Problems Solved

Posted by Derek Yu Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:34:00 GMT

Hey guys, sorry for the downtime. Had some hosting problems which were taken care of quickly by our metalloid machine monster, Jeff. Links and comments should now work!

2 comments

The State of DS Homebrew

Posted by Derek Yu Thu, 17 Aug 2006 10:40:00 GMT

Modojo has a nice article out called “The State of DS Homebrew” which covers all the basic aspects of the DS homebrew scene, like vocabulary, emulators, games, and apps. It definitely is not detailed enough to get you up and running homebrew games on your DS, but it serves as kind of a nice entrypoint for further research.

The image on the left is from an independent DS game called “No Place To Hide!”

(Source: Joystiq)

In other news, I’ve got a huge amount of space left to write here, because I chose a ridiculously tall image to attach to this post. But I can’t think of anything to say… except “NHP 4 lyfe.”

Posted in Homebrew, Mobile / Handheld | 1 comment

New Dot Fighters web site

Posted by Tim Thu, 17 Aug 2006 05:37:00 GMT

Takase’s web site has moved. Latest news about Dot Fighters can be found at his blog, while the ArmJoe download is available from this page.

Don’t forget to update your bookmarks. Click here for the Dot Fighters video preview at T-Lab.

Dot Fighters was previously mentioned on TIGSource on two separate occasions and GameSetWatch as well, so I suppose the anticipation for this game is pretty high.

Posted in Previews, Fighters, Windows, Doujin | no comments

Frets on Fire

Posted by Shabadage Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:06:00 GMT

Well, it’s finally happened. Someone has taken the great gameplay of Guitar Hero, and ported it over to the PC. Yes, ladies and gentleman; you now have a legitimite reason to hold your keyboard like an axe.

The legitimacy is provided by Frets on Fire, a fun freeware effort. I’ve had neighbors look in the window while I’ve been playing this great game, and the confused looks on their faces were completely priceless.

While the base install only include a few songs, you can download new ones at Keyboards on Fire. While the selection is a bit small at the moment, it’s growing each day.

If you’re a geek who’s ever had delusions of rock star grandeur; I don’t think there’s anyway better to work it out of your system than to play this game. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to duct tape a neck onto one of my spare keyboards.

Posted in Linux, Freeware, Windows | 3 comments

Indie Superstar

Posted by Derek Yu Wed, 16 Aug 2006 02:30:00 GMT

“Indie superstar / that is what you are
Coming from afar / reaching for the stars
Run away with me / to another place
We can rely on each other uh huh
From one corner to another uh huh”

Posted in Community | 17 comments

XNA

Posted by Derek Yu Tue, 15 Aug 2006 10:37:00 GMT

So yeah, I guess the big news right now is that Microsoft is releasing a toolkit called XNA Game Studio Express that will let anyone with $99 create titles simulataneously for XBox 360 and PC. The caveat is that in order for people to play your games on their 360, they also need to have paid $99 to join the “XNA Creator’s Club” and must have the appropriate runtimes installed on their console. Then they can download your source files (via XBox Live?) and compile them to play. Commercial PC games can be made with Express, however.

Later, M$ is planning on releasing XNA Game Studio Professional, which will allow you to create commercial games for XBox.

The beta of XNA Studio Express is going out August 30th, and, since it is beta, you will not be able to share games made with it on XBox 360.

Link: XNA FAQ (Microsoft)

EDIT: Oh yeah, there’s a XNA team blog, too.

(Source: Gamasutra)

Posted in Xbox 360, Community, Developers | 8 comments

Upcoming Free Lunch Design Games

Posted by Tim Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:06:00 GMT

Free Lunch Design of Icy Tower fame is currently working on three new games. One of them is Hodja and the Sleeping Eggplant. If you’re wondering why the screenshot is rather small, it’s because all three games in development are for the mobile platform! Here’s a description snagged from the web site:

“All Hodja’s sister wants for her birthday is a sleeping eggplant; too bad they’re almost impossible find! Hodja and the Sleeping Eggplant is a non-linear platform game of exploration and puzzles, power ups and surprises. Guide Hodja on his adventureous search for the sleeping eggplant, a journey filled to the brim with excitement! “

One player, with a 2006 release date. Could this possibly signal the end of free meals from FLD? Only time will tell, eh…

Posted in Platformers, Mobile / Handheld, Previews | 9 comments

Blender Bullet Physics 2006 Contest

Posted by ARelativelyHotGirl Mon, 14 Aug 2006 12:20:00 GMT

For many years Blender (the crossplatform Open Source 3D modelling/rendering package) has had a very unrefined ability to make games. Only recently, with many rewrites and the integration of the Bullet Physics Engine, are we starting to see some real potential for coolness.

The advantage of using Blender (in addition to the whole it-being-free thing) is that the creator can model, animate and script all within the same package. None of the entrants are particularly great games, but the winner, Club Silo, is the most visually impressive Blender game project to date.

For a quick overview, one can view the YouTube Video of the entrants. To play or edit the games, the latest version of Blender is required. Load up the desired game’s .Blend file into Blender, hit CTRL+UP in the game window and press P to play. Recommended more for developers than gamers atm.

Posted in Competitions, Linux, Windows | 2 comments

Dragon Shmup Contest

Posted by Tim Mon, 14 Aug 2006 06:53:00 GMT

The latest Shmup-Dev competition results are out, but with very little to cheer for as most participants either dropped out of the contest or were disqualified.

Still, there are seven playable entries though many are not particularly striking either. Plus the innumerable delays had caused a loss of interest when the actual winners were announced.

I was also expecting to read different views for best graphics, sound and most unique category but we’re left with vanilla reviews which is slightly disappointing.

Could the uninspiring prizes be the reason for a lack of success this time around? Or the contest frequency itself? We can only wonder.

A round of applause goes out for of all the contestants. Finishing a game can be a rather daunting task and they deserve credit for the attempt.

Posted in Competitions, Shoot-em-ups, Freeware | 7 comments

Hikoza's New Game

Posted by Tim Mon, 14 Aug 2006 06:52:00 GMT

The latest release from Mr. Warning Forever, RAY-HOUND is an action game which requires no shooting from the player’s part. Trapped in a room with enemies consisting of turrets, you can retaliate by clicking on the left mouse button to muster a shield and send their shots back at them. The other method is to move your ship towards the lasers rapidly to initiate a boost and repel the beams of destruction.

In the options menu, it is possible to adjust and increase the chances of boosting with quick mouse movements by lowering the figure. Press F11 or use the ALT and enter key combination to play in full screen mode.

A timer is always counting down, but you can increase it by destroying all enemies to complete the level. The gameplay system is pretty offbeat, since it can be rather hard to direct shots unless the player is adept at slinging projectiles.

(Source: the2bears)

Posted in Freeware, Shoot-em-ups, Windows, Doujin | 2 comments