Where Are They Now? Updates and Insight to Some of 2013's Most Exciting Titles

Broken Age, formerly known as Double Fine Adventure looks to be shaping up nicely. 

While there's a lot of talk of indie developers taking over the video game market in gaming forums, and chat rooms, almost all of the profits earned in the video game industry are still made by a small group of major developers, and likely will for some time to come. I've heard numbers thrown around to the effect of "90% of profits are made by 10% of the games", and while this may be a bit of hyperbole, it's not far from the truth. However that's not to say that indie games aren't changing the way things are done. Hits like Fez, Super Meat Boy, and Braid have all changed the way people look at indie gaming and indie development. And with upcoming titles like Broken Age, Wasteland 2,  Project Eternity, Shadowrun Returns and Star Citizen, all having pulled in close to, or over $2,000,000 each in public funding, it's hard to deny the power of an ardent and devoted fanbase ravenous for continuations of their favorite series, or new titles from their favorite developers. Perhaps indie games won't remain indie forever.

The semi-historically accurate Plague Knight from the upcoming Shovel Knight seems like a good analogy for the current state of the video game industry; I'm just not sure what that analogy is.  

While speculation as to a sudden fluctuation in game development cycles, game styles, and gameplay is certainly an interesting thought, it's hard to say where the market will head, or even if it's current prosperity will remain. With many people crying foul over the trend of heavy-handed DRM, and anti-second-hand purchasing that many of the industry giants are pushing for, it's nice to see that some big developers are aware of the damage they're doing to their reputation and backing off their hardline stances. While  at the same time indie developers are diving in like electronic Robin Hood's to swoop up the disenfranchised of the gaming world, and deliver them some gaming goodness. That may seem dramatic, but it's hard to not to feel pressed one way or the other with the current trends in video game development, and while big developers are certainly not villains, it's becoming increasingly hard to put some of them in a good light. To be fair though, there are villains and good guys on both sides of the development line; today though I'd like to point out some of the good guys, both big and small, and take a gander at where they're at:


Double Fine - Broken Age

Oh you know, I'm just eating my bowl of moon cereal. In a spacestation.

It seems like Broken Age is getting more and more coverage every day. With the name being fairly recently announced, and a deal currently up on the Humble Bundle website, it looks like Double Fine Productions is really pulling out the stops on this soon to be released point-and-click adventure. Originally slated for August, 2012, a new date of Quarter 2, 2013 is the current release date. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it seems that in just a couple months one of the first "major" Kickstarter funded games will be a reality. With several KS projects pulling in many millions of dollars, it will be interesting to see how these projects do in the market, and how their gameplay appeals to mass audiences. I only hope it will continue to flourish.

Harebrained Schemes - Shadowrun Returns 

Bladerunner, is that you?

Like Broken Age, Shadowrun Returns was a Kickstarter funded game that pulled in millions of dollars. Also like Broken Age, Shadowrun Returns saw some minor delays. Originally slated to be released January, 2013, SR is coming to gamers next month, via Steam. As with most KS projects, a delay seemed inevitable, but only having to wait five months seems like it will be worth it. Whether you're a fan of the original, or you're just looking for something new to spend your time on, keep an eye out for this one in June.

Tribute Games - Mercenary Kings 

Tribute Games is a little behind schedule, originally announcing old school run-n-gun shooter Mercenary Kings for a May, 2013 release. With a closed beta going live this month (May 15, 2013), and a release date of TBA 2013, I'm assuming MK will be out for sale within a few months, and be well worth the wait. Recently displayed at PAX East, the game received very favorable reviews, and Tribute seems to be taking that feedback into consideration, as even the beta will be "a bit more polished" than what was shown at PAX. With many comparing Mercenary Kings to Metal Slug, Bionic Commando, and other classic side-scrolling shooters, this is one retro title to keep your eyes out for later this year. 

Ubisoft - Assassins Creed 4: Black Flag

Four flintlocks, and not hiding the knives this time around.
Because pirates are about as stealthy as a deaf, one-eyed T. Rex.

I know what you're thinking, but yes, Ubisoft is a company I consider a good guy, after backing off of their meat-fisted approaches to DRM and letting people just play their games. Also I love the AC series, and the newest induction to the series is looking pretty cool. I mean c'mon, they're freaking pirates! Expect the latest entry to drop at the end of October for the US and Australian markets, and November 1, in Europe. Developer Ubisoft Montreal appears to have shed some of the staples of the series for a more direct kind of assassination approach, but I'm sure all the elements we've grown to know and love will be waiting for us in AC4: Black Flag.

As we head into expo season, and with E3 just around the corner, expect a lot of big surprises, and even bigger announcements. 2013 has already been a good year for gaming, and we're not even halfway through, I am excited to see what the rest of the year holds.

Until next time, Game On.