Factsheet
Developer:
MaxKriegerVG
Based in United States
Release date:
October 3 2019
Platforms:
Windows
Mac
Linux
Nintendo Switch
Website:
crossniq.com
Description
CROSSNIQ+ is a speed-focused, arcade-style puzzle game inspired by "y2k-era" visual design - a tribute to highly polished, small-scope Japanese games from the late 90's. In CROSSNIQ+, the name of the game is re-arranging a grid of tiles to form "crosses" - rows and column of the same color. You can move tiles up, down, left or right - but moving them off the edge of the grid makes them wrap back to the other side, offering a unique and brain-bending challenge. Make crosses quickly and set up multi-crosses to earn bonuses.
History
CROSSNIQ+ started life as CROSSNIQ, a free browser version of the game released in November 2017. CROSSNIQ was developed as a standalone game, but was envisioned as a slice of a hypothetical full game with more modes and features. The chance to make that came to fruition within the same month, when a viral Twitter thread brought in a large amount of traffic to both Max Krieger's personal twitter and to CROSSNIQ itself. Striking when the iron was hot, a Kickstarter campaign for CROSSNIQ+ went online mere months later, in February 2018. The campaign was successfully funded, and full-time work formally began on CROSSNIQ+ in May 2018.
Artistically, CROSSNIQ+ is dedicated to making the future feel like something cool, exciting, and full of possibility - and for players to interact with menus and mechanics that evoke those emotions and dreams.
The game was visually inspired by a period of industrial/visual design in the late 90's, known now as "y2k design" (popularized in the modern context by sites such as the Y2K Aesthetic Institute). This era was defined by cool "digital" colors, organic shapes, and visions of speculative technology focused on ergonomics and lifestyle integration - all combining to form an optimistic vision of the future where users had a symbiotic, empowering relationship with technology.
Features
- Speed-focused, arcade-style puzzle gameplay - easy to learn, tough to master.
- Sleek, futuristic visual design inspired by the "y2k" era.
- Four modes, to accomodate a variety of playstyles:
- Endless Mode: keep making crosses to keep your timer filled - let it hit empty, and your game is over.
- Time Attack Mode: your time is a set amount - earn as many points as you can before the buzzer sounds.
- Versus Mode: Battle against a friend in local multiplayer, complete with items and special moves
- Chillout Mode: simply relax to a variety of different, aesthetically striking playfields - there's no score, timer, or game overs.
Videos
Reveal Trailer YouTube
Release Date Trailer YouTube
Endless Mode Gameplay (60 FPS) YouTube
Time Attack Mode Gameplay (60 FPS) YouTube
Images
Logo & Icon
Monetization Permission
MaxKriegerVG allows for the contents of CROSSNIQ+ to be published through video broadcasting services for any commercial or non-commercial purposes. Monetization of videos created containing assets from CROSSNIQ+ is legally & explicitly allowed by MaxKriegerVG. This permission can be found in writing at https://www.indiedb.com/games/crossniq-plus/presskit.
Additional Links
Steam
Steam game listing. store.steampowered.com/app/1128180.
Itch.io
Itch.io game listing. maxkrieger.itch.io/crossniqplus.
Nintendo eShop
Nintendo eShop game listing. nintendo.com/games/detail/crossniq-plus-switch.
About MaxKriegerVG
Boilerplate
Max! He/him. Cleveland gamedev. Nindie. Fountain fanatic. Games-as-media advocate. Developing y2k arcade puzzle game CROSSNIQ+!
More information
More information on MaxKriegerVG, our logo & relevant media are available here.
CROSSNIQ+ Credits
Max Krieger
Director, Designer, Developer, UI Artist, Writer
Alice Morrow
Illustration Director, Illustrator, Character Designer
Miles Shank
Illustrator, Character Designer, Fashion Designer, Visual Design Consultant, Writer
DV-i (D.V. Caputo)
Composer, CG Artist, Sound Designer
ViRiX Dreamcore (David McKee)
Composer, Sound Designer
articution (Taylor McCarron)
Background Illustrator
presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks