Kill Knight... Mini-Review!

Kill Knight is a challenging top-down twin-stick shooter where players hunt down the Last Angel across five intense levels filled with enemies and hazards. The game features a ranking and leaderboard system that fuels the replay value.

Kill Knight was condemned to eternal sufferance, deep within the voids of an... eldritch arena where you're forced to obliterate swarms of monsters and master the demon within.

While Kill Knight offers intense combat, it can be frustrating due to its difficulty. Visually this game is too dark for my tastes. It's not just dark for me, it's a little dull in the color scheme department is what I mean. The game’s fun factor may decrease over time, but the replay value is maintained somewhat through the leaderboard system. Timing the reload with so much going on can be challenging and may detract from the overall experience too, and... the music was missing that flare to complement action. Heavy metal should've been the soundtrack from beginning to end! Talk about a missed opportunity.

Pricewise, for fans of dark, top-down arcade bullet hell games, the price of $14.99 is reasonable. Precision is rewarded, you get access to a nice selection of pistols, swords, heavy weapons + armor. If you like to dominate leaderboards, this game is bound to put you and your aim... to the test.

Gameplay 3

Visuals 3

Audio 3

Price 5

3.5 out of 5 Cool Points

            

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One-on-One Discussions with Gamers: AAA Developers & Crowdfunding Solutions

In recent one-on-one discussions with gamers, SDGT Entertainment delved into the challenges that many AAA developers are currently facing. The myth of being "too big to fail" is one that these developers need to get over, as it's becoming increasingly clear that alternative routes must be considered to ensure long-term success. Concord could've been morphed into a single player mission based adventure. If it were me, I would've wanted to see Firewalk give the game a secondwind by taking this route, and even let them fly free with the title under the conditions that it remained a Playstation exclusive (in terms of consoles) for a solid period of time. 

IOI (IO Interactive) comes to mind as far as being a dev team being able to take their baby (the Hitman franchise) and soar, verses being wiped off the map. Hitman lives on and the team continues to make content like... The Splitter featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme as an exclusive Hitman target. They have other IPs in development, but... they took what they had and continued to build without trying to pump out title on top of title. Instead they adapted, married Hitman 1 to 3 and served up Hitman: World of Assassination. The additional adventures can be purchased for... Hitman: World of Assassination (initially released in Q1 2021), and this is one way to keep a game fresh while the developers figure out their next move. You can dive into Hitman with a free starter pack... right now, and play The Splitter free for a limited time!

I'm not saying Concord would've been able to last, especially with the track record and fanbase Hitman has, but... all that work didn't have to go to waste.

The Myth of "Too Big to Fail"

The notion that large developers are immune to failure is a dangerous misconception. The reality is that even the biggest names in the industry can falter if they don't adapt to changing market dynamics and consumer expectations. This was echoed by Chris J., an Ohio native visiting Orlando, who expressed his frustration with the current state of the industry:

"I hate when companies nickel and dime us for extra content that should've been in the game in the first place," says Chris J.

Not everyone will be able to go live with each title for online multiplayer action. The playerbase will have to come from somewhere and there are some badass games that a number of gamers aren't willing to part with just yet. Grand Theft Auto Online, Fortnight, CSGO, Minecraft, even COD Mobile are still ticking. I won't say run in fear when it comes to making online games, but... you have to know when to take a step back and do your homework to identify and take into account what warms someones heart enough to make that a purchase + microtransations would be okay vs a free-to-play setup or... additional DLC that adds to a complete game. These discussions also included Sims 4, which a couple I didn't get a chance to quote, had a major reaction about. They love Sims, but said similar to what I have in the past regarding how limited part 4 felt. We agreed that it was better off being a free-to-play game from the beginning. It took nearly a decade for that to occur, but they eventually adapted to the situation. I guess the $39.99 wasn't going to cut it anymore, especially with the cost of the DLC.

The Problem with Greed

Greed doesn't guarantee a continuous flow of money. Developers need to understand that their revenue comes from gamers with a fluctuating percentage struggling to make ends meet. Investments in gaming must make sense for these consumers. The big developers can play mind games with themselves, but reality will always keep it real with them, whether they like it or not.

When it comes to developers who are hesitant to revive fan-favorite games because they want to rake in piles of money on what appears to be the safe bet, it's understandable to seek success. However, the same gamers they want support from are the ones some don't seem to believe in. Even reaching out for crowdfunding for beloved games seems to be a step too far for some publishers.

Crowdfunding as a Viable Option

Newlyweds Trey and Diana S., honeymooning in Orlando, shared their thoughts on crowdfunding:

"I've given money to Kickstarters before, they just have to present it well and make the rewards worth it. I'll even pay a buck or two to get my name posted on a backer list. I don't have faith in the big developers to do Kickstarters bro, they're stuck up," says Trey S.

"If it's my job and I want to keep that job, I would listen to the customers," says Diana S.

Overall, if gamers are willing to put up the money for a game based on a calculated cost, it should be a no-brainer for developers to give the people what they're willing to invest in (if the goal isn't made thats the indicator to keep it moving). Giving gamers what they're willing to pay for seems to make too much sense for some publishers. Hopefully, this article... ruffles some feathers in the right way and helps more developers get over themselves if they're running into a wall.

 + Sophi 

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Shatterline Finds a New Home on the Epic Games Platform... Let's Play!

Shatterline, the intense first-person shooter (FPS) with roguelike co-op PVE and PVP modes, has recently made a significant move to the Epic Games platform. This transition opens up a world of possibilities for the game and its developers, FragLab. With Epic Games' reputation for offering attractive incentives to developers, this shift could mean enhanced support, better revenue shares, and increased visibility for Shatterline.

Epic Games is known for its developer-friendly revenue split, 100% going to the devs for first run exclusives on the platform. This financial incentive alone could be a game-changer for Shatterline, allowing FragLab to reinvest more into the game's development and community engagement. Additionally, Epic's robust support system and marketing reach could help Shatterline attract a larger player base and foster a more vibrant community.

The move to Epic Games also raises the question: Will this entice other developers to shift platforms? With the promise of better financial returns and support, it's a possibility that more developers might consider making the switch, especially those looking to maximize their game's potential if things aren't going so hot or... they don't plan to go multi-plat (just yet).

Many developers are hesitant to adapt due to the risks involved. However, some have successfully adapted with the right changes that included improving their games. For instance, Cyberpunk 2077 underwent significant updates and tweaks post-launch, which resulted in improved gameplay and better reception from players.

Shatterline's transition from Steam to Epic Games is a bold move that demonstrates FragLab's adaptability and willingness to take risks for the betterment of their game. I commend the flexibility.

We wish Shatterline's development team the best as they embark on this new journey with Epic Games. This $5 affordable shooter has the potential to shine bright, but only time will tell.

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