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Cross-platform and online games mean that players are never truly isolated, but there’s still room for experimentation in how developers can bring them together. The Game Connection Development Awards will reward the studios that are trying to break new ground in this area.
Popular business and networking event Game Connection America will once again run alongside GDC in San Francisco next week, and will be highlighting some of the most promising upcoming titles with its own awards ceremony.
Previously known as Selected Projects, the Game Connection Development Awards are designed to reward some of the most innovative titles from studios big and small, across various platforms and in various states of development.
All this week, Develop will be rounding up the finalists in all ten categories. You can find out more about the awards at www.game-connection.com.
The finalists for Best Social project are:
Shadow Puppeteer
Studio: Sarepta Studio
Country: Norway
Platforms: PC, Wii U
Stage: Release Candidate
A co-operative puzzle platformer, Shadow Puppeteer is designed around two players working through the game together. They will have to co-ordinate their movements in order to overcome the game’s obstacles, with one player taking on the role of a young boy and the other his separated shadow.
Papercade
Studio: Hololabs
Country: Canada
Platforms: Tablets and smartphones
Stage: Released
Sharing your creations is central to the appeal and premise of Papercade. Users create their own adventures and stories in the form of virtual cardboard and paper dioramas, which they can then make available to other Papercade users to play.
Raids of Glory
Studio: Nitro Games
Country: Finland
Platforms: Tablets and smartphones
Stage: Released
As with so many of the strategy games available on smart devices today, success in Raids of Glory will often depend on alliances with other players. Even if gamers decide to go it alone, the best way to gather the resources required to build up your stronghold is to battle other users.
Monzo
Studio: Madfinger Games
Country: Czech Republic
Platforms: Tablets and smartphones
Stage: Released
In addition to its attention to detail, the key to Monzo is the ability to build up a collection of carefully recreated models and photographs of said miniatures. These can be shared with friends that share your affinity for Revell’s products, not just within the game but also across a host of social media platforms.
LyteShot
Studio: LyteShot
Country: United States
Platforms: Tablets and smartphones
Stage: Beta
This ambitious peripheral takes geo-location gaming to the next level by giving players props and weapons to use as they dash around a local area completing objectives. While you’re more than welcome to do so on your lonesome, the experience is designed with multiple players in mind.
