Welcome to Digitally Downloaded’s weekly catch-up news feature, the catch-up coffee. I will bring you the best news you may have missed with each issue. Grab the biggest mug you’ve got, fill it with your favourite brew, and catch up with us (and our favourite news anchor, Dee Dee)!
A new Aussie development studio has launched
A team of industry veterans — Joseph Donoghue, Nikhil Kurian, and Benjamin Dawe — have launched The Three Thousand, described as a cutting-edge development studio. They want to use their rich motorsport, automotive, and pop culture backgrounds to create a fresh, innovative approach to video games. Collectively, the three founders have over 750 million downloads in racing games (including big franchises like Need for Speed). With their extensive experience, they intend to develop genre-defining racing games that combine the rich cultures of car enthusiasts and pop culture lovers.
Fun fact: The studio’s name is inspired by its Melbourne postcode!
Joseph Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer, has over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry. He was previously General Manager of EA’s Australia studio. Nikhil Kurian, Chief Product Officer, is a 12-year industry veteran in product development and operations. He was previously Racing General Manager at EA EA Melbourne. Benjamin Dawe, Chief Creative Officer, has a proven track record of delivering innovative and creative products in his 15 years of experience. He was previously Studio Creative Director at EA Melbourne and the Head of Creative at Roadshow Films.
The Three Thousands has one major title planned to launch in 2025, and more product offerings and partnerships will be announced in the coming months.
Devolver Digital announces Big Fan Games, a new publishing studio
Big Fan might have a small team, but each person is focused on helping independent developers breathe new life into their favourite comics, cult heroes, movies, and television shows. The studio intends to take a new approach to licensed games. Its vision is one where the developers are in charge, allowing them to explore ideas that might not be considered otherwise. Big Fan’s team has experience working with games and big entertainment properties, including Dune, Hellboy, Blair Witch, and Blade Runner.
Inspiration still begins with the franchises, with Big Fan wanting to bring their worlds closer to fans through a creative lens fuelled by passion. It will support developers by providing the industry expertise and resources needed for games to blossom. And I like this part of its plan, stated in a press release: “Our goal at Big Fan is to nurture fun and inventive games that stand on their own, rather than serving as marketing tie-ins for other media launches.” I usually avoid marketing tie-in games because they’re notoriously subpar, but I would still love to play titles based on those properties.
Collectively, team members have published a wide variety of games on many different platforms; game collaborations include working with teams at Disney, Dark Horse Comics, Rebellion, Lionsgate, and more.
Multiplayer roguelike game Kernel Hearts announced for PC
A world is nearing an apocalypse, and the only way to stop is is to kill its god — but are you powerful enough? This is the idea at the heart (ha) of Kernel Hearts, which combines challenging hack-‘n-slash gameplay, role-playing, and roguelike elements. Battle up a tower as you build upon your existing skills with every mortal demise, all to eradicate monstrous/angelic enemies and dethroning the god putting the world in immediate danger.
In Kernel Hearts, you are a member of an elite fighting force of super-powered android magical girls called M.A.H.O.U. Along with up to three allies, you’ll start at the base of the Tower of Babel and fight through powerful enemies and the new threats introduced on each floor. Unique allies from each celestial dome will also present themselves to befriend or romance. A sudden demise won’t be your end: your unit will return to the lab to use rewards to unlock and equip skills.
Developed by Ephemera and published by Whitethorn Games, Kernal Hearts will be released for PC via Steam. The game’s accessibility features will be announced in the coming months — the publisher is great with accessibility and inclusion.
Psychological horror restaurant management game While We Wait Here launches this month
Yes, you read that right: While We Wait Here is best described as a psychological horror restaurant management game! Console versions of the title were announced alongside last week’s launch date announcement. The kitchen management game includes dialogue choices and multiple endings. You run a small diner near a mountain, taking orders from your customers and serving them good food and refreshments.
When news of impending doom breaks, your customers deal with it differently. Some are so blinded by their own issues they don’t acknowledge the threat, instead choosing to play it down or outright deny its existence. Others see it as punishment for their actions in life. You’ll listen to it all while offering them food — and food for thought. Will your words sway them to run for shelter or will they stay put waiting for the end?
Developed and published by Bad Vices Games, While We Wait Here will be released for PC via Steam/Epic, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and Xbox One on October 23.
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