Shyborg Games prepares to release “The Art Collector” on October 22nd.

The indie developer Shyborg Games will release their debut game, The Art Collector, on Steam on October 22nd. The game tasks you, as an artist, with taking control of an art gallery to aid your mentor. Personalize your art collection and living space, form relationships with artists in your community, assist them in getting their work recognized, and perfect the skill of selling high-quality art in this story-driven, business management, store owning RPG.

   crafted by a pair of siblings that I have grown up with, witnessing their passion project, which required an immense amount of work, reach this stage is truly amazing. By receiving input from myself, family, and other close friends through playtesting and feedback, the game has progressed quickly. After all the hard work put into creating this one-of-a-kind experience, I wanted to make sure our community gets to enjoy it. A demo can currently be found on Steam, priced at $12.99 for its launch. After the break, you can check out the complete trailer, backstory, and all of the game’s features.

Main characteristics:

• Managing an ever-changing art gallery: generating, selecting, and maximizing profits from artwork. Use frames and wallpapers that complement your style, and appeal to potential buyers who appreciate high quality.
• Customize your gallery and home to reflect your individual style with personalized spaces.
• Express yourself artistically by creating and selling your own works of art. Experiment with different types of materials and techniques to make a lasting impact in the realm of art.
• Rogue-lite Elements: Every choice you make in your gallery has the potential to result in either huge profits or complete financial disaster. Maintain a balance between finances, time management, and relationships in order to prosper your gallery and secure its success.
• Participate in compelling story missions: Engage with a group of nearby creators, finish tasks that present challenges, and impact the narrative and setting.
• Non-linear Gameplay: Decide on the operation of your gallery freely and at your own pace.

Mechanics of gameplay.

• Art Collection: Purchase art from artists in the area, negotiate prices, and choose the ideal pieces for exhibition.
• Customize your gallery by choosing frames and wallpapers to enhance its appeal and increase sales.
• Artist Engagement: Raise artists’ level through quest completion and artwork sales, impacting their development and art worth.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Choose options that influence the reputation, success, and overall story of your gallery.

The past events or records of a particular subject.

The Art Collector originated as a passion endeavor fueled by a strong admiration for art and business simulations. At the start of the project, the objective was evident: to design a game that combined the artistic freedom of running an art gallery with the warm, satisfying feeling of handling resources and engaging with artists in the community. Taking inspiration from popular shopkeeper and management games like Recettear and Potionomics, along with cozy titles such as Stardew Valley, our goal was to create a world that felt dynamic and responsive to players’ decisions.

The idea developed as we shifted our attention to the artists themselves, choosing to highlight them as important individuals in the game. Every artist possesses a distinct character and series of missions, enabling players to form stronger bonds. We dedicated several months perfecting the fundamental process of purchasing, negotiating, and trading artwork, aiming to develop a gameplay that was both difficult and satisfying, yet also amusing and enjoyable.

During the development process, we tested various art styles before deciding on a nostalgic aesthetic that was both attractive and easy to understand. The focus on music also increased, as variations of French Accordion were chosen to establish a consistent, inviting atmosphere in the gallery.

What began as a modest concept developed into a complete game where each element–from acquiring artwork to designing the gallery–was meticulously designed to engage players as if they were art curators. After many hours of persistent work, The Art Collector is finally finished and we are excited to release it to the world.

Shyborg Games – a company that develops video games.

Shyborg Games was established by brothers Jason and Jesse Hinman as an indie development studio. Jason is an experienced dungeon master who has been crafting stories for tabletop games for almost ten years. Jesse’s passion for game development started at the age of 11.