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Sunday, September 30, 2007
BattleJewels has been made available for Windows and Palm OS. Originally a GP2X title only, it's the 3rd place winner in this year's GBAX Competition. The game clearly uses the Bejeweled concept taken in a new direction as commercialized in Puzzle Quest.
It's addition of gems with different effects, and roleplaying elements which allow for character building make it quite addictive. To quote from its website, "it's as simple or as complex as you want .. play to clear, play to win, or play to level up and perfect your character."
Name: BattleJewels
Developer: CodeJedi
Category: Puzzle
Type: Shareware
Size: 3MB
Direct download link: Click here
Loco Mogul is a resource management game not unlike Mind Control's Oasis, viewed from an isometric perspective with trade as it's focus instead of conquest. Each round of the game is played out in two phases. The first phase involves surveying a given territory for towns, farms, fishery and mines. Players have a limited number of days to explore the landscape, with each click using up either one or three days depending on the action taken. Important landmarks are usually surrounded by roads on it's sides. Train tracks would then have to be placed strategically to provide service coverage for as many trade locations as possible.
A train is placed on the map for the second phase, and it is for the player to decide which routes to undertake and cargoes to deliver for maximum profit. The train can only carry two cars at any time.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
A lecture about innovation in indie games from the Independent Games Summit, GDC (March 2007) - panel represented by Jonathan Blow (Braid), Kyle Gabler (World of Goo), Jonathan Mak (Everyday Shooter) and Jenova Chen (Flower).
- watch on Google video
- download high res version
Too bad Derek didn't get to ask his question though. Nice shirt! [source: GSW]
Winners of the PDRoms Coding Competition #3.667 have been announced. There are seven entries, and all were created for the GameBoy Advance as per competition requirements. For the winners, and download links for each game, visit the official PDRC #3.667 forum thread.Labels: competition, freeware, news
The guy that is making The Undertaking also has another project in the works titled Katakijin. It essentially looks like it's going to be a exploration slash 'em up platformer. Since 64 digits finally re-surfaced, he posted a small demo and Youtube clip.
Prototype II is X-0ut's new horizontal shooter with a nod to the R-Type series in particular. Shaders can be disabled from the configuration menu if the game doesn't run when this option is turned on. Hold the Z key to shoot or press the X key to manipulate the pod. The A and S keys can be used to change your ship's speed.
Name: Prototype II
Developer: X-0ut
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 50MB
Direct download link: Click here
Micro Art is a new puzzler from GamePure, creator of the popular Speed Cluster, Oshidama and Combat Heaven Next series. Tiles on the left side of the screen are removed by drawing a line and collecting at least three pieces from the right. The order in which the pieces are acquired determines which columns or rows of tiles will be taken out. Tiles can be removed either horizontally or vertically.
Name: Micro Art
Developer: GamePure
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser
Friday, September 28, 2007
Garden of Coloured Lights is a new vertical shooter by Linley Henzell, creator of Excellent Bifurcation and the popular Dungeon Crawl. The game features four levels, each with a different theme and end level boss. Sound effects are implemented in a very unique manner, in which every shot fired triggers a different sound based on their colours.
There are plenty of options to choose from, though your ship can only be equipped with a maximum of three. Some requires a cooling period to recharge, while others can be fired constantly with no penalties whatsoever. Weapons are upgraded by using them repeatedly, as represented by gauges shown at the top left of the screen. [download requires registration]
Name: Garden of Coloured Lights
Developer: Linley Henzell
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 3MB
Gameplay video: watch
Previous works: Dungeon Crawl, Excellent Bifurcation [direct download link]
Labels: sh0907
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A new version of OHRRPGCE, a flexible open source RPG engine, has been released in the last week. Titled "Ubersetzung", this is the first stable build in over a year, and is the first build to drop DOS support.
The biggest changes in this release are (to quote from the website):
- New Music Formats. In addition to BAM [the native OHRRPGCE format] and MIDI, you can also play MP3, OGG, MOD, XM, S3M and IT.
- New sample game: Fenrir Lunaris's modern retro epic fantasy masterpiece "Vikings of Midgard".
- Multiple improvements to the scripting language and game editor.
Some OHRRPGCE projects that you may have heard of:
Wandering Hamster - James Paige [OHRRPGCE Founder]
Boundless Ocean - Hardi "Orchard-L" Gosal
Missing - Hardi "Orchard-L" Gosal
Sword of Jade - Kevin "Charbile" Loan, Michael "Fyrewulff" Kidder
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Bernie's Platformer: Bernie's new game is two-thirds done.
Announcements
Moonpod: Moonpod has acquired official Wii developer certification. No Moonpod Wii titles announced yet, though there is every possibility the Wii could get a Starscape or Mr. Robot port.
3Punge: The 15th edition of 3Punge (Three Minutes Game Contest) is scheduled to start on the 7th of October 2007.
PyWeek: Results for PyWeek 5 announced.
Articles
What's New in Indie: GameTunnel's monthly column, The 60-Minute Trial renamed to What's New in Indie.
B-Game Competition: Gnome has decided to review all entries from TIGSource's recent B-Game Competition. [source: Terry]
Updates
The Endless Forest: The Endless Forest version 3.0 is now available for download. [download page]
RIAH: RIAH (2D platformer) updated with several new levels.
Upcoming
Monokey: The Monokey development team are still working on their secret project.
Dwarf Fortress: The latest version of Dwarf Fortress is currently undergoing it's stringent testing phase. A release can be expected very soon.
Miscellaneous
Temple of the Roguelike: Site updated with a new review for Xenocide.
flOw: thatgamecompany's flOw nominated for a BAFTA award in the Innovation category. [download flOw]
Cube Farm: Joshua Jersild, the author of Mop of Destiny is working on converting Cheapass Games' Cube Farm into digital format, though unfortunately not for distribution. [Mop of Destiny download link]
A recap of the games mentioned this month, September 2007:
Articles
Zero Punctuation: Peggle
Adrian's Guide to 2007 Freeware Games
Plasma Pong Removed
Mac Games
Upcoming Indie Games
IAC Acquires GarageGames
QB Express
GDC 2007 Videos
Interview with clysm
Braid for Xbox Live Arcade
Game Maker for Mac Soon
Metanet Interviewed
Mono Updated
Play This Thing
The Indies
Dare to be Digital
Free Play 2007 Videos
PC Gamer's Top 100 2007
| Action/Arcade Revelation Bear Go Home JelloCar Roadclub GoldenEye 2D Mondo Medicals Battle Garden Iwanaga Combat Heaven Next Spout Quiescence Lila Experiments Serious Sam-I-Am | Puzzle/Strategy Minimal Yahtzee Castlewars Pipeful Sunday DHTML Lemmings NIX Crocodile Garden Platformer Maniform Kaipuu Platform Adv./IF/Roguelike Poizoned Mind Crypts of Despair Blackwell Unbound | Shmups Prototype II G.o.C.L. Decobliss Tamanegi Galaxian 2007 Typhoon 2001 Arcanacra DroneSwarm Mono | Previews Illusion of the Tower Flower Brave Karma Warriors Everyday Shooter Aquaria Night Game Resonance World of Goo Trailer Gish 2 Test Valdis Story Mutant Glum Chronicles of Oswyn.. Starfox: Shadows of.. Braid Gameplay Video |
Articles
Zero Punctuation: Peggle
Adrian's Guide to 2007 Freeware Games
Plasma Pong Removed
Mac Games
Upcoming Indie Games
IAC Acquires GarageGames
QB Express
GDC 2007 Videos
Interview with clysm
Braid for Xbox Live Arcade
Game Maker for Mac Soon
Metanet Interviewed
Mono Updated
Play This Thing
The Indies
Dare to be Digital
Free Play 2007 Videos
PC Gamer's Top 100 2007
Labels: recaps
The objective of Minimal Yahtzee is to score the most points by rolling five dice to make certain combinations. The dice can be rolled up to three times in a turn to try to make one of the thirteen possible scoring combinations.A game of Yahtzee consists of thirteen rounds during which the player chooses which scoring combination is to be used in that round. Once a combination has been used in the game, it cannot be used again.
Each of the scoring combinations has a different point value, some of which are fixed values and others of which have the cumulative value of the dice. A Yahtzee is a five-of-a-kind and holds the game's highest point value of 50. [rules from Wikipedia]
Name: Minimal Yahtzee
Developer: Gary Warne
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: pu0907
Castlewars is a card game in which players from both sides can win by being the first to build a hundred storey castle or destroy the opponent's castle entirely. A number of cards are shown at the bottom of the screen, and the player has to decide which card to play for each turn by clicking on it. Cards can be discarded from their hands by holding down the control key while selecting a card. Only one card can be discarded during each turn.
This is a remake of the classic game Ants.
Labels: pu0907
Revelation is a short action game with stealth elements made by dkh using the AGS engine, originally designed for development of adventure games. Use the arrow keys to move around, or press the space key to use your weapon. Press the up cursor key to climb a ledge, and tap any of the number keys to swap weapons when more are acquired.
Additional levels can be designed by editing a text file, then placing it into the game directory.
Name: Revelation
Developer: Jan Simon
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
Decobliss is a shmup. Your ship is stuck on a curved rail, which you can move right or left to either end of but no further, adding to the challenge of dodging the enemies' onslaught of fire (and other obstacles). Keyboard is used for moving left and right, while aiming is performed with the mouse.
Name: Decobliss
Developer: STARFOXROX
Category: Shmup
Type: Freeware
Size: 3.3MB
Labels: sh0907
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
This week, Ben "Yahtzee" Crowshaw reviews Popcap's "Peggle".
So, who else thinks that Zero Punctuation is the best thing to hit game reviewing since the arsecast?
Some of Yahtzee's previous projects:
6 Days a Sacrifice
Trilby's Notes
5 Days a Stranger
1213 Episodes 1 2 and 3
Adventures in the Galaxy of Fantabulous Wonderment
So, who else thinks that Zero Punctuation is the best thing to hit game reviewing since the arsecast?
Some of Yahtzee's previous projects:
6 Days a Sacrifice
Trilby's Notes
5 Days a Stranger
1213 Episodes 1 2 and 3
Adventures in the Galaxy of Fantabulous Wonderment
Labels: ar0907
Bear Go Home is an action game in which players are assigned the objective of helping the protagonist to find his way home. Influence his movements by stretching and squeezing him to get past obstacles, for example pulling his tail to catapult him over pits.
Items such as umbrellas and candles can be used to deflect harmful objects or illuminate your surroundings. This student project is rather short in length, and can be easily beaten in under an hour's time. Shortlisted for this year's BAFTA Ones to Watch Award.
Name: Bear Go Home
Developer: Phoenix Seed
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 70MB
Gameplay video: Watch
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
Manifold is a room-by-room platform puzzle game with a little twist - the player can shoot "anomalies" against walls which propel the player in any given direction.
It's quite short, more of a prototype that a fleshed out game, but worth checking out nonetheless!
Name: Manifold
Developer: Joe Lesler
Category: Platform
Type: Browser
Play: On Kongregate, here
Labels: pl0907
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Adrian has compiled a list of freeware games released in 2007, complete with a screenshot for each entry and sorted by category. This definite bookmark item currently contains over two hundred games. Recommendations are also included.
Adrian Werner's Guide to 2007 Freeware Games
Labels: ar0907
Sunday, September 23, 2007
i've been talking with simon carless and matt wegner of the igf triumvirate and they have handed down a pretty exciting decision: games created with game maker are now eligible for the main and student competitions of the independent games festival.
game maker games had previously been disallowed because of a technicality: in order for a game to be eligible, the authors must be capable of commercially distributing it. because there's a cash prize for the competition, you see. well, the igf committee did their research, and it turns out game maker games authors are totally able to sell their games. hence, they are eligible.
the deadline for entering the main competition is on october first, a week away. there's also an obscene usd95 entry fee. i think it's important, though, to show that games can be made by people who are not coders. i think it's vital to the medium, in fact, that lack of programming experience not be a barrier to a person producing the game she's envisioned.
so show these folks what you've got, kids.
game maker games had previously been disallowed because of a technicality: in order for a game to be eligible, the authors must be capable of commercially distributing it. because there's a cash prize for the competition, you see. well, the igf committee did their research, and it turns out game maker games authors are totally able to sell their games. hence, they are eligible.
the deadline for entering the main competition is on october first, a week away. there's also an obscene usd95 entry fee. i think it's important, though, to show that games can be made by people who are not coders. i think it's vital to the medium, in fact, that lack of programming experience not be a barrier to a person producing the game she's envisioned.
so show these folks what you've got, kids.
(recently translated to English; repost)
Kaipuu is a platformer by Virtanen which is heavily inspired by Seiklus and an extension to their earlier release entitled Painajainen. Power-ups can be collected for new abilities such as double jumps and pushing blocks.
Placed first in the recent Suomipelit game development competition. To save a game, simply press the down arrow key when standing right in front of the stone located at the starting point. Load your saved progress by choosing the second option from the main menu. Use the enter key to access a world map.
Name: Kaipuu
Developer: Virtanen Games
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Download page: Click here
Labels: pl0907
Walaber's JelloCar is an experimental XNA game project which uses his soft body physics library. The game involves driving a car that can change shape with the press of a key, an action which will be repeated quite frequently before the end of each stage is reached.
Press the space key to change the shape of your vehicle, and use the arrow keys to move the car around. Tap the escape key at any time to leave a game in progress or to quit the program directly. [source: Fun-Motion]
Labels: ac0907
Saturday, September 22, 2007
ABA, OMEGA, Queasy Games: Brandon scores an exclusive chat with Kenta Cho, OMEGA and Jonathan Mak in the same sitting.
Everyday Shooter: Kotaku has done another preview of Jonathan Mak's Everyday Shooter. Expect to hear about the new project from Queasy Games sometime in the near future.
Typhoon 2001: A Linux port of Typhoon 2001 can be expected next week.
FAQ: FAQ updated with information about changing keyboard layout for games which uses the Z, X, C mapping.
According to the official web site for Plasma Pong, the download link and information page for this freeware game had been taken down until further notice.
The forums are still up, while the game itself can be acquired from Download.com and CHIP Online. Both Washington Post and Gamasutra interviews had revealed that a multi-player version was in the works before this setback.
Apparently you can't do a Pong remake without approval from Atari it seems.
Labels: ar0907
A collection of freeware games for the Mac:
http://shinh.skr.jp/osxbin/
Titanion, Gunroar, Torus Trooper, A7XPG, Tumiki Fighters, PARSEC47
isshiki's games: Area 2048
Shmups
Noiz2sa and rRootage
Grid Wars
Gamma Bros
Alien Abduction (Defender clone)
Space Giko Harriya-n (Space Harrier clone)
ToJam Thing
Arcade
Millenipede (Centipede remake)
flOw
XIQ
Frets on Fire
Swarm Racer
Stair Dismount
Pogo Sticker
Tremulous
Route 960
Exolon DX
Super Obliteration
Heads Over Heels
Strategy
The Ur-Quan Masters (Star Control 2 remake)
FreeCol (Colonization remake)
Battle for Wesnoth
UFO: Alien Invasion
Gate 88
Platformers
N
Cave Story (translation patch)
Alex the Allegator 4
The Goonies 20th Anniversary
Adventure
Facade
Narcissu
Nearly Departed
Puzzlers
Rooms
Enigma (Oxyd remake)
Rocks'n'Diamonds (Boulder Dash, Emerald Mine, Supaplex and Sokoban remake)
Apple's Mac OS X games page has about 600-odd titles to download.
http://shinh.skr.jp/osxbin/
Titanion, Gunroar, Torus Trooper, A7XPG, Tumiki Fighters, PARSEC47
isshiki's games: Area 2048
Shmups
Noiz2sa and rRootage
Grid Wars
Gamma Bros
Alien Abduction (Defender clone)
Space Giko Harriya-n (Space Harrier clone)
ToJam Thing
Arcade
Millenipede (Centipede remake)
flOw
XIQ
Frets on Fire
Swarm Racer
Stair Dismount
Pogo Sticker
Tremulous
Route 960
Exolon DX
Super Obliteration
Heads Over Heels
Strategy
The Ur-Quan Masters (Star Control 2 remake)
FreeCol (Colonization remake)
Battle for Wesnoth
UFO: Alien Invasion
Gate 88
Platformers
N
Cave Story (translation patch)
Alex the Allegator 4
The Goonies 20th Anniversary
Adventure
Facade
Narcissu
Nearly Departed
Puzzlers
Rooms
Enigma (Oxyd remake)
Rocks'n'Diamonds (Boulder Dash, Emerald Mine, Supaplex and Sokoban remake)
Apple's Mac OS X games page has about 600-odd titles to download.
Labels: ar0907
Friday, September 21, 2007
Terry had posted a list of upcoming indie games (complete with gameplay videos) to look out for before leaving on a holiday in Amsterdam.
Recent competitions:
PyWeek 5 (52)
Speedhack (24)
Game In A Day
Shmup-Dev Compo
TIGSource's B-Game Competition (29)
Gaming World Game Design Competition (16)
The Game Creators NVIDIA Competition (50)
Something Awful Game Dev Challenge
Labels: ar0907
Tamanegi is a short vertical shooter which features only three levels. Collect items to increase your upgrade indicator, then press the V key to choose your powerup. Hold the X key to activate your shields, and use the C key to launch a bomb. [2MB, screenshot, download]
Niga Beta is an arena shooter by Comet Mistake which uses both keyboard and mouse for controls. Three worlds are presented to the player at the start of each game. Select a world by using the up and down arrow keys, then make your choice by pressing the left mouse button. The number of souls you have to collect in order to complete each stage is indicated by a gauge on the right portion of the screen. [5MB, screenshot, download]
Labels: sh0907
Roadclub is a top-down 2D racing game developed by Solid Core Entertainment, presumably modelled after the popular Super Cars series. Customization and upgrades are possible with the earnings acquired from competitions. [direct download link]
Labels: ac0907
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Underside: A new screenshot from The Underside can be found at it's official web site. [soundtrack preview - right click to save, The Underside preview, source: Terry]
Roguelikes
Dwarf Fortress: According to this Next Release Task List (a list of changes to implement before release), a new version for Dwarf Fortress can be expected very soon.
Incursion: The final version for Incursion (until early 2008 at least) is out. This freeware roguelike game is available for Linux as well. [main page]
Upcoming Releases
The Sandbox of God remake: There is a small possibility that The Sandbox of God remake could be released this year.
Biddie Crisis: BenH's Biddie Crisis (arena shooter) will be released before the end of the month. [gameplay video, Axion]
Articles
The Indies: The latest edition of GameShark's The Indies is up.
GarageGames Interview: GameDaily BIZ talks to GarageGames' CEO and CTO Josh Williams about the company's recent acquisition by IAC.
Labels: underside
The Illusion of the Tower (18+ only) preview is a short technical demo with only one corridor to explore. There's a couple of fancy options to tinker around with in this release but no real gameplay elements incorporated yet.
A GPU which supports vertex and pixel shader version 2.0 is required to run this demo.
Video: Youtube
Mirrors: Will Host for Food, Megaupload, Rapidshare
Labels: pr0907
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A short clip from Jenova Chen's new PSN game Flower was shown today during Sony's keynote speech at the TGS.
An expansion to flOw was also revealed at the pre-TGS press reception. [video update thanks to haowan]
download trailer (right-click to save)
thatgamecompany
TGC Blog
FLOWer preview
Tokyo Game Show web site
Labels: pr0907
Intro and gameplay video from cactus' Brave Karma Warriors. Release date: 24th December, 2007.
Labels: pr0907
Galaxian 2007 is a remake by Danny Boyd with a couple of bells and whistles not found in the original, though gameplay essentially remains the same. Use the arrow keys to move your ship, and hold the shift key to shoot.Powerups can be collected for temporary firepower upgrades or extra lives.
Name: Galaxian 2007
Developer: danjo
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Labels: sh0907
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
GoldenEye 2D is a GameBoy-style remake of GoldenEye for the Nintendo 64. This version features only one level but includes several bosses and five different weapons which can be acquired by taking out enemies.
Press the enter key to access the current level objectives. Tap the X key rapidly to shoot, or use the Z key to jump.
Name: GoldenEye 2D
Developer: Perfect Run
Category: Platform
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
A twenty minute presentation of Blackwell Unbound by Dave Gilbert, from the IGDA event in New York last month (August 21st, 2007).
There's a lot of videos from the same event posted as well.
Blackwell Unbound presentation: part 1, part 2, part 3
Wadjet Eye Games
According to several sources online, Barry Diller (CEO of IAC) has recently acquired a majority of GarageGames' equity (which includes the Great Games Experiment web site). The GarageGames management team will continue to lead the business under the new partnership while assisting with the development of the new InstantAction network.
When launched, InstantAction.com will be a web-based action gaming portal featuring 3D singleplayer and multiplayer games which will run from any standard web browser with no download or installations required. Plans for a Game Development Fund was also revealed, though no figure was announced yet.
Josh Williams' post
GameDaily BIZ article
InstantAction web site
Kotaku article
Labels: ar0907
Monday, September 17, 2007
There's a new trailer for Everyday Shooter over at the GameTrailers web site. Not too sure what they meant by the description:
This great PC game is now coming home to PlayStation Network!
..since Everyday Shooter was never released for the PC in the first place.
Watch the video
Everyday Shooter web site
Labels: pr0907
From the Bit Blot web site:
"Playing around with some of Aquaria's side quests for seven minutes.
In this video I hang out in Naija's cave, take a nap with a freaky dream, and fight 'Nautilus Prime' to find a new friend.
I also play around with ingredients a little bit... ingredients are part of the Recipe System, and it's starting to feel pretty good. Naija can cook stuff at home or on the go. At home she'll have access to one extra wok. The items she creates can do all sorts of things, like heal her, protect her, speed her up."
Watch the video
Labels: pr0907
The author of Knytt Stories had posted a concept art for his new project, currently titled Night Game.
Additional information from Nifflas, as pointed out by pi (thanks!):
"I want to create a game that takes place in a 2D landscape. The background scenery will contain slopes, but it does not have to be curved like in the demonstration images.
Except for the static terrain, I am only interested in two shapes. Rectangles and Spheres. The player character will be a ball that can be rolled with the left and right arrow keys. Boxes and rectangles collide realistically with the ball, and can be pushed and tipped."
Nifflas working on a physics game? Scrumptious.
Nifflas' Games
Clickteam forum posting
Labels: pr0907
Sunday, September 16, 2007
You might remember a few months ago a game called Qui'Ifon (developer: ultim8p00) was posted about, which had some similarities to Cave Story. Since then, the engine has been reworked, its name has changed to The Undertaking and a new demo has been released, although apparently it was a rushed release so expect some bugs.
Author's description: "It's basically Cave Story meets swords meets Knytt (or Seiklus)." However, he also goes on to say that he wants to distance it from Cave Story.
Labels: cave story, freeware, WIP
Pictured above, a strategy game with puzzle elements named Puzzlegeddon. This cross between Puzzle Quest and Nuclear War recently placed first in the Swedish Game Awards development competition. [gameplay video, screenshots]
Updates
New versions for Fedora Spade Episode 1 and 2 are out. Players can now press the C key to skip text. [direct download link]
Ben's page has migrated to Curses, Foiled.
Releases
Harlan Ellison's I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream adventure game added to the list of games supported by ScummVM.
LittleWing's Fairy Tower pinball simulation game is now available for purchase. A demo can be downloaded from the same information page.
Miscellaneous
Tr00jg had recently interviewed Nifflas for a Dev.Mag article. The magazine is only available in .zip file format.
The author of Bloxorz have made plans for a sequel, but will first concentrate on developing an action game.
Arcanacra playing tips are currently being discussed by Shmups forum members.
Bisse and im9today have announced a remake of Lazrael's Banana Nababa. There's also some misc graphics from the game posted here.
After a lengthy hiatus, the collaborative QBasic scene mag "QB Express" is back, and is now in the second issue of its new run. This issue features the results of the "Qlympics", a best-of-the-community event covering releases between the start of 2003 to mid 2006.
QB Express: Issue #24
Here's a run down of the issue, as posted on qbasicnews.com:
Click the button for more info, and a couple of highlights from the Qlympics!
QB Express: Issue #24
Here's a run down of the issue, as posted on qbasicnews.com:
This issue features NINE tutorials, FIVE articles and the results of this year's Qlympics.
Read Lachie Dazdarian's review of Lodestar, RubyNL's tutorial on "Time Based Motion & Collision Detection", learn about Wireframes from Mentat, or discover what makes a game great, thanks to Joe King. We've also got comics, the Gallery and all the other QB Express mainstays you look forward to every month.
Click the button for more info, and a couple of highlights from the Qlympics!
Labels: ar0907
kufi's Typhoon 2001 was recently updated with a number of changes and fixes. This freeware Tempest remake features power-ups such as the ability to jump, particle lasers, and an A.I. droid which provides some additional firepower.
There's a special bonus stage which can be accessed by collecting six warp tokens. [source: Retro Remakes]
Labels: sh0907
Pipeful Sunday is a decent remake of Pipe Dream, in which the player has to connect pipes on a grid to support a flow of water from one end to another. Using a variety of pipe pieces presently randomly in a queue, the player must construct a path from the start to end piece for the onrushing liquid, which begins flowing after a time delay from the start of the round. A minimum pipe length has to be fulfilled for successful completion of each level.
Name: Pipeful Sunday
Developer: replicorn
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: pu0907
Two very interesting videos highlighted by GameSetWatch this month. The first one is a thirty minute recording from the Independent Games Summit held at the Game Developers Conference 2007. This particular clip features Russell Carroll (of GameTunnel and Reflexive Entertainment) as he talks about marketing independently-developed games, how to manipulate the press and casual game portals, publishing, distribution and advertising.Google video link
download high quality version
original GameSetWatch article
The second video is in a less serious tone, as the popular Consolevania team investigates the current state of games development in Scotland and manages to piece together nearly an hour's worth of barely watchable film footage from their misadventures. Highlights include conversations with participating students from Dare to be Digital, and a trailer from FLUX by Play Technologies.
Google video link
download high quality version
original GameSetWatch article
Labels: ar0907
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Kei Mesuda's Arcanacra was recently updated to version 0.4.0. The game is still playable from any plain internet browser with Flash enabled, and comes with six stages in total plus an online high score table.The game suffers from poor frame rate when window size is set to 2x, but works extremely well when the browser window is running in full screen mode with a desktop resolution of 800 x 600.
It is possible to upload your own replays for later viewing, or watch replays by any of the top ranked players. Push the right arrow key when the main menu is displayed to view the high score table.
play Arcanacra now
instructions
keim's web site
Labels: sh0907
First screenshot from Resonance (2D adventure game from xii games) posted. [source: Gnome's Lair]
Two new screens from Mateusz Skutnik's (Submachine series) Covert Front 2 were recently added to his development journal.
Labels: pr0907
Terry had posted his picks from the TIGSource's recent B-Game Contest competition on his site. Download links are included. [pictured above, cactus' Mondo Medicals]
Charlie had updated his site with a progress report for Space Phallus.
Babarageo is working on a new vertical shooter. [sprites, prototype]
The official site for Sony's Echochrome is up. A new Java application named theHOLE (variation of OLE Coordinate System) was posted on Jun Fujiki's site as well.
A winter edition for Coaster Rider is in the works.
Sean had posted some instructions on how to get Game Maker games to run on Linux.
mrmonkeymans had posted the complete gameplay video for Iwanaga at the highest difficulty setting, split into four parts.
part 1, part 2
part 3, part 4
Iwanaga information page
direct download link
instructions
Friday, September 14, 2007
Poizoned Mind is Pacian's entry to TIGSource's B-Game Competition, and is one of my favourite entries so far. In the game, you’ve been poisoned - but before stepping into the afterlife, Death allows you to take one last look around Zone Five, the run down city where the game takes place.It’s superbly well written, and consequently, lots of fun to explore. The author claims that the game has only one ending - and it does, I suppose - but there are many interesting and funny ways to get there. The game's eight fleshed out characters joke, purr, and wax philiosophical about issues as diverse as death, Elvis's mothership, and gonzo burgers.
Name: Poizoned Mind
Developer: Pacian
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 2.4MB
Download: Directly, here
Labels: ad0907
This is cactus entry for TIGSource's B-Game Competition. It could be described as an illogical puzzle game played from a first person view, with plenty of bizarre elements. And it's downright evil. Most of the levels are designed to confuse you, and the solutions aren't always that easy to figure out. Move around with the arrow keys and press Z to interact with stuff (There are in game instructions, but they might not be that easy to interpret). There are eight levels total, good luck beating them all! There is a complete walkthrough over at cactus' forum for those who find the strange puzzles too hard. His site has also gotten a complete overhaul, and you can now find some new screenshots from his current WIPs and scrapped projects there, and on his forum.
Name: Mondo Medicals
Developer: cactus
Category: FPS/Puzzle/Bizarre
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Jonathan Blow has revealed that Braid will be coming to the Xbox Live Arcade in early 2008. According to XBLArcade:
Braid (Number None Inc.): Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, Braid is a platformer/puzzle game. Journey across seven worlds to rescue a princess—in each world, time behaves in its own peculiar way. Cleverly manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. Braid aims to provide a mind-expanding, filler-free experience.
Mr. Blow has confirmed that a PC version is in the works as well.
- read the announcement
- XBLArcade article
Labels: ar0907
Platform is an episodic browser-based platform game that is updated with a new level each week. Levels provide a variety of familiar platforming staples such as moving platforms, insta-death spikes, water and switches. The need to swap back and forth between the two protagonists is also heavily incorporated into the gameplay.Arrow keys or A/D move, Z jumps. Switching between characters is achieved via the spacebar.
Requires shockwave.
Name: Platform
Category: Platformer
Type: Browser
Labels: pl0907, platformer
Monday, September 10, 2007
JTR's The Crypts of Despair (a bite-size roguelike game by the creator of Death Worm) was recently updated to version 1.0. The biggest addition to this release is an online high score table.Use the F1 function key to access game instructions, and press the F4 key to switch between windowed and full screen mode.
download The Crypts of Despair
tips by Baptistry
online high score table
Labels: ad0907
YoYo Games has begun porting the Game Maker engine for the Mac, with plans to release a beta before the end of the year. Users will soon have the option to develop games on the Mac as well as run on the Mac.This is carried out in parallel with work on writing the Game Maker runner in C++, which could eventually mean that games could possibly run on other devices such as the Nintendo DS.
Read announcement
Labels: ar0907
DroneSwarm is a new 2D horizontal shooter developed by monoRAIL using the Torque Game Builder Engine. Hold the Z key to shoot, and hold the X key to detonate a drone when you have one at your disposal. Tap the X key to freeze your drones in a fixed position or to release them. Increase the efficiency level to acquire drones.The current build is for demo purposes only. A final version will be released by the end of September 2007.
Name: DroneSwarm
Developer: monoRAIL
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Gameplay trailer from Kyle Gabler (Experimental Gameplay Project) and Ron Carmel's 2D Boy debut production, World of Goo.
According to Kyle:
"Gameplay in World of Goo is 100% physically simulated, and each level is thematically extraordinary, visually iconic, and always related to a story arc. There is very little asset re-use between levels, which is expensive in the sense that I have to create unique art by hand for every level, but as I'm seeing the game come together, I'm kinda happy how beautiful (or at least original) it is becoming."
- watch high res version
- download trailer (right-click to save)
- play Tower of Goo
Labels: pr0907
Raigan Burns and Mare Sheppard were recently interviewed by Joystiq. Juicy information about their next project can be found in the same article, including a hint that Robotology will first appear on the PC and Mac platforms sometime next year or 2009.
read the article here
download N
visit the metablog
The Way of the Ninja (official site for N series)
Labels: ar0907
Battle Garden is a first person rail shooter with unlockable weapons and good frame rate when configured to run at the lowest quality, though the game itself is rather short and loops after six or seven scenes.
Left click to shoot and move the target towards the bottom of the screen to reload. Medkits can be shot at to restore health, indicated at the top left of the screen. [source: kmk.blog.hu]
Name: Battle Garden
Developer: Net Terminator
Category: Action
Type: Browser
Labels: ac0907
DHTML Lemmings is a port of the classic puzzle game in which you help hordes of creatures dressed in blue escape their hostile environments.
Passwords and the levels completed are stored in cookies. Progress information will be deleted when cookies are cleaned up. [source: Ovine by Design and Retro Remakes]
Name: DHTML Lemmings
Developer: crisp
Category: Puzzle
Type: Browser
Labels: pu0907
Flu Fighters is a Flash creation by Martin Jonasson, in which the player has to defend the four organs that are spread out in the body by eating the bacteria attacking them. The bacteria stick to your tongue, and you can eat them by moving the tip of the tongue to your mouth. [source: Kloonigames]Name: Flu Fighters
Developer: Martin Jonasson
Category: Action
Type: Browser
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Iwanaga is an action game that is reminiscent of arcade classics like Cabal and Blood Bros., in which the player has to dodge swarms of bullets while shooting back at enemies at the same time.
Hold the Z key to shoot, and use the X key for special moves such as double jumps or dash. The default control scheme can be switched easily during combat.
Items are collected automatically when your character isn't shooting at enemies. Orange items restore health, while blue ones increase your secondary weapon charge and time limit. Swap between both weapons by pressing the X and down cursor key.
Bullets can be slashed by tapping the Z key rapidly, This only works on projectiles with a purplish tinge and not the ones which are blue in color.
There's a certain balance to maintain as shots weaken after prolonged use, so switching weapons regularly can be vital to maintain health and increase the time limit. A small hit point will appear when the Z key is held down.
The final boss requires a certain strategy to beat, and much like Buster's Vacant Ark multiple endings are included for each difficulty setting. Use 7-Zip to unpack the files, and JoyToKey for joypad support.
Name: Iwanaga
Developer: Buster
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 10MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
Friday, September 07, 2007
Just a little teaser of what's to come from Cryptic Sea.
A gameplay video from 2D Boy's World of Goo will be posted this coming Monday.
Labels: pr0907
thatgamecompany (TGC) is a game studio headed by Kellee Santiago and Jenova Chen, a name tied closely to two of the most memorable indie games in recent times - Cloud and flOw.
As pointed out on their games page, a new PS3 downloadable game is currently under development. It was revealed in a forum thread that limited info about the untitled project will be announced at the Montreal International Game Summit this coming November 2007.
Kellee had also stated that their next release is not a sequel to Cloud but an entirely different creation.
Bernie is working on two platformers concurrently (pictured above).
Updates
Kenta Cho's Least Best Room upgraded to version 0.2. This experimental shooter now comes with indestructible bubbles and updated graphical effects.
A new patch for Fate by Numbers (1GB noir adventure game) is now available. This update fixes Vista compatibility issues.
According to Paul, Fate by Numbers was originally conceived as a trilogy. [more info]
Competitions/Articles
PyWeek Number 5 (a game programming challenge) is currently in progress, and will end this Sunday.
bit-tech.net had recently published up a four-page article about The World of Indie Games.
Upcoming Releases
Graham Goring's Wizball remake is nearly done. [podcast show]
Cryptic Sea plans to release Gish 2 by early 2008.
Combat Heaven Next is GamePure's newly released sequel to their popular action game involving mechs and tanks, though this particular edition introduces some platforming elements as well.
Use the W, A and D keys to move your soldier around. Press the space or left control key to switch weapons, and hold the left mouse button to shoot. Double jumps and dash are possible by tapping a directional movement key repeatedly.
Five stages only, with a bonus level to be found for the diligent.
Name: Combat Heaven Next
Developer: GamePure
Category: Action
Type: Browser
Labels: ac0907
Binary Zoo's arena shooter, Mono was recently updated to include joypad support. The development team is currently working on a new project, tentatively titled Tension.
Mono download page
All games
Labels: sh0907
A new gameplay video from the third stage of Valdis Story was recently posted. The original two level demo is still available from Endless Fluff's web site. [direct download link]
Labels: pr0907
Think Sokoban.
Name: NIX
Developer: Karl-Heinz Jahns
Category: Puzzle
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: pu0907
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Wielding a pistol in each hand? Outdated. How about a hero with two additional limbs and the capacity to carry four different weapons at the same time? Let's add cowboy zombies, skeletal robots, and naked people for good measure. A dash of telekinesis power wouldn't be out of place either, because Half-Life made it cool.
Mutant is overhead third person 3D shooter featuring a protagonist with four arms, and the gameplay does seem to resemble a mix of Crimsonland plus Alien Shooter. No demo yet, but a trailer has been made available for download from Napoleon Games' web site.
Watch trailer on Youtube
download 50MB trailer
Mutant information page
Labels: pr0907
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
A screenshot from Pug Fugly's latest project, tentatively titled Glum. Chris (creator of Return to Sector 9) hints that the new platformer will have puzzle elements. And flowers.
Glum announcement
Pug Fugly Games
Labels: pr0907
Spout is a Thrust-like game, but with a small twist. Fumes from your ship can be used to destroy your surroundings, though the resulting effect does cause the craft to move in the opposite direction.
The aim of the game is to head towards the top of the screen continously and gain precious seconds by breaking through the line indicators. The executable is located inside the SDL folder. [thanks to raigan]
Name: Spout
Developer: kuni
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
Play This Thing (formerly Games Rule OK) is a new web site from Manifesto Games, created with the objective of featuring a special game each day - freeware, IF, mods and especially independent games.
All reviews come with meaty descriptions, and most of the articles are written by the head honcho himself Greg Costikyan (latest entry from Emily Short). If the promise of daily updates is kept, then this site is definitely one to bookmark.
visit Play This Thing
Manifesto Games
Labels: ar0907
In conjunction with TIGSource's B-Game Competition, here are a couple of promising games with decent gameplay but intentionally features bland textures or blocky sprites.
"Rhapsody (pictured above) is an upcoming indie RPG similar to the Japanese style RPGs for the SNES and early Playstation titles." - Blake, programmer [source: Jimbob and Total Klik]
Updates
Knytt Stories version 1.0.2 released. [change list]
Fraxy gets a new update plus English translation.
Incursion (freeware roguelike game) updated to version 0.6.2F.
Warsow (freeware 3D FPS) version 0.32 released.
Dicewars DS (a Nintendo DS port of GameDesign's popular dice strategy game) updated to version 0.3.6.
Upcoming Releases
Binary Zoo might work on a sequel to DUO once Tension (the latest game in development) is completed and released to the public.
Two new screenshots from Trapped posted. A work in progress. [Grid Assault, Thrust Xtreme]
Paul is hinting that a new version for Saucelifter could be released soon. [Saucelifter - latest build, Sword of Fargoal]
Information about the future Ben Jordan episodes are posted regularly on Grundislav's development diary.
A new version for Typhoon 2001 will be released later this week. [download page]
Miscellaneous
Walkthroughs for several of Daniel Remar's games were recently posted.
Results for the Wadjet Eye fanart contest announced.
New entry added to Matt Thorson's Jumper 3: Infinite Castle development journal. [Jumper series]
The latest edition of GameShark's The Indies is up. This bi-weekly feature is written by James Fudge, and focuses on a collection of complete (and incomplete) Sourceforge projects, casual games, shareware plus the occasional free stuff.
Also, free plug for them because they mentioned Independent Gaming.
There are fifteen issues worth of reading material so if the features index isn't already in your bookmarks then now is probably a good time to do a some catching up. How about a weekly schedule, James?
Also, free plug for them because they mentioned Independent Gaming.
There are fifteen issues worth of reading material so if the features index isn't already in your bookmarks then now is probably a good time to do a some catching up. How about a weekly schedule, James?
Labels: ar0907
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Blackwell Unbound is now available for purchase from Wadjet Eye Games' web site, the second in a series of paranormal investigations written by Dave Gilbert. This episode features the talent of Erin Robinson (Spooks), and introduces a new central character named Lauren Blackwell, who is the aunt of Rosangela.
No demo available yet, but one can be expected fairly soon.
Wadjet Eye Games' web site
Blackwell Unbound info page
Labels: ad0907
Dare to be Digital is an annual competition in which students from different institutions are gathered, split into teams of five, then placed in a hosting centre for a period of ten weeks to create a prototype of a game. Three winners in different categories were announced during the recent award presentation ceremony at University of Abertay Dundee in Scotland. The three winners will be included the short list for this year's BAFTA Ones to Watch Award.
Pictured above is Bear Go Home, description as follows:
Players must help Bear find his way home but, without direct control over the bear, they must influence his movement by stretching and squeezing him to keep him safe.
All competition entries are available to download from the showcase page. Use the login 'indygamer' and password 'password' to access the download section without going through the hassle of registering. [source: GameSetWatch]
Labels: ar0907
Recording of three sessions from the Free Play 2007 event held in Australia were recently posted on Sumea's web site, with talks centered around indie game development, prototyping and securing publishing deals.
Each video is roughly eighty minutes long. Jonathan Blow also provides some helpful hints to budding programmers about the basics of making platformers during his speech. The Torque Game Engine is criticized by Mahomed of Gridwerx halfway through the second video as well.
Video download page
GameSetWatch mention
ACMI web site
Labels: ar0907
Monday, September 03, 2007
The Chronicles of Oswyn Throckmorton is an adventure game set in a time when pirates thrife from plunder and fear. A context-sensitive verb menu much like the one used in Revolution Software's Lure of the Temptress (now freeware) will be employed for object interaction purposes. Character art is supplied by Helm.
The first episode is scheduled for a release sometime in summer 2008.
Labels: pr0907
A screenshot from the upcoming fan made project, Starfox: Shadows of Lylat. The game is built using the Freespace_Open engine, but a release date is still far from being announced.
screenshots forum thread
Starfox: Shadows of Lylat FAQ
Labels: pr0907
Quiescence is an abstract arena shooter by Jph with gameplay elements from the classic Snake mixed with some rather odd controls. Use the arrow keys to move around, and hold the left shift key to shoot. The objective of the game is to collect all green orbs in each level while avoiding yellow objects, though it's possible to shoot at them to remove the immediate threat.
Press the end key to restart at any time. Hold the control key to remain stationary, and use the space key to start a game from the main menu.
Name: Quiescence
Developer: Jph
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
The Lila Experiments is another abstract shooter by Jph, in which the player's ship is constantly attracted to several black orbs on screen. Collect green orbs before they turn red, and use the Z key to shoot at red orbs to turn some of them back to their original color.
Your shots are limited to a gauge shown at the top of the screen. Collect more green orbs to increase this meter, and hold the X key to keep your ship stationary. Hold the end key to restart the game at any time or view the instructions.
Name: The Lila Experiments
Developer: Jph
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here
Labels: ac0907
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Platformers
Jumper 3: Infinite Castle announced. The latest sequel will employ a completely retro look and feel.
An English translated version of Virtanen's Kaipuu (a Seiklus-like platformer) is in the works. [previous mention]
Remakes
A new version for Typhoon 2001 is in the works. [download page]
Apparently there is another Spindizzy remake currently in development.
Articles
A new edition of Weekly Freeplay is out. Categorizing Knytt Stories as a Flash browser game is erroneous though.
MarkUp issue 7 (the official GM magazine) is now available for download.
The Guardian of Paradise walkthrough is now available. [AGTP download page]
PC Gamer's Top 100 2007 is a list of the best one hundred games for the year 2007, chosen at random by ten journalists. Cave Story is nowhere in it, but here are a couple of indie games selected for prestigious mentions:
98. N
85. Uplink
75. Masq
51. Defcon
40. Peggle
35. Darwinia
Read page 1, 100 - 51
Read page 2, 50 - 1
98. N
85. Uplink
75. Masq
51. Defcon
40. Peggle
35. Darwinia
Read page 1, 100 - 51
Read page 2, 50 - 1
Labels: ar0907
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Serious Sam-I-Am is a scrolling action game in the style of Metal Slug, developed by The Podunkian for a recent competition. Use the W, A, S and D keys for movement. Tap the space key to jump. Press the left or right mouse button to shoot and snipe.
Don't miss the intro as the included level is only a few screens long.
Name: Serious Sam-I-Am
Developer: The Podunkian
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB
Labels: ac0907
English versions for both Crocodile Garden and Marble Seals were recently posted on Anahara Masataka's home page. Fans of Sokoban would be interested in the former, a game about transporting alligators to their watery abodes.
Obstacles block your way frequently but these can be pushed away using bulldozers which only moves forward or backwards. Climb into a vehicle from it's sides, and grab a reptile using the enter key. [original review]
Crocodile Garden download page
Labels: pu0907
A recorded video of Jonathan Blow's lecture given during the Independent Games Summit in March was made available by GameSetWatch for viewing. There's a lengthy gameplay demonstration from Braid which begins around the fifteen minute mark, as Mr. Blow explains about the importance of prototyping. He also manages to slip in a subtle hint about what his next game will be.
- watch it on google video
- download the 170MB .mov file
- read the article
- prototype download page
Labels: pr0907
To celebrate the 12th anniversary of Command and Conquer's release, the original Command & Conquer Gold has been offered on EA's site as a free 1GB download together with instructions on how to get the game working on PCs with Windows XP installed. [source: Retro Remakes]
Grab the game here
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