Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

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J_C
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Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:20 pm

Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

Hi everyone!

In the last two and a half years, I've been creating my first shoot 'em up as a solo dev. It is in a beta state now, and I'd like to get it into the hands of some testers. So I thought some of you guys might want to take a look at it. If you are willing to give it a go and provide some feedback, you can download it here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZXFbc ... GT7BZwZNFw
If by any chance you want to talk about it on Discord, I gladly welcome you on my Discord server: https://discord.gg/WcsFCG

It is called Exile Squadron, and it's a sci-fi themed horizontal shmup. If you don't mind, I just paste the store description for it:
Exile Squadron is an action-packed, sidescrolling shoot ‘em up, inspired by the classics of the genre. As part of an elite fighter group, you will be granted a huge variety of upgradeable weapons, which you can use to stop the invading Colonial forces. Kill your enemies as fast as possible, collect points, and put your highscore on the online leaderboard.

Story:

It’s 2120. With the creation of advanced ion engines, even the furthest planets of our system came within our reach. Mankind finally conquered the Solar System. After several long and bloody conflicts, humanity realized that only together can they create a better future for themselves. Decades went by without armed conflict. Earth and its Colonies lived in a golden age.

Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. The Colonies invaded Earth without warning, and destroyed all opposition in their path. As one of the best pilot on Earth, it is up to you to stop the Colonial forces.

Features:
  • - Fast-paced gameplay, where you have to put your reflexes to the test.
    - Primary, secondary and auxiliary equipment, which you can upgrade between levels.
    - Distinctive weapons, which feel and play differently (no more “samey” lasers).
    - Easy mode for beginners, ironman mode for the “shmup gods”.
    - Kill enemies rapidly to increase your score multiplier.
    - Collect points, build up your score and compete with others on the online leaderboards. (Online leaderboards are only available in the Steam version, which you get for free with your Itch purchase).
    - Secondary missions on every level, which reward you with extra points.
    - Detailed backstory about the future of Earth in the 21st and 22nd centuries – unlockable through collectables.
Some screenshot for the game:
Image
Image
Image

And Exile Squadron has a trailer as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fiw3ZoSBOyM
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J_C
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:20 pm

Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

The game's Steam Store page has been authorized, so you can check it out there as well. You can also wishlist it, if you'd like. That would help a lot with visibility on Steam, so I would appreciate it very much.

You can find it here:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1161910/
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J_C
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

A little update.

As a soft-launch, I put the game up on Itch.io. It is in early access, but the game is perfectly playable from start to finish, and it has every features, except the online leaderboards. If anyone is interested, please take a moment and check out the store page here:

https://onebitstudio.itch.io/exile-squadron
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J_C
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

Just a quick question: If you are using a controller for shmups, do you prefer to control the ship with the analogue stick, or with the D-pad?
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Krushal
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by Krushal »

J_C wrote:do you prefer to control the ship with the analogue stick, or with the D-pad?
Ouch. :?

D-pad all the way.
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J_C
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

Krushal wrote:
J_C wrote:do you prefer to control the ship with the analogue stick, or with the D-pad?
Ouch. :?

D-pad all the way.
Well I've heard all kinds of answers. :)
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Krushal
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by Krushal »

I was a bit blunt, allow me to expand.

While analogue controls can work for a 2d shoot-em-up, the game needs to be designed specifically for it. Otherwise, bear in mind that the genre came from arcades, with 8-way digital joystick controls.

I'll quote a forum member's signature:
FRO wrote:"Playing a shmup with an analog stick is like trying to fill out the New York Times crossword with a can of spray paint." - Topher Cantler
Have analogue (with configurable deadzone) as an option though, for non-shmuppers and weirdos. :)
Free indie/doujin STGs: Download | List (incomplete)
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Super16bits
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by Super16bits »

Hello, this is a really good job.
I am also in the process of launching a SHMUP, and would like to ask why the November 11 release date.

(Sorry, I know it's a silly question, but I'm trying to understand more about release dates)

if you want to take a look, this is my SHMUP ( https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/1163990/ )

Keep up the good work
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J_C
Posts: 18
Joined: Tue Feb 13, 2018 6:20 pm

Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

Krushal wrote:I was a bit blunt, allow me to expand.

While analogue controls can work for a 2d shoot-em-up, the game needs to be designed specifically for it. Otherwise, bear in mind that the genre came from arcades, with 8-way digital joystick controls.

I'll quote a forum member's signature:
FRO wrote:"Playing a shmup with an analog stick is like trying to fill out the New York Times crossword with a can of spray paint." - Topher Cantler
Have analogue (with configurable deadzone) as an option though, for non-shmuppers and weirdos. :)
Well in the end I've decided to allow both input. :)
Super16bits wrote:Hello, this is a really good job.
I am also in the process of launching a SHMUP, and would like to ask why the November 11 release date.

(Sorry, I know it's a silly question, but I'm trying to understand more about release dates)

if you want to take a look, this is my SHMUP ( https://store.steampowered.com/agecheck/app/1163990/ )

Keep up the good work
I have to tell you , your game looks great, you did a really good job with the pixelart. Good luck with the release.

As for my release date, I tried to find a date when there are no major sales on Steam. I didn't want to launch during the Halloween, Autumn or Winter sales, neither Black Friday. So I've picked November 11. :)
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J_C
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

Hey everyone.

I just wanted to drop by and announce that Exile Squadron has been officially released on Steam. If you are interested in my shoot 'em up, you can check it out here:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1161 ... _Squadron/
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J_C
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Re: Exile Squadron - a horizontal shmup now in beta

Post by J_C »

Hi. I decided to run a small competition for Exile Squadron. The game features an online leaderboard, where your ingame scores are uploaded. So let's see who is the best. :D

Winner: The Steam user who will be at the Number 1. position on the Steam Leaderboards at the end time of the Championship.

Competition ends: November 30, 2019, 4PM GMT.

PRIZE: A 25 EURO STEAM GIFT CARD, SENT THROUGH STEAM.

For a lucky gamer I created a Steam Giveaway, which you can check here:
https://www.steamgifts.com/giveaway/Cdy ... e-squadron

Obviously anybody can participate. Good luck!
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