Millions of people are finding solace in video games these days, as the pandemic forces us to keep a distance. And it's reflected in the spike of game sales.
And for those plugged in, a new game published by a local video game development company is out. Frisco-based Gearbox Publishing, a subsidiary of Gearbox Software announced the official launch of the sequel to hit Steam game Risk of Rain.
Since 2019, when the game was launched for early release, the team at Washington-based Hopoo Games has been adding new updates, bosses and items to the game to prep for its official release through Gearbox. Within a month of its early release, the game sold over a million copies, as well as garnered a nomination for the Steam Awards.
“… the game doubled in size with new survivors, levels, and items; but more importantly, the passionate community guided us in implementing and finessing gameplay elements and systems that leave this final product feeling holistically improved upon,” said Paul Morse and Duncan Drummond, co-founders of Hopoo Games, in a statement.
Risk of Rain 2 is a co-op shooter game that follows the story of a space crew struggling to escape an alien planet. With built-in AI features that raise the difficulty level of enemies during play and mixes up the organization of levels, players fight through waves of alien monsters and bosses, picking up items to help, as they fight their way out of the planet.
The game will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles, with additional updates and console plugins planned for the future.
The launch of Risk of Rain 2 marks the latest in a string of successful games for Gearbox, which is led by co-founder and CEO Randy Pitchford, who also serves on the board of San Francisco-based video game crowdfunding platform Fig. The company got its start in 1999, originally creating expansions for the game Half-Life. It is also the company behind the Borderlands game series. And in 2013, it helped raise $16,000 to help create the Videogame History Museum in Frisco.
