Mecha – A Heroine in a Wheelchair at the Heart of the Quebec Video Game Mecha
Press Release – For Immediate Release
A Heroine in a Wheelchair at the Heart of the Quebec Video Game Mecha
Shishi Studios Produces Games Accessible to People with Motor Limitations
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.
Media Relations
Shishi Studios / [email protected]
Download the Press Kit:
Press Releases, GIFs and Visuals available for download: www.shishistudios.com/en/press/mecha/
Shishi : Timeless Prelude is coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and Mobile Storefronts
FOR RELEASE 08/12/2024 AT 10:00 AM ET.
Shishi Studios announces that Shishi : Timeless Prelude is coming to PlayStation, Xbox, and Mobile Storefronts in Q4 2024
Currently available on Steam and Switch, Shishi : Timeless Prelude and all of its DLC Content will become available to Xbox, PlayStation and Mobile players later this year.
[Montreal, Quebec, Canada] August 12, 2024. Today, Shishi Studios announces that their first title, Shishi : Timeless Prelude and all of its DLC content, is coming to PlayStation, Xbox and Mobile storefronts in Q4 2024. It is currently available on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).
Shishi : Timeless Prelude is a turn-based dungeon crawler RPG where players will become Elia, a young mage who must explore the depths of a sacred sanctuary and complete her training to become an Oracle.
Taking on enemies in turn-based battles with magical and non-magical abilities will create cheerful chaos for the player, uniquely combining it with the coziness of the title as they adventure through dungeons, open chests and smash vases for loot.
“I am very excited to be able to bring Elia’s journey to new players on PlayStation, Xbox and Mobile,” says CEO and Game Designer Frédéric McNamara. “We have received positive feedback from players on Steam and Switch, and hope that these new players will also have a positive experience with Shishi : Timeless Prelude.”
From an accessibility point of view, Frédéric explains that “the game was designed to be accessible to players with a disability like me. It includes customizable controls, a customizable game interface, and contrast options for people who are visually impaired.”
More information and an official release date for Shishi : Timeless Prelude will be shared soon.
Access to multimedia files at the Press Kit.
For any press inquiries, please contact us at: [email protected]
About Frédéric McNamara and the pursuit of accessibility in gaming
Living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a group of over 160 different neuromuscular diseases characterized by a progressive deterioration of muscle strength, Frédéric has had to overcome many challenges in pursuing his passions – but believes these hardships have shaped the future of Shishi Studios and accessibility and approachability in gaming. He has been very active in his community from a young age, having helped organize the Walk for Muscular Dystrophy for several years. He says he wants to “push awareness initiatives like this in the industry to raise awareness, raise funds as well as reach out to younger people.”
Frédéric is passionate about pushing accessibility further in gaming and in the workplace for developers and people with disabilities.
About Shishi : Timeless Prelude
In this single-player turn-based dungeon crawler RPG, players will become Elia, a young mage who must explore the depths of a sacred sanctuary and complete her training to become an Oracle. Currently available on Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).
Game Features:
- Dungeon diving and turn-based combat combined with a heartwarming tale in this RPG. Chosen by the Goddess, the young Elia is about to start a great adventure to protect the kingdom. However, she must first complete her training. As she explores the Timeless Sanctuary, Elia becomes stronger and learns spells that will be essential to succeed the trial.
- Nostalgic and familiar gameplay callbacks. Players will love breaking vases for coins, defeating enemies to unlock doors, and opening chests to get loot.
- A casual, cute game to share with the family. Even the most hardcore RPG fan can share this cute title with their children, family members, and vice versa.
- Non-violent wholesome gameplay. This wholesome title follows the journey of Elia as she explores the power within her.
- Included DLC content:
- Character: Hope
- New Episode: Beach
About Shishi Studios
Shishi Studios is an indie game studio based in Montreal, Canada. We want to make a difference by creating games that are accessible to everyone, by innovating ambitious games and by experimenting new visual styles and new genres. Find out more about us at our website https://www.shishistudios.com/en/ .
Shishi : Timeless Prelude – Beach Episode
[ TO BE RELEASED AFTER June 27th 10 AM EDT ]
Shishi : Timeless Prelude Beach Episode
Enjoy a beach vacation with Elia!
DLC available on July 11th, 2024 (10:00 AM EDT)
March 8th, 2024 — Montreal, Canada
Shishi Studios are happy to announce the upcoming launch of a new DLC for their game, Shishi : Timeless Prelude.
Includes :
- New character : Elia (Beach)
- New spell : Beach ball
- New mode : Beach Episode
The Shishi : Timeless Prelude Beach Episode DLC will be available on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
The Trailer can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FKaD45IyNg
Shishi : Timeless Prelude is a colorful dungeon role-playing game. As Elia, a young mage, you will explore the depths of a sacred sanctuary to complete your training to become an Oracle.
Chosen by the Goddess, the young Elia is about to start a great adventure to protect the kingdom. However, she must first complete her training. As she explores the Timeless Sanctuary, Elia becomes stronger and learns spells that will be essential to succeed the trial.
Game release date: May 31st, 2022
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Steam
Store links:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2215340
https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/shishi-timeless-prelude-switch/
Key Features
- Colorful exploration!
Defend yourself against various creatures while you explore a colorful dungeon!
- See you in another timeline!
Each run takes place in a new timeline, which means you will discover different rooms, encounter new enemies and more!
- Nothing can beat an Oracle!
Fight enemies in turn-based battles with the spells and items you will find during your exploration and show that you are ready to save the world!
Download the Press Kit:
Press Releases, GIFs and Visuals available for download: www.shishistudios.com/en/press/shishi-timeless-prelude/