Holiday Update! 🎄🎁
16 days 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!
about 1 month 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!
You Asked, We Delivered! CIB Cartridge Variants Showcase🌟🖼️
4 months ago
– Thu, Sep 12, 2024 at 02:43:29 PM
ZPF Heroes,
We've heard your requests loud and clear! Many of you are eager to finalize your BackerKit surveys, but you've been waiting for a closer look at the CIB cartridge variants to make those crucial decisions about upgrades or additional add-ons.
Whether you're a collector seeking region-specific rarities or simply want the coolest way to display your ZPF cartridge, we've got you covered! 🫡
Let’s break down the choices:
Standard Edition CIB: The Classic Hero 🗡️🛡️
This edition features a reversible cover, of the iconic red US version and blue EU cover art, a visual symphony that evokes the golden age of gaming.
Japanese Variant Standard Edition CIB: The Dual-Wielding Warrior ⚔️
A collector's dream! This edition features a unique double-sided cover. One side showcases the captivating original Japanese artwork with the striking black graphic design, while the other side reveals the full, uncropped artwork as requested by our dedicated backers.
Limited Edition Cartridge: The Legendary Relic 💎
Clad in neon greens and pinks, with the iconic ZPF logo, this cartridge is compatible with both the Standard and Japanese Variant CIBs, giving you the freedom to customize your display!
Important Note
The core game experience remains the same across all cartridge variants. These options are all about celebrating the aesthetics and providing unique collectibles for our passionate backers.
Take this opportunity to review these stunning variants and make your final selections. Whether you're upgrading your existing pledge or adding another variant to your basket, now is the time to secure these exclusive collectibles! ✨
If you have any questions or issues about your order, please don't hesitate to reach out to Nick at [email protected]. We're here to help!
Game on,
The ZPF + Mega Cat Studios Team 🐾🎮
🚀 ZPF Backer Surveys Are Live! 🚀
5 months ago
– Mon, Aug 19, 2024 at 11:30:17 AM
Hello ZPF Heroes!
The pre-launch checks are complete, and everything's a go! We're excited to announce that your ZPF BackerKit surveys have officially landed in your inboxes. 🚀
Your Mission: 🗺️ Confirm Your Course: Double-check your shipping address to ensure your ZPF rewards arrive at the correct destination.
✨ Finalize Your Loadout: Review your chosen rewards and make any adjustments needed.
💎 Upgrade Your Arsenal (Optional): Discover exciting add-on options to enhance your ZPF experience.
Need Assistance? If your survey seems to be lost in the digital ether, don't worry! Check your spam or promotions folder first. If it's still missing, send a distress signal to [email protected] and we'll get you back on track.
Together, Let's Launch!
By completing your survey promptly, you'll help ensure a smooth and successful mission for everyone. We appreciate your continued support and eagerness to join us on this pixelated odyssey adventure!
The ZPF + Mega Cat Studios Team 🐾🎮
Smoke Test Initiated! 🫡
5 months ago
– Thu, Aug 15, 2024 at 01:48:43 PM
Hello, Space-loving, retro-gaming backers!
We're absolutely over the moon with gratitude for your incredible support! Thanks to you, ZPF is blasting off to the next stage! 🎉🌟 Your enthusiasm and belief in this project have fueled us every step of the way, and now we're primed and ready for launch!
ZPF BackerKit Survey Smoke Test:
Today, we're sending out a "smoke test" for our backer surveys. Think of it as a pre-flight check, making sure all systems are go before we launch the main survey into orbit! This smoke test will go out to a small portion of you and will help us ensure that the survey blast we are sending makes its way to all your inboxes without any issues.
So, if you're one of the chosen few, keep an eye on your inbox and help us ensure everything's running smoothly. It is very important that everyone fill out your surveys once you receive them to make sure your order is fulfilled properly, and on time.
Remaining BackerKit Surveys:
The rest of our awesome backers will receive their surveys early next week, after we've given the all-clear. With the backer survey, you'll be able to confirm your shipping address, and upgrade your pledges, and if you have physical items, you'll have access to add even more awesome ZPF swag to your collection!
If you have any questions about BackerKit, the survey, or your order, please don't hesitate to reach out to Nick at [email protected]. We're here to help!
So, prepare for your inbox to receive a transmission from ZPF HQ! We absolutely can't wait to get this game into your hands. 🤩 Get ready to shoot 'em up, old-school style!
