The alien invasion in true 3D. Version 1.0 on 17 November 2026.
Game Development
Besides software engineering for industry and media, Binärwerkstatt makes games. Our games run on our own engine, written from scratch in C++ with OpenGL, SDL2 and OpenAL. There is no third-party game engine underneath, so we control every frame, every sound and every input path.
Behind it is studio experience as well: hennakin helped develop Ascaron games such as Sacred and Port Royale and builds on that knowledge today. The know-how also comes straight from our day job: real-time audio processing, efficient data structures and native Linux development. RIFT INVADERS is the first title, a project that started as an Oculus Rift experiment and grew into a full arcade game over several years, driven by player feedback.
- Own engine in C++ / OpenGL / SDL2 / OpenAL
- Native Windows and Linux builds, optional VR via SteamVR
- Gamepad, keyboard and mouse with free mapping
- 3D positional audio, sound design in-house
- Steam integration: leaderboards, achievements, rich presence, cloud saves
RIFT INVADERS
RIFT INVADERS is a retro alien-invasion arcade shooter in true 3D. Instead of neat rows, MUSLA CORP's AI drones attack in towering formations of up to 3,160 voxel invaders. Clear them layer by layer, keep your multiplier alive with perfect layer wipes and climb endless X-RUNs on the global leaderboard.
Version 1.0 adds a hangar of seven ships, the Daily Rift with one shared challenge per day, 50 achievements and enemies that shoot back with telegraphed burst-shots.
- Formations of up to 3,160 voxel enemies, cleared layer by layer
- 10 hand-crafted levels, each with its own formation, tactics and weapon
- Endless X-RUN loop: more speed, kamikaze dives, burst-shots and homing motherships
- Daily Rift: one shared challenge per day with its own leaderboard
- Hangar with seven ships, unlocked through play
- Global leaderboards, 50 achievements, pilot ranks
Press Kit
| Title | RIFT INVADERS |
| Developer | hennakin (solo developer) |
| Publisher | Binärwerkstatt, Germany |
| Release | 3 August 2025 (version 1.0: 17 November 2026) |
| Platforms | Windows, Linux / SteamOS; optional seated VR via SteamVR |
| Price | US$4.99 / €4.99 |
| Demo | free, available now: Training levels 1–3, two ships |
| Tech | custom engine, C++, OpenGL, SDL2, OpenAL, OpenVR |
| Languages | English |
| Store | store.steampowered.com/app/2743550 |
| Press contact | steam@binaerwerkstatt.de |
| Community | discord.gg/HYqRyZ5DDu |
Description
RIFT INVADERS is a retro alien-invasion arcade shooter in true 3D. Instead of neat rows, MUSLA CORP's AI drones attack in towering formations of up to 3,160 voxel invaders. Clear them layer by layer, keep your multiplier alive with perfect layer wipes and climb endless X-RUNs on the global leaderboard. Play with mouse and keyboard, gamepad or in optional seated VR.
About the developer
hennakin is a solo developer from Germany with a background in game audio. RIFT INVADERS is written from scratch in C++ and OpenGL, without an engine. The project started as an Oculus Rift experiment, which explains the name, and grew into a full arcade game over several years. Development is driven by player feedback.
Downloads
- Logo, PNG with transparency (4447 × 705)
- Screenshots, full resolution: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6
- Trailer, MP4 1080p60 (61 s, 297 MB) · also on the Steam store page
Keys for press and content creators: steam@binaerwerkstatt.de
