Our not-too-long, not-so-hot Canadian summer has come to an end, and hopefully you’re ready to face September, a.k.a. the Monday of months. If you feel like hiding under your covers indefinitely, we’ve got a few new Toronto indie games for you to play. Or, if you feel like getting out and enjoying the last of the warm weather, we’ve got a some more gaming events you can attend. So face your return to school or work with your chin up, secure in the knowledge that you’ve got lots you can do when it’s quitting time. Don’t forget to check out the Toronto Gaming Calendar, which will be updated as more events become announced throughout the month. (Remember, the calendar can also be added to your googlecal.) Note only the events marked with an asterisk are Hand Eye events — for the rest, we’re just signal boosting for this amazing community.

Toronto Game Events

* Saturday, September 13: Game Curious? Play and Discussion group begins (alternate poster pictured above)

Saturday, September 13: DMG September Speaker’s Social, featuring Sarah Anne Drew of Every1games

Wednesday, September 17: Playing Nice in the Sandbox: Legal Considerations for Collaborative Content Creation by Artists’ Legal Advice Services (ALAS).

* Saturday, September 20: Game Curious? Play and Discussion group

Saturday, September 20: DMGtalks: Gigs and careers in fandom and geek culture

Wednesday, September 24th: Torontaru

* Saturday, September 27: Game Curious? Play and Discussion group

Monday, September 29: ArtsVote will be running a mayoral debate around how Toronto can better support arts and culture — perhaps also videogame arts?

Local Game Releases

Depression Quest is a browser-based text adventure game, exploring the realities of living with depression. It’s been available online for some time, but now it’s gotten a free release on Steam.

A bird game that’s actually beatable! Lucky Mask Games has released Fishy Feathers for free on the iTunes App Store. You control a diving bird collecting food and avoiding predators, and helping it grow into a majestic bird of prey.

Brandon Gardiner has released the delightfully bizarre Drunk Cloud on both iTunes and Android, in which you control a cloud stumbling home from the bar, collecting hot dogs, and avoiding happy clouds trying to “harsh his buzz.”

Uken Games has launched Titans, a collectible card-based fantasy RPG. The original soundtrack is also available, composed by DMG-er Maggie McLean.

 

Toronto Folks In The Media

The first issue of Two Clones, an online magazine about games, comics, and fandom in general, has been released, including contributions from Toronto devs and Hand Eye members. Check it out — grab a free issue before 5pm on Sept 1st!

Bento Miso recently held a workshop on how to apply for Ontario’s Interactive Digital Media Fund, and recorded the talk, hosted by Kim Gibson,  for posterity. If you’re an indie dev, and want government capital, check it out.

Coinciding with the Steam release, Kill Screen has an article on Depression Quest.

Asteroid Base’s Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime has been selected as one of the titles in this year’s Fantastic Arcade, at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas. It also appeared at Pax Prime as part of the Indie Megabooth, as did N++ and Analogue: A Hate Story.

Ben Rivers announced his new game Alone With You will be a Playstation 4 and Vita exclusive.

 

Special Announcements

Dames Making Games has launched the Codex, a database and resource of the organization’s members and creations.

SXSW interactive 2015 has a novel feature where you vote for which panels will be featured at the show. The folks behind LongStory, along with Bento Miso, could be presenting a panel entitled “But where’s the market for that?!” on the role of community in helping unique titles find their audience, as well as an analysis of market-driven innovation. Help the community out, and vote here.

 

Gamemaking Help Offered/Wanted

Kaitlin Tremblay is looking for short horror stories to use in her upcoming game, Lights Out, Please. If you’re a crafty writer of things spooky, throw your hat (or pen) into the arena.

Rocket 5 Studios is looking for an experienced Unity game programmer for a high profile, short term contract gig starting in early September and wrapping up mid-November. Unity and C# skills required. We’re looking for someone who is easy to work with. It’s a bonus if you’ve shipped a few games. If you’re interested, or if you know anyone who may, feel free to pass this along. Contact hello@rocket5studios.com.

Dara Gold is a Toronto based 2D game artist and illustrator. She’s ready to jump in at any stage of a project, be it initial concepts and designs to final art assets, promotional materials and UI. If you’re currently in need of an artist for your video game or creative project check out www.daragold.ca or contact her at gold.dara@gmail.com.

That’s all for now! If there’s any October events or Toronto video games news, releases, and rad media coverage you want shared, don’t hesitate to pass it along to Anthony via email or to @HandEyeSociety on Twitter.