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It’s a busy week for John Szymanski as he debuts not one but two new games, but as the developer explains in a post on Twitter, this is “not all for fun reasons.”
I released two games today. Unfortunately, this is not all for fun reasons. pic.twitter.com/WNYC3DcZsuJanuary 18, 2024
I released two games today. Unfortunately, this is not all for fun reasons. pic.twitter.com/WNYC3DcZsuJanuary 18, 2024
For those unaware, My Friendly Neighborhood is a comedy scarefest released in 2023 in which you, as a repairman sent to investigate an abandoned broadcast station, must face off against a bunch of TV puppets gone bad. Alongside Five Nights at Freddy’s (mainly for the animatronics) it was compared to the likes of BioShock and Resident Evil, which is no small praise. So it’s no surprise it’s sitting at “overwhelmingly positive"reviews on Steam.
Szymanski didn’t go into detail regarding the financial situation with the game or when it’s likely to be sorted, but in replies, he does say that it’s down to “a very complicated businessy thing” and “not Steam payout stuff”.
Instead, he asks those who enjoy the games he makes to consider purchasingExiledorThe Pony Factory. The former takes its inspiration from intricate puzzle games such as Myst, whilst the latter is a horror FPS that sees you explore a facility full of – you guessed it – twisted and terrifying ponies.
“Winston thought he could use heavy machinery and power from the depths of hell to transform sinful men into magic ponies. Winston was wrong,” The Pony Factory blurb reads. A classic blunder; silly Winston.
“Exiled is my own project, so after Steam and taxes, I take the rest myself,” Szymanski says, “and David [Szymanski, The Pony Factory co-developer,] has graciously agreed to give half of the royalties of The Pony Factory to me as well even though I only am responsible for the backend work for its release.”
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As it happens, The Pony Factory is off to an impressive start on Steam, only losing out on the top spot of the New and Trending chart thanks toa cute Zelda-like about a turnip on a crime spree.
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
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2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”