XENOTILT News

A small update, thanks to our eagle-eyed players who spotted this issue:
-If you enter a Bonus Room with Red Ball, it's returned when you go back to Main.

Here's what's new!

• Fixed Rex Room Logic for Heart not resetting correctly on Enter.
  
• Rex Multiball will start automatically when Lit if Rex Hits equals 20.
  
• Chainsaw Hits no longer count as Rex Hits.
  
• Fixed bug where Red Alert Mode/FX was errantly set on start of New Game.
  
• Added support for LG Dual Up, let us know if it works!
  

12/24/2024 (OUT NOW!)

• Balance changes for to make earning Survivor Tokens easier.
  
• Lowered the Survivor Token Requirement from 9 to 4.
  
• Lowered cap for Survivor Refund Cost from 6 to 3.
  
• Secret Jackpot contributes to Survivor Token Progress.
  
• Super Jackpot contributes to Survivor Token Progress.
  
• Max S. Token Requirement per game is capped at 6.
  
• Failsafe for Multiball Stuck in Tomb Room.
  
• Optimization for Ball Smoke FX.
  
• Optimization for Score Pips.
  

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3354150/XENOTILT_Soundtrack/

The soundtrack to Demon's Tilt was made using a now-ancient (and discontinued) freeware tracker software, called VGM Music Maker (or VGMM), by the great chiptune artist Shiru8bit. VGMM simulated the crunchy YM2612 and SN76489 soundchips, which were used in the Sega Genesis/Megadrive.

For XENOTILT, as the game was a step up graphically and conceptually from its predecessor, I decided to “power up” the sound and emulate the YM2151 with PCM samples. The 2151 was a chip used in many classic arcade machines throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including R-Type, OutRun, Sunset Riders, and countless more. The soundchip allowed for more instruments, more effects, and more sample usage that really comes alive in the drums and percussion.

The type of music I wrote for the game simply could not have been done with the Sega Genesis chip! For this game I looked to Deflemask to write the music and found it a very capable piece of software.

Many of these tracks began as voice recordings, with me humming a new idea into my phone as I was walking or waiting at the train station, trying to avoid the looks of passersby. Other times I would sit at the piano and 5 or 6 ideas would come instantly. Other times nothing would come out of my head no matter what I did to the keys. The creative process is a winding road.

The first track written for the game was Wicked Colony. Alienation went through many, many revisions and many musical ideas in that track found their way into the rest of the soundtrack. All or Nothing is a remix of a track I wrote for a canceled game all the way back in 2011, when I was still a school lad. If you hear the original (on my bandcamp), it is almost unrecognizable.

While DEMON'S TILT went with Heavy/Power Metal, XENOTILT leaned more into Electronica. Clubbin' Xenos 2 Death was the most overtly Rob Dougan/Matrix inspired, if the title didn't give it away. Though the main chorus though brings spaghetti westerns to my mind... Vector 0 was one of the last few tracks I wrote for the game, and by that time the feeling was one of me offering a send-off to the game, so it carries a bit of an emotional weight for me.

I am proud of all the work I did for the game, enjoy the soundtrack!

If anyone is inspired to try out writing tracker music themselves, Some particular recommendations I have are Deflemask, FurnaceTracker, and WaveTracker. A special mention to the PC88/98 tracker, BambooTracker! Ok, I won't bog you down with annoying endless tracker rec's and specs =)

As a final note, Cyberdrake Remix is based off the fantastic track by HEAVYVIPER, who also contributed original sound design to both games. https://heavyviper.bandcamp.com

-ec2151

X/Twitter, @ec2151
Soundcloud/Bandcamp @ec2151
https://ec2151.bandcamp.com

Thanks to our amazing community, XENOTILT has completed its journey from Early Access to full release! Version 1.0 is our most polished build yet, prepared to bring the best experience possible.

Since launching Early Access in 2023, we’ve added two new game modes, optimized the codebase, and incorporated numerous bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements—all based on your feedback and support.

To celebrate, we’re introducing Steam badges and trading cards! Collect these virtual items as you play through the new 1.0 content. Plus, the full XENOTILT soundtrack will be dropping soon on Steam—so stay tuned.

A Note on Pricing: We'll be raising the price in the new year, so if you’ve been on the fence, now’s the time to jump in and grab XENOTILT at its current price!

Incase you missed it here is what has been added since Early Access Launch!!

P.S. like what you see/playing consider dropping a review! :)

[h2]EX-MODE![/h2]
EX-CLUSIVE Bonus Rooms. EX-TREME power-ups. EX-TENDED challenge!!

EX-MODE is the expanded version of Arcade/Normal Mode. It features 3 bonus areas with new bosses and a Billiards inspired "Gravity Pool" table. Also with expanded mechanics like the "Tri-Gift" after "Core Overkill" you can hit 1 of 3 targets for new one-ff abilities such as "Dwarf Star" a 4 way star-shaped laser that clears the screen. An expanded OST was produced for these areas. This was a sizable content update for XENOTILT.


R&D Lab: A full size 2-flipper table. A MECHA T-REX is under secret development! Avoid it’s teeth and go for the heart! Has some neat transforming surprises and a slew of attacks including Meteor Showers and Ice Beams.


The Tomb: A 4 flippered, full size pinball table in Its own right with a unique multiball mode accessed via a Golden Scarab. Do battle against an Undead Pharaoh. Avoid its mythical Sword and goad it out of the shadows by lighting torches. Features a unique Multiball Lock.


Gravity Pool: Hosted by a Golden Dragon, Take a breather with a game of Billiards with unique rules. Chain together sequences/combos for big points. Sink Billiards to earn Prizes that will supercharge the main table.


[h2]EX-SURVIVORS [/h2]
Rescue hidden SURVIVORS. Hire them for unique BONUS SKILLS!


In EX-MODE when you complete objectives related to the Bonus Areas a “Rescue Shot” will show up on the Tier 1 Airlock, hit the Airlock to rescue a Survivor.

This is a carry-over progression system, from the Main Menu you can see the Survivor Table and start hiring your team of up to 12. Each Survivor has a unique “Bonus Skill” which acts as perma-buffs to gameplay. Earn Bonus Tokens by doing Protocols so you can hire more expensive Survivors.


[h2]CRISIS MODE[/h2]
CHAOTIC TIME ATTACK. Go the distance and enter SUDDEN DEATH!



A Time based challenge mode. Try and last 10 minutes as the clock ticks down rapidly. Make it to sudden death and squeeze out what precious points you can before your inevitable end to a slowly rising death-laser.

Your time is your score, new time based targets (gates) can be completed in sequence for larger time based bonuses.

Thank you! THANK YOU!!

P.P.S. Remember folks: As long as gravity exists, PINBALL NEVER DIES!!