Arcade Spirits fans, rejoice! (Please rejoice. It would help a lot if you rejoice.)

Arcade Spirits fans, rejoice! Our next visual novel is on the way...

It's a world of heroes and villains, masks and capes, and Penny Larceny -- grifter, con artist, catburglar -- is barely scraping by. Life's hard for a young mask trying to make it big, but now she's gained access to Crimr, the gig-economy service for henchpersons looking to help supervillains with their evil, evil schemes! Guide Penny through her new career, pull off daring heists, and unravel the conspiracies which allow the rich and powerful to maintain their profitable status quo.


By doing this one-click task, you help us defeat THE ALGORITHM(tm). Who doesn't enjoy defeating THE ALGORITHM(tm)?

Some of you may have seen that it was recently announced[gaymingmag.com] that the Gayming Awards will return for its third edition, making its Broadway debut in April 2023!

We're excited to announce that Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers has been nominated for two awards!

Game of the Year

The Game of the Year Award celebrates the best game released in 2022, as chosen by our diverse panel of judges.

Best LGBTQ Indie Game

Indie games allow more personal and diverse stories to be told, yet regularly are overlooked for awards. This award acknowledges the best indie game made by an independent developer which is focussed on telling an LGBTQ story, or heavily features an LGBTQ element.

This is a huge honor and we couldn't be more grateful for all of the support and kind words that our community has shared with us this year.

You can check out the full list of award categories and nominations HERE[gaymingmag.com]

Fingers crossed for 2023!

Fiction Factory Games & PQube

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Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is set to have its 1.5 update arrive today (June 30, 2022).

The update does include several fixes for the Skip Button, Typos, Misgendering, and more. However, when testing, we noticed that it caused some Saved Games to become lost. Most notably, the saves made during the choice menu, while a voice line/sound FX is playing, or when a notable visual effect (such as pop-up animation) is activated.

To reduce the chance of experiencing any issues please save your game during a scene containing normal text dialogue.

Alternatively, while Steam will automatically update to 1.5, you can use these instructions to return to an earlier version of the game (version 1.3) if you find that your save was affected.

To keep playing on your original save using version 1.3:

1. Right-click on the app in the Steam library
   
2. Click "properties"
   
3. Select "betas"
   
4. Select "Rollback" from the opt-in dropdown
   
5. Steam should automatically update and begin downloading the selected version

Again, we apologise for any inconvenience this update may cause but we hope you’ll continue your journey on either the 1.3 or 1.5 build of the game!

For any questions or help, please hop onto the Steam Forums or join our amazing community on Discord.

- Fiction Factory Games & PQube

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Hello again to all you Retro Romancers!

We have an important update for you today regarding the 1.5 patch heading to Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers.

The update will be released on June 30, 2022, and will include several fixes including:

• Fix for the Skip button during new playthroughs.
  
• Several fixes for the Linux version.
  
• Typos and misgendering errors addressed.
  
• A Content Warning has been added to show prior to starting Chapter 6.

However, while testing, we have noticed that this update may cause players to lose their current Saved Games. Most notably, the saves made during the choice menu, while a voice line/sound FX is playing, or when a notable visual effect (such as pop-up animation) is activated are among the affected.

To reduce the chance of experiencing any issues please save your game during a scene containing normal text dialogue.

Alternatively, while Steam will automatically update to 1.5, you can use these instructions to return to an earlier version of the game if you find that your save was affected.

• Right-click on the app in the Steam library
  
• Click "properties"
  
• Select "betas"
  
• Select "Rollback" from the opt-in dropdown
  
• Steam should automatically update and begin downloading the selected version

This should allow you to carry on your playthrough on the 1.3 build of the game.

We apologise for any inconvenience this update may cause, but we hope you'll continue your journey to becoming the next FOD2 champion (whether that be on version 1.3 or 1.5!).

For any questions or help, please hop onto the Steam Forums or join our amazing community on Discord.

- Fiction Factory Games & PQube

Join Arcade Spirits on:

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Its been almost 4 weeks since the release of Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers, and by now we’re sure that you’re well on your way to becoming the next esports legend! We’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support shown by the growing Arcade Spirits community and thought we’d share with you a special surprise...

Introducing our OST Mixtape featuring the very best tracks composed by Greg Mirles, live now on the PQube official YouTube channel!

Check out the incredible original artwork and animation created by our character artist, Molly Nemecek. The scene includes loads of hidden easter eggs and references to uncover, so let us know in the comments which ones you manage to spot!

Track list:

0.00 - A New Game
3.45 - Interlaced Video
5.03 - Late Game Carry
8.15 - Style Rank SSS+
12.31 - Co-op Partner
18.13 - Pocket Healer
22.28 - Otherworld
25.10 - Freeplay
27.50 - Danger Health Critical
31.45 - Out of Quarters
34.57 - Ultima Ability
38.09 - Pouring Neon Rain
40.57 - On Your Feet, Kid
44.27 - Save State Decision
47.40 - Together We Play Better (with Alice Knows Karate)

If you like what you hear you can also purchase the full soundtrack on Steam.

Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is out NOW!

- Fiction Factory Games & PQube

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Your journey to becoming the next esports legend starts HERE in the highly anticipated standalone sequel to Arcade Spirits. Arcade machines have taken the world by storm with the hottest fighter on the market, Fist of Discomfort 2 attracting players from all over the globe to compete in the pro tour. It is up to you to build a team, defeat your rival, and become a true champion... or just enjoy the ride whether you win or lose. Check out our launch trailer below:

Head on down to Good Clean Fun, your one-stop shop for everything pizza, laundry, and arcade related! Conceived by couple Ben and Matt, this establishment is the perfect hang out spot for you and your future team. Meet the new challengers who frequent GCF, Domino, Grace, Jynx, Locksley, Rhapsody, and Zapper.

All of these candidates have the potential to become inseparable friends, or even romantic partners. In Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers you have the option to choose exactly how your friendships develop. Your handy AI companion, Iris, will ask you about your preferences. Are you actively looking for love, open to the idea of a potential relationship, or just here for the thrill of the arcade?

Personality is everything in Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers. As you progress through the story you'll be faced with several decisions that influence your growing personality, reflected in the traits Quirky, Steady, Kindly, Gutsy, and Flexible. Your decisions will not only determine how well you get on with other characters, but will also influence your skills in battle.

Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers also has a wonderfully diverse character creator complete with an extensive list of body types, pronouns, clothing, and accessories. Changed your mind about your arcade avatar? No worries! Make adjustments at the end of every story chapter.

And remember, for those of you that have completed the original Arcade Spirits, you can import your save and see unique interactions, cameos, easter eggs and more based on your previous actions!

Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers is out NOW!

- Fiction Factory Games & PQube

Join Arcade Spirits on:

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Life isn't just about climbing the Fist of Discomfort 2 rankings, y'know?

For those of you looking to heat things up a little, Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers offers plenty of opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with those around you. In fact you can engage in 9 different romance paths, involving each of the 6 main characters, and even your rival!

Throughout the story, you'll be getting to know the regulars of Good Clean Fun, the arcade/pizzeria/laundromat and the home of your future team. The place is full of interesting people (and pizza toppings) each with their thoughts, feelings, and favorite playstyles (the people, not the pizza).

Fear not as your trusty hand-held helper AI, Iris, is just a click away. Iris automatically tracks the development of your personality and whether anyone in the group has taken a particular shine to you.

We appreciate that not everyone will want romance to feature so heavily within the story, and some of you may not want it to feature at all! Well, we've got you covered as when starting your adventure you'll be presented with a choice from Iris:

1. Bring on the love, and turn on full romance options.
   
2. Take it slow and allow romance to blossom naturally.
   
3. No romance at all and keep things strictly professional.

Build up enough favor with someone and it will open up different dialogue choices to help further your growing relationship. Play your cards right and a full-blown retro romance is sure to develop! Iris will keep track of your standings with each of the main 6 characters and present you with a summary at the end of each chapter.

Each of the romance options offers a unique perspective on various situations that arise during the game. After several key events in the story, Iris will present you with the person(s) your personality gels with the most.

From here you'll be able to see which characters a possible romance could blossom with. This is entirely dependent on your interactions with those characters and the dialogue options you've chosen up until this point.


Building an esports team from the ground up while trying to balance a social life can be tricky. Not everyone will agree on decisions (such as sponsors etc...), and it's up to you to decide whether you should go with what's best for the group, or the individual.

Keep a close eye on the bottom left of your screen to pick up on which characters agree with your decisions. This will be indicated by a teammate's personal avatar popping up with a handy chime as Iris takes note of their reaction to your decisions.


If you've successfully nurtured a strong relationship with your arcade crush you'll eventually get the opportunity to take them out on a date. Here, you'll be faced with even more options on how you want this relationship to play out, do you go in guns blazing or take it slow? You can also change your mind at any stage if you realise it just wasn't meant to be... :(

Hopefully, this has given you a good foundation for understanding and beginning your next retro romance or friendship.

Lead a new generation of challengers to esports glory in Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers, launching on May 27th 2022!

- Fiction Factory Games & PQube

Join Arcade Spirits on:

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In Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers you'll be taking on the best of the best as your team strives to reach the top of the legendary Fist of Discomfort 2 world rankings. Here are some insider tips and tricks to prepare you on your journey to becoming an FoD2 CHAMPION!

Originally conceived by designer Jason Takeshi as a fun side project to combat the monotony of his day job, Fist of Discomfort rapidly gained a huge following of devoted fans. Now the game's sequel is lighting up the world of competitive esports, with challengers from all corners of the globe battling it out to be crowned champion. Entire gaming careers are being made and shattered in the name of Fist of Discomfort!

Tournament season is here and the competition is fierce! Only the top 8 officially sponsored esports teams can be put through to compete. You'll soon find yourself pitted against some serious fighters, including members of L7, The Four Heavenly Kings, and arch rivals - Team Play-2-Win.

Typically played in teams of two, the aim is to defeat your opponents by achieving the highest score over four rounds, represented in-game by the seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. At the start of each round you’ll choose from one of three actions for your character to perform:

Attack!
Defend!
Special!

All moves have a specific counter, for example; Attacking will power through an opponent's Special move while a Special move can get around an enemy's Defence.

FoD2 is as much a mind game as it is a straight-up brawler. To guarantee victory one must first know how their opponent will react. FoD2 is, in a nutshell, all about anticipation. So constantly being on the attack is no use against a player that likes to play defensively.

Strategic use of an ultimate ability can also change the tide of battle. This once-per-game move is totally unavoidable, awarding a massive point bonus unless countered by another ultimate.

Another way to score bonus points is to choose a move that matches your personality!

As we covered in a previous post you will develop specific personality traits based on the decisions you make throughout Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers. Whether that be quirky, steady, kindly, or gutsy, you name it, these traits will match up with certain actions and give you a particular edge in battle. Beware, your opponents also gain a personality advantage so basing your strategy on your own emotions alone may not always be the best idea!

Think you have what it takes to become an esports legend?

We'll be back with another update soon!

Fiction Factory Games & PQube

Join Arcade Spirits on:

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The best (albeit only) pizzeria/laundromat/arcade in town.

To catch you up to speed, Ben & Matt put together a little video introduction to their humble abode. Well worth the sixteen bucks they paid Ben's nephew to edit it together for local late-night UHF station commercial breaks.


Good Clean Fun is where players will be introduced to the bulk of the main cast in Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers. Friendships will be formed here, scores will be settled, and perhaps romance will blossom? 'GCF' is your home away from home with Ben & Matt serving up a slice of TLC.

There are several points in the game where you'll be able to converse with the dynamic dough duo to get advice or just to put things into perspective. Plus you get a free slice of whatever pizza you like! Keep an eye out for the Ben & Matt specials for those truly wanting a wild ride to taste-bud city.

Being the manager of a growing esports team can be time-consuming and often you won't get to experience everything GCF has to offer. At several points in the game, you'll need to choose between chatting to certain characters and activities you'd like to take place in. Thankfully, your trusted IRIS ai is here to help make those decisions a little easier by providing a map of the facilities.


Pizzeria - Hang out with Ben, Matt, and whoever else decided to grab a bite to eat over in the pizzeria. It provides the perfect space to get away from all the stress of management whilst also enjoying a slice of heaven.

Laundromat - If you've got some loose change to spare feel free to get some laundry done in between games. After all, nothing good ever comes from playing dirty.

Arcade - The crown jewel of Good Clean Fun, with an emphasis on the Fun. There's a game for every type of player as well as the hottest machine in the business right now, Fist of Discomfort 2. It is here that you'll train the next generation of legendary esports fighters and become an FoD2 champion!

That's all for now but we can't wait for you to start exploring GCF! In our next update we'll be taking a detailed look at the ubiquitous Fist of Discomfort 2 mini-game...

- Fiction Factory Games & PQube

Join Arcade Spirits on:

[discord.gg]⠀⠀And PQube Indies on:
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