Hey everyone! We're back after a busy month of nonstop development, and we have some exciting news to share! 🚀
We'll be revealing our release date with a brand new trailer and sharing other big news during the IndieMania event hosted by IGN from September 12th to the 14th, so make sure to stay tuned!
You can catch the live broadcast on IGN's YouTube or Twitch channels and explore all the incredible indie games showcased at this new big indie game event. Mark your calendars—you won't want to miss it! 🗓️
Game on, CINIC Games 🎮
Dev Diary #3 - Our inspirations
Hey gamers! In this new entry for our dev diary we’d like to share with you the main inspirations behind Extra Coin. If you’ve played the demo and have been wondering where the ideas for The Arcade and its inhabitants came from then you’re in the right place!
The real world
We decided to set the story in a dystopian foreseeable future, around the years 2050 to 2070. Most of it will take place in the arcade, a social network where people upload their consciousnesses to live a better life than the one in the real world which has been destroyed and torn apart by endless wars between corrupt governments. The world we see outside of Mika’s window is futuristic yet not that far from us. Our main inspirations here were some of the most famous cyberpunk works which describe a reality not too far away from us that has developed some very advanced and complex technologies even though the world is in shambles. Quoting cyberpunk’s most important author, William Gibson, we tried to represent a reality consisting of “high tech and low life”.
The Arcade
Striving for a better life, a big part of the population, including Mika’s parents, decided to upload their minds to a virtual reality that allows its inhabitants to live in a seemingly peaceful and colorful world. This metaverse is called The Arcade and in order to access it Mika has to wear a VR headset that, as some of you might have noticed, resembles the one from “Ready Player One” and even “Neuromancer”. The theme of uploading one’s consciousness to escape reality is a common one between sci-fi and cyberpunk tropes more specifically. You might remember “San Junipero”, the brilliant episode from season 3 of the show “Black Mirror”, or even “Upload”, the tv series that covers similar themes to the ones in Extra Coin. As soon as you enter the arcade you’re met with a neon-lit room, you might have caught the Tron reference for the futuristic and sci-fi aesthetic of this room.
The themes
Ever heard of transhumanism? It’s a philosophical and intellectual movement that pushes the idea that humans should use science and technology to enhance their capabilities. The whole point at the base of transhumanism is aiming to transcend our current biological limitations. Scary? Or maybe interesting? When exploring this very controversial movement we started wondering how far technology could get when trying to make us “better humans”. The Arcade is a new reality that makes life better for its users by letting them escape from the wreck of the world and making them transcend their biological limitations one of those being, you guessed it, death.
That was a lot, enough for this log. We hope you’re enjoying this journey to the release of Extra Coin. Feel free to jump into our Discord server to keep updated about all the news regarding the game!
Game on, CINIC Games 🎮
🚀 Exclusive Closed Beta is LIVE!
Hey there, gamers!
Just when you thought the hype couldn't get any realer, here we are with another exhilarating update! Remember the closed beta chatter? 🤔 Well, the stars have aligned and the exclusive closed beta for Extra Coin is NOW LIVE! 🥳
For the trailblazers who secured their spot early, it's your cue to dive into the realms of Extra Coin. But, a little heads up - this exclusive beta extravaganza will conclude next Wednesday. Time sure flies when you're having fun!
Missed the initial beta train? No worries!
The universe might have thrown you a second chance! For those still keen on riding the beta wave, here's your golden ticket. 🎟️ Just a couple of clicks and you're in: 1️⃣ Jump into our Discord server 2️⃣ Find the #beta-signup channel 3️⃣ Hit that 'Sign Up Now' button!
Your passion drives us, and every feedback nugget will carve the path for Extra Coin's grand debut in Q1 2024. As always, stay locked in for more deets and glimpses of what's brewing.
Until the next update, game hard and dream big!
Game on, CINIC Games 🎮
Target Release + Closed Beta Announcement!
Hey there, gamers!
It's been a while since our last update, but we want you to know that the game is still alive and kicking! Over the past two years, we've been working hard behind the scenes to make some significant improvements. And guess what? We're getting close to the finish line! 💜
We're excited to announce that we're aiming to release Extra Coin on Q1 2024 🤩. We know it's been a long wait, and we appreciate your patience. We've been fine-tuning the gameplay, tweaking mechanics, and making sure that every aspect of the game is top-notch.
Join our upcoming closed beta
But that's not all! We've been listening to your feedback and suggestions, and we want to show our appreciation. Soon, we'll be launching a closed beta and it will be exclusively available to our newsletter subscribers 🙌 So make sure you're signed up to get a chance to play the game before anyone else!
But how to opt-in? Pretty simple! 👇👇👇 Join our Discord server. Once there, head over to the #beta-signup channel. A 'Sign Up Now' button is there waiting for you ✌️
Stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks in the upcoming weeks. We're grateful to have you on this adventure with us!
Game on, CINIC Games
Dev Diary #3 - Target Release + Closed Beta!
Hey there, gamers!
It's been a while since our last update, but we want you to know that the game is still alive and kicking! Over the past two years, we've been working hard behind the scenes to make some significant improvements. And guess what? We're getting close to the finish line! 💜
We're excited to announce that we're aiming to release Extra Coin on Q1 2024 🤩. We know it's been a long wait, and we appreciate your patience. We've been fine-tuning the gameplay, tweaking mechanics, and making sure that every aspect of the game is top-notch.
Join our upcoming closed beta
But that's not all! We've been listening to your feedback and suggestions, and we want to show our appreciation. Soon, we'll be launching a closed beta and it will be exclusively available to our newsletter subscribers 🙌 So make sure you're signed up to get a chance to play the game before anyone else!
But how to opt-in? Pretty simple! 👇👇👇 Join our Discord server. Once there, head over to the #beta-signup channel. A 'Sign Up Now' button is there waiting for you ✌️
Stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks in the upcoming weeks. We're grateful to have you on this adventure with us!
Game on, CINIC Games
Dev Diary #2 - The Inhabitants of The Arcade
Hi guys! Today we focus on the characters that live inside the virtual world of The Arcade, helping you better understand the difference between them and what to expect from them!
NFA
It stands for No Fame Avatars and is a derogatory term coined to refer to the generic avatar used by all inhabitants of The Arcade. Being completely identical in their appearance, NFAs attempt to be unique by wearing accessories bought from vendors around the city. In The Arcade you can always tell a book by its cover and that's why NFAs have a different color depending on their moral conduct: cyan for Lurkers, magenta for Fame Diggers[we'll explore this in a future dev diary].
Champions
In The Arcade, the inhabitants duel with each other trying to climb the world ranking. Champions are the celebrities of the social network. Stripped of their NFA, they are the only ones who have their own customized avatar, as well as unique passive skills and ultimates. In the history of the social network, only 12 users have managed to reach the top, and from year to year their level has become so high that other users can't even try to get close to the upper level of the ranking. Unlike NFAs, they don't live in the city but some of them like to visit it by interacting with ordinary inhabitants.
That's all for today! Feel free to join our Discord community to keep updated about all the news regarding the game!
Dev Diary #1 - Core Mechanics
Hi everyone! Today we are happy to kick off our dev diary that will let you discover more information about Extra Coin! And where should we start this journey if not from the heart of our game? Without any further ado let’s talk about the core mechanics!
Explore the city and its places
The Arcade is a virtual social network into which the entire world population has poured its existence. Its inhabitants live in a proper virtual city full of places to visit and things to do. You will lead Mika, the protagonist of our adventures, around such places, interacting with her unique NPCs and discovering the secrets behind the social network itself.
Duel against your foes!
In The Arcade the inhabitants are all part of a special ranking and everyone wants to climb it in order to achieve more fame and success. To do so, the inhabitants duel with each other during the so-called Match Days. Winning these matches will be crucial to Mika's fortune, as they will allow her to gain Followers, which can be used as currency inside The Arcade.
Develop your character
As you climb the ranking, matches will become more challenging. To cope with them at best, it’s essential that Mika gets stronger and stronger. Depending on your own playstyle, you’ll be able to develop her stats and talents, choosing from a wide range of ultimates and passive skills. If that is not enough, you can customize her appearance with a considerable amount of cosmetics. They won’t affect her performance on the pitch, but - you know - looks matter too.
Enjoy local activities, posting on your social profile
Dueling is not everything for the inhabitants of The Arcade. That’s why they enjoy the many activities available around the city on the so-called Free Days. Mika can spend her time at the training centre, go to a concert, relax at the cat café or maybe watch a movie. Whatever your choice is, each activity will grant her specific perks. At the end of it, Mika will also have to document it on her social profile. Feeding your followers is vital, so be careful with your posts too. Some followers may not like your content, ending up losing them. Remember: followers = money!
Make friends
No matter if The Arcade is a virtual world, relationships are still essential. That’s why Mika will be able to bond with other NPCs, becoming their friend and even unlocking special bromances that will influence the course of her story itself. There are plenty of characters you can interact with in the city. It’s up to you to find them all and pick the one you feel will have the biggest impact during your journey inside The Arcade. Choose your bestie wisely!
That pretty much sums it up. Feel free to join our Discord community , there will be important news soon!
