As the year draws to an end, 2024 brought along a variety of exciting new video game releases crafted by Black developers.
Here are five newly released and upcoming titles by Black video game developers to show your support for.
- Advent Neon: Developed by CryoGX, Advent Neon is influenced by older video game models and anime. Following the main protagonist Neon, this 2D action platform features three different levels, considered to be acts, with the final act culminating in a boss battle. The run-through is set in a futuristic city, overrun by multiple of Neon’s enemies.
- Run Die Run Again: Created by independent developer Tony Barnes, founder of RetroNinja, “Run Die Run Again” is a video game based in parkour, taking players through 80 different courses. Rooted in the old-school arcade style of gaming, this game is first-person and has different modes. Soundtracked by electronic music, “Run Die Run Again” also features character holograms, skins and different celebrations to make the game even more engaging for players.
- Tetra Tactics: Made by lead developer Jabari Alii, “Tetra Tactics” is inspired by the Final Fantasy VIII mini-game Triple Triad. Considered to be a “deck-building” game, it has multiple maps that users can travel through to find the most powerful cards. With cards based around swords, shields and bows, each move contributes to the battlefield. Currently, there are over 100 cards that help keep the players engaged with the gameplay.
- Kindfolx: Developed by Tristan Barona, “Kindfolx” is a single-player game that is based in combat. Inspired by retro games, the video game follows the city of Kindfolx as it becomes invaded by a Monsterfolk general named Darlocke, who threatens to disturb the peace between Monsterfolx and humans. Using cards such as the “Boots of Nobility” and the “Defending Stance,” users are equipped with the material needed to battle multiple enemies defending Darlocke as they also navigate amongst multiple traps in the narrative.
- Spirit Swap: LoFi Beats to Match-3 To: Made by Soft Not Weak LLC and created by game writer Adanna Nedd, “Spirit Swap” is described as an action-puzzle game set in a supernatural world run by witches and demons. Based on LoFi beats, the game has players complete the puzzle to “reassemble lost spirits” and lets them “bond” with other witches and demons. The narrative revolves around a young witch named Samar who’s responsible for spirit-swapping; when there’s an increase in spirits making their way over, it’s up to Samar to figure out why right before the city gets filled with fans of a popular band that’s set to perform their comeback concert.
