Factsheet

Developer:
Samurai Punk
Based in Melbourne, Australia

Founding date:
March 11, 2014

Website:
samuraipunk.com

Press / Business contact:
contact@samuraipunk.com

Social:
Twitter
TikTok
Facebook
Instagram

Releases:
KILLBUG
JUSTICE SUCKS
TRIOS - Lofi Beats And Numbers To Chill To
Roombo First Blood
Hazumino
Screencheat
Feather
The American Dream
Screencheat Unplugged

Phone:
COMPANY_PHONE

Description

Samurai Punk is an Australian game development studio, based in Melbourne and known for weird titles such as Screencheat, The American Dream and JUSTICE SUCKS. Founded by Nicholas McDonnell and Winston Tang in 2014, the Spunk team has been recognised for their offbeat game design and love of all things strange.

History

Early History / Hazumino (2013 - 2014)

As university students, Nicholas McDonnell and Winston Tang unofficially formed Samurai Punk after Global Game Jam 2013 where they first worked together on Samurai XX. The pair quickly established a quirky style and out-of-the-box design sense with their 2013 jam games including FROWNTOWN, Connections and Bear Attack. Riding on the momentum from their game jam experience, Samurai Punk began work on their first major project and officially established as a company for its release of Hazumino on iOS and Android in April 2014.

Screencheat (2014 - 2016)

Prototyped at the January 2014 Global Game Jam, Screencheat was released as a fully featured multiplayer experience on Steam/GOG/Humble in October 2014. After its release, Samurai Punk continued to work on the title, adding content and polish over the next year. The final version of Screencheat was launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in March 2016.

Fruits of a Feather (2016)

Taking a break after being deep in the porting mines of Screencheat, Samurai Punk developed Fruits of a Feather, a small-form game where you explore a vast island environment as bird. Released on itch.io ,the game has been well received with multiple press features and positive user feedback.

The American Dream (2016 - 2017)

Announced in late 2016 at PAX West, The American Dream is a satirical virtual reality trip through a 1950s world’s fair where players learn how guns will help them live life to the fullest. This project was Samurai Punk’s first venture into the world of VR, released in 2018.

Feather (2019)

After the success of the itch.io release of Fruits of a Feather, Samurai Punk began developing an improved version of the game part-time, which they renamed Feather. This version was inspired by player feedback that encouraged a simpler design, leaning into the relaxing, goal-free nature of the game.

Projects


Videos

There are currently no trailers available for Samurai Punk. Check back later for more or contact us for specific requests!


Images

SamuraiPunk_Logo_FullScreen.png

There are far more images available for Samurai Punk, but these are the ones we felt would be most useful to you. If you have specific requests, please do contact us!


download logo files as .zip (259KB)
logo
logo

Awards & Recognition

  • "Australian Game Developer Awards 2015 - Technical Excellence" - Screencheat, October, 2015
  • "Indie Prize Showcase - Most Innovative Game" - Screencheat, May, 2015
  • "Indie Prize Showcase - Best Multiplayer" - Screencheat, May, 2015
  • "Freeplay - Finalist for Best Design" - Screencheat, April, 2015
  • "IGN Black Beta Select Awards - Runner Up for Best Aussie/NZ-Made Game" - Screencheat, February, 2015
  • "Kotaku Awards 2014 - Runner Up for Australian Game of the Year" - Screencheat, December, 2014
  • "PAX Aus - Australian Indie Showcase" - Screencheat, October, 2014
  • "PAX Prime - Indie MEGABOOTH" - Screencheat, August, 2014
  • "The Guardian - Featured by The Guardian's Top Android Apps of the Week" - Hazumino, May, 2014
  • "Melbourne Global Game Jam 2014 - Jamers Choice for Best Game" - Screencheat, February, 2014
  • "Melbourne Global Game Jam 2014 - Honorable Mentions for Best Accessibility, Best Use of Theme and Judge's Choice for Best Game" - Screencheat, February, 2014
  • "Melbourne Global Game Jame 2013 - Runner Up for Most Accessible Game" - Samurai XX, 12 February, 2013

Team & Repeating Collaborator

Nicholas McDonnell
Creative Director/Designer

Winston Tang
Creative Director/Designer

Claire Rochelmeyer
Programmer

Callum Williams
Artist

Mitchell Pasmans
Music and Audio

Ruby Devlin
Producer

Alivia Mantel
Community Manager


presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks