Second Dinner’s Post

Huge Godot news! Second Dinner's flagship title, Marvel Snap, is a Unity game--on the heels of Mega Crit (Slay the Spire 2), this is the biggest studio yet to jump ship for open source. With Flax (source-available) and Bevy (open-source) inching closer to robust production readiness, and Unreal firmly locked in as the dominant AAA/film production/digital twin solution, the game engine space is increasingly bustling with compelling Unity alternatives in pretty much all development and licensing niches. Even in the XR space, where Unity has historically overwhelmingly dominated, Godot is slowly creeping in (https://lnkd.in/esPssRwd). This is not the first time a game engine has knocked itself out of the mainstream with a licensing change--GameMaker Studio had a renaissance a decade ago with indie releases like Hotline Miami and Hyperlight Drifter, but largely faded from relevance after a pivot to a then-controversial subscription pricing model. Godot 3.x matured in the meantime, becoming the de facto standard for 2D development; Godot 4.x, with accelerating industry buy-in, is very close to dealing a similar death blow to Unity in the 3D market. The future of gamedev foundational tooling is source-available, lean, and multi-polar. Exciting times!

Parallel Launches on Epic Games Store 🎮 Parallel Studios has officially launched of its free-to-play digital trading card game, Parallel, on the Epic Games Store! Here’s what you need to know: 🔥 Innovative Gameplay Set 10,000 years in the future, players can build decks from five unique factions and a universal pool, battling for control of Earth. 🔥 Player Rewards Free-to-play users can earn cards through gameplay, giveaways, tournaments, and a battle pass system. 🔥 Diverse Game Modes From casual unranked and AI matches to competitive Ranked Ladder and Tournament Modes, there's something for everyone. 🔥 Expansion Plans The upcoming Planetfall expansion set will add over 100 new cards, with more expansions on the horizon. 🔥 Competitive Scene With a $500,000 prize pool for 2024 and plans to scale it even higher, Parallel is poised to become a major player in the TCG world. >> Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ewWqWckJ

In 2024, the gaming industry is witnessing a surge in unconventional small games from small studios, indicating that the future of gaming belongs to these unique experiences. These small games have made a significant impact, with unexpected breakout hits and high replayability, offering captivating and innovative experiences to players. Small studios are excelling in taking creative risks and adapting quickly to changing player expectations, contrasting with large studio projects that often have lengthy development times and struggle to keep up with trends. The success of small games is attributed to their ability to fit into players' lives alongside large, time-consuming games, making them easier to adopt and enjoy. The visibility and accessibility of game development tools, along with digital distribution platforms, have created a conducive environment for small studios to thrive and compete with larger companies in the industry. While big games still hold a place in the industry, the trend towards small, unusual games is likely to continue due to the changing landscape of game development and player preferences.🎮 What are your thoughts on the rising influence of small games from small studios in the gaming industry? #GamingTrends #IndieGames #GameDevelopment 🎮 https://lnkd.in/ejtjuGCk

🕹️The Triple-i Initiative Is Uplifting Indie Game Devs 🎮 On April 10th, the studios behind some of the most prominent independent video games joined together 🤝 to launch The Triple-i Initiative 😎 - a new showcase featuring 30+ games across 45 minutes of exciting game announcements, reveals, and drops! 🤯 Taking their name from Triple-A (AAA) games, blockbuster games made with the highest budgets💰, Triple-i (III) is a collaborative effort featuring blockbuster independent (indie) titles from the studios and publishers behind popular titles such as Darkest Dungeon, Spiritfarer, V Rising and Risk of Rain 2. 👾👾👾 Originally conceived by Evil Empire, (co-developer of Dead Cells), the event is supported by 30+ indie studios, including Re-Logic (creator of Terraria) and Mega Crit (creator of Slay the Spire). 🤩 According to Bérenger Dupré, Evil Empire’s Marketing Director, “We felt a need for a showcase that highlights wildly different indie games but that have one thing in common; they resonate with millions of players around the world.” 🙌 And resonate they did!!! 🥳 🎥 The showcase was livestreamed across YouTube, Twitch, bilibili, IGN, and Steam. On YouTube alone*: 🔵 The showcase video has 134k views 🟣 The channel has 949k views 🟡 The channel has 26k subscribers Players are CLEARLY resonating with these indie games! 🎉🎉🎉 Some notable announcements include: 🔴 A reveal of Slay the Spire 2 🔵 The Devotion Update coming to Risk of Rain 2 for free 🟢 Darkest Dungeon 2 getting Kingdoms, a free stand alone campaign mode 🟣 An arena mode coming to Palworld 🟠 Contra DLC coming to Vampire Survivors 🟡 Evil Empire developing a new Prince of Persia game I HIGHLY recommend checking out the showcase! 😆 It’s a GREAT watch, containing “No hosting segments, no advertisements, no sponsorships, no extra fluff, just games,” accordion to Evil Empire’s COO Benjamin Laulan. 🫶 Plus, indie devs are passionate creators, often developing their games in spite of limited resources and intense competition, so I’m a fan of any event that helps to promote the indie community! 😍😍😍 🔗 Watch the full showcase here (Start at 16:30): https://lnkd.in/eCCRVt8w 🧑💻 Check out their website: https://iii-initiative.com 😸 And enjoy some exclusive gameplay of the games shown (Start at 01:00:38): https://lnkd.in/eR5YUin3 *As of April 14th Did you watch the showcase? What was your favorite announcement? Comment down below👇 #gaming #videogames #gamingcommunity #gamingnews #youtube

In the world of mobile gaming, whether it's hybrid casual or hyper casual, the magic recipe for success-ideation, innovation, and inspiration-remains largely the same. What has evolved, though, are the strategies for monetization and keeping players hooked over the long haul. We've witnessed plenty of hybrid casual games drawing inspiration from each other and soaring to success, much like how Voodoo's Block Jam inspired Bus Jam. While the core idea might be similar, Rollic introduced a fresh twist in the game mechanics that set it apart. One of the latest game by Voodoo what we see is Coffee Pack which they might have innovated upon Lion Studios - Bloom sort and cake sort with their own twist which looks really fun. This trend of borrowing ideas and adding a unique element is what keeps the mobile gaming landscape exciting and ever-evolving. It's a testament to how developers and publishers are constantly pushing the boundaries, not just in how games are played, but also in how they're monetized and enjoyed over time. Stay tuned as we continue to explore these dynamic shifts and the incredible games they bring to our screens. #GamingCommunity #CasualGames #StrategyGames #MobileGaming #GameSuccessStories #hybridcasual #NextBigGames

We’re here at the end of the month to bring you the latest updates from the game development industry: insights on gaming subscriptions, statistics on the lifespan of games, noteworthy acquisitions, and much more! 🚀🎉 #gamedev #gamedevelopment #analytics #games

Griffin Gaming Partners has prepared an excellent Game Development Report. Many have shared takeaways, so to avoid repetition, I'll share an interesting fact, in my opinion - a boom in mobile browser games is expected in the next 3 years. Cross-platform is becoming increasingly a must-have. Overall, it's a clear thing - users are increasingly tired to navigate through stores and want to immediately try what the game from the ad offers. This will, in my opinion, significantly increase conversion from ad views to the first session. From there, as always, it all depends on the game - whether it hooks the player or not. But my belief is increasingly strengthening that with proper setup of the web part, mobile games will be able to perform better. Before bed, I'll play the web version of the Everbright build from Made on Earth Games :) #game #development #report #vc #web #browser #trend #madeonearthgames #4x #strategy #games #next #gen

Best strategy board games 2023: A Comprehensive Guide https://lnkd.in/di2sdHaS

haha games https://hahastories.com/ "Haha Games: A Year of Laughter, Challenges, and Fun" Introduction: Happy 1st birthday to Haha Games! As we celebrate a year of joy, laughter, and camaraderie, it's the perfect time to reflect on the journey this gaming platform has taken us on. Haha Games, born out of a desire to create a space where fun and laughter take center stage, has become a haven for gamers seeking a break from the ordinary. Let's delve into the world of Haha Games and explore what makes it a unique and entertaining gaming experience. The Genesis of Haha Games: In the fast-paced and competitive world of gaming, Haha Games emerged as a breath of fresh air. Developed by a passionate team with a shared vision of bringing joy through gaming, the platform was designed to prioritize laughter and community over the usual intense and serious gaming atmosphere. The creators envisioned a space where players could relax, unwind, and share a good laugh with friends and fellow gamers. The Game Library: Haha Games boasts a diverse and carefully curated library of games that are not only entertaining but also designed to induce laughter. From wacky mini-games to hilarious multiplayer experiences, every title on the platform is chosen with the goal of putting a smile on players' faces. Whether it's navigating absurd obstacle courses, engaging in quirky challenges, or participating in collaborative adventures, Haha Games offers an array of options that cater to a wide audience. Community Building: One of the standout features of Haha Games is its emphasis on building a vibrant and inclusive community. The platform encourages players to connect, share their gaming experiences, and, most importantly, laugh together. Social features such as in-game chat, forums, and community events foster a sense of belonging among players, turning Haha Games into more than just a gaming platform—it's a virtual space where friendships are formed, and laughter is the common language. Adaptability and Innovation: In the ever-evolving landscape of gaming, Haha Games has demonstrated adaptability and a commitment to innovation. Regular updates, new game releases, and creative challenges keep the platform dynamic and engaging. The development team actively seeks player feedback, ensuring that the community plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Haha Games. This responsiveness has contributed to a loyal player base that eagerly anticipates what surprises the platform has in store.

🎮🌙 From Epic Story to Nightmarket Games, the rebrand game is strong! Dive into a satirical take on their ‘epic’ transformation and discover how they’re flipping the script on gaming. Spoiler: It’s not just the name that’s changed. #GamingNews #NightmarketGames #RebrandingRevolution