Starseed

Starseed is a shoot 'em up video game that was developed by the Canadian-based video game company Starbit Studios. It was originally released on September 1, 2014 for the Sega Genesis, with a "Enhanced Edition" version of the game that was released on April 6, 2021 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS platforms. The enhanced version of the game features updated graphics, unlocked frame rate (Microsoft Windows version only), ray-tracing support (Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions only), a reworked soundtrack, new game modes and gameplay features.

Gameplay
Starseed is vertically scrolling shoot 'em up video game. The game is played in a top down view perspective (bird's eye view in the "Enhanced Edition" version). Starseed feature three different types of fighters with different weapons and special abilities to choose from. The game features a Burst system, in which it can be charged from absorbing projectiles or enemy bullets/lasers and used the fighter's superweapon. Starseed features over 11 levels.

Development
Development on Starseed began sometime in 2011, two years after Starbit Studios was founded in Canada. The development of the game was led by Bruce Wheatley. The game was developed on a 40MBit cartridge, using the open-source SGDK software development kit. The in-game graphics and sprites were all pre-rendered (with the exception of the user interface) and were produced using the open-source 3D modelling software Blender. It uses the Echo sound driver for handling all of the game's music and sound effects.

Original Sega Genesis version
When Starseed was originally released on the Sega Genesis on September 1, 2014, the game was released in two editions, a standard edition and a limited edition. The "Standard Edition" version of the game features the same packaging of a typical Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game with the game's cartridge and manual (as well as a download code for the ROM file) housed inside the packaging, while the "Limited Edition" version of the game features a SteelBook packaging, a prequel comic, a soundtrack CD and an art book that showcased the game's concept art and development. Additionally, a downloadable ROM file of the game can be purchased and downloaded via the official Starbit Studios website.

Enhanced Edition
The "Enhanced Edition" version of the game, which was released on April 6, 2021, was developed using Unreal Engine 4. It features real-time 3D graphics (as opposed to the sprite-based, pre-rendered 3D graphics in the original version of the game), unlocked frame rate (Microsoft Windows version only), ray-tracing support (Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series versions only), a reworked soundtrack, new game modes and gameplay features, co-op multiplayer, and online leaderboard support.

In addition to that, the original version of the game became available to purchase on Steam under the name Starseed: Classic Edition on the same day after the released of the "Enhanced Edition" version of the game. The version of the game was developed by Digital Eclipse, with assistance from Starbit Studios.

Reception
TBA.