USC Games announced its 9th annual USC Games Expo will return to USC’s campus on May 13 with more than 60 student games.
USC Trojan students, staff, and games fans are invited to get hands-on with the digital and tabletop student games at the Expo following the USC Games Advanced Games Projects (AGP) Spotlight Show, streaming live at 4:00 p.m. Pacific time.
Along with an evening of gameplay, onsite attendees can dive into interactive experiences from the Themed Entertainment program and get an exclusive preview of the second season of games developed in the new games-as-a-service and live operations (GLO) course.
“The USC Games’ Expo is an annual celebration of creativity and innovation, showcasing a wide array of games from our number one ranked game design program,” said Danny Bilson, director of USC Games, in a statement. “We’re looking forward to once again opening the USC campus for everyone to meet the next generation of game developers who, over the course of their careers, will shape the future of this industry we all hold dear.”
Expo attendees can play over 60 original games from teams and individuals from the USC Games program, including eight games developed in the AGP capstone course. This year’s featured titles include:
Art House (PC)
In Art House, step into the life of Lisa, a single mother to Ollie and Zoe who’s struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after the passing of her mother, Betty, a painter whose fading memories come to life on a magical canvas. Guide Lisa through hauntingly beautiful paintings while solving puzzles and confronting the shadows of the family’s past. Navigate a journey through grief and towards healing that lingers after the final brushstroke.
Donuts! (PC)
Donuts! is a fast-paced arcade experience that mixes whimsical driving/skateboarding gameplay with heartfelt cultural storytelling. As Mony, a young Cambodian-American, you’ll race through vibrant LA streets to deliver donuts while learning more about herself, her community, and her family. With a retro-futuristic art style and 90s SoCal vibes, deliver donuts, dreams, and radical tricks.
DuoQ (PC)
DuoQ is an e-dating sim about romancing another person through an online game. Play alongside Starlight, a mysterious stranger met in the fictional FPS game To the Heart. Work – and flirt – together, over real-time voice comms, solving in-game puzzles and trying desperately to win Starlight’s love.
Myth of Lumi (PC)
Myth of Lumi is a physics-driven, lightweight strategy card game where the players enlist the help of 2D magical creatures, Lumi, who lives inside the cards. Players will use their mastery of magic and ability to work with Lumi to compete in stylish Magic Duels against rival magicians.
Potion Problems (PC)
Potion Problems is a chaotic multiplayer party game that combines social deduction with magic. Navigate through Pigeonpoint’s College for Potion Making as a troublemaker or diligent apprentice. Collect ingredients to make unique potions, avoid being turned into a frog, and vote out troublemakers as you try to complete your degree!
Scare Crow (PC)
Scare Crow is a wacky, tower-defense stealth game where players must fend off an army of hungry squirrels from invading a backyard rich with birdfeeders. Play as Casey, a laid-back, nonchalant crow whose lifestyle is rudely interrupted by Sergeant Squeak and his troop of squirrels who are determined to steal every last bit of Casey’s birdseed. Set traps, scare squirrels, and defeat Sergeant Squeak to ensure that your yard remains squeak-free!
Smoke Break! (PC)
Smoke Break! is a lighthearted 3D stealth and puzzle game. Play as Applewood, a living cloud of smoke, who uses stealth to outwit bakers, avoid the janitor, and cause trouble as he searches a dessert factory for a delicious–and elusive–burnt pie!
Unchained (PC)
Unchained is a turn-based tactical RPG in which the player can achieve victory without resorting to violence. Maintaining positive relationships with party members is as important as combat tactics as you contend with rival Chain Hunters and the enigmatic Spirit of The Chain. Fight, negotiate with, or even recruit these foes to join you on your epic quest.
USC Games’ program has been ranked No. 1 for twelve years, as evaluated by the Princeton Review.
