The Swiss games industry is booming: Developer studios are springing up like mushrooms and releasing new, exciting games – often with small development teams, who are all the more committed to their work. The Swiss Game Awards (SGA) provide a good insight into the growing diversity of the local games industry: the gala celebrates the best Swiss games of the year in question. On November 11 (6 pm) it’s that time again: Gamesweek Zurich is all about the coveted SwiGA trophies, which are awarded by the Swiss Game Developers Association (SGDA). Eight games have been nominated in the “Entertainment” category, and six in the “Serious Games” category, ie games with educational requirements. Incidentally, the Swiss Game Awards take place in collaboration with the Zurich Pop Con & Game Show, where visitors could also vote for their SGA favorites at the beginning of October.
So who will win the race on November 11? Given the large number of exciting games, this is hardly predictable. However, there are a few participants who, as far as we are concerned, certainly belong to the smaller circle of favourites. We present them here briefly and concisely. Have fun with it!
FAR: Tides change
This game offers an almost meditative experience: a boy travels as a ship captain through a flooded, lonely world – always looking for a new home. He sails across the open sea, chugs with steam power along deserted shores and dives in his boat into the murky depths of the sea in search of fuel and salvage. The game passes without any words. What you hear is the surf, the wind and an ethereal soundtrack.
“FAR: Changing Tides” is the follow-up to 2018’s side-scroller “FAR: Lone Sails”, which was largely played on land. The sequel offers not only new environments, but also a new protagonist, new puzzles and new game mechanics. The inner workings of the boat are amazingly complex – and to literally avoid danger, you need to know all the tricks and tricks. The game comes without fights and chases, but the puzzles are quite demanding.
Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions
When his family moves to Japan, Damien’s life is turned upside down: the shy boy feels very lonely in a strange environment. However, Damien has an almost infinite imagination – and with this power, he creates an imaginary superhero named Captain Velvet Meteor. In his role, Damien goes on exciting adventures that help him get used to his new home – and eventually find himself.
“Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions” is the new game from the developer studio Momo-Pi, whose co-founder Rinaldo Wirz himself lives in Japan. «Captain Velvet Meteor» is an exciting puzzle and strategy game that alternates the real-life environment of Damien and his dream world – and also features well-known characters from the Jump+ manga and anime universe.
monorail stories
Whether it’s school or work, many of us spend a lot of time commuting every day. “Monorail Stories” tells the stories of the people who meet there – showing how strongly their destinies can be intertwined. The two protagonists, Silvie and Ahmal, live in different cities and take the monorail to work every day. However, they never meet because they travel at different times and in opposite directions. They only have indirect contact, namely through other people they meet along the way. Every decision you make in the game affects her life, her story.
Stelex Software is constantly adding new stories and you can experience it from the perspective of new characters in the season story mode. As studio co-founder Stefano Maccarinelli said in a recent interview? “It’s a game that makes you think about life.”
Anshar 2: Hyperdrive
OZWE Games from the canton of Vaud specializes in virtual reality games. “Anshar 2: Hyperdrive” is the latest installment in a series of space fighting games that OZWE has released over the years. As a pilot of the Ansharian Empire, you throw yourself into gripping space battles – so-called “dogfights” – to defeat the enemy Nergal. In the story campaign, you have to destroy Nergal satellites and defend the Ansharian mothership from attack waves, among other things.
That sounds intense – and it is! “Anshar 2: Hyperdrive” challenges your flying skills in confusing asteroid fields, and also offers a variety of weapons with which to put the pesky Nergal out of action. In addition to the solo campaign, the game also offers co-op, battle royale and a deathmatch arena.
Other nominations in the «Entertainment» category
«Letters – a written adventure»
«Swordship»
«Terraformers»
«Backfirewall_»
Lausanne 1830: Histoires de registres
How can history be conveyed in an exciting way? A game nominated – along with five other titles – in the “Serious Game” category explores this question. “Lausanne 1830: Histoires de registres” takes you to 19th-century Lausanne, which is in the midst of social unrest. You explore the city from a bird’s eye view to gather information about its inhabitants. The goal is to complete the information needed to register the population. During your research you will visit famous places such as the Place de la Palud, the mills of the Flon Valley or a brewery in Rue Chaucrau – and also meet famous personalities of the city there.
“Lausanne 1830: Histoires de registres” is mainly aimed at students and is therefore also used in history lessons. You can try it directly and for free in your browser!
Other nominations in the «Serious Game» category
«Respect – For Who I Really Am»
«Oris – Joy of Mechanics»
“Migros Merge”
“Microbiome”
«re(use)»
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