UFO 50
File:UFO 50.jpg
Cover image from UFO 50's website
Developer(s)Mossmouth, LLC
Publisher(s)
  • Mossmouth, LLC
Designer(s)
Composer(s)
EngineGameMaker Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseWindows
  • WW: September 18, 2024
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

UFO 50 is an upcoming 2024 game compilation, created by independent developers Derek Yu, Eirik Suhrke, Jon Perry, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto and Tyriq Plummer for Microsoft Windows. It contains fifty brand new games in a wide variety of genres; these are "not minigames, but fully fledged games", with "opening intro scenes, credits, etc."[1]

Gameplay

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Games in the collection belong to a wide variety of estabilished genres (listed further down),[2] but each has an unique twist.[3] Half of the games feature a two-player mode.[4][5][6]

Every game in UFO 50 is unlocked from the start.[6] The games belong to a wide variety of genres like shoot'em ups, 2D platformers and RPGs; some are "shorter, arcade-style experiences"; others "have narratives and expansive worlds to explore." [7] One of the games is "a classic turn-based RPG that could take 60 hours to fully complete".[8]

All games in the collection use a custom 32-color palette, as well as other restrictions to make them feel more authentic, but do not feature sprite flickering or slowdown. [6] Their visual and mechanical styles evolve with the years.[6] Some of the games have sequels within the collection, while others feature character cameos from previous games, including a fighting game in the vein of Smash Bros.[4][5][9]

# Name Genre Versus Co-op Developed by
1 Barbuta Adventure/Platformer Eirik Suhrke
2 Bug Hunter Puzzle/Strategy   ?
3 Ninpek Arcade/Platformer   ?
4 Paint Chase Arcade   ?
5 Magic Garden Arcade Derek Yu, Jon Perry, Tyriq Plummer
6 Mortol Platformer   Jon Perry, Derek Yu
7 Velgress Arcade/Platformer ?
8 Planet Zoldath Adventure ?
9 Attactics Arcade/Strategy   Derek Yu, Jon Perry
10 Devilition Puzzle/Strategy Derek Yu, Jon Perry
11 Kick Club Arcade   Derek Yu
12 Avianos Strategy   Jon Perry
13 Mooncat Platformer   Eirik Shurke
14 Bushido Ball Sports   ?
15 Block Koala Puzzle ?
16 Camouflage Puzzle ?
17 Campanella Arcade Eirik Suhrke
18 Golfaria Adventure Derek Yu, Tyriq Plummer, Paul Hubans
19 The Big Bell Race Sports   ?
20 Warptank Adventure/Puzzle Eirik Suhrke
21 Onion Delivery Arcade ?
22 Porgy Adventure/Shooter ?
23 Waldorf's Journey Arcade/Platformer   ?
24 Caramel Caramel Arcade/Shooter   ?
25 Party House Strategy   Jon Perry
26 Hot Foot Sports     Jon Perry
27 Divers RPG ?
28 Rail Heist Platformer   ?
29 Vainger Adventure/Platformer ?
30 Rock On! Island Strategy ?
31 Pingolf Sports   Eirik Suhrke, Ojiro Fumoto
32 Mortol 2: The Confederacy of Nilpis Adventure/Platformer   Derek Yu
33 Fist Hell Arcade   ?
34 Overbold Arcade/Shooter     Jon Perry
35 Campanella 2 Adventure Eirik Suhrke
36 Hyper Contender Sports   ?
37 Valbrace Adventure Paul Hubans, Tyriq Plummer
38 Rakshasa Platformer ?
39 Star Waspir Arcade/Shooter ?
40 Grimstone RPG Derek Yu, Paul Hubans
41 Lords of Diskonia Strategy   ?
42 Night Manor Adventure Paul Hubans
43 Elfazar's Hat Arcade/Shooter   Eirik Suhrke
44 Pilot Quest Adventure ?
45 Mini & Max Adventure/Platformer Jon Perry
46 Combatants Strategy   ?
47 Quibble Race Strategy   ?
48 Campanella 3 Platformer/Shooter Eirik Suhrke
49 Seaside Drive Arcade/Shooter   Ojiro Fumoto
50 Cyber Owls Platformer ?

Development

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UFO 50 started development in GameMaker Studio 1. [10] The development team consists of Derek Yu, Eirik Suhrke, Jon Perry, Paul Hubans, Ojiro Fumoto and Tyriq Plummer, who have respectively worked on Spelunky, Downwell, Time Barons, Madhouse and Catacomb Kids.[10]

UFO 50 was first announced in 2017, with an expected launch date of 2018. However, development eventually took six more years, its release date ultimately being set for September 18, 2024.[1] The delay was due in part to the team underestimating how long it would take to make 50 games, as well as the simultaneous development of Spelunky 2. [11] Its eight-year development time coincidentally ended up matching the time frame spanning the games' fictional release dates (1982-1989).[12]

Influences

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UFO 50 was inspired by unlicensed bootleg game compilation cartridges for 8-bit consoles that were common during the 80s and 90s, like Action 52.

Reception

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An early version of UFO 50 was showcased during 2017's Pax West game convention, where it received widespread praise.[13]

UFO 50 was showcased again during Pax West 2018, where it again received praise.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Day of the Devs 2024: UFO 50". The Game Awards. 7 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  2. ^ "Coming in to Land". Edge. No. 397. Future plc. June 2024.
  3. ^ Young, Georgina (19 June 2024). "UFO 50 preview: Actionally Good 52". Videogames.si.
  4. ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (7 June 2024). "The Ambitious UFO 50 Finally Resurfaces With a Release Date". Hardcore Gamer.
  5. ^ a b c d Conditt, Jessica (8 June 2024). "UFO 50, the latest game from the Spelunky team, will finally arrive September 18". Engadget.
  6. ^ L, Dominic (8 June 2024). "UFO50 packs 50 retro-styled games into one amazing package". TheSixthAxis.
  7. ^ Switzer, Eric (18 June 2024). "My Favorite Game From Summer Game Fest Isn't One Game, It's 50". The Gamer.
  8. ^ Jarvis, Matt (7 June 2024). "Spelunky creator's mega-collection of fictional retro games UFO 50 will finally be out this September". Rock Paper Shotgun.
  9. ^ a b Castle, Katharine (28 February 2024). "After seven years, Spelunky creator's retro compilation UFO 50 will release in the second half of 2024". Rock Paper Shotgun.
  10. ^ Wales, Matt (28 February 2024). "Spelunky studio's long-awaited 8-bit game anthology UFO 50 due "second half" of 2024". Eurogamer.
  11. ^ "Edge 397 explores UFO 50, Spelunky dev Mossmouth's ambitious mission to build 50 games for a fictional retro console". GamesRadar. 18 April 2024.
  12. ^ Machkovech, Sam (2 September 2017). "PAX West: At least eight of UFO 50's games are instant retro classics". Ars Technica.
  13. ^ Machkovech, Sam (9 September 2018). "The 16 surprising new games that made PAX West an absolute blast". Ars Technica.
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