In the Flash: Desktop Tower Defense
Every week on In the Flash we'll sit down with the creator of a free online game to unravel their secret plans of world domination ... and to talk about their game:
Buy towers with turrets, place them on the field, wait for the enemies to come marching. Then ... kaboom! A wave of RTS-inspired Flash tower defense games have become the new time-wasters on the web. Desktop TD, created by Paul Preece of HandDrawnGames.com, resembles an actual desktop (who'd-a thunk it?) with pencil-scribbled artwork. No set paths for enemies to follow (though a recent update added optional set-ups), just a blank field, gold in the bank, and your own twisted mind.
We recently subjected Paul to a series of questions regarding the game, its inspiration, and Hot Coffee. Read on for the full hotseat interrogation.
Ok, for starters, why a tower defense game?
Paul Preece: Out of all the games I have enjoyed playing in the last couple of years, the TD was probably the simplest one to code. I also really like doing 'physics' type programs where you set up a couple of rules and let the player get on with it.
The old "user-created-content make your own fun" idea?
Yup ... nearly all my favourite games have that kind of free-form play.
The recent updates to DTD feature more structured-type games (walls, challenges, etc.). Were those user requests or were you just tinkering?
Mostly tinkering... thinking about how to add simple restrictions to change the game play and extend the game. The '100' level challenge was user requested though.
Whose money-laden desktop is pictured in the game's background?
That would be mine! You wouldn't believe how long it took - my photoshop skills suck.
Be honest. Is a Hot Coffee mod in the works?
Hey if the users request it enough :)
Well, coffee, desktops ... it could be a beautiful fit!. One final question: What's your favorite food? And if the answer is anything but "cheesecake", why?
Ok now I feel like I'm speed-dating. ;) Not that I have. *cough*
Of course not! Game makers (and video game bloggers) get all the ladies.
Don't tell my wife that :) And it's chocolate btw.
Play Desktop TD
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