Montreal, February 24, 2025 – Montreal-based company Shishi Studios unveils the first images of Mecha, a new 3D puzzle-platformer featuring Coni, a robotic engineer who uses a wheelchair. To help humanity, she creates robots called Mechas. When a sudden alert informs her that all the Mechas have begun malfunctioning and scattering across a Montreal laboratory's testing zones, Coni sets out to discover the cause.
To assist her, players must find and repair robots while solving environmental puzzles. As they explore the zones, each path will present a new challenge. Players will need to solve puzzles, avoid traps, face bosses, and diagnose robot-related issues.
"Mecha features emerging puzzles focused on artificial intelligence behaviors," explains designer Frédéric McNamara, founder of Shishi Studios. "It fosters collaboration and perseverance. In this journey of self-acceptance, players must demonstrate trust to overcome obstacles."
The Mecha trailer can be viewed here, and the game has been selected for DemoNights, with a presentation scheduled for February 21. Its release is set for 2027.
A Mission for Inclusion
Frédéric McNamara designed the game to be accessible to players of all ages and abilities. Living with muscular dystrophy himself, the 29-year-old entrepreneur has had to overcome numerous challenges to pursue his passions.
Since his youth, he has observed that video games often neglect players with physical, cognitive, or visual impairments. "For people like me, some games are difficult, even impossible, to play. Too many designers overlook accessibility."
Because his disease causes muscle degeneration, quick movements on a controller have become increasingly difficult. Therefore, his games require minimal fast actions. Additionally, they feature several difficulty levels and offer great freedom in control settings. For instance, players can assign a specific button to an action, and joystick sensitivity is adjustable.
A Solid Roadmap
Founded in 2019, Shishi Studios made a strong debut in May 2022 with Shishi: Timeless Prelude, a colorful dungeon exploration game. Upon its release on Nintendo Switch, it received praise, both at the MEGAMIGS industry event and from players.
In Shishi: Timeless Prelude, players assist the young mage Elia on her journey to protect a kingdom. Before starting, she must complete her training by exploring the Timeless Sanctuary, growing stronger, and learning essential spells to succeed. Each run takes place in a new timeline, meaning players discover different rooms, encounter new enemies, and more.
Other games in development include Shishi: Ballad of the Oracle, an open-world RPG where players solve puzzles in a colorful world filled with cute creatures. The Oracle Elia must build her confidence to awaken the power within. To do so, she must master key emotions (empathy, determination, passion, wisdom), compose a legendary song, and save a kingdom.
Lastly, Mercury (also in production) is a narrative puzzle game centered on hacking. Programmer Lucy, aka Mercury, is hired at Nexus, the world's largest multinational. Her task? Program new security systems. However, a major security flaw will grant her access to the company's dark secrets.
As Lucy makes more discoveries, Nexus will increase security and attempt to stop her at all costs. To overcome the obstacles, she must hack various smart devices: speakers, toasters, etc. Hacking and stealth mechanics enrich this cyberpunk-inspired game.
About Shishi Studios
Shishi Studios is an independent video game studio located in Montreal, founded in 2019 by Frédéric McNamara. A video game enthusiast committed to promoting accessibility, McNamara's personal experience with muscular dystrophy inspires the studio's mission. The small Shishi team brings together designers, artists, programmers, and sound designers. Their collaboration reflects a synergy around innovation and creativity. The company stands out by creating ambitious games that innovate through experimentation with new visual styles and genres while ensuring they are accessible to all. Its commitment to social themes and inclusive designs has received particular acclaim.