TIGSource: Memories: Bloodlust Software

Memories: Bloodlust Software

Derek Yu — Mon, 21 May 2007 01:40:00 +0000

I can’t remember how I first got a hold of Executioners, but I do remember sitting in front of my dad’s old computer, being completely mesmerized by this gritty, gory game. Nevermind how rough the presentation was or how basic the gameplay was… even as a youngling I could tell this game had a lot of heart.

In just the first level of this game you’d fight off a menagerie of strange mutants, everything from Rastafarian zombies to werewolf hookers. In the background, signs for “Ed’s Wiener Shop” and “Julio’s Stuffed Pets” passed you by. At the end of the level, a bloody guy gets tossed off the hood of a moving car, only to begin puking on you and beating you with his own limbs. Violence and bad taste have always been a mainstay of commercial video games, but even Mortal Kombat had nothing on Executioners. While Commander Keen, released a year before, was setting the bar high for PC games and putting the shareware business model in motion, games like Executioners and, later on, Timeslaughter, pulled the bar back down and then kicked it into a shallow grave. Bloodlust Software games were the indie of the indie.

Ethan “Hellbent” Petty (Bloodlust’s lead designer and the artist for the games) and Icer Addis (the programmer) would eventually part ways and land jobs in the commercial game industry. But not before releasing NESticle and Genecyst, two of the earliest and most legendary emulators.

Bloodlust Software still (kind of) exists today, maintained by Ethan alone. Ethan’s even released a few games on his own, using game creation software like Multimedia Fusion to bring his twisted designs to life. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with him on more than one occasion and he is a downright friendly guy! Last I heard, he was a new dad! Congrats, Ethan!

Plans for sequels to Executioners and Timeslaughter have been in the works for a long time, but may never see the light of day. But you can still obtain full, free versions of the originals from the games page on the Bloodlust Software website. DosBox is almost certainly necessary to get the games to run.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Ryan

Tue, 22 May 2007 19:39:09 +0000

To this day, nesticle ownz my b0xen. Nothing introduces a session of old school NES games better than clicking on an icon in the shape of hairy testicles.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by PoV

Mon, 21 May 2007 23:58:15 +0000

Speaking of fun ugly ass games, Dungeons of the Unforgiven. I spent way too much time playing that one.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by CB

Mon, 21 May 2007 23:37:44 +0000

Oh man, the hours I spent in front of Executioners. Good times.

I always liked the brown ninja-kinda guy.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by GrViper

Mon, 21 May 2007 21:14:12 +0000

There is a Pong-ish game featuring the same characters using severed head as a ball. Nogginknockers. Yummy…

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by crackers

Mon, 21 May 2007 17:25:10 +0000

I remember playing Executioners. I got up to the first boss, found all my attacks had no priority so I quit and went back to Scorched Earth.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Dan MacDonald

Mon, 21 May 2007 16:46:16 +0000

Man, I remember this game. I remember thinking how could such a crappy artist make such a cool game! But.. uh.. that’s about all I remember.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Lackey

Mon, 21 May 2007 12:51:32 +0000

I just experienced the same revelation myself, CosMind. Also dripping blood menu bar.

I totally remember Executioners from my Games Empire disc.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by CosMind

Mon, 21 May 2007 12:05:00 +0000

ahhhh, so that explains the bizarre, dismembered hand for a cursor in NESticle…

one mystery solved. a trillion more to go.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Derek

Mon, 21 May 2007 05:56:27 +0000

Wow, you’re right. :O

Fixt.

You fucking weiner!

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by penumbro

Mon, 21 May 2007 05:46:41 +0000

Wiener [sic]

What’s the sic for? That is how it’s spelled…

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Jimbob

Mon, 21 May 2007 05:37:40 +0000

And then Sirius ‘O Snip! Man it was a shame that only a demo got released for it (or otherwise it was damn short :S). Awesome character…

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Derek

Mon, 21 May 2007 03:24:51 +0000

I nuked it for you. :)

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by Halo jellyfish

Mon, 21 May 2007 03:11:12 +0000

I thought I stopped my old handle from posting on time… I guess not.

"Memories: Bloodlust Software" by HaloBreaker

Mon, 21 May 2007 03:10:12 +0000

Oh wow I remember finding Time Slaughters while when I found Wrath of the Sea King on a site. WOW that was a while ago, yeah his games are so indie that even the mention of them on an indie site makes them mainstream.