Critically-Acclaimed and Highly-Anticipated Indie Darling Launches Today 

DUNDEE, Scotland and SAN FRANCISCO – October 23, 2012 – YoYo Games today announces that Dennaton Games’ "Hotline Miami" has been developed using GameMaker. The announcement comes as the indie cult action game launches with critical acclaim, underlining the power of GameMaker technology.

"Hotline Miami" puts players in the shoes of a murderous antihero on a vengeful rampage in an alternate 1989 Miami. Dripping with excess and style, "Hotline Miami’s" top-down action takes cues from films such as “Drive” and “Cocaine Cowboys.” Dennaton Games, the two man team consisting of Jonatan “Cactus” Söderström and Dennis Wedin has a long history of working with GameMaker.

"GameMaker is fantastic. I honestly am not sure I would even be able to make games if it weren't for GameMaker,” said Jonatan “Cactus” Söderström, co-creator of Hotline Miami.

“Hotline Miami” has garnered significant accolades including Rezzed “Game of the Show” from Eurogamer and Rock Paper Shotgun and the “Most Fantastic Game Award” from Fantastic Arcade 2012. It has also been an “Official Selection” at both Indiecade 2012 and Darkcade 2012.

“Hotline Miami” reviews are beginning to appear with the first being a perfect 10/10 from Eurogamer.

“It’s hugely rewarding to see cutting edge titles like Hotline Miami being created with GameMaker,” said Sandy Duncan, chief executive officer at YoYo Games. “Hotline Miami follows in the footsteps of other indie developer smashes such as Derek Yu’s “Spelunky” and Vlambeer’s “Super Crate Box.” These are cult hits where gameplay comes first, showcasing the versatility and power that GameMaker’s intuitive approach and deep functionality provide.”

For more information about "Hotline Miami," please visit www.hotlinemiami.com.

To celebrate the launch of GameMaker: Studio on the Steam Software Store and publishing for Windows Store, for a limited time only YoYo Games is providing an upgrade from GameMaker 8.1 to GameMaker: Studio.

From now until the end of December 31st, 2012, users with a GameMaker 8.1 licence will be able to upgrade to GameMaker: Studio Standard for $25 and GameMaker: Studio Professional for $50.

In order to upgrade customers simply enter a GameMaker 8.1 licence key into the licence upgrade section when purchasing either the Standard or Professional version of GameMaker: Studio from the YoYo Games website www.yoyogames.com.

YoYo Games today announces that the Windows 8 export option is available as a free update for new and existing GameMaker: Studio STANDARD, PROFESSIONAL and MASTER COLLECTION customers. Developers can now prepare and submit Windows Style UI games to Microsoft for publishing on the Windows Store very quickly and easily thanks to GameMaker: Studio’s one click exporting. GameMaker: Studio will also soon be available to purchase in the Windows 8 Desktop Store. GameMaker: Studio for Windows Phone 8 will be available following device availability later this year.

In conjunction with today’s launch of GameMaker: Studio for Windows 8, YoYo Games has published three titles to the Windows Store with more to be published very soon. “Froad,” “Reflexions”and “Simply Solitaire Pro” are available now for $1.49.

To celebrate the launch of Windows 8, YoYo Games is hosting a competition and giving away exciting prizes to developers that publish GameMaker: Studio games to the Windows Store by December 8. For more information on how to enter, please visit http://www.yoyogames.com/competitions/windows-8.

Additionally, YoYo Games is offering GameMaker 8.1 customers heavy discounts for upgrading to GameMaker: Studio. An upgrade to GameMaker: Studio STANDARD is $25 and an upgrade to GameMaker: Studio PROFESSIONAL is $50 via www.yoyogames.com. The promotion begins next week and is valid through the end of the calendar year.

For more information about how to get started with GameMaker: Studio for Windows 8, please visit www.yoyogames.com.

We are pleased to announce that anyone who has bought GameMaker:Studio from our website can now claim a Steam Key which can be used to redeem a free copy of the same product on Steam. You need to have the Steam version to upload any games to Steam Workshop.

It is very simple to do by selecting Support -> My Licences  on the main yoyogames website http://www.yoyogames.com/my_licences and then do a License recovery or Get Your receipt, the Steam Keys will be part of your license information.

NOTE : You must redeem the Steam Keys in the correct order so always start with GameMaker:Studio Professional before attempting to redeem any of the other DLC modules.

Any new purchases from our website will automatically get a Steam Key for the same product and any modules on Steam.

We look forward to seeing your great games and ideas on Steam Workshop.

The YoYo Team...

Pocket Change, a universal loyalty currency, announces a partnership today with YoYo Games, a top publisher and the creator of GameMaker: Studio, its cross-platform games development environment. Through the partnership, developers now have the ability to integrate Pocket Change directly through GameMaker: Studio and begin rewarding users for continued game play.

GameMaker: Studio is used by thousands of developers to create games in a single code base and then export and run them natively across mobile platforms and on the Web. Pocket Change is integrated into GameMaker: Studio to provide developers with a quick, hassle-free way to reward users for using their apps. The lightweight Pocket Change SDK is at no cost to developers and rewards are provided by Pocket Change for free.

Reflexions, Skydiver Drop Zone, Simply Solitaire and They Need To Be Fed are the first titles from YoYo Games’ portfolio to integrate Pocket Change.

“The integration of Pocket Change into GameMaker: Studio is a part of our continued commitment to provide developers access to the best tools for creating world-class games,” said Sandy Duncan, CEO, YoYo Games. “Pocket Change gives developers a unique solution to reward users for playing a game, increasing user retention and engagement.”

In addition to making it seamless for developers, Pocket Change is committed to providing the best user experience. Consumers immediately begin earning Pocket Change tokens as they play games or use apps. Pocket Change is a universal currency that travels across apps and it can be redeemed for amazing rewards through the Pocket Change store.

“We are excited to partner with YoYo Games and be a part of GameMaker: Studio, which broadens our goal of driving more value to game developers,” said Ari Mir, CEO and co-founder, Pocket Change. “By rewarding engagement, developers keep users happy - ultimately increasing retention.”

About Pocket Change

Pocket Change is a universal loyalty currency that drives more value for app developers while improving the experience for users. The company provides a lightweight SDK for developers to integrate into their apps and begin rewarding users for visits and achievements. Founded in 2011, Pocket Change is based in San Francisco, California and is venture funded by Google Ventures, First Round Capital, and a list of notable angels. For more information, please visit www.pocketchange.com. Find us on Twitter and Facebook.