A Knytt fan who goes by the handle “Dynamite” is working on a multiplayer online version of Nifflas’s atmospheric platform game. You can read more about the project here.
Unfortunately, development of the game is being postponed until the holidays, as Dynamite grapples with one of indie gaming’s greatest foes, SCHOOL. How many promising young developers has this menace claimed? Oh, the humanity!
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.)
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.
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.
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 :) )
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.
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.”
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.
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?
“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.
The Commonplace Book Compo is over! Voting will begin shortly!
