The puzzle-game experts at Draknek & Friends have announced the latest cohort of 6 in-development games that will be supported this year by their New Voices grant program.
The grant aims to be an "opportunity for game developers from traditionally underrepresented groups and backgrounds who are interested in designing and developing puzzle games." The chosen games & developers receive financial support, mentorship, and a "supportive community of industry experts to provide advice and feedback."
Here's a look at all the upcoming projects Draknek & Friends are helping to make a reality:
Compress(space)
by Fahim Daysal — Free demo
Compress(space) is a 2D + ||D puzzle game where you bend space to cheat your way through puzzles.
The Detective's Apprentice
by Stuti Verma — Itch.io page
The Detective's Apprentice is a "howdunnit" detective game inspired by games like Return of the Obra Dinn, Case of the Golden Idol and Ace Attorney. You play as Cleo, a young apprentice to Maya Lynch, a world-renowned detective. Together, you two solve all kinds of crimes, from robberies to murders. To solve each case, you must recreate the crime by entering every action taken by the culprit.
Map Map - A Game About Maps
by Pipapo Games — Steam page
‘Map Map - A Game About Maps’ is a cozy puzzle exploration game with a unique cartography mechanic. You don't just follow the map, you make it yourself. Explore the world without distractions by actively engaging with the game world and not just following quest markers. Explore the island, find locations and pinpoint them as accurately as possible onto your map.
Kiko’s Apple Adventure
by PawPaw Games — Steam page
Kiko’s Apple Adventure is a Sokoban game about a curious bear who loves tasty apples. In it, you’ll have to move the target point in order to puzzle your way through each handcrafted level. Explore islands, move the finish line, and outsmart your enemies.
Shape Sender Deluxe
by Dead Teapot — Steam page
Solve physics puzzles with magnets, springs, portals, fans, and more while your new best friend Sendy helps you along the way! But maybe keep an eye on him, he’s been acting a little … strange, lately.
Backtrace
by Petallix Games — Website
Backtrace is a narrative puzzle game about retro computers featuring strong female characters. The player logs into their personal computer, only to be thrust into a whirlwind of internet espionage and unexpected friendships. The puzzles are based on a 2D programming language offering ample challenge to 'byte' into. Players can engage with the game for its story, puzzles, or ideally, both!
This will be the 2nd batch of puzzle games the New Voices grant has funded, with the first round taking place in 2022. Several of the 12 previously selected games have since been completed and released. Here's the full list of past grantees:
- Paquerette Down the Bunburrows by Bunstack
- Lost Twins II by Playdew
- Shards Between Us by Queensguard Games
- On the Peril of Parrots by Spritewrench
- ISLAND_NAME_HERE by Spicy Rice Cake Studio
- Konkan Coast Pirate Solutions by Samarth Hattangady
- Hackshot by Mohammed Al Najjar
- AiliA by Icetoad Studio
- DokiToki: Time Slows Down When You’re In Love by Youssef Tobah
- Catacomb Creeper: Re-Vined Edition by Breogán Hackett
- Timeclone by Rowan Wood
- Cutting Edge by Ryo Kurama
For more information on the grant program, you can visit the official site grants.draknek.org or contact them at grants@ draknek.org.
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