Press Information, press kit pack - XScape
A
retro puzzle game
for iOS and Apple TV, capturing the magic of 1980s and 1990s video games
Factsheet
Developer:
pikXells
Based in East Midlands, United Kingdom
Release date:
23 April, 2019 - Premium
26 February, 2020 - Freemium
Platforms:
iOS / Apple TV
Combined purchase
Regular price:
iOS free with adverts
Apple TV free with restricted levels
Single in app purchase of £1.99 on either platform; removes both adverts on iOS and level restrictions on Apple TV. You don't pay twice.
Website:
www.pikxells.co.uk/games-xscape.html
Press / Business contact:
Please use contact page
Information available by request only
Social:
XScape on Facebook
pikXells on Facebook
pikXells on Instagram
pikXells on Twitter
pikXells on YouTube
Description
XScape is a modern remake of a classic retro puzzle game from the latter days of 8 bit computing. Lovingly crafted by the original author and including all previous game content and more. New gameplay features, modern sound and visuals, extra levels, star ratings and achievements are just a few of the enhancements.
Playing the game involves taking control of MAL, a Mechanised Artificial Life-form, whose only purpose in life is to collect special tokens and reach exit portals. A feat which you must help him to accomplish, within the allocated number of moves and time limit. Be aware though, once you start MAL moving, he won’t stop again until he either reaches a wall or hits an obstacle. Levels may have multiple paths to completion, with certain ways being either faster or more rewarding in terms of score.
History
The origins of XScape begins in 1994, when Paul Kubiszyn, aka pikXells wrote a little known game called Square Scape for the Commodore 64. Although Square Scape wasn’t particularly well received, its successor, the aptly named Square Scape 2 was. Following on from a successful publishing deal with Commodore Format magazine in the UK, and CP Verlag GmbH in Germany; Paul went on to write a version of Square Scape 2 for the PC named XScape. In 2003, a version of XScape was also written for the GP32 (GamePark 32), a relatively unknown handheld gaming system from South Korea. Almost a decade later in 2012, Paul first began work on a remake of XScape for iOS. Seven years later and the game is finally released.
The modern remake of XScape is exclusive to the Apple Ecosystem and runs on all iPhones, iPad’s and Apple TV.
Features
- All 30 levels from the original 8 bit game
- 60 New and puzzling levels
- 3 Unique worlds, each with their own look and feel
- 17 Groovy backgrounds
- 35 Achievements for in game tasks
- 3 Level star rating system
- 19 Tracks of toe tapping music spanning over 40 minutes
- Full Game Center integration with leaderboards and achievements
- Bluetooth game controller support
- Saving of progress and achievements between devices (can be disabled)
- Music visualiser with unlockable tracks
- Retro puzzle gameplay with modern sound and visuals
Brand
Although we choose to write the name XScape using a capital X and S; we do not insist on this, and you are free to use whichever capitalisation you find to be more visually appealing.
About pikXells
pikXells is Paul Kubiszyn, an independent game developer based in the United Kingdom. From his home in the East Midlands; Paul writes all program code, designs all graphics, and composes all music for his apps and games. More information on pikXells can be found on our pikXells press page.
XScape Credits
All program code, graphics and music: Copyright © 2020 Paul Kubiszyn aka pikXells
Original 8 bit game design: Copyright © 1995 Paul Kubiszyn