MOONTON Games' Acecraft is not just the world's first fully hand-drawn mobile 2-player vertical scroller. It is a reimagining of what the genre can be. The game combines the warmth and personality of 1930s rubber hose animation with gameplay systems rarely seen in the genre, and a long-term vision to grow its cast and world into a lasting IP.
Acecraft's distinctive look is rooted in the team's own childhoods, spent watching Looney Tunes, Betty Boop, and Steamboat Willie. Acecraft is their way of bottling that magic for a new generation, transforming those cherished childhood memories into a co-op bullet hell that feels as playful as it does thrilling.
Breaking the Linear Mould
According to Darren "Chen" Lu, Producer of Acecraft, the team's boldest decision was its art direction. "We insist on producing every frame of animation by hand… using the 'one-by-one' animation standard of 24 frames per second to highlight the game's cartoonish charm and animation tension." This commitment shapes more than the visuals. Unlike most shoot'em ups (STG) that push for maximum speed, Acecraft focuses on battles rich with expressive motion and playful flair, creating an experience that feels alive on every screen.
Gameplay design follows the same unconventional path. While Acecraft features a traditional main storyline, the team is introducing a variety of systems rarely seen in mobile STGs. For example, "Balloon Party" is a light-hearted race to pop as many balloons as possible for high scores. "Bullet Rain Storm", on the other hand, turns up the difficulty with dense, complex projectile patterns inspired by classic Eastern bullet hells. Each mode has its own rhythm, offering players a broader range of experiences than the linear, single-style gameplay typical of STGs.
Building an IP, Not Just a Game
For Darren, Acecraft is more than a one-off title. It's the start of an IP. The team is developing seasonal updates, side-stories, and event content centred on its cast of eight Ace Pilots. "We plan to continuously iterate on the game in seasonal formats, developing a series of content around the characters" Darren explained. This IP-first mindset shapes not only the visuals but also how characters will be expanded through episodic content, ongoing story updates and new systems that bring their personalities into the spotlight, which is a rarity in the STG genre.
WE FLY 2GETHER: Referral Event Takes Off with Open Beta
MOONTON Games is also calling on future pilots to "recruit their wingman" through Acecraft's new referral web campaign. The pre-launch event rewards players who bring friends into the skies of Cloudia before the game's release.
Complete missions to earn dice, roll across a virtual board for in-game rewards, and invite friends via your personal link for more chances. Finish the board to enter a draw for physical prizes, including themed merchandise, theme park tickets, and the grand prize of two free air tickets. Winners will be announced on Acecraft's official social channels (Facebook, Discord, Tiktok, Instagram).
With the game's "We Fly 2gether" mantra at its core, the referral campaign serves as a perfect pre-flight check to find your partner in the skies!
Pre-registration is now open via the App Store, Google Play, and the official Acecraft website.
Pre-register for Acecraft here:
Google Play & App Store: https://bit.ly/acecraftpr
Official pre-registration page: https://acecraft.viztagame.com/pre/
