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Acidbomb 2 gets a commercial release as ShellBlast
Dave Galindo of Vertigo Games dropped a few hints in our recent interview that Acidbomb 2: Rearmed could be going commercial. Now it's official: casual gaming publisher Oberon Media will be distributing an enhanced version of Acidbomb 2 next month. The commercial version will be renamed ShellBlast and include content from Acidbomb 2 (which will remain free until the day Jack Thompson joins Mensa) as well as a few exclusive game modes: Virtual Bomb Simulator - create your own bombs and try to disarm them Endurance Mode - a gigantic bomb with seven quadrants and more pistons as you progress Vertigo's next game, King of All Cooks, will also be released commercially later this year. No word on pricing for either game, though expect it to cuddle up to the magic number $19.95.
In the Flash: Makibishi Comic
Every week on In the Flash we sit down with the creator of a free online game to unravel their secret plans of world domination ... and to talk about their game: Point and click, room escape, and adventure games are a dime a dozen in the Flash gaming realm. But every once in a while a game comes along that's more than just an entry in the list of clones. Makibishi Comic blends Japanese-style manga artwork and storytelling with richly varied gameplay. Your goal is to find five ninjas hidden in five different environments. By clicking characters or objects on the screen, you set events in motion that will lead to their capture.In true manga-style, events rarely connect to each other in a logical way. How do you get rid of a gigantic gorilla? By calling a massive bear that shoots an energy blast out of its mouth, of course. It's that sense of wacky fun that makes Makibishi Comic so enjoyable. The stages you'll search through are also very creative, such as in Warashiamata where an endless stream of characters come marching out of a gigantic naked man's butt ...We crossed the language barrier for a short-and-sweet interview with Shinnosuke Kumazawa, one of the creators of Makibishi Comic.
DigiPen student games released
DigiPen Institute of Technology has unveiled most of the student games created for the 2007 academic year. Nearly two dozen projects will available by the end of the month covering a wide range of styles -- from space shooters, to puzzlers and the popular "riding a motorcycle in medieval times" genre.Unfortunately the most interesting games are still unavailable, but with just a few days left in the month, the wait will be short: Bossinabox - a fast-paced arcade-style shooter based on the idea that boss fights are awesome. Your goal is to annihilate the boss as he splits into an army of minibosses. Empyreal Nocturne - a third-person aerial action game in which you combat enormous flying monsters by commanding a legion of birds. Gigoon - a 3D, third-person action game in which the player takes control of a giant monster rampaging through the tropical city of Rio De Janeiro PHLOP - a 3D physics-based puzzle game that asks the player to manipulate simple objects to create complex device in order to complete the puzzle. RydenStryke - a third person action game set in medieval times where the player gets to control a character from the future on a motorcycle. A well-respected school with game developers, DigiPen's student projects have turned more than a few heads over the years. The team behind Narbacular Drop was snatched up by Valve, and the group behind the block-tossing Toblo have gained a lot of attention for their project.
Amazon readying DRM-free online music store?
Oh boy, we're sensing an all-out war. Of course, the tables are slanted mighty heavily in favor of Apple, but it sounds like Amazon is up to the challenge of stealing some of the digital download market share that Cupertino currently owns. According to the UK's TimesOnline, Amazon is ready to "to launch an online music store next month," and while music execs never thought they'd see the day, this service too should have "reduced protection against copyright infringement." In short, the (hopefully) forthcoming service will serve up at least some DRM-free tracks as Apple's iTunes already does, and as expected, a vast majority of the free and clear music will come from EMI and various other "independent labels." Interestingly, it was stated that Amazon hoped to have the service live "by next month," but it was still unclear as to whether it would meet that goal. No word on whether this service will attempt to undercut iTMS' $1.29 per DRM-free track, but a little competition never hurt anybody, right?[Via ArsTechnica]
Freeware downloads site GameHippo sold
Nearly a decade old, freeware PC game download site GameHippo has recently changed owners. Founder and writer Boson (who apparently can't blow bubbles with bubblegum) made the announcement over the weekend. GameHippo features only legit freeware games, unlike many of the sketchy sites lurking in dark corners of the web. No demos, no shareware, and no ruddy Mac titles (all eight of them). The purchasing party was not revealed, though Boson did say "he's just a good old guy like myself". The site has been stagnant over the last few months, so the first order of business will be to push a few new games onto the front page.[Via Independent Gaming]
PyWeek game challenge results announced, winners include a seahorse
The results of the latest PyWeek game design challenge have been released! Several dozen games were submitted to the latest competition, all with the theme of "the only way is up". Winners were announced in both individual and team entries and games are available to download from the PyWeek website.Winning entry Which way is up?, a puzzle/platformer game by Hectigo, uses levers to rotate the game world as you pick your way through blocks and enemies. The top team game, Barbie Seahorse Adventures, doesn't seem to involve plastic female body parts at all. Instead, it's a great looking 2D platformer where you play a seahorse trying to reach the moon.Also worth checking out is Trip on the Funny Boat, an arcade-style game where you pilot a ship with a cannon over treacherous waters.
Unraveling the Indie - Acidbomb 2
Every other week on Unraveling the Indie we'll sit down with an independent developer to unearth the dark secrets of indie game creation: Terrorists have scattered bombs across the country. It's your job to disarm them. Acidbomb 2: Rearmed is everything a sequel should be: bigger, badder, and infinitely more polished. Combining elements from Minesweeper and Picross, Acidbomb is a challenging puzzle game with the added tension of watching a bomb's timer tick down to zero. Using latitude and longitude-like information, you must determine which areas of the grid are pistons (bad) and which are safe. Mark them with the corresponding symbols, then watch the countdown and hope you got it right. If not ... kaboom. We recently sat down with Dave Galindo of Vertigo Games to get some inside-information about Acidbomb 2. Read on for the full interrogation.
In the Flash: Bloons
Every week on In the Flash we sit down with the creator of a free online game to unravel their secret plans of world domination ... and to talk about their game: Combining monkeys, darts, and balloons would normally be a bad idea. But Stephen Harris and his brother Chris, the pair behind Ninja Kiwi, made it happen with the elegantly titled Bloons. Aim the dart and release to see how many balloons you can take out with each toss. The first levels are simple and straightforward, but as you progress new obstacles and power-ups are introduced to add puzzle-like spice to the mix. There's even a Pac-Man cameo! It's one of those games that hooks you early on and won't let go until you've played through your entire lunch break.We recently sat down with both Chris and Stephen and coaxed some information about Ninja Kiwi, Bloons, and Barry Mann. Read on for the full interrogation.
Lost Garden's game design challenge supplies the graphics, you supply the game
Being a talented programmer and an accomplished artist can be two separate skills. Just because you can string lines of code together doesn't mean you can make pretty pictures people want to look at while playing your game. Enter Danc of Lost Garden and his new design challenge that gives you everything you need to make a game -- except the programming muscle.Danc provides the graphics, including character sprites, items, and backgrounds. He also has a gameplay outline that is constantly being refined. The game, SpaceCute, should be a single player golf title with a strong focus on physics. Because programmers don't have to be concerned with graphics or basic gameplay mechanics, they're free to experiment and make the game as crazy as their imaginations can conjure.The challenge is well underway (a few prototypes have already been released), but if you've got the skills and the game idea sparks your interest, it's never too late to jump in.[Via Independent Gaming]
Indie gaming site to fund 'fresh and funky and innovative and exciting' game projects
Indie developers have the luxury of toying with experimental ideas and releasing quirky games that would never sell in the mainstream. The catch is there's rarely any profit to be had, and developers only work in their spare time after the good ole 9-to-5 comes to an end. Dozens of innovative ideas surface, struggle, and sink each year because the creators don't have enough time or money to invest in their project.Dan Marshall of Gibbage.co.uk is tired of seeing the good die young. Starting the very moment you read this sentence, profits earned through Dan's indie news site will be stuffed under the mattress and saved. When a promising game idea comes along that needs a monetary push, Dan will hand the team an envelope full of cash with the inspiring words "Go, my friends. Work full-time on this, your fresh and funky and innovative and exciting game.".The Gibbage initiative will help indie devs hire artists and programmers to make their game a more polished experience. We just hope the flood of cash-hungry wannabe programmers tossing half-baked ideas around doesn't make Dan regret his offer.
Cave Story music inspired by ... polka?
By now we've all played, re-played, and generally gushed over Pixel's freeware platformer Cave Story. The game is so good, we've even fallen in love with the soundtrack. But did you know one of those tunes is a remixed polka song? Yes, polka. And we're not talking Weird Al-style Polkamon, either.The music that accompanies the Finnish dance Letkajenkka (often referred to as Jenkka) bears a striking resemblance to Jenka's theme (track number 16) from Cave Story. And by "striking resemblance" we mean it's the exact same song morphed into a chiptune-style piece. Kinda makes us wonder if, deep down, some twisted part of our being actually enjoys polka.[Via Independent Gaming]
Casual indie RPG Iron Dukes announced, looking for publisher
Newly-formed indie studio OneTonGhost has recently unveiled a great-looking casual RPG project Iron Dukes. Described as a "light-weight, single player RPG with arcade elements", the game takes place in an early 1900s steampunk setting complete with evil mad scientist. OneTonGhost is hoping to capture a wide audience with action-based combat and shorter playtimes woven into a meaty RPG shell. The story is heavy with humor and features a few of our favorite things: cussing, name calling, and obscene gestures!OneTonGhost is looking for a publisher and hopes to release the game on one or more consoles in the future. A short, barely-interactive Flash presentation lets you play around with the strange inventory shopping system (Tube of Muscle Grease, anyone?), followed by a brief slideshow of the game's main features. %Gallery-2499%
Zelda, Metroid, Castlevania ... roguelikes?!
Santiago Zapata has done something horribly, horribly geeky. As if The Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Castlevania weren't retro enough, Zapata has re-created each game as an ASCII roguelike. Now, instead of hopping across pools of lava to collect an energy tank, you press "D" to jump, then tap the arrow keys to scoot across slightly darker characters that symbolize higher ground. Despite the obvious limitations the roguelike style presents, Zapata has managed to accurately emulate the feel of each game. You know, even though Link is a purple @ symbol.All three games include a full arsenal of music and sound effects, and CastlevaniaRL packs its own graphical tileset. Very little documentation is provided at the moment (the games are still works-in-progress), so start pressing buttons and you'll get the gist of things. Fortunately they aren't nearly as complex as most roguelikes, so you don't need to remember that "Q" stands for "quaff" which means "drink".
Indie MMOG conference to be offered online
Can an independent studio build and maintain a successful MMOG? That's the question the first annual Indie MMO Game Development Conference wants to explore. Scheduled for April 14-15 in Minnesota (home of the world's most delicious butter), everyone from indie development studios to programmers working from their mom's basement are invited to attend. Keynote speakers, game pitch-a-thons, design, business and legal discussions, and other standard conference-fare are all part of the experience.Founder Jonathon Stevens wanted to try something a little different with this conference. Instead of forcing visitors to choose a few of the many events to attend, the entire IMGD conference will be broadcast online via video feed. Indie studios can save the travel cash for game development costs, such as buying Jolt cola by the case.[Via Internode Games Network]
Prominence, a 3D sci-fi adventure game announced
Indie studio Digital Media Workshop has just announced an ambitious 3D sci-fi adventure titled Prominence. The game will be story-driven with multiple endings, voice acting, and a completely original soundtrack. Puzzles will be both environmental and graphical-based to put the game's pre-rendered panoramic 3D visuals to work.Sounds like an intriguing combination of Myst and Dreamfall: The Longest Journey. No screenshots or videos are available at the moment, just some concept renders and a lot of marketing hype. Without working proof that these ideas are coming to fruition, we can't help but raise an eyebrow of suspicion. It's easy to set lofty goals early in the game, especially when you're a small indie developer, but making those a reality could prove a difficult undertaking.
Rod Humble spills his thoughts on 'The Marriage'
Rod Humble's art-meets-game title The Marriage is only a few weeks old, but the critical response from both gaming and non-gaming communities has been enormous. Arthouse Games caught up with Rod to dissect his thoughts on the reception of his "game". The interview touched on future projects and also brought up the question we all wanted to hear: What does Rod's wife think of The Marriage?Including an explanation of the game's meaning has been one of the most criticized aspects of The Marriage. Art doesn't come with an instruction manual, games do, and Rod specifically labeled The Marriage as the former. He stands by his decision, however, and is proud to have seen the game affect such a wide audience. Relationship websites even featured his work, fueling the fire that The Marriage is more than just a game.While you're in the matrimonial mood, check out Kloonigames' April Fools parody of The Marriage aptly titled The Divorce.[Via Arthouse Games]
Penumbra: Overture makes its creepy debut
Announced almost a year ago, the first installment in the Penumbra: Overture episodic trilogy has finally been unleashed. The horror adventure title relies on a proprietary physics engine that allows you to pick up and manipulate almost any object. Combat plays a small role in Overture, but you'll spend most of your time tip-toeing around corners and squealing every time you hear a noise. It's a genuinely creepy game.While Penumbra manages to take a fresh approach to the 3D survival genre, the price and the game's length don't quite agree with each other. The first episode will take you less than three hours to complete, and with a price tag of $19.99, it feels a little steep. The game has remarkably high production value for an independent studio, making the cost a little more bearable. Just think of the warm fuzzy feeling you'll get when you support the little guy.
Ohio Game Jam asks: can you make a game in 24 hours?
Ohio University's Post Online brings us a story on the Ohio Game Jam, a competition among amateur designers who try to create the best game possible in only 24 hours. The winning title was developed in only two hours, which is still a longer development cycle than some commercial products seem to have.Says "Event Overlord" Ian Schreiber: "You don't end up with Shakespeare, but you have some high levels of creativity because of the time constraints." By most accounts, you don't end up with Shakespeare even if you spend years on a game, so that's okay. And a quick-and-dirty contest like this is bound to result in ideas you'd never see in a game developed over three years by a committee. For instance, one of the Jam games used Chuck Norris's head as a projectile. We'd love to play that. But then, we'd also love to be called "Event Overlord."
XYZZY interactive fiction awards dispensed
The annual XYZZY awards have been announced, flaunting the gobs of creativity still flowing from the interactive fiction community. Overall best game went to Eric Eve's The Elysium Enigma, a science fiction story that casts you as an Imperial officer charged with contacting a technophobic settlement on a remote planet. Best setting and NPCs went to Floatpoint (which also won the 2006 Interactive Fiction Competition), Emily Short's deep and mysterious story about a human settlement on a far planet in desperate trouble. Notice a sci-fi theme with remote planets this year? A dozen other categories were also voted on, so check the winners list for the complete collection.
Sam & Max Episode 5: Reality 2.0 released on GameTap
First they faced off against a deranged eye fitness guru, then a talk show host followed by the toy mafia and Abe Lincoln. Now Sam and Max have to overcome a foe of a different kind: the internet! The fifth installment of the episodic Sam & Max adventures is available today on GameTap. Reality 2.0 is filled with the signature Sam & Max humor wrapped in an adventure-lite game. This time around the jokes poke fun at everything geek-related. Expect some video game parodies as well, such as when Sam yells "Its-a me, Sam!" before leaping into the air to collect a coin.You can grab Reality 2.0 from GameTap starting today, or download it from Telltale Games on April 12th for $8.95.
