ArtPlay

ArtPlay is a Japanese game development studio founded in 2014. The studio is closely associated with the well-known game producer Koji Igarashi, who made his name through his long-standing work on the Castlevania series. ArtPlay focuses primarily on action games and Metroidvania titles that combine the exploration of vast maps, RPG elements, combat and the gradual acquisition of new abilities.

The studio’s most significant franchise is Bloodstained, the spiritual successor to the classic 2D Castlevania games. Its flagship project is Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, the development of which was also funded through an exceptionally successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

In Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, players take on the role of Miriam, a young woman afflicted by a curse that is gradually turning her body to crystal. Miriam sets out into a vast demonic castle to stop her former boyfriend Gebel and uncover the events linked to alchemical experiments.

The gameplay centres on exploring a vast, interconnected world. Players acquire new weapons, equipment and abilities, defeat demons and gradually gain access to previously inaccessible parts of the castle. A key feature is the Shards system, which allows Miriam to acquire the abilities of defeated enemies and combine them with various types of equipment.

ArtPlay collaborated with other development teams on the creation of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, most notably with the studio DICO. The game was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC and was very well received by fans of classic Metroidvania games.

The Bloodstained franchise also includes the retro titles Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon and Curse of the Moon 2, which, with their 8-bit graphics, are reminiscent of classic console action games. However, it is important to distinguish between the developers – these games were primarily created by Inti Creates, not ArtPlay itself.

ArtPlay, thanks to its association with Kojima Igarashi and the success of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, is one of the best-known contemporary Japanese studios specialising in Metroidvania games. Its work builds on the tradition of classic Castlevania titles, combining it with modern presentation, extensive RPG systems and fast-paced action combat.

Happy Volcano is a Belgian independent game studio founded in 2017 and based in Leuven. The studio focuses on original games with unusual gameplay mechanics and striking visuals. Its portfolio includes arcade racing games, narrative adventure games and experimental projects.

The studio’s best-known title is You Suck at Parking, an unconventional racing game in which the main objective is not to cross the finish line first, but to park the car as quickly and accurately as possible. The individual tracks are full of jumps, moving obstacles, explosives, sharp bends and other hazards.

You Suck at Parking combines simple arcade controls with gradually increasing difficulty. Players must navigate a complicated route and stop at the designated parking space, whilst once the car is in motion, it cannot simply be reversed. The game offers a large number of levels, challenges and multiplayer competition.

Another well-known project is The Almost Gone, an atmospheric, story-driven puzzle adventure game. Players explore detailed dioramas of houses and other locations, searching for clues and gradually uncovering the main character’s story. The game differs significantly from the arcade-style You Suck at Parking and demonstrates the studio’s genre diversity.

Happy Volcano has also created Pixel Picasso, a creative project based on pixel art and painting. The studio has long been dedicated to experimenting with new game concepts and strives to create titles that are easy to understand yet offer an original gaming experience.

Happy Volcano is one of Belgium’s leading independent studios, and it was You Suck at Parking that brought it its greatest international success. Its games have appeared on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile devices.