Posted by BMcC
Thu, 01 Feb 2007 08:58:00 GMT
Microsoft recently announced ten new games planned for Xbox Live Arcade in 2007, including a few indie titles such as The Behemoth’s Alien Hominid HD, NinjaBee’s Band of Bugs, and Klei Entertainment’s previously-unannounced (big) update of Eets, Eets: Chowdown. But that’s not all!
Friends of TIGSource Metanet Software announced a couple days before this announcement an announcement of their own: In collaboration with aforementioned Klei Entertainment, they plan to bring an upgraded incarnation of N, called N+, to the Arcade as early as Fall this year. Hooray!
Now that I think about it, all these games probably deserve their own separate previews. So, erm… perhaps I’ll do that soon.
Posted in XBox Live Arcade / XNA, Developers | Tags Klei, metanet, NinjaBee, TheBehemoth | 1 comment
Posted by Derek Yu
Mon, 15 Jan 2007 17:18:00 GMT
This Gamasutra article is claiming that increased “security” and parental controls in Windows Vista could spell doom for downloadable games by throwing obstacles in front of potential gamers.
Is this going to be a real problem, or is this just a case of way-to-early doomsaying?
What I really want to know is if that cute little paperclip from Microsoft Word is going to return. I think he should be in all the apps. He’s so helpful. Someday, I’d like him to be the godmother to my children.
(Thanks, Kornel!)
Posted in Community, Developers | 5 comments
Posted by BMcC
Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:50:00 GMT
Cult Flash hit Line Rider has been acquired by InXile Entertainment (The Bard’s Tale) to be published, with “new added features,” for the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Wii videogame consoles, with an anticipated launch date of Spring 2007.
No, really!
Now, what does this mean for linerider.org? I don’t know. The new official Line Rider site is tagged up and down with InXile’s logo, displays their copyright on the bottom, and features an entire section dedicated to don’t screw with us legal jive. Though, in actuality, they probably don’t got the stones to shut down such a massive community. Particularly one they plan to milk dry.
I wonder just how much Mr. Cadež got for this deal. I hope InXile didn’t pull a Platypus.
Posted in Browser Games, Community, Wii, Developers, Physics | 12 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 06 Dec 2006 16:58:00 GMT
Behind Platypus, the fun and charming little claymation shooter, is a tale of woe, one which every indie developer should be aware of. Seriously, this story should be passed around in hushed whispers around campfires. It should be the proverbial boogieman under the bed.
The basic gist of the story: Anthony Flack develops Platypus for a games developer (Idigicon) for around $2000 US, the game becomes a big hit on the internet, Anthony never sees a cent more than his initial flat fee. Now the game is hitting the PSP, minus the original developer’s name in the credits. (Did I mention that his house burned down during the development?)
The worst part is that there’s nothing Anthony can do about it, since he signed away his rights to the game the moment he agreed to work on it.
Read this Indie Gamer thread that Anthony started about it. It’s like watching that movie Scared Straight!, only with game developers instead of juvenile delinquents (although the two groups often overlap).
Here is hoping (with fingers and shoelaces crossed) that Anthony’s next title, Cletus Clay, becomes a huge success for him. It looks great.
(Source: GameSetWatch)
Posted in Shoot-em-ups, Community, Developers | 10 comments
Posted by Eos
Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:28:00 GMT
In other newer news, the 3DU Game Development Contest over at iDevGames are challenging Mac game developers, in a blatant publicity stunt, to create unique 3D Mac games in just 30 days. To enter, simply request a free contest version of Unity Pro, the Mac-based “cutting-edge” game development tool or use any 3D development tool to enter!
The winner will receive Unity Pro ($1499 value) or a ATI Radeon X1900 XTl ($399 value).
As a side note, I wonder how many of you reading this are Mac users?
Posted in Macintosh, Community, Developers, Competitions | 8 comments
Posted by Shabadage
Sat, 25 Nov 2006 08:53:00 GMT
Sauerbraten is the follow up to Cube, a fun freeware shooter released a few years ago. Like Cube, Sauerbraten focuses on letting the user make their own maps in-game. I myself didn’t get to try out the editor, as it seems my system isn’t haas enough to run the game fully. I did, however, enjoy a few levels of mock deathmatch (damn imp…things). The engine is VERY solid, though as a game it’s still lacking a bit (The single player campaign isn’t finished for example, but there are quite a few single player mock deathmatch levels). You can also head over to Quadropolis for even more maps.
But a free FPS isn’t the only game that Sauerbraten (The engine) has up it’s sleeve, there’s an RPG called Eisenstern in development using the engine, and it’s also been licensed for a commercial use by Proper Games, who seem to be pushing the engine to new heights.
Posted in FPS, Community, Windows, Developers, Freeware | 5 comments
Posted by Lorne Whiting
Thu, 23 Nov 2006 00:21:00 GMT
Oh my crap-god! I just hit my eye-bridge thingy with a wooden sword!
Anyway…
A few (around 7?) sites are type’n up some stuff on how to be an indie developer, with advice varying from completely useless to pretty damn useful.
My favorite one is this one by Gameproducer.net.
It’s got a handful of useful advice in it, so I recommend you read it if you’re interested.
Dammit… you know, I figured out categorizing things before, but now…
Posted in Community, Developers | 6 comments
Posted by Tim
Sat, 11 Nov 2006 19:10:00 GMT
I don’t remember if this article was ever posted (it’s over a year old). An interesting read for anyone who has not seen it.
Posted in Community, Developers | 4 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 08 Nov 2006 23:13:00 GMT
Kuro5hin has an article detailing the 6 most common mistakes (that can’t be all) that new indie developers make. Read up! Imagine if all the energy spent going into huge vaporware projects went into manageable, fun little games.
We’d… have a lot of fun little games to play all the time!
From my experience, finishing a game is it’s own separate “thing” to learn, aside from programming, graphics, sound, design, etc. Because inevitably with any project you get better and by the end, the work you’ve already done you could do better. Fight that urge to start over… bite your tongue and finish it up – touch up earlier work if you have to. But FINISH. Because even if it’s not perfect to you, a full release will inevitably win you some fans and give you confidence to complete your next project (and possibly offers of help). Just my two bits!
Posted in Developers | 4 comments
Posted by BMcC
Wed, 01 Nov 2006 10:01:00 GMT
Garage Games has released the Torque Game Engine version 1.5. (For those of you who don’t know, the Torque Engine is a comprehensive 3D game-centric SDK targeted at independent developers.)
Some of the bigger additions to version 1.5 include an integrated 3D lighting kit, expanded Mac support, and new art tools and assets. All this comes with a larger $150 price tag (for indies), though previous owners may upgrade for a smaller fee.
Check out the Torque Game Engine site for more detailed information on the engine, some games made with the engine, and specifics of the 1.5 upgrade. OR ELSE.
Posted in Community, Developers | 18 comments
