1976.
Noomi Kovacs—an overeager graduate of the LeCarre Institute for Exceptional Spies (L.I.E.S)—has just landed her first job at Penderbrook Motors’ Division of Outside Intelligence. Confined to an office and underestimated by her gruff supervisor—a disgraced former government agent named Turn—Noomi will have to exploit her colleagues and surroundings to help further her dream of becoming a globetrotting secret agent. Once in the field, Noomi and Turn begin to realize that their company’s dogged pursuit of their rivals extend to something far more sinister than “healthy competition” and the two will be forced to reconsider the paths they’ve chosen. Lying, blackmail, and emotional manipulation will become Noomi and Turn’s greatest assets as they make their way through…The Low Road.
Set in the world of the 1970s automobile industry, "The Low Road" is a point-and-click graphic adventure game which follows a team of corporate spies dedicated to the protection (and appropriation) of game-changing industry secrets. Sporting a unique visual style inspired by gouache paintings and a pulsating experimental score, "The Low Road" will captivate players through intricate puzzles, branching moral dilemmas, and a quirky cast of memorable characters.
The Low Road started in early 2014 as a shared vision between Xgen Studios founder and former CEO, Skye Boyes and Xgen Art Director Scott Carmichael. Following the launch of 2013's couch co-op digging adventure game, Super Motherload, Skye wanted to attempt a bold departure from XGen's previous titles. Skye knew that combining Scott's unique artistic style and direction with Eric Cheng's creative desire to meld live-theatre inspired audio with an all-original 1970s-inspired soundtrack could result in an exceptional point-and-click video game. In March 2015, Skye successfully secured competitive funding support from the Canada Media Fund.
The team started to evolve quickly, acquiring Lead Programmer Jed Lang in November 2014; and award-winning playwright Leif Oleson-Cormack as the game's Narrative Designer in March 2015. In October of 2015, during the midst of the game's development, the team suffered a tragic loss when Skye Boyes suddenly passed away. Not only did XGen lose a boss, they also lost a friend, mentor, and a fearlessly visionary leader. Skye’s passing was a massive blow for the XGen team and an unexpected hurdle in the development of The Low Road. Kaelyn Boyes, Skye’s wife assumed ownership of XGen Studios and project leadership of The Low Road. Drawing from Skye's vision and the resources he had put in place, the XGen team came together for each other during this unhappy time and continued forward. XGen Studios and The Low Road would not continue to exist if not for the team Skye carefully cultivated.
XGen Studios, an indie video game developer and publisher that has operated over 15+ years, launched their biggest and first ever-point and click adventure The Low Road on July 26, 2017 for PC, Mac & Linux. The title has been widely well received and has accumulated a growing list of accolades. On August 23, 2018 XGen launched The Low Road on Nintendo Switch.
Gameplay from Chapter 1 of XGen Studios' The Low Road
XGen Studios is small studio based out of Edmonton, Canada. XGen was founded by Skye Boyes and is now lead by Kaelyn Boyes.
More information on XGen Studios, our logo & relevant media are available here.
| In memory of Skye Boyes (1982 - 2015), CEO & Founder of XGen Studios | |
| Skye Boyes | Co-Creator |
| Scott Carmichael | Co-Creator & Visuals |
| Kaelyn Boyes | Production |
| Jed Lang | Programming |
| Leif Oleson-Cormack | Narrative Designer |
| Eric Cheng | Music, Sound & Voice Direction |
| Robyn Dubuc | Animation & Technical Art |
| Logan Foster | Animation |
| Jordan Dubuc | Operations |
| David Pankratz | Quality Assurance |
| Voice Talent | |
| Emily Bachynski | Noomi Kovacs |
| Chris Bell | Barney “Turn” Turner |
| Raphaelle Standell | Lacey Mendoza |
| Graham Nichol | Sebastian Cartwright |
| Jim Cuming | Hab Applecot |
| Leif Oleson-Cormack | Horace Hayes |
| Claire Jelinek | Cynthia Bellows |
| Leif Oleson-Cormack | Thornton Penderbrook |
| Doug Hoyer | Arthur Penderbrook |
| Aidan Lucas-Buckland | Chester Nagler |
| Celia Fogel | Oona Magritte |
| Sheena Rossiter | Jeanne Willoughsby |
| Ian Meltzer | Docillio Theatre Usher |
| Julia Ogilvie | Docillio Keymaster |
| Jacqueline Guay | Young Docillite |
| Mitch Holtby | Docillio MC |
| David Pankratz | BCI Receptionist |
| Special Thanks | |
| Breanne McEachren | |
| Dave Chan | |
| Susan Wright | |
| Don Thacker | |
| Pixel Jam | |
| XGen Studios Fans | |
| Friends and Family | |
| © 2017 XGen Studios | |