RedSpotGames
Encyclopedia
redspotgames is a video game publisher, distributor and promoter based in Munich, Germany. Established in 2005, the company is known for releasing new games for the long discontinued Sega Dreamcast
video game system, recently redspotgames have also branched off publishing to digital services such as Xbox Live
and WiiWare
software and GD-Rom
production. In 2003, the website evolved into Dreamcast Scene and expanded its focus from Petition's to include News Reporting, Downloads, and establishing a public knowledge base
. Today, DCS is still a prominent Dreamcast website although Max Scharl isn't as involved as he used to be, due to his responsibilities at redspotgames.
In January 2007, redspotgames published their first game for Dreamcast with a port of Neo-Geo game Last Hope.
Last Hope was given a modest print run, with 500 units being limited editions (bundled with vinyl
style soundtrack CD, double jewel case and hand-written unit numbers). The limited edition was already sold out in five days after the preorder started. This makes it the fastest sold out Dreamcast game from the independent scene until today. Beside the online distribution through many online dealers, redspotgames marketed the game at several conventions and trade shows most notably Games Convention
. Also the game has been seen in shelves of big game dealers worldwide, from New York City
to Tokyo
.
Further NG:DEV.TEAM titles weren't published by redspotgames, even though they gave distribution and promotion responsibilities to redspotgames for Pink Bullets and Dux for the Japanese territories due to redspotgames' good distribution network there.
In 2008, the publisher released Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles
, an extended port of the GP2X
game by Yuan Works. While the game got positive reviews and was nominated as a Finalist for the Independent Games Festival Mobile 2008, the game became a commercial and financial failure due to the scene's sceptical point of view on Puzzle games, even thought the game was a mixture between Adventure and Puzzle. Until today, the game has the most extensive package with full color manual, an included yet short manga and a spinecard.
In 2009, Rush Rush Rally Racing
, a top-down-racing-game developed by Senile Team
, was released as a standard version and a special edition that included some special stickers, a soundtrack CD and optional additional artwork. redspotgames were unable to release the Deluxe Edition on the same date due to pressing problems. It was scheduled for December 4, but missed the mark by 17 days. The so-called "Deluxe Edition" was criticized by few for not featuring an alternate cover art, the publisher listened to the fan demand and in February 2010, the game received its third print run featuring an alternate cover art; it was also sold separately at their online store.
. redspotgames announced to start taking part in the development process of the games as well instead of only publishing them.
Also, in December 2010 redspotgames announced continued support for the Sega Dreamcast
in the form of 2011 release Sturmwind
published by the team and developed by Duranik. February 2011 redspotgames partnered with NG:DEV.TEAM again and sold Fast Striker via their online store.
Sega Dreamcast
The is a 128-bit video game console which was released by Sega in late 1998 in Japan and from September 1999 in other territories. It was the first entry in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube.Dreamcast sales were...
video game system, recently redspotgames have also branched off publishing to digital services such as Xbox Live
Xbox Live
Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002...
and WiiWare
WiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
Dreamcast Scene
Max Scharl, CEO of redspotgames was one of the founders of 2002 established Dreamcast-Petition, an initiative and international petition against the discotinuation of Sega DreamcastSega Dreamcast
The is a 128-bit video game console which was released by Sega in late 1998 in Japan and from September 1999 in other territories. It was the first entry in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube.Dreamcast sales were...
software and GD-Rom
GD-ROM
GD-ROM is the proprietary optical disc format used by the Dreamcast games console, as well as its arcade counterparts and the Sega/Nintendo/Namco Triforce arcade system...
production. In 2003, the website evolved into Dreamcast Scene and expanded its focus from Petition's to include News Reporting, Downloads, and establishing a public knowledge base
Knowledge base
A knowledge base is a special kind of database for knowledge management. A Knowledge Base provides a means for information to be collected, organised, shared, searched and utilised.-Types:...
. Today, DCS is still a prominent Dreamcast website although Max Scharl isn't as involved as he used to be, due to his responsibilities at redspotgames.
Feet of Fury
In 2003, Max Scharl was also involved with GOAT Store Publishing in the development of Feet of Fury. He also participated in the promotion and marketing for the game in Europe for no charge and also has been involved in negotiations to release Feet of Fury as the last official Dreamcast game in Europe through Big Ben Interactive, who helt the distribution rights of the Dreamcast brand at this time in this area.2005–2009: Publishing and distributing Dreamcast games
The company was formally established in 2005 by Max Scharl along with a couple of friends with private investments.In January 2007, redspotgames published their first game for Dreamcast with a port of Neo-Geo game Last Hope.
Last Hope was given a modest print run, with 500 units being limited editions (bundled with vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
style soundtrack CD, double jewel case and hand-written unit numbers). The limited edition was already sold out in five days after the preorder started. This makes it the fastest sold out Dreamcast game from the independent scene until today. Beside the online distribution through many online dealers, redspotgames marketed the game at several conventions and trade shows most notably Games Convention
Games Convention
The Games Convention, sometimes called the Leipzig Games Convention and abbreviated as GC, was an annual video game event held in Leipzig, Germany, first held in 2002. Besides video games, the event also covers Infotainment, Hardware, and Edutainment...
. Also the game has been seen in shelves of big game dealers worldwide, from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
.
Further NG:DEV.TEAM titles weren't published by redspotgames, even though they gave distribution and promotion responsibilities to redspotgames for Pink Bullets and Dux for the Japanese territories due to redspotgames' good distribution network there.
In 2008, the publisher released Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles
Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles
Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles is an Independent developed commercial videogame developed by Yuan Works, a company based in Costa Rica. It is a puzzle game for the GP2X and Sega Dreamcast that combines strategy and action. As of January 31st, 2011, the game is freely available for Windows...
, an extended port of the GP2X
GP2X
The GP2X is an open-source, Linux-based handheld video game console and portable media player developed by South Korean company GamePark Holdings. It was released on November 10, 2005, in South Korea only....
game by Yuan Works. While the game got positive reviews and was nominated as a Finalist for the Independent Games Festival Mobile 2008, the game became a commercial and financial failure due to the scene's sceptical point of view on Puzzle games, even thought the game was a mixture between Adventure and Puzzle. Until today, the game has the most extensive package with full color manual, an included yet short manga and a spinecard.
In 2009, Rush Rush Rally Racing
Rush Rush Rally Racing
Rush Rush Rally Racing also known as R4 is an Independent developed commercially released videogame developed by Senile Team and published by RedSpotGames in November 2009...
, a top-down-racing-game developed by Senile Team
Senile Team
Senile Team is an independent video game developer founded in 2003 and based in Netherlands. The company is best known for Rush Rush Rally Racing, a game Senile Team released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sega Dreamcast.-History:...
, was released as a standard version and a special edition that included some special stickers, a soundtrack CD and optional additional artwork. redspotgames were unable to release the Deluxe Edition on the same date due to pressing problems. It was scheduled for December 4, but missed the mark by 17 days. The so-called "Deluxe Edition" was criticized by few for not featuring an alternate cover art, the publisher listened to the fan demand and in February 2010, the game received its third print run featuring an alternate cover art; it was also sold separately at their online store.
2011:Dreamcast & Beyond
Recently the publisher has expanded their scope by publishing Solar Struggle and Solar Struggle Survival on Xbox Live Indie Game Service and porting Rush Rush Rally Racing on Nintendo WiiWareWiiWare
WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section...
. redspotgames announced to start taking part in the development process of the games as well instead of only publishing them.
Also, in December 2010 redspotgames announced continued support for the Sega Dreamcast
Sega Dreamcast
The is a 128-bit video game console which was released by Sega in late 1998 in Japan and from September 1999 in other territories. It was the first entry in the sixth generation of video game consoles, preceding Sony's PlayStation 2, Microsoft's Xbox and the Nintendo GameCube.Dreamcast sales were...
in the form of 2011 release Sturmwind
Sturmwind
Sturmwind is a shoot 'em up video game for the Sega Dreamcast console. It is currently being developed by Duranik, and will be published by RedSpotGames on December 22, 2011 as an Independent Commercially Released Game. The game has received extensive press from major videogame publications in the...
published by the team and developed by Duranik. February 2011 redspotgames partnered with NG:DEV.TEAM again and sold Fast Striker via their online store.
Gameography
| Title | Release Date | Platform | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last Hope | 2007 January | Dreamcast | Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |
| Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles is an Independent developed commercial videogame developed by Yuan Works, a company based in Costa Rica. It is a puzzle game for the GP2X and Sega Dreamcast that combines strategy and action. As of January 31st, 2011, the game is freely available for Windows... |
2008 November | Dreamcast | Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |
| DUX DUX (video game) DUX is a scrolling shooter video game Independent developed by HUCAST.net & KonTechs Ltd. for the Sega Dreamcast. The game was released on 17 June 2009 worldwide. There is also a 500-print limited edition DUX with a game soundtrack on a separate disk... |
2009 June | Dreamcast | Distributor for Japan |
| Last Hope: Pink Bullets | 2009 September | Dreamcast | Distributor/Promoter |
| Rush Rush Rally Racing Rush Rush Rally Racing Rush Rush Rally Racing also known as R4 is an Independent developed commercially released videogame developed by Senile Team and published by RedSpotGames in November 2009... |
2009 November | Dreamcast | Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |
| Solar Struggle | 2010 August | Xbox LIVE Indie Games Xbox Live Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002... |
Co-Producer, Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |
| Solar Struggle Survival | 2011 January | Xbox LIVE Indie Games Xbox Live Xbox Live is an online multiplayer gaming and digital media delivery service created and operated by Microsoft Corporation. It is currently the only online gaming service on consoles that charges users a fee to play multiplayer gaming. It was first made available to the Xbox system in 2002... |
Co-Producer, Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |
| Rush Rush Rally Racing Rush Rush Rally Racing Rush Rush Rally Racing also known as R4 is an Independent developed commercially released videogame developed by Senile Team and published by RedSpotGames in November 2009... |
2011 TBA | WiiWare WiiWare WiiWare is a service that allows Wii users to download games and applications specifically designed and developed for the Wii video game console made by Nintendo. These games and applications can only be purchased and downloaded from the Wii Shop Channel under the WiiWare section... |
Co-Producer, Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |
| Sturmwind Sturmwind Sturmwind is a shoot 'em up video game for the Sega Dreamcast console. It is currently being developed by Duranik, and will be published by RedSpotGames on December 22, 2011 as an Independent Commercially Released Game. The game has received extensive press from major videogame publications in the... |
2011 TBA | Dreamcast | Publisher, Distributor, Promoter |