Drink Responsibly

Posted by Derek Yu Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:14:00 GMT

I lol’ed!

(Thanks, Golds!)

Posted in Community, Casual, Videos, Physics | 31 comments

Jonathan Blow Interview: "No Compromises"

Posted by Derek Yu Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:17:00 GMT

Matthew Boyd (Three Panel Soul), who interviewed Tarn Adams for Kwanzoo.com about a month ago, just did another, shorter, interview with Jonathan Blow, where they discuss Braid, Microsoft, and the nature of being an independent developer.

In the past, I’ve noticed that before Braid was released, some people have took issue with Jon being vocal about his opinions regarding the games industry and the development process. Has that changed at all for you guys?

In any case, I’m digging these interviews. Keep ‘em up, Matt!

Posted in Community, Interviews | Tags JonathanBlow | 123 comments

Yahtzee on Braid

Posted by Derek Yu Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:14:00 GMT

I’ve got a backlog of new indie games I want to tell you about, but ‘til I find the time you’ll have to hear our friend Yahtzee yap about an “old” one (so totally not old). Does anyone else wonder whether he’s wearing clothes while he records these? No? Uh, me neither!

Posted in Community, Videos | Tags JonathanBlow, Yahtzee | 44 comments

Sick Panda is Hallucinating From the Morphine

Posted by Derek Yu Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:50:00 GMT

Posted in Community | 24 comments

TIGJam 2008: Update!

Posted by Derek Yu Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:43:00 GMT

Okay, so we sold out Flashbang HQ. We topped that fucker off. Awesome! BUT! If enough people still want to attend, we can look for a bigger venue. If you’re still interested in attending, just buy a waitlist ticket, and if we get enough people on the waitlist, we’ll look into moving and/or expanding. If not, everyone on the waitlist will get refunded their $50.

Also, people have suggested throwing multiple simultaneous TIGJams around the world – this is a great idea and should be carried out with due diligence! Even if it’s just you sitting in your bedroom being creative for 3 days straight, DO IT! If possible, we should hook up webcams so that it’s easy for everyone to join in on the fun.

Hit up the TIGJam 2008 forums to coordinate your own TIGJam, or ask questions or whatever. fist pump

(Video Source: Otaku42)

Posted in Nerd Love, Community | 11 comments

Updates: Featuring George Hamilton

Posted by Derek Yu Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:08:00 GMT

Dwarf Fortress 0.28.181.40c – miscellaneous bug fixes from the last big update.

The Spirit Engine 2 1.1 – bugs fixed, requested interface features added.

Toribash 3.41 – lots of new additions since the last time we posted about this game, like more options for modding. The latest update added private servers. (Thanks, Tim!)

Transcendence 0.99c – the space-faring roguelike-ish action game is nearing v1.0! Major changes to the Eridani system and the Korolov Shipping Corporation. Also, space stations can explode. (Thanks, McAndrews!)

ADDED: Cortex Command Build 21 – support of multiple screen resolutions (including HD), new audio system, integration of LUA and console. The groundwork has been laid for a full-featured campaign mode, among other things! Go, Data! (Thanks, Valkyrie!)

George Hamilton 1.0 – hasn’t changed a bit, still as perfect as ever.

Posted in Community | 11 comments

9/11 Invaders Installation Pulled From Leipzig Games Convention

Posted by Derek Yu Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:58:00 GMT

Don’t ask me why, but I’m kind of fascinated by controversial games right now. The games, the ensuing discussion, and their ultimate “place” in gaming history. If you’re not, however, then apologies in advance.

Artist Douglas Stanley has asked the Leipzig Games Convention to pull his installation, citing “a steady downward spiral in public discussion of the piece” as the reason. Stanley’s work, which lets players fight a futile battle against classic Space Invaders as they attack the Twin Towers, has drawn fire across the board – from Taito, who is considering a lawsuit against Stanley and/or the organizers of the event, to families of 9/11 victims. The controversy was also fueled over speculation that Stanley is French (in actuality he is an American living in France).

It should be noted that, unlike Sigvatr (Muslim Massacre), Stanley has publicly expressed that the game is partly a criticism of America’s war in the Middle East. And Kotaku’s Michael McWhertor, who played the game, reveals that a video loop plays next to the game, featuring “scenes from the films Taxi Driver, Independence Day, Air Force One and Die Hard — all of which are American made films with a xenophobic streak — interspersed with stills of George W. Bush in his flight suit and John Wayne pointing a gun at the screen.” (This makes the controversy over Stanley’s nationality somewhat ironical, I feel.) Also, on the “Game Over” screen the game displays “SUPPORT OUR TROOPS,” for whatever that’s worth.

I understand that depicting the 9/11 terrorist attacks in anything other than complete seriousness is still considered taboo for many Americans, but I’m still surprised that this drew so much outrage. Call me naive.

(Image Source: Kotaku)

Posted in Games and Art?, Social Impact, Community | Tags DouglasStanley | 83 comments

It's TIGJam!!!

Posted by Derek Yu Sat, 23 Aug 2008 02:39:00 GMT

Guys, I’m very pleased to announce that TIGSource and Flashbang Studios are teaming up, like Batman and Superman-styles, to throw the first-ever TIGJam – a three-day creative pow-wow in the red-hot Arizona desert. Bring your projects to work on in the company of your fellow indie developers, or start new ones! For those of you trying to meet the November 1st IGF deadline, this might be a great time to get some feedback. For everyone else, just be ready to have fun, make friends, and create some cool stuff. Sleep is totally optional.

There is a $50 registration fee, which will help keep the brass monkeys, soda, and snacks flowing during the jam, and will also cover the post-jam celebratory dinner and ensuing party on Sunday. Space is also somewhat limited, so if you’re serious about attending, sign up soon! Head here for online registration, as well as more detailed directions.

We’re hoping this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful tradition. Look out for more info (and possibly some surprises) as the date approaches. Depending on how many people decide to show up, lodging should be free or cheap. We’ll let you know.

Hope to see you there! Let us know what you think!

Posted in Nerd Love, Community, Developers | Tags FlashbangStudios | 64 comments

Everyday Shooter Heading for PSP

Posted by Derek Yu Thu, 21 Aug 2008 12:19:00 GMT

Everyday Shooter, Jonathan Mak’s acclaimed musical shoot ‘em up, is heading to PSP, according to a Sony press release announcing the new PSP-3000. Players can buy an “Entertainment Pack” which includes the new PSP, along with a 4GB Memory Stick and a voucher to download the PSP version of Everyday Shooter from the Playstation Store. The entire bundle is $200.

No word on how much the game will cost alone, or what Jon’s involvement with the port is.

(Thanks, architekt!)

Posted in Mobile / Handheld, Shoot-em-ups, Community, PS3, Previews | Tags JonathanMak | 35 comments

GCDC: Telltale on Episodic Gaming

Posted by Derek Yu Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:43:00 GMT

Gamasutra has a nice little write-up of Telltale co-founder and CEO Dan Connors’ GCDC talk on the episodic gaming biz. There’s nothing particularly revelatory there, but it’s a nice summary of what they do. And there are some interesting tidbits like this:

Telltale recently released the first episode of their Strong Bad game, titled “Strong Bad’s Cool Game for Attractive People.”

Posted in Business, Community, Developers | Tags TelltaleGames | 5 comments