San Bruno, CA - June 23, 2013 - A new game called 16 Bit Arena is now available on seven stores-- Amazon.com, Desura.com, ShinyLoot.com, IndieCity.com, IndieVania.com, GreenManGaming.com (soon) and Gamersgate.com (soon)-- and has been submitted to Steam through its Greenlight process as well.  To help population growth, it is allowing you to give free copies to your friends when you purchase; and once at least one server completely fills up (with 9v9s), a way to make your own characters will open up.

The game's existing features are described as:

- Fighting in turn-based multiplayer battles up to 9v9 with nostalgic old school graphics

- Entering battle as a Warrior, Mage, Rogue, or Healer of either gender, and using a card to transform into any of 16 characters, adding on their stats and abilities to the class's

- Elemental properties for every character; collecting gems let the player choose theirs, and cast its magic

- Gaining Charge during battle allows players to do more damage, boost specific stats, and more-- even save turns for later and take down an enemy all at once

- A high-energy soundtrack featuring real guitar

- Journeying through eight intense Trials to gain cards and gems for use in the Arena

- A 2-player tactical-RPG-style Card Game included-- a great additional game on its own, it lets the player you earn cards and gems too

- Site includes a webcomic, updated weekly, featuring the eight Paladins from the game

The game is DRM-free, so it's technically possible to give out free copies either way.  But when you sign on right now after purchasing, you're also provided with a special (periodically-changing) link to a direct download so you can share it with friends even more easily.  In addition, once at least one server is completely full with 9v9 battles, you'll begin to be able to make your own characters there however you want, also able to give them out if desired.  Although this will not be free, community feedback will be taken on the best method of getting one created for you, i.e. through a drawing, direct purchase, or any combination of methods.

For now, with features like strategizing in large battles to the tune of real guitar accompanying retro graphics, this is already a very one-of-a-kind and just plain fun game.  The game's trailer, store listing, how-to-play info and screenshots may be seen at the  16bitarena.com website.

Contact info:

Josh "Psycrow" Cronkhite

Developer

16bitarena.com

16bitarena@gmail.com