[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1szow-dCPzc[/embedyt]
Drop Bear Bytes receives further state funding support for post-apocalyptic RPG Broken Roads
Torquay, Australia, 16 September 2020 – Australian indie studio Drop Bear Bytes are showing off new video footage from Broken Roads at PAX Online thanks to the support of Creative Victoria’s PAX Rising Grant. The grant provides funding to Victorian-based games businesses to assist with the cost of producing, promoting, and managing their digital booths.
“We’re really happy to be among the talented crew of local game developers who are once again able to show off their titles on the international stage,” says Craig Ritchie, Game Director on Broken Roads, “and this would not be possible without the support of Creative Victoria. We were disappointed when PAX Australia was understandably canceled earlier this year, so it’s fantastic that we’re all still able to be a part of this online event.”
As part of their digital presence, the studio released new video footage to commemorate a year since Broken Roads’ first public showing at PAX Australia. Their digital booth and PAX Online video can be found at https://www.paxegx.com/games/broken-roads
The team first showed off Broken Roads at PAX Australia 2019, as part of the PAX Rising indie area thanks also to support from Creative Victoria.
“Being at PAX last year, for my first time ever, was an amazing experience,” says Tim Sunderland, Drop Bear Bytes’ Audio Lead, “and a real eye-opener to the phenomenal talent Australia has to offer. It was truly inspiring.”
“Having the support from Creative Victoria both last year and now has been a crucial step in getting us to where we are,” adds Sunderland. “Being able to interact with gamers and devs alike is so important whether it’s in person or online, and finding a way to still make this happen is a positive for the whole industry and a testament to the commitment of PAX, Creative Vic, and of course the gamers!”
The two-minute video for the event includes an as-of-yet unheard piece from the Broken Roads soundtrack, composed and recorded by Sunderland.
“The song in our PAX video is titled ‘Caravan’, “he says. “I wanted to write something that made the player feel safe and at home to get a bit of respite from that harsh, post-apocalyptic Australian setting. I used a lot of acoustic guitars as we often associate that with sitting around a campfire, relaxing, eating, telling stories. Then I sampled a flute I made out of bamboo and a few other natural sounds to build up a warm and cozy atmosphere blanket. Something I’d gladly have someone tell me made them fall asleep.”
Drop Bear Bytes recently launched the Broken Roads Steam page, and you can wishlist the game at https://store.steampowered.com/app/1403440/Broken_Roads/
Broken Roads is set in a ravaged future Australia and presents players with an original alignment system: the Moral Compass. This unique take on morality presents a 360-degree view of all ethical and philosophical decisions a character can make, as well as their available moral traits. A character’s philosophical leaning will affect all areas of the game, from dialogue and companion reactions through to quest resolution and combat.
Broken Roads is in development for PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One, and is scheduled for release in late 2021.
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Broken Roads‘ reveal trailer (October 2019) can be found at https://youtu.be/1szow-dCPzc
About Broken Roads
Broken Roads is the upcoming debut title from Australian indie studio Drop Bear Bytes. Born of a love for traditional computer role-playing, Broken Roads provides a rich, engaging narrative in which players make their way across a desolated Australia.
Blending together traditional and all-new role-playing elements on top of a classless system offering unlimited character development options, Broken Roads presents players with an original morality system: the Moral Compass. This novel design sees dialogue options and questing decisions influence, and be influenced by, a character’s philosophical leaning.
Features:
- All-new post-apocalyptic setting
- Unique morality system influencing dialogue, quests, and character development
- Authentic Australian locations and environments
- Blend of traditional and original RPG mechanics
- Up to 6 party members
- Turn-based tactical combat
- Hand-drawn artwork
- A content-rich and densely-crafted world
More at https://www.brokenroadsgame.com/
About Drop Bear Bytes
Headquartered in Torquay, Australia, Drop Bear Bytes was established in January 2019 and has a team comprised of developers, artists, and writers from Australia, South Africa, Canada, UK, USA, and China. The studio was founded by Craig Ritchie, a former games journalist turned marketing and brand manager who has worked on titles such as EVE Online, the Vampires: The Masquerade MMO, DUST 514, EVE: Valkyrie, and Freya and the False Prophecy.
Creative Lead Colin McComb is a veteran designer of both tabletop and computer RPGs whose work spans over 25 years with credits ranging from classics such as Fallout 2 and Planescape: Torment through to more recent work on Torment: Tides of Numenera and Wasteland 2 & 3.
More at https://www.dropbearbytes.com/
