Focus on
The growth of the Spanish video game industry
Riot Games: Tequila Works & Digital Sun
In recent years we have seen how Spanish video game development has experienced an unprecedented explosion of talent. This new wave has left us with games that have crossed borders, being internationally recognized and valued titles. This boom has brought with it the creation of studios of unprecedented talent, that have managed to attract the attention of international companies.
These two releases, together with the trust placed by Riot Forge in both studios, demonstrate how Spanish potential is crossing borders and achieving international recognition. Studios with soul and talent that use their own concepts and ideas to create solid striking proposals that succeeded in attracting the attention of a company as cautious with their narrative as Riot Games. Undoubtedly a milestone for Spanish developers in general and for both studios, who can be very proud of their work
Although there are many examples, here I want to focus on a recent event affecting two studios with a lot of talent on their teams: Digital Sun and Tequila Works. The two companies share a travel partner who has entrusted them with the task of expanding the League of Legends narrative. I'm talking about California based Riot Games of course, which has decided to grant the franchise full rights to expand the narrative potential of its universe.
Riot Forge is the department in charge of looking for studios that can be a good fit with some of the characters of the video game, thus creating a synergy that benefits both parties. This decision seeks to match the essence of the studio with the proposed character, and this is where our two developers come into play.
In May 2018, the Valencia based Digital Sun launched Moonlighter worldwide. This ARPG which featured carefully crafted pixel art, was the studio's letter of introduction, and earned praised from the press and the public. This first installment would put them on the map, with a proposal both well rounded and addictive that did not go unnoticed. This game is the one that led Riot Forge to submerge one of its characters in the mechanics proposed by Digital Sun. This is how The Mageseeker was born, a video game with the same gameplay and style as its predecessor but set within the rich narrative universe of Riot Games. Focused on Sylas, a rebel mage with the power to copy his opponents’ skills, you will be able to walk the streets of Demacia, understand the mage's origins and so expand the narrative surrounding him.
And you will also find Tequila Works. Their good work when it comes to developing narrative games made Riot Forge decide to commission them with the story of Nunu and Willump, the main characters of Song of Nunu. With Rime they explored the stages of grief through a young boy, and with Gylt the feelings of a young girl who is being bullied, the Song of Nunu delves deeper into the relationship between the two characters in an adventure into the unknown.
Here Tequila Works has given free rein to its creativity, breathing life into two of the most amiable characters in the League of Legends universe, leaving a part of their soul in every detail in the cold land of Freldjord.
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