Back us on Kickstarter

For months we’ve been working internally on CotD, and with an avid group of followers, it’s been quite the adventure already. However, we’re kicking things into high gear, and we’ve launched a kickstarter campaign to generate funds to help us finish Cross of the Dutchman, and make it a huge success! In short, Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform where projects are given the chance to raise money to help realize, finish or add to the project. In our case, it’s a bit of everything. Our goal is to raise $50.000 before the month of May is over. A huge challenge, but with your help, we can make it happen!

CotD environment preview

When you’re backing Cross of the Dutchman, you will be rewarded handsomely for your contribution. To give you an example of what we’re offering, please take a look at the following shortlist;

• Ambassador status on the CotD Community boards.
• Get invited to the CotD Beta, and be one of the first to play this epic adventure.
• The original soundtrack to the game.
• An kickstarter-exclusive T-shirt and Poster .
• The opportunity to join us for the CotD launch party.
• Have an avatar of yourself appear in the game, and work with us on your own original dialogue!
• And for ten of our most valued backers, we will create a beautifully handcrafted sword, engraved with the CotD mark, and your initials!

CotD environment preview

Of course, it’s important to know what we will do with the generated funds. We have some very cool things in store:

New game modes, Multiplayer co-op is on the very top of our list.

• Voice overs for the entire campaign.
• Additional main and sidequests.
• Additional characters and animations.
• Additional cutscenes (see teaser trailer).

On top of that, we will also use the funds to:

• Hire translators to localize the game to German, French, Spanish and Italian (In addition to English, Dutch and Frisian).
• Attend tradeshows such as the GDC and GamesCOM to form partnerships that allows us to bring the game to consoles.
• Fund the writing and publishing of the novel Cross of the Dutchman.

The launch of the Kickstarter campaign means our development cycle is coming to an end. This is a good thing, because we want all of you to experience this awesome project. It also means that the team is giving it their very best in order to make our goals and deadlines. So please have a look at our Kickstarter page, and support us!

CotD environment preview

Intuitive smartphone app for iPhone and Android becomes a personal tour guide for any destination

DALLAS, February 14, 2012 — Aria, a Dallas-based interactive agency specializing in destination marketing, today announced a new partnership with Triangle Studios that will bring customized mobile applications to tourism destinations throughout Texas and America. Triangle Studios, with offices in both the United States and the Netherlands, is a world-recognized leader in mobile application development.

Each smartphone app created for destinations is designed to showcase tailored information, and guide visitors to each area’s particular points of interest, including where to eat, where to sleep and what to do.

“We recognize that the best information companion when experiencing a destination is the mobile device you’re already carrying.  We wanted to bring a solution to market that is both feature-rich and reasonably priced for destinations of all sizes,” said Ryan Thompson, Founder and CEO of Aria. “With the Triangle partnership, we have a proven mobile application on multiple platforms that incorporates cutting edge functionality, including couponing, itineraries, and augmented reality using GPS and imagery. Today, only the largest destinations can afford to build such custom features. Our solution makes it available out of the box, at price points starting south of $10,000.”

Major features of the fully customizable app include:

• Itineraries and checklists for visitors based on interest
• Entertainment directories that list events to experience, activities to do, or restaurant reviews
• Map integration for quick and easy directions using Google Maps Navigation
• Augmented reality using GPS to allow a 3D experience right on your mobile screen
• Social media integration
• Partner advertising with deep analytics and measurement tools to prove performance and engagement

“Early versions of the app were immediately popular for tourism. Partnering with Aria allows us to reach a broad destination marketing audience, allowing Triangle Studios to keep focusing on the latest developments in hardware and technology, making sure we offer the best solutions for our clients.” said Remco de Rooij, CEO at Triangle Studios.

Versions of the app are available now for destinations like McKinney, TX and the islands of Curacao, , Aruba, Bonaire and St. Maarten where unique features like currency converters, offline maps and RSS feeds were built-in, native to the app, and are updated by tourism officials easily and frequently from any internet-connected computer.

J.R. Atkins, Chief Client Strategist at Aria, will be leading the effort to bring the app to market and shares in the excitement of the increased opportunities for interaction between traveler and destination. “Mobile apps are revolutionizing travel, bringing together location and event information with the latest technology and creating a truly unique experience.

Visit aria.co/mobile for more information and to learn how this new technology can be applied to your destination.

Triangle Studios is proud to reveal the teaser trailer for their upcoming action-adventure game: Cross of the Dutchman. The trailer will find its way across the internets as of today, let’s see where this brings us. In the first place we hope it will gather attention from people currently not familiar with our game. Second to that we would like it to get a bit more crowded in here.

For those of you who think Youtube is only compressing the heck out of our glorious trailer, check out this page for a direct link to a Quicktime version (1080p .mp4), just for you! Do not forget to turn on your sound. Oh and don’t be shy in spreading the word

Best handheld/mobile Dutch Game Award

We couldn’t have achieved this without the knowledge and support of our dear friends over at OneBigGame and NanaOn-sha. We would Especially name Martin de Ronde, Matsaya Matsuura and Dewi Tanner, thanks guys!

Congratulations to all Dutch Game Awards winners!

Wismastate 9A
8926 RA Leeuwarden
The Netherlands

Tim and Stefan at the new office.

~ Cross of the Dutchman concept art ~

The website for this project is now live. It’s a blog that follows the development of the game. It will give regular updates of behind the scenes information and content. Such as concept art, development builds, interviews and much more. And if you register for a user account, you’re able to participate in the development of the game. As we want your opinion.

So what are you waiting for? Head over to the Cross of the Dutchman website!

Muddy Monsters Attack Ameland is a beautiful co-creation between Triangle Studios and STERC. We at Triangle are responsible for the Audio, Technology and Animations, and the guys over at STERC have done amazing work on the graphics department. The game is built for a client of STERC, the tourism agency on Ameland. It’s amazing that we’re able to work on a game project for a client like this, it really shows that videogames have reached all layers of society and are regarded as equally valuable as any other marketing method.

So about the game, we offer 60 unique levels for you to conquer in 3 different worlds. First, you will have to battle the Muddy Monsters crawling up to the lighthouse of Ameland, secondly you will deliver the battle on the seashore, and finally you will deliver the final blow at the open sea on the ferry to Ameland. The game will get increasingly difficult, introducing new enemies and weapons for you as you go along. This game will offer a great challenge and many hours of gameplay. We hope you enjoy Muddy Monsters Attack Ameland!

Create an unique Graffiti design with the editor, which has over 50 different brushes. Earn points by placing your design virtually around the real world using your GPS location. Tag over rival graffiti spots for extra points. These points can be used to protect your own graffiti or to buy new creative tools, colors, and backgrounds! With these tools you can keep improving your graffiti design. The leaderboards will show which user dominates the game and gains fame and respect!

The game is currently only available in Canada. And will be available in the rest of the world early 2011. Keep an eye on our website or check www.mygraffitiwars.com for more Graffiti Wars news.