UFO 50 is a video game collection that is being developed and published by Mossmouth. It will feature 50 unique games of varying genres and lengths. It is set to release for Microsoft Windows on September 18, 2024, with ports to consoles planned.

UFO 50
Developer(s)Mossmouth, LLC
Publisher(s)
  • Mossmouth, LLC
Designer(s)
Composer(s)Eirik Suhkre
EngineGameMaker Studio
Platform(s)
ReleaseSeptember 18, 2024
Genre(s)Various
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

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UFO 50 is a compilation of various games developed by UFOSoft; a fictional company who developed video games from the years 1982–1990. Half of the games feature a two-player mode, being either versus or co-op, and none of them have to be unlocked.[1][2][3]

The games belong to a wide variety of established genres, such as shoot 'em up, platformer, and role-playing, each of which containing a unique twist. The games vary in length and scope, with some being described as "shorter, arcade-style experiences", while others "have narratives and expansive worlds to explore", with one of the games estimated to take upwards of 60 hours to complete fully.[4][5][6][7]

The order in which the games are presented is intended to show the history of UFOsoft's development, with some games having sequels and others featuring cameos from previously released games.[1][2][3][8]

List of games in UFO 50

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# 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, Paul Hubans
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/Racing ?
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 Adventure/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 Tyriq Plummer, Derek Yu, Paul Hubans
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/Idle ?
45 Mini & Max Adventure/Platformer Jon Perry, Paul Hubans
46 Combatants Real-Time 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.[9] 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.[9]

UFO 50 was 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.[10] 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]

All games in the collection impose restrictions which could be found in games released during the era, such as utilizing only 32 colors across each game. Slowdown and sprite flickering were not included, as Yu believed that it would hinder the experience.[3]

Marketing and release

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UFO 50 was revealed in 2017 on the Mossmouth YouTube channel, and was slated to be released the following year.[11]

An early version of UFO 50 was showcased during 2017's Pax West game convention,[13] as well as the following year's Pax West.[14]

It was one of the games featured at Summer Game Fest's Day of the Devs livestream, where its final release date was announced to be September 18, 2024.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b LeClair, Kyle (7 June 2024). "The Ambitious UFO 50 Finally Resurfaces With a Release Date". Hardcore Gamer.
  2. ^ a b c Conditt, Jessica (8 June 2024). "UFO 50, the latest game from the Spelunky team, will finally arrive September 18". Engadget.
  3. ^ Young, Georgina (19 June 2024). "UFO 50 preview: Actionally Good 52". Videogames.si.
  4. ^ "Coming in to Land". Edge. No. 397. Future plc. June 2024.
  5. ^ L, Dominic (8 June 2024). "UFO50 packs 50 retro-styled games into one amazing package". TheSixthAxis.
  6. ^ Switzer, Eric (18 June 2024). "My Favorite Game From Summer Game Fest Isn't One Game, It's 50". The Gamer.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Day of the Devs 2024: UFO 50. The Game Awards. 7 June 2024 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ a b 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.
  14. ^ Reuben, Nic (7 June 2024). "Everything announced and featured at Day Of The Devs 2024 in one place". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Archived from the original on July 30, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.