AnimeNYC – Gaming, The Next Generation.
Joseph Watkins Da Watcha
AnimeNYC allowed creators and video game companies to showcase the latest, upcoming games in the digital ecosystem.
This was a first for me. Artist Alley and the con show floor are staples, necessary for successful cash flow and popularity, but those outside areas, those little sprinkles that make each con unique and special, are nuggets of gold that glisten and attracts the end user—in other words, the dopamine hit. And here at AnimeNYC, I fell in love with these creators as they worked hard on their dream, with the results speaking for themselves....
Welcome to Indie Gaming.
Among the alleyways, I saw a few games that caught my eye. RPGs, fighters, and puzzle solvers—these companies are creating the next platinum hit. Among Us, , Terraria, Stardew Valley... for some companies, indie games like these started in places like this, and the hunger here is louder than Goku’s Ultra Instinct yell.
BIG Boss: A Villain Simulator
Become the ultimate villain. Rule with an iron fist. Prove that heroes are so overrated.
Play as the villain who climbs their way to the top by defeating the bad [Good] guys for the corporation, Evil LLC (Think the show, The Apprentice in a roguelike setting equipped with spells, traps and minions). Your goal? Become the Final Boss!!!
Outsmart, outfight, and outmaneuver every hero that dares to challenge you. Become the BIG BOSS!!!
Big Boss is developed by Matthew Hamilton-Roux.
Scramble Heart City: 3v3 Tag Team Fighting Game
Coding and game design by M. Paul Weeks. Tough Love Arena is an indie fighting game with 6 unique, fun, and interesting characters and silky-smooth rollback netcode. The Moves. Instant. The reactions to the hits are on point. Scramble Heart City is a colorful experience in which the characters comedically fight to the death (Mean Girls meets Street Fighter). A new twist on the fighter series.
Urban Warriors
An imaginative fighter inspired by Fighting Force, Power Stone 2, Dynamite Cop, & Marvel Nemesis.
Featuring both co-op adventure and versus modes, Urban Warriors is an up-and-coming multiplayer fighter that offers an array of advanced mechanics like guard breaks, parries, and grab-and-throw maneuvers to gain the upper hand in intense stand-offs. With its grab-and-throw moves and chargeable attacks, the game provides dynamic gameplay where players can either overwhelm opponents with a flurry of kicks/punches or outsmart them with well-timed reversals and counters. Urban Warriors delivers a fresh and electrifying take on the streetfighter genre.
Urban Warriors is developed by Chaotix Game Development
Signal Creek
Pixel-rich, colorful, and filled with fantasy-realism, Signal Creek is an RPG in which rich dialogue and acceptance is the primary focus. What starts as a late-night act of curiosity quickly spirals into an intense journey when Nour becomes trapped inside the mall alongside her two unlikely companions: Nick, her little brother’s best friend, and Ms. Suwan, her professional mentor.
This unique setup paves the way for a deep, story-rich experience that blends fantasy and reality, challenging players to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and hidden truths.
Designed over the course of a year by recent NYU graduates, this game stands out for its inclusive approach to storytelling, with a strong focus on exploring LGBTQ+ identities and relationships. Through its rich dialogue and character development, the game creates a safe space for players to delve into themes of identity, acceptance, and self-discovery.
Featuring a unique cast of NPCs, explorable rooms, beautiful pixel art, and original music, the game offers an immersive and thoughtful experience for players.
Signal Creek is developed by Snacktime Games
Final Thoughts
Every game starts as a dream, with inspiration often coming from previous games. At AnimeNYC, this spirit of creativity and innovation was on full display as developers showcased their hard work to eager fans. Some booths even drew large crowds, with attendees waiting in line to play what could be the next big hit. AnimeNYC’s approach to gaming is a fantastic addition to its pop culture scene, and it’s reassuring to see that the gaming spirit is still vibrant, enthusiastic, and hungry—with AnimeNYC leading the way.
Respect.
