Excalibur: A Unique Indie Game Inspired by Filipino Heritage
Breaking into the gaming industry can be quite challenging, especially for indie developers with limited resources. For Taktyl Studios, a game studio based in the Philippines, participating in events like the Philippine GameDev Expo (PGDX) was a pivotal moment. What started as a simple showcase transformed into an exciting publishing partnership and valuable mentorship opportunities, leading to the creation of their standout action game, Excalibur.
Excalibur: A New Spin on a Popular Genre
“Excalibur” fits within the beloved survivor-like genre of video games that features fast-paced rogue-lite mechanics. In these games, players face waves of enemies while quickly gaining experience and honing their strategic skills. While it takes cues from the well-known Vampire Survivors, Excalibur adds its own twist by weaving in elements from Super Sentai-a Japanese franchise that many know through its Western adaptation as Power Rangers.
In this vibrant adventure, players become colorful Rangers who battle through episodic levels filled with increasingly tough monsters-mirroring the structure found in classic Sentai episodes. The game includes strategic upgrades and team-based mechanics alongside powerful fullscreen “supers,” enhancing both style and impact during gameplay. Fans of shows like Maskman or Five Man will surely feel nostalgic as they engage with every pixel on screen. This title pays homage to classic tropes such as monster-of-the-week storylines and Ranger calls while reinterpreting them within a rogue-lite framework.
Designed for high replayability, Excalibur rewards player skill effectively. As gamers progress through levels, they unlock new powers and abilities that bring them closer to executing team attacks reminiscent of cherished Saturday morning cartoons from their youth.
The Thought Process Behind Mobile Gaming
The decision to focus on mobile platforms stemmed from thoughtful discussions among Taktyl's development team. They recognized that people enjoy gaming during various moments throughout their day-whether it's on flights or while waiting at appointments or even sitting at a barbershop. Therefore, Excalibur needed to be easy to pick up quickly while offering fast-paced gameplay suitable for short play sessions. Currently undergoing soft beta testing in Canada, plans are set for full release in the Philippines later this year; future goals include launching on PC via Steam and possibly consoles-all while keeping cooperative gameplay front-of-mind.
Meet Taktyl Studios: The Creative Minds Behind Excalibur
At its core is Taktyl Studios-a dedicated game development team hailing from the Philippines known for being data-driven yet creative-minded. While they provide gamification services to clients seeking engagement solutions, their true passion lies within original projects like Excalibur which reflect an unmistakable “Tito Game” vibe inspired by 80s and 90s pop culture influences.
James Lo stands out as one of the co-founders driving this vision forward; his enthusiasm for gaming resonates throughout his team members' work ethic too! By combining market research insights with imaginative concepts during development processes ensures each title remains engaging without sacrificing commercial viability.
Networking at PGDX: A Turning Point for Taktyl
Without PGDX's influence-Excalibur might never have come into existence! During this eventful gathering came an unexpected encounter with Backnd-a Korean publishing company-that significantly altered Taktyl's path forward when one representative visited their booth tested out what they had created-and immediately expressed excitement about it! Soon after establishing collaboration between both parties began!
This partnership has proven beneficial across multiple fronts; allowing Taktyl creative freedom whilst receiving essential marketing support informed by data analytics provided by Backnd's expertise! “They give us room creatively but help us adjust if our data signals any issues,” shared someone from Taktyl regarding how collaboration works smoothly together!
The Future Awaits: What Lies Ahead for Taktyl Studios & Excalibur?
Excalibur marks just one chapter among many more stories waiting patiently behind closed doors at Taktyl Studios! With several other titles currently under development spanning various genres-they continue blending nostalgia-infused experiences alongside modern-day mechanics seamlessly integrated throughout each project undertaken moving forward!
The journey taken thus far serves not only testament towards community involvement but also highlights visibility gained through participation within conventions where sharing work leads beyond mere feedback-it fosters connections providing mentorship unlocking significant opportunities along way too!
For further information about upcoming projects developed by talented individuals over at Taktly studios visit official website & catch them live next time around PGDX 2025 event happening soon enough!
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