Hooray for Owlchemy and the Boston Indie Scene!

One of the many marvelous things about PAX East is the Boston Indie Showcase. It was really nice to see my perennial favorite Cambridge's own Fire Hose Games with a release build of Slam Bolt Scrappers out today on PSN), but the highlight for me (besides getting a picture with Tim Schafer SQUEE!) was getting to watch the game Smuggle Truck by small indie developer Owlchemy Labs.



I have talked a lot recently about wanting to see games tackle mature, adult subject matter and I would definitively say that this is a major first step. I would call this game way more "mature" than Duke Nukem any day of the week because it's not afraid to tackle a tough subject matter, and not just boobs and guns (not that theres anything wrong with that).

The game reminds me of a Southpark episode. It is cartoony and melodramatic, yet it tackles the difficult issue of immigration policy in the US to aplomb. The game is definitely an inexperienced effort and very simple, yet it is a great way for a budding developer to get some income and make a statement and a name for themselves.

The game play revolves around tilting your iPod or iPad to guide a truck filled with illegal immigrants as fast as you can through hilly terrain without losing any out the back. Sounds simple right? Sure is, but also is a ton of simple, portable, nonviolent fun. It is whimsical yet poignant and everything that I would want in a videogame.

I really hope this game does amazingly well (and we all know that simple iOs games can) and that we see and hear a lot from Owlchemy in the future. Cheers guys and nice to see your booth at PAX East!