Computer game developers Games Faction have been unveiled as the only company outside North America to win a coveted spot in Penny Arcade's 'PAX 10', an independent games showcase, at the world famous Penny Arcade Expo.
The Northampton-based company, whose game Project Aftermath impressed a judging panel of over 50 industry experts, will now compete against the other 9 finalists for the coveted "Audience Choice Award" at the Expo in Seattle this August.
Games Faction, a British games developer from the Portfolio Innovation Centre, which is based at The University of Northampton's Avenue Campus, was set up in February 2006 by Lee Hickey and Malcolm Reed - two industry veterans with over 20 years professional experience and a shared passion for making great games.
The duo, who are putting the finishing touches to their game and preparing to release Project Aftermath this August, are committed to creating innovative and diverse games and are proud to be a key player in the emerging wave of Indie developers. Lee and Malcolm will fly out to Seattle's Penny Aracade Expo this August, taking along their completed game with them. Visitors from around the world will then be invited to play all the PAX10 games and they will then be asked to vote for their favourite. This means Lee and Malcolm will find out if they have won the world's top spot by September 1st.
Lee explained: “Because Games Faction is self funded and independent we have the freedom to push boundaries and create something completely new. That is what we have done with Project Aftermath and we are absolutely thrilled to be a PAX 10 finalist. Being based at the Portfolio Innovation Centre has given us the support and mentoring we have needed to succeed. We have been able to benefit from affordable rent, access to the University's resources and we are able to network and share ideas with the other tenants, who all work in the creative, design or digital sector too.”
Malcolm added: “The PAX 10 is quite a line up, with more established studios and IGF (Independent Games Festival) winners making up the finalists. We're extremely pleased and excited to be part of it. It will be a great opportunity to show off what we have been working on for the last two years, to meet the other finalists and the gamers themselves and get some first-hand feedback. We would like to thank the Portfolio Innovation Centre for giving us the space, support and time we have needed to achieve this early success."
Portfolio Innovation Centre Manager, Wendy Nikolaidis, added: "We are thrilled about Games Faction's success. Malcolm and Lee are extremely talented and hard working and deserve the recognition this gives them. They have benefited from the environment and support that Portfolio provides and we are sure that this is the first step on their road to great things”
Project Aftermath, available for Microsoft Windows from this Summer, is Games Faction’s first game to be set in the turbulent Morphid universe.
Lee explalined: "Project Aftermath has been a risky undertaking as a first title for an Independent developer, and we don't think it is obviously "Indie". Our hope is that people will be very excited and perhaps surprised at what a small team can achieve."
To find out more about Games Faction and Project Aftermath contact pr@gamesfaction.com or visit www.gamesfaction.com
Notes to editors......The Morphid Universe and Project Aftermath
In the aftermath of a brutal war, when your enemy has wiped out everything you hold dear, the time has come to regroup and strike back. Enlist in the Morphid army and use all the weapons and genetic powers at your disposal to eradicate the New Order menace!
Project Aftermath is a tactical action game where you command up to four squads of soldiers in exciting battles in a retro-futuristic world. Equip your squads to suit your playing style, researching new items using the spoils of war; choosing from 100 different weapons, armour, power-up augmentations and spell-like special attacks.
Engage in hectic massed battles against hordes of enemies. Capture strategic locations, rescue hostages and slaughter indiscriminately! Explore the landscape to locate hidden treasures and uncover the secrets of both your enemy and the mysterious planet you find yourselves on. Replay missions using fewer soldiers and items to earn greater rewards.
Action, mystery, hideous man\machine hybrids; Project Aftermath has it all!