Posted by Derek Yu
Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:25:00 GMT
Games For Windows is fast becoming the most indie-friendly magazine around, what with its 3-page spread on Dwarf Fortress (yes!) a few months ago, and now this little write-up (scan) on Knytt. Go Nifflas!
And by the way, I had no idea Knytt was pronounced “KNIGHT.” I’ve been pronouncing it “KNIT” this whole time. I don’t think that’s gonna stop, either. Also, I’ve been pronouncing metanet’s N as “CHEESEBURGER,” which I’m now worried is totally wrong.
And The Underside as “CAVE STORY.” (Ohsnapwtfbbqkekekekejk <3.)
(Thanks very much to The DMac for the news/scan!)
Posted in Platformers, Community, Windows, Developers | Tags Nifflas | 27 comments
Posted by Terry
Tue, 30 Oct 2007 17:07:00 GMT
There’s a good chance you’ve already heard the news by now: a week or so ago Nicklas “Nifflas” Nygren announced the Knytt Experiment, a totally goal-less version of Knytt with one level, built out from the centre of an empty world with user submitted maps. After working on that for a couple of days, he cancelled the project, along with the new Knytt Stories expansion. Apparently, he feels that the success of Knytt Stories has put a lot of pressure on him to produce something at the same standard, and that it’s affecting the quality of his work. On the future of his projects, he had this to say:
I’ll definitely keep creating games, but I need to find the way back to the spirit I had when I created Knytt, when nothing mattered except just the artistic expression. One step in this is probably to keep my future projects secret. You’ll probably not even know about them before the release.
(You can read the full forum post here.)
Nevertheless, Knytt Experiment is basically finished, and released. You can find it here, on his forums. At the moment it’s quite small, but it’s growing all the time – when you first start it up, you’ll only have access to the centre room. To get the latest maps, simply select the “update world” option under each of the level types.
It’s much closer to the original Knytt than to Knytt Stories: the only differences are that the map now scrolls, that your Knytt is invincible (in fact there’s nothing to hurt him), and that he can float in the air with a balloon (making exploration a lot easier). Unfortunately there’s no music (which is a big part of the Knytt experience for me), but I guess that’ll only add to the atmosphere for some people. I played it with the Silent Hill 2 soundtrack in the background, which worked pretty well, heh.
In summary, nice work, Nicklas! I for one can’t wait to see what you come up with next, regardless of what direction you go in.
Posted in Platformers, Games and Art, Windows, Developers | Tags Nifflas | 11 comments
Posted by Terry
Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:48:00 GMT
Wasn’t Knytt Stories fun? Nifflas hasn’t compiled a new third party expansion pack just yet, but there are quite a few candidates for it popping up over on his forums. Here’s one that I really liked: UncleSporky’s funny and imaginative “Don’t Eat The Mushroom”. It may only be a couple of minutes long, but if you’re anything like me, chances are you’ll be playing through it twice!
If you want to try a few more third party levels, Nifflas’s list of favourites might be a good place to start. And feel free to post your favourites in the comments! (or plug your own mod, that’s cool too :) )
(Thanks clysm!)
Furthermore!
Posted in Platformers, Unique / Bizarre, Windows, Freeware | Tags Nifflas, UncleSporky | 19 comments
Posted by BMcC
Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:30:00 GMT
Whoa! Shih Tzu was just telling me today about the great Knytt Stories expansions out there, and look what I find on Tim’s blog just now… Concept art for Nifflas’ new project, tentatively called “Night Game.” Could this be a spiritual successor to Within a Deep Forest?
Little is known at this point, but mysterious user “pi” on Tim’s site has pointed out a forum thread on Clickteam’s site where Nifflas seems mighty interested in physics solutions. He even posted some diagrams that bear a striking resemblance to the image above.
It’s quite cool seeing Nifflas explore new graphical and gameplay styles like this. Keep an eye on this one.
(Source: TIM)
The aforementioned diagrams and further description from Nifflas in the extended.
Read more...
Posted in Platformers, Physics, Previews | Tags Nifflas | 25 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:30:00 GMT
Nifflas has released a new official level for Knytt Stories, called Gustav’s Daughter. It’s a short level with some tough jumping parts. It also shows off a few cool tricks of the engine, like an overworld map! Very enjoyable. To get at it, go here and click on “Other Levels.”
Or feeling creative? Check out this level editing tutorial and post your levels on Nifflas’s forums.
Posted in Platformers, Windows, Freeware | Tags Nifflas | 18 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:21:00 GMT
Knytt Stories and a lunar eclipse in one night? Surely it’s a subtle sign from the Universe that this is something special.
Beyond the fact that I think Nifflas has improved upon his craft since the original game and that I am in love with this one, I don’t want to belabor a description. You should know Knytt Stories is not just a single adventure, but a series of adventures. Really, an unlimited number of adventures, since the game comes packaged with a level editor that seems very robust and easy to use.
Those of you who found Knytt to be too “boring” will get more out of Knytt Stories, I think, but no promises. The rest of us may have been sold from the start, but I gotta say that I genuinely like this game even better. Download it immediately.
(Thanks, Circy!)
Posted in Platformers, Highly Recommended, Windows, Freeware | Tags Nifflas | 59 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Wed, 11 Jul 2007 09:00:00 GMT
According to Nifflas’s website, Knytt Stories, the spiritual sequel to the much beloved Knytt, will be arriving on August 30th.
Also arriving on August 30th: the peaceful plant aliens from the planet Geti Prime, here to share with us their delicious recipe for meatloaf that stops aging and cures cancer. Which are you most interested in?
(Source: Total Klik)
Posted in Platformers, Previews | Tags Nifflas | 17 comments
Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 22 Jun 2007 16:25:00 GMT
“Ico [has] affected everything about what I value in games: atmosphere over gameplay and power-ups, items, bosses… Ico is not about what the game is, it’s about what the game is not – despite the very little music, very small amount of possible moves, bonus games, etc. It’s so incredibly beautiful in every way. So I’d say it have had a huge impact of all my future game designing.
Knytt is built on the same philosophy, and I had to create the Ljus level in Within a Deep Forest (the only level without music) after playing Ico (I was near the end of the WaDF development when I played that game for the first time). But even before I had played Ico, I value atmosphere a whole lot.” -from the interview
I didn’t realize Nifflas was Jesus. But I had a hunch.
(Source: Timmy)
Posted in Community, Interviews | Tags Nifflas | 21 comments
Posted by BMcC
Wed, 16 May 2007 17:12:00 GMT
Nifflas, creator of Knytt and Within a Deep Forest, has redesigned his site in a minimal, classy way—matching the style of his work.
The aforementioned games have also been updated for your downloading pleasure. Do so if you haven’t already!
Check it out right here.
(Source: Tim W, of course!)
Posted in Developers | Tags Nifflas | 1 comment
Posted by Derek Yu
Fri, 20 Apr 2007 15:16:00 GMT
NotKnytt is now known as Knytt Stories, and according to its creator, Nifflas:
“I’m still waiting for material. Some text, and some music, and a very important extension. Once I add it, the game itself is complete. Although it would only require one or two days of work to add the material, I can’t add it before I have it.
However, even if I had that material now, I wouldn’t be able to release the game for a while anyway, since I’m planning to sell expansions. I really want to release the expansions at the same time as the game. I need to learn about all those things – and I must redesign the website.
I will probably not be able to release NotKnytt before sometime at the end of the summer. “
And… a shot from the level editor (thanks, Tim!):
Posted in Platformers, Previews | Tags Nifflas | 13 comments
