aesthetic with modern game design and new ideas. These aren’t micro-games. These aren’t mini-games. Each game is its own experience with its own title screen, its own introduction and its own ending. The story given to UFO 50 is that a fictional, obscure ’80s video game company developed these 50 games. Some are sequels to other titles in the collection. Some characters appear in multiple games as part of a shared continuity. All 50 games are available from the start, no waiting to unlock what you want through progression.

UFO 50 will be released for PC via Steam on September 18.

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (Furniture & Mattress)

Furniture & Mattress is basically an all-star team: David Hellman’s art, Nick Suttner’s writing, Nico Recabarren’s puzzle designs, and Tomás Batista’s soundtrack combine for one very interesting (and appealing) package. The world in Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure exists on an interconnected grid, which the developer says “presents regular opportunities to feature and subvert the unique movement mechanics across the story, combat, and exploration.” It’s not just a puzzle game, it’s not just a visual novel, and it’s not just a book. It’s something new, hence “role-puzzling.” Follow a small-town misfit on her journey of self-discovery that takes her past her usual cozy confines. The world out there is inspiring, sure, but it’s also ruled by fear and a strange ‘static’ force. When our Jemma moves, the world does too; this creates a regular stream of thoughtful puzzles that play with the mechanic.

Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Game will be released for iOS/Android via Netflix, PC/Mac via Steam/Epic, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch on July 25.

While Waiting (Optillusion Games)

Life is waiting. Waiting for the bus. Waiting for traffic to move. Wait for a line of customers. While waiting, though, a lot can happen. In While Waiting, there is a certain art to it. Hidden elements and surprises help pass the time, as do meaningless challenges. There is a fidget button at the bottom of the screen, which is so very dangerous for me. Clear the game by doing nothing but being accepting and patient… mostly. While Waiting promises to blend humour with real life insights; it’s got a comedic appearance but a serious core.

While Waiting will be released for PC via Steam.

A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars DLC (Secret Mode)

You can never have too much A Little to the Left, and the next paid DLC will be Secret Stars. It includes 38 new levels, 100 stars to discover, new items, and more cats. The levels break down into 33 ‘normal’ levels and five bonus levels where you’ll fold, flap, crush, join, stick, bounce, stack, strum, and smash your way to victory. Some levels have up to five different ways to solve them. Puzzle difficulty ranges from easy to challenging. At the same time as the DLC launches, all players (regardless of purchased DLC) can benefit from an upgraded hints system via a game update.

A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars DLC will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on June 25.

Afterlove EP (Pikselnesia)

Afterlove EP already sounds like an emotional game, but add on the death of its creator and I’m already a blubbering mess. The studio was founded by Mohammad Fahmi (the creator of Coffee Talk known simply as Fahmi, because he was just that awesome) specifically to develop Afterlove. After he passed in 2022, the team he formed promised they would complete the game and bring Fahmi’s vision to life. And they have. (Now I’m crying again.) The slice-of-life adventure is set in a modern-day Jakarta, a city Fahmi loved dearly. Rama is a young musician struggling to move on following the death of his girlfriend Cinta. He’s been stuck for a year, hearing her voice inside his head as his mental health declines and his relationships (and music) are neglected. But he’s got a big gig in one month. That is one month to get ready. Your choices will determine Rama’s path through a mix of narrative adventure, dating sim, and rhythm gameplay.

Afterlove EP will be released for PC via Steam/Epic/GOG, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One in October.

Full list of featured games

• Simpler Times (Stoneskip) – available now for PC via Steam (shadow drop!)
• Battle Vision Network (Capybara Games) – launching in 2025 for iOS/Android via Netflix, PC via Steam
• Cairn (The Game Bakers) – launching in 2025 for PC, consoles
• Petal Runner (Nano Park)
• Karma: The Dark World (Pollard Studio) – launching for PC via Steam/Epic/GOG, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series
• UFO 50 (Mossmouth) – launching September 18 for PC via Steam
• Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit (Spry Fox) – launching soon for iOS/Android via Netflix
• Koira (Studio Tomila) – launching in 2025 for PC via Steam
• Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (Furniture & Mattress) – launching on July 25 for iOS/Android via Netflix, PC/Mac via Steam/Epic, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
• Fear the Spotlight (Cozy Game Pals) – launching in 2024 for PC/Mac/Linux via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One
• Screenbound (Crescent Moon Games, Those Dang Games) – launching for PC via Steam
• Zoochosis (Clapperheads) – launching this year for PC via Steam
• While Waiting (Optillusion Games) – launching for PC via Steam
• Psychroma (Rocket Adrift) – launching for PC via Steam, possibly consoles too
• Building Relationships (Tan Ant Games) – launching for PC via Steam
• A Little to the Left: Seeing Stars DLC (Secret Mode) – launching on June 25 for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One
• Hello Again (Soup Island) – launching in 2025 for PC via Steam
• Tom the Postgirl (Oopsie Daises Studio) – launching for PC via Steam
• Afterlove EP (Pikselnesia) – launching in October 2024 for PC via Steam/Epic/GOG, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One
• Tides of Tomorrow (Digixart) – launching for PC via Steam

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