Play the Magic Toy Chest Now - Public Beta 2 is Now Available!

Graduate Games is happy to announce that you can download our second (and probably final) beta starting today (7/7/08-7/14/08). The game has changed quite a bit since the last beta and hopefully everyone who has played the game before will notice the improvements.

You can download the Beta here.

What has changed since last time? Well there's now 20 Tutorial Levels that will teach you how to play and how all 16 toys work. There's also background filters for everyone that found the backgrounds too "loud." There's also a number of tweaks that make the easier tonavigate, etc and nicer on the eyes. Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback and helped us make these changes. Keep the changes and levels coming and you'll receive $5 off the final game...just make sure we have your email address.

Remember to sign-up for our newsletter so you'll know when the game is released.

Watch the Game in Action

Magic Toy Chest Game Trailer

DOWNLOAD THE BETA NOW & Help us make the game even better

Download the Magic Toy Chest Beta - Get $5 Off the Game

Download and play the beta version of the Magic Toy Chest. Submit custom made levels or send in feedback and you'll receive a $5 off coupon when the game is finally released. Submitting your level will also make your level eligible to be selected for inclusion in the final full version of the game.

What are you Waiting for?

Download the Beta Now!

the Magic Toy Chest Game Site

Our Game Site / Online Manual / Devlog for our next game: "The Magic Toy Chest" has launched! You can visit it over here or by typing in http://magictoychest.blogspot.com. Visit the site for periodic updates leading up to the game's release. The idea is that the site will eventually encompass media, pictures, etc of all the trailers, levels, toys, etc present in the game and act as an online manual and player resource for new levels, hints etc. Definitely check it out for public alpha and beta testing of the game in the near future!

Devlog: Magic Toy Chest Gameplay Video 1

This is a quick video showing off the physics / gameplay engine for the Magic Toy Chest. The basic premise is to get certain toys into the toy chest using the toys in your toolbar. It makes more sense if you just watch it.

Devlog: The Magic Toychest Screenshot 1

Here is the very first official screenshot for our next game: The Magic Toychest. The Magic Toychest is a physics based puzzle game where you must put away a certain toy. Obviously the magic toychest is the big blue chest that can hold a near limitless amount of toys. Look for more information on this game in the near future as we finish up developing the game and prepare it for release. Questions and Comments are always welcome.

Patch And Price Rise Promotion - Storked is on Sale!

In honor of our recent update to Storked we are going to have a Storked sale. Storked will be heavily discounted starting today (3/1/2008) and the price will continually increase through the end of April. Needless to say, now is the time to buy Storked! Click the magic button below to see how much Storked is selling for today. You can also use the coupon code: "PatchNPriceRise" on checkout if you navigate to the Storked Buy Now Page through another means. You can learn more about Storked and download a free demo at www.storkedgame.com.

The Patch N Price Rise Promotion is only offered through plimus/graduate game store sales. No refunds.

Storked Version 1.2 is now Available

We've listened to the critiques, collected complaints, and have finally finished updating and improving Storked. The new version has finally arrived. The new demo demonstrates a lot of the implemented features, but if you already own the full version, you'll need to download the update patch at http://www.storkedgame.com/. Here is a list of the new features that the update contains:

• Point & Click Mouse Controls - Tired of playing old school with the keyboard? Now you can simply point and click to where you want your penguin to move. To use your Penguin's abilities, simply double-click the penguin. I advise switching to the keyboard for jumping since it is still tricky.


• Even More Frustration Free! Watch Puzzle Solutions - The first 50 puzzle solutions can now be watched via the pause menu. If you get stuck, just hit ESC and then click "See the solution"...the penguins will take a few moments and then walk through the solution. (Please let us know if you would like more solutions or if you are having problems with any of the existing solutions... the randomization of some game objects make exact solutions every time difficult).


• Easier Kid/Easy Modes - These modes now allow you to take direct control of the egg (switch to the egg camera and use left/right keys) and roll it left and right toward the exit...you may not even need those penguins after all.


• Additional Kick Power Gauge - Conveniently placed right over your penguin's head


• The typical bug & glitch fixes - Hopefully we've stomped out even more bugs and minor flaws.

All these new features and Storked is still just $19.95! Play it Now or Buy it Today!

GameGrad.com is back up and running

Sorry for the delay everyone but GameGrad.com is finally up and running again. Check it out for great casual games.

Storked is the Recommended Game over at Manifesto Games

Pretty self explanatory, but we are very proud of being featured on Manifesto Games. Simply put: Buy Storked Now. Get ready for a major update to the game as well. We listen to your complaints and suggestions. New features include:

Mouse Control - click to move the penguins!
Easier Easy/Kid modes - control the egg
Puzzle Solutions - click see the solution to further reduce frustration
& much more

GameGrad.com will be down for a few days

GameGrad.com, our casual games site will be down for a few days as we update the site. Please look for it again early next week.

Storked Now on RETRO 247

Storked is now a featured game on the Retro 247 website. If you haven't already, now would be a good time to download the free demo.

Thanksgiving Update

Well, hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving. Here's some news & things coming during the Holiday season...

Rock Band Review - Playing it like Crazy...it is fantastic...but how fantastic?
Undertow Review
Mass Effect Review
Holiday Buying Guides: Top 5 Xbox 360 games, PS3 games, Wii Games, and of course how those fall into the Top 5 purchases overall.

As for Graduate Games news...
Sorry, but I forgot to remind everyone that Storked was available on Game du Jour yesterday. Many people took advantage and bought the game on sale. Storked is also one of the top 10 indie games of November on Gametunnel.com. Perhaps more exciting is that we have 2 games in development. I hope to have 1 released by Spring/Summer 08 but we'll see how progress goes on both of them. Keep a look out for more on these games...

Storked reviewed on OUT OF EIGHT

James Allen released his review of Storked today and it's a pretty positive review. Here are some highlights, the complete review is here:

"The levels in the game are designed to take advantage of the penguins’ attributes and there are definitely some interesting solutions to figure out."

"Having all four of these penguins at your disposal can make for some pleasingly complex puzzles"

"The levels in the game are designed to take advantage of the penguins’ attributes and there are definitely some interesting solutions to figure out."

"While Storked is not the most visually impressive game to come out this year, it is playable and you don’t have to worry about camera angles."

"I suspect puzzle fans will have some fun with the game and its editor "

His Verdict:
"The Good: Varied abilities, straightforward controls, informative tutorial, numerous obstacles and levels, level editor
The Not So Good: Sluggish pace, usually only one solution
What say you? A puzzle game with diverse designs, effortless controls, and tons of objects, but it’s too linear and played at an arduous pace: 5/8"

It's a fair review and his main issue with the game is a fair one: the game does have a very deliberate pace. That pace can be tough/tedious on hardcore gamers used to the Halos, God of Wars, etc. of the world but is relaxing and welcome to a lot of people out there who aren't good at twitch gaming and timing. The key thing we were trying to do with Storked! was make a very easy game to play with simple controls and a lot of diverse things to do. It seems we succeeded at that and while I would argue that many puzzles have more than 1 solution, I can't attest to how difficult figuring the puzzles out can be since I already know all the solutions. Take the time to read the whole review here:
http://jaguarusf.blogspot.com/2007/11/storked-review.html

GameGrad.com Launches

Graduate Games is proud to announce the launch of their casual games satellite site: http://www.gamegrad.com. GameGrad.com Features a whole bunch of games to download and try. They are all pretty family friendly as well. Give it a look and be sure to take advantage of the 2 free games option.

Storked Reviewed and Recommended on Casual Games Galore

Got a review for Storked the other day from Casual Games Galore. Bottom line- they recommend it! Only real complaint was about the font and level select interface:

Lows: The writing on the interface is a bit hard to read (it's a fun font though). Also I had a bit of a hard time at first when choosing the level to play, I played the first one twice as I expected it to move to the next one by itself. :) After I realized the idea behind the menu I no longer had any problems.

My favorite quote from the review is:
"Relaxation at its best."

but enough of me pasting praise here. You can read the review here.

Showcase: Storked!

It's only appropriate that this weeks showcase feature Storked, which was just released earlier in the week. Go ahead and try out the gamepage for all the info on the game and features. Or you could simply download the demo and just play it. There's more screenshots etc in both columns of the blog. Enjoy and more developing with Storked over the next couple weeks.

Storked Has Been Released!

I haven't really dedicated a post to the obvious, but if you haven't noticed Storked has been released! You can download the demo or purchase the game here on the blog (you'll find it on both the left/right columns). Now back to all the marketing that goes along with such a thing: submitting to portals, distributors, review sites, download sites, etc. Good news is that there has alredy been interest in nearly all of the above!

Storked! Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Graduate Games Releases Storked! The PC Puzzle & Platform Game

Graduate Games is proud to announce the immediate availability of Storked!, a family friendly PC puzzle and platforming game. Storked is puzzle-driven game with addictive game play, with over 100 challenging levels, 4 unique penguins to control, 6 wacky gadgets to utilize, and easy to learn gameplay. The Stork has had an unfortunate accident over the Antarctic and must rely on his flightless penguin pals to roll an egg to safety. Control 4 different penguins as you roll the egg through 3 different worlds and over 100 levels of frustration free gameplay!

Wilmington, Delaware -- October 8, 2007 -- Storked is a puzzle / platform game where you control four different penguins in their quest to protect an egg. The stork in charge of the egg has gotten into an unfortunate accident over the Antarctic and must rely on his flightless pals to roll the egg to safety. Each penguin’s abilities and strengths will be called upon in order to solve puzzles and get the egg to the Exit in over 100 wacky levels. The penguins will travel from the Arctic, through the temperate grasslands, dense jungle, and arid desert and interact with over 18 different wacky objects and gadgets along the way. With easy to learn controls, infinite lives, a rewind button, and quick restarts, Storked is a great game for every one of all ages.

Features:

Over 100 Levels with a Fully Featured Level Editor
3 unique worlds: Snow/Ice, Grass/Jungle, and Desert
3 different weather conditions: Snow, Rain, and Autumn
Over 18 puzzle objects to interact with including cannons, geysers, switches, magnets, boxes, and more
Fully Featured Level Editor! Make your own Levels and share them in our forum or download custom levels made by the community

Easy to learn and control

Extreme Customization: Create your own background pictures or use photos saved on your computer. Listen to your favorite music and MP3s as you play

4 different penguins with different abilities and specialties
Murray the Penguin is an athlete and can pitch snowballs
Milton is a nerd who can use 6 different gadgets including a rocketpack, diving mask, teleporter, jackhammer, and more
Tony is the brawny guardian of the group who can lift heavy boxes and hurl the egg over cliffs
Lilly is a Rock Hopper Penguin and is the only one who can jump over obstacles and reach higher echelons of the level.

Frustration Free Gameplay
No time limits
Infinite Lives
Levels unlock based on your skill level, play that tricky level when you are ready
The game automatically saves your progress

For more information about Storked, visit www.storkedgame.com

Pricing and Availability: Storked can be purchased from the Graduate Games web site for $19.95 USD. A free demo for Windows is available for download.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release (or for a screenshots, evaluation copy or demo), contact Mike Gnade or visit www.storkedgame.com or www.graduategames.com. You can also include details on product or demo availability, etc. here.

Extra Links:

Graduate Games: www.graduategames.com
Storked Gamepage & Screenshots: www.storkedgame.com
Storked Demo: www.storkedgame.com/InstallStorkedDemo.exe

Purchase Storked:
Buy Now: https://www.plimus.com/jsp/buynow.jsp?contractId=1717866
Paypal: http://payloadz.com/go/sip/?id=340293
Google Checkout: http://payloadz.com/go?id=340293

About Graduate Games

Based in Wilmington, Delaware, Graduate Games was founded in 2006 as a small independent game developer. Graduate Games focuses on keeping classic 2D gaming alive and fresh with gameplay inspired by the 16-bit era of gaming. Copyright (C) 2006-2007 www.gradautegames.com. All Rights Reserved.

Contact:

Michael Gnade, President of Graduate Games
Graduate Games
302-379-9906
mike@graduategames.com
http://www.graduategames.com

Storked Will Be Released Next Week

Our Game Storked is 99% complete. We only have 2 more puzzles to create and then a quick level progression test and final once over and it's ready to go. Over the weekend, the final touches will be finished and the demo & retail version will be compiled. It should be available early next week, but if disaster strikes this weekend...it could get pushed somewhat. Don't forget that tomorrow is your last day to sign up for $5 off our game when released by signing up for email subscriptions or registering in the Graduate Games Forum. It's like preodering...but both ways are free.