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  • svgJun 1, 2022Indie Highlight

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    Make Potions, Master Spells, Manage Your Social Life

    Creator Chucklefish has just announced today that their magical school RPG, Witchbrook, now has a Steam Page right here! This game has been high on our wait-list for being the Harry Potter to our Stardew Valley.

    In Witchbrook you get to create your own character and enlist as a witch-in-training at Witchbook College. There, you can develop your magical abilities by attending classes, completing assignments, and earning badges to graduate at the top of your class. You’ll be learning to brew potions, fly brooms, improve your botany skills, and master spells.

    School life will also include socializing with others, and even bringing dates to the prom! Yes, you can go on romantic dates with a colourful cast of characters. All with hopes and dreams that you can help them realize on your way to graduation and beyond.

    New Witchbrook Steam Screenshots

    As the release date is “still brewing”, the game will likely not launch this year. Furthermore, it’s too early for any console release confirmations. However, a Steam Page is a great next step! Speaking of which, it shows that online multiplayer is in the works!

    As you can see below, new screenshots have been added with this announcement and we get a closer look at seaside town Mossport. Outside of the academy, you can take part in other activities such as photography and gardening. Mossport boasts many boutiques, cafes and seasonal markets!

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  • svgJul 8, 2019News

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    Fans of Harry Potter and Little Witch Academia will be pleased to hear that there are currently two very exciting magic school games in development. Whilst Chucklefish’s game, which has the working title of ‘Witchbrook’ is still in its early stages, Ikenfell is much further in development. Ikenfell is expected to be released around June 2018.

    Interestingly, both games use pixel game art, are simulation games, and are (obviously) set in a magic school. However, they both have unique art styles, with Chucklefish’s game Witchbrook having visual similarities to their very popular game, Stardew Valley.

    Ikenfell

    Ikenfell is a JRPG game which utilises turn-based and timing-based battle mechanics. These mechanics enhance it’s variety of characters and story development. It’ creator has said it’s art style was influenced by a plethora of games such as Paper Mario, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Earthbound (Witchbrook, Starbound, Earthbound, Warbound, everything-bound!), and Robotrek. The game also takes i nspiration from fictional teen series such as Harry Potter and Carry On.

    The game’s publisher is Humble Bundle, and its platforms are PC, Mac and possibly Linux. Humble Bundle are helping to polish the game, market it, and will soon add it to Steam.

    An update from the game’s founder talks of the release of a new game trailer at the beginning of 2018, so look out for that!

    Currently, the game takes around 20 hours to complete (possibly more for less experienced players).

    Story

    Safina is invited to the magical school of Ikenfell for witches and wizards, leaving behind her slightly embittered sister Maritte, who doesn’t have magic powers. Safina soon becomes one of the school’s most notorious students.

    However, Safina doesn’t return home one summer. She has gone missing alongside the school’s headmistress.

    You play as Maritte, who goes to Ikenfell to find her sister and discover the truth of what exactly is going on.

    The expansive school is full of ‘magic, mysteries, secret passages, hidden rooms, and many strange characters’ for you to explore.

    Features:

    • Magical duels within an original turn-based RPG battle system
    • The ability to time your hits to increase spellpower and to block incoming attacks
    • An expansive magic school, containing mysteries and secrets
    • A variety of strange and interesting characters
    • Hidden spell, items and equipment to aid you
    • Friendship, rivalry and romance

    Characters:

    Witchbrook

    Witchbrook is an up and coming RPG turn-based strategy simulation game in development by Chucklefish, the creators of Wargroove and publishers of Stardew Valley. Finn Brice, the founder and director of the game says that a formal announcement is “maybe quite a way off”. He also suggests that the game is around a three-to-four year project. The working title Witchbrook came from Chucklefish’s game Wargroove’s working title, Warbound.

    Influences on the game include a variety of old Nintendo console games (Earthbound again perhaps?), as well as games such as Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon and 2D Zelda games. Although not the intention of Chucklefish, many people compare the game’s graphics to Little Witch Academia. However, Brice has said that Ghibli films such as Kiki’s delivery service (which look similar to Little Witch Academia) did influence the game’s art style.

    Features:

    • A day and night cycle
    • Magic classes to attend
    • Dating mechanics
    • Folkore and exciting areas to explore
    • Undisclosed “interesting gameplay twists.”

    However, unlike Ikenfell, which is heavily story based, the developers want Witchbrook to have the appeal of Stardew Valley where players can simply enjoy being inside a charming world and make it their own.

    Dating:

    Similar to Ikenfell, Witchbrook allows players to have relationships with other characters and to go on dates with them. However, these don’t always go to plan, making the game more true-to-life, as opposed to the idealised romance often portrayed in other forms of media.

    However, Brice reassures players that even though the developers want to hit home and capture what it’s like to be in school, they want to provide a nice kind of nostalgia for players. Therefore, interactions with other characters won’t be too difficult or ‘horrific’.

    Ikenfell has been pretty much complete since late 2016, with the kickstarter campaign being set up to mainly fund:

    • Vocals for battle and vocalists for some music tracks
    • Additional battle animations and story animations
    • Additional artwork for cut scenes and critical moments
    • Any additional software and licences required for the above

    However, Witchbrook still has plenty of room for development, influences and features.

    What would you like to see in Witchbrook?

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  • svgDec 11, 2018News

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    We recently made a post informing readers that the Multiplayer update for Stardew Valley on Nintendo Switch was imminent.

    We are delighted to announce that a set release date for the free patch has finally been confirmed.

    The update is being released tomorrow, 12th December 2018.

    Yep, you heard right. As of tomorrow, if you own Stardew Valley on Switch you’ll be able to invite 1-3 friends via Switch Online and local play. You can then decide whether you want to create a brand new farm together or use an existing save file. 

    About Stardew Valley:

    Initially released on Steam back in 2016, Stardew Valley is a Harvest Moon-reminiscent RPG farming simulation with pixel graphics. Developed by ConcernedApe and published by Chucklefish, the game was very well received. It currently holds a 10/10 rating on Steam where it also has ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews.

    Game features include:

    • Raising animals, growing crops and improving your farm
    • Improving skills in 5 different areas (farming, mining, combat, fishing, and foraging)
    • A variety of complex characters, places, enigmas, and secrets to discover
    • Diversity in character customization and dating
    • Over two hours of original music.

    Stardew Valley has obtained a 10/10 rating on Steam, received numerous ports for a variety of platforms, and is still a chart topper on the Nintendo Switch eShop. It’s, therefore, safe to say that the game is highly regarded and popular.

    The highly anticipated multiplayer update for the PC version of the game was released on 1st August 2018.

    Multiplayer update features include:

    • The ability to play with up to 3 others in online co-op
    • A 3-day travelling festival where farmers can come and go as they please
    • A mysterious new winter event that enables farmers to start a new ‘secret’ collection type
    • Farmers who have made great progress will be given the opportunity to help out a townsperson
    • New character events
    • Changes to the Skull Cavern
    • Ability to change your profession
    • Ability to craft signs
    • New outdoor decorations
    • Introduction of the auto-grabber, an expensive item that automatically harvests milk and wool
    • Introduction of garden pots. Garden pots allow you to grow any crop inside year-round
    • A new crop that only grows indoors
    • Fireplaces and new furniture
    • Ability to put a hat on your horse
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  • svgDec 1, 2018News

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    Initially released on Steam back in 2016, Stardew Valley is a Harvest Moon-reminiscent RPG farming simulation with pixel graphics. Developed by ConcernedApe and published by Chucklefish, the game was very well received. It currently holds a 10/10 rating on Steam where it also has ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews.

    Game features include:

    • Raising animals, growing crops and improving your farm
    • Improving skills in 5 different areas (farming, mining, combat, fishing, and foraging)
    • A variety of complex characters, places, enigmas, and secrets to discover
    • Diversity in character customization and dating
    • Over two hours of original music.

    Stardew Valley has obtained a 10/10 rating on Steam, received numerous ports for a variety of platforms, and is still a chart topper on the Nintendo Switch eShop. It’s, therefore, safe to say that the game is highly regarded and popular.

    The highly anticipated multiplayer update for the PC version of the game was released on 1st August 2018.

    Multiplayer update features include:

    • The ability to play with up to 3 others in online co-op
    • A 3-day travelling festival where farmers can come and go as they please
    • A mysterious new winter event that enables farmers to start a new ‘secret’ collection type
    • Farmers who have made great progress will be given the opportunity to help out a townsperson
    • New character events
    • Changes to the Skull Cavern
    • Ability to change your profession
    • Ability to craft signs
    • New outdoor decorations
    • Introduction of the auto-grabber, an expensive item that automatically harvests milk and wool
    • Introduction of garden pots. Garden pots allow you to grow any crop inside year-round
    • A new crop that only grows indoors
    • Fireplaces and new furniture
    • Ability to put a hat on your horse

    The solo developer of Stardew Valley (ConcernedApe) has previously announced that the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch versions of the game will also get a multiplayer update eventually. The developer has confirmed in tweets and updates that the co-op will not be cross-platform. As disappointing as this is for fans to hear, the decision is understandable.

    Whilst an exact date hasn’t been given, the game’s publisher (Chucklefish) has recently confirmed that Stardew Valley for Switch will be next to receive the Multiplayer update. Having been submitted for final approval, it is expected that the update will be available either by the end of the year or in early 2019.

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  • svgOct 12, 2018Mobile Game

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    [dropcap]T[/dropcap]he solo developer of Stardew Valley (Eric Barone of ConcernedApe) has recently made an exciting announcement. Stardew Valley will soon be available on iOS and Android! The game will be coming to iOS first, and will be released on the app store (where it can be pre-ordered) on the 24th October. The mobile version of the game is being overseen by London-based studio The Secret Police.

    About Stardew Valley:

    Stardew Valley is a Harvest Moon-reminiscent RPG farming simulation with pixel graphics. Developed by ConcernedApe and published by Chucklefish, the game was very well received. It currently holds a 10/10 rating on Steam where it also has ‘Overwhelmingly Positive’ reviews.

    Some of the game’s features include:
    • Raising animals, growing crops and improving your farm
    • Improving skills in 5 different areas (farming, mining, combat, fishing, and foraging)
    • A variety of complex characters, places, enigmas, and secrets to discover
    • Diversity in character customization and dating
    • Over two hours of original music.
    The game is already available to play on a wide variety of platforms including:
    • Microsoft Windows
    • Linux
    • Mac OS
    • PS4
    • Xbox One
    • Nintendo Switch
    • PS Vita

    About Stardew Valley for mobile:

    Unfortunately, online multiplayer farming will not be available on iOS and Android. The port will, however, include all of the single player content from the recent 1.3 PC update.

    The mobile versions have been optimized for touch screens, and contain a new UI, new controls, and a new menu system. Additionally, upon the game’s launch, players will be able to transfer their PC save data to iOS via iTunes.

    Priced at $7.99 and with no in-app purchase options, the port is seemingly good value for money.

    Eric Barone has said that the Android version of the game is nearly complete. He has also reassured gamers that work on multiplayer updates for consoles will be unaffected. This is because the console updates are being handled by teams separate from those working on the mobile versions.

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  • svgMay 28, 2018News

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    We recently posted about Chucklefish (publishers of Stardew Valley) collaborating with Pixpil games to deliver an exciting new game entitled Eastward. In a recent interview with Red Bull, more information about the previously elusive game has come to light. Therefore we thought we’d take this opportunity to update anyone interested.

    Eastward is an upcoming JRPG adventure game with pixel graphics, which is set in a post-apocalyptic Shanghai. The game, which focuses on a father and his daughter, is said to be very emotive and exciting. Eastward has beautiful graphics similar to Chucklefish’s farming simulation Stardew Valley and their upcoming magic school game Witchbrook (which you can read more about here). Therefore, Pixpil’s decision to partner with Chucklefish is undoubtedly a positive and prosperous one.

    Pixpil initially started out as a small team of three. As the game progressed however, the team started to grow. There are currently around a dozen people from Pixpil working on Eastward. The company’s office is located in a Shanghai shopping mall, and is surrounded by many furniture stores. Pixpil have said that the ‘small and sneaky’ location of their headquarters has influenced the game.

    Having also been compared to games such as Zelda and Earthbound, and inspired by Japanese anime, and the hustle and bustle of Shanghai, it’s safe to say the game has a wide variety of influences.

    Pixpil’s co-founder and designer, Feng Ye talks about the game’s protagonists:

    “The main characters are John and Sam,” Ye explains. “A tough, hard-working guy, and a long white fluffy-haired girl respectively, who start their journey in a mysterious underground place isolated from the rest of the world. In the outside world, the human population has shrunk to an all-time low, and strange creatures are beginning to descend on the cities. After leaving their small underground village, John and Sam are about to discover what has made the world become so dangerous and what destiny awaits them.”

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    Despite taking place in a bleak post-apocalyptic world, the upcoming JRPG still has a plethora of interesting characters to discover and engage with. For example a merchant character called William, who has an adopted robot-boy assistant, undergoing surgery to become a real boy.

    Although the game is single player, players will have the opportunity to switch between the two protagonists in order to solve puzzles. The game will feature John the most, but will still incorporate his daughter Sam in order to add variety and different characteristics. On same occasions, the pair will need to be separated in order to proceed. This mechanic adds more complexities and possibilities to the gameplay.

    The game combines 2D art with 3D effects. Eastward consists of tried and tested game art methods, as well as more modern effects, created with a variety of equipment, and a bespoke Homebrew engine. This very unique combination has resulted in beautiful graphics.

    Eastward’s visual allure is one of the key reasons that Chucklefish got involved, according to producer Rosie Ball. “From the moment we saw Eastward we absolutely fell in love with the art style, and we just wanted to find out more! After we spoke to the Pixpil team and got hands-on with the game, we were so happy to discover that it’s not just a pretty game. It’s also really interesting from a technological point of view, with what it’s doing creatively with pixel art. The Pixpil team are being very innovative with their techniques, and that’s something that really excites us at Chucklefish.”

    The developers have also made it clear however, that they want the audio in the game to be just as compelling. Due to difficulties in finding local composers familiar with their game language, Pixpil have decided to outsource audio to Joel Corelitz The Unfinished Swan, Gorogoa, Tumbleseed) and Hyperduck Soundworks (Dust:An Elysian Tail, The Adventure Pals). Pixpil are working closely alongside them to ensure the music and audio is exactly how they want it and that the soundtrack is well-matched to the game.

    It has been hinted that Eastward is ‘moving towards completion’, although no fixed date for the game’s release has been set. Pixpil have said that they are very proud of their game, and belive that their partnership with Chucklefish has been very helpful in getting the ball rolling. Currently, the game is only set to be released for PC and Mac, although developers have expressed interest in releasing the game on other platforms, such as Linux.

    Could this mean a spot beside Stardew Valley in the Nintendo eShop?

    The full interview can be read here.

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  • svgApr 28, 2018News

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    A few months ago for my Games and Digital writing module at university, I found myself sifting through hundreds of game art images to add to a Pinterest board which demonstrated the aesthetic of a hypothetical video game. As well as discovering lots of amazing concept art on Deviant Art, I stumbled across two games currently in development that I never knew existed. The first game was HK Project, a neat cyberpunk themed game where you explore a futuristic Hong Kong as a cat. The second was Eastward. I was captivated by the beautiful art style of Eastward, and really wanted to share my discovery with readers of My Potato Games. My only issue was that no matter how hard I searched, I couldn’t find a lot of information about the game. Aside from a website post by game developers Pixpil Games dating back to 2015, and a greenlight page for the game on Steam (which was last updated in 2016), the game remained rather elusive. I pondered over whether the project was even still active, and decided to put the game out of my mind.

    I thought nothing more of the game. That is until I logged into Twitter two days ago. To my greatest surprise, Chucklefish had announced that they were partnering with Pixpil Games to complete Eastward! Since then, a lot more information regarding the game has become available. We have high hopes for Eastward, as Chucklefish are the masterminds behind popular farming sim Stardew Valley, as well as the highly anticipated magic school game, Witchbrook, which you can read more about here.

    Chucklefish’s blog contains the following information about Eastward:

    Eastward is an adventure game combining RPG elements, with a visual style inspired by 90s Japanese animation. The game was built around pixel artist Hong Moran’s original intricate post-apocalyptic pixel designs, and the team’s joint love of the Mother and The Legend of Zelda series, inspiring them to create a narrative-driven RPG with a soft sci-fi storyline.In the not-too-distant future, the world around is falling to ruin, as the human population shrinks to an all-time low. You play as a hardworking digger named John, who discovers a mysterious young girl in a secret facility underneath his digging site. After being exiled from his village, John must guide this girl through dangerous decaying cities, inhabited by hordes of monsters and a quirky cast of characters!

    Eastward’s emotional story and beautifully rich and vibrant world has been brought to life using a combination of 3D lighting and retro-pixel style artwork, powered by a game engine of Pixpil’s own making. Development on the game started in 2015 with only 3 studio members, and since then has grown to match the game’s ambition, also bringing on board the talents of soundtrack composer Joel Corelitz (Hohokum, The Unfinished Swan & The Tomorrow Children, Gorogoa) and sound design from Irish studio, Hyperduck Soundworks.

    Additionally, the game has a swanky new trailer!

    Chucklefish have said that updates will be given on the game’s progress in due course. To stay updated, you can follow @Eastwardgame, @Pixpilgames, and @ChucklefishLTD and of course @myPotatoGames on Twitter.

    For more games from Chucklefish, check out their upcoming magic school game, Spellbound aka Witchbrook here.

     

     

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