Will Winn Games Inc. invites you to climb aboard their pirate-themed online multiplayer brawler, “Plunder Panic.” The game became available on Windows PC/Mac, PlayStation 4|5, Xbox One and Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck on September 16.
Head into battle with up to 12 players (locally or online) in this retro-styled arcade video game experience where pixelated pirates face each other in quick, round-based matches. With enough weapons, items, modes and modifiers to fill the biggest deep-sea treasure chest, “Plunder Panic” is the perfect game to cement friendships and foster rivalries. Enjoy a seamless gaming experience with your friends that allows for full cross-platform play.
Will Winn Games is a company native to East Lansing, created right here at MSU as part of the Game Development Program, Spartan Innovations and Red Cedar Ventures. The company was founded in 2020 with “Plunder Panic” as its first game licensed from MSU, but over the last two years, the company has rebuilt the game from the ground up as a full online multiplayer game across all the major gaming platforms.
“Watching ‘Plunder Panic’ grow from a prototype initially developed by the extraordinary team of talented student employees from MSU’s Games for Entertainment and Learning (GEL) Lab into a full-fledged commercial release with online multiplayer support and crossplay has been a dream come true,” said Brian Winn, Will Winn Games co-founder and MSU professor. “The Will Winn Games crew is extremely excited about what we have created and know that players from all the seven seas will have a blast playing ‘Plunder Panic.”
The mission of the company is to design, develop, and publish compelling multiplayer video game experiences. A prototype of “Plunder Panic” has already received multiple accolades including finalist in the SXSW 2018 Gaming Pitch Competition, Audience Choice Award winner at IndieCade 2017 and was an official selection of the Indie MEGABOOTH at PAX East 2018. Plunder Panic became the first licensed game out of Michigan State University in 2020.
Taking inspiration from the nostalgic graphics of past arcade games, “Plunder Panic” blends gorgeous pixel graphics with modern gameplay elements in frantic, piracy-filled matches. Two teams of up to six players must go all hands-on deck and face off against each other, utilizing a variety of weapons, enchanted items, and power-ups. Matches begin as rival teams anchor their ships on opposite sides of the same island. However, only one crew can claim victory by plundering enough gold into their treasure chest, sinking the other crew's ship, or defeating the rival crew's captain. Teamwork makes the dream work, so crews must work together as a solid unit to claim victory and get their hands on the ultimate prize — enough treasure for the whole crew.
“It has been a long journey getting ‘Plunder Panic’ ready to ‘set sail,’ and we couldn’t be prouder of our game,” said Will Jeffery, Will Winn Games co-founder. “It’s thrilling to finally pull the trigger and invite players to experience something we’ve poured our hearts and souls into.”
To learn more about "Plunder Panic," visit plunderpanic.com to sign-up for the newsletter and join the game’s official Discord server. Fans can also follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.