News — indie game dev

Today’s feature from our friends at the Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase at Super MAGFest 2025 highlights Infinity, a gripping RPG-strategy hybrid developed by Incube8 Games!

Originally designed for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, Infinity takes players deep into a richly woven tale of war, loss, and ancient evil. As a forsaken knight, you'll traverse a fractured land plagued by dark powers and political unrest, uncovering a sinister plot that threatens to consume everything. With over 50 locations to explore, 100+ items to discover, and a tactical combat system that rewards thoughtful planning, Infinity delivers a grand adventure in classic 8-bit style.

Curious how this long-lost gem finally saw the light of day? Dive into the development story behind Infinity and the passion that brought it to life!

Tell us about how your game was born.    

Incube8 Games: "The journey of "Infinity" began in the late 1990s when developer Justin Karneges helped by  Hideaki Omuro set out to create a Game Boy Color-exclusive RPG as a spiritual successor to Justin's popular TI-83 calculator game, Joltima. The game was groundbreaking on TI calculators and gathered a dedicated following. "Infinity," originally named Joltima 2, was designed to build on this success, retaining elements like class-based characters and trailing party dynamics while evolving into a much more ambitious project. The game gained momentum at Affinix Software, but as the market moved to the Game Boy Advance, development was halted and the game remain unpublished. Thanks to a resurgence of interest and a successful Kickstarter in 2021, Incube8 Games revived Infinity, bringing the dream full circle with the backing of original creators and new talents."

What was the development like?

"(Development is still ongoing) Developing Infinity is both inspiring and complex. We’re working with decades-old code, a unique challenge for both the original team members and new developers. From porting old tools to modern systems to crafting tools for efficient testing, the process has been incredibly involved. Fun highlights include adapting the original battle system and creating visually detailed environments that fit within Game Boy Color limitations."

What's your favorite memory as a gamer?

"The first game I finished—and in fact, the first game I ever purchased—was The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening on Game Boy. I remember each time I obtained a new Instrument of the Sirens, I’d rush to the giant egg to hear how it enriched the melody. It all culminates in that unforgettable moment when you gather all eight Instruments, play the Ballad of the Wind Fish, and open the giant egg for the first time—defeating the boss and finally uncovering the truth!"

What games influenced Infinity the most?

"Infinity draws inspiration from many classic RPGs, particularly Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior. The original team admired these games for their rich stories, character-driven adventures, and complex battle mechanics. Our goal was to capture the same magic but tailor it to the unique hardware of the Game Boy Color."

Any fun stories or wild moments during development?

"One of the biggest moments was the addition of legendary composer Yuzo Koshiro to our soundtrack—a thrilling milestone! Another memorable event was discovering and revamping our original tools and assets, a true time capsule of early 2000s development quirks and nostalgic challenges. And there’s been plenty of debugging fun with the Game Boy Color’s very limited hardware, which has brought out the team’s creative problem-solving side."

Do you think preserving older gameplay mechanics in new games is important?

"Absolutely. Older gameplay mechanics carry a timeless appeal that resonates with players of all ages. Preserving these mechanics, while enhancing them with modern polish, allows players to experience a blend of nostalgia and fresh excitement. Infinity captures this spirit, preserving turn-based battles and retro pixel art while adding a modern layer of quality of life improvements."

What makes this game unique?

"Infinity stands out as a full-fledged, modernized RPG on a retro console, the Game Boy Color. It’s a labor of love that merges 20-year-old assets and code with fresh updates in art, music, and gameplay mechanics. Plus, the journey of bringing an abandoned game back to life adds a special history and appeal for players and collectors alike."

Anything else you'd like to add? Promote?

"Infinity’s journey highlights the passion behind game development, and we can’t wait to share it with you on platforms from Game Boy Color to Steam and Switch. If you want a taste of classic RPGs reimagined, Infinity is the game to watch! Plus, our amazing backers made this all possible, so thank you for believing in Infinity and helping us bring it to life."

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Infinity is a tactical role-playing game for the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, set in a world teetering on the edge of war and consumed by an ancient evil. As a disgraced knight, you’ll navigate political turmoil, personal grief, and dark forces in a rich 8-bit world featuring over 50 explorable areas, 100+ items, and a unique turn-based combat system.

Originally developed by Affinix Software between 1999–2001, Infinity was shelved due to shifting market trends. Two decades later, Incube8 Games—alongside members of the original team—has revived and completed the game for its long-awaited physical release.

Follow Incube8 Games on X to get more updates about the game and check out Infinity on their website! 

Watch the trailer: