Factsheet 📌
Developer:
Whales And Games
Release Date:
Early 2024
Platforms:
Steam
Itch.io (Jam Version)
Other Platforms TBA
Website:
townseekgame.com
Regular Price:
| USD | TBD |
Description 📜
Townseek is a single-player exploration and trading game where the player flies freely across the world on their airship. Moving through the map, the player will find several towns, each with their own charismatic host. By trading with them for gold, it's possible to buy more merchandise to sell at a higher price in other towns, acquire tools to take part in new activities and unlock multiple cosmetic options.
The game follows the player's quest to find the missing pages of Sir Reginald Sharkingston's journal, the first sharkfolk to freely explore the world. Aside from the main quest, the player is encouraged to discover the multiple unique landmarks scattered throughout the globe. There are also dozens of items to obtain, and activities such as fishing, mining, farming, digging, foraging, and more!
Beyond the main quest, the game is an open-ended calm experience that lets the player discover the world at their own pace. Whether they prefer to maximize their profits, learn more about the hosts, complete their collections of items or just roam around freely, the player always has free-reign over their Townseek experience!
History 🗃️
Jam Version Beginnings!
The original version of Townseek, currently available on itch.io under the name of Townseek Jam Version, was originally developed for the Global Game Jam 2021. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the formerly physical game jam had to adapt to a digital format. While our studio has participated in multiple game jams before, these changes gave our team the opportunity to participate together for the Global Game Jam for the first time together, despite living across the world.
As a result of the pandemic itself, which caused several of us frustration by making travelling more difficult, Townseek was envisioned as a relaxing game where one could fly anywhere at any time and meet people from all cultures. We wanted to capture the satisfaction and wonder of exploring!
After its completion, the game got updated with new features, bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements. The updated release was met with a lot of positive attention, being featured on itch.io's front page, and quickly gathered thousands of views. It has since become one of Whales And Games' most played games
With the surprising reception of the Jam Version and it's subsequent The Star-Seeker Update, the team decided on focusing on delivering a new full version of the game. While Townseek's Jam Version continues to work as a proof-of-concept, our vision for the future of Townseek showcases a lot of new potential, with brand-new ideas for features, improved new content and activities!
Game Pitch 📢
Townseek is a relaxing exploration-trading game where you take to the skies and explore the world of Explora discovering the lost legacy of Sir Reginald Sharkingston! Travel far and wide, discover exotic landmarks, visit faraway towns, trade with whimsical characters, catch fish, discover artefacts, and so much more!
The whole world is your sea now, so be sure to see all that it has to offer!
Features 🎯
- Explore a gorgeous hand-drawn world at your own pace! Uncover unique locations, spawning lush forests, freezing icebergs, vast deserts, striking volcanos, and beyond!
- Trade with town hosts for unique items and profit! Complete quests for them to improve your reputation and unlock upgrades and cosmetics. Discover diverse cultures of sharkfolk, cats, slimes, stonelings, regular humans, and more!
- There are tons of things to do all over Explora! Need a break from trading? Obtain new blimps and hulls to customise your airship. Buy a fishing rod and go catch peculiar fish. Mine one-of-a-kind artefacts. Dig for treasure. Farm for exotic fruits. Make the journey your own!
- Reassemble the journal bestowed upon you by Captain Jawline and discover the lost legacy of Sir Reginald Sharkingston! Fill it with memories of your own travels, strive to complete your item collection, and make this a truly unforgettable adventure!
Videos 🎥
Wholesome Direct Trailer (YouTube)
The MIX Spring Showcase Trailer (YouTube)
Announcement Trailer (YouTube)
Images 📸
Logo & Icon 🏷️
Awards & Recognition 🏆
- "
Official Selection – Wholesome Direct 2023
"
- Wholesome Games – 10th June 2023 - "
Official Selection – Wholesome Direct 2022
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- Wholesome Games – 11th June 2022 - "
Official Selection – W.A.S.D Curios
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- W.A.S.D – 30th March 2023 - "
Official Selection – The MIX Spring 2023 Showcase
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- Media Indie Exchange – 17th March 2023 - "
Official Selection – IndieLand 2022
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- That One Video Gamer – 14th November 2022 - "
Official Selection – Dreamhack Beyond 2022
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- Dreamhack – 14th October 2022 - "
Best Portuguese Game Nominee – Indie X Online 2022
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- Indie X – 9th November 2022 - "
Official Selection – Indie X Online 2021
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- Indie X – 12th November 2021 - "
Portuguese Game Of The Year Nominee – Game Dev Lisbon Spotlight Awards 2022
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- Game Dev Lisbon – 17th November 2022 - "
Winner – The Very Big Indie Pitch at PocketGamer Connects London 2022
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- Big Indie Pitch – 15th February 2022 - "
Official Selection – Super Rare Mixtape Vol. 2
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- Super Rare Games – 18th February 2022
Selected Articles 📝
- "
It's a delightful little game with a beautiful hand drawn world to explore that's full of cute little details. The actual trading gameplay is fairly simple, but that's part of the joy of the game – it's an easy accessible and very stress free experience that gives you a very pleasant place to spend some time in. Highly recommended.
"
- Calum Fraser, Free Game Planet - "
Townseek is a laid-back trading game that just wants you to hang out in its cosy world.
"
- Tom Sykes, PC Gamer UK – Issue 360 - "
Townseek easily charms players thanks to its gorgeous art-style.
"
- Telmo Couto, Meus Jogos – Translated
Monetization Permission 💲
Whales And Games allows for the contents of Townseek to be published through video broadcasting services for any commercial or non-commercial purposes. Monetization of videos created containing assets from Townseek is legally & explicitly allowed by Whales And Games. This permission can be found in writing at https://press.whalesandgames.com/sheet.php?p=townseek.
Additional Links ⛓️
Whales And Games Discord Server
The Whales And Games Discord brings all of our games' community together in a single place where we are active at.
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About Whales And Games 🐳
Boilerplate
We are Whales And Games, an indie studio creating positive, polished games brimming with whalistic personality! Since our beginnings, we've aimed to differentiate our projects through mould-breaking experiences that we can easily expand on with fresh content, while focusing on character development and adding value to the core experience!
By approaching game development as creatives, we're constantly expanding our ever-growing game repertoire by experimenting with new ideas!
We're currently working on Townseek, an exploration trading-game, as our debut commercial title! Simultaneously, we continue participating in game jams, connecting with indie communities, and shaping the future of Whales And Games!
More information
More information on Whales And Games, our logo & relevant media are available here.
Townseek Credits 🐋
Jorge M. Carvalho (JorgeGameDev)
Programming and Game Design
José "Moski" Sánchez (MoskiDraws)
Artist and Graphic Designer
John Elliot (JohnElliotComp)
Audio Composer and Sound Design
Super Rare Originals
Publishing
presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks