ZPF Takes Over Steam Next Fest! Dev Talk, Trailer Buzz, and Other Exciting News!
25 days ago
– Fri, Feb 21, 2025 at 06:01:04 AM
Hey Backers,
Remember when we first started this journey? Well, we've got some amazing news to share: ZPF will officially be at Steam Next Fest!
For those who don't know, Steam Next Fest is a huge online event where players can check out demos, watch streams, and wishlist upcoming games. Think of it as a massive digital games convention! Being part of Next Fest is a huge deal for us. We're incredibly excited to share ZPF with a wider audience and let more people experience the world we've created.
We'd be incredibly grateful if you'd consider adding ZPF to your wishlist! 🤩
And that's not all! We know you're itching to see more of ZPF. Guess what? We just released the video featuring Jamie's developer talk! He spills the beans on the development of the game’s official soundtrack, the inspirations behind it, and some of the hurdles he’s cleared along the way. Plus, his live performance of some of the game's awesome music! You can check it out below!
We're also still buzzing about the positive reception of our lore trailer from last week! We were blown away by the response, and it's been fantastic to see so many people excited about the world of ZPF. We even got some amazing press coverage, with Forbes calling it "a wildly colorful and frantic throwback to games like Gradius, R-Type, and Steel Empire" and Retro Dodo saying it's "filled to the brim with bosses and insane levels with high-energy chiptune tracks." It means the world to us to see our vision resonate with so many people.
We're also making great progress on the Developer Experience Program, which will offer some very special perks for our top-tier backers. We're excited to share more details soon!
Thanks again for your incredible support. You guys are the reason we're able to do this.
The ZPF Team + Mega Cat Studios 🚀🐾
Oopsie Daisie! Apologies!
about 1 month ago
– Fri, Feb 07, 2025 at 10:00:00 AM
You may have recently received an update that wasn't quite ready for prime time. 😅
Our apologies for any confusion this may have caused. It was sent out accidentally. A proper update is in the works and we'll share it with you within the next few weeks!
Updated Fulfillment Schedule, MAGFest 2025, & many more!
about 2 months ago
– Fri, Jan 31, 2025 at 08:32:12 AM
Hey everyone,
As we continue making progress on ZPF, we wanted to give you an update on the release schedule. Development is essentially complete, and the team is steaming along to put the finishing touches on the game, such as adding in the backer names from our Knight of Legend tiers. Due to some unexpected vendor delays from the holiday season, we’ve had to make the tough decision to shift the fulfillment date to May. We know this is a bit later than expected and that delays for any reason are frustrating, and we truly appreciate your understanding as we work through these final details to make the ZPF campaign fulfillment the very best it can be. That said, if the materials we're waiting on arrive sooner, we'll absolutely make sure to get them into your hands as quickly as possible. We'll be taking advantage of this extra time by focusing on further playtesting and QA so we can catch any sneaky bugs we might’ve missed, and guarantee a smoother and more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Thanks again for your support and patience—it means the world to us as we put the finishing touches on the game, which promises to be an unforgettable experience for your Genesis and Mega Drive.
MAGFest 2025
Now on to more exciting news! We want to give a huge shoutout to everyone who came out to MAGFest this past weekend. MAGFest, or the Music and Gaming Festival, is a massive celebration of video games, music, and all things geeky.
ZPF was featured in MIVS or MAGFest Indie Videogame Showcase, a special area dedicated to highlighting awesome new games for classic consoles. We had a constant stream of interested players checking out the game and asking great questions.
Here’s a close-up look at the ZPF Sega Genesis cartridge that was on display during the event. [Photo by Mike Dosik]
Spotted 👀: Frank, our amazing PR Manager, converting another soul to the ZPF cause!
It was incredible to see so much enthusiasm for the game, and we had a blast showing it off and chatting with all of you!
ZPF was an absolute hit! We even had people gathering extra chairs at 4am just to hang out in our booth - talk about dedication!
In one moment that perfectly captured attendees’ enthusiasm for the game, an excited fan marched up to our PR manager to proudly show off the brand-new Genesis he purchased in the MAGFest vendor area in anticipation of ZPF’s release. It was especially rewarding to connect with fellow retro gamers and enthusiasts who truly appreciate it.
The World of ZPF Awaits
Curious about the world of ZPF? We teased it in the last Kickstarter update, and now it's finally here! We've created a video that delves into the game's backstory, revealing the forces at play and the mysteries you'll uncover on your journey. Narrated by your favorite ZPF insider, Quibley, this video is your guide to the secrets of ZPF!
From Lore to Reality: Bringing ZPF to Life
That glimpse into ZPF's lore got you hyped? Awesome! Now let's dive into the development trenches and see how we're bringing that world to life on your Sega/Mega Drive consoles.
Testing testing! 🎧🎛️ Here's a sneak peek at how Jamie's screen been looking like lately! 🎶
Coming Soon: Jamie's Performance Video!
Jamie’s cooking up a performance video where he'll play through some of ZPF's tunes, share stories from the development process, and give you a behind-the-scenes look at the soundtrack. Don't miss it!
💓🎮
Thank you again for believing in ZPF and supporting us on this journey. We're so close, the finish line is in sight! We can't wait to share the final game with you!
The ZPF Team
Holiday Update! 🎄🎁
3 months ago
– Thu, Dec 26, 2024 at 01:53:21 PM
ZPF Heroes,
As we wrap up 2024 and with the holidays upon us, we wanted to send you an exciting update on the progress of ZPF.
The big news? We’re almost there! The development of ZPF is nearly complete, and we’re in the final stretch, putting the finishing touches on what’s shaping up to be an unforgettable experience. The core of the game—stage designs, epic boss encounters, and thrilling enemy patterns—have all been locked in, and it’s looking better than ever.
So, what’s left to do before we’re ready to launch in just a few months? Fortunately, it’s mostly small but important tweaks. Gryzor is busy fine-tuning the scoring system and adding names to the special backers page, and Jamie is deep in the lab perfecting the game’s pulse-pounding soundtrack. Additionally, Mikael is squashing bugs, refactoring for performance, and making some necessary last-minute refinements. These final layers of polish are crucial to ensuring the best possible experience for you.
In addition to the game’s progress, we’re excited to share here a few screenshots from the awaited lore video. Check them out below! The lore helps bring ZPF's surreal fantasy world to life, and we’re thrilled to give you a sneak peek!
Once Upon a Time in the ZPF Universe…
What secrets does this scene hold? Hmmm..🔍
A special shoutout also goes to our Knight of Legend backers, whose incredible support has been truly inspiring. We hope you're as excited as we are! The Dev Experience will be revealed soon, and we can’t wait to share all the thrilling details with you.
With so much accomplished over the course of this whirlwind year for ZPF, the team would like to take a moment to reflect on their journey and share their warm holiday wishes with the backers who’ve made this passion project possible:
“Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Team ZPF!
As we stuff our faces with Christmas sweets and teeter on the edge of a sugar-induced coma, we can’t help but reflect on the journey of ZPF. From its humble beginnings in Blast Works years ago to where we are today, it’s been nothing short of incredible.
One of the most unforgettable moments was the launch of our Kickstarter. Thanks to your overwhelming support, we hit our $15,000 goal in just 19 minutes and went on to raise nearly $205,000. It was a whirlwind, and your enthusiasm has fueled us every step of the way.
Now, as we apply the finishing touches—tweaking that final 0.005%—we’re closer than ever to bringing ZPF to life. We can’t wait for you to experience what we’ve poured our hearts into, and we truly couldn’t have done it without you.
Thank you for believing in us and for sticking with us on this incredible journey. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic new year. Here’s to more great moments in 2025!”
Warm wishes, The ZPF Team
We can’t tell you how excited we are to be so close to the finish line. ZPF is shaping up to be everything we dreamed of, and we can’t wait for you to jump in and experience it for yourselves when orders are fulfilled in Q1 2025.
Thank you again for your incredible support this year—we’re almost there, and we couldn’t have done it without you!
ZPF BackerKit Pre-Orders Now LIVE! + Sneak Peeks and Updates!
3 months ago
– Wed, Dec 04, 2024 at 07:37:39 AM
ZPF Heroes,
The wait is finally over! The BackerKit pre-order store is officially OPEN!🎉 Head over now to grab those awesome add-ons and lock in exclusive CIB cartridge variants.
Even better, the pre-order store is also open to those who may have missed out on the Kickstarter campaign, so spread the word!
What Awaits You in BackerKit:
CIB Cartridge Choices: Relive the classic US/EU reversible cover, snag the unique Japanese edition, or grab the Limited Edition cartridge with its vibrant colors. The power is yours!
Add-on Goodies: Level up your pledge with artbooks, soundtracks, collector's pins, and more!
Prepare to have your mind blown! We're pulling back the curtain on the ZPF artbook, overflowing with never-before-seen treasures! Feast your eyes on early concept art and prototype designs that reveal the game's evolution, explore exclusive character sketches and delve into in-depth commentary from the developers themselves. Check out a few of the pages below!
Just a quick note: These are draft previews, so we're still working on making the final artbook even better. We appreciate your understanding!
Behind-the-Scenes: Custom Tools
The ZPF Team’s amazing developer, Mikael Tillander, created a suite of custom tools that revolutionized the game’s development. From an object editor that gave granular control over enemies and their behaviors to a text editor that could build entire scenes to a sound effect and a VGM file manager that streamlined the audio implementation, these tools empowered the team’s creativity. They allowed them to bring their vision to life more effectively.
“Unless you're a developer, you don't usually know what can go in the game and what can't... But the tools that Mikael made, they... they gave us vision, you know, like they let us see what was possible... It's part of the fun," said Jamie, ZPF Composer and Voice Artist.
ZPF in the News!
Time Extension: "ZPF is a love letter to the 16-bit era, but it's also pushing the boundaries of what's possible on the Mega Drive."
Old School Gamer Magazine: "With its tight controls, beautiful pixel art, and killer soundtrack, ZPF is a must-play for any shoot-'em-up fan."
SegaBits: "ZPF has already captured the hearts of retro gaming enthusiasts, and it's clear that this game is destined to become a classic."
Games Radar: “It'll strain your eyes and your thumbs, and you'll curse yourself for thinking "one more try" yet again, but if you have any sort of fondness for the shoot 'em up genre, it'll also fill you with delight.”
Lore Trailer on the Horizon:
Get ready to dive deeper into the world of ZPF! A brand new lore trailer is coming soon, giving a sneak peek at the story, characters, and epic conflict at the heart of the game. Stay tuned!
Thank you!
"In 2019, I had no idea where this thing would even go... By the time the Kickstarter was ready, I had done at least twice the work as any of my other projects... It's felt like we were finished 3 or 4 times already, but it'll be nice to be finally done." - Gryzor, ZPF Creator and Developer
Gryzor’s words say it all! ZPF has been an incredible journey, and we’re so grateful for your unwavering support throughout. We can’t wait to share the final game with you!
