Universal Games and Digital Platforms and Unity Technologies announced today that the winner from the first-ever Universal GameDev Challenge, Voltron: Cubes of Olkarion by Switzerland-based studio, Gbanga, and a runner-up, Turok: Escape from Lost Valley by Pillow Pig Games, is expected to launch on July 25, 2019 on Steam. These independent studios delivered games that demonstrated the most potential for expansion into commercial products, besting hundreds of other submisions to win the competition, which will culminate in the release of Voltron: Cubes of Olkarian and Turok: Escape from Lost Valley this month.
The Universal GameDev Challenge, a collaboration between Universal Games and Unity Technologies and sponsored by Intel and Microsoft, invited developers to submit a design for a PC game that leveraged one of five iconic Universal brands: Back to the Future, Jaws, Battlestar Galactica, DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender and Turok Son of Stone. Nearly 550 entries were submitted worldwide. As the grand prize winner, Gbanga received $150,000 and a year-long consulting contract with Universal Games and Digital Platforms for its’ game Voltron: Cubes of Olkarion. Pillow Pig Games was one of five runner-ups with Turok: Escape from Lost Valley, and also received $20,000 in prizes.
Voltron: Cubes of Olkarion is a one-on-one, real-time-strategy game boiled down to a single sideview screen, with fighting and puzzler game elements. The action-packed title is based on an episode in the Netflix original series DreamWorks Voltron Legendary Defender, where the Olkari people were forced to build a single gigantic cube superweapon that tried to destroy Voltron. In the game, both sides build single weapon cubes – the so-called Cubes of Olkarion – and stack them to towers in the middle. Each cube has different attack and defense abilities. Some of these cubes can launch projectiles, others are placed for defense, others can spawn units that attack the opponent. The gameplay is all about keeping a cool head, thinking creatively and making quick decisions during battle, as one mistake can let the whole tower of cubes collapse.
Turok: Escape from Lost Valley, based on the Turok Son of Stone comics, is a third-person action-adventure game where fans take on the role of Turok, who is trying to find a way back home. Players can explore alongside Andar, and will use their skills to survive the environment, creatures and other dangers on their adventure through the Lost Valley. The game features hand-drawn 2D graphics, stunning animations and multiple environments to explore with quests and hidden items.
“The Universal GameDev Challenge uncovered incredibly talented, up-and-coming game developers, and as fans themselves, they brought a unique, passionate perspective to these characters and stories,” said Chris Heatherly, Executive Vice President, Games and Digital Platforms, Universal Brand Development. “The games from Gbanga and Pillow Pig Games combined with the expertise at Universal showcase the power of bringing authentic stories to life through interactive experiences.”
Voltron: Cubes of Olkarion and Turok: Escape from Lost Valley is expected to be available via Steam on July 25, 2019 and fans can add the games to their Steam wishlist starting today.
Voltron: Cubes of Olkarion store link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1078550/Voltron_Cubes_of_Olkarion/
Turok: Escape from Lost Valley store link: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1078560/Turok_Escape_from_Lost_Valley
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