UFO 50
| UFO 50 | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Mossmouth, LLC |
| Publisher(s) |
|
| Designer(s) |
|
| Composer(s) | Eirik Suhkre |
| Engine | GameMaker Studio |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | September 18, 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Various |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
UFO 50 is a video game collection that is being developed and published by Mossmouth. It will feature 50 unique games of varying genres and lengths. It is set to release for Microsoft Windows on September 18, 2024, with ports to consoles planned.[citation needed]
Gameplay
UFO 50 is a compilation of various games developed by the fictional company UFOSoft for their LX video game console; the collection encompasses the company's output between the years 1982 and 1990.[1] Half of the games feature a two-player mode, being either versus or co-op, and none of them have to be unlocked.[2][3][4]
The games belong to a wide variety of established genres, such as shoot 'em up, platformer, and role-playing, each of which containing a unique twist. The games vary in length and scope, with some being described as "shorter, arcade-style experiences", while others "have narratives and expansive worlds to explore", with one of the games estimated to take upwards of 60 hours to complete fully.[5][6][7][8]
The order in which the games are presented is intended to show the history of UFOSoft's development slate, with some games having sequels and others featuring cameos from previously released games.[2][3][4][9] Each game also features development notes informing their fictional development.[1]
List of games in UFO 50
| # | Name | Genre | Two-player modes | Developed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barbuta | Adventure/Platformer | N/A | Eirik Suhrke |
| 2 | Bug Hunter | Puzzle/Strategy | PVP | ? |
| 3 | Ninpek | Arcade/Platformer | Co-op | ? |
| 4 | Paint Chase | Arcade | PVP | ? |
| 5 | Magic Garden | Arcade | N/A | Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Tyriq Plummer |
| 6 | Mortol | Platformer | Co-op | Jon Perry, Paul Hubans |
| 7 | Velgress | Arcade/Platformer | N/A | ? |
| 8 | Planet Zoldath | Adventure | N/A | ? |
| 9 | Attactics | Arcade/Strategy | PVP | Jon Perry, Derek Yu |
| 10 | Devilition | Puzzle/Strategy | N/A | Derek Yu, Jon Perry |
| 11 | Kick Club | Arcade | Co-op | Derek Yu |
| 12 | Avianos | Strategy | PVP | Jon Perry |
| 13 | Mooncat | Platformer | Co-op | Eirik Shurke |
| 14 | Bushido Ball | Sports | PVP, Co-op | ? |
| 15 | Block Koala | Puzzle | N/A | ? |
| 16 | Camouflage | Puzzle | N/A | ? |
| 17 | Campanella | Arcade | N/A | Eirik Suhrke |
| 18 | Golfaria | Adventure | N/A | Derek Yu, Tyriq Plummer, Paul Hubans |
| 19 | The Big Bell Race | Sports | Co-op | ? |
| 20 | Warptank | Adventure/Puzzle | N/A | Eirik Suhrke |
| 21 | Onion Delivery | Arcade/Racing | N/A | ? |
| 22 | Porgy | Adventure/Shooter | N/A | ? |
| 23 | Waldorf's Journey | Arcade/Platformer | PVP | ? |
| 24 | Caramel Caramel | Arcade/Shooter | Co-op | ? |
| 25 | Party House | Strategy | PVP | Jon Perry |
| 26 | Hot Foot | Sports | PVP, Co-op | Jon Perry |
| 27 | Divers | Adventure/RPG | N/A | ? |
| 28 | Rail Heist | Platformer | PVP | ? |
| 29 | Vainger | Metroidvania | N/A | ? |
| 30 | Rock On! Island | Strategy | N/A | ? |
| 31 | Pingolf | Sports | PVP | Eirik Suhrke, Ojiro Fumoto |
| 32 | Mortol 2: The Confederacy of Nilpis | Adventure/Platformer | Co-op | Derek Yu |
| 33 | Fist Hell | Arcade | Co-op | ? |
| 34 | Overbold | Arcade/Shooter | PVP | Jon Perry |
| 35 | Campanella 2 | Adventure | N/A | Eirik Suhrke |
| 36 | Hyper Contender | Sports | PVP | ? |
| 37 | Valbrace | Adventure | N/A | Tyriq Plummer, Derek Yu, Paul Hubans |
| 38 | Rakshasa | Platformer | N/A | ? |
| 39 | Star Waspir | Arcade/Shooter | N/A | ? |
| 40 | Grimstone | RPG | N/A | Derek Yu, Paul Hubans |
| 41 | Lords of Diskonia | Strategy | PVP | ? |
| 42 | Night Manor | Adventure | N/A | Paul Hubans |
| 43 | Elfazar's Hat | Arcade/Shooter | Co-op | Eirik Suhrke |
| 44 | Pilot Quest | Adventure/Idle | N/A | ? |
| 45 | Mini & Max | Adventure/Platformer | N/A | Jon Perry, Paul Hubans |
| 46 | Combatants | Real-Time Strategy | PVP | ? |
| 47 | Quibble Race | Strategy | PVP | ? |
| 48 | Campanella 3 | Platformer/Shooter | N/A | Eirik Suhrke |
| 49 | Seaside Drive | Arcade/Shooter | Co-op | Ojiro Fumoto |
| 50 | Cyber Owls | Platformer | N/A | ? |
Development
UFO 50 started development in GameMaker Studio.[10] The development team consists of Derek Yu, Eirik Suhrke, Jon Perry, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto and Tyriq Plummer, who have respectively worked on Spelunky, Downwell, Time Barons, Madhouse and Catacomb Kids.[10] The idea to create a collection of games came from Derek Yu's belief that the smaller standalone games that Yu and Jon Perry would make earlier in their careers would not do well in the current marketplace.[1]
UFO 50 was announced in 2017, with an expected launch date of 2018. However, development eventually took six more years, its release date ultimately being set for September 18, 2024.[11] The delay was due in part to the team underestimating how long it would take to make 50 games, as well as the simultaneous development of Spelunky 2.[12] Its eight-year development time coincidentally ended up matching the time frame spanning the games' fictional release dates (1982–1989).[13]
All games in the collection impose restrictions which could be found in games released during the era, such as utilizing only 32 colors across each game. Slowdown and sprite flickering were not included, as Yu believed that it would hinder the experience.[4]
Marketing and release
UFO 50 was revealed in 2017 on the Mossmouth YouTube channel, and was slated to be released the following year.[12]
An early version of UFO 50 was showcased during 2017's Pax West game convention,[14] as well as the following year's Pax West.[15]
It was one of the games featured at Summer Game Fest's Day of the Devs livestream, where its final release date was announced to be September 18, 2024.[16]
References
- ^ a b c Donlan, Christian (18 September 2024). "Spelunky's Derek Yu talks crafting UFO 50 and creating an entirely fictional developer". Eurogamer.
- ^ a b Colantonio, Giovanni (12 June 2024). "UFO 50 isn't the Spelunky follow-up you're expecting. It's even better". Digital Trends.
- ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (7 June 2024). "The Ambitious UFO 50 Finally Resurfaces With a Release Date". Hardcore Gamer.
- ^ a b c Conditt, Jessica (8 June 2024). "UFO 50, the latest game from the Spelunky team, will finally arrive September 18". Engadget.
- ^ Young, Georgina (19 June 2024). "UFO 50 preview: Actionally Good 52". Videogames.si.
- ^ "Coming in to Land". Edge. No. 397. Future plc. June 2024.
- ^ L, Dominic (8 June 2024). "UFO50 packs 50 retro-styled games into one amazing package". TheSixthAxis.
- ^ Switzer, Eric (18 June 2024). "My Favorite Game From Summer Game Fest Isn't One Game, It's 50". The Gamer.
- ^ Jarvis, Matt (7 June 2024). "Spelunky creator's mega-collection of fictional retro games UFO 50 will finally be out this September". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ^ a b Castle, Katharine (28 February 2024). "After seven years, Spelunky creator's retro compilation UFO 50 will release in the second half of 2024". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ^ Day of the Devs 2024: UFO 50. The Game Awards. 7 June 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Wales, Matt (28 February 2024). "Spelunky studio's long-awaited 8-bit game anthology UFO 50 due "second half" of 2024". Eurogamer.
- ^ "Edge 397 explores UFO 50, Spelunky dev Mossmouth's ambitious mission to build 50 games for a fictional retro console". GamesRadar. 18 April 2024.
- ^ Machkovech, Sam (2 September 2017). "PAX West: At least eight of UFO 50's games are instant retro classics". Ars Technica.
- ^ Machkovech, Sam (9 September 2018). "The 16 surprising new games that made PAX West an absolute blast". Ars Technica.
- ^ Reuben, Nic (7 June 2024). "Everything announced and featured at Day Of The Devs 2024 in one place". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.