View source for Hex Heroes

{{Infobox video game
| title = Hex Heroes
| image = Hex Heroes.jpg
| developer = Prismatic Games
| publisher = 
| director = 
| producer = 
| designer = Mario Castañeda
| programmer = 
| artist = 
| writer = 
| composer = [[Grant Kirkhope]]
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]], [[Linux]], [[Wii U]]
| released = 
| genre = [[Party game#Party video games|Party]], [[real-time strategy]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Hex Heroes''''' is an unreleased [[Party game#Party video games|party]], [[real-time strategy]] game. Originally in development for [[Wii U]] since 2014, it failed to release before the console's [[Nintendo eShop|eShop]] closed in March 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Plant |first=Logan |date=2023-03-26 |title=PSA: The Wii U and 3DS eShops Close Tomorrow |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/psa-the-wii-u-and-3ds-eshops-close-tomorrow |access-date=2023-03-27 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> The game remains unfinished, with plans to release on [[Microsoft Windows]], [[macOS]] and [[Linux]]. It is ostensibly being developed by Prismatic Games,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/03/30/hex-heroes-is-a-five-player-real-time-strategy-game-for-wii-u/|title=Hex Heroes is a five-player real-time strategy game for Wii U|publisher=[[Joystiq]]|first=Thomas|last=Schulenberg|date=2014-03-30|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref> and designed by Mario Castañeda, who previously co-created ''[[The Bridge (video game)|The Bridge]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/artist_behind_the_bridge_planning_a_party_rts_for_wii_u|title=Artist Behind "The Bridge" Planning a Party RTS For Wii U|publisher=nintendolife|first=Thomas|last=Whitehead|date=2014-03-19|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
Up to five players, one with the [[Wii U GamePad]] and four with [[Wii Remote]]s, harvest resources, build structures, fend off enemies, and explore dangerous territories. The player using the GamePad manages resources and teammates, makes executive decisions, and surveys the land from a bird's-eye view.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://venturebeat.com/2014/04/22/interview-how-kickstarter-game-hex-heroes-is-reimagining-the-rts-genre-for-the-wii-u/|title=How Kickstarter game Hex Heroes is reimagining the real-time strategy genre for the Wii U (interview) pg. 1|work=[[VentureBeat]]|first=Andrew|last=Kuhar|date=2014-04-22|accessdate=2014-04-25}}</ref> There are different classes to choose from with each playing a different role.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/video-games/11236-Hex-Heroes-A-Party-RTS-Makes-Good-On-Wii-Us-Promises|title=Hex Heroes, A Party RTS, Makes Good On Wii U's Promises|magazine=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]]|first=Joshua|last=Vanderwall|date=2014-05-04|accessdate=2014-04-18}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

==Characters==
The game features a number of characters from various franchises. Each character serves as a swap for each in-game class but has their own unique animations and personalities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://operationrainfall.com/crowdfunding-spotlight-hex-heroes/|title=Crowdfunding Spotlight: Hex Heroes|publisher=[[Operation Rainfall]]|first=Josh|last=Speer|date=2014-04-14|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! width=150| Character
! width=200| Series
|-
|Alicia<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1184202489/heart-forth-alicia/posts/814676|title=Update 4: Kickstarter shout outs and a stretch goal tease!|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|author=Andrew|date=2014-04-19|accessdate=2014-04-19}}</ref>
|''Heart Forth, Alicia''
|-
|Zoya
|''[[Trine (video game)|Trine]]''
|-
|[[Arin Hanson|Egoraptor]]
|''[[Game Grumps]]''
|-
|[[Dan Avidan|Danny]]
|''Game Grumps''
|-
|[[Ross O'Donovan|Ross]] & Orph
|''Game Grumps''
|-
|Juan
|''[[Guacamelee!]]''
|-
|Max
|''[[Mutant Mudds]]''
|-
|Shovel Knight
|''[[Shovel Knight]]''
|-
|Rusty
|''[[SteamWorld Dig]]''
|-
|Lady Faye IV
|''[[Rogue Legacy]]''
|-
|Subject W
|''[[List of video game crowdfunding projects|Paradise Lost: First Contact]]''
|-
|Cyrus
|''[[Wizorb]]''
|-
|The Drifter
|''[[Hyper Light Drifter]]''
|-
|Turing
|''[[Read Only Memories]]''
|-
|Hat Kid<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes/posts/2550204|title=Hex Heroes LIVES - A Meaty Progress Update
|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|author=Prismatic Games LLC|date=2019-06-28|accessdate=2019-08-25}}</ref>
|''[[A Hat in Time]]''
|}

==Development==
The idea came out from a [[game jam]]. The developers had reached out to [[Nintendo]] through its indie self-publishing program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/3/27/5550814/hex-heroes-wii-u-indie-kickstarter|title=Party RTS for the Wii U makes its pitch with help from some friends|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|first=Owen S.|last=Good|date=2014-03-27|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref> A project was created on [[Kickstarter]] to help raise $80,000 to develop the game.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/456089/hex-heroes-on-wii-u-billed-as-the-worlds-first-party-rts/|title=Hex Heroes on Wii U billed as 'the world's first party RTS'|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|first=Chris|last=Scullion|date=2014-03-28|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref> The developers had got in touch with [[Grant Kirkhope]] and after a couple of months brought him on board.<ref name="nwr">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/37171/interview-with-prismatic-games-on-hex-heroes|title=Interview with Prismatic Games on Hex Heroes|publisher=Nintendo World Report|first=Aaron|last=Brown|date=2014-04-16|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref> Cameo characters, which the developers wanted to include but were unable to, were [[Mighty No. 9|Beck]], [[Shantae (series)|Shantae]], [[Psychonauts|Raz]], and [[Minecraft|Steve]].<ref name="nwr"/>

In April 2014, the game was successfully funded, having reached $86,000, though it hadn't reached any of its stretch goals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wiiudaily.com/2014/04/hex-heroes-has-been-successfully-funded/|title=Hex Heroes has been successfully funded|publisher=WiiUDaily.com|first=Ashley|last=King|date=2014-04-24|accessdate=2014-04-24}}</ref>

''Hex Heroes'' was displayed at the 2015 [[GaymerX#GX3: Everyone Games|GX3]] convention held in December, and was well-received, landing Prismatic an [[investor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes/posts/1446599|title=We're Back!|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|date=2015-12-17|accessdate=2016-04-12}}</ref> The game was displayed at the 2016 [[Game Developers Conference|GDC Play]] conference held in March, and was named as an honorable mention for the [[Game Developers Choice Awards|Best in Play]] award.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes/posts/1510142|title=Good News, Everyone!|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|date=2016-03-04|accessdate=2016-04-12}}</ref>

In 2018, Nintendo denied to Prismatic access to their development kit to the [[Nintendo Switch|Switch]]. Nintendo closed the [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] and Wii U [[Nintendo eShop|eShop]] in March 2023, preventing the game from being released digitally.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/nintendo-announces-3ds-and-wii-u-eshop-closures-gets-defensive-about-game-preservation|title=Nintendo announces 3DS and Wii U eShop closures|website=Game Developer|date=16 February 2022}}</ref> The game is currently incomplete and [[vaporware|there is no indication that it will be completed]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes|title=Hex Heroes - A Party RTS for Wii U/PC/Mac/Linux|website=Kickstarter|language=en-US|access-date=2018-07-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qwBEqslROM|title=We Wikipedia Dan: So Many Projects - PART 4 - Game Grumps|publisher=[[Game Grumps]]|website=[[YouTube]]|date=July 29, 2018|access-date=April 5, 2024}}</ref>

==Marketing==
To help promote the game, the game's designer Mario Castañeda narrated an episode of ''[[Did You Know Gaming?]]'' covering the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes/posts/793554|title=Saturday Update Bonanza Part II: DYKG & AMA FTW OMG BBQ|publisher=[[Kickstarter]]|author=Prismatic Games LLC|date=2014-03-30|accessdate=2014-04-18}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Facebook|prismaticgames|Developer's official page}}
* {{IMDb title|5774682}}
* ''[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/prismaticgames/hex-heroes Hex Heroes]'' on [[Kickstarter]]

{{Game Grumps}}

[[Category:Crossover video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Wii U games]]
[[Category:Game jam video games]]
[[Category:Indie games]]
[[Category:Kickstarter-funded video games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Vaporware video games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Grant Kirkhope]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Wii U eShop games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]