indiePub News

Dev Blog: Darkwind Media's pseudo-postmortem for Kona's Crate

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:53:36 -0500

It's been a several months since we officially published our first game, Kona's Crate, with the help of indiePub. We've had time to sit back and reflect on our development process, collect sales data, read customer feedback and review sites and plan for the future of the game.

We'd like to share some useful tips we've learned during development with our fellow indie developers, our opinions on how the game has been received so far and tell you a little bit about the future of Kona's Crate and Darkwind Media.

Working with the Unity Game Engine (Plus a Few Tips)

Working with the Unity game engine has been a great experience for us. As we've mentioned before, one of the biggest advantages of using Unity is how easy it is to publish your game to multiple platforms.

In the past, if you wanted to publish the same game to more than one platform, it meant doing at least twice the amount of work and usually more. Unity allowed us to maintain focus on the core of the game, which ultimately improved the product as a whole.

Besides the platform support, the tool allowed us to make a quality game in a fraction of the time it would have taken us to do it in native code. The community forming around Unity is fantastic, too, and has provided us with support and knowledge from the very beginning.

One of the great things to come out of the community thus far has been its involvement with the Asset Store. Some of the packages available on the Asset Store, such as Easy GUI, have been a huge help in the overall quality of our game. They have enabled us to do things that would have otherwise taken a lot longer to complete (even to the point where those features may have been cut) which frees up more time to focus on other parts of the game.

Tips for Using Unity

Although the topic warrants a separate article all on its own, we thought it would be good to share a few quick Unity tips with other indie developers that may help them during the development of their own unity game. (Please note: These tips helped us during the development of our game up until the time of writing this. Future updates to Unity may fix or resolve some of the underlying issues.)

Each platform has its own set of caveats but there are a few major things with iOS that everyone should know about.

If you're using SVN to manage your Unity iOS project like we did, make sure to remove the hidden .svn folder inside of your Streaming Assets folder before you build. Otherwise, the game will crash on most if not all iOS devices. On a similar note, also make sure that you remove the same hidden .svn folder within your Resources folder as it will be counted as raw data and take up extremely valuable disk space for your app. This comes in particularly handy when creating a game that needs to be under the 20MB over-the-air limit Apple has in place.

If you are trying to stay under the 20 MB limit, there's something else you should be aware of: Due to the DRM that Apple wraps on all of their apps, the final size of your binary file will increase significantly after uploading it to iTunes Connect. The following steps will give a very accurate estimate as to the final size of your app after Apple has applied their DRM solution. They also assume the name of your project is YOURGAMENAME:

Change your ipa file to a zip file. Extract the Payload directory to your desktop.

Inside the YOURGAMENAME.app directory, there is a file simply titled "YOURGAMENAME." Remove the file from the directory and place it on your desktop.

Zip up the main Payload directory.

Add the reported file size of the removed file and the new Payload.zip, the total being what you can expect for the total file size after you upload your binary to iTunes Connect.

We learned of this valuable process after we uploaded what we thought was the final binary to iTunes Connect for review. Prior to uploading, the binary was around 19 MB. A full week later, the app was accepted but was being reported as 25 MB. If you're shooting for a specific release date, use this tip to your advantage.

Reception of Kona's Crate

We've received a lot of valuable feedback concerning Kona's Crate.

Most of it has been very positive with many people claiming it has an addictive quality. As a game developer, nothing could be better than hearing you've created an addicting game. One of the toughest jobs with Kona's Crate was making sure the difficulty of the game increased gradually over the span of the game and we thought we had done a good job with that.

Unfortunately, a somewhat common type of feedback we have received has been that the game is too difficult. We understand that it's impossible to please everyone and that releasing a difficult casual game seems like a paradox but it never feels great to hear someone badmouth your game. Instead of curling up in a ball and crying, we've taken this as a challenge and we've implemented a news feature called "Jawesome Straps" that helps make the game more friendly to beginners.

The above screen shot from Kona's Crate shows one of the levels in the new Arid Wasteland campaign added in the recent update.

The Future of Kona's Crate and Darkwind Media

In today's mobile marketplace, it's not enough to make a game and put it up for sale. With hundreds of games coming out every day, you need to find ways to rise above the noise and show the world why your game is better than the rest. With that in mind, we have several updates planned for Kona's Crate starting with the most recent that includes the straps and a new area (Arid Wasteland) that comes with 25 additional levels. Today's gamers crave new content and that's exactly what we're giving them.

In addition to new campaigns full of increasingly challenging levels, we have plans to allow you customize your gameplay experience both functionally and aesthetically. We're looking for ideas, so if there's anything cool you'd like to see in the game, let us know.

As for the future of our studio, we've got a few things up our sleeve. We are currently in the planning stages for several more mobile games. We are looking forward to making them as unique and fun as possible, all while maintaining the level of quality we put into our first game.

We would also love to make a sequel to Kona's Crate and publish to Xbox Live Arcade, as we feel that platform is full of gamers who would thoroughly enjoy the challenge. We have plenty of ideas to expand the game outside of its current scope, so hopefully we get the chance to implement them.

Finally, we are going to continue working on an ambitious role-playing game. It's been very hard to not share it with anyone but, when the time is right, we will be sure to give you all the juicy details.

~ ~ ~

Also Read: Dev Blog - Meet Darkwind Media and their game, Kona's Crate
Also Read: Dev Blog - Q&A with Darkwind Media
SITE: Kona's Crate
SITE: Darkwind Media

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending February 3, 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:31:23 -0500

Looks like there were some late additions last week so I've added those games day to this week's roundup. Not that this week really needed it as it's looking to be packed with attractive games.

An extended version of a game posted on the indiePub site a while ago - Defy Gravity - made its way to the Xbox Live indie channel late last week. Magnetar Games, another late-last-week entry, is also one of the few 400 MP ($5) games I've seen listed in the indie channel.

Best bets for the week look to be Little Racers STREET by Milkstone Studios S.L., Dark Reign Redux by Magnetar Games, a series of color comic "books" titled Gold Digger by Dugrab Studios, puzzle game Diamond Digger by Elemental Focus, space fighter SpaceFighter4000 Training by Fednet Software, avatar shooter Avatar Onslaught 2 by Lighthouse Games Studio, LCD style dungeon game LCD Dungeon System by We Love Hamsters Software, action-adventure game Brand by Nine Dots Studio, beautiful looking Bug Ball by Edible Entertainment Pty Ltd., motrocross racing game MXHD by JSTARLAB, Hardboiled Pinball by Stryde Games and cute 2D ninja platformer Katana Land by Kablammo Games.

Below is a list of games released between January 27 and February 3, 2012. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Kiss Kiss
(240 MP, 01/26/2012, INGENIOUSFUN)
A fun new Quiz game - Can you impress the girl in to joining you under the mistletoe ?

TurboRocket 3
(80 MP, 01/27/2012, cored.dk)
Account: This is a top-down 3d shooter. Purpose: Destroy and wipe out all enemies on each level. Reward: Joy and awesomeness. Variety: Play 1, 2 or 4 players at same screen Challenge: 8 custom-made levels.

Little cars race in big, bright streets in Little Racers Street by Milkstone Studios S.L.

Little Racers STREET
(80 MP, 01/27/2012, Milkstone Studios S.L.)
Milkstone Studios presents the next installment in the indie racing series! Drive the 30+ high speed cars on a 3D, weather-changing city! The career mode provides hours of fun, challenging races. You need to tune your car and earn money to get the most wanted cars. Pursuit the top ranked drivers and become the best in the world! Underground urban racing has never been so much fun!

Dark Reign Redux
(400 MP, 01/27/2012, Magnetar Games)
Dark Reign Redux is a modern remake of the classic 1997 real-time strategy game Dark Reign: The Future of War. Humans have fled a toxic, dying Earth to live in newly established colonies spread out across the known galaxy. Caught in the middle of an intense battle for power between the Imperium and the Freedom Guard, the Togran race is on the verge of extinction. Only you can change their fate.

Defy Gravity Extended
(240 MP, 01/27/2012, Fisch Team)
Defy Gravity Extended is a unique action/puzzle platformer. The focus is 100% on great gameplay. I guarantee you have never played a platformer like it. 9/10 - Geeks FTW; 8/10 - IGN; 4/5 - GamePro; 4/5 Evil Avatar

Gold Digger The Comic 1 - 7
(80 MP, 01/27/2012, Dugrab Studios)
One of the longest running comics in history by a single artist. Celebrating 20 years in publication and still counting, Gold Digger by Fred Perry is a unique blend of humor, adventure, and science. Now you will be able to experience the first 7 issues of the action paced color series on you XBOX 360.

Diamond Digger
(80 MP, 01/28/2012, Elemental Focus)
With a unique puzzle mechanic, use your wits to get all of the diamonds to the bottom of the screen to collect them. Each block will crush only one other, so you need to carefully manage your playfield to avoid deadlock. Includes a puzzle mode with 40 puzzles, timed and endurance modes and P2P high scores.

3D space fighting action in Space Fighter 4000 Training by Fednet Software.

SpaceFighter4000 Training
(240 MP, 01/28/2012, Fednet Software)
Space Fighter 4000 is a 3D space shooter that combines flight simulator style controls and fast paced arcade action. The player controls their agile space fighter from a 3rd person view and has full freedom of movement to roll and loop. The player can shoot lasers, missiles and drop bombs to destroy the enemy targets.

Worlds Best FREAKING Card Game
(80 MP, 0/28/2012, Gazido Gaming)
Play the XBOX version of the hit game "Nerts", otherwise known as the "World's Best Freaking Card Game!" Each player starts with their own deck of cards and then FIGHTS TO THE DEATH!... Well not exactly, you mostly just want to be the first player to get rid of their cards while trying to block other peoples piles! Are you ready?

Avatar Onslaught 2
(80 MP, 01/31/2012, Lighthouse Games Studio)
Brace yourself for a massive onslaught of evil avatars. Take on the horde alone or get help with the online CO-OP mode. Level your character and compete against the world with global scoreboards. See you on the battlefield!

LCD Dungeon System
(80 MP, 02/01/2012, We Love Hamsters Software)
A first person dungeon crawling adventure in the style of early 80s LCD gaming. Explore seven levels of monsters, treasure and teleportation traps to reclaim the crown of kings. No watch batteries required!

Brand
(80 MP, 02/02/2012, Nine Dots Studio)
In this challenging 2D action platformer, the goal is to increase a sword's power by completing quests for the Smith, the Chemist and the Mage. There are many powers to explore, and some of them combine together to create new hidden abilities. You can only increase your weapon a set amount of times before putting it to the test, so choose your upgrades wisely!

Volley up some bugs with 4-player Bug Ball by Edible Entertainment Pty Ltd.

Bug Ball
(80 MP, 02/02/2012, Edible Entertainment Pty Ltd)
Bug Ball is a competitive volley ball style game for up to 4 Players on a single Xbox 360 or over Xbox Live! Choose from a variety of adorable bugs, each with their own beautiful 3D arena. Jump, Spike, Dash and Super Spike your way to victory! Who's the best Bug Ball player in the forest? It's time to find out!

Avatar Thunder Cars
(80 MP, 02/03/2012, Bionic-Thumbs)
A race against conbustible to travel as long as you can evading obstacles, mines, walls , flying in crazy ramps, boosting to crazy speeds of dizziness while you change between planets to gain more points.

MXHD
(240 MP, 02/03/2012, JSTARLAB)
Motocross High Definition. Race your dirtbike against 3 computer controlled bikes on 5 different racetracks. The bike handling is amazing with the bike power-sliding in turns and the suspensions absorbing every bump on the track. Many stunts allowed including back flip, front flip and many more. Impressive crashes. Controllable camera. Original Soundtrack.

Hardboiled Pinball
(80 MP, 02/03/2012, Stryde Games)
Hardboiled Pinball is the first game of the Stryde Games pinball series, which aims to provide an oldschool fast scrolling 2D pinball experience. Sharpen your reflexes to conquer the silver ball and score the jackpot in this crime noir themed table.

You are katana Kid saving Katana Land using your ninja skills and, well, a katana, in Katana Land by Kablammo Games.

Katana Land
(80 MP, 02/03/2012, Kablammo Games)
Awesome 2D ninja platforming action! Play as the Katana Kid and fight to save Katana Land from devious ninja's, hordes of the undead and demon bosses. Along the way help an old guy out, rescue your allies and save a princess from the fate of becoming a demon bride!!!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

IndieCade now accepting submissions for its 2012 festival

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:29:01 -0500

IndieCade, also known as the International Festival of Independent Games, announced earlier this week (January 30, 2012) that it is has started accepting game submissions for its 2012 festival.

The organization accepts independently developed games from around the world and, if you enter during the "early submission" period (before February 28, 2012), the entry fee is only $50. The" standard" fee increases to $75 from March 1 to May 1, 2012, and the "late" entry fee is $95 for those who procrastinate and submit between May 2 and May 15, 2012.

All games can be submitted through the Indiecade web site until May 1, 2012.

Games submitted prior to April 15, 2012, are also eligible to be part of the IndieCade Showcase regardless of whether or not the game is an awards finalist.

Select games will be shown October 4 through 7, 2012, during the IndieCade Festival where winners will also be announced. Finalists will receive VIP passes to IndieCade 2012 including various events and all entrants will receive a festival pass.

Entrants must not have received funding from a major publisher (but some funding from other means is allowed) or have been a previous IndieCade finalist. Other than that the guidelines are pretty open with the site noting that "innovation is the name of the game."

~ ~ ~

SITE: IndieCade

Humble Bundle goes mobile with Android-centric campaign

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:02:35 -0500

The latest Humble Bundle campaign features indie Android games - including titles we've seen in previous bundles - and will be available until February 14, 2012.

The Humble Bundle is a pay-what-you-want package where, once you buy it, you get and access to downloads and keys so you can play the games for multiple platforms. Also, if (or, really, when) more games are added after you'e bought the Bundle, you usually get the additional games as well.

As with previous Humble Bundles, you can divide the amount you are paying between the games' developers, charities and a "tip" to the Humble Bundle people. The charities include the Child's Play Foundation and the Electronic frontier Foundation.

Games in the bundle include (as of February 1, 2012):
Edge

Osmos

Anomaly

World of Goo (which is "unlocked" if you pay more than the average donation price)

In true Humble Bundle fashion, the bundle begins a bit small - humble, if you will - but is open to bringing in additional games. After you buy the bundle you'll get codes and a way to download all the games, allowing you to install each game multiple times and play each game on various available platforms. They are also "DRM free" meaning that you can install them on as many devices as you like.

The Android games are also not going through the usual marketplaces but, instead, you'll download the .apk files. And, yes, the games will support updates.

Humble Bundle accepts payments through PayPal, Amazon Payment and Google Checkout. So far the game has brought in more than $440,000 with more than 75,000 purchases. (You can go to the site and watch the numbers increase each second). The top contributors are also listed on the site.

While there is no minimum amount you can pay, you do need to donate at least $1 to get Steam keys for games.

~ ~ ~

Site: Humble Bundle
Also Read: Gamertell

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending January 27, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:43:35 -0500

It's a slow release week as we round January. Let's blame it on winter blues.

Best bets this week look to be a pair of racing games and a stealth game. For the racers there's '80s style Ocean Drive Challenge and kart racing game Avatar Grand Prix 2 and for the stealth game there is cute platformer Ninja Sneaking2.

Below is a list of games released between January 21 and 27, 2012. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Find the guy (or gal) based on an image and distance. It's like Hot & Cold without someone yelling at you.

Detect
(80 MP, 01/21/2012, B.L.U.E)
Let's detect a target with the help of a picture.

3D Stereo Studio
(80 MP, 01/21/2012, Bitreaction Game Studios)
3D Stereo Studio is an interactive studio to examine a large collection of stunning 3D anaglyph models. By watching the models with red/blue glasses, the objects become real and jump out of your screen!

StardustHunterPopoy
(80 MP, 1/22/2012, haniwa)
Popoy is a game which collects Stardust.

Ocean Drive Challenge
(80 MP, 01/23/2012, need1D)
Classic arcade racing game in a flashy 80's look. The race course combines the most stunning landscapes of the world and gives you some marvellous views. Choose all characters and see how their personal stories unwined and intertwine. Listen to great music and enjoy the ride!

Avatar Grand Prix 2
(80 MP, 01/24/2012, Battenberg Software)
The fastest, most exciting avatar racing game in the world is back for more with 12 themed tracks, 10 powerups, online multiplayer (up to 8 players) and splitscreen (up to 4 players). Test your skills in a quick race, grand prix, time trial or test drive, and look out for "insane" powerups, mirror and reverse mode, track records, ghost cars, online best times, trophies and much much more!

Yes, it's tue. Apparently the first was so irresistible Silver Dollar Games 4 made a second Who's the Daddy? game.

Who's the Daddy? 2
(80 MP, 01/25/2012, Silver Dollar Games 4)
Guessing the daddy has never been harder!

MegaUP: Upload if you can!
(80 MP, 01/25/2012, Bionic-Thumbs)
In 2012 four men owners of a known uploader web were sent to prison by the government of freedom for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from prision.Today, still wanted by the government of freedom, they survive as uploaders of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire them.

Ninja Sneaking2
(80 MP, 01/26/2012, WINGLAY)
Sneak into Karakuri residence to get back her big sister! A lot of Karakuris hinder her! Clear all the difficult stages without being found! 3 stages + 1 extra "Chaos" stage included. You can retry from the stage that you'd been found (with panelties).

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Kona's Crate update adds Arid Wasteland campaign, 25 levels, novice mode

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 09:04:07 -0500

indiePub today (January 26, 2012) announced the latest update to the iOS and Android versions of its multiplatform game, Kona's Crate.

According to the press release, the update (version 3.2.0) includes:

A new Arid Wasteland campaign which includes twenty new levels.

A new Bonus Level system with five new unlockable bonus levels.

Five new Achievements to earn.

Novice mode with Jawesome Straps to help keep the crate in place so you can master the more difficult levels.
In Kona's Crate, developed by Darkwind Media, you control a twin jet-powered platform through various areas that feature awkward turns and moving - and sometimes explosive - obstacles. On the platform is a crate that you try to safely deliver to Chief Kona who is impatiently waiting at the end of the level.

The new Jawesome Straps, as they are called, keep the crate on the platform so you only need to worry about navigating the course. Normally you'd also have to keep the platform upright so the crate would not tip off.

The additional levels brings the total to 110 levels, including bonus levels, and five campaigns.

Kona's Crate, originally released mid-2011, is available for PC (Windows and Mac), iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) and Android.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Kona's Crate
SITE: Darkwind Media

Review: Battle Group by Merge Games

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:58:17 -0500

Title: Battle Group
Release Date: Jan 13, 2012
Format: PC (Windows, Mac), iOS, Android
Price: $1.00 to $4.50
Genre: Simulation/Arcade
Publisher: Merge Games
Developer: Bane Games
Merge Games' most recent release, Battle Group (developed by Bane Games), is a battleship game that has little to do with the Battleship board game and much more to do with the classic Missile Command arcade game

In Battle Group you passively pilot a battle ship and actively shoot at oncoming missiles and craft using your blast radius to take them out. The difference here is that your home base is your mobile battleship so, not only are targets moving, but so are you.

Just Sit Right Back...
The game's story-based premise is that you are a Commander in a planetary navy directed to curtail the efforts of pirates who seem to have access to fleets of aircraft, boats and missiles. The story is presented as still cartoon heads with the dialogue both spoken by actors and typed on the screen.

Opposing vessels come at you from the air, sea and land, each with their own short- and long-range projectiles. The object is to take as little damage as possible but some levels include a backup ship or a third ship that you must protect (as an escort mission).

You fire missiles by pointing a reticule which outlines an explosion area and clicking a mouse button. You have to estimate a little bit of delay since your missile takes time to get to the destination. Also, with both you and opponents in motion, there's a little additional difficulty even though your pace is pretty slow. A sudden turn means your attack angle changes which makes a difference when you have set your secondary weapons in a particular direction.

A support ship (left) and your primary ship (left) are docked, getting ready to launch even while under attack. This secondary ship launches a powerful helicopter (seen about mid screen) that will take out opponents in a limited area for a limited amount of time.

Secondary weapons - as well as support ships' primary and secondary weapons - are controlled by dragging and dropping a directional scope and last only a limited time. They are often very powerful and will save your tanker if you position them the right way at the right time. Luckily, most attackers' come in waves so you can often time things just right to recharge the secondaries and take aim.

Each level typically ends with a more intense attack that, making for the equivalent of a boss level and the most intense combat of the game. When you do finish, you get rated on your success (hits, lack of damage, etc.) and earn stars which you can then use to unlock other ships and upgrades.

The game's graphics are a combination of jaggy and smoother elements, which puts it in the high-end of low-res (or some other creative equivalent). Even so, it works pretty well for the overall atmosphere, creating ships that are deceptively detailed with tiny, jagged shapes verses particle-filled smokes and explosions.

Get On Board
Battle Group is pretty easy to play - point and click at or ahead of your target - and the difficulty scales pretty well with enough action to keep you coming back for more. As the ships level up and you unlock support ships, the opponents come more often and from harder-to-blast angles, swooping in the corner of the screen to get in a quick bomb drop. It's cheap but, if you listen to the cues and watch the timing, you can at least be prepared for the next wave.

You also get unlimited ammo and can quick fire (in as much as the three mini bullets allow you to fire) at opponents, allowing you to lay down a modest spread and even take out craft before they fire at you. That also helps put the game into the realm of a shooter with a lot of trigger-happy action with occasionally frantic action, a lot to do and feeling nicely rewarded when you survive a level.

Even the anime style story-telling heads which, ultimately, are not necessary to the rest of the game, are kept at bay. The voice acting is never overbearing and the dialog is relatively short (and you can easily skip through those scenes).

We've seen so many reduxes of Pac-Man and Space Invaders that it's nice to see Missile Command getting a little modern age love. With multiple guns to control, varied opponents and plenty of fast firing action, Battle Group is a solid purchase.

Battle Group Screen Shots
Battle Group's level menu shows your award (stars) and lets you go back to try and re-beat each mission with newly acquired or upgraded ships.

A view of one of the ships in Battle Group with its level progress and two upgrades.

A single-ship mission in Battle Group, demonstrating the blast radius reticule and how you are able to launch multiple missiles at a time.

Battle Group's ship menu where you can cash in earned stars to unlock primary and support ships.

Your ship's secondary weapon takes out a ship and a distant opponent drops three missiles in the upper right corner.

A sample of the "talking heads" in the game. The dialog is typically better than this, I promise.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Merge Games
SITE: Bane Games
PRODUCT PAGE: Battle Group

Construct 2 releases update r76 early to fix issues with r75

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:45:01 -0500

Scirra today (January 20, 2012) announced that its HTML5-based game developement tool, Construct 2, has been updated to version r76.

Scirra's site indicates that it usually releases an update per week but update r76 was hurried "since there were a couple of annoying issues introduced in to r75" which, when it was release on January 15, 2012, included a long list of additions, changes and bug fixes.

Today's r75 update includes a new preference setting for Preview on LAN, "preview.html" no longer appears in the address bar during previews, a tweak to the project loader to help with load speed and eight bug fixes (including check failure issues, hotspots resetting to center, HTML parsed into user expressions, "Save As" renaming issue with animations and a physics fix).

The site offers Construct 2 as a download at three levels: Free, Standard ($79) and Business ($365).

The Free version does not include object grouping, LAN previewing, project subfolder and event searching and has lower limits for events, layers and included packets (sounds, background music, ambient sounds and sprite packs). The Standard version is essentially the same as the Business version except the Business version allows for unlimted commercial use while the Standard version has limited commercial use.

Oh, and if are looking for a free, open-source DirectX 9 2D game creation tool for Windows, Construct Classic is still available on Scirra's web site. The company no longer offers support but, hey, it's free and a lot of people have used it so there is plenty of advice online.

~ ~ ~

PRODUCT PAGE: Scirra's Construct 2
PRODUCT PAGE: Construct Classic

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending January 20, 2011

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:13:03 -0500

Looks like the winter weather - and end of the dev contest season - means more games are heading to Xbox Live's indie channel once again. There aren't nay avatar-centric games this week but there are a couple Voxel-based games and a dating sim to pass the time.

Best bets this week look to be building-fighting-looting game Lootfest: Live Design, multiplayer action-adventure game Siege King: The Siege of Aurum, dating sim Don't Die Dateless, Dummy!, tower defense game All Your Creeps, Voxel-based zombie shooter Block Zombies! and retro style space shooter Hypership Still Out of Control. I'll even give a small nod to Liel for showing us that elves really do drink and party down after Christmas in An Elfy Winter.

Below is a list of games released between January 14 and 20, 2012. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Get loopy for loot in Lootfest: Live Design by Gamefarm.

Lootfest: Live Design
(240 MP, 01/14/2012, Gamefarm)
Enjoy a block building fest with your friends. Make stunning structures in no time with the game's easy to use creation tools. Fight off zombie hoards with your trusty sword. Race your friends using the RC cars. You can do anything you want, as long as it's blocky! *Can be played on a Arcade memory stick. *XBOX Live Gold membership is required for a full experience.

Fish Game
(80 MP, 01/14/2012, Crazy Calico Software)
Save the lost fish by guiding them home before they wander off!

Siege King: The Siege of Aurum
(240 MP, 01/14/2012, Ziba Games)
Siege King is a four player cooperative top-down action adventure game with four classes, potions, bombs and treasure! It also includes a four player arena mode with free-for-all and team options. Sign on to your Xbox and lay siege the city of Aurum!

Musickness
(80 MP, 01/14/2012, Displacementality)
The world of Music and Purpleness has been invaded by the Musickness, turning healthy notes Pink and Green! Do what you can to save as many of them as possible!

The Defenders
(240 MP, 01/14/2012, FallenMaster)
Fight the ghosts through 50 waves of growing danger. Play as a powerful wizard, a mighty warrior or a strategic builder to stop the ghost invasion. Evolve your character in the direction you want. Survive until dawn, or die trying.

Lovely ladies try to teach unsmooth dudes to be smooth in Don't Die Dateless, Dummy! by cupholder.

Don't Die Dateless, Dummy!
(240 MP, 01/14/2012, cupholder)
Man up and get a girlfriend! Choose your route carefully and win the heart of a special girl or you might end up a level 30 wizard.

Natural Selection
(80 MP, 01/14/2012, Fun Factory Entertainment)
It's a fish eat fish world out there. Only the biggest survive!

All Your Creeps
(80 MP, 01/15/2012, Red Button Games)
Defend the homeland against the capitalist pigs, or siege the communist headquarters to prevent their victory on earth and in space. Play with up to 4 players in this fast-paced tower defense game.

When undead Voxels attack you get Block Zombies by Nostatic Software.

Block Zombies
(80 MP, 01/19/2012, Nostatic Software)
Voxel-based zombie shooter. Fight the zombies! Stop the infection! Save the day!

Cowbots
(80 MP, 01/19/2012, Angry Wizard Games)
This twin-stick shooter mixed with a turn-based card game offers loads of fun! Through three unique game modes, experience the wild west with explosions, teepees, cowboys hats and robots! Play with a friend in multiplayer mode.

Perfect Shooting Training Camp
(80 MP, 01/19/2012, rafaro)
this game will test your aiming skills.

It's a Hypership. It was out of control. Apparently it continues to remain out of control in Fun Infused Games' Hypership Still Out of Control.

Hypership Still Out of Control
(80 MP, 01/19/2012, Fun Infused Games)
Space is still a dangerous placed for even the most seasoned starship pilot, full of asteroids, multicolored floating blocks, and space mines. It's still even more dangerous when your accelerator is stuck to the floor and your brakes are out. Can you survive long enough to get that elusive high score or are you still destined to add a new crater to the face of an unsuspecting asteroid?

An Elfy Winter
(80 MP, 01/20/2012, Liel)
Wonder what the elves do after Christmas? Find out now when you play An Elfy Winter! Up to 4 players and 4 unique game modes. Fun for one or fun for all!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Reactions to the SOPA, PIPA and the ESA (updated)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:54:36 -0500

On January 18, 2012, web sites protested SOPA and PIPA legislation in different ways from going "dark" to black bars over images or text on the site. From left to right: Wikipedia's "going dark" home page, Google's censored logo and a photo on N4G's home page while it went "dark."

The proposed legislation referred to as SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act, House Bill 3261) and PIPA (Protect IP Act, titled "Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011," Senate Bill 968) spawned various online "blackout" protests by web sites on January 18, 2012. Most notably the English language version of Wikipedia protested by limiting access to content while some other sites blocked text or images using large censorship black bars.

The basic idea of both bills, in the tiniest of nutshells, is that, if passed, the U.S. Department of Justice and copyright holders would have the ability to request court orders against websites - including foreign sites - that infringe on copyrights, which could then result in internet providers being forces to limit access to those sites. Proponents see this as a way to protect intellectual property while opponents view both bills as a form or - or slippery slope to greater - censorship.

I asked indeiPub's own Manager Director of Development, Robert Cassidy, his take on the legislation and what it might mean for game developers.

"I am not completely versed on the policy being proposed but what I do know worries me," said Cassidy. "The ESA (Entertainment Software Association), which is the lobbying arm of the video game industry and holds the E3 Expo each year, has barred gaming sites and game companies from going black or releasing statements that oppose the legislation as they strongly support both PIPA/SOPA and have spent close to $200,000 dollars backing it."

According to Kotaku, the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has spent approximately $190,000 on the Senate version of SOPA last Spring (2011). While the ESA's specific plan or stance is not known, the organization has indicated that it is in favor of the legislation going through.

Game developer Mark Kern, in an interview with Hollywood Reporter, said that gaming sites and game companies "could not go black or release statements to oppose PIPA/SOPA." Kern has co-founded League for Gamers (LFG) with Red 5 Studios as an alternative to the Video Game Voters Network (VGVN).

A screenshot of the web site SonicStadium which, on January 18, 2012, pretended to redact most of its content in protest of SOPA.

Notable game sites that went dark in protest include N4G (News for Gamers), Epic Games and Notch's Minecraft.net and Mojang.com.

"The hypocrisy here," continues Cassidy, "is that the ESA also operates VGVN which ostensibly represents gamers and also is most known for winning 1st Amendment classification for video games as free speech, in part due to the grass roots support of the VGVN. One look at the VGVN’s Facebook page will let you know how the gaming community feels about this with their calls to boycott E3 and all ESA events with zero response from VGVN."

On the VGVN’s Facebook page wall you'll find comments including:

"The ESA's support of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), is a direct attack on free speech and innovation in gaming." (Daniel Roose)

"Incredibly disappointed in Entertainment Software Association and Video Game Voters Network for their endorsement of SOPA. After spending so much time, $$$, and activism against the 'Violent Video Games Bill' to the Supreme Court... they support this? You're either for us, or against us. #BoycottE3" (Kara Behnke)

"Sorry VGVN, you're either with us or against us. SOPA/PIPA are terrible for everyone, and especially gamers. If you won't support the voters, we won't support you." (Joe Krauska)

"There are many developers who do not agree with the ESA and possibly millions of gamers who oppose SOPA/PIPA," said Cassidy. "As to how this directly impacts indie game developers, I think that any legislation that inhibits free speech and places broad powers to control the internet in the hands of large corporations and the government will have a devastating effect on any small, grass roots organizations and individuals who are trying to bring new, creative and innovative ideas which depend on a free and open internet. Boycott E3 and ESA unless they change their stance on SOPA."

SOPA, a House bill, is currently on hold and the Senate is scheduled to vote on PIPA on January 24, 2012.

I've reached out to the ESA for comments and clarifications concerning the Facebook comments, exactly how much money was used to influence SOPA/PIPA and the organizations official stance the but I have not yet received a response.

UPDATE (January 20, 2012): Nevada Senator Harry Reid has postponed the January 24, 2012, vote on PIPA, stating, "There is no reason that the legitimate issues raised by many about this bill cannot be resolved." (U.S. Senate Democrats)

~ ~ ~

SITE: SOPA: Stop Online Piracy Act, House Bill 3261
SITE: PIPA: Preventing Real Online Threats to Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act of 2011, Senate Bill 968
SITE: Entertainment Software Association
PAGE: VGVN @ Facebook
READ: Kotaku
READ: WralTech
READ: GameZone
SITE: League for Gamers

R.I.P. Bill "Phosphorus" Sears: "A great ally in the indie game cause"

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:49:29 -0500

Earlier this week Digital Eel's web site indicated that Bill "Phosphorus" Sears recently "died suddenly of heart related troubles."

Sears co-founded Digital Eel and is credited as a game designer, artist, illustrator and musician on many games including Brain Pipe and Weird Worlds. His art and music were always original and rather eclectic, often with a psychedelic, sometimes trippy mood protruding from its many layers.

Here are segments of statements Rich "Ripcord" Carlson posted on the Digital Eel web site about close friend and co-founder Sears:

We wish each one of you could have met him. You'd have liked Bill right off of the bat. That kind of fellow who put everyone at ease with a gentle heart and a playful sense of humor.

Bill was a great ally in the indie game cause. The best, and authentic - the real deal. Having spent well over a decade in the clutches of the commercial end of the game industry, his goal was to champion the indie spirit bravely, proudly, in every way he could, and he sure did, with his humor, his illuminating words and with his wholly original and always upbeat (but never "cute") artwork...

Godspeed Bill. We miss you dearly already.
indiePub published an interview with Digital Eel June 2011 that included Sears who often offered his own brand of witty and sometimes enigmatic answers.

In that interview Sears listed his residence as "The land beyond beyond" and his age as "Timeless" (Carlson notes that Sears was in his "late 50s" when he passed).

According to the Digital Eel web site, Sears is survived by his wife Glenda, daughter Leah and son Corbin.

Digital Eel will be having a gathering to honor Sears. Details will likely be posted on Digital Eel's web site when available.

An illustration called "Procession" created by Bill "Phosphorus" Sears. (Digital Eel)

~ ~ ~

SITE: Digital Eel

Register for the 2012 Global Game Jam, apply to create your own Jam Site

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:36:32 -0500

This year's Global Game Jam (GGJ12) is taking place January 27 through 29, 2012, across the planet with approximately 220 currently registered Jam Sites. That's an increase of 50 sites (so far) from last year and includes the event's first location in Iran.

The idea behind the GGJ is that participants at each location form teams to create games with a common theme in any format (video, tabletop, card, miniatures, board, etc.) within 48 hours. It's essentially a quick prototyping event that is meant to help, as the GGJ web site describes, "encourage creative thinking to result in small but innovative and experimental games." Participants often use their prototype as a starting point for larger projects.

This year's event begins with a kickoff video that will include Will Wright, Baiyon, Gonzalo Frasca, Brenda Garno Brathwaite and John Romero.

You can still register to join most of the local jam events (the GGJ site has a locator tool). Some sites charge a fee (usually around $50) while a few are free. The closest GGJ to us in Southwest Ohio, for example, is dubbed the GGJmu and will take place at the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies at Miami University in Miami Ohio. Students can register through the GGJmu site through January 23, 2012. The registration fees are $40 per student, $50 for non-students and $25 for one-day "mentors."

In fact, there is still time to form a Jam Site of your own. The GGJ site includes suggestions, instructions and an online registration form but the deadline to apply for your own Jam Site is January 20, 2012, so you'd better get started.

Here's a summary video that helps explain the Global Game Jam with footage from the 2011 event at Miami University:

youtube_ws:watch?v=7ajBJBgXM2M
(indiePub/Mary Kish)

~ ~ ~

SITE: Global Game Jam
SITE: GGJ Locator
SITE: GGJmu

2012 Independent Games Festival announces student winners, main competition finalists

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:55:29 -0500

The Independent Games Festival (IGF) web site last week posted both the student winners and the main competition finalists for its 2012 competition. This is IGF's fourteenth competition and the tenth year it has include a Student Showcase.

All of the main competition finalists and Student Showcase winners will be playable March 7 through 9, 2012, in San Francisco, CA, in the Expo area of the 26th Game Developer's Conference (GDC). The main competition winners and one Best Student Game winner will be announced March 7, 2012, at an awards ceremony.

For the student category, the winners were chosen from approximately 300 entries. All eight winners will receive $500 and one Best Student Game winner will be selected to receive $3,000.

Here is the list of IGF's 2012 Student Showcase winners:

The Bridge (Case Western Reserve University)
Dust (Art Institute of Phoenix)
The Floor Is Jelly (Kansas City Art Institute)
Nous (DigiPen Institute of Technology)
One and One Story (Liceo Scientifico G.B. Morgagni)
Pixi (DigiPen Institute of Technology - Singapore)
The Snowfield (Singapore-MIT GAMBIT Game Lab)
Way (Carnegie Mellon University, Entertainment Technology Center)

A screen shot of IGF finalist Dear Esther by thechineseroom.

A few games that made it in to multiple finalist categories in the main competition include Dear Esther by thechineseroom, Spelunky by Mossmouth, Botanical by Amanita Design and Waking Mars by Tiger Style.

It's also interesting that a few games that had previously won previous indiePub awards were also listed as honorable mentions (not listed below) including Dustforce by Hitbox Team, Tiny and Big: Grandpa's Leftovers by Black Pants Studios and Deep Sea by WRAUGHK.

The winners of the main 2012 IGF competition will be announced at a ceremony to be held March 7, 2012. IGF is providing $60,000 in prizes to the winners.

Here is the complete list of 2012 IGF main competition finalists whittled down from approximately 570 entries:

Excellence In Visual Art
Botanicula (Amanita Design)
Dear Esther (thechineseroom)
Lume (State Of Play Games)
Mirage (Mario von Rickenbach)
Wonderputt (Damp Gnat)

Technical Excellence
Antichamber (Demruth)
Fez (Polytron)
Prom Week (Expressive Intelligence Studio, UC Santa Cruz)
Realm of the Mad God (Wild Shadow Studios & Spry Fox)
Spelunky (Mossmouth)

Excellence In Design
Atom Zombie Smasher (Blendo Games)
English Country Tune (Stephen Lavelle)
Frozen Synapse (Mode 7 Games)
Gunpoint (Tom Francis, John Roberts and Fabian van Dommelen)
Spelunky (Mossmouth)

Excellence In Audio
Botanicula (Amanita Design)
Dear Esther (thechineseroom)
Pugs Luv Beats (Lucky Frame)
To The Moon (Freebird Games)
Waking Mars (Tiger Style)

Best Mobile Game
ASYNC Corp (Powerhead Games)
Beat Sneak Bandit (Simogo)
Faraway (Steph Thirion)
Ridiculous Fishing (Vlambeer)
Waking Mars (Tiger Style)

Nuovo Award
At a Distance (Terry Cavanagh)
Dear Esther (thechineseroom)
Fingle (Game Oven Studios)
GIRP (Bennett Foddy)
Proteus (Ed Key and David Kanaga)
Johann Sebastian Joust (Die Gute Fabrik)
Storyteller (Daniel Benmergui)
Way (CoCo & Co.)

Seumas McNally Grand Prize
Dear Esther (thechineseroom)
Fez (Polytron)
Frozen Synapse (Mode 7 Games)
Johann Sebastian Joust (Die Gute Fabrik)
Spelunky (Mossmouth)

~ ~ ~

READ: 2012 IGF - Student Showcase Winners
READ: 2012 IGF - Main Competition Finalists

New Xbox Live Indie Games for December 17, 2011, through January 13, 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:08:10 -0500

This will be a big one as I'm catching up with multiple weeks' worth of releases.

It looks like a few devs pulled out the holiday spirit at the last minute to get out a few Christmas-y games.

The pre-2011 best bets look to be stick shooter FireFly Vegas, silly tank combat game Attanck!2, good looking adventure game Colonies: Neociv, experimental begging game Homeless, wacky shooter Game Type, 3D puzzler Alien Jelly, strategy word game Lexiv, Absolult Firepower (sic), appropriately named Orb Tower Defense, first-person zombie shooter End Of Days: Infected vs Mercs, adorable flight game Rainbow Rapture, appropriately named Avatar Climbing, 3D tower defense game Takedown! and Tapper style burger tosser Burger Jack.

For the early 2012 best bets include shooter P3, retro adventure role-playing game EvilQuest, platform shooter Lots of Guns, kart racer Cro-Mag Rally, action-platformer Plugemons: Part 1 and RC helicopter game NewsCopter.

Below is a list of games released between December 17, 2011, and January 13, 2012. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Firefly by RockMint.

FireFly Vegas
(240 MP, 12/17/2011, ROCKMINT)
FireFly Vegas – an intergalactic themed casual twin stick arena shooter with action packed retro arcade gameplay, vibrant graphics, a frenzy of visually impressive particles systems and custom atmospheric audio. Developed using the R.A.C.E (RockMint Application Construction Engine) and bespoke music by Phatso Records, providing an intense, immersive and highly playable dynamic gaming experience.

Crazy Particles
(80 MP, 12/17/2011, David Tse)
Play with CRAZY particles! Activate special effects to make the CRAZY particles even more CRAZY! Change the CRAZY Color, Speed, Size, Angle and Gravity direction.

Attanck!2
(240 MP, 12/17/2011, Daisy Maze Games)
The 80s super computer, 'Deep Thoughts', is back and printing another evil ASCII army bent on destruction. Assault the enemy in this original campaign featuring all new levels, additional enemies, and multiple game modes in this arcade action title with unique gameplay and retro style. Prepare for the ASCII invasion in 3 2 1 ... ATTANCK!

Colonies: Neociv
(240 MP, 12/17/2011, Twist-EdGames.com)
Neociv is a perfect world were people only work on their passions. But something is not right and you are scrambling for your life and the future of Neociv in this story-driven adventure game.

マイケルの不思議な冒険
(80 MP, 12/17/2011, HUNTERS)
This is an action game which Michael the bear go on adventure. Let's go on adventure in a various world and collect dream-stars.

Starship Slots
(80 MP, 12/18/2011, Alan Troth)
A Starship themed slot machine game. The slot machines feature spin, hold and nudge abilities. The game includes medals which are gained for certain accomplishments, and a small shop to spend any winnings. Purchases from the shop include 'Autonomous Avatars' which happily play slot machines along side you. The player can look around, which if used in the right way can help maximize winnings...

Playing in Traffic
(80 MP, 12/18/2011, DDW Games)
Stevie the Safety Pig has some (not so) helpful safety tips for crossing the street. Includes practice!

See the value in everything with Homeless by Silver Dollar Games.

Homeless
(80 MP, 12/18/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
Be thankful for what you have.

Card Creator Xmas
(80 MP, 12/19/2011, Teaser Creations)
Create your own unique Xmas / New Year Cards! Send them to friends/family with and without Xbox. Your friends don't need to purchase the App to view your cards! Fun and easy - Try now!

Avatar Gold Grab X-mas Version
(80 MP, 12/19/2011, PAWN Interactive)
Challenge yourself in this ultimate reaction based game! Increase your reaction speed and reflexes by playing against other gold grabbers. Beat your friends in local and live games. Will you become the Ultimate Gold Grabber? Merry christmas and happy holidays!

Attack of the Zombie Horde
(240 MP, 12/21/2011, Krooked Gaming)
The latest zombie survival shooter from Krooked Gaming. In single player or up to 4 player co-op, Attack of the Zombie Horde is pure shoot em up action offering Campaign & Survival modes. Unlock new weapons as you progressively battle with a relentless onslaught of undead zombies. The mission: Your elite military unit is left stranded in a remote, frozen wasteland and it’s kill or be killed!

A girl on a rainbow gathering stuff. It's Game Type by Mommy's Best Games.

Game Type
(80 MP, 12/21/2011, Mommy's Best Games)
Help Hoodie Girl defeat the evil MediaBall! *2-Player co-op! *Online High Scores! *Only the finest, screwball shoot'em up for you!

Fierce Game Hunting
(80 MP, 12/21/2011, Evolving Software)
A bead of sweat forms on your brow, but you resist the urge brush it off. Prone on the forest floor, ensconced by scrub and foliage, you draw the pristine, cool air into your lungs and hold it there. With hands as still as the colossal trunks that stretch out endlessly before you, your crosshair now rests steadily on a majestic buck only a short distance away. You, a proficient hunter?

FLIRT
(80 MP, 12/21/2011, Neil Jones)
Get busy chatting to Real People Online. You could meet that special someone today.

Alien Jelly
(240 MP, 12/21/2011, Collective Mass)
A 3D puzzle game in which you have to push crates, rotate the world, evade robots, dodge huge spiky things and figure out how to get home. Once you are done playing the 40 brain-twisting levels, you can try your hand at making them with the Build-O-Matic fully featured level editor. Share your levels with your friends or work together to solve any level with up to four player local co-op.

Starzzle Seasons
(80 MP, 12/23/2011, Bionic-Thumbs)
Starzzle Seasons is an addictive puzzle game where you have to pick all stars over 21 levels across SnowLand. If you are man enough probe yourself finishing the existing challenges and try to be in our top ten highscores!

Merry Match3 Christmas
(80 MP, 12/23/2011, roussec)
Get into christmas mood and check out this Match 3 game. Beautiful backgrounds, christmas trees, jingle bells and twenty challenging levels - it's all there.

More glowy galactic fun with EchoSpace by Cribzero.

EchoSpace
(80 MP, 12/23/2011, Cribzero)
Pilot your ship and it's energy weapon independently as you blast through hyperspace! EchoSpace is a top down "shooter" which requires skill and determination. Controlling two objects at one time is difficult, but very rewarding. You've never played anything quite like it!

NomNoms
(240 MP, 12/23/2011, Living Creature Studios)
In the beginning, the semi-intellegent creatures known as Noms were the favorite food source of many creatures. After discovering that this was because the Noms have a flavor, they decided to free themselves from the oppressive feasting of the other beasts under the epic leadership of Lord Noms and RamboNom. Gather Loot, build up your forces, and defend your Nomlets, all in the name of the LOL!

Lexiv
(240 MP, 12/23/2011, Andrew Gaubatz)
Build a city using just your words in this innovative puzzle-strategy game where each part of speech has a different effect! Citizens will flock to your city, but can you keep them happy and safe from harm? Test your skill through 4 varied worlds in a challenging 10+ hour campaign.

Absolult Firepower
(240 MP, 12/23/2011, Room 4 Games)
Give freedom to Kaalamarii Islands. Defeat the oppressive army.

Santa Sleigh Sling
(80 MP, 12/24/2011, Daydalus)
It's Christmas Eve, and Santa needs to deliver all his gifts. Fly his sleigh through the air, dodging trees, church steeples, geese and even helicopters, all while slinging gifts to happy boys and girls!

Ramen Ninja
(80 MP, 12/24/2011, nullptrstudios LLC)
Ramen Ninja is the story of a ramen farmer whose crops have been stolen by the sinister Dr. Udon, and his henchmen. Use your stealthy ninja skills to steal back your ramen and restore prosperity to your farm. Ramen Ninja combines sneaking and split-second decision making across 20 unique and challenging levels. Do you have what it takes to be a ramen ninja?

It's Billy the Kidney Bean. By ElvishJumpSuit. Kidney bean. Aliens. Got it.

Billy The Kidney Bean VTFF
(80 MP, 12/26/2011, ElvishJumpSuit)
It is 1944 and the axis forces have managed to get hold of alien 'Foo Fighter' technology. The aliens are helping them to build anti-gravity battleships in their secret underground base in the Nevada desert. This would allow them to alter the course of the war. Billy must stop them from altering the future and help the allies win the war ...... again!

Invasion One
(80 MP, 12/26/2011, Samuel H. Potter)
The second title in the simple.fun campaign series by Amalgamation Softworks, Invasion One is a tongue-in-cheek 2D sidescrolling shooter. You are the pilot of an alien attack ship, dispatched ahead of the fleet to the Terran homeworld to test its defenses by inflicting widespread damage across urban environments.

Orb Tower Defense
(80 MP, 12/26/2011, Daniel Cary)
Orb Tower Defense is an elemental-based tower defense game featuring an online game mode with up to six players and three different singleplayer game modes. The towers and creeps can be one of the following elements: fire, water, plant, electric. Each element has strengths and weaknesses to each other. Every type of tower has a total of six possible upgrades.

End Of Days: Infected vs Mercs
(240 MP, 12/27/2011, Sick Kreation)
A plague has devestated the world! Be a Mercenary and hunt down and kill the Infected to stop the plague, or make a last stand as the Infected in online team deathmatch. Free for all matches include a 'Head Fest' option, only head shots count and your head is twice its size!

AppPack 2.0
(80 MP, 12/27/2011, RicolaVG)
AppPack 2.0 includes 8 Apps and 4 Games.

Apparently rainbows save in Rainbow Rapture by Kindling.

Rainbow Rapture
(80 MP, 12/28/2011, Kindling)
Rainbow is unhappy with the way things turned out down below. He wants a clean slate. Help him wipe humanity off the face of the Earth. - Slide down hills to build momentum - Master gravity to get awesome air - Smash into three kinds of power-ups - Play new hills every time you start up - Eat lots of people - Conquer 45 challenges - Hear Rainbow's story

AvatarBall弾き
(400 MP, 12/28/2011, JinCycle)
AvatarBall弾きは多人数弾きアクションゲームです。 AvatarBallを操作して、ライバルを弾き100,000点越を目指せー弾いたあとに衝撃を与えると大量得点ゲット得点は弾き点＊生き残りポイントなので生き残ったほうがよいが、逃げてばかりでも点数は伸びないぞ！弾きを当てたあとは有利なので壁に追い詰めてハメていこうｗ製品版はXBOX　Live対戦可能 SE３D音源対応、ドップラー効果有り BGMはカスタムサウンドトラックのみ

Avatar Climbing
(80 MP, 12/28/2011, )
"Avatar Climbing" is an action game like 2D games. Multiplayer play Score Attack Mode. The single player Time Attack mode. P2P Time Attack rankings. Course design support, P2P sharing of courses designed course.

Zombie Snowmen
(80 MP, 12/28/2011, sanGames)
Test your reaction and kill evil snowmen bevor they kill you. Press the buttons that appear at the screen and survive as long as you can. But be careful, they are getting faster and faster.

Hack This Game 3
(80 MP, 12/28/2011, Utopioneer Games)
The third installment of our popular Hack This Game series. Play through puzzles of increasing difficulty. The first 3 to finish will get their avatar featured on the cover!

Takedown!
(80 MP, 12/29/2011, Fun Factory Entertainment)
Prepare to experience the next level of tower defense combat, in stunning 3D. Build progressively more unique and powerful towers, and upgrade them, in order to face a murderous, rampaging robotic army with impossible odds!

Ascension
(80 MP, 12/30/2011, Hatching Disaster)
Tear a swatch of destruction through space in this action-packed shooter. Aim carefully with the targeting reticule as each successful shot charges the special weapons faster: each of which can turn the tide of battle as you blow your enemies to pieces.

RoomRental
(80 MP, 12/30/2011, Marinus Holkema)
RoomRental is a strategic puzzle game. It's based om the papergame "dots and boxes". Are you ready to test your strategic skills? Keep your eyes open and play your walls right. Challenge your friends to play together.

Tapper clone Burger Jack by Playberries.

Burger Jack
(80 MP, 12/30/2011, Playberries)
Are you ready for a rush hour frenzy at the local diner? Burger Jack is a fast-paced, casual arcade game suitable for all ages. Serve customers as fast as you can, and help the teenage boy, Jack, earn money to buy the gadget he’s been dreaming about.

BlindGiRl2
(80 MP, 12/30/2011, glpeas)
BlindGiRl is back. This time she is not alone. Play split-screen or with a friend to solve echo-location puzzles, and find your way through confusion to understanding.

Gravity Dash 2
(80 MP, 12/30/2011, RicolaVG)
The sequal to Gravity Dash. Change gravity to avoid old obstacles and new obstacles that may come your way. Play through all 15 new levels.

One Man Army
(80 MP, 12/31/2011, TrippinAlien)
Built in an underground lab by a team of scientists from steel alloy and raw rage. Raised by a pride of lions until you killed them for food at age six. Trained to withstand face-melting heat, eyeball-freezing cold, and mind-numbing fear. You are Army, the world's preeminent badass. And you must stand alone. - All proceeds from this game will go to charity.

Ballochet 3
(80 MP, 01/01/2012, MindsEdge)
This game pits you agains stunning cityscapes. Can you navigate the beams to hit the target? 49 levels give you hours and hours of riveting play time. Winning the game is easy. Just aim and fire. But the simplicity is deceiving as every level has to be mastered in its own way. Have fun!

Eyestorm
(240 MP, 01/03/2012, 3Crew)
Eyestorm is a helicopter simulator game which takes place on a vast and heterogeneous archipelago of islands through forty exhilarating missions. The player must undertake rescue operations for survivors of accidents and shipwrecks, find missing expeditionists or transport important cargos, all within a limited time frame.

This glowy retro twin stick space shooter is called P3 Laser Space Horse Games.

P3
(80 MP, 01/03/2012, Laser Space Horse Games)
P3 is an intense twin-stick shooter where you pilot your nano-ship inside a petri dish to protect the nucleus at the center from hordes of invading bacteria. Collect energy from dead bacteria to keep the nucleus powered up, and use power ups, mines, and extra lives to blast your way through 14 tough waves.

Smarter Than A Cheerleader?
(240 MP, 01/04/2012, Jason Keiderling)
Are you smarter than a cheerleader? Find out as you compete against cheerleaders in a battle of knowledge across 15 categories.

EvilQuest
(80 MP, 01/04/2012, Chaosoft Games)
In EvilQuest, take on the role of Galvis -- a dark knight obsessed with ultimate power. Set out on a quest of revenge, destruction and conquest in this exciting retro Action RPG title. Along the way you'll unlock ancient mysteries, discover legendary weapons, relics and magic...and of course kill thousands of those foolish enough to stand in your way!

Lots of Guns
(80 MP, 01/05/2012, Stegersaurus Games 2)
Are you hardcore enough? Climb your way as high as you can in this platforming shooter complete with an insane collection of guns and explosives. Lots of Guns will have you fighting zombies under an evil moon, out of control robots in a factory, medieval knights, and monster slime creatures on your journey. Voxel styled pixel art gives this game a distinct but retro feel.

More skimpy outfits and general trailer parkiness in Trailer Park King Episode 2 by Freelance Games.

Trailer Park King Episode 2
(80 MP, 01/06/2012, Freelance Games)
He's a gamer, a bootlegger, a photographer and a connoisseur of the Ladies! Purchase “Trailer Park King Episode 2” now to continue the adventure and get a glimpse of "The King's" invisible stamp that says “I dated the Greeter”!

4P Ping-Pong
(80 MP, 01/07/2012, Bitreaction Game Studios)
No matter how old you are, this game is fun for everyone! Challenge out up to 3 of your friends or play against the computer.

Cro-Mag Rally
(240 MP, 01/07/2012, citizen12 studio)
Cro-Mag Rally is the wildest kart racing game since man invented the wheel! You are a speed-hungry caveman named Brog who races through the Stone, Bronze, and Iron Ages in primitive vehicles with plenty of weapons to fend off your opponents!

Dot.
(80 MP, 01/12/2012, MadFox)
In a world before graphical fidelity, quick-time events or bloom filters, two oblong warriors square off in not-quite mortal combat, in a no-holds possible fight to the bitter end.

Octopede
(80 MP, 01/13/2012, Orbital Games Limited)
Octopede is a fast-paced 2D survival shooter. The player takes control of a computer worm inside a hostile mainframe. Gather as much data as possible before the host’s defences get the better of you! Manic gameplay, shiny neon graphics and 8-bit style music and SFX make Octopede a truly intense experience.

Plugemons: Part 1
(80 MP, 01/13/2012, Bionic-Thumbs)
Jump, run, DIE, kill, save Plugemons, DIE AGAIN, plug yourself, solve puzzles, evade magma and enormous bosses in an epic adventure with an epic race enslaved by evil machines where dying is a matter of time. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED!

NewsCopter
(240 MP, 01/13/2012, ECHS BACHS)
NewsCopter - Collect News Photos from cities around the World. GAMES.ARCHOR.COM

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending December 16, 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:34:33 -0500

This will likely be our last update until 2012 (gotta love those holidays).

There are a couple holiday themed games including North Pole Zombie Massacre (doesn't look great but has a great name), Cassie's Christmas Magic (which looks like it is mostly pictures and music) and Spartans in Candyland (Spartans smash!).

Best bests for the week look to be the previously mentioned twinstick car crasher called Spartans in Candyland, rainbows and kittens explosion Nyan Cat Adventure, top-down racer Magic Racing GP 2, Extreme Jogging and weird sexy street brawler Let's Get Fiscal.

Below is a list of games released between December 10 and 16, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Wabbits! Jumping For Fun
(80 MP, 12/11/2011, Squire Software)
You are a Wabbit. Stomping is your weapon. Stomp your way across 50 solo challenges or three local multiplayer modes with or without bots. Easy and fun to play for any skill level guarantees enjoyment for you and your buddies!

Silent Call 2
(80 MP, 12/11/2011, x68ST0X20)
Take the role of Fighter, Mage or Explorer; and save your home village from the evil influence of the Empire of Jem! Fight, cast spells, dig tunnels, recruit a team of allies, complete quests, and develop the village as your home base - everything ultimately leads you to the final confrontation with Gold Rick!

Half naked men and candy come together in Spartans in Candyland by Marklund Games.

Spartans in Candyland
(240 MP, 12/11/2011, Marklund Games)
Pick one of four half-naked Spartans, each with unique abilities and shoot yourself through legions of cuddly aliens in this twinstick shooter. Play alone or with your friends, pick up different weapons and destroy everything that moves while capturing checkpoints to gain score. The more you kill, the higher your testosterone builds up, which allows you to unleash your most destructive abilities.

Cassie's Christmas Magic
(80 MP, 12/12/2011, Silver Dollar Games 4)
Cassie shares a few reflections on life. Also includes many soothing winter themes.

Fun in the Gulf
(80 MP, 12/13/2011, Living Creature Studios)
Fun in the Gulf is an implementation of the abstract strategy board game Lines of Action. We hope you enjoy our unique, internet-phenomenon-influenced theme as you play this classic board game for what is probably the first time (if you are a college-aged male who spends 10-20 hours per week online, we know you will).

Rainbows and kitties and hearts and candies and... pills? It's one-button masher called Nyan Cat Adventure by Street Games LLC.

Nyan Cat Adventure
(240 MP, 12/13/2011, 21 Street Games LLC)
In the year 20XX… NYAN CAT GOES ADVENTURE! Single-button arcade action meets the Internet’s greatest Cat Meme, Nyan Cat! Super simple to pick up and play, starring all your favorite Nyan characters. 5 game modes jam packed with all the insanity you’d expect from the developers behind Techno Kitten Adventure! Nyanyanyanyanyanyanya :)

FishPop
(80 MP, 12/13/2011, jaek.com)
A competitive game where each player tries to take over the pond, filling it with their own fish, while knocking other players out of the game. Overpopulate cells with fish so that they jump into neighboring cells, taking over opponent fish. Using special items- lure, freeze, or flush your opponents' fish. An extended form of the chain-reaction type game.

North Pole Zombie Massacre
(80 MP, 12/13/2011, Ghere Game Studios)
You are Santa Clause. Zombies have invaded the North Pole. The kids are counting on you to gather all of the presents that the zombies have scattered all over the North Pole, and return them to the sleigh. Only then can you deliver them and save the holidays! Enjoy endless random levels of holiday cheer.

Magic Racing GP 2
(240 MP, 12/14/2011, Magic73)
A new Top-Down racing game is here! 4 classes: Open Wheel, Kart (85cc, 150cc, 250cc) Race over 34 circuits with different game modes: - Pratice - Quick Race - Complete Weekend Race - Season Race against to 19 CPU drivers or jump into the XBOX Live! experience. The internal editor for full personalization of drivers and teams! Join the community and get more info at: www.magicstudio.eu

Cassie's Animal Sounds
(80 MP, 12/14/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
It's bad enough she doesn't even know what some of the animals are, but a few of them don't even exist! ...or do they?

Extreme Jogging
(80 MP, 12/16/2011, Squarebananas)
Take jogging to the next level with "Extreme Jogging". Compete across 10 action-packed stages on the global highscore board to become the greatest jogger in the world.

Fortunately, I did not see any leg warmers in the screen shots for Let's Get Fiscal by so-called Baller Industries.

Let's Get Fiscal
(80 MP, 12/16/2011, Baller Industries)
A young accountant is on his way to meet with a client, when something unexpected happens causing maximum surprise.

Horde of the Damned
(240 MP, 12/16/2011, Tomlin Games)
Campaign led, strategy game with city and army management. Defend the Kingom from the Hordes of Evil Undead! Quickbattle mode supports up to 4 local players with 5 different maps designed specifically for quickbattle mode. Develop your cities and build bigger armies! Complex AI, multiple map types, full on battle, defend the convoy, special missions.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending December 9, 2011 (updated)

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:40:02 -0500

Another short week but the holidays are upon us, so it's relatively understandable. This is the last Xbox Live weekly update before the 2012 Independent Propeller Awards entry period ends (December 15, 2011) so be sure to get your game assets in order this weekend and enter the indie game competition, assuming you have not already.

This week there's also a non-game app available which is a relative rarity in the indie game channel. It's called Gamerscore Tracker and it, well, tracks gamerscores. You can use it to track daily changes in your, your friends' and the worlds' ranks.

This week's best bets include 21 Ball Snooker Champion, multiplayer brawler Avatar Rumble and I'll even give a nod to Santa's Xmas Dash for trying to keep up the holiday spirit.

Below is a list of games released between December 3 and 9, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Smack some red balls with a stick in Maximinus' 21 Ball Snooker Champion.

21 Ball Snooker Champion
(80 MP, 12/03/2011, Maximinus)
Classic UK Snooker, with 4 player party mode, and cooperative play against the computer. Featuring multi rebound Cheat-O-Laser for insane trickshots!

piniq
(240 MP, 12/05/2011, LemmingRush)
A modern take on an ancient classic with sweet original music, friggin awesome backgrounds in space, and an extremely fun new mode that will put your reflexes to the test. Grab a friend and crush'em mercilessly in super piniq turbo.

Avatar Rumble
(80 MP, 12/06/2011, Ho-Hum Games)
Grab a friend (or three!) and do battle with your Avatars on soaring planes, city rooftops and more!

They Breathe
(240 MP, 12/06/2011, The Working Parts)
A lone frog descends into the depths of a drowned forest where nothing is what it seems, competing with strange creatures for a limited supply of oxygen, and discovers what really lies beneath the surface.

Abzolium
(80 MP, 12/06/2011, Square eyed vision)
The award winning multiplayer battle arena game Abzolium is finally coming to the Xbox 360! Fight with up to 4 players in an action-packed arena where the environment is more than just a dormant background. Create your own ability build that suits you or your team so you'll come out victorious in the upcoming rounds where kill-count is all that matters.

STG VS
(80 MP, 12/07/2011, haniwa)
It is shooting in a maximum of four persons.

Makin' fractals with Fractalus by Fuzzy Duck Entertainment.

Fractalus
(80 MP, 12/07/2011, Fuzzy Duck Entertainment)
Explore the MandelBrot and Julia fractals. Light up your TV with fantastic patterns. Play with the colors to create a beautiful scene. Listen to your music or the music provided with the fractals pulsing to the beat!

Virtual Attraction - Part 2
(80 MP, 12/08/2011, Fun Factory Entertainment)
The highly anticipated 2nd installment of the series that teaches you how to attract beautiful women - regardless of whether you are short, fat, poor or bald! In VA1 you learnt the theory, now VA2 shows you how to put it into practice with actual techniques! www.virtual-attraction-series.com

Santa's Xmas Dash
(80 MP, 12/08/2011, Lost World Creations12/08)
Help Santa this Xmas by pressing the buttons on your gamepad in time to the flashing lights. Play with your friends and work as a team with up to 4 player cooperative gameplay. Includes 3 Christmas tracks to get you into the festive spirit

Gamerscore Tracker
(80 MP, 12/09/2011, BigRookGames)
Gamerscore Tracker tracks day to day Gamerscore changes, ranks players against their friends, and ranks them globally in the Global Tracker by total Gamerscore, games played, and total achieved as well as Gamerscore gains over periods of time. Where do you stack up against the world?

The Book of Biblets - Part 1
(240 MP, 12/09/2011, Soft Sell Studios)
Help your children learn important Biblical stories with the colorfully-illustrated Book of Biblets, the first game of a seven game series. Part 1- The Creation contains seven Old Testament stories, along with narration, story-related games, and trivia questions to test your knowledge.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Wanted Corp. and Minute to Win It giveaways begin today

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:18:06 -0500

indiePub's parent company, Zoo entertainment, today launched two more game giveaways through Facebook.

The first is the Wanted Corp. PlayStation Network Game Giveaway where you can enter for a chance to win a copy (or, really, a download code) of Zoo's new Wanted Corp. which was released today (December 6, 2011) for $9.99.

Here's a description of the game from today's press release:

Wanted Corp. is a third-person cooperative action-shooter game designed to take advantage of the PlayStation Move motion controller.

In Wanted Corp., up to two players can embody charismatic bounty hunters Neal Maddogg and Irina-Ys, sent to track down and capture the most wanted criminals in the galaxy.

Neutralizing fugitives, exploring the hostile stages and collecting items allows the bounty hunters to earn cash to upgrade their equipment and abilities.

Battle robotic drones and colossal Giants as you track and capture down members of the Monkey Gang and the Fanatical Sect, culminating with end-of-campaign confrontations with highly evolved bosses. Use weapons, magical powers and even mobile robots for maximum destruction.

The second is the Minute to Win It Christmas Prize Package Giveaway where you can enter for a chance to win both the Xbox 360 Minute to Win It video game and Mattel's Minute to Win It board game.

Here's a description of Minute to Win It Kinect from the press release sent October 2011:

"Minute to Win It" utilizes the Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor to offer controller-less reality gaming fun for the whole family. Run, duck, jump and dive into the action using the Xbox 360 Kinect Sensor to compete in deceptively difficult 60-second challenges taken right from NBC's hit competitive series, "Minute To Win It." Players will be guided by the voice talent and likeness of Guy Fieri as they fight for their chance to win the coveted million-dollar prize.

Fans of the show will instantly recognize popular games including "Egg Roll," where players must fan a pizza box to move eggs along the ground, and "Hanky Panky," where players frantically pull 60 tissues out of a box. Players will also play notable games from the show like "Nervous Nelly," "Wet Ball" and "Card Ninja."

To enter each giveaway you must "Like" each game's Facebook page and comment in that day's giveaway post. Both giveaways end December 23, 2011.

They're giving away multiple prize packages so , if you miss one giveaway post, check back again to find out when the next will be.

~ ~ ~

PAGE: Wanted Corp. @ Facebook
RULES: Wanted Corp. PlayStation Network Game Giveaway
SITE: Wanted Corp.
PAGE: Minute to Win It Kinect @ Facebook
RULES: Minute to Win It Christmas Prize Package Giveaway
SITE: Minute To Win it Kinect

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending December 2, 2011

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:59:43 -0500

Yay for Christmas games!

OK, so there aren't really that many and there's really only one looks like actual fun (Elfsquad7). Even so, my Santa hat goes off to everyone who tried to put a little holiday cheer into Xbox Live. A couple are more like personal game cards than commercial games (A Day at Gma's House in Winter and Christmas Rocks!) but then there's one that stars Penguins (called Pingvinas) which may not be truly holiday related but the snowy setting is certainly in its favor.

It's also back to a week packed with new games.

This week's best bets look to be pretty action-adventure game Lolita of Labyrinth, retro side-scrolling space shooter NanoSquad, retro top-down 3D shooter TurboRocket 2, co-op Christmas adventure game Elfsquad7, cowboy platformer VolChaos, graphic-intense space shooter Orbitron: Revolution, 3D escape game with a green theme Escape From Robot Doom, platform fighting with chubby cartoon ninjas in Ninja Recapture, sky combat game Dragons vs Spaceship and board game Pingvinas.

Below is a list of games released between November 26 and December 2, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Ultimate Polygon by Polygon Gaming looks like it's filled with - you guessed it - polygons.

Ultimate Polygon
(80 MP, 11/26/2011, Polygon Gaming)
Ultimate Polygon is the next installment to the Xtreme Polygon series. Taking an entirely new twist on gameplay, you have to move your shape through a deadly passage consisting of enemy shapes and avoid them by flipping up or down, or even hovering over them.

Rise of the mummies
(80 MP, 11/26/2011, Impera Software)
you can play in single and local multiplayer against many types of angry mummies who want to kill you!

Lolita of Labyrinth
(240 MP, 11/27/2011, aorz)
This is a side-scrolling action game. This game has 12 Levels.You must find the key which can open the door to exit. You can stamp monstors, get your coins.If 100 coin is collected, it is exchangeable for a treasure box. If it clears once, difficult stage composition can be played. It created by action game maker.

A Day at Gma's House in Winter
(80 MP, 11/27/2011, DualOpAmp)
Watch your child spend the day at grandma's house in the winter, as they sled down the mountain, skate on the ice pond, catch snowflakes, or simply make a special picture for their favorite person. Simple games designed for your young child's entertainment.

UK Regions & Counties
(80 MP, 11/27/2011, JB Marius-Sheridan)
Learn about the regions and counties of the United Kingdom, including facts such as area and population. (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not available in the trial version).

Where are the zombies? In this game, of course. And they are everywhere. It's Zombies, Zombies Everywhere! by Bionic-Thumbs.

Zombies, Zombies Everywhere!
(80 MP, 11/27/2011, Bionic-Thumbs)
Zombies are everywhere! You are already dead, you know it, but before it happens you can use your shotgun to send them back to hell.

NanoSquad
(240 MP, 11/28/2011, Indie Saudi)
Join the squad as they try to save the world from the Wolf Pack. A multiplayer sidescrolling shooter game which uses RPG battle elements and teamwork in its mechanics. Use the aircrafts' different jobs and abilities to help the squad complete their missions.

TurboRocket 2
(80 MP, 11/28/2011, cored.dk)
Account: This is a top-down 3d shooter. Purpose: Destroy and wipe out all enemies on each level. Reward: Joy and awesomeness. Variety: Play 1, 2 or 4 players at same screen Challenge: 8 custom-made levels.

Elfsquad7 must be cooler than Elfsquad6, right? Game by Tykocom.

Elfsquad7
(80 MP, 11/28/2011, Tykocom)
The North Pole is in trouble and only you can help in ELFSQUAD7. Go solo or team up with your friends and family in a co-op Christmas adventure! Use your skills to stuff Santa's sac, smash freakish toys, fight Kevin - the haywire toy-building robot, and save Christmas for everyone! Santa needs your help! ELFSQUAD7...ASSEMBLE!

VolChaos
(80 MP, 11/30/2011, Fun Infused Games)
Volchaos is a challenging old school platformer. Playing as a heroic explorer, you must navigate through dangerous volcanoes in search of precious gems you can use to pay off your mortgage, bad investments, and alimony. To further complicate matters, the lava is continuously rising and an array of enemies stands in your path. Will you become rich? Heck, you will be lucky to survive.

Orbitron: Revolution
(240 MP, 12/01/2011, firebase)
Launch into a relentless battle against a robotic horde bent on the destruction of an Orbital Power Station. Blast your way through three intense game modes with one of two selectable space fighters. Compete against other Xbox Live Gold members for high score bragging rights. Beautiful 3d graphics and a soundtrack by Audio Antics await you in Orbitron: Revolution!

Escape From Robot Doom
(80 MP, 12/01/2011, Total Commitment Games)
Complete nine full 3D levels and escape from the recycling center.

Orcs!
(80 MP, 12/01/2011, Andreil Game)
The orcs invade your kingdom. Send troops to push them back! Play the campaign with his 50 area, or play against your friends. Up to 4 players on the same screen.

Gert yer cute ninja action on with Ninja Recapture by WINGLAY.

Ninja Recapture
(240 MP, 12/01/2011, WINGLAY)
Beat enemies with Shuriken and Katana, Get back the book of secrets stolen from castle! Buy equipments or get higher levels to power-up. You can play games at the Gambling Hall or rebattle with bosses at the Arena in the latter part of the game.

ぬさっ娘 (Insensible Gone Girl)
(80 MP, 12/01/2011, TEA)
巫女が掴んで、投げて、ぶつけて倒すアクション！ヌサを操作して、敵を掴んで、投げて、ぶつけて倒します。弾をガードして神技発動！コワかかわいい敵を、ヌサを駆使して戦ってください。ヌサは弾を吸収することと、掴んで投げる事が出来ます。勢い良くブツケルと大ダメージ。ちょっとでも敵に触れると終了なので注意！

Dragons vs Spaceships
(240 MP, 12/01/2011, Slopius)
Dragons Vs Spaceships is a top down shooter which seeks to capture the essence of the genre, while putting a new spin on old conventions. Travel across many worlds destroying the enemy, using three weapon types that combine for a total of six special weapons. Fun and challenging, players will quickly master the controls.

Avatar Trivia Party
(80 MP, 12/01/2011, MikeVentron)
Test your trivia knowledge with a fully-featured online board game! Can you roll the dice and conquer the board before anyone else? With hundreds of questions and online matches over Xbox LIVE, you'd better smarten up!

Christmas Rocks!
(80 MP, 12/02/2011, PurpleGames)
Merry Christmas Everyone! (online highscores)

EP1C CAT G4ME FOREV3R !!
(80 MP, 12/02/2011, ANH Games)
Help poor Kittycat get home.

It's Pinvinas by Mobisation Germany. Do not read into the name. It really is about Penguins.

Pingvinas
(240 MP, 12/02.2011, Mobisation Germany)
You are near the South Pole. Your penguins jump across ice floes, trying to block your opponent and hunt as much fish as possible. The player with the most fish wins. Play against computer opponents, multiplayer on one machine or online using XBox LIVE.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending November 25, 2011

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:21:00 -0500

Only six new games this week but most look at least try-able.

This week's top three best bets look to be a building game with (of course) zombies called Canyon Viaduct, puzzle matching game Itza and cute and cartoony platformer Oozi: Earth Adventure Ep. 2. I'll even give quick nods to retro space shooter Star Defender and the potential of Temple of Dogolrak (more because I appreciate story-based dating-sim style games than the sexy outfits).

Best game name goes to OnekSoft Games for Angry Zombie Ninja Cats. Meouch!

Below is a list of games released between November 19 and 25, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

It's a construction worker's nightmare in Golconda2's Canyon Viaduct (screen shot above).

Canyon Viaduct
(80 MP, 11/19/2011, Golconda2)
As the Chief of the Canyon Project, rescue the civilians from zombies and help them by building a bridge across the Canyon. The Canyon Viaduct demands challenging assignments in three different modes - Normal, Expert and Killer. Can you take up this job?

Angry Zombie Ninja Cats
(80 MP, 11/21/2011, OnekSoft Games)
Evade or destroy the Ninja Cats that have turned into Zombies!

Itza
(80 MP, 11/22/2011, Ivan-Mark Debono)
Itza is an exciting puzzle game where your goal is to remove pairs of matching tiles and trying to clear the board before the time runs up. Explode tiles in combos to clear the level faster and to receive powerful powerups!

Star Defender
(80 MP, 11/25/2011, Andrew French)
Fly through space to defend the stars as you create black holes and edit the very fabrics of time.

A screen shot (above) of AwesomeGamesStudio's Oozi: Earth Adventure Ep. 2.

Oozi: Earth Adventure Ep. 2
(80 MP, 11/25/2011, AwesomeGamesStudio)
Oozi: Earth Adventure is where classic platforming fun meets modern visuals and hand-drawn art. Lots of special abilities, dozens of enemies, extra difficult challenge mode and time limited arcade mode specially for hardcore gamers. All that for only 80 MSP, a must have for all platformer fans!

Temple of Dogolrak
(240 MP, 11/25/2011, Team Shuriken)
Experience a sexy and mysterious adventure !

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending November 18, 2011

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 08:54:08 -0500

A really short list of releases this past week which I guess makes sense considering all of the contests going on and the upcoming holidays. Of course, with all of the ramping-up to "Cyber Monday" (the Monday following Thanksgiving) you'd think more devs would want their games to go live this week. Because of the holiday, expect next week's update the following Monday as well (dern holidays).

Of the week's six games, the best three look to be 3D brick breaker 3D-struction, dungeon platformer Red Tie Miner and shooter-puzzle-RPG mashup Perkunas' Dragon: Episode One.

Below is a list of games released between November 12 and 18, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

gemologist
(80 MP, 11/13/2011, n-Dot)
Your objective in this puzzle game is to find similar colored gems in groups of three or more.

Red Tie Miner
(80 MP, 11/17/2011, Maximinus)
Red Tie ... check. Pickaxe ... check. Let's get out of this mine!

A screen shot of the 3D brick breaking action in 3D-struction by The Unallied.

3D-struction
(240 MP, 11/17/2011, The Unallied)
Eye-popping 3D visuals on your 3DTV or with Red/Cyan glasses! The classic brick-breaking game comes in a new dimension as you bounce balls down 30+ levels of 3D blocks, alone or with a friend. Clear the field quickly using 1, 2, or 4 thumbs, and create point Combos to get the maximum of 4 'Stars of Commendation'. Variable-depth 3D modes including 3D-TV and Anaglyph- All in Smooth 1080p.

Hidden in Plain Sight
(80 MP, 11/18/2011, Adam Spragg Games)
Try to win, but don't LOOK like you're trying to win, or you will lose. Featuring five game modes, "Hidden in Plain Sight" pits players against each other in tense battles of guile and subtlety. This game is local-multiplayer ONLY, so don't buy it if you don't have any friends.

Perkunas' Dragon: Episode One
(240 MP, 11/18/2011, Middle Lands Studios)
Imagine a game which is a connection of three gaming styles - Shooter, RPG and Puzzle. Enter the fantastic world of Slavonic creatures! Are you ready for a big journey?

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

indiePub now accepting entries for the 2012 Independent Propeller Awards

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:53:22 -0500

indiePub is now accepting entries for its fifth contest, the 2012 Independent Propeller Awards.

Game developers are invited to submit their game to indiePub now through December 15, 2011, via the new indiePub contest site.

Entries can be submitted through contest.indiePub.com.

Note that you do not enter through this site. Instead, you'll be entering through what is essentially a lite version of the new indiePub site. Not all of the features have been activated but you'll at least get a sense for the basic look and feel of the site.

indiePub is giving away $50,000 across six (6) prizes. The Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000 and the possibility of a publishing agreement with indiePub. Each category winner will receive $5,000: Best Audio, Best Art, Best Design, Technical Excellence and Mobile.

All games are considered for each category but we are asking that you write a description of your game and point out its highlights. Also, we've added a Mobile Games category but that does not mean mobile games are ineligible for the other categories. We just wanted to give them a little extra love this time around.

The 2012 Independent Propeller Awards winners will be announced March 9, 2012.

Here's what you do to enter:

Make a game.

Register at the new indiePub.com.

Submit your game via indiePub between November 15 and December 15, 2011. There is a PDF you can download to help you with the submission process.

Wait to get your submission approval confirmation email from us.

Become friends with indiePub on Facebook and keep checking back here for contest updates.

Check indiePub on or around February 7, 2012, when the finalists will be announced.

Jump up and down with indie glee. (OK, that one is optional but still recommended).

You can enter your game into our competition even if you have entered it in our previous competitions (but it cannot have won). Of course, please check the rules for complete details. You can also ask questions here or in the forums and we'll do our best to answer them.

~ ~ ~

SITE: 2012 Independent propeller Awards Contest Page
SUBMIT: Enter @ 2012 Independent propeller Awards
READ: Rules
READ: FAQs
READ: Press Release
CONTACT: contests@indiePub.com

Minute to Win It Prize Package Giveaway begins today on Facebook

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:26:55 -0500

indiePub's parent company, Zoo Entertainment, is giving away several Minute to Win It prize packages that include the Xbox 360 Minute to Win It video game and Mattel's Minute to Win It board game.

The giveaway begins today (November 15, 2011) and will continue until December 5, 2011.

To enter, you have to "Like" the Minute to Win It Kinect game page on Facebook and leave a comment within the giveaway post.

If you miss it or don't win today, check back each day through December 5, 2011, for a chance to enter.

Good Luck!

~ ~ ~

PAGE: Minute to Win It Kinect @ Facebook
SITE: Minute to Win It Kinect

Minute to Win It Prize Package Giveaway Rules

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:02:02 -0500
Giveaway Name: Minute to Win It Prize Package Giveaway (the “Giveaway”)

Giveaway Dates: Beginning 12:01 a.m. (ET), November 15, 2011, and ending 11:59 p.m. (ET), December 5, 2011.

Zoo Entertainment, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliated companies ("Company"), will conduct the Giveaway substantially as described in these rules and, by participating, each participant agrees as follows:

1. Description of Giveaway/Participation.

A. Dates of Giveaway: The Giveaway will be conducted beginning November 15, 2011, and ending on or about December 5, 2011.

B. How to Register:

NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Register by logging on to the Company's Giveaway website (aka Zoo Games' Minute to Win It Kinect Facebook page) at https://www.facebook.com/MinuteToWinItKinect/ and complete the on-line registration form. Deadline for registration is 11:59 p.m. EST on December 9, 2011, or as determined by each day's criteria. One entry per person per day during the Giveaway period. Valid entries must contain all information requested. Incomplete and/or multiple entries will be disqualified.

Giveaway Registrants will consist of all valid entries received within Giveaway Dates. Recipient(s) will be notified by e-mail. If a Registrant cannot be contacted from the information provided on the Internet registration form, the Company reserves the right to not award the Prize(s) in its sole discretion.

2. Prize(s).
The item(s) that will be awarded to eligible Winners is:

A Prize Package consisting of Zoo Entertainment's "Minute to Win It" Kinect Xbox 360 video game and Mattel's "Minute to Win It Family Game" board game (approximate retail value: US $70.00).

Game console and Kinect hardware required to play the video game are not included. Prizes are non-transferable, not redeemable for cash and not exchangeable for any other prize. All prizes must be claimed and/or redeemed within 30 days. If a Registrant is disqualified, the Company reserves the right to or not to award that prize to another qualified Entrant, in its sole discretion.

3. Eligibility and Limitations.
Registrants must be legal U.S. residents at least 18 years old at the time of registration as determined by the Company. Registrant assumes all liability for use of the Prize. Only one (1) Prize will be award per person for the Giveaway. Only one Prize per household within the Giveaway period. Employees of the Company, the Giveaway’s participating sponsors and their advertising agencies, employees of associated video game companies and members of the immediate family of any such persons are not eligible to participate. The term “immediate family” includes spouses, siblings, parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren, whether as “in-laws” or by current or past marriage(s), remarriage(s), adoption, co-habitation or other family extension and any other persons residing at the same household whether or not related.

4. Delivery & Use Disclaimer.
Participants are restricted to use of ordinary and typical computer equipment and Internet access. The Company disclaims all liability for the inability of a participant to complete or continue an entry due to equipment malfunction, busy lines, inadvertent disconnections, acts beyond the Company’s control or otherwise. The Company disclaims any liability for received entries due to technical difficulties or transmission errors. The Company disclaims all liability for any delays, mis-delivery, loss or failure in the delivery or use of any Prize. The Company is not responsible for mechanical, technical, electronic, communications, telephone, computer, hardware or software errors, malfunctions or failures of any kind, including but not limited to failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed transmission of online entries, traffic congestion on telephone lines, the Internet or at any website or lost or unavailable network connections which may limit an online entrant's ability to participate in the Giveaway or use a Prize and any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in or downloading any information necessary to participate in the Giveaway.

5. Publicity.
By participating, where allowed by law, all participants and winner(s) grant the Company exclusive permission to use their names, characters, photographs, voices, and likenesses in connection with promotion of this and other Giveaways and waive any claims to royalty, right, or remuneration for such use. By participating, where allowed by law, participants agree that the Company may disclose personal information obtained from participants in the Giveaway to third parties and use such information for marketing and other purposes.

6. Release.
By participating, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against the Company, its employees and agents, the Giveaway’s sponsors and their respective employees and agents, for any personal injury or loss which may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the Giveaway, or from the use of any prize. It is the Registrant's responsibility to make certain the selected Prize will work on their device.

7. Taxes.
Any valuation of the prize(s) stated above is based on available information provided to the Company, and the value of any prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes and paying any expenses associated with any prize(s) which are not specifically provided for in the official rules. Prizes are not transferable, redeemable for cash or exchangeable for any other prize. Any person winning more than $600 in prizes from the Company will receive an IRS form 1099 at the end of the calendar year and a copy of such form will be filed with the IRS.

8. Conduct and Decisions
By participating in the Giveaway, participants agree to be bound by the decisions of Company personnel. Persons who violate any rule, gain unfair advantage in participating in the Giveaway, or obtain Prize Recipient status using fraudulent means will be disqualified. Unsportsmanlike, disruptive, annoying, harassing or threatening behavior is prohibited. The Company will interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, conflicting claims or ambiguities concerning the rules or the Giveaway and the Company's decisions concerning such disputes shall be final. If the conduct or outcome of the Giveaway is affected by human error, any mechanical malfunctions or failures of any kind, intentional interference or any event beyond the control of the Company, the Company reserves the right to terminate this Giveaway or make such other decisions regarding the outcome as the Company deems appropriate. All decisions will be made by the Company and are final. The Company may waive any of these rules in its sole discretion. ANY ATTEMPT BY A CONTESTANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY CIRCUMVENT, DISRUPT OR DAMAGE ORDINARY AND NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS GIVEAWAY, TELEPHONE SYSTEMS OR WEBSITE, OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GIVEAWAY IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PARTICIPATE TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

9. Miscellaneous.
No purchase necessary to participate or win. Purchase does not increase chance of winning. All entries become the property of the Company. The Company may substitute prizes, amend the rules or discontinue the Giveaway at any time as posted on the website. The Company disclaims any responsibility to notify participants of any aspect related to the conduct of the Giveaway. For a copy of the rules, or where required by law, a list of Prize Recipients, please send your request within 30 days of the end of the giveaway (January 5, 2012) by mail with a stamped, self-addressed return envelope with Giveaway name and addressed to:

Zoo Entertainment, Inc.,
ATTN: Minute to Win It Prize Package Giveaway
3805 Edwards Road, Suite 400
Cincinnati, OH 45209

10. Compliance with Law.
The conduct of the Giveaway is governed by the applicable laws of the Unites States of America, which take precedence over any rule to the contrary herein. The Company shall follow the applicable laws for conducting Giveaways, including notice to the state attorney general or consumer affairs office, posting of a prize bond, furnishing lists of winners, providing specific written information about the Giveaway, etc. as required by local and state law.

indiePub releasing Capsized as free-to-play iPad game

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:34:26 -0500

indiePub today (November 14, 2011) announced that the iPad version of Capsized will be available early January 2012.

Capsized for iPad will also be free-to-play with a currency system that will allow real-world and in-game money to be used to upgrade weapons, skills, health and accessories.

indiePub also promises this will not be a simple port of Capsized which is currently available on PC. Instead, according to the press release, the gameplay and controls are being "re-designed and optimized...for touch-based devices"

Here's more taken right from indiePub's press release:

In Capsized, you play as an intrepid space traveler whose ship has crash landed on a mysterious alien planet. You must navigate through the beautiful but perilous environment and fight off bloodthirsty creatures to save your crewmates and escape with your lives.

Capsized includes more than a dozen non-linear levels with lush, explorable environments across a story-based Campaign, Death Match, Survival, Time Trials and Armless Fighting modes. Capsized also features innovative gameplay, a large arsenal of space-age weapons, armor and power ups that will keep players’ fingers glued to their screen for hours.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Capsized

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending November 11, 2011 (updated)

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:49:56 -0500

Another week with a fairly decent number of releases. I'm starting to see URLs trickling into indie game descriptions which is primarily useful for postings like this where the descriptions is copied and pasted. It's a bit annoying but I'd probably do the same if I had a game on Xbox Live.

Best bets this week look to be spacey racer Flowrider, weird jet-pack puzzle-platformer Bobby, monster rock themed Distortion King, Mincraft-ian CastleMiner Z (the "Z" stands for zombies, of course), psychedelic puzzle game Growing Pains (no relation to the TV series), world domination style board game Masters of Influence, body shooter You're All Diseased! and target practice game Firing Range. Last-minute add goes to Contra-esque Invasion.

Below is a list of games released between November 5 and 11, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

RE: Get To Schol On Time
(80 MP, 11/05/2011, GHXYK2)
1 + 1 = Game made in 2004 released in 2011 www.ghxyk2.com

Screen shot of Flowrider by Fritz.

Flowrider
(80 MP, 11/05/2011, Fritz)
Flowrider uses a large scale realtime fluid dynamics simulation to provide a unique top down racing experience. Online, split-screen and single player are supported. Futuristic visuals in full HD and a custom-composed soundtrack complete the package.

Zombusters
(80 MP, 11/05/2011, Retrowax Games)
Zombusters is a fun and action-packed 3rd person game that will let you sticked on your seat until the end. Its 2D graphics and isometric view make it a different specie in its genre. You will have to face a horde of Zombies that try to get you down with the help of various weapons/power ups and differents moving styles.

Bobby screen by Nooskewl.

Bobby
(80 MP, 11/05/2011, Nooskewl)
Bobby is fun twist on billiards and lunar lander. Fly around as Bobby, a jet-pack sporting bullet, and bounce evil balls to their demise in menacing portals. Then it's off to the next dimension. 70 levels are sure to keep a player entertained for many hours.

Iron Core
(80 MP, 11/08/2011, Nathan Davis)
Welcome to Iron Core. Your space fleet is launching an all out attack against the enemy. Your mission is to be the diversion. This is a suicide mission, last as long as you can to give your fleet the distraction needed to launch a surprise attack.

Robot Platformer 2
(80 MP, 11/08/2011, cored.dk)
If you can crawl, run, jump and flap your arms to hover. -Use your slingshot and jump on the robots. -Have a heart if low on energy. -Jump on the clouds, dodge the fire and Get to the exit spirals... then you will conquer all 42 levels, single or co-op play.

Snake 2
(80 MP, 11/08/2011, RicolaVG)
Snake 2 is the sequal to the classic game Snake. The player controls a snake and tries to eat its food. Each time you eat, your snake gets longer. Avoid running into yourself and/or walls while trying to obtain food. HighScores for each difficulty level included.

Distortion King
(80 MP, 11/09/2011, Jaidens Fury)
Distortion King is a music game that implements the Xbox 360 Guitar Type Controller. Wake The Dead with music ranging from Hard Rock to Heavy Metal. Distortion King also has three different difficulties, so anyone can challenge their skills.

An almost zombie-less screen shot of CastleMiner Z by DigitalDNA3.

CastleMiner Z
(240 MP, 11/09/2011, DigitalDNA3)
CastleMiner Z is an online coop survival horror game in a block based environment. Travel with your Avatar with your friends in a huge spanning and ever-changing world while defending yourself from the zombie hoard. Mine the world for resources, to craft the weapons that you will need to survive.

Growing Pains
(240 MP, 11/09/2011, Smudged Cat Games)
Merging classic platforming with psychedelic visuals and a pumping sound track Growing Pains will blow your mind as 'the vessel' continually grows while you play. Featuring 9 levels with 3 difficulty levels that completely change how you play and the ability to share high scores and replays with your friends and the rest of the world Growing Pains is an experience not to be missed.

Masters of Influence
(80 MP, 11/09/2011, JimmyFo)
Challenge up to 3 other players, including stunning AI, for total domination of the board. Collect resources, assault other towers, and use the terrain to eliminate the opponents!

You're All Diseased!
(80 MP, 11/10/2011, PicWin Studios)
A shoot em' up game where the player commands a white blood cell to fight off hordes of attacking viruses and diseases.

Zombie Slaughter Is Fun
(80 MP, 11/10/2011, Frooty Game Studio)
Most zombie games are about survival. Not this one. These zombies are hungry but they're not stupid and will try to escape. Your job is to stop that. Cruelty is rewarded. Mercy is punished. Play by yourself or with a friend to see who is the meanest zombie killer!

Take aim in Firing Range by Milkstone Studios SL.

Firing Range
(80 MP, 11/11/2011, Milkstone Studios SL)
Test and improve your FPS aiming skills! You'll need both reflexes and skill with all kind of weapons to get the best world ranking. Includes lots of dynamic camouflage sets to fully customize your weapons!

Invasion
(80 MP, 11/11/2011, Heart Attack Machine)
A mysterious force invades earth. Cover terrain on foot, jetpacks, and bikes as you blast your way through legions of invaders in explosive fashion.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending November 4, 2011

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:59:24 -0500

Another week of many indie releases. A quick nod goes to Developer25 (if that is your real name) for at least attempting to get a Halloween-themed game out around the Holiday. It doesn't look great and it didn't hit the service until the following Friday but, hey, he or she at least tried.

I think I'm warming up a bit to Avatar-centric games. Even with their obvious inclusion of your Xbox Live Avatar as a playable character, I'm starting to see the appeal of throwing yourself and your friends around within a game. Sure, this one is just chess (as in Avatar Chess) but using simplified digital representations of the people you know is silly enough to work.

Best bets this week look to be motorcycle jumping with MotoJump, avatar chess with Avatar Chess, creepy who-knows-what game Sins of the Flesh, adventure-platformer DLC Quest, wacky puzzle-platformer Escape Goat, cats-with-lightsaber action game CatSaber, pretty anime girl card flipper Moe Mekuri 2.5, multipalyer war game World Wars II, crowded zombie onslaught shooter Claustrophobia and Lego block style building experience 3D Pixel Art Studio.

Below is a list of games released between October 29 and November 4, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Big air action with a bike in MotoJump by Carlo Sunseri.

MOTOJUMP
(80 MP, 10/29/2011, Carlo Sunseri)
How big can you go?

Avatar Chess
(80 MP, 10/30/2011, Turkey Based Games)
Are you the next Bobby Fischer? Hone your skills against a computer opponent of selectable difficulty. Challenge someone in-house with one or two controller multiplayer, invite a player from your friends list to a private game, or take on a matchmade opponent over Xbox Live. View your game in traditional 2D, basic 3D, or crank up the fun by playing with Xbox Live avatars for pieces.

うらろじのすてねこ
(240 MP, 10/31/2011, nakfiv)
ゲームブックスタイルのアドベンチャーゲームです。うらろじに捨てられていたにゃん子と一緒に暮らすことになったあなたはどのような結末を迎えるのでしょうか？

Sins of the Flesh
(80 MP, 10/31/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
Do you know how to save yourself?...of course you don't.

Moon Miner
(80 MP, 11/01/2011, SOG Software)
Moon Mining & Drilling Co has hired you to mine valuable resources from deep beneath the moon's surface.

You're on a quest for DLC in, you guessed it, DLC Quest by Going Loud Studios.

DLC Quest
(80 MP, 11/02/2011, Going Loud Studios)
What happens when DLC goes too far? Defeat the bad guy, save the world and get the girl! But first you'll need to find coins to buy DLC to enable animation, sound and even pausing.

Escape Goat
(240 MP, 11/02/2011, MagicalTimeBean)
Imprisoned for the crime of witchcraft, you must use your skill and intellect to overcome the Prison of Agnus. Fear not, Brave Goat, for you have a friend on this journey...

Bub Block
(80 MP, 11/02/2011, Roppy Chop)
A frantic multiplayer battle where players trap each other with bricks while avoiding spinning blades. Fully customize your game from how fast the blades move to how many bricks you can carry to the ability to turn into a ghost after you die.

CatSaber
(240 MP, 11/02/2011, Necotokusoft)
This is a game of a cat fighter wielding a sword of light.Press and hold the A button, which keeps the sword of light ready for the cat.You can call up enemies by pressing the X button.Aim for as high score as possible within the time limit.

StarBeam
(80 MP, 11/02/2011, Lost World Creations)
StarBeam is a retro style arcade game where you must defend the settlements of the human race in the year 2352. As the pilot of the prototype Starbeam X768-B, the most advanced star fighter in the human arsenal, you are given the task of destroying the invading alien fleet.

Get your mojo back with Moe Mekuri 2.5 by Kohei and... waitasec. What the heck is she holding?

Moe Mekuri 2.5
(80 MP, 11/02/2011, Kohei)
A new Moe Mekuri is here! Just like the previous game, the goal is simply to flip over all the panels face up. Can you complete all the stages and add the cute girls' pictures to the gallery? The higher the difficulty level, the less clothing the girl in the picture will wear! It's a Moe-moe puzzle game that perfectly reflects on the developer's interests!

World Wars II
(240 MP, 11/02/2011, Swissplayers Game Studios)
World Wars II is an addictive multiplayer game that supports up to 8 online gamers simultaneously. You battle on 10 maps with up to 15 different unit types against your friends. Moreover, you will be challenged by 15 singleplayer and cooperation maps that take place in the Pacific theater during WWII. Fight for your life and bring the war to a glorious end! How many will have to die? You decide!

Devilsong
(240 MP, 11/02/2011, Gristmill Studios)
Devilsong is a third-person space dogfighter set in a dark future where mankind finds itself under constant threat both from within and without. "Deviljacks," the spacefighters of this era, speak of the siren song of space: the lure of freedom, fortune, and glory that calls the unwitting to venture out into its depths – only to find it cold, hollow and full of danger. They call this the Devilsong.

JAWSOME
(80 MP, 11/03/2011, ECHS BACHS)
JAWSOME - Help the shark get the food. GAMES.ARCHOR.COM

StarCatcher
(80 MP, 11/04/2011, Ssnoken)
StarCatcher is a platformer game where the player need to take all the stars on a map to continue to the next map. Every map will test the players reactions and how fast they can solve problems.

Work on your phobias with Claustrophobia by Fun Factory Entertainment.

Claustrophobia
(80 MP, 11/04/2011, Fun Factory Entertainment)
It's going to be a bloodbath...

Pumpkin Smasher
(80 MP, 11/04/2011, Developer25)
In Pumpkin Smasher you play a rail gun with pumpkins as ammo. Your goal is to smash all the other pumpkins. Play now for pumpkin smashing fun.

3D Pixel Art Studio
(80 MP, 11/04/2011, Utopioneer Games)
"3D Pixel Art Studio" lets you create anything you can imagine. Design layer by layer in 2D or work directly in 3D. Save up to 10 scenes each with its own unique palette.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Catch indiePub's session at the Shawnee 9.0 Gaming, Simulation & Immersive Technology Conference

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:40:38 -0400

indiePub will be presenting at the 2011 Shawnee 9.0 Gaming, Simulation & Immersive Technology Conference taking place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., November 4, 2011, at Shawnee State University (940 Second Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662).

This year's conference, called Shawnee 9.0, includes sessions about motion capturing, mind mapping, entrepreneurships, a question-and-answer panel discussion and a student project presentation (download the complete Shawnee 9.0 conference schedule).

indiePub's in-house developer and producer, Jon Schreiber, will present a session titled "Artificial Intelligence in Gaming and Simulation" (1:15 p.m. in ATC 204) where he will discuss current and popular techniques for implementing AI in video games "from state machines to behavior trees" including base-level system implementations.

Schreiber has been working the game industry for more than five years for various companies including High Voltage Software, Firebrand Games, Depth first Studios, and now indiePub (a subsidiary of Zoo Games). Some of the many games he's worked on include Ben 10 Protector of Earth, The Conduit, Hot Wheels Track Attack and several unreleased titles.

Schreiber has also written programming tips article for indiePub including "The benefit of a BlackBoard class" and "Using Unity's GameObject structure."

The event's keynote speaker is Sony Online Entertainment Project Managet Jose Azaira who has worked on several massively multiplayer online games including Everquest, Planetside, DC Universe Online and Free Realms. Azaira's address takes place at 11:15 a.m. in the Main Theater of the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, right before the lunch and student awards ceremony being held at Noon in University Center 230.

Registration is still open for the event which costs $25 for students, $75 for instructors and $95 for everyone else.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Shawnee 9.0
READ: The benefit of the Blackboard class
READ: Using Unity's GameObject structure

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending October 28, 2011 (update)

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 08:42:56 -0400

It's Halloween weekend and there are a lot of new games but not many with a holiday theme save Living Dead. OK, there are a couple zombie games but zombies are such a part of everyday life now that it's hard to think of them as Halloween creatures now.

Interestingly, there is Avatar Planking which is exactly what you'd expect (think cute game avatars Photoshopped onto real-world photos). I also appreciate that there are also two sound-oriented "games," one being Sensory Overload, a "flying blind" space experience where you pilot your ship according to the music changes and 4-tet Music Maker, an on-screen audio synth mixer.

Best bets this week look to be Avatar Planking (sorry, I had to), zombie slaughter game Living Dead, experimental adventure game UnBound, platformer Endless Princess, wireframe arcade game LightFish, Castelvania-style platformer Castle Of Pixel Skulls, "offbeat action game" OTO, old style puzzle game Miner Man, arcade commando game Desert Commando, super stupid-simple sniper game Prairie Dog Massacre and multiplayer strategy-combat game Last Dragon Standing.

Below is a list of games released between October 22 and 28, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Lumberjack
(80 MP, 10/22/2011, Gamefarm)
Hippies and treehuggers stay out! Enjoy our beautiful nature like real men do - with a shotgun! Put yourself to the ultimate lumberjack challenge, to find and cut down the 1000year old magic oak. This is a top view, classic style shooter for one or two players. Join the epic fight of man against nature, now!.. Oh, and watch out for Rambi, he is pissed off since you killed his mom.

Hanging out on wires is not only fun but safe with Highbrow Games' Avatar Planking.

Avatar Planking
(80 MP, 10/22/2011, Highbrow Games)
Ready for extreme planking? You’ll plank in places you’ve never dreamed of! Plank inside a taco, on a cat’s stomach, or even on Mars! Over 60 crazy locations, famous landmarks, and beautiful vistas await your avatar in Avatar Planking! Don’t forget to make a silly face for the camera!

Living Dead
(80 MP, 10/23/2011, Zombiecrusher)
If you love to slaughter endless waves of zombies, then this is the game for you! It includes 2 game modes, unlock-able weapons, high scores, and more!

Four Winds Fantasy
(80 MP, 10/23/2011, QUIMDUNG CO. LTD.)
Embolden yourself to the mystery of the Winds. Take control of a lonely father discovering the paranoia behind a town that seems so mysterious and dangerous that only a genius could understand it. When the Winds call, you absolutely must follow.

UnBound
(80 MP, 10/24/2011, monufrak1)
UnBound is an open world, Action-Adventure game where players can explore various worlds and complete difficult challenges to unlock new areas. Collect Orbs scattered across the world to level up your Skills, or to complete challenges. With 3 game modes and 7 different worlds to explore, UnBound brings a unique gameplay experience to Xbox Live Indie Games.

Endless Princess
(80 MP, 10/24/2011, Algitt Studios)
How long can you last in your never ending quest to free the princess?! Defeat enemies, cheat death, and grab potions all in an attempt to make it to the highest difficulty, and with it, the top of the highscores!

LightFish
(80 MP, 10/25/2011, Eclipse Games)
LightFish is a highly addictive arcade game, where the user controls a small fish who lives in the abyssal deeps of the ocean... surrounded by deadly creatures. His objective is to destroy all the monsters who inhabit those dangerous zones by drawing lines onto unexplored territory. However, any enemy who manages to touch the Lightfish will kill him instantly!

A screen shot of Castle Of Pixel Skulls by Josep Monzonis.

Castle Of Pixel Skulls
(80 MP, 10/25/2011, Josep Monzonis)
Fun retro-styled platformer game. Prepare for the craziest and most addictive platformer game ever. You must succeed in various challenging platform goodness. Complete a lot of different levels to escape from castle. Will you get to the end of Castle Of Pixel Skulls? Are you ready?

OTO
(80 MP, 10/25/2011, Media Bandits Studio)
Gravity can be your best friend or worst enemy in this offbeat action game. Navigate your OTO (Orthographic Traversal Orb) through obstacles and extremely hazardous terrain. Test your solo skills by grabbing all of the gates and braving the gauntlet. Recruit others in a local multiplayer match and decide whether to work together or fight it out for dominance on the perilous journey to the core.

Avatar Tower
(80 MP, 10/25/2011, kaapeDevPublish)
Your Avatar is stuck in a burning tower! Flee from the fire by jumping the platforms. Make combos and collect stars to gain higher scores. Try to break your own highscore!

Paddle Wars
(80 MP, 10/25/2011, PixelCollisions)
category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. Conquer the galaxy by brick breaking through dozens of exciting and fun levels. Upgrade your ship as you advance. Tons of power-ups to collect.

Screen shot of Miner Man by karl90.

Miner Man
(240 MP, 10/25/2011, karl90)
Miner Man : Play through 60 levels of puzzles, mazes and traps. Each level will present the player with different amount of gems to collect. To collect the gems the player will have to work through the levels avoiding the traps and solving the puzzles. Also finding and rescuing the 10 lost miners. When resuced you can play as the lost miners.

Super Kablamo
(80 MP, 10/25/2011, Meh Games)
You're a flying starfish in space! Fly around with the left analog stick and shoot with the A button. Space is a dangerous place, especially for delicious starfish. It is full of mutated freaks, spiders, robot drones, and they all want to kill you. Ok, not all of them, but some do, so shoot first and ask questions later.

Sensory Overload
(80 MP, 10/26/2011, Frank's Shop Games)
Sensory Overload is an experimental game, from a new suite of developers, exploring the sensation of flying in near blindness, with only a small headlight, and music, to tell you what's going to come at you next.

Die Pad Die
(80 MP, 10/27/2011, paracelus)
Destroy your pad today! A classic button basher with an Avatar twist. Includes 3 game modes, and online leaderboards.

Desert Commando
(80 MP, 10/27/2011, )
Oldschool 80's style military action on your very own arcade machine! Five tough multi-objective missions including stealth, a tank rampage and of course straight up explosive enemy annihilation. Multiple weapons include grenades, rockets, c4 and good old semi automatic machine gun.

A screen shot of Prairie Dog Massacre by Dwarf Biter.

Prairie Dog Massacre
(80 MP, 10/27/2011, Dwarf Biter)
Are you ready to slaughter some prairie dogs? It's going to be a massacre. Be careful though, some of them can shoot back. Shoot the prairie dogs with the guns to get more ammo. If you run out of ammo or get shot five times it's game over for you.

4-tet Music Maker
(80 MP, 10/27/2011, Marky's House)
Anyone can make music with 4-tet Music Maker. Game provides samples to start from or you can make create your own masterpiece from scratch. On screen help makes it easy to get started. Fun for kids of all ages. No musical skill or knowledge required.

Last Dragon Standing
(80 MP, 10/27/2011, Werewolf Studios)
Become a Dragon and face up to three of your friends in an epic battle! Conquer the realm and become the Dragon God. Breathe fireballs at your opponents to destroy their Eggs. Destroy Villages to gain Powerups and buy upgrades to keep evolving your Dragon. Can you be the Last Dragon Standing?

WARR
(80 MP, 10/07/2011, ABICO)
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=0/3, Sex=0/3, Mature Content=0/3. WARR is a world domination strategy game of risk and conquest where players battle for global control. Key features of WARR include: - Multiple Maps - Multiple Difficulty Levels - Multiple types of Artificial Intelligence

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

pixelMEGA releases second Catapult for Hire gameplay video

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:19:49 -0400

Indie dev Tyrone Henrie from pixelMEGA has put together another gameplay video (watch it below) of his upcoming game, Catapult for Hire being published by indiePub.

In this latest video you get to see more of the game's environments and a "few of the entertaining predicaments" the catapultist must deal with including catching fish, herding animals and otherwise destroying stuff.

Straight from today's (October 25, 2011) press release:

Catapult for Hire combines immersive physics-based action, strategy and role-playing elements with the fun and whimsy of medieval catapult combat. Catapult for Hire was a winner in indiePub's Third Independent Game Developers' Competition Awards that took place late 2010...

In Catapult For Hire you play as Sir Knottingsforth, a freelance catapult owner who decides to trek across the land in search for various odd jobs in exchange for gold, honor and good old-fashioned fun. Catapult your way across more than 50 levels where you’ll assist the townspeople and various creatures with your projectile skills.

youtube_ws:watch?v=mJIIGh1YG4k

~ ~ ~

SITE: Catapult for Hire

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending October 21, 2011 (updated)

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:54:24 -0400

We're back to our regularly full release schedule this week which brings with it two Avatar games, a game about mooing (International Mooing Contest!?) and a game that might be attempting to revive that awkward genre of adventure games that used home-made videos and photos called Hell's House. We also get an arcade shooter called SmartBomb that gets the 400 MP (US$5) price tag honor which is a bit unusual for an indie game release don Xbox Live.

Best bets this week look to be ride-the-rails jump-and-runner ARP Halloween Edition, classic arcade style shooter SmartBomb, simple boxing game Avatar Punch, retro helicopter game with techno flair called Techno Chopper, dodge-em game Avatar Panic, Metroid-ish Platform Hack, platform co-op combat game Final Failure and four-player action game Grand Class Melee. Last-minute nods also go to Glowbz and Milie & Telly that were added late on Friday.

Below is a list of games released between October 15 and 21, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Screen shot of Flag Hunt by Square Particle Corp.

Flag Hunt
(80 MP, 10/15/2011, Square Particle Corp)
Flag Hunt extends the complex game play and strategy of Chess into a contemporary wartime environment. You have a choice of different battle modes as you command tanks, jets, helicopters and missiles with the help from radar trackers to sniff out the enemy and win the battle.

ARP Halloween Edition
(80 MP, 10/16/2011, Bedroom Studio Entertainment)
Avoid the obstacles that lie on the train cars. Jump the barrels of the right color, break the boxes and you will make more points! More barrels you will jump in sequence and multiply your score much more! Challenge your friends trying to make the highest record!

SmartBomb
(400 MP, 10/18/2011, vince3006)
SmartBomb is a classic arcade style shooter. Gameplay can be described as a cross between Galaga and Missile Command with total freedom of movement and much smarter enemies. Using both thumbsticks to control separate characters combined with no movement restrictions, gives the game a unique flare and a noticeable smoothness to gameplay.

Avatar Punch
(80 MP, 10/18/2011, Bionic-Thumbs)
Compete with your avatar to manage to be the best boxer of all times across his 4 game modes or fight against a friend!

Screen shot of Techno Chopper by GZ Storm.

Techno Chopper
(80 MP, 10/19/2011, GZ Storm)
Enter the Techno Chopper. Fly through a techno themed environment with rhythm effects, 3 unique music tracks, visualizer mode, 2 player mode, and more.

International Mooing Contest
(80 MP, 10/19/2011, PurpleGames)
Mootastic Moosical Moohem! (with online highscores)

Avatar Panic
(80 MP, 10/19/2011, Milkstone Studios SL)
Avatar Panic rejuvenates an Arcade classic, now in Full HD! Pop bubbles with your harpoon while avoiding being hit by them! Includes an Arcade mode with 50 levels, and Panic mode for fast-paced games! Play alone or cooperatively with your friends and try to achieve #1 world ranking!

Platform Hack
(80 MP, 10/19/2011, Daydalus)
Platform Hack is mashup of a hack and slash RPG with a platform jumper. Explore massive maze-like worlds to slay enemies, find keys and unlock doors, all while jumping, dodge and swinging over chasms and past traps.

Remote Viewer
(80 MP, 10/19/2011, Developer25)
Exercise is the key to enhancing body and mind. Inspired by remote viewing, the Remote Viewer game features activities designed to help stimulate your consciousness and give it the workout it needs like viewing and selecting the correct card, influencing a random number generator, creating clarity, and predicting winning numbers in the lottery ticket game.

Hell's House
(80 MP, 10/19/2011, BM Games)
A girl alone in a haunted house ... will you be able to make her survive unharmed? Francesca Mamo, the same actress of "Bloody Death" lend her interpretation into the last nightmare from Brave men games.

A screen shot of Final Failure by Cobalt270.

Final Failure
(80 MP, 10/20/2011, Cobalt270)
Final Failure is an action platformer where the players have to choose between the sniper, the gunner, the defender or the medic to defeat a group of evil robots. Each class has a unique weapon and a special ability. The game supports up to 4 players in local coop.

Grand Class Melee
(80 MP, 10/20/2011, Gigatross Games)
Grand Class Melee is a 4-player action game centered around multiplayer combat. Advance through 8 different rounds of combat and 60 unique character classes to achieve victory. Combine your class's ability with abilities you've gained in previous rounds to create hundreds of ability combinations and strategies to suit your combat style!

Ghost Mine: Dig for Survival
(80 MP, 10/21/2011, thelostone)
Imagine you were hopelessly lost in an abandoned mine, struggling to survive. By the faint light of your lamp you peer into the darkness. You have the sinking feeling that someone, or something is watching your every move...

Bloody Mary
(80 MP, 10/21/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary

Glowbz
(80 MP, 10/21/2011, Kiveryn)
The year is 6,000,004. Earth has depleted its energy reserves as a result of leaving appliances on stand-by 24/7. A new source of energy has been discovered in the form of Glow Power contained in a nice crispy outer shell called Glowbz. However, the only source of Glowbz is located in a remote sector of the galaxy inhabited by the Blatnokz. They don't like humans.

Milie & Telly
(80 MP, 10/21/2011, Nitama Naishin)
After an emergency landing, Telly's spaceship has been stolen by a strange and dark professor. As Milie, a young mechanic girl, help him to find it back. Ride your motorbike, fight against a whole army of robots and defeat the professor in this scrolling shooter.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending October 14, 2011

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:16:15 -0400

Only six games launched as of this article's writing, which may be the shortest weekly launch list I've seen for months. That'll happen during indie competition season.

Pretty much every game this week could get a "best bet" mention, which I guess is great if you think in terms of a releases-to-decency ratio. The best four of the small bunch look to be concept puzzler Escape the Car, old school street fighting game Ninja War Stolen Scrolls, 3D avatar creator Pixel Animator 3D and super glowy retro top-down racing game Glow Arcade Racer.

Below is a list of games released between October 8 and 14, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Try to escape the car in, uh, Escape The Car by Afro-Ninja Productions. Screen shot above.

Escape The Car
(80 MP, 10/07/2011, Afro-Ninja Productions)
Collect items and use your puzzle solving skills to find your way out of this predicament! This is a port of the classic point-and-click flash game featuring new HD artwork and medals!

Ninja War STOLEN SCROLLS
(80 MP, 10/08/2011, belcro)
Speedy action ninja game of fire and water and wind and lightning! Up to four people can play together!

Pixel Animator 3D
(240 MP, 10/08/2011, Stegersaurus Games 2)
Let the creativity flow! Pixel Animator 3D is a modelling and animation suite for your XBox360! Use boxes to build your props and actors, and make whatever scene or story you want. The easy to use model editor lets you quickly make models, or use premade models and avatars to build your scenes.

Merball Tournament
(80 MP, 10/10/2011, Tarh Ik)
Enter a contest in which two teams of mermaids compete to find a randomly placed coral ball and carry it all the way to the opposing team’s court, within a sunken ship that makes the game a true 3D maze. Can you swim fast enough to win this tournament?

Shock and Awe
(80 MP, 10/10/2011, DeRail Games)
Come get some! If you want to paralyze your enemy, then it is all about SHOCK AND AWE! SHOCK them with your firepower, AWE them with your awesomeness! Even better, bring your friends’ awesomeness too. In this twin-stick shooter you can play with four of your friends; each being able to choose between four dead cool characters with unique strengths and weapons.

You race, It glows. It's Glow Arcade Racer. Screen shot above (sunglasses may be necessary).

Glow Arcade Racer
(80 MP, 10/11/2011, Chris Rands)
A retro top-down racer re-imagined in a 3D world of light. Perfect for when you need a quick fix of frantic arcade action. Intuitive controls for up to 4 players as you race to beat the AI, unlocking new tracks, weapons and play modes as you progress. Extend the game by creating your own tracks for limitless racing combinations.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

indiePub announces 2012 Independent Propeller Awards

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:42:36 -0400

We're happy to announce that indiePub is once again holding its annual indie game development competition and this year indiePub is giving away $50,000 in prizes. This is the second year for the Propeller Awards and our fifth developers' competition.

Game developers from around the world are invited to submit their game to indiePub beginning November 15, 2011, and until December 15, 2011. We wanted to tell you now so you can get crackin' with that game you've been working on. Or start a game. We won't judge. (OK, we will but only after we get all the entries.)

We are giving away $50,000 across six (6) prizes. The Grand Prize winner will receive $25,000 and the possibility of a publishing agreement with indiePub. Each category winner will receive $5,000: Best Audio, Best Art, Best Design, Technical Excellence and Mobile.

All games are considered for each category but we are asking that you write a brief description (less than 500 words) describing your game and pointing out its highlights. Also, we've added a Mobile Games category but that does not mean mobile games are ineligible for the other categories. We just wanted to give them a little extra love this time around.

The 2012 Independent Propeller Awards winners will be announced March 9, 2012.

Here's what you do to enter:

Make a game.

Register at the new indiePub.com.

Submit your game at indiePub (we'll update the link here) between November 15 and December 15, 2011. (Note that you are able to resubmit your game throughout the entry period - meaning you can use feedback to tweak it or work out the bugs - but we will only be judging one version.)

Become friends with indiePub on Facebook to get contest updates.

Check indiePub on or around February 7, 2012, when the finalists will be announced.

Jump up and down with indie glee. (OK, that one is optional but still recommended).

You can enter your game into our competition even if you have entered it in our previous competitions (but it cannot have won). Of course, please check the rules for complete details. You can also ask questions here or in the forums and we'll do our best to answer them.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Contest Page
DISCUSS: Forums
READ: Rules
READ: FAQs
READ: Press Release

Frequently Asked Questions: 2012 Independent Propeller Awards

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:41:26 -0400

Below are answers to the most common questions about the Independent Propeller Awards.

If you have any additional questions, please post a comment here or in the forums or you can contact the indiePub staff at ipadmin@indiepub.com.

What are the prizes?

We are giving away $50,000 , distributed through six (6) prizes:

Grand Prize - $25,000

Best Art - $5,000

Best Audio - $5,000

Best Design - $5,000

Technical Excellence - $5,000

Mobile - $5,000

What are the important dates to remember?
November 15, 2011 – Developers can begin entering their game through indiePub.com.

December 15, 2011 – Submissions end at midnight. Judging begins.

February 7, 2012 – Finalists will be announced.

March 9, 2012 – Winners announced.

How do I enter?

To enter the contest, complete the online contest entry form at indiePub.com before 11:59 p.m., December 15, 2011.

What counts as an indie game?

All games that are made in the spirit of indie game development are eligible. This means that the primary motivation behind the game's development is creative expression, more than contractual obligation or monetary gain. Our judging panel will determine eligibility in uncertain circumstances.

Who is eligible?

All developers who are 13-years-old or older from around the world are eligible.

What kind of game can I submit?

Mobile, console, browser, and computer (PC/Mac/Linux) games are all eligible. We are not accepting DS games this year.

How complete of a game do I need to submit?

Game prototypes are eligible but preference will be given to games that are in a beta state (feature-complete) or better.

Can I enter a student project?

Please check with your school for any details regarding student projects. Schools often retain some ownership of these projects but they may be entered with permission.

Can I enter if I’ve already entered in previous years?

Yes.

Can I enter if I’ve won in previous years?

Yes but you cannot enter a game that previously won a contest sponsored by Zoo.

Can I enter a game that’s been entered in other competitions?

Yes.

Can I modify my game after I submit?

You may modify and resubmit your game during the submission period (December 1 through 15, 2011) but we cannot guarantee we will judge the latest entry.

What if I am a finalist but cannot attend SXSW in March? Will I still be eligible?

You will still be eligible.

How are the games judged?

At the end of the submission period, an indiePub judging committee (and possibly a few guest judges) evaluate all submitted games based on artistic style, console appeal, game play, sound and originality.

Will I be responsible for paying taxes on any awards I receive?

As with any contest or giveaway, winners are responsible for any applicable taxes.

Who owns the entries?

The game entries are the property of the entrants. indiePub retains no ownership of the games. The only right we have is to display the submitted content on our website in relation to the contest.

In the previous indiePub contests, there were publishing opportunities. Is this the case with the current contest?

This contest is different from the previous ones in that there is no longer a right-of-first-refusal clause in the rules. All submitted games are incidentally under consideration for publishing, although there are no obligations.

What is indiePub?

indiePub is a subsidiary of Zoo Entertainment, Inc.. We are an indie games publisher and are committed to the growth and awareness of indie games.

What is Zoo Games?

indiePub works with game publisher Zoo Games to bring publishing opportunities to developers interested in bringing their game ideas onto consoles and other platforms.

indiePub announces revenue share, launch-day platforms for upcoming publishing service

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:14:13 -0400

Today (October 7, 2011) indiePub officially announced the revenue percentage developers will earn from the games they sell using indiePub's soon-to-launch publishing platform.

According to the press release, developers will earn 75% of all royalties made from games and apps sold through indiePub, "making it one of the most competitive revenue percentages in the digital downloads industry."

The service, when it launches, will support games and other apps made for PC (Windows), Macintosh (OS X), Linux and Android devices (phones and tablets).

iOS games (iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad) have the hard-to-resell situation of being purchasable only through Apples's iTunes App Store. However, indiePub will allow iOS apps to be linked from a Pub (storefront).

The indiePub service will allow anyone - developers and non-developers - who opens a Pub to sell indie apps. This way developers can set up their own storefront for free, earn a larger percentage of profits from each sell and even allow others to resell their games and apps. More information about indiePub's distributed sales tools will be detailed soon.

Do note that indiePub will allow all types of apps to be included in the service, not just games.

~ ~ ~

READ: Press Release @ Zoo Games
DISCUSS: indiePub's Publishing Platform @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending October 7, 2011

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:44:23 -0400

It's another light week on the Xbox Live indie channel. I'm hoping that's because indie devs are busy preparation for the announcement of indiePub's the next Independent Propeller Awards (hint hint).

Best bets this week look to be low-bit Pixelosity, NES game look-a-like Mega Shooter 11, fishing game FITS, The $1 Zombie Game (guess how much it costs) and flight simulator Flight Adventure 2.

Below is a list of games released between October 1 and 7, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Pixelosity by GLHF Games.

Pixelosity
(80 MP, 10/03/2011, GLHF Games)
A new 8-bit styled horizontal shooter! Up to 7 stages of pure shooting action. Ofcourse playing all alone is no fun when you have friends over, so you're friend can join too! After a run, submit your score to the online and local highscores so you can compete with the world! Try beating the highest score, or even finishing all 7 stages!

SteamSunk
(80 MP, 10/04/2011, Snape)
SteamSunk is a 3D top-down shooter with arena based game-play. The game is set in a sea environment, with the player controlling a ship and the enemies represented by various flying machines which try to sink you. With random power-ups and levels, super-weapons, bosses and much more your SteamSunk experience is different each time.

Mega Shooter 11
(240 MP, 10/04/2011, infiniteplay)
Mega Shooter 11™ is an extremely authentic, retro side-scrolling space-shooter, ala the best 8 and 16-bit space shooters. It features topnotch old-school graphics, a heart-thumping soundtrack, and intelligent game play. Spread over four huge bases with branching pathways, the game features tons of upgrades, hidden levels, enemies, and excessive amounts of replay value.

There Will Be Brains
(80 MP, 10/05/2011, DavidParker)
Bludgeon, bomb, snipe, and slice your way through the undead horde as you go across the USA to save your loved ones and find a cure. 2 different endings, 7 cities, 12 weapons, and literally hundreds of different weapon combinations.

A screen shot of FITS (aka Fishing in the Sea) by LuckySoft.

FITS-Fishing in the sea
(240 MP, 10/05/2011, LuckySoft)
Let's take part in the sea fishing rally! This is a fishing game for up to four people. The rules are very simple. Push the A button when the float sinks completely. You can catch about 100 kinds of fish in this game. Information on the fish that you caught is added to your record. When you win a championship, fish that you caught might swim in the aquarium.

Spell Master
(240 MP, 10/06/2011, Richard Mould)
You have travelled to the oldest part of the known world where once the Xkoden - the founder race - lived in a great city ruled by the majestic Spell Masters. Called to the village of Kern by your old teacher you must gather the ingredients for your spells, defeat a corrupt and powerful foe, and save the world from an ancient evil. To accomplish all this you must become a Spell Master.

The $1 Zombie Game
(80 MP, 10/06/2011, rmm5)
Can you survive the zombie onslaught? Tons of weapons, tons of zombies, tons of gore, and tons of fun.

Wirral Railway & Garden Plants
(80 MP, 10/07/2011, JB Marius-Sheridan)
Railway Stations of Wirral: Learn about the railway stations of Wirral in this information & quiz game. Ideal for railway enthusiasts! Garden Plants in Britain: Find out about a selection of nine garden plants in the UK, and take the quick quiz. Bonus Section: The Development of the Passenger Aeroplane: Basic information about the historical development of passenger aeroplanes.

A screen shot of Flight Adventure 2 by CAVOK Games.

Flight Adventure 2
(240 MP, 10/07/2011, CAVOK Games)
Experience the legendary P-51 Mustang™. Unlimited free flight. Six race tracks. Race against yourself using the racing ghost option or test your flying skills in an online multiplayer session with a friend. Produced under license from Boeing Management Company. P-51 Mustang and Boeing are among the trademarks owned by Boeing.

Blocky
(80 MP, 10/07/2011, think flow)
Blocky is an addictive 2d arcade style game with an RPG style reward system. Easy to learn with simple game mechanics. As you perform well, you are rewarded with unlocks and currency to buy additional items. The game has two game modes: Retro mode, only one life and try last as long as you can. Waves, a selection of levels with different goals. An easy to play addictive game!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Dev Blog: Our experience with game engines while making Totem Destroyer Deluxe

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:50:26 -0400

Totem Destroyer Deluxe (TDD) was our first "big" project using Unity. Before that we only used it for small things like prototyping game concepts. We've had a good experience with Unity so far and it helped resolve a few problems.

Thanks To Unity
Initially, for example, it was a problem to make changes (editing and adding text, menus, graphics, etc.) that could be easily applied to all existing levels. We used prefabs (reusable objects instantiated through levels) but prefabs are not fail-proof. Also, one small mistake editing or saving prefabs can make a mess of all existing game scenes. We managed to fix some of the prefabs' sync issues by making batch scripts that automatically add, remove and update all necessary scenes. The ability to make custom editors – or wizards - in Unity became a great tool to us, especially when you have more than 80 scenes in a project. At start, every scene had to be checked by hand when something was wrong. Then, after restructuring some game assets and programming, it became a lot easier to work with all those levels and sprites.

Above and Beyond Software’s Sprite Manager middleware for Unity saved many hours of work by handling all the game's sprites. Reinventing the wheel was not a wise option and using planes in a 3D scene would make a simple 2D game as heavy as a next-gen game. Without it we would have had a lot of draw calls and ugly texture swapping scripts causing extra memory overhead. Even though Sprite Manager is a great tool, it didn’t do all the work by itself, of course. We eventually implemented more features into it to fix things that Sprite Manager couldn’t do alone like automating sprite mesh generation on all the scenes. Before that, we also had to click "Play. Stop. Save." in each individual scene.

One thing we didn’t see on any other game made with Unity was a smooth transition effect between scenes. We initially didn’t think it was possible due the way graphics and scenes are handled by the engine. After some research, we pulled it off by writing shaders to handle this without having to use a render texture.

A transition from the main menu to the world/level select.

Enhancing the Game During Development

Luckily, we decided to change some parts of the game for the better. It sure took a precious amount of time but we think it was worth it. Those changes were not planned at first so it was a challenge to make things fit together without spending too much time.

New Idols
For example, we made a big change on the golden idols. Before they didn’t have animations and the graphics had a very different style. We made major change to the graphics by creating art deco-esque decals to make the idols cleaner and more defined.

This are the old designs of the main golden idols of TDD.

The newly designed idols you'll see in Totem Destroyer Deluxe.

Optimized Menu Screens

The menu screens were not only changed to make the game look nicer but we changed the way they were rendered to improve performance.

The old main menu screen from a demo version of Totem Destroyer Deluxe.

The new main menu screen in Totem Destroyer Deluxe.

All the user interface elements were also changed (buttons, sliders, text) in every scene. The world/level select scene became more intuitive and easier to expand for possible future level packs. The changes didn’t just make the game look better but they also made the navigation a lot easier.

Audio Enhancements
We were lucky enough to have Antonio Teoli as our guest musician to do this major improvement. The music was fully replaced and the new soundtrack fits the game in every aspect. Antonio made seven songs which match the different and surreal scenarios. Also, each song has an introduction that is played only once when the level begins.

New Levels
Some new levels and blocks were also added. Before that, we were going to keep the game at only 50 levels by default (and maybe releasing new level packs later). Eventually we thought that 50 levels were not enough for a release and that new types of blocks would be nice. The extra 25 levels had to include something new to have a meaning. So, we went back to the drawing board to develop new blocks and platforms. We added: A soft-body block (the jelly pink block), moving platforms, an escalator-like block and a button-based hatch block.

Unexpected Orbs
Something that wasn’t originally planned for was the addition of Orbs. The Orbs are hidden collectibles that, when specific amounts are collected, they unlock extra features and settings in the game. For example, you can change the way idols look by changing their skins at the Orbs option panel.

Orb collected!

Surprise Issues
It's now a bit funny to think about how worried we were about the physics performance impact in iOS. After doing some optimization, we discovered that the transparent textures alpha-testing routines were the heaviest routines. So, to make it run at 60 fps, we had to optimize everything else because there’s not much you can do about the transparent textures.

To save time, we ended up making a Save-Load system that serializes our player profile components rather than using the default registry-based player preferences methods. Our approach made using saved data really easy since it is object-oriented programming.

We came up with our own JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) parser for the Facebook integration because we only needed a simple but effective JSON reader for the Facebook Graph API. It was not worth having a big third-party extension library with a lot of functions we would never use anyway.

In The End...
So, finally, we have a polished HD version for this third game of the Totem Destroyer franchise. We hope everybody enjoys it and has a lot of fun playing it.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Totem Destroyer Deluxe
SITE: Cats in the Sky

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending September 30, 2011 (updated)

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:44:01 -0400

This may not be much of a game but I have to give a giggling nod to Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Avatar. It is exactly what you'd expect form the name (and now I want to see my Xbox Live Avatar wackily waving its arms in front of car dealerships across the country).

Otherwise, the best bets for this week look to be space gravity manipulation game High Gravity Wells, multiplayer platform action game Ranger Wars, "real-time shooter experiment" Astralia, role-playing adventure game Wizorb, eternal climber Falling Blocks, action space shooter Robotriot, one-button jumper FastBall 2 and maybe even multiplayer dungeon game Dark Delve.

Below is a list of games released between September 24 and 30, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Sideral Defense
(240 MP, 09/24/2011, TuConceptoGames)
Sideral Defense is a strategic defense game. Defend your planet from the hordes of space pirates that want to destroy populated planets.

Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Avatar. Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Avatars! WACKY WAVING INFLATABLE ARM FLAILING AVATAR!

Wacky Waving I. A. F. Avatars
(80 MP, 09/25/2011, Bionic-Thumbs)
Capture sequences while your Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Avatar is dancing!

Devil Blood
(80 MP, 09/25/2011, thelostone)
Journey to the dark citadel of Nethermorne in a quest to kill demons and fulfill your destiny. Learn spells, upgrade weapons and loot powerful items to aid you on your epic quest.

High Gravity Wells
(80 MP, 09/27/2011, Stockton)
Travel around galaxies by changing gravities to change your orbit. Avoid asteroids, black holes and more as you guide spaceships to their stations.

Ranger Wars
(80 MP, 09/27/2011, Nubbernaut)
The Victory Rangers of Future City 20XX have worked together to vanquish every manner of threat to their beloved home planet - except each other! Now their super-star egos drive a feud that can only be settled with blood! Collect power-ups and strike from above in this action battle arena game for 2-4 players.

Astralia
(80 MP, 09/28/2011, Astroboid Games)
Astralia is "A Real-time Strategy Shooter Experiment", a top down space shooter with RTS elements; in addition to your own ship you control a squad of drone fighters with multiple formations and weapons. You also get to manage a couple of capital ships that can be moved around to attack the enemy and can build other things like weapon platforms and bombs.

Wizorb
(240 MP, 09/28/2011, Tribute Games)
The once peaceful Kingdom of Gorudo is threatened by an evil presence. The only hope for salvation is Cyrus, a wizard versed in a secret magic art called Wizorb! Explore many strange places from the derelict monster infested town of Clover to Gorudo Castle atop Cauldron Peak. Danger lurks around every corner so you'll need to keep your wits about you and have quick reflexes in order to survive.

Math Fighter
(240 MP, 09/28/2011, iBlade)
Battle your way to the top using various taunts, special attacks and more! Choose from 13 grades of customizable math challenges ranging from basic math to calculus! Challenge players over Xbox live with the advanced auto match making system that will pull you out of a one-player game and match you up with another opponent! Leaderboards, Badges, Unlockables, and much more!

ZOMBIECRAFTT!!1 SAMPLER
(240 MP, 09/29/2011, Uplion)
I heard you like mining. The Skyfish finale is here!!!1111

Falling Block by Multimac.

Falling Blocks
(80 MP, 09/29/2011, Multimac)
How long can you last, climbing up the endless tower of falling blocks? Falling blocks is a game where you climb up a randomly generated tower of blocks, either trying to get as as high as possible, or to tag as many blocks before the time limit expires. It's a fast paced platformer which always has you looking for another route up the tower.

Robotriot
(80 MP, 09/292/2011, Centurion Games)
Take on the role of Slug a freelance inter-galatic repossessions agent as you track down, board, and shut down rogue space ships, regardless of protest. Features: - 12 levels of action packed fun, across three unique ships. - Unique environmental hazards ranging from blasting flamethrowers and bubbling plasma, to disintegrating pulse barriers. - Rocking Pixel art. - Chiptunes!

FastBall 2
(80 MP, 09/29/2011, Klik! Games)
A franchise played by more than 3 million people, now arrived at Xbox Live Indie Games... In FastBall, you control a rolling ball. In his way, there are many obstacles and his only ability is to jump. This is where he needs you, you'll make him jump by pressing A or X.

Convict Minigames
(240 MP, 09/30/2011, Convict Interactive)
A collection of 5 arcade style mini-games that will keep you and your friends hooked and entertained for hours on end! Include High Hopes (winner of the 2009 48 Hour Game Making Challenge in Brisbane, Australia), Jurassic Bar, Cave In, Triangle Man and Bop! Fun for the whole family!

Dark Delve
(80 MP, 09/30/2011, Checkmark Games)
Sharpen your swords and study your spellbooks, great adventure awaits! Explore multiple dungeon maps, defeating foes to gain treasure and level up your characters. Many secrets and puzzles await to be discovered. Attempt to defeat several unique dungeon keepers in challenge mode, or create an unique party of up to 4 characters to solve a centuries old tragedy in the Campaign mode.

Ball Lightning
(80 MP, 09/30/2011, Samuel H. Potter)
Easy to learn, challenging to master, Ball Lightning is the first title in the "simple.fun" campaign series. Test your reflexes and your wits across seven increasingly difficult levels in this arcade-style platformer from Amalgamation Softworks. Collect power-ups, avoid traps and other obstacles, rescue your wizard, and escape the dungeon!

Sherbet Thieves
(80 MP, 09/30/2011, Bang Zero Bang)
The orbital sherbet farms are under attack! Strap on your jetpack and defend the delicious crop from aliens, space stoners with munchies, and sherbet pirates! Twin-stick sherbet defense gimmick excitement awaits! Grab a friend for co-op sherbet party!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

indiePub to distribute Android games via WildTangent to mobile devices

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:45:03 -0400

indiePub today (September 29, 2011) announced that it has signed an agreement with WildTangent to digitally distribute Android games to mobile devices beginning late 2011.

This means indiePub's games will be either preloaded on or available to download (or both) on mobile devices that run WildTangent's new Android game client. indiePub's Kona's Crate will be the first game offered.

"Kona's Crate is a truly fantastic indie game and we're thrilled to feature it in our new service," said Sean Vanderdasson, Senior Vice President of WildTangent, in the press release distributed earlier today.

According to the press release, WildTangent's soon-to-be-released Android service will include some free "premium games," demos and 24-hour game rentals that cost only a quarter (with the rental price being applied the full purchase price). It will run on BrandBoost and use WilTangent's digital currency, called WildCoins. The specific wireless carrier(s) has not yet been named.

Of course, you can still expect to see all of indiePub's Android games on the new indiePub service announced yesterday as well.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Kona's Crate
SITE: WildTangent

indiePub announces new indies-only publishing platform, Beta signup

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:08:28 -0400

Today (September 28, 2011), indiePub revealed that it will soon launch a new social-centric, indies-only publishing platform.

indiePub has been developing the new service for about a year and it will officially go live late 2011.

The new indiePub, which will reside at indiePub.com, will combine e-commerce and social networking in a unique way that will allow indie developers to sell, share and market their apps. In fact, anyone will be able to create a Pub (store) to sell digital apps for multiple devices thanks to a distributed delivery system.

indiePub will also use a proprietary API and (optional) digital rights management (DRM) wrapper so almost any digitally distributable game can be a part of the marketplace.

If you want to get a first-hand look at the new service before it goes live, you can register at beta.indiePub.com for a chance to be a part of the indiePub Beta. Anyone can register.

Indie developers who participate in the indiePub Beta program will be able to upload their games and prepare them to be ready for sale when the service goes live.

Be sure to keep checking back here as we'll be offering more details and exclusive sneak peeks of the new indiePub before it launches.

Here's a quote from VP of Gaming, Dave Reynolds, that reveals a little more about the new indiePub:

"We were asked by numerous independent game developers to create a 'Steam for indies.' The new indiePub marketplace will give indie developers a way to tap into the growing multi-billion dollar digital download market and make money with their games by combining innovative crowd-sourced marketing with unique developer-controlled distribution tools. Instead of a site telling them how, when and for how much to sell their games, indiePub will enable publishers to independently control these without limiting distribution to only one or two platforms. We're working to make indiePub run on any device that can download apps."

~ ~ ~

SITE: indiePub Beta Signup Page

Featured Indie Devs: MinMax Games blows (not eats) your mind with Space Pirates And Zombies

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:07:43 -0400

Name: Andrew Hume
Age: 36
Game(s): Space Pirates And Zombies (S.P.A.Z.)
Titles/Roles: Designer, Programmer
Location: Surrey, BC (Canada)
Studio: MinMax Games, Ltd.
From the title of MinMax Games' first release, Space Pirates And Zombies (aka S.P.A.Z.), you can pretty much expect a plethora of fun.

S.P.A.Z. takes place in a future where the Earth is toxic and humans have colonized the galaxy. You play as a space pirate who is trying to assemble a fleet and find the secret system where treasures are rumored to be stored.

Before you begin bemoaning this as a simple mashup of overused pop culture coolness, keep in mind that MinMax has worked on S.P.A.Z. for more than two years.

"Zombies and pirates have definitely gotten more popular over the past few years," said MinMax co-founder, designer and programmer, Andrew Hume. "We didn't intend for it to be a gimmick. In our defense, you don’t see zombified space ships too often... We have definitely caught some flak for the 'me too' of having zombies in the title but, when people actually try the game, they usually have a change of heart."

The game is what Hume describes as a "top-down space shooter action RPG" and includes a randomized galaxy, real-time strategy elements and ship customization.

"We often think of S.P.A.Z. as a good old-school game, updated with HD graphics and modern design philosophies," agreed Richard Clifford, MinMax co-founder, game designer, artist and sound designer. "We've worked on S.P.A.Z. for 25 months now and there is at least another six months to go. Although we are 'final,' we plan to continue to support S.P.A.Z. and add content. We love the game as much as the players, and want more toys too."

In coming up with the game's antagonists, Hume and Clifford based the zombies on Star Trek's Borg and Firefly's Reavers.

"We obviously couldn't call them that. The term 'zombie' was just the most representative of the mechanic," said Hume. "We needed something that could infest ships and turn your designs against you... We put a lot of work into making them having a complex ecology. In addition to being able to take over and turn your own ships against you, there are breeder zombies that lay eggs all over the area, spreading infection. Any one zombie component of the ecosystem can spawn a whole new infection given time and material. It can be neat to watch."

So far, they explained, the reaction to S.P.A.Z. has been pretty good. "We tend to get a lot of mail from fans saying we've created the game of their dreams," said Hume. "We love getting that kind of mail, of course. For the most part, anyone who plays the game seems to enjoy it."

A screen shot of some space combat in Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

"With S.P.A.Z. we're trying to recapture the good old days," Hume said. "We don't see many 2D space shooters like this, so we just made one ourselves. We took a chance there were others out there who felt the same way we do and it seems there is indeed a market out there for games like this. We get a lot of fan mail about S.P.A.Z. bringing back fond memories of 'insert game here.' We often get blamed for some sleepless nights and missed homework assignments."

Hume explained that they have also received a lot of suggestions that they hope to incorporate into a future release. "A lot of it we'll try and incorporate into this iteration at some point but some will have to wait until we begin developing the multiplayer sequel."

That sequel will have to wait at least a couple years to be developed as they maintain focus on S.P.A.Z. with plans to release more content as well as a Mac version.

Name: Richard Clifford
Age: 30
Game(s): Space Pirates And Zombies (S.P.A.Z.)
Titles/Roles: Designer, Artist, Sound Designer
Location: Maple Ridge, BC (Canada)
Studio: MinMax Games, Ltd.>
"When we both started, there was no doubt in our minds we wanted to make an epic 2D space game," Clifford recounts. "We started out being a bit over ambitious - who doesn't? - and planned for a bit more content than the two of us could deliver. We designed a game with a wealth of alien races, including a crystal and plant based races. We even had a space carnival for our first tutorial. As the pieces fell into place, a few didn't fit and we had to remove them. In the end, the things we cut made the game stronger and more focused. We couldn't be happier with what we ended up with."

Before the Space Battles Began

Based in British Columbia, Canada, MinMax's two-man team comes with a pretty impressive background.

Hume, who claims to have never worked a "real job," began working with Black Box Games (a.k.a. EA Black Box) while still in college.

"I pretty much know that I wanted to work on games since I was about ten," Hume reminisces. "Shortly after I got my Commodore 128 and have playing everything that I could get my hands on since. I focused on math and programming in school but my big break turned out to be going to the pub one night and having a beer with a friend of a friend who was a designer at the first company I worked at. Since then, pubs have played a key role in all my career development and design decisions."

An indie who started in a pub? Supremely intriguing. Any way...

"I was willing to do anything to get my foot in the door but I was turned down for a testing position," Hume recalls. "I did get a job in the IT department for the company, though. I proved myself useful and things grew from there. Soon I was the QA (Quality Assurance) lead for a team and, shortly after, I was doing the gameplay scripting for Sega Soccer Slam. By then I had graduated and was soon put into a programming role. There has been a lot of evolution in my job tasks throughout my career but they all contributed to my getting a full picture of how to build a game. It has been more than 10 years now and I have been IT Manager, QA Lead, Gameplay Scripter, Programmer, Technical Lead, Technical Designer and finally one half of a now successful indie studio. This current role is the one I have been working toward from the beginning and I never want it to change."

Likewise, Clifford brings plenty 'o experience to MinMax, including five years with Radical Entertainment.

"I've always had a good time fiddling with game editors and mods," explained Clifford. "I spent more time during high school making Starcraft maps instead of doing my homework. For the record, that isn't a very good idea; Do your homework folks. Following high school I went to a video game design college here in Vancouver for two years. After that I lucked out and got hired as a junior designer at Radical."

A screen shot of the star map in Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

While they both may have worked at bigger game companies, forming their own indie studio allowed them to create S.P.A.Z. on their own terms.

"Being indie allows us to actually make something and feasibly get it to market," said Hume. "We want to have the freedom and control you can only get with a tiny team but we don't have the man power or funds to make HD normal mapped 3D assets. There is definitely a budget trade off when you go indie but we don't think this hinders the quality of the games at all."

"Well, 'studio' for us means our houses. We don't have an office or anything like that," agreed Clifford. "We run our own studio so we can have the maximum amount of control over the game and our lives. There is quite a bit of stress that comes with that but the freedom is worth it. It's great to have input on every aspect of the game."

Likewise, they are rather optimistic about the future of indie games.

"They are definitely here to stay," said Hume. "The unfortunate truth is that, as big studio games get more and more realistic, the development cost will go up and the acceptable risk will go down. This means more shooters and sports games for everyone. Thankfully, indie games are here to fill in the void. Despite all the sequels we see these days, people do still like new things."

MinMax's Advice for Indie Developers

"Just keep doing what you are doing," suggests Hume. "A lot of really cool game genres are dying because they don't fit into the dominant console realm. In addition to making a wealth of crazy new ideas, the indie community is also keeping some game genres alive."

~ ~ ~

Screen Shots of MinMax Games' Space Pirates And Zombies

A screen shot of some space combat Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

A screen shot of the tactics screen Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

A screen shot of space ship customization in Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

A screen shot of combat in Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

A screen shot of combat in Space Pirates And Zombies (PC), also known as S.P.A.Z., by MinMax Games.

~ ~ ~

SITE: MinMax Games, Ltd.
SITE: Space Pirates And Zombies (aka S.P.A.Z.)

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending September 23, 2011

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:07:11 -0400

It looks like Microsoft has implemented a new blue "Indie Games" bar for all the faux box art assets. The new bar might not gel with every design but the increased contrast means you can actually read "Indie Games" in those 85 by 120 pixel thumbs on the site. I might have gone with a blue that seemed a little less Atari 2600, though.

This was a very slow week for indie releases but we do get a late entry that missed last week's post called Angry Fish, a followup to FishCraft. I see a theme there. It's only 80 MP (US $1.00) so I guess there's little harm in trying to monopolize on the Angry Birds fame, right? Luckily, there's a higher percentage of decent looking games than usual this week.

Best bets this skimpy week look to be pretty much all of the games: Tossing physics game Angry Fish, pushing puzzler Puzzled Rabbit, plummeting paratrooper game Project Windstorm, accurately named Avatar Fighter Online, button runner-jumper Pigs Can't Fly and tunnel shooter Tunnelvision.

Below is a list of games released between September 17 and 23, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Angry Fish by Frozen Software.

Angry Fish
(80 MP, 09/16/2011, Frozen Software)
In this sequel to the critically acclaimed physics based action title FishCraft, the cats have gone too far!! Experience an epic tale of deceit and revenge as the fish take the fight to the cats homeland in 42 levels of extreme destruction.

Puzzled Rabbit
(80 MP, 09/20/2011, )
Puzzled Rabbit is a charming little game for anyone who enjoys solving puzzles. The game is based on a classic concept of sokoban and features almost 200 challenging levels. Try it and you won't regret!

Project Windstorm
(80 MP, 08/20/2011, Always On)
Project windstorm is an arcade-like style paratrooper game which takes place in the sky amongst clouds, planes, and other hazards which must be approached differently. In the game you take control of a paratrooper and are tasked with completing mission specific objectives. This game features falling out of planes, guns, missiles, explosions, humour, witty dialogue but thankfully no car chases.

Avatar Fighter Online
(80 MP, 09/21/2011, Bwoot Games)
A fighting game with avatars... now with online multiplayer! Fight to become champion of the Avatar Fighter tournament! Choose out of eight characters, or use your own avatar as a custom fighter with a customizable move set!

Pigs Can't Fly
(80 MP, 09/22/2011, Matt Mitman)
Pigs can't fly - except in their dreams! Wallowing in mud is great and all, but sometimes you just want to soar under the stars. Feel the wind on your wings...well, strapped on wings anyway, and just let out a loud SQUEEEEEE as you zoom across the hills below, racing against the moon's descent.

Game Frenzy
(80 MP, 09/22/2011, MindsEdge)
With eight games, you will have fun for hours. This collection features many of your favorites such as Blackjack, Slider Puzzles, Tic-Tac-Toe, Concentration, Reaction, Skeet Shooting, Ballochet, and Pong. All of the games are in one convenient package providing you with hours and hours of enjoyment.

A screen shot of Tunnelvision by Stendec Games.

Tunnelvision
(240 MP, 09/22/2011, Stendec Games)
Tunnel Vision is a fast paced shooter. Tunnel Vision translates traditional 2D shooter mechanics into 3D. Traditional 2D shooters are about finding gaps in areas of relatively slowly moving bullets. Most modern 3D shooters mostly work on the mechanics of aiming and taking cover. Tunnel Vision takes the idea of complex firing patterns and slowly moving bullets into the third dimension.

Don't Feed the Trolls
(80 MP, 09/23/2011, Frozax Games)
In a world of mountains and forests, honor the famous warning: "Don't Feed the Trolls". You need sharp reflexes to feed the bears without accidentally feeding a troll. Don't get scared and chase them with huge slaps! Don't Feed the Troll is a fast-paced reflex game played in 1-minute levels. Compare your scores with your friends and the best players with the online leaderboards.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending September 16, 2011

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 08:50:05 -0400

A big "boo" to both whomever uploaded the game Strategic Combat to the Xbox Live indie channel and Microsoft. Within the the game's description is the developer's "name" which listed as "All-templates.biz." That is is clearly neither a game developer's name nor the URL to the game. We all understand times are hard and indie devs need to make money but this type of blatant linking to a sales or link farm site cheapens indie games. It also goes to show that the Xbox Live indie channel approval process is a bit flawed (or could use a few more skilled interns). I suggest that you do not visit that link and do not purchase the game (besides not promoting this behavior, the site not even worth visiting).

On a much more positive note, this week's best bets include cute and creepy platformer Aron's Journey in Dreamland, simply titled Avatar Street Basketball 2, silly and simply drawn shooter Get to tha Choppa Twooo!!2, nicely illustrated Avalis Dungeon 2, also simply named Figure 8 Racing, puzzle game Balls N Walls, President John America, stealthy SEncounter, and retro zombie shooter Dead Pixels. Heck, maybe even give A Pimp RPG a try.

Below is a list of games released between September 10 and 16, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

2D Math Panic
(80 MP, 09/11/2011, OnekSoft Games)
Solve equations and catch the falling guys with the correct answers! Lose a life if you miss correct answers, lose points if you grab the wrong answer!

A screen shot of Aron's Journey in Dreamland by Meruvia Game Studio.

Aron's Journey in Dreamland
(240 MP, 09/11/2011, Meruvia Game Studio)
Discover the strange adventures of Aron. Lost in the forest, he'll try desperately to go back to the Inn he chose for his holidays. Bad luck, a storm is approaching ! This dark castle could be a refuge ! Really ? No, of course, not ! It's the mansion of some mad professor ! And, just because he's mean, he has captured Aron's girlfriend ! What ? Aron has NO girlfriend ?! Definitely strange !

Avatar Street Basketball 2
(80 MP, 09/12/2011, Bionic-Thumbs)
Shoot hoops with your avatar to be the best scorer in the world! Six courts and six different game modes are waiting for you in the firts "basketball" game with zombies on it!

Street Survival
(80 MP, 09/12/2011, steveo0209)
How long can you survive in this Action Survival game? You have try and get the longest distance you can while shooting and dodging the angry vans trying to run you over. With graphics hand-drawn on the computer, local leaderboards and simple, addictive gameplay, this is one Indie Game you don't want to miss! A SAVE DEVICE (Eg. A MU or Hard-Drive) IS NEEDED TO PLAY THIS GAME.

GET TO THA CHOPPA TWOOO!!2
(80 MP, 09/13/2011, SO SO DEV Games)
Are you ready for round twooo?! GET TO THA CHOPPA is back! Control a hot gun wielding girl, dodge missiles and mines, shoot zombies and use all new extras like the njyon pup or knight power! Not enough? Online highscores will put your skill to the ultimate test! Go, go, go!

A screen shot of Avalis Dungeon 2 by Team Shuriken.

Avalis Dungeon 2
(240 MP, 09/13/2011, Team Shuriken)
Experience a story filled with sexy and dangerous creatures in the second episode of Avalis Dungeon !

Strategic Combat
(80 MP, 09/14/2011, All-templates.biz)
A turn based game where you can fight against the computer or a friend (Local 2 player, System Link and LIVE) in a strategic combat. Move your combat units on a board and engage in combats with combat units on the other team.

GOOLIN
(80 MP, 09/14/2011, LuckySoft)
Get in Goolin, the giant robot! Use only the A button. Try to carefully consider how to go about each step along the way. Can you manage to get a higher score than your last attempt? If you find yourself playing more than 10 times, please purchase this one, since you're hooked!

Figure 8 Racing
(80 MP, 089/14/2011, DennisMac)
Figure 8 Racing (F8R) is a casual racing experience which encourages vehicle contact in order to gain the advantage. With up to 4-player split screen, multiple tracks, customisable options and mini-games F8R offers something for everyone.

A screen shot of Balls N Walls by David Tse.

Balls N Walls
(80 MP, 09/15/2011, David Tse)
Those pesky balls have escaped! Ohh no! What could we do? all you have are an unlimited supply of walls. Hmmm, Maybe you could trap the balls with the walls? Includes 2 distinct game modes, HighScores, and Unlimited content through procedural level generation in both game modes.

President John America
(240 MP, 09/15/2011, Maverick Games)
The United States is on the verge of collapse. In steps John America to win the 2012 presidential election. His intellect is the size of his ego, which is also the size of his biceps, which just so happen to also be the size of his love for America. John promises to personally hunt down the most dangerous terrorist threat the world has ever known, and eliminate a national debt of trillions!

SEncounter
(80 MP, 09/15/2011, WSBSoftware)
At the end of World War II a selection of elite military personnel and scientists established a secret base on the Antarctic continent. Your mission is to infiltrate this secret base and collect all technical information pertaining to their new weapons development.

Call Me
(80 MP, 09/15/2011, Utopioneer Games)
"Call Me" teaches you to read and adapt to different personalities. Using simulated conversation, "Call Me" will also give you a snapshot of your own personality.

A screen shot of Dead Pixels by CantStrafeRight.

Dead Pixels
(80 MP, 09/15/2011, CantStrafeRight)
When The Dead Start Walking, It's Time To Run.

A Pimp RPG
(80 MP, 09/16/2011, HobbiSoft)
Help the city of Oakland by being the cool guy on the street to remove the evil Mayor from office and get Oakland back to normal. This is a fun and funny standard RPG.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Hitbox plans to kick it up with Dustforce for PC, Mac

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 12:42:10 -0400

Hitbox Team has announced that its indiePub-award winning game, Dustforce, will be available late 2011 for PC (Windows) and Mac.

Dustforce was originally created as a short prototype but, after winning $100,000 in indiePub's 2010 Independent Developers' Competition, Hitbox developed it into a full game.

Here's a description of the game from the press release:

"In Dustforce, players stylishly flow through precarious environments, sweeping up dust, leaves, trash and slime. The cleaners face off against the four Sprites who are determined to make a mess of the whole world!"
Watch indiePub for an interview with Hitbox in the next week or so.

Here's the trailer to check out while you wait followed by a pair of screen shots:

youtube_ws:watch?v=ss4xmCbB-0Q

A screen shot of Dustforce by Hitbox Team.

A screen shot of Dustforce by Hitbox Team.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Dustforce
GAME: Dustforce Prototype @ indiePub
SITE: Hitbox Team
READ: Hitbox Interview @ indiePub

Dev Blog: The rights and wrongs of crafting Fractal

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 08:39:35 -0400

Fractal: Make Blooms Not War was a very hard game for us to make, both the first time and now the second. We've done a lot of things right but we've also done plenty of things wrong. Let me explain.

What We Did Wrong

1) The Birth
Fractal was born from a rather expansive idea and shaped into what it is today. Originally, we were exploring the branching mentality of gameplay: You would play levels, beat them then warp into a level built on that game-state. Complicated? Absolutely. Way too complicated.

2) Original Direction
Fractal was a multiplayer idea. We spent about four months prototyping with that idea until the realization that a small team of 2 core developers couldn't make the game a reality within a year. Ugh! What a waste of time. Honestly, though, the multiplayer version was sweet. We should probably go back to that at some point. ;)

3) The Editor Lesson
If there was anything we did learn, it's that you should have an editor before you even start your game engine. Fractal's development was severely hurt when we didn't have a level editor until about month six. Please, don't be as silly as us and think editing XML files is actually a viable form of level editor. We kept telling ourselves a level editor would take too long and XML can be edited in something like five seconds (it can't). The level editor took about three days to build. After it was built, the game came together in a week.

4) Marketing Our Game
Yeah, we didn't do that. Not surprisingly, sales were pretty bad. Sadly, there isn't too much more to say.

Fractal's iPad splash screen.

What We Did Right

1) Create an Experience
Somehow, we came out of the rubble with a really interesting puzzle game that doesn't just stand on the legs of other games. Creating a new puzzle experience that plays like a familiar title is no small task.

2) Audio
Experimenting with audio is something we love. We were really able to push the envelope with the our synthe system in Flash. Not only did we create a great experience, we bridged a very large technology game for Flash. Pimp? Yes.

3) Avoiding the Slump
We were able to free ourselves from the sophomore slump. One of our biggest issues with Fractal was developing in the shadow of Auditorium. Auditorium had won such critical acclaim that we never thought we could make such a unique experience again. Honestly, though, who the hell cares? Getting Fractal done showed us you can't achieve anything without trying.

Creating Fractal: Make Blooms Not War was an absolutely worthwhile experience. With the port, we are getting a rare thing indeed: A second chance to make a first impression.

Perseverance and hard work really do pay off.

So, as we ask many others, what would you do today if you couldn't fail?

~ ~ ~

READ: indiePub: Interview with Cipher Prime
READ: indiePub: Dev Blog Q&A with Cipher Prime
SITE: Fractal : Make Blooms Not War

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending September 9, 2011

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 09:32:57 -0400

It's not looking to be a particularly stellar indie game week although there are a few glimmers of creativity. There's even a drinking game.

This week's best bets look to be 3D puzzler Blockt, pedestrian zapping Head Shot God, super retro platformer Ninjah, action-adventure dungeon crawler Redd: The Lost Temple, lava dodger Apex, 3D Avatar-ish puzzle game Hacotoma and a relaxation platformer called Happy.

Below is a list of games released between September 3 and 9, 2011 (plus a couple late releases from September 2). Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Moe Mekuro 2 by Kohei.

Moe Mekuri 2 萌めくり2
(240 MP, 09/02/2011, Kohei)
A new Moe Mekuri is here! Just like the previous one, the game is simple as turning all the panels to face up. Can you complete all the stages and add the cute girls' pictures to the gallery? The higher the difficulty level, the less clothing the girl in the picture have! It's a Moe-moe puzzle game that perfectly reflects the developer's appetite!

Blockt
(240 MP, 09/02/2011, Moltensoft)
Collect all the blocks, and navigate to the goal. But be careful how you connect them -- some shapes don't roll around very well! Featuring innovative game mechanics with 3 block types, gorgeous space nebula environments, and 75 mind-bending, fully 3D puzzles to solve.

Head Shot God
(80 MP, 09/02/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
It's God's plan.

Ninjah
(80 MP, 09/04/2011, Big Stupid Face)
Ninjah is a fast paced puzzle platformer. Get from A to B as quickly as possible with the help of your ninja rope and ninja jetpack. However, there is a snag. You may only come in to contact with blocks the same colour as Ninjah, else it's POP and you have to start again. To help combat this, you can change colour by bumping in to the corresponding checkered blocks. Good luck!

Elemental Wizard
(80 MP, 09/05/2011, Boosted Games)
Use your elemental staff to smash the incoming hordes of undead, orcs, goblins, troll and more. Twin stick mayhem with fire, water and air spells and the fantastic spiralling lavaball.

A screen shot of Redd: The Lost Temple by Blazing Forge Games.

Redd: The Lost Temple
(240 MP, 09/05/2011, Blazing Forge Games)
The world is in danger from an unknown phenomenon and only the archeologist Allie and the explorer-for-hire Redd can save us. To keep Redd alive you’ll need to outmaneuver danger, discover new abilities, and of course… blow things up! Navigate through huge dungeons avoiding sinister traps, time based puzzles, and massive stone creatures to try and unlock the mystery of the Royal Amulet of Konira.

Monkey Madness
(80 MP, 09/06/2011, Phoebit)
Do you have spatial awareness and fast reactions? Plan forward and help your monkey to pass dangerous obstacles. Collect useful bonus items, jump and run and find the way through different landscapes. But be aware of evil monsters chasing you. Receive awards and work on your highscore list.

Primary Potions
(80 MP, 09/07/2011, Hydra Games Studios)
Awoken from a thoroughly traumatic event, you are a young mage who has endeared themselves to the Saeron, the greatest alchemist in the land! Luckily she seems to like you, so she takes you in and teaches you the art of alchemy. Through training and hard work, you learn the skills of an alchemist, mixing potions and filling the orders of the kingdom, while making money like any good shopkeeper.

King's Cup
(80 MP, 09/07/2011, Dwarf Biter)
Everybody's favorite drinking card game is now available on your Xbox! No more digging through the junk drawer for lost cards or scouring the internet for the card rules. Just grab some friends and some drinks and pass that controller around! Get ready to laugh, drink, and even take off some clothes with King's Cup. Please remember to drink responsibly.

A screen shot of Apex by Riddlersoft.

Apex
(80 MP, 09/07/2011, Riddlersoft)
Are you quick enough to stay ahead of the sizzling hot lava? Can you stay calm under the pressure as you race against the lava to get as high as you can? Explore a huge level with secret power ups and alternative paths as you try to get higher than anyone else.

Play As You Go
(80 MP, 09/07/2011, Scrubby Fresh Studio's L.L.C.)
This is a mini arcade setup. It has three games Beyond Space is a space shooter. Color Mimic is a memory game. H1N1 a.k.a. Swine Flu is a brick breaker.

HACOTAMA
(240 MP, 09/08/2011, YO1KOMORI)
A true puzzle game without an action element. "Features" A mysterious virtual world where you can stand on any box or ball surface. Beautiful graphics with balls that reflect, refract and concentrate light amid colorful boxes. An entirely new experience! Thinking three-dimensionally makes this a simple but profound game.

HAPPY
(80 MP, 09/08/0211, SOLLOMAN)
This game is perfect for all ages; left, right and jump is all that’s needed. The beautiful soundtrack, smooth gameplay and visuals of the environments bring this game to life, making the game very enjoyable and relaxing to play.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Featured Indie Devs: Beatnik Games puts fun in Plain Sight

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:44:37 -0400

Name: Sherif Aziz
Age: 30
Game(s): Plain Sight
Title/Role: CEO
Location: Southbank, London (England)
Studio: Beatnik Games
Beatnik Games is a six-person indie studio in Southbank, London, that has done pretty well with its first game, Plain Sight, selling more than 100,000 units since it was released earlier this year.

Plain Sight features what Beatnik calls "suicidal robots in space" where you kill opponent robots to absorb their energy and become more powerful and a larger target. As a twist, you must periodically self-destruct in order to score points otherwise you risk losing them to more crafty opponents.

Beatnik's CEO, Sherif Aziz, and Director, Damien Cerri, took time to answer a few questions about Plain Sight, their studio and experience as indie developers.

iP: Who is on the Beatnik team and what do they do?

SHERIF AZIZ: We have a six-man team at Beatnik. As we’re a small team we all have to be cross discipline. Officially we have three programmers, two Artists and one admin but, in reality, we all do a bit of everything. We all put our two cents in about game design, art direction and gameplay.

iP: Why "Beatnik?"

DAMIEN CERRI: The Beat generation was cool? We liked the ideas and theme of the Beat Generation with it’s over the top caricature style and off the wall thinking. It just kind of summed us up.

iP: Please describe Plain Sight...

AZIZ: Suicidal Ninja Robots in Space. You only bank your points once you detonate.

CERRI: Plain Sight was our first game which kind of evolved during development. It was very experimental and started out as something totally different and got to where it is with trial and error.

iP: Has Plain Sight done well since it was released? What type of response have you received and how has that influenced you and how you develop games?

AZIZ: Plain Sight sold over 100,000 units (and averaged) 76 on MetaCritic. We’re pretty happy with that. Everyone enjoys the game and thinks it’s great but unfortunately there only seems to be a small number of monthly active users. Users are content in a multiplayer game which means, as the servers are quiet, we rapidly lose monthly active users. I think we need to hit a critical mass point to get more people playing Plain Sight. We always see a spike when we send an update so people are still interested. We’ve tried a few things to keep players engaged but I think until we get that critical mass we’re going to struggle. We’re seriously thinking about making Plain Sight Freemium which feels like a risky, drastic move, especially for a small indie studio like us.

A screen shot of Plain Sight (PC) by Beatnik Games.

iP: How else has the game evolved since you started developing it and since it was first released?

AZIZ: We’re constantly tweaking and updating the game. We listen to what the people are saying on the forums and reviews and try to address any issues. Since the game was released we've added Persistent Perks, a currency system, tweaked the game mechanics and added some game metrics. We’re working on a few new levels, a level editor and a few other things which we hope to release soon.

iP: Is there a theme with your games?

AZIZ: Not really. We try to think of an original twist to everything we do. I suppose a consistent theme might be a simple but striking art style.

Name: Damien Cerri
Age: 28
Game(s): Plain Sight
Title/Role: Director
Location: Southbank, London (England)
Studio: Beatnik Games
iP: How did you get into game development?

AZIZ: Being an avid player of games from a young age, I always wanted to get into games development. I studied Computer Science in order to get into the games industry. After I graduated I earned a Masters at Abertay in Software Engineering (Computer Games Technology) and got my first job in the industry shortly thereafter.

CERRI: Like Sherif I’ve always been an avid gamer. However, for me, I just decided one day that I wanted to start making games and went for it. I got together with a friend and started Beatnik Games. It’s been tough and we’ve made many mistakes but, after releasing Plain Sight, I can’t think of doing anything else.

iP: What is the Beatnik development process?

AZIZ: Dream it. Prototype it. Refine it. Build it. I really want this to be a cool acronym. We basically come up with an idea for a cool games, prototype it on paper, then in Unity. Once we’ve decided the game has potential we then try and refine it into what we think are it’s core elements and then start building it.

iP: What do you dislike about making games?

AZIZ: For me it’s probably the grind after the initial buzz from making a new game wears off. This is probably the only part of games development that actually feels like a job. You have to work hard to piece things together and remain positive that what you’re making is going to be good while it comes together. It’s also annoying when things that sound good on paper and in your head don’t quite work once you’ve put them into the game.

iP: What is your favorite part of making games?

AZIZ: My favorite part of making games is probably the early stages of development where you’re experimenting with gameplay mechanics and getting things up and running, trying to dream up the best game possible.

iP: Talk a bit about your "cool new games for some interesting people and platforms..."

AZIZ: (Laughs. We can’t really say too much about this. Basically we have a mobile game in development which has been signed by a fairly big publisher and a second, more exciting project in the works that a different publisher is interested in. That’s not really revealing anything is it?

A screen shot of Plain Sight (PC) by Beatnik Games.
iP: Why remain indie? Why have your own studio?

AZIZ: Basically for creative freedom to do what we like. It’s challenging and risky but I think more rewarding.

iP: What is the indie game culture like in England?

AZIZ: There’s a small but healthy indie community in London with some exceptional talent. We all try to meet fairly regularly, once a month, for some beers and a chat. I keep hearing a lot about some of the bigger organizations like C4 and BBC wanting to help out the Indie community so hopefully it’ll grow over the coming years.

iP: What does the future look like for indie games?

AZIZ: Our friends at Havok believe that Indie developers are the future of the games industry. We believe that they’re on to something. Large studios can’t take many risks, while small indie studios are pretty much forced to innovate due to resource constraints. With amazing tools like Unity, Havok and UDK more readily available to indie developers, and companies like Sony supporting independent developers, we believe it’s never been a better time for Indie games pushing high quality, new and interesting games onto the market. I think the future of Indie Development will only get better.

iP: What advice to you have for other indie game developers...

AZIZ: Make something and ship it. I’ve seen too many people start making something and never get it out there. Games are easily updated these days so even if it’s not perfect, you can start getting some feedback and tweak things to get better results. I remember seeing Tower of Goo which would become World of Goo many many years ago while it was still an experimental game. There wasn’t quite a game but they had something interesting, it took them years before they honed it into World of Goo.

~ ~ ~

A screen shot of Plain Sight (PC) by Beatnik Games.

A screen shot of Plain Sight (PC) by Beatnik Games.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Beatnik Games
SITE: Plain Sight

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending September 2, 2011

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 13:28:49 -0400

Ah, a long weekend approaches for most of here in the US. That means a whole extra day to get in some game time which is good because there were a lot of games released this past week including a few listed for more than the usual 80 MP ($1.25).

Best bets this week look to be Guarding, Beach Bubbles 2, All the Bad Parts, Zombie Racers, SpeedRunner HD, Kobold's Quest, Train Frontier Express, Chain Crusher, Avatar Connection, Chester, Air Combat: Desert Aces and maybe even JellyFish MD.

Below is a list of games released between August 27 and September 2, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Rocks. In. Spaaace!
(80 MP, 08/27/2011, RetroZombie)
Complete a 4-part space course with the best score, and unlock faster ships the more you play!

A screen shot of Ninja Sneaking by WINGLAY.

Ninja Sneaking
(80 MP, 08/27/2011, WINGLAY)
Game Over when an enemy finds you.This game is very difficult. Get to the top floor through the traps and enemies sight! Get the fastest clear time! You can practice floors you've reached in "Floor training" mode.

That Really Hot Chick
(80 MP, 08/27/2011, )
Save the chick from being captured by various evil foes with the help of your friend, dodgyness and overall awesomeness! Play with up to one player! Thumbs up if glorious game happy make!

Guarding
(80 MP, 08/28/2011, cupholder)
Guarding is your classic RPG adventure. Follow a group of young warriors as they begin their perilous journey. Choose your party and fend off monsters with a variety of magic and skills!

A screen shot of Beach Bubbles 2 by Team Shuriken.

Beach Bubbles 2
(240 MP, 08/28/2011, Team Shuriken)
Collect all bubbles !

All the Bad Parts
(80 MP, 08/28/2011, Ben Cook)
All the Bad Parts is an Action Adventure that features hand to hand combat, weapons, a shifting plot line, and multiple endings. The story begins in a classroom. While trying to survive school, Corbin starts to notice that time is starting to speed up, and everything isn’t as it appears. He then has to make sense of the shifting world around him, fight waves of enemies, and make key decisions.

Professional $tealer
(80 MP, 08/29/2011, Aly Ameen)
Sidescrolling Platform game. Use your parkour skills to jump across buildings, dodge planes and rockets while escaping the cops! Many different modes of gameplay! Challenge a friend in multiplayer mode! Try challenge mode and submit your score to see who is the most Professional Stealer !

Zombie Racers
(80 MP, 08/29/2011, Big Head Games Ltd.)
Take your bloody revenge from behind the wheel of an automotive zombie killing machine. Play single player score attack where reaching your target of zombie kills unlocks the next stage or take on a friend in multiplayer free roaming where finding weapons means the difference between winning and dying. Be it a zombie magnet, a flame thrower or a bomb it could be the last choice you make.

A screen shot of Avatar Running by AloneSoft.

Avatar Running
(80 MP, 08/29/2011, AloneSoft)
It is four person fighting type action game corresponding to online. It corresponds to the course design and the course sharing.

RumbleVoice
(80 MP, 08/29/2011, Aztecgames)
See and feel sounds like never before. When you put on music, you can feel the beat in your hands. Speak to a friend and let them feel the sound of your voice. You can even change your voice, add echo or speak through an animal. Simple fun to be had by anyone!!! (*Headset microphone is required*)

SpeedRunner HD
(240 MP, 08/29/2011, DoubleDutch Games)
Use your grappling hook, walljumping and other acrobatic skills to speedrun as quickly as possible, and dismantle the bomb in time! While the singleplayer offers enough challenges to keep you busy for a while, the multiplayer is where this game really shines. So gather (up to) 3 of your friends and compete in a speedrunning spectacle with gameplay reminiscent of Mario Kart and Micro Machines!

Kobold's Quest
(240 MP, 08/29/2011, SuckerFree Games)
Three chapters of hardcore baby stealing action! Cut Scenes straight from the bowels of Newgrounds! Join your Kobold compatriots in this platforming grief game.

A screen shot of Train Frontier Express by Team Train Frontier.

Train Frontier Express
(240 MP, 08/30/2011, Team Train Frontier)
Train Frontier is a landscape building and train riding good time. Make an epic creation, then share it with your friends through Xbox Live and ride together. Build it, share it, ride it, crash it, relax!

Chain Crusher
(400 MP, 08/30/2011, Mindware corporation)
An enemy has invaded our beautiful solar system from a faraway galaxy. You are the one to chase off the invaders using "Chain Crusher", the last and strongest space ship in the solar system. Do you attack surely and steadily? or get massive points by taking down many of them at a time... It's simple and exciting. The game shows your personality on the screen, "Chain Crusher".

Avatar Connection
(80 MP, 08/31/2011, Digital DNA Games)
The Avatar Connection. The game show where you meet real people online with your Xbox Avatar.

Chester
(240 MP, 08/31/2011, Brilliant BlueG)
Reclaim your cupcakes! Battle though five worlds as over 10 unique, level-upable, unlockable Chester personalities! Also change the look of the entire game at will with unlockable styles liek 8-Bit, LCD, Sketch, Blueprint, and more!

Jet Star Universe
(80 MP, 09/01/2011, Duane Hoyt)
Game featuring 8 levels, variety of enemies, and power ups to choose from. Take in command of the Jet to shoot in outer space and beating the final boss. Reach your goal towards a high score and getting to the top 10 list.

A screen shot of Air Combat: Desert Aces by Strange Games.

Air Combat: Desert Aces
(80 MP, 09/01/2011, Strange Games)
Take to the skies over North Africa in a P-47 Thunderbolt to defend against the German Luftwaffe. Attempt to break past their fighters and destroy their base while your squadron provides cover. Your armament includes wing mounted .50 cal machine guns and the option to equip a variety of rockets and heavy bombs.

Jellyfish MD
(80 MP, 09/02/2011, Kevin Costello)
Pollution has struck Jellyfish City! Take on the role of the esteemed Dr Jellyfish's new assistant. Use your powers of perception and spatial reasoning to match up colored bubbles to cure the adorable denizens of Jellyfish City in this unique and challenging puzzle game.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Highlights from PAX Prime 2011

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:12:23 -0400

PAX Prime 2011 attendees play the demo version of Vessel which was on display in the indiePub booth throughout the expo. (indiePub/Mary Kish)

Gaming expos are usually a cluster of game demos, ridiculously extravagant booth decor and all the free swag you can stuff in your pockets. Penny Arcade Expo (aka PAX Prime), on the other hand, is a nice break from the brash, marketing-heavy focus of large gaming companies that takes place at E3 or GDC.

For indie devs, PAX is a great opportunity to get a sneak peak at the industry without getting lost in the shuffle.

For example, one wing was entirely dedicated to smaller indie companies showcasing their games and telling their stories. This is also where indiePub called home for three days.

In the indiePub booth, Vessel was shown on four computers surrounding a 48-inch TV which showcased the new trailer. PAX Prime attendees were treated to a new demo of Vessel and a free game (either Kona's Crate for iOS or Fractal for iPad). Our booth was always full and we had a blast chatting with people about our upcoming games.

Visually, PAX Prime was a stunning display of top-tier to-be-released games:

Counter Strike featured the new version - Global Offensive - in a booth filled with demos and giveaways.

Gears Of War 3 lined the walls of its booth with a new poster including Dom’s striking new pose.

Skyrim’s booth featured a massive dragon that scraped the convention centers ceiling.

Ubisoft's booth featured a plethora of new games including Assassin’s Creed Revelations, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon and every Just Dance ever made.

Cosplay was everywhere within the show and played a heavy role within the community. My personal favorites were the C3PO, Buzz Lightyear and Link costumes.

Scott Macmillan shared his story and a lot of worthwhile advice during his panel simply titled, "Death of an Indie Studio." Macmillan focused on his missteps with the hope of helping other indie devs avoid the same issues. He blamed motivation and marketing for most of his problems and urged listeners to be realistic with their budgets while not forgetting the power of marketing within a game. PCGamer has posted a great recap of the panel.

Be sure to look out for PAX next year. There’s really nothing else quite like it.

The indiePub booth is prepped and ready for PAX Prime 2011 attendees. (From left to right) indiePub's Mary Kish, Vessel developers John Krajewski and Martin Farren from Strange Loop Games with Aaron Yelton from indiePub. (indiePub)

A PAX Prime attendee puts in some time with the Vessel demo in the indiePub booth. (indiePub/Mary Kish)

The All Zombies Must Die Booth featured a makeup artist who was painting attendees to death. Well, a living sort of death. (indiePub/Mary Kish)

indiePub's Mary Kish poses with a cosplayer wearing an impressive C3PO costume at PAX Prime 2011. (indiePub)

Look for more PAX Prime 2011 photos on indiePub's Facebook page.

~ ~ ~

READ: PCGamer
READ: indiePub
SITE: Vessel
SITE: PAX Prime

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending August 26, 2011

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 12:40:39 -0400

There seem to have been a lot of games this past week including, as usual, a few retro-graphics games. Surprisingly, nothing with "avatar" in the name.

Best bets this week look to be retro style 2D platformer Doc Logic, tank combat (on dot-matrix printouts?!) Attank, beautifully illustrated 2D adventure Raventhorne, dungeon crawler Cursed Loot, low-res blood and gore Cute Things Dying Violently (mostly because of the name and images of bloody smiley faces), real-time strategy game VideoWars, weird retro-game mashup Space Bat, long-awaited 3D runner T.E.C. 3001 and maybe even hectic runner Jump Hero.

Below is a list of games released between August 20 and August 26, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Doc Logic by DocLogic.

Doc Logic
(80 MP, 08/20/2011, DocLogic)
Doc Logic is a retro styled 2D survival-platformer. Enemies and traps will try to slow you down, but the only thing that can lead to a “game over” screen is the clock reaching zero. Doc Logic contains 8 unique different stages that offer a change in gameplay, and features music from 8 Bit Weapon.

Attanck
(80 MP, 08/20/2011, Daisy Maze Games)
The 80's super computer has taken over and is printing out an evil ascii army! Command the high tech dot matrix assault vehicle and get ready to kick some ascii in this retro style arcade action title.

Raventhorne
(240 MP, 08/21/2011, Milkstone Studios S.L.)
Milkstone Studios proudly presents an epic 2D adventure of glory and vengeance! Help Raventhorne, the fallen norse hero fullfill his fate and take revenge for his death! Clear your way through the 6 worlds of Yggdrasil, and reach Asgard before Ragnarok is unleashed.

Attack of the evil androids
(240 MP, 08/22/2011, Wizards Entertainment)
This is an amazing action platform game where you must help the planet Earth of the attack of the evils androids. With 25 levels full of action and fun, where you need to fight with different hard opponents and save as many people as you can. This is an intensive physics game where you can smash walls, break floors, use elevators and other levels gadgets.

A screen shot of Cursed Loot by Eyehook Games LLC.

Cursed Loot
(80 MP, 08/22/2011, Eyehook Games LLC)
SAME GAME -- NEW NAME. The ultimate dungeon crawling experience just got better. Now with 5 playable classes, 9 unique skills, and more!

Heroes vs. Zombies
(80 MP, 08/23/2011, RicolaVG)
Play with up to 4 people in order to fend off the zombie horde. Gain exp to learn new techniques. Can you survive?

Meep 2 - Jumping Evolved
(80 MP, 08/23/2011, Andreas Heydeck)
Meep 2 - Jumping Evolved offers different gameplay from what you've seen before in platform jumpers. Beat the clock in time trial in 20 different levels! Help yourself to be the best by viewing the ghostplayer from the best times for each level! You can also enjoy some splitscreen multiplayer action against a buddy in tournaments!

Lucky Game
(80 MP, 08/23/2011, LuckySoft)
This is a game you can enjoy golf and gambling machine with. Decide an angle and power to put a ball in a cup. Winnings increase as you place the right bets. Maybe the farther the cup, the better the chance. 1 player : Increase your winnings. kinds of the gambling machines be increased when you increase maximum winnings. 2 - 4 players : Compete with other player in scores.

After Dusk
(80 MP, 08/23/2011, )
Long range communications aboard the 'Century Research Station' have abruptly stopped shortly after a distress signal was sent out. With military forces spread far and few in-between, a freelance vessel has been contracted to investigate and report on the problem. Little do the intrepid travelers know, something dire lurks in the dark of Century Station...

Steel Avenger
(80 MP, 08/23/2011, Redtalon)
In the cheesiest story line I could manage, Harry Kersey, ex cop, avenges his brutal wife's death, on a rampage across the streets of down town Farlix upon Trent. Where Harry takes vengeance on the criminals responsible, with the help from the local police force who often turn a blind eye or offer a power up.

A bloodless screen shot of Cute Things Dying Violently by ApathyWorks.

Cute Things Dying Violently
(80 MP, 08/24/2011, ApathyWorks)
Flick hapless Critters around to get them safely out of each level! Dodge all sorts of lethal goodies like spikes, buzzsaws, and fire, and use a variety of wacky items to pull it off. Play through 60 mind-bending, reflex-testing singleplayer levels, 6 bloodthirsty challenge levels, and 1 murderous bucket-headed robot! Want more? Try out the local multiplayer and the built-in level editor.

VideoWars
(80 MP, 08/24/2011, Baaad Dad)
VideoWars is Arcade Real-Time Strategy - it's fast-paced and easy to pick up and play so you can get right into the battle. It's got smart units that you don't have to micromanage. And it's got lots and lots of nuclear combat, with all of the style of the arcade classics. Try awesome arcade strategy today, with VideoWars!

Blobs
(80 MP, 08/24/2011, ShadowPredator)
Blobs is an action puzzle game. Catch the blobs and then fire them back at the invading blob army, but be careful they are only weak against blobs of the same colour. Blobs includes three game modes, each with difficulty options, scoreboards and trophies!

Ambient Travels
(80 MP, 08/24/2011, Dwarf Biter)
Summertime may be almost over, but that doesn't mean the vacation has to be! With Ambient Travels you can travel the world from the comfort of your couch. You can visit Ireland, Hawaii, Egypt, and more! Just relax and let the ambient sounds soothe you.

Space Bat
(80 MP, 08/24/2011, Dont Press X)
Bat, Ball, Aliens, Blocks, Many varied levels, Power ups, No flying rodents, enjoy...

A screen shot of T.E.C. 3001 by Phoenix.

T.E.C. 3001
(240 MP, 08/24/2011, Phoenix)
T.E.C. (Tesla Energy Collector) 3001 is 3D action single player game. You are guiding a robot through a virtual space to collect leftovers of energy for human kind. There are 20 levels and each one of them brings unique challenge to the player. Player will master in guiding a robot (T.E.C.) on level through series of trials and repetitions.

Cubicle
(80 MP, 08/25/2011, Uberplex)
As the newest intern on the job, keep up with the rapid flow of cubicle work to keep your job. Use intuitive thumbstick controls to master your daily routine. Player in single player mode, or compete head to head against a friend.

The Jump Hero
(80 MP, 08/25/2001, Silver Dollar Games)
Jump. Fly. Dive. Survive.

Doom & Destiny
(240 MP, 08/25/2011, HeartBit Interactive)
Doom & Destiny is a conventional Japanese style RPG with an unconventional mood. Strange events bring four friends in a fantasy world made of cliche, strange people and a lot of humor. Help them in the battle against the evil villain and to find their way home.

Asphalt Jungle 2
(80 MP, 08/26/2011, Hoelkosoft)
The road building game is back.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Visit the indiePub booth at PAX Prime 2011

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:09:48 -0400

indiePub will have a booth at PAX Prime 2011 where it will be showing off several games and giving away codes for two indiePub games.

PAX Prime 2011 is taking place in Seattle, WA (USA), August 26-28, 2011 and indiePub's booth is #6410. It'll be the booth with the indiePub and Vessel banners.

Indie developers Strange Loop Games will be there demonstrating and talking about Vessel which will be available this holiday season for PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. You'll also be able to get your hands on the game and give it a gooey fluros whirl.

indiePub will be also demonstrating playable versions of Vessel, Fractal: Make Blooms Not War, Kona's Crate and Storm throughout PAX Prime as well as displaying a sneak peak video of the upcoming game, Wanted Corp.

Make certain you stop by the indiePub booth and ask how you can get a free copy of either Kona's Crate (for iOS) or Fractal (for iPad).

Here's a bit more about each game, straight from the press release:

Vessel
(Available Holiday 2011 for PC, Playstation Network and Xbox Live)
Built on a groundbreaking, custom, liquid-physics engine, Vessel tells a tale of the promise and peril of the human race as it stands on the precipice of a new age of innovation, challenging players’ philosophical worldviews about the relationship between humanity and machine. Players take on the role of Arkwright, a renowned inventor during the Industrial Revolution, whose inventions – living liquid creatures known as Fluros – have gone awry, turning on their users and disrupting machinery throughout the world. To fix the flawed Fluros and restore order, players must create, manipulate and destroy a wide variety of Fluros and operate complex machinery to solve challenging puzzles. Vessel takes players on an exploratory adventure through four fascinating worlds representing agricultural and mechanical industries to help Arkwright build his greatest invention, "The Device."

Fractal: Make Blooms Not War
(Available now for iPad)
Developed by Cipher Prime, Fractal : Make Blooms Not War is set in a sentient world that fails and prospers alongside the player. Built in a vibrant, colorful environment, Fractal: Make Blooms Not War is an intuitive, sensory experience featuring 30 complex levels, 60 stimulating puzzles and dynamic, rhythmic music created by Cipher Prime's new MusicBox audio engine. With three different gameplay modes - Campaign, Puzzle and Arcade - players are challenged to strategically arrange colored geometric shapes in order to cluster and chain their way through a technicolor dreamscape.

Kona's Crate
(Available now for iOS, iPad, Android, PC and Mac)
Developed by Darkwind Media, Kona’s Crate takes place in a mystical world where players must carefully deliver a crate of stars to Chief Kona. Players must skillfully navigate a crate sitting on a jet-powered platform through tight spaces and around sharp corners while avoiding tricky obstacles to complete their delivery in time and win Chief Kona's approval. Kona’s Crate includes four campaigns with 85 increasingly challenging levels and offers a slew of unlockable levels and achievements.

Storm
(Available Summer 2011 for PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade)
In Storm, developed by Eko Software, players manipulate seasonal weather conditions to grow seeds into trees by guiding them through nature-themed levels set to a tranquil music background. Seeds are transported past obstacles with gusts of wind, torrential downpours and bolts of lightning to reach various checkpoints throughout the game. Featuring 49 intriguing levels, players use wind, rain and lightning along with secondary elements to maneuver five different kinds of seeds in each of the four seasons.

Wanted Corp
(Available Summer 2011 for PlayStation Network and PC)
Developed by Eko Software, Wanted Corp. is a third-person cooperative action-shooter game designed for the new PlayStation Move controller. During the game, up to two players can embody two charismatic bounty hunters (the raw Neal Maddogg and the mysterious Irina-Ys) to track down the most wanted criminals of the galaxy who escaped during their transfer. Neutralizing fugitives, exploring the hostile stages and collecting much sought-after galactic treasures, the bounty hunters are able to upgrade their equipment and abilities to help neutralize the quirky opponents

~ ~ ~

READ: indiePub @ PAX Prime 2011
SITE: Vessel
SITE: Fractal: Make Blooms Not War
SITE: Kona's Crate
SITE: Storm
SITE: PAX Prime 2011

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending August 19, 2011

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 09:47:06 -0400

There aren't a lot of new games this past week in the Xbox Live indie games channel but, once again, most of them look pretty interesting. I'll take quality over quantity any week.

Best bets from this past week are match-3 Flip N Shift, radioactive action game Inferno, adorable fighting game Pajamorama (also a junior high nickname), multiplayer space shooter GravArena, two-stick-shooter and motorbike racing game (with a long name) Motorbike Stunt Agent Julie, speed strategy game Nova Remnant, 3D Connect-4 style game called 4th 3D Ordered (or as I like to say, 4目並べ3D) and even the simply art style of Nene Minigames doesn't seem to detract from its potential.

Below is a list of games released between August 13 and August 19, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Let's Draw and Share by Kobingo.

Let's Draw & Share!Let's Draw & Share!
(80 MP, 08/14/2011, Kobingo)
Draw pictures and send them to friends and family over Xbox LIVE.

Flip N Shift
(80 MP, 08/16/2011, Kazgaroth)
A match-3 puzzle game where the player can flip colors to their complimentary counterparts and shift gems around the board across 50 levels of increasing difficulty.

Inferno!
(240 MP, 08/16/2011, Archifishal Software)
Due to an unexplained freak accident the power plant on TVOD-1 has suddenly gone past its safety point and is nearing meltdown. As a crack member of the Allumanian defence unit, you have been drafted in to pilot a lone ship capable of extinguishing the radioactive core on TVOD-1. Good luck!

Screen shot of Pajamorama by Dannobot Games.

Pajamorama
(80 MP, 08/17/2011, Dannobot Games)
Pajamorama is a fighting game featuring up to 4 player multiplayer either local or over XBox Live, and gameplay so crunchy you could pour milk over it and eat it for breakfast. Dominatrix librarian pillow fighting in outer space! Bath time soap bubble fights with all your girlfriends! A combo engine so minty fresh, you'll want to brush your teeth with it. It's PAJAMORAMA, baby!

GravArena
(80 MP, 08/17/2011, Squire Software)
GravArena is a fast-paced couch multiplayer shooter set in SPACE. With realistic gravity physics, stunning visuals, and drop-in-anytime gameplay it is the perfect game for you and your buddies.

Motorbike Stunt Agent Julie
(80 MP, 08/17/2011, Mattini Games)
MSA Julie features a novel combination of two-stick-shooter and motorbike racing game. While helping the French agent Julie Cevoir on her hunt for super villain Dr. Kreutzer you have to master bike physics while clearing the way off enemies. In twenty increasingly challenging missions preceded by an extensive tutorial the story is told in professionally recorded dialogs and comic stills.

Nova Remnant
(80 MP, 08/17/2011, Stewart Taylor)
Fast paced strategic game where timing is imperative for a big score but being swift will increase the challenge. Prove your worth by establishing a large score in survival mode if you can last the onslaught long enough.

4目並べ3D (a.k.a. 4th 3D ordered)
(80 MP, 08/17/2011, okui)
The rule of this game is like connect four of 3D. Only 2players battle.

A screen shot of one of the many minigames in Nene Minigames by Pasqui.

Nene minigames
(240 MP, 08/17/2011, Pasqui)
Join Nene and his friends the week before his birthday. Each day you will have to face new challenges and activities. Unlock all the minigames, play against your friends and show them you are the best.

Coagulate
(80 MP, 08/18/2011, Sean Colombo)
A fast-paced, addictive block-drop game. Stack like-colored blobs together and watch them Coagulate to form a larger high-value blob. ...But don't get too caught-up building the biggest blobs: make sure to keep some free space before the screen fills up!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

indiePub dev meetup featuring guest speaker Terence Lee

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:58:40 -0400

indiePub is hosting a developer meet-up event at 6:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2011. The event is in cooperation with the Southwest Ohio Video Game Initiative.

The guest speaker will be Terence Lee, a graduate of Ohio State University and an award-winning indie game developer. The event will last approximately two hours. The memories will last forever (or at least a couple days).

According to the event description, Lee will be speaking about his experience as a game developer and about some of the lessons he has learned as an indie.

The address for the event is:

indiePub Games
3805 Edwards Rd
Suite 400
Cincinnati, OH 45209

READ: Southwest Ohio Video Game Initiative

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending August 12, 2011

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 03:52:34 -0400

It's been a busy week for submissions including a rarity for the Xbox Live indie channel: an e-book. I haven't had a chance to look at the demo but I applaud those who think outside the digital box, er, binding, oh, you know what I mean.

Best bets this week look to be match-three game Repixland, overhead soccer game Goals, platform shooter Zombies Ruined My Day, space-ish shooter WispLisp Array of List, Arkanoid clone Cycloid, farming sim Avatar Farm and avatar hacky sack game Kick'n It.

Below is a list of games released between August 6 and August 12, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of No Luca No by Silver Dollar Games.

No Luca No
(80 MP, 08/06/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
Breakfast with Luca.

Repixland
(80 MP, 08/08/2011, FlanGames)
Combine the elements to uncover the pixel symbol of each level. Test your dexterity and wit against spell-crafting witches, mysterious aliens, powerful vampires, immortal mummies and swashbuckling pirates in story mode. Or, play in arcade mode for some undisturbed score-breaking action. Are you up to the challenge?

Goals
(80 MP, 08/09/2011, The Game Creators)
Play at the heart of the action in this fast paced retro soccer game. Pass, chip and shoot your way to win the tournament and claim the Goals! trophy. Show your friends whose best when you play against them on the same XBOX. Goals! is a great time killer, always ready to fill your spare time with a quick match. You can also customise the teams and players to make a more personal experience.

Screen shot of Zombies Ruined My Day (don't they always?) by mancebo.

Zombies ruined my day
(80 MP, 08/09/2011, mancebo)
This is the story of how the best day of your life can become a nightmare full of zombies. Survive in a hostile environment using all sorts of weapons, defend your position with barricades, blow up zombies with grenades, sweep the area away with a Gatling and more! All in a fully action packed game with colorful backgrounds and fearsome monsters. Show us that you're more than a snack for zombies!

Oxadania: An E-book
(80 MP, 08/10/2011, JB Marius-Sheridan)
Set in the fictional fantasy world of Glomundia. Contains a garden pot movement game. (In garden pot movement game move the pot around using the D-Pad and press A up to 2 times to change the scene).

Crazy Balloon Lite
(80 MP, 08/10/2011, Backroom Software)
Tha Land of the Balloons has been invaded by nasty spikes. You need to navigate this overrun terrain to make it back to your balloon friends!

WispLisp Array of List
(80 MP, 08/10/2011, DK Alpla)
今、確かなクソゲーが必要です。高速弾をかわした所を物量で撃ちぬいてシューターを皆殺しにして楽しむゲームです。俺が。火力にはマンダラを。マンダラには物量を。新生WispLisp、誕生。 Copyright 2011 あるふぁ～秘密基地(Alpha Secret Base) & DONG. All Rights Reserved.

Robot Platformer
(80 MP, 08/10/2011, cored.dk)
If you can crawl, run, jump and flap your arms to hover. -Use your slingshot and jump on the robots. -Have a heart if low on energy. -Jump on the clouds, dodge the fire and Get to the exit spirals... then you will conquer all 42 levels, single or co-op play.

A screen shot of Cycloid by Blitz1UP.

Cycloid
(80 MP, 08/11/2011, Blitz1UP)
Cycloid is original arkanoid with realistic physics. Explore 20 levels of dynamic enviorment, nice graphics and addictive gameplay. Have a fun!

Moon Cheese
(80 MP, 08/11/2011, Whampashimash)
Battle your way up to the moon, to get some delicious moon cheese, that not only tastes magnificent it also comes with some bonus effects, and then enjoy as the points just keep coming.

Parrot Paradise: Lorikeets
(80 MP, 08/11/2011, Shaun Quaintance)
Parrot Paradise: Lorikeets is the perfect game for parrot lovers everywhere. Whether its brushing up on your knowledge of the many types of Lorikeets in the Parrot Guide or just sitting back and admiring them in the Parrot Gallery, if you have even the slightest passion for parrots then Parrot Paradise: Lorikeets is the game for you.

A screen shot of Avatar Farm by Milkstone Studios SL

Avatar Farm!
(240 MP, 08/11/2011, Milkstone Studios SL)
Cultivate your own farm: Plant crops & trees and take care of them as they grow!

Beware of the Penguins
(80 MP, 08/11/2011, PC Super Hero)
A first person shooter challenge game. Take turns to see who can kill the most penguins before the penguins kill you.

Virtual Money Plant
(80 MP, 08/12/2011, Silver Dollar Games)
If only you could spend it.

Andromium
(80 MP, 08/12/2011, MikeVentron)
Blast through the procedurally generated levels as you and your partner cadet deliver an exceedingly volatile metal - Andromium - to a research lab. Requiring absolute concentration to win, this game will keep you on your toes for every second you play it.

Blow Me Up
(80 MP, 02/12/2011, Stegersaurus Games 2)
Proof that dynamite is the solution to all the world's toughest problems.

Screen shot of Kick'n It by K-dog.

Kick'n It
(240 MP, 08/12/2011, K-dog)
Kick’n It! is a Hacky Sack style game that friends and family can play together with their Avatars. Perform kicks, stalls, tricks and combos. Compete for high scores. Take full control of your Avatar. There’s plenty of gameplay packed into 4 Single player and 4 Multiplayer game modes - including crowd pleaser Bomb Squad!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Featured Indie Devs: Maniac Games is makin' crazy fun with Insane Arcade

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 06:46:46 -0400

Name:Joseph Heitzman
Age: 26
Game(s): Insane Arcade, Cow Chase, FLUP,
Monsters Love Gum
Title/Role: Lead Designer
Location: Shakopee, MN
Studio: Maniac Games
Maniac Games is a new indie game development company started by Joe Heitzman and Andrew Gold. In fact, it's so new they have not even set up a web site yet.

"When we say indie start up we mean like infant," said Heitzman.

Heitzman and Gold first worked together on an iOS game called Cow Chase released earlier this year (2011).

Heitzman got into game development about two years ago when friends in school pulled him into helping with their games. As he became more interested, he learned more about development and game animation and soon made an iPad board game called Monsters Love Gum and a 3D cube puzzle game called FLUP. Whenever Heitzman got stuck, he'd check forums for help, which is where he found Gold.

"We had been talking on the forums and thought we would make a great partnership," recalls Heitzman. "(Gold) had been working on an endless runner style game and I jumped into to add some graphics, animations and some elements to the overall game play and story."

For the past ten years, Gold had been working on computers and servers for an accounting company. Earlier this year decided he wanted to do something new so he left his job and started to make a game.

"I wanted to do something different and, as I loved the Apple devices and programming, I thought I would try my hand at it," Gold recalls. "Originally I was just looking to write some apps but couldn't think of anything good to create. So then I decided to make a game and looked around for a game's engine as I didn't know the first thing about making a game. I found Cocos2D, got on really well with it and was able to build Cow Chase."

Gold was working on the game - which features a cow dodging obstacles while constantly running away from invading aliens - by himself but found he needed a little help.

"I hooked up with Joe as the graphics I originally drew myself left a lot to be desired," recalls Gold, who purposefully picked a simple game to start with. "...He also helped with the game mechanics and made it an overall better game."

A screen shot from Maniac Games' Insane Arcade still in development and looking for some funding love.

Now they have their own company and are working together on the first title under the Mania Games name called Insane Arcade. It's a social simulator where you build and manage a game arcade from the ground up.

"They can select from literally hundreds of different machines, attract and keep patrons happy, decorate to their liking, and even play some mini-games on certain machines," explains Heitzman.

"The game is about a subject that hasn't been done before and we hope it will appeal to the older generation as much as today's," said Gold. "There will be a lot of nostalgia attached to the game to reflect what it was like when Video Arcades were in their prime and we hope people can relate to that. We also want it to be easy to play, so we have devised a more natural UI (user interface) for getting to the various parts of the game."

The game will use the freemium model meaning that you'll be able to get the game for free but some element will cost you real-world money.

Name:Andrew Gold
Age: 34
Game(s): Cow Chase, Insane Arcade
Title/Role: Lead Developer
Location: Rome, Italy
Studio: Maniac Games
"What we are trying to stay away from is the stigma that freemium games have where people play for a couple of hours, it's fast-paced and fun and suddenly the game hits a wall and, in order to overcome it, you have to pony up the cash or come back every 16 hours or so," said Heitzman. "We want players have fun and be able to play for five minutes or two hours. We choose the freemium model because we felt it fit the game the best. We could give the game away to thousands of people and let those who truly loved the game purchase additional content for it. For us, since we are a start-up it's about getting our games in front of as many people as possible. I also want to try to push the freemium genre in a new direction by offering a greater incentive with our virtual currency as well putting more emphasis on objectives and strategy and less on leveling up."

"If you look at the App store and are trying to make some money from your games, Freemium is the way to go," said Gold. "It's a no-brainer for people to download it and, if they like it and want to expedite their progress through the game, they can or they can take it slow and not pay for Coins. This way we can also continue to improve the game over time, based on how the game is doing... I don't like Freemium games where you go through the tutorial, they give you a certain amount of credit, you then get to a point in the game and, unless you are willing to pay for more credit, you cannot get any further. Insane Arcade will not be like that."

They are hoping to release Insane Arcade late 2011 for iPhone and iPod Touch followed by an iPad, Android and maybe even a retina display version. Assuming they can get the funding, of course.

Although the company lacks an official web site, they do have a Kickstarter page where they are hoping to get $15,000 in pledges to help complete the game and generate some extra publicity.

"Kickstarter looked like a really great site that would help us kill two birds with one stone," explains Heitzman. "We could find a following and raise awareness for the game as well as get funding so we could work on the game exclusively and put the polish that a game like this deserves. As all start-ups know it's extremely difficult to get funding, especially right now in this economy. Crowd funding is gaining a lot of ground in the independent scene and there are just a ton of great projects finding the live blood they need to get them funded and completed."

"We didn't want to release a title that no one had heard of and didn't already have a following," explains Gold. "Also, we wanted people to be involved with the game and even help with its development. Being a start-up, we don't have much money in the bank and need to pay my costs as I will be working on this game full-time and the costs of the other staff."

In addition to Gold and Heitman, the rest of the Maniacs team includes sound and music man Peter Mendola and Sachin Sachdeva as the lead artist. It's a small team that reflects their optimistic indie outlook.

"I'm not attached to my ideas but I want to be free and open to think about the game how I see it and not be constrained to what someone else wants," said Heitzman. "It's also extremely easy right now to get into the development game and I feel indies are getting a lot of press right now."

"A lot of us are getting into the top spots on the App store and coming out with types of games big studios wouldn't risk and having a lot of success," agreed Gold. "Just look at Angry Birds, Tiny Wings and Tiny Tower."

"Indie games certainly seem to be picking up a lot of steam," said Heitzman. "Of course, there has always been an indie presence but it seems like indie is the new AAA. With the release of better technology that makes it easier and cheaper for indies to get into the game I think that it's just going to get a lot more crowded, but in a good way."

Maniac Game's Advice for Other Indie Developers
"Start small. Every day there are a dozen posts for people who are just getting into development and they want to make the next World of Warcraft or Call of Duty. That's awesome that they have those ideas and ambition but you got to take it slow."
- Joseph Heitzman, Maniac Games

"I’m learning very fast, that creating a great game is only half of this business. You need to get known, get the game known and put a lot of time and effort into marketing and spreading the word. Without doing that your game will just plummet to the bottom of the App store, no matter how good you think it is. You also need great graphics and music."
- Andrew Gold, Maniac Games

Another screen shot from Maniac Games' upcoming Insane Arcade.

A screen shot from Cow Chase released early 2011 and created by Joseph Heitzman and Andrew Gold prior to forming Maniac Games

~ ~ ~

HELP: Insane Arcade @ Kickstarter
SITE: Insane Arcade @ Facebook

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending August 5, 2011

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 03:49:12 -0400

I only see one game that includes Xbox Live avatars this week (Turtle Casino) and there's at least one nod to ye olde adventure games called Random The Dungeon. It's rather low res and 2D but you try to find a key to escape and can press a button so platforms will randomly rearrange.

Best bets this week include Who is God (it's about time Xbox Live games started answering the big questions), 27 Ball Funky Pool (because more balls equals more fun, especially when they are disco balls), Annecto (the world loves Tetris-inspired games) and Off Balance (where, oddly enough, you try to remain balanced).

Below is a list of games released between July 30 and August 5, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

A screen shot of Invaiders by Martian Face Games.

invAIders
(80 MP, 07/30/2011, Martian Face Games)
invAIders is a Shoot'em up powered by a Genetic Algorithm. The Genetic Algorithm evolves the enemy AI based on the player's performance. As the player gets better, so does the AI. The question is, can you evolve faster?

Millennium Man
(80 MP, 08/01/2011, Fixed-Point Consulting LLC)
This 2D puzzle platformer invites you to travel vast expanses of time to explore a unique world. Witness walls crumble before you and erode away as you project yourself into a distant future; see structures rebuild themselves as you travel to a distant past. Use your time travel powers to discover the secrets of your mysterious environment.

Turtle Casino
(80 MP, 08/02/2011, X25 Entertainment)
Your Avatar never thought that Blackjack could change his/her life, but now... your Avatar is a Turtle. Help him/her through 40 challenging levels to recover his/her Avatar form (alone or with a friend). Play Blackjack, Roulette and live the most amazing story ever about a casino. Welcome to Turtle Casino!

A screen shot of Who is God by Magiko Gaming.

Who is God
( MP, 08/02/2011, Magiko Gaming)
Rise as the supreme God in this techno supercharged vertical platformer by jumping thousands of kilometers up to the universe. Collects bright stars to build your godly power and boost higher. Only the best God will prevail. Can you go high enough and shine at the top of the scoreboard?

Rock 'n' Mole Extreme
(80 MP, 08/03/2011, Stinky Badger Games)
Gratuitous ultraviolence, just the way you like it! Play solo or test your reflexes with up to three of your friends. Use your Drumkit or a standard controller, & show them moles who's boss!

Xeno Waster
(80 MP, 08/03/2011, Venables Games)
1-4 local player action scrolling solar system space shooter where for once you can control the aliens. Battle across 9 varied stages and choose from 9 different weapon systems as you struggle to liberate the planets from the evil xeno.

Random the Dungeon
(80 MP, 08/03/2011, Last Man on the Sun)
Jump from platform to platform to get the key and then make it to the exit without falling in the lava. With a button press the platforms randomly switch positions.

A screen shot of Parasitus by Heart Attack Machine.

Parasitus: Ninja Zero
(240 MP, 08/04/2011, Heart Attack Machine)
Battle an onslaught of monsters in action packed stages, as you travel through time, learn new skills and even team up with a partner to save the future from an interstellar menace.

27 Ball Funky Pool
(80 MP, 08/04/2011, Maximinus)
Discover Funky Pool : the pool game with 27 disco balls! Enjoy your pool games with 4-player party mode, and cooperative play against the computer. Featuring multi rebound Cheat-O-Laser for insane trickshots!

Annecto
(240 MP, 08/04/2011, oh-four-hundred)
In the spirit of Tetris and Hexic, Annecto offers engaging puzzle gameplay like you've never seen before. Use spells to fend off curses, complete levels, and grab the high score! Play alone or with up to 3 friends!

A screen shot of Honor In Vengeance by MichaelArts.

Honor in Vengeance II
(80 MP, 08/04/2011, MichaelArts)
Tensions are at a high, weapons are at a ready.... and the only thing missing is a spark to set it all off. Jump in the cockpit of Leo Lucas' starfighter, and lead the way for the Martian people as the Earth-Mars conflict reaches a climatic turn in the second installment of the Honor in Vengeance series.

Off Balance
(80 MP, 08/05/2011, DandySoft)
Can you overcome being stranded on a desert island and find the girl of your dreams? Stack the objects to find the items necessary to make your dreams of salvation come true. Includes 20 amazingly addictive levels that will challenge your gaming skills to the max.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

indiePub announces Vessel debut at 2011 PAX Prime, release platforms

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 04:31:24 -0400

indiePub today (August 4, 2011) announced the holiday 2011 availability of its platformer puzzle game, Vessel, for multiple platforms.

The game was Developed by Seattle-based indie studio Strange Loop Games and will be officially debuted - as in you can get your hands on the game - August 26 through 28, 2011, at Pax Prime in Seattle, WA (USA), in indiePub's Vessel booth (Booth #6410).

Vessel utilizes a proprietary liquid physics engine to cause various materials - water, lava, glowy goo - to come to life and be combined for different, puzzle solving behaviors.

Here's the game's description straight from the press release followed by a few screen shots of the game:

In Vessel, players take on the role of Arkwright, a renowned inventor whose inventions - living liquid creatures known as Fluros - have gone awry, turning on their users and disrupting machinery throughout the world. To fix the flawed Fluros and restore order, players must create, manipulate and destroy a wide variety of Fluros and operate complex machinery to solve challenging puzzles. Vessel takes players on an exploratory adventure through four fascinating worlds, fixing the work sites where Fluros are employed and ultimately leading the player to complete his next great invention, "The Device."

Vessel will be available Holiday 2011 for Windows ($14.99), PlayStation Network ($14.99) and Xbox Live Arcade (1200 Microsoft Points).

A screen shot of Vessel, published by indiePub and developed by Strange Loop Games.

A screen shot of Vessel, published by indiePub and developed by Strange Loop Games, demonstrating how liquid interacts with the environment.

A screen shot of Vessel, published by indiePub and developed by Strange Loop Games, showing a few Fluros coming to life.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Vessel
SITE: Strange Loop Games
SITE: Pax Prime

Featured Indie Dev: Jeff Vogel gets us caught up with Spiderweb

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 03:55:53 -0400

Name:Jeff Vogel
Age: 41
Game(s): Avadon series, The Exile, Geneforge,
Avernum, Nethergate: Resurrection.
Title/Role: President, founder, designer, programmer.
Location: Seattle, WA
Studio: Spiderweb Software, Inc.
Many people seems to get into game development for love: Love of video games, love of programming and code or maybe even to express love. Jeff Vogel's switch to a career making games may have included an element of passion but it was a little more conflicted than that.

"I started writing my first (professional) game in 1994 as a way of dealing with my hatred of being in grad school," remembers Vogel. "I'd just passed my qualifier exams and did something I'd always wanted to do: Write a full fantasy role-playing game. I took the summer off to start it and I finished it in my free time during the Winter. Then, in January, 1995, I released Exile: Escape From the Pit for the Macintosh. Then, much to my unending surprise, people started to buy it. I quit grad school almost immediately."

Vogel had not spontaneously absorbed the ability to program from the power of hate, of course (although that would be quite an ability).

"I wrote my first game when I learned BASIC in the sixth grade and I never stopped writing games," said Vogel. "I did it constantly, for years and years, before I finally got serious in grad school. It really was my obsession when I was young."

When Vogel filed for a business license for his company in 1994, he needed a name for the company. "At this point, I honestly didn't think it'd ever amount to much. I just needed to file the paperwork to get a business license. I always thought spiders were cool, so I just picked Spiderweb."

Eventually Spiderweb Software, Inc., began to expand to the point that it now includes three full-time employees, a part-time art designer and "a lot of freelancers."

Vogel also has a unique approach to development in that he creates games for Apple platforms first whereas most computer game developers primarily make games for Windows.

"Like practically everything we do, it just goes by my own personal work habits," says Vogel. "I don't want to start a religious flame war or anything. I just am more comfortable doing most of my work on Macs. Once the Mac version of a game is ready, I port it to Windows and iPad."

His most recent release, Avadon: The Black Fortress, is also his first game for iPad.

Into the Dungeon

"Avadon: The Black Fortress is the first game in the Avadon trilogy," explains Vogel. "It tells the story of the Pact, a loose alliance of nations trying desperately to keep the barbarians, monsters and enemy powers at bay. The Pact is watched over by Avadon, The Black Fortress, a force of spies, assassins and warriors who seek out threats to the Pact and destroy them before they become serious... In the game, you play a Hand of Avadon, an agent who explores and does its bidding."

The game mirrors Vogel's long-term love of role-playing games, a genre that attracted him back in the fourth grade. "The tactics. The gaining strength and finding cool artifacts. The ability to do actual story-telling. It just all really appeals to me."

As for the game's success, Vogel said it's selling better than he had anticipated and feedback has been positive.

A screen shot of Spiderweb Software's Avadon: The Black Fortress, available for iPad, Macintosh and Windows.

"There are very few Western style, old school role-playing games available on portable devices and we were able to tap into a demand that really wasn't being fed," Vogel said. "I'm sure it's not a market that's big enough for the attention of big development houses, so this is just one of those areas where it's great to be a small indie developer."

Keepin' it Indie

Vogel never really felt like he was part of the "Capital-G Capital-I, Game Industry," explaining that he's "just a guy in my basement making toys and hoping people have fun with them, though the increasing opportunities for small developers to make works of love, release them and make a living makes me very happy."

That allows Vogel and the rest of the Spiderweb studio to focus on their strengths ("dungeons and towns and stories") and releasing an indie game of their liking each year. "It's the only way I can make a living making the sort of work I want to make. It's my beloved niche and I'm very comfortable here."

Even so, their development process might seem a bit more structured than your typical indie studio.

"There is two months of planning, two months rewriting whatever part of the engine is most in need of it, six months of world design and testing, and two months to wrap up, release the game, take a deep breath, and get ready for the next one," explains Vogel. "It's an eccentric process but it's kept us in business for sixteen years, so I don't fight it."

Bigger is Better

Even though Avadon is Spiderweb's first iPad game, Vogel made it pretty clear that they plan to make all their games for iPad.

This screen shot of Spiderweb Software's Avadon: The Black Fortress shows the game's inventory management system.

"Several reasons," explains Vogel. "I think iPads are really cool. I think there is prestige these days in developing for portables. But, mostly, because I like money."

Instead of covering all the iOS bases, Vogel said he's not as likely to release his games for iPhone and iPod Touch.

"(It's) the screen size," said Vogel. "Our games have a lot of detail, spread out over a lot of terrain. After a lot of thought, I still can't think of a way to make it fit well on such a small screen. I'm afraid that a better designer than I is going to have to figure out how to solve that puzzle."

Smaller might also not help Vogel's games exude that certain je n'sais quoi he wants people to experience with his games.

"It's really hard to put into words. When I am designing something, I sometimes get a feeling in my gut. It just intrigues me, or interests me, or makes me think, 'Wow. That's cool,'" explains Vogel. "The best games just have elements that really engage the brain or the emotions. Like the satisfying feeling you get filling lines and making them disappear in Tetris, or the visceral feeling of reward you get killing a boss in World of Warcraft. I can't define what makes it, but I'm always seeking it."

Jeff Vogel's Advice for Indie Developers
"Get a good chair. You'll miss your back when it's gone. And get enough sleep. Tired people make mistakes and you need sleep to live."

~ ~ ~

SITE: Spiderweb

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending July 29, 2011

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 03:32:25 -0400

Another hot week and another week that seems a bit low on indie releases. It's also the second week with at least one indie game that includes overt attempts to lure in and (mis?)guide the lads. Last week it was Virtual Attraction: Part 1, a self-decribed "training system designed to teach you how to attract women," and this week it's Trailer Park King complete with mullets and scantily clad cartoon ladies.

Best bets this week look to be Risk-style strategy game Venture, hexagonal chess Hexchess, simple space shooter Divine Justice Zero, treasure mining game CastelMiner and spatial logic puzzler game Pixel Blocked.

Below is a list of games released between July 23 and July 29, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

GHXYK2 Classics Vol. 1
(80 MP, 07/24/2011, GHXYK2)
Travel back in to the 00's with GHXYK2 Classics Vol. 1... Please be aware this collection of games contains strobe like flashing effects.

Assembly Line
(80 MP, 07/24/2011, LoneWolf Studios)
Do you have what it takes to put together a manufacturing line to produce the desired product? Find out by using up to 12 of the 25 different machines to create the requested product. 100 levels are included and once these are completed, you will gain access to the level editor to continue creating your own levels. Unlock new machines as you complete more levels. Can you figure it out?

A screen shot of Venture by BigBlackBlock Gamestudio.

Venture
(240 MP, 07/25/2011, BigBlackBlock Gamestudio)
Thrown into five epochs of human art of warfare you have to proof your skills in tactics and leadership. An advisor will assist the strategically underdogs, whether battling for the caves in Stone Age, conquering castles in the Middle Ages, protecting trade routes against Pirates, defending villages in World War 2 or reaching for the stars in outer space.

HexChess 360
(80 MP, 07/25/2011, JimmyFo)
Play chess as you've never played it before! With six sides to each tile, more pieces and larger boards of up to 91 tiles, the game is more complex than a square, 64 piece board. Play against your friends on the same XBox with one or two controllers, or play against three different AI difficulties. Three different versions of board and gameplay available!

Sketchy Bounce
(80 MP, 07/26/2011, Gazido Gaming)
Play your favorite classic game with a modern twist! Play classic Pong with new power ups and other twists! Did I mention your paddle can shoot? :o

Divine Justice Zero
(240 MP, 07/27/2011, Xazin)
The player can choose between 6 diferent ships and enter in a fictional universe where 6 factions are at war. The game mechanics are pretty basic: the analog controller to move the ship with the, "A" button to shoot, "right trigger" to accelerate, which consumes shield; shield is the ship energy, if it reaches to 0 then its game over. and the "left trigger" to deccelerate, which regens shield.

Pixel Blocked!
(80 MP, 07/27/2011, damnigames)
Put your mind to the test with over 180 creative puzzles, all designed to challenge your spatial logic. The object of this simple yet challenging puzzle game is to fill in the missing blocks in the outlined image. Shoot blocks against an initial foundation to start and advance through increasingly difficult levels. Make sure to plan ahead and watch out for those tricky Magnetic and Crumble Blocks!

A screen shot of CastleMiner by DigitalDNA3.

CastleMiner
(240 MP, 07/27/2011, DigitalDNA3)
You create your own world in CastleMiner. Play online with your Avatar and up to 15 of your friends. Build amazing worlds on a huge spanning landscape with over 200 block types! Mine treasures deep underground in a labyrinth of caves, different every time you play. Build worlds, save them and share them online.

Phase Runner
(80 MP, 07/27/2011, thelostone)
Use your avatar to explore a unique world where the terrain dynamically reacts to your movement.

Trailer Park King by Freelance Games.

Trailer Park King
(80 MP, 07/29/2011, Freelance Games)
He's a gamer, a bootlegger, a photographer and a connoisseur of the Ladies! Purchase "Trailer Park King" now to get a free invisible stamp that says “I dated the Greeter”!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Featured Indie Dev: Hye Yeon Nam and her romantic Kiss Controller

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 03:20:13 -0400

Name: Hye Yeon Nam
Age: 32
Game(s): Kiss Controller for Bowling Game
Title/Role: Digital Media Artist
Location: Atlanta, GA (USA)
Studio: n/a
While the big three console makers - and many gamers - have figuratively embraced various motion controls in the past couple years, multimedia artist Hye Yeon Nam has taken the idea a step further and created a device called the Kiss Controller that more literally involves embracing.

"The Kiss Controller interface has two components: A customized headset that functions as a sensor receiver and a magnet that provides sensor input," explains Nam, a digital media and computer science doctoral student at Georgia Institute of Technology. "The user affixes a magnet to his or her tongue with Fixodent. Magnetic field sensors are attached to the end of a headset and positioned in front of (another person's) mouth. As the user moves her tongue, this creates varying magnetic fields that are used to create signals to control games."

The Kiss Controller's two-person control scheme began as part of an art installation called Tongue Music first demonstrated as The Sound of Kiss in 2009 at the Art Under the Bridge Festival (Brooklyn, NY). Then the controller interacted with music instead of a game but it used the same interface.

"I made Tongue Music to hear the concept of affection," Nam recounts. "Then I realize music is an abstract and improvisatory form, so there is not an objective score to judge their music. Later, I developed the Kiss Controller to control a game and I used scores depending on couple’s kiss style. Then participants were more interested. They tried to beat other couples' scores. 'My kisses are better than other people’s kisses!'"

While many of Nam's creations are intended for public viewing, they are often intentionally intimate, utilizing different types of sensory feedback to help transform, for example, "the abstract concepts of love and affection" and "spread love." Nam's Please Smile project, for example, includes five robotic skeleton arms that react to a viewer's facial expressions by changing position and gesturing. Likewise, her Huggable Nature exhibit involves wearable devices that play back positive messages when the person hugs trees, flowers or bushes.

"The target audience for games and art installations are slightly different but my work processes are similar. I am making the game not for profit but as an artistic experiment."

In this latest experiment, which she was able to demonstrate in the Indiecade booth at E3 2011, her goal was to have "couples to express their affection to their partner." Unfortunately, the E3 exhibition floor may not have been an ideal demonstration situation.

"I tried to find couples at E3 but it was hard to find couples since E3 was not open to public but to press and people working in the game industry," Nam recalls.

Having someone willing to be smooched in the booth (who just said "booth babes"?) would certainly have created plenty of extra media buzz but there certainly would have been some hygiene concerns. Fortunately, a lot of people did ask her how to play the bowling game - which she also created - that was paired with the Kiss Controller.

"So, I demonstrated alone while I imagined my partner wearing a headset. Later, people wanted to demonstrate Kiss Controller at the after-E3 party."

One of small issues with the controller that Nam points out is that, even though it's a two-person setup, only one person actually controls the game.

Thomas Lodato (left) and Sarah Puerto(right) demonstrate how to use Hye Yeon Nam's two-person Kiss Controller with a bowling game. (Photo: Hye Yeon Nam)

"While they kiss, the person who has the magnet on his or her tongue controls the direction and speed of the bowling ball," explains Nam. "The goals of this game are to guide the ball so that it maintains an average position in the center of the alley and to increase the speed of the ball by moving the tongue faster while kissing."

But that might not be a bad situation as, when you think about the physical positions of two people kissing, only personal can have the best view of the screen at a time.

The Kiss Controller may not be a commercially viable product but that doesn't mean Nam will stop working on it. The Kiss Controller is supported by the Next Generation Design Leaders Program, which is funded by the Korean Ministry of Knowledge and Economy (MKE) and administered by the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP).

"I would be happy to show Kiss Controller at a party or local game place," says Nam. "...Some industry games are artistic and experimental but a lot of them are not since they have to make profits selling their games. My game, Kiss Controller, was not originally for profit, so I can show more flexibility. My game brings art and games closer together and shows the possibility for combining games with other media."

Nam, who describes herself as "an artist who sometimes makes experimental games," does hope to make more media mashing game exhibits.

"I have plans to develop Kiss Controller with more games in various media such as mobile games," Nam said. "(Video) games is broad category, so I think I will continue to develop more experimental interactive art, technological devices and installations."

As for the next controller on Nam's list of interactive installations: "If I can make it, I would like to make the Mind Controller!"

Thomas Lodato (left) and Sarah Puerto (right) watch and slap high fives in reaction to a successful session using Hye Yeon Nam's Kiss Controller to play a custom created bowling game. (Photo: Hye Yeon Nam)

~ ~ ~

SITE: Hye Yeon Nam
SITE: Kiss Controller for Bowling Game
READ: indiePub

Dev Blog: Meet Team-iso, creators of Gow

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:58:47 -0400

Team-iso is a small game development group composed by five multidisciplinary students headquartered in Barcelona (Spain).

It started as a group in the Computer Science Faculty of Barcelona but we soon realized that we had the same interest: Crafting awesome games.

During our first year at the University (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) we started creating a 2D platform game with C++ (the language we were using in class) and SDL. There were only three of us in the team those days: Albert Vaca, who wrote our engine from scratch; Roger Valldeperas, who coded the gameplay; and Víctor Guerrero, who created the art.

Although we learned a lot from that experiment, we soon began work on our second project. The game did not have an official name although Roger called it BraidFail as we used sprites from Braid until we created our own.

Team-iso from left to right: Victor Guerrero, Pol Galeote, Albert Vaca, Roger Valldeperas and (top) Oriol Valldeperas.
In 2010, we entered a contest organized by the Polytechnic University of Madrid and began work on our second game: IsoClinous. It was a 2D platform game with 3D graphics and, as was required by the contest rules, used the WiiMote as a controller. To code the game we kept using C++ but now with Ogre3D and OpenAL. Roger took on all the 3D modeling and animation work and his brother Oriol joined us as the main 2D and texture artist.

In IsoClinous a bear-disguised child had to rescue her cat going through different levels and, ultimately, fight the final boss which was an octopus who wore a monocle. The WiiMote was used to control the tilt and movement of different kinds of platforms, so you had to coordinate the movement of your character and the platforms at the same time. We finished it just in time and won Second Prize.

February 2011 we decided to try our luck in the local Global Game Jam in Barcelona. There, the crazy-haired Pol joined our party. With only 48 hours to prototype a game, we decided to use Unity as our game engine. We created Gow (then called GowGow), a 2D physics-based puzzle game where the player has to kill all the creatures (called Gows) on each level. Levels consist of a group of rigid structures with the Gows acting as joints. Gow won First Place in Best Overall Game and was named Most Commercially Viable Idea. After the great response we decided to improve that prototype and port it to iPhone which we are now doing thanks to indiePub which is publishing Gow.

A screen shot of Gow by Team-iso.
Meet the Members of Team-iso

Pol Galeote
Pol spent his early childhood playing DOS games. Later, he got a NES and a Sega Genesis which made him realize that he loved video game music as much as the games. When he was 17 he started playing drums and joined a band. Now he is a programmer, makes sound effects and composes music for games. He never stops improving his composing and performing skills. His favorite game genres are RPGs and Metroidvanias.

Oriol Valldeperas
Oriol always loved illustration and has been drawing since he was a child. When was time to decide what degree to pursue, he chose graphic design because it included illustration. Internet and media also interested him so, after finishing his 4-year degree at Elisava School of Design (Barcelona, 2010), he specialized in web and media design sites, video and other digital formats. He's enjoyed computer games since the "awesome" original GameBoy and a Megadrive. His favorite genres are action and puzzle games.

Víctor Guerrero
When Victor was a child he enjoyed solving puzzles. A lot. When he grew up and got a PC, he discovered graphic adventures. So it's no surprise that he has a special interest for puzzle games that push your brain. He is a relative newb in the world of game development as recently discovered programming in college. That does not mean he lacks the drive and interest to learn more. He has also tinkered with 3D modeling (to help Roger). He believes game development combines multiple fields and requires open-minded people with the desire to exchange knowledge.

Roger Valldeperas
As a child Roger loved playing Gameboy, Megadrive and PlayStation games. At 15 he decided to learn 3D art and enjoyed modeling, rigging and animating models. Later he discovered that it was possible to use his 3D models in video games, so he learned some programming basics. He developed some games alone and worked as a 3D artist on other game projects before joining Team-iso. His favorite game genres are RTSes and platformers.

Albert Vaca
Albert has loved computers as long as he can remember and, of course, he started to use them to play games. Surprisingly, the PC is not his favorite platform. It is, instead, the Nintendo64 that got on his ninth birthday. When he was 14, he wanted to stop being a simple computer user and learned to program in Objective Pascal. He also started to use Suse Linux, his first non-Windows operative system. From then on, he mastered a lot of languages and operative systems. Nowadays, he studies with Roger, Victor and Pol and has a pleasant job at a small business in Barcelona. His favorite game genre is Zelda ("That's a genre, right?").

~ ~ ~

SITE: Team-iso
SITE: Gow

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending July 22, 2011 (updated)

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 03:35:31 -0400

The heat must be getting to everyone as there were not a lot of indie games released this week. Or maybe there were and the heat is finally getting to me.

Best Bets this week look to be old school shooter Quick Draw, alien shooter Alien Hideout (was that an AT-ST in there?), adventure game Tourist Trap, space strategy game Combo: Red Moon Rising and physics puzzle-shooter Star Ninja.

Below is a list of games released between July 16 and July 22, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Quick Draw by GZ Storm (screen shot above).

QuickDraw
(80 MP, 07/16/2011, GZ Storm)
Be quick or be dead! Featuring 10 outlaws in 10 unique game modes, 2 player versus, and more. Challenge your friends to see who has the quickest draw, or play arcade mode and try to get the highest score!

Ace of Dynamites
(80 MP, 07/18/2011, Fairy Engine LLC)
The gems from the kingdom of the Round Happy Faces people have been stolen by their enemies. They're now scattered in the lands of the Death's Heads tribe, and guarded 24/7. Since explosives are the only weapon that can be used against the Death's Heads, you've been chosen to go to hostile territory and get as many gems back as possible, for your Round Happy Face's nickname is Ace of Dynamites.

The Cannon
(80 MP, 07/18/2011, Elemental Focus)
In the middle of nowhere, someone has built a wonderful weapon, but now every type of stereotypical enemy wants it destroyed! Beat back ninjas, zombies, robots and more with the cannon and its choice of four weapons! Fire, ice, lightning and vines. Each weapon has different effects on each enemy, so to stay alive, you will need to think on your feet.

Plague
(80 MP, 07/19/2011, Contagious Games)
A devastating computer virus has brought the world to its knees. As the world's only functioning anti-virus, it's up to you to save the world, one computer at a time.

Alien Hideout by Golconda (screen shot above).

Alien Hideout
(80 MP, 07/20/2011, Golconda)
You are Agent Alan Gingerspicy in search of aliens in Antarctica. Explore the alien bases and eliminate aliens from the Earth. Choose either task oriented "Adventure" mode or hardcore "Wipeout" mode. Upgrade to cool weapons in this kill'em all mission.

Place The Arrows On The Floor
(80 MP, 07/20/2011, Stockton)
An incredibly fast paced fun family strategy game, Place The Arrows allows up to 8 players to play simultaneously in the same room, and multiple players on only one pad! Guide people to your castle and monsters to your opponents, but beware- your opponents will be doing the same. Use your cunning and bonus powers to rescue the most people, and win the game.

Fawnix
(400 MP, 07/20/2011, EPITFOG)
Make the connection between written English and spoken English! Help engineer John Penman puzzle together English sounds and construct them correctly in their written forms. Master the fundamentals of reading through an engaging, immersive and addictive learning environment. Young gamers can team up with parents/older sibling. Reading is truly a decoding process. Crack the English alphabetic code!

Tourist Trap by Domain of the Infinite (screen shot above).

Tourist Trap
(80 MP, 07/20/2011, Domain of the Infinite)
Welcome to the Tower of Mystery, the home of the most amazing curiosities in the world. Our museum of oddities and curiosities includes a genuine shrunken head, dragon venom, the first wheel, Excalibur and other mysterious items. But beware of the Jackalope! Discover the mystery in this 3D adventure game.

Ballochet
(80 MP, 07/21/2011, MindsEdge)
Ballochet pits you against girders and beams within intriguing cityscapes, and expects you to hit a target. You'll also need to negotiate crates that are in the way. There are 25 screens, each of which gives you five different balls with which you can attempt to hit the target. There's a time limit, so you need take careful aim. This may be the most addictive game that you have ever played.

Combo - red moon rising
(80 MP, 07/21/2011, ANH Games)
In this addictive mixture of action and strategy, your mission is to defeat the enemy planet. Gather resources through collecting sequences and command ships to conquer asteroids, to build more ships and launch weapons. Features ten single player levels, four multiplayer maps, awards and more.

Star Ninja by Bounding Box Games LLC (screen shot above).

Star Ninja
(80 MP, 07/21/2011, Bounding Box Games LLC)
Star Ninja is a physics based puzzle/shooter where you bounce throwing stars around a level to knock all the pirates into flying ragdolls.

Sky Cat
(80 MP, 07/22/2011, Subby and Sun's Games)
Oh no Rusty the Cat is falling through the sky! Help him dodge platforms as long as possible in this extremely fun fast actioned game thats great for the whole family!

Virtual Attraction - Part 1
(80 MP, 07/23/2011, Fun Factory Entertainment)
Introducing Part 1 of the Virtual Attraction Series! - A training system designed to teach you how to attract beautiful women, regardless of whether you are short, fat, poor or bald! Each part in the series draws on research from many scientific disciplines, and comes with a manual, questionnaire, exercises and a simulation, that will help take you from zero-to-hero with the ladies!

Leprechauns
(80 MP, 07/23/2011, Sleep Minus One)
Navigate the maze and search the rocks to find the pot o' gold! Hang on to score points or hide the gold to score double. Protect your precious (fortune) against cunning automatons (AI) and other pesky thieves (over on-line multi-player) using your trusty mallet and an array of magical items. First Leprechaun to amass a fortune wins!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Featured Indie Devs: Muse Games muses over Guns of Icarus and CreaVures

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:32:07 -0400

Name: Howard Tsao
Age: 34
Game(s): CreaVures, Guns of Icarus Online
Title/Role: CEO
Location: New York, NY (USA
Studio: Muse Games
Muse Games may be a relatively young indie game studio but it has already released several titles including the steampunk airship combat game Guns of Icarus - which will soon get a followup with online multiplayer combat - and an atmospheric 3D puzzle platformer called CreaVures.

The four-man Muse team talks about their games, their development process and the future of indie games.

indiePUB: When and why did Muse form as a studio?

HOWARD TSAO: Muse officially started in early 2010 but we worked on a couple of small web and iOS games (Extreme Sledding and Elementia) in 2009. Towards the end of 2009 we made a game called Guns of Icarus that did well on Steam and later on the Mac App Store. We then formed a company to keep creating games. Before the forming of Muse, we were originally working on a virtual world and web integration project for another startup and we started using the Unity game engine. Along the way, we saw avatars wearing less and less and decided that we didn't have it in ourselves to push the boundary further in that direction. So we took what we learned with Unity to start making 3D games for the web and other platforms, which is what we are really passionate about.

iP: Why indie?

TSAO: I wanted to create an environment where our vision, creativity and collaboration matter. In a bigger company, or a bigger team working for a large publisher, individual voices can be lost sometimes. This is a way for our team to do what we love.

CONRAD KREYLING: Agility and lack of top-down authority. I love knowing my input is directly affecting the development process, and I control a large piece of a game's destiny.

BRIAN KEHRER: Until recently, all games were indie games. NES and Atari teams really had design philosophies closer to us than the massive studios we see today. I think a lot of major studios are now trying to rekindle that, but it's difficult. Consequently we all work really hard to maintain the creative freedom we have.

iP: How did you get into game development?

TSAO: I know passion is cliché but it's still true. We wouldn't be in game development if it wasn't what we loved to do. We got into game development really as fallout from a failing business model and earlier project. So bad luck, really. We just decided that, with all the knowledge we accumulated with Unity and then emerging game market segments in 3D games for web and mobile, the opportunity to pursue what we truly loved and are passionate about couldn't be better.

Name: Conrad Kreyling
Age: 25
Guns of Icarus Online
Title/Role: Project Lead
Location: New York, NY (USA
Studio: Muse Games

ALEX JAROCHA-ERNST: I've been playing and analyzing games for my own amusement for many, many years and sort of arranged my college career in an attempt to pick up all or at least most of the skills I'd need to be able to make something myself. Then I went into pretty unremarkable web development when I got out of school, because it seemed to be what was needed to pay the bills, with this vague intention of making games in my spare time. Muse gave me the opportunity to do it full-time, which is much more interesting.

KREYLING: I spent several years doing web and flash game development right out of college and was looking for a new challenge. I had taken some 3D programming classes in school, so when the opportunity to join the Muse team arose I jumped on it.

KEHRER: My background was in Film and 3D animation, but I've always been primarily interested in game development. I taught myself programming, and am a perpetual student of game design. Economics, math, and SimCity lead me to an interest in dynamic systems - a very important part of games.

iP: What is your personal development process?

JAROCHA-ERNST: I research and experiment a lot. I try to survey both existing solutions to a problem, either in games specifically or in the larger world of computer science, as well as real-world systems that might be relevant. Then I start building little pieces of functionality in isolation to try and come up with something that feels good, is fun, looks good or otherwise fulfills whatever criteria I'm looking for. It fits nicely with the idea of rapid iteration but the downside of this is that sometimes things that are messy and experimental don't get cleaned up quite as much as I'd like before making it into the final game.

KREYLING: I'm a meticulous foundation-builder. I spend a lot of time developing libraries and supporting code on which to build. While this doesn't sound like a particularly agile development process, I'm generally getting very generic code in place to allow me to change things very rapidly later down the line. I can imagine this is frustrating to my co-workers who won't see any results for weeks and weeks and then suddenly a game appears from nowhere.

KEHRER: I start by trying to get the player interaction working first. Often times, the design you thought was spectacular on paper simply isn't fun. Also, frequently, the changes necessary are obvious once you are actually playing the game. The longer it takes to get from design to gameplay, the greater the risk.

iP: What type of gaming experience do you most enjoy?

TSAO: Personally, I like strategy, simulation games, but I'm also a sucker for AAA adventure games like Red Dead Redemption.

JAROCHA-ERNST: I look for games that offer good strategic depth or the feeling of exploring and interacting with something vast and alive: big complex strategy games, puzzles, simulations and competitive multiplayer games that are about strategy beyond clicking on heads.

KREYLING: I love games that are both relaxing and immersive. Rez, for example, is probably my favorite game to date. If I could give players even a tenth of what that game has given me I could probably retire happily.

Name: Brian Kehrer
Age: 27
Guns of Icarus Online
Title/Role: Game Design Lead
Location: New York, NY (USA
Studio: Muse Games
KEHRER: I love the promise of rich and dynamic narrative experiences. I strongly believe the words 'narrative' and 'interactive' do not need to be mutually exclusive. Too often they are.

iP: What do you hate in games?

TSAO: One thing that I don't like as much is making games difficult for the sake of proving a point. If a game like that is targeted for a specific audience, then OK. But I find that in more mainstream games sometimes and those games I tend to not enjoy as much.

KREYLING: Ever get to an end boss and suddenly have to use novel, never-before-introduced mechanics to defeat it? Yeah, that's pretty much the worst

KEHRER: Games that aren't actually interactive, but a series of scripted cutscenes and events. Those aren't really games. While they might be fun in their own right, I find a lot of games I'm very excited about turn out to just be cool movies.

iP: What is your game philosophy? What experience do you want players to come away with after playing your games?

TSAO: We try to craft the player experience specifically for each game that we create. With Guns of Icarus, it was really about the intensity of battle and the frantic feeling of rescuing your ship as things descend into chaos. So it was that thrilling nervous energy we were after. With CreaVures, it was the polar opposite. We wanted an experience for CreaVures where players would find the controls accessible so that they can get into the flow easily. We wanted to bring the wonders of nature to life and an interesting way and have players relate to the characters they are playing. Overall, we wanted CreaVures to be a relaxing, smoothing experience in a magical landscape.

JAROCHA-ERNST: I always want to give players the feeling that they're interacting with a consistent, understandable, complex system, whether that be a believable game world or just game rules that are deep enough to be interesting. How this manifests specifically depends a lot on the emotional experience we're trying to create in any given game. I look for games that offer good strategic depth or the feeling of exploring and interacting with something vast and alive: big complex strategy games, puzzles, simulations, and competitive multiplayer games that are about strategy beyond clicking on heads.

KEHRER: I typically start with an emotion I'd like to evoke in the player. The more specific the better. Games have the ability to foster a set of emotions no other medium can due to their interactivity. Players can experience pride at their accomplishments, shame, paranoia or perhaps even love. Really complex feelings. After we've chosen a core feel, it's a lot of experimentation and iteration to see if all the systems (including) art, design and controls are working toward reinforcing that experience.

iP: Muse has two games on Steam (CreaVures and Guns of Icarus). How did that come about?

Name: Alex Jarocha-Ernst
Age: 28
Guns of Icarus Online
Title/Role:
Location: New York, NY (USA
Studio: Muse Games
TSAO: When we completed the development of Guns of Icarus, we submitted the game to Steam. They liked what we did and worked with us to release the game. It was a relatively longer process, as integration with the Steam API took us a while to master. But the people at Steam have been really helpful along the way, and that was really refreshing for us. Steam loves indie development and their platform and service are amazing. They really think from the perspective of developers, especially small indie developers and do what they can to facilitate. Once we were going through the approval process, they set a release date for us. Then it was up to us to work feverishly to get the integration work done. We launched Guns of Icarus on the same day that the Steam Mac Store went live and Steam gave us a feature on Mac, Adventure and Indie and we made the top seller list. With CreaVures, since we already did the integration once before and we already had a track record delivering a product for Steam, the approval and integration process was quick. We just had to work feverishly again to make sure we have everything ready before the release date that Steam slotted for us.

iP: What was your role? What approach did you take to making CreaVures? What were your inspirations?

JAROCHA-ERNST: I did some early prototyping, went away to work on another project (GoI) for a few months, then came back to help out with graphics programming and effects in the final stages of the game both in terms of polishing the PC version and trying to cram something as close to that as possible into the original iPad. Visually, I think our earliest inspiration came from a mix of tarsiers - which really are small, cute, nocturnal animals with semi-luminescent eyes - and lots of bioluminescent sea creatures. The artists clearly took that and ran with it to create something pretty unique.

KREYLING: I was the Project Lead as well as the Lead Engineer. The development process for this game was somewhat non-traditional: I was given a grey-box prototype of this game at the start and told to turn it into a full game. Immediately this game felt more like DK Country to me than anything, though as time went on it became less DK Country and more Lost Vikings. I'm not displeased with the result.

KEHRER: I did the initial gameplay and controls prototyping, as well as the original design document. I came back during the final crunch to do the sound design. For me, CreaVures was driven by its art and aesthetic. We really wanted to create a sense of wonder in the player. I tried early on to make sure the controls didn't get in the way of that. The original inspirations were The Lost Vikings, Lemmings, Limbo, and DK Country.

A screen shot of Muse Game's CreaVures.
iP: What was the hardest part to develop in CreaVures?

JAROCHA-ERNST: Getting our very distinctive visuals to carry through on all platforms, particularly the mobile ones. The graphics chipset in the original iPad nearly brought me to tears.

KREYLING: Pokey's climbing mechanic. I don't know why but this particular mechanic was a chronic problem for us. It was always something: The climb was broken, the climb was too slow, the climb was too fast, the climb looked weird, the spikes all appear in the same place, other CreaVures couldn't climb up the spikes. By the time we wrapped on it I never wanted to look at the code again.

KEHRER: Discrete physics based gameplay. We wanted the feeling of real physics, without the player being able to to get into strange states, as you frequently can in physics based games. This required basically scripting all of the physics in the game by hand. Smooth controls and physics were fighting each other from day one but the CreaVures team really persevered and made a whole lot of very complex behavior just work.

iP: What was the hardest part to develop in Guns of Icarus?

JAROCHA-ERNST: Networking. Software development mostly exists in this nice ivory tower of abstracts and absolutes...until you have to deal with real-time networking, at which point all the messy physics and nondeterminism of reality come back to bite you.

KEHRER: Networking. I'm glad we have some engineering wunderkinds - so I didn't have to touch most of it. Designing control schemes that are lag resilient and still responsive was already very difficult - and resulted in numerous heated discussions around the tea shelf (our caffeine source of choice).

A screen shot of Muse Game's Guns of Icarus Online showing a bit of the explosive sky bound action.
iP: Guns of Icarus getting PvP elements. Is that by design or demand? Is this an expansion or new game?

JAROCHA-ERNST: In a lot of ways, the new Guns of Icarus is what we wanted to make GoI in the first place. All through the development of the first game, we would have conversations about this or that feature that ended in, "Maybe in Guns 2…" because we didn't have the resources to do it at the time. As for PvP, we feel it's just the best way to deliver a satisfying combat experience. No game AI we have the time or ingenuity to make will deliver as satisfying an opponent as a good human player. So we decided to make the raw airship combat work first, in this PvP context, and build on that later for PvE content.

iP: What have been the reactions to Guns of Icarus?

TSAO: With Guns of Icarus, we could definitely do a lot more with multiplayer and expanding the game. We've gotten a ton of great support and responses for the game but the consistent feedback is for us do a lot more with multiplayer. This is really the motivation behind Guns of Icarus Online, where there would be extensive PvP, fleet battles, customization, ships and weapons upgrades, skills system, etc. With CreaVures, women have really loved the game. We've actually gotten quite a bit of positive feedback from parents and grandparents who buy the game to play with their kids and grandkids. They are drawn to the game's accessible game play, aesthetics, character's personalities and non-violent nature. We designed CreaVures to be more of a family friendly, light player friendly experience and I think we did a pretty good job achieving this goal.

KEHRER: In almost all ways, Guns of Icarus Online is a new game. The core philosophy and emotions are similar, as well as a few of the core gameplay mechanics, however, this is the game we always wanted to make. PvP just seems like a natural extension of the Guns of Icarus world. While fundamentally, the game is meant to be collaborative, this is a post-apocalyptic world with different factions vying for control of limited resources. PvP just makes sense - and besides, it's a whole lot of fun for us in the office, we think everyone else will enjoy it, too.

iP: What does the future look like for indie games?

TSAO: I think the future for indie games has never been brighter. We went from having really high barriers to market and expensive development costs to being able to deploy across multiple viable distribution platforms and to create games on shoestring budgets all within the last 3 to 4 years. Steam, iOS, Facebook have all experienced tremendous growth obviously, and while the market places are getting crowded, at least the developers with quality games have a chance of standing out and doing really well. On the cost front, Unity has lower the cost for game development in 3D astronomically. With affordable costs and viable channels to distribute games, indie development will continue to blossom in the foreseeable future.

KREYLING: Not to dramatize this too much, but I do feel like we're entering the "Age of the Indie". Technologies like Unity3D and Flash are allowing small developers to create amazing games across a range of platforms, including the budding mobile platforms. There's absolutely nothing more empowering than clicking a few buttons and suddenly having your game running on both an iPad and an Android device.

iP: What advice to you have for other indie game developers...

TSAO: Try something different and believe in your ideas. Not make a clone game because a similar game has done well. Make something original.

JAROCHA-ERNST: Make something distinct, in both visuals and gameplay. You'll have a very hard time competing with the AAA guys on anything traditional, or on sheer quantity of art and content, but you have a freedom to try things that they don't.

KREYLING: Keep your games in scope! Take a few simple mechanics and really refine them rather than throwing a million mechanics at the wall. Keep your code generic and modular, allowing reuse across your games.

KEHRER: Don't be afraid of your players, and certainly don't tell them how to have fun. If there are mechanics your players are exploiting - or actions they perform you weren't expecting, find ways to incorporate them into your design in a balanced way - it might just be the most fun part.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Muse Games
GAME PAGE: CreaVures
GAME SITE: Guns of Icarus Online

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending July 15, 2011

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 04:56:05 -0400

It looks like more games than usual have somehow earned above 80 MP pricing this week. Let's hope that means the quality of games is improving.

Best bets this week appear to be helicopter shooter Urgent Evasion 360, 3D adventure game Blackstone: Part One, factory resource management game Production Panic and the platforming shooter Grand Theft Froot.

Below is a list of games released between July 9 and July 15, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions will be added (so check back).

Labyrinth by Subtle Abberation

Labyrinth
(400 MP, 07/09/2011, Subtle Abberation)
Step into the strange world of the Labyrinth as Amelia, a young woman with no memories of who she is, or why she is trapped here. All she knows is that she must travel deeper, towards the tall Black Tower. She will learn that even darker secrets await her in the deeper layers of the Labyrinth. She wants to escape and regain her memories, but the Labyrinth is more than just a maze.

Block Vengeance Alpha
(80 MP, 07/09/2011, thedeadstu)
Imagine breakout, except this time the blocks aren't as happy about you firing balls in their directions and are fighting back! Collect power-ups to get back in the fight and juggle as many balls as you can to get extra points. Battle through 10 Levels of 3 stages each in arcade mode, take on survival mode, or play versus another player.

Urgent Evasion 360 by Mukagosoftware Development

URGENT EVASION 360
(80 MP, 07/11/2011, mukagosoft)
"URGENT EVASION 360" is a multi directional shooting game. The player must fly a helicopter and battle various land and air-based enemies.

TurboRocket
(240 MP, 07/12/2011, Kaare Kjellerup)
wipe out all enemies on each level. Reward: Increase your special weaponsystem and awesomeness. Variety: Level generator and 22 different enemyes. Challenge: 58 custom-made levels.

Wiki Read: Wikipedia for Xbox
(240 MP, 07/12/2011, Paul Fisch 1)
Wiki Read brings wikipedia to the xbox. Wiki Read is an offline wikipedia reader that provides a database of over 30000 wikipedia articles with full link and search capabilities.

Blackstone: Part One by Battenberg Software

Blackstone - Part One
(80 MP, 07/13/2011, Battenberg Software)
Take on the role of our heroine Kate, the innocent and unknowing victim of an evil sorcerer's attempt to harness the powers of the mysterious Blackstone. As she embarks on a brave mission to save her village and help her friends, her quest soon leads her to the Clouded Mountain where she must discover both the true extent of her task and the real reason Blackstone is so desperately coveted.

Production Panic by MikeE

Production Panic
(240 MP, 07/13/2011, MikeE)
Production Panic - The only factory-based puzzle game where you have to get products from A to B with an egomaniac for a supervisor, and a cephalopod for a boss! We don't know who set up these production lines, but efficiency certainly wasn't what they had in mind.

Grand Theft Froot
(80 MP, 07/13/2011, JackandLisa)
Take on the all powerful Advanced Weapons Research Corporation in this twisted, dark story platformer/adventure/rpg mixture. Steal all the Froot, hack through security systems, take out the guards, find all the secrets and most important of all, figure out what is going on! Featuring around four to five hours of gameplay the final ending will blow you away... If you survive...

Aliens vs. Aliens by Fun Factory Entertainment

Aliens VS Aliens
(80 MP, 07/14/2011, Fun Factory Entertainment)
In a distant galaxy, an alien race is at war with itself. Take command of a squad of alien 'tracker' units in an attempt to thwart the plan to invade earth, in this turn-based game of strategic warfare. With multiple weapons and dozens of unit and weapon upgrades, do you have what it takes to defeat a foe with vastly superior numbers?!

~ ~ ~

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Featured Indie Dev: Jean-Claude Cottier hatches Jump Birdy Jump

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:25:34 -0400

Name: Jean-Claude Cottier
Age: 40
Game(s): Jump Birdy Jump (iOS), Anka (PC), OvO (PC),
Fashion Love (PC/MAC/iOS), Tropical Mania
(PC/MAC/iOS)
Title/Role: One Man Army
Location: France
Studio: Ovogame
This is an instance of the egg coming before the chicken. Or, really, the bird.

Jean-Claude Cottier hatched an indie studio after leaving Lionhead Studios where he worked as an Engine Architect for several years. But, as we're going with this whole hatching bird theme, we need to go back a bit first.

In the Shell

Like most game developers, Cottier liked computers and video games when he was a child.

"I played a lot of games like the others kids but, unlike them, I really wanted to program my own game," recalls Cottier. "I worked hard during holidays and saved every penny until I was able to afford my first computer for my 14th birthday. It was an amazing second-hand VIC20 with 3.5k of memory. Yes, that's about 0.003 mega byte. At that time, the Internet didn't exist and you had magazines publishing long source code of games. You had to type them if you wanted to play these games. I've studied these listing and figured how it was all working."

Hatched
"Fast forward a decade later and here I am with my freshly earned master's degree in computer science. At that time (1996), Infogrames was one of the biggest French video game companies and, luckily, I did get my first job there. That was it. I was getting a foot in the professional game industry and its awful wages and long working hours but it didn't matter at that time for me. It was awesome."

After Infogrames, where he worked on the game StarShot as a 3D Engine Programmer, Cottier got a job as an Engine Architect at Lionhead Studios.

An example of a page from a French magazine that offered source code for games (above).

"I was working as a techy guy, building 3D engines, tools and technology for AAA games. It was great and I did really love my job," Cottier recounted of his days with Lionhead. "Working on Black & White and The Movies was a blast. I contributed massively to these titles and, despite all the hard work, tears and bloodshed, I don't regret it for one second. It was extremely hard to resign from Lionhead. I had a dream job and really felt at home there."

Flying the Coop
Cottier left Lionhead because he wanted to return home and so he could have more complete control of his games.

"When you work in a big team, even as a game programmer or a designer, it is hard to not feel like you are just a small cog in a massive machine. I didn't want to feel that way, which is why I founded Ovogame and started working on my own little games back in 2006."

Under the Ovogame name (which means "hatched egg"), Cottier has created games of various genres including time management title Tropical Mania (PC, Mac and iOS), a webcam-based game called OvO (PC) and an adventure game called Anka (PC).

"I like to make any kind of game. In my career I've worked on platform games, god games, simulations and, more recently, casual games," Cottier said. "...I'm still hoping that one day I'll be able to work on a racing game, a shoot-'em-up, a survival horror game (and) a RPG. I told you, I'm really open."

The Big Bird

Although Cottier had been primarily developing PC games, his most recent game, Jump Birdy Jump, is the first game he's created specifically for iPhone.

"The game mechanism is extremely simple," explains Cottier. "You bounce a bird from wire to wire while avoiding the pitfalls. Sound simple? Yes, but if you touch the scenery – wood, black stars, so on – you are punished with immediate death. So, it is actually challenging. While advancing into the game, new objects and mechanisms are introduced to you. The game contains 60 levels and if you want to collect all the stars, it will take you many hours to complete."

youtube_ws:watch?v=TiQ6-ZF-OaY
"It isn't really a physics-based game where you knock down objects... JBJ is more like a platform type of game involving skills and good timing." - Jean-Claude Cottier, Ovogame

Cottier credited Angry Birds and Cut the Rope as inspirations for the game - and having an appealing audience he also wanted to attract - although he wanted to create a unique experience. In fact, he did not even want to use birds in the game.

"I designed three prototypes and settled on the one involving a sphere jumping from wire to wire. I was sure of one thing: I didn't want birds for my game and I started looking for some cute animal artwork," remembers Cottier. "I did find a very cute little bird on a website and liked it so much that I put it in my game as a place holder. It was working so nicely that, ultimately, I couldn't change it. I contacted the artist (Dawn Donald) who made it and she created a new one for JBJ."

Even so, timing has not quite been on Cottier's side.

"A lot of people are telling me that it's a clone of Parachute Ninja. I swear, I didn't know about that game while designing JBJ. I did get a lot of inspiration from Cut the Rope but I really thought that I was designing a new game mechanism with JBJ," Cottier said. "I was devastated when I learned it was already done and, ironically, by the same people who designed Cut the Rope."

And then there are the sales.

Gathering Worms
"The iOS market is an extremely tough market," explained Cottier. "JBJ isn't selling very well because no one knows it exists."

According to Cottier, the game has sold pretty well in France but not in the US. He's sold 3600 units (at various prices) since its release seven weeks ago, a number he calls a "disaster."

"The users' feedback has been amazing with in average 90% of ratings scoring 4 or 5. It is such a shame that this little gem is lost in the ocean of iOS apps. I knew it was going to be hard but I wasn't expecting it to be that hard," said Cottier. "At the moment, the iOS market wouldn't be enough to make me a living on its own."

Cottier hasn't completely lost hope in the iOS market (see his advice below) or Jump Birdy Jump. In fact, he's planing to share a bit more of it with the world.

Sharing a Few Fresh Eggs

By developing the game for iOS from the beginning and creating his own level editor, Cottier has been able to spend a lot of time designing, testing and polishing the levels in Jump Birdy Jump.

"For me, game creation is all about the tools. If it is easy to add content, then you can concentrate on what is important for the game and not struggling with technical issues," Cottier explained. "When I was working in the AAA industry, I was paid a small fortune because I could visualize the big picture and create tools and technology easily accessible to all the other member of the team, massively reducing the time spent on production. Now, I'm the only full-time member at Ovogame but I am still applying this philosophy and I don't hesitate to invest a bit of time in new tools if it will speed up my productivity."

Cottier plans to make the editor available for others to use (here's a link to the Jump Birdy Jump level editor) but, for now, it needs better documentation. Cottier has similar plans for a another toolset for a future game.

"It is still very early but I would love to make a very different type of game, maybe less casual," said Cottier. "I'm currently very tempted to work on a mobile RGP action-puzzle game. There is nothing set in stone yet and it might just be a too ambitious. I'll see. Obviously, if I'm going down that road, I'll be making very accessible tools so people could create their own side quest. A bit like RPG Maker but for mobile platform and more action oriented."

Jean-Claude Cottier's Advice for Indie Developers
"You really need to constantly promote your apps or you quickly end up selling a handful amount of units each day. Having multiple games released is a big plus as you can cross promote them but it is becoming harder and harder every day. A lot of great games are released constantly and the prices keep going down. Also, we keep hearing about all these developers quitting their AAA jobs to start working on mobile games. I'm afraid the market is already crowded and it is going to be extremely hard to survive for a lot of them. The key is to be multiplatform. At least you can increase your income streams without too much extra work. I've got my own 2D cross platform lib for iOS, Mac and PC and my only regret is that I didn't start sooner."

"I advise (developers) to be careful before quitting their day job. It's hard to make a living from games and you will need to wear many hats and work on stuff you might have no clue about like marketing, finance and production.

Spend your money wisely and keep some for marketing purposes. If you can, test the water and simply create your game during your free time before making it full-time. Always have a plan B in case your original plan just falls through.

Know your audience: You want to pay the bills, so people will need to open their wallet for you. Make sure you have an audience and a way to get to that audience.

Finally, be prepared to live a lonely life. This is probably the hardest and worst part of it. The only people you'll meet are online. That's not very social isn't it? I miss the office coffee break."

~ ~ ~

SITE: Ovogame
PURCHASE: Jump Birdy Jump

English: The international language of video game development

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 09:04:52 -0400

Even though indie games are created by developers of varied backgrounds and locations, there seems to be one common element: English.

While working in the indiePub booth this year (2011) at South by Southwest I spoke with several indie developers about making games. We had developers from five countries represented and yet they all spoke a fair amount of English.

I asked Romain Leprince of Uncanny Games about learning English in other countries and he pointed out that game programming languages are based on English.

It's one of those things you never quite notice until you really start to look. It's not exactly game code but visit just about any international web site, for example, and the HTML behind it is based on English. The contact page is usually "contact.html" even if the site displays characters from another language in the web browser (for example, this page on the Japan Foundation web site). HTML, an acronym for "Hyper Text Markup Language," bases nearly all of its elements on English words.

"In Germany you normally learn English pretty early in school so everyone knows at least the basics," said Sebastian Bender of Wolpertinger Games (Poopocalypse). "We normally work with some kind of Denglisch language, part German, part English. And we play lots of games in English or with native speakers from the UK or US. At one point we even had two small papercraft flags in our office. The first one in the office did set the language spoken in the office to either German or English. So there were days when all of us, seven people at that time, spoke English all day."

Several countries require English to be taught early which may contribute to this phenomenon, also adding a bit of convenience for many. English is one of the most widely spoken languages on the planet, coming in third for total use after Mandarin and Spanish. Even so, English is spoken in the most countries, 112, with French coming in a distant second with 60 countries (according to the Ethnologue: Languages of the World web site on July 11, 2011, based on the Ethnologue Languages of the World Sixteenth Edition by Paul M Lewis released in 2009).

"Dutch people are all raised to speak English well, much more so than French developers, so it is no problem at all," explained Ronimo Games' Joost van Dongen (Proun), who lives in Utrecht, Netherlands. "I actually think it is really great that there is one language in which we can all communicate, instead of having these islands of people who cannot talk to people on another island because of the language barrier."

"I'm writing everything in English, even the comments for the code, which could be written in French," said Jean-Claude Cottier from Ovogame (Jump Birdy Jump) whose first language is French. "As far as I am concerned English is the international language and I must use it for communicating with everyone or reading forums, docs, papers or contracts. This is far more intense than learning a couple of dozen keywords for a specific programming language."

"English is easily accessible for me and I am used to most things being written in that language as pretty much nothing outside the mainstream exists in Danish anyway," writes Lonnie T. Brandt from White Cat (Angelic Orbs: Broken Memories) whose primarily language is Danish. "...As my final games will be in English anyway, almost everything is made in that language to begin with. English is an obligatory part of our education here, so most would be able to make use of it without many problems. Of course there are times when I run into strange technical terms that I'm not 100% sure of but a quick look-up on the internet quickly solves that nowadays."

Many developers echoed Brandt's comment, suggesting that English is prevalent in game development at least in part by necessity.

"I think it's good because English is kind of the number one language used throughout the world," said Chanon Sajjamanochai from Viqua Games (UltraDeep) whose primary language is Thai. "Everyone knows at least a bit of it, so it helps with sharing code. Otherwise, in general, when learning a programming language you'd have to learn two things: The language the programming language is based on... and then the programming language itself."

One observation by Sajjamanochai is that "programmers in a foreign country will generally have better English skills than non-programmers as most resources about programming are in English."

Another useful side effect having a centralized language – both for programming and communicating - is that it allows even the most distant devs to work together.

"It has enabled us to assemble a team that works from west coast USA through northern Europe to the Ukraine," explained Thomas Hentschel Lund, CEO of Full Control (Smack Boxing). His primary language is Danish but he also speaks English, German and Swedish. "Everyone speaks the same language (English) and can communicate on the same level without language barriers. As indies we are now privileged to be able to pick the best people for a job almost anywhere on the planet instead of only who live in the same city as yourself. So, without the Internet and the English language, we would simply not exist as a game company."

A few also pointed out that the United States is one of the largest game markets so it makes sense to understand the language of those you are selling to. Even so, some devs don't really see a strong English-to-code connection.

"I think it's stretching things a little bit when you say programming languages are written in English," said Cottier. "Yes, keywords are in English but does this look like English to you?"

While some of those are recognizable as English terms – for example, "unsigned" and "chunk" – programming is complex enough that developers often use code as bits of useful information instead of language-based phrases.

"I consider them their own language," agreed indiePub's own English-speaking game programmer, Jon Schreiber (The Conduit). "They are all just a set of keywords paired with user defined meaning to them where the user defined name for it could just as easily be French as it is English but even if it were French if you knew the programming language you would still be able to get a solid grasp to what’s happening even though you don’t understand the variable names themselves."

While it's sometimes hard to see the words for the code, it's pretty clear that English has saturated every aspect of game development. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

As Hentschel simply stated about English being the primary language of game programming, documentation and discussions, "I think it's fantastic."

Van Dongen agreed, writing, "I actually think it is really great that there is one language in which we can all communicate, instead of having these islands of people who cannot talk to people on another island because of the language barrier."

~ ~ ~

Editor's Note: All responses from developers for this article, spoken or written, were in English. Only minor adjustments were made for style or grammar.

Dev Blog: Q&A with Cipher Prime about Fractal for iPad

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 04:06:29 -0400

For the second developer's blog about the upcoming release of Fractal on iPad (here's the first dev blog), Cipher Prime's Dain Saint answered a few questions about the studio and the game.

Fractal combines the puzzle and matching genres together with their musical sensibilities. In the game you push hexagonal fractals together to form larger clusters that bloom and explode, causing chain reactions. The game was previously released for PC (Windows and Mac) and is being tweaked for its upcoming iPad release

Below you'd find out more about Cipher Prime, Fractal for iPad and a bit about their musical tastes.

indiePub: Cipher Prime started as an interactive design company, how did you make the switch to developing games?
CIPHER PRIME: Accidentally. As an interactive firm, we specialized in rich media applications. Although individually we had a lot of clients from our freelance days, as a company we didn’t have that list. We decided to create something that showcased our abilities with Flash and that turned out to be Auditorium. Auditorium became more successful than we’d ever thought, so we decided to make the switch to games. We still work with clients but our main mission is games.

iP: After Auditorium, Cipher Prime released Fractal. How did the idea for Fractal come about?
CP: We had the original idea for the push mechanism that powers the game. He wanted to do a game where your next move was based on your previous actions. We coded up a base prototype on a flight over to our first GDC and spent the next few months cranking out prototypes. It’s probably the game that’s gone through the most revisions since we started making games. We have 9 or 10 different versions that we toyed with, some on infinite play spaces, some multiplayer. We ended up spending 15 months whittling it down to the three game modes that currently exist: Campaign, puzzle and arcade.

Fractal will be available soon for iPad.

iP: During long nights developing, what were your go-to takeout places?
CP: Pine Street Pizza played an integral part in our delivery consumption. It actually became a cheat code for the newer versions of Fractal and made the credit roll. They literally kept us alive. King of Wings was also something we hit up quite a bit. King of Wings has taglines like, "Buffalo Wings go with all things so give us a ring," so we thought it was hilarious.

iP: What tools did you use to make the game, and why? How did you make decisions about the game’s aesthetic and functionality?
CP: We made it in Flash because we were good at it. We knew how to program and design in Flash and its tools allowed for the art style to be properly executed. The game is typography heavy and Flash is good at that. It’s also really quick for prototyping and, considering we went through so many prototypes, it supported our process.

iP: Where’s Fractal headed next?
CP: Fractal is going to the iPad and has been re-released on PC and Mac.

iP: Tell us about making the switch to Unity. What were some of the difficulties of porting the game to various platforms?
CP: We switched from Flash to Unity because it allowed us to go to multi-platform. We burned through everything Flash could provide for us while making Fractal and ended up making things 95% as cool as they should have been. Unity will help us get that extra 5%.

Here is a screen shot of the iPad version of Fractal.

iP: All of you guys are music-centric, so what instruments do you guys play?
CP: Kerry plays drums, guitar, and bass. He sings, too, and strangely plays the bassoon. Dain plays keyboard, bass, rhythm guitar, and sings. Will plays GarageBand, and he’s getting pretty good.

iP: What music does the studio like to listen to while developing?
CP: Stevie Wonder is pretty standard when we need get ourselves motivated. You can't hear Stevie and not be happy. We play a lotta funk, bunch o' dance, anything to keep us motivated.

iP: What is your favorite iPad app or game?
CP:Grid Music is pretty cool. GarageBand is just too good. It actually makes Dain a little ill. Sketchbook is Photoshop plus finger painting, which is like, the best thing ever. Shot Shot Shoot is by far the best game on the iPad.

~ ~ ~

READ: Fractal Dev Blog #1
SITE: Auditorium
SITE: Cipher Prime
SITE: Pulse

New Xbox Live Indie Games for week ending July 8, 2011 (updated)

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 03:45:00 -0400

It's a bit of a slow week so far in terms of releases but there is a surprisingly decent percentage of good looking games.

Best bets this week include twin stick shooter Monsters Shoot 'n Monsters (guess what you shoot in that game), twisty puzzler Vizati, grinding action game Lootfest, crate dropper Beyond, ninja trainer Avatar Ninja 2 and, because brain washed brain are likely tastier, Zombies Hate Aliens.

Below is a list of games released between July 2 and July 8, 2011. Descriptions are from the Microsoft site (so don't blame us) and the prices are all in Microsoft Points (MP). The conversion rate is currently $1.25 for 100 MP (or $10 for 800 MP) and points can be purchased either through Xbox Live, the Xbox web site or gift cards at various retail locations. Late additions may be added (so check back).

Inter-species anger goes wireframe-y in Monsters Shoot'n Monsters (screen shot above).

Monsters Shoot 'n Monsters
(80 MP, 07/02/2011, Monster Bite Games)
In this twin stick shooter you must shoot and destroy your foe while playing through 32 different challenges . Also use your grapple to swing and hurl monsters into one another. Upgrade your gun and grapple for more destruction.

Pirate Texas Holdem Defense
(80 MP, 07/02/2011, MindsEdge)
Texas Hold'em Poker anyone? Winning lots of money gets you powerful towers. You better hope that you have the towers you need placed in strategic locations. The waves of Pirates have no mercy! And just when you think you are good, the boss will show up to challenge you your dominion. This game is non-stop fun.

Stay mellow while solving puzzles in the twisty game, Vizati (screen shot above).

Vizati
(80 MP, 07/03/2011, Blitz1UP)
Put your mind to the test in Vizati. Rotate a magical cube & connect the colored stones in a limited number of moves. Use gravity to connect the stones by rotating and flipping the cube 50 Story Mode levels follow Julie and Peter who discovered the Vizati cube. Arcade Mode for a rawer, faster experience. Rich hand drawn HD art Beautiful music 2 Arcade Modes with special Vizati stones

Math Cruncher
(80 MP, 07/04/2011, Bluebomber128)
Math Cruncher has the player race around a grid trying to complete math problems without being eaten by the monsters and not making more than three mistakes. There are five modes: Multiples, Factors, Primes, Equality, and Inequality. The player tries to complete five stages and can post local high scores.

Looks a little like Minecraft but don't be fooled. Lootfest (screenshot above) is item grinding goodness.

Lootfest
(80 MP, 07/04/2011, Fabian Viking)
This is a simple but fun game. Kill monsters, loot them for gold, buy bigger weapons. Enjoy a top view adventure game with classic controls, where your goal is to find and destroy the three evil bosses that are terrorizing your country.

Ever play those glowy box dropping game to try to win a game system in a restaurant's waiting area? Well now you can practice but with birds and crates or awkward purchases in Beyond (screen shot above).

BEYOND
(80 MP, 07/05/2011, mitabo)
Be careful of the wind!! To clear a stage, pile up the blocks to the line. BUT never forget to collect stars! Is there a secret ending!?

How To Get Girls
(80 MP, 07/05/2011, Black Hat Games)
Improve your skills to pick up hot, sexy girls.

Zombie Death Car
(80 MP, 07/06/2011, rmm5)
Stop the zombie hoard from escaping with your car.

Avatar Ninja! 2
(80 MP, 07/07/2011, Milkstone Studios S.L.)
EXTREME NINJA POWER! You're now travelling around the world searching for a challenge. Unleash your new ninja skills in the improved training courses!

Zombies Hate Aliens (screen shot above) because ambivalence toward aliens is just not as game worthy.

Zombies Hate Aliens!
(80 MP, 07/08/2011, Media Acrobats LLC)
Zombies are under attack - by aliens! But what's a poor zombie to do against a menace that can teleport, cloak, bomb and otherwise outmaneuver them? Join in the mayhem and help the zombies protect their precious brain bank from alien obliteration!

Don't Call Me Skyfish
(80 MP, 07/08/2011, Uplion)
Skyfish returns in this expansion of the original "Call Me Skyfish"! A certain radioactive stick-figure hedgehog has given your game a bad review. You must defeat him with more of the same! Resave the world!

Duckinator
(240 MP, 07/08/2011, MuleTrain Industries)
A game of poultry hijinxes, baby duck capturing goodness and fowl combos

Hack This Game 2
(80 MP, 07/08/2011, Utopioneer Games)
Will you be the first to hack this game? Play through increasingly difficult puzzles and collect your reward. The first three to complete the game will have their avatar featured on the cover!

SITE: Xbox Live Indie Games
READ: New Xbox Live Indie Games Weekly Update @ indiePub

Featured Indie Devs: Wolpertinger Games produces playable pigeon armageddon with Poopocalypse

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:12:14 -0400

Name: Sebastian Bender
Age: 27
Game(s): Poopocalypse, Quizocalypse, Phobos
Title/Role: Studio Manager, Game Designer
Location: Munich, Germany
Studio: Wolpertinger Games
When pondering the end of the world, most people envision volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods and other nasty natural disasters.

Not the guys at Wolpertinger Games. They envision the end coming in the form of a chubby, disgruntled pigeon that rains down its own form of sloppy white terror on an unsuspecting city.

The three members of Wolpertinger took some time to answer questions about their studio and their game, Poopocalypse, which was released June 15, 2011, on Xbox Live's Indie Channel.

indiePub: What is a Wolpertinger and why name your studio after it?
SEBASTIAN BENDER: A Wolpertinger is a Bavarian mystical creature similar to the American Jackalope. It usually looks like a rabbit with duck wings, claws and deer horns. When we formed the team at Mediadesign University in Munich, we wanted a name for the team that represents our local roots and the various special skills which, bundled in a team, form something very special. We chose Wolpertinger Games as it is unique and recognizable yet represents what we wanted.

iP: How did you get into game development?
TINO HANISCH: We all met at Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences in Munich, starting with our Game Design studies in 2006. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 2009, a few of us decided to form our own studio. And here we are, together with Bit Barons, which recently released its first title for iPad, PC and Mac called Astroslugs.

BENDER: No one really had game development experience before. Andreas (Ackermann) was working as a programmer. I had two semesters of Computer Science and did some really basic mapping and modding. I think we all just enjoyed games and wanted to make our own.

iP: Why create your own studio?
BENDER: I guess we did it for the creative freedom. And we wanted to see what we could achieve when we build something from scratch, basically without any money. We started right after graduating from the University and had the opportunity to do it. When you've got family... you're less likely to start something crazy like that.

iP: How has having your own studio worked out for you?

Name: Andreas Ackermann
Age: 28
Game(s): Poopocalypse, Quizocalypse, Phobos
Title/Role: Programmer
Location: Munich, Germany
Studio: Wolpertinger Games
ANDREAS ACKERMANN: It was a rough ride. And still is. It's hard to survive and you have to leave a lot of big ideas behind you. But in the end you do what you want and enjoy it.

BENDER: I agree 100%.

HANISCH: I agree 200%.

iP: Why indie?
ACKERMANN: We are still unable to sell out.

HANISCH: And in another point of view, "Why not?"

BENDER: Do you think a gem like Poopocalypse could have existed if we weren't indie?

iP: How has the studio changed since you founded it?
BENDER: We shrunk. We started with seven people. And we are doing more contracting work to pay the bills. But we can still do our thing.

iP: What is your video game philosophy?
BENDER: Our motto is, "We take fun seriously." Games are about fun and it's the foremost goal when creating games. We like to stick with a powerful core mechanic and build a fun experience around it. And we think that games need to constantly innovate. Not saying everything has to be innovative all of the time but creating mainstream copycats on a bandwagon is not what we do.

iP: What is your development process?
ACKERMANN: Find a good gameplay mechanic and build around it.

BENDER: Plain and simple. Normally we create a quick throwaway prototype, play around with it and then start with the full production… But now we are smaller with only three of us on the team. Our project management and development process is adapted to each individual project but we stick with our agile and iterative roots.

iP: What is your favorite part of making games?
ACKERMANN: I like the entire process. Planning, designing, developing and testing. It's sometimes annoying if you do something and realize you're not building something that adds value to the game. But creating games, for me it's just straight up the best thing.

BENDER: I love to create something new and entertaining. You face so many challenges but also have many successes during a project. And then you see people who eventually love what you have created. It's just awesome to work with our most advanced medium.

iP: Was that your first game?

Name: Timo Hanisch
Age: 30
Game(s): Poopocalypse, Quizocalypse, Phobos
Title/Role: Artist, Level Designer
Location: Munich, Germany
Studio: Wolpertinger Games
BENDER: Quizocalypse was the first game we released. We had already developed some games at the University, where we all met. One of them was Phobos, our final assignment project that won us a Gamesload Newcomer Award and had us nominated for two other German and European Games Awards. Another game, Keep the Sheep, now serves as inspiration for our latest project. We will develop the game into an extensive prototype for iPad and PC as we received some public funding from the Bavarian FilmFernsehFonds.

iP: Was Quizocalypse a success?
ACKERMANN: Well, it's a trivia game for nerds and geeks. I guess they usually do not play trivia so I guess one could say we failed right there.

BENDER: From a financial perspective it was a huge failure, indeed. In exactly one year we only sold around 220 copies at $3 and we only keep around 50% after all the transaction costs. We would do some things different now. We learned something. That's why Quizocalypse was still a big success for us. We released a game to a major console, learned a lot about our development processes, marketing, technology and the games business in general.

iP: So is it POO-Pocalypse or POOP-ocalypse? I believe I saw it both ways between different videos.
BENDER: It's something that changed during development. At first we were thinking about different names for the game but we settled with Poo-pocalypse. It's somehow the second installment in a series of slightly deviant game concepts with Quizocalypse being the first. Since pronunciation of "Apocalypse" is different in German from English, we got it wrong in the beginning and that's why our first teaser features the Poop-ocalypse logo. We then received some feedback from native speakers and changed it to Poo-pocalypse.

iP: How would you describe Poopocalypse?
BENDER: We define Poopocalypse as a twin-stick poop'em up. It basically combines a side-scrolling shooter with twin-stick flight and shooting controls. The game challenges the player to avoid obstacles and enemies while poop-bombing targets below. It's pretty tricky at first as people are used to a different style of control for this genre. But we wanted to present the players with something new since there are lots of good side-scrolling shooters out there. The game itself is basically endless. You always start from the beginning and go through 17 different stages, each ending with a famous landmark to poop on. But, in the end, it's all about your final score. To keep your score multiplier up, you need to go as fast as possible and still keep hitting the targets. You can share your score online and there are some achievements - we call them trophies - that show your progress throughout the game.

In this screen shot of the Xbox Live version of Poopocalypse (above), you can see your standard target being defiled.
iP: Why a pooping pigeon?
ACKERMANN: Birds are the new Zombies! We realized this during the pre-production with all the Angry Birds hype. But, seriously, we already had a basic concept for the gameplay and needed some art to complement it. So we had a brainstorming (session) where we threw some ideas around. We came up with a lot of crazy stuff but in the end we settled for pooping pigeons.

BENDER: It was funny and, as soon as the idea came up, everyone just knew it was something that could work on many levels. The jokes and puns just wrote themselves from then on.

iP: Tell me about that totally awesome theme song...
BENDER: When we started thinking about the sound and music, we already knew a lot about where we wanted the game to go. Bastian Kieslinger created all the sounds and music for the game himself. We already had this great song for Quizocalypse, also from Bastian. So we just let him do what he does best. It worked very well.

iP: What was your approach to making Poopocalypse? What were your inspirations?
BENDER: At first we wanted to make one of those games where you shoot something once and try to get as far as possible with targets either boosting your velocity or slowing you down. But we didn't want to simply copy Baby Maker Extreme or one of the many Flash games. So we decided to alter the mechanics a little bit. Instead of bouncing from the ground you would have to keep something floating in the air. We built a simple prototype in Flash to play around with this. It was fun to control the flight path by rotating the flying object but we needed something on top of that. At that point we had the idea with the pooping, fat pigeon. We refined the prototype and tried some simple maneuvers. It was fun and promising so we threw the prototype away and started building the game for the Xbox.

iP: Who else worked on it with your team?
TIMO HANISCH: During development we had a few more helping hands. Sadly a lot of good friends had to leave the project early or were only partly involved. With them was Bastian Kieslinger who went back to school to continue his Master's degree in Game Design. Jens Bolanz, who now works for Coreplay, was our main Level and Game Designer. Beate Betz, who did a great job on animations and graphics, left for a job as Concept Artist with Playgenic. Even so, we still keep in touch and often discuss new concepts or ideas together.

BENDER: We're not keeping it a secret that game development costs a lot of money. We have no investment company or rich aunt who pays our bills, so everyone had to take care for themselves. But we were always being open and honest about this topic. Everyone was developing voluntarily and it wasn't always easy for everyone. That's why every Wolpertinger gets my gratitude and respect for the great work and time together. There were even more people helping. Ralph Hunderlach, a programmer intern, who helped with some gameplay coding. And there's also the team from Remote Control Productions who helped with production issues, marketing and - last but not least - provided us with office space.

iP: How has the game evolved throughout the development process?
ACKERMANN: One of the bigger changes was adding dual-stick pooping action to the game. In the first version the pigeon was only able to poop straight down. This brought up some issues as it was really hard to aim and all the action happened in the rear part of the screen, not where you could actually see it. We were already discussing dual-stick gameplay but unidirectional pooping was a strange idea at first and most people on the team did not like it. But, one day, while trying to tweak and solve the problem, I just went ahead and implemented dual-stick pooping. And it was a good thing.

BENDER: We also changed the way the stages were designed. We designed a system to randomly spawn single targets, obstacles, enemies and pickups. It worked but never felt good enough. We wanted to design some challenges for the player and to prevent boring spawn cycles. So we created groups which spawned instead of single objects. It was a simple design decision but had a huge impact on the overall look and feel of Poopocalypse.

Many historical monuments in Poopocalypse become larger targets for the flying fowl avatar. Here you can see the end result of an attack on the Statue of Liberty.
iP: What experience do you want players to come away with? What type of feedback are you getting?
HANISCH: The Feedback. Let's say it's mixed. People are amazed, surprised, entertained, disgusted, insulted. But, tell you what, there is no joke and no comment about birds and poo that, believe me, we didn't hear since we began developing the game. Somehow, all the feedback we receive is good feedback. How would you rate a comment about Poopocalypse that reads, "This game is shit!"? See, we always look at the bright side.

BENDER: We expected this very ambivalent feedback but I think controversy always helps a medium become mature, even when dealing with immaturity. Indies particularly have the possibilities to make something deviant, to do something daring. We wanted players to experience an interesting twist in gameplay mechanics in a rather standardized genre and have fun. Everyone who preserved a little bit of the child within can laugh about poop humor. I don't see why people are offended by a little immaturity. Games are about fun and entertainment. Life is serious enough.

iP: What projects can we expect next. Maybe "Vomitrocity?"
HANISCH: No, we won't make bodily fluids the topic of our next game. But let me get write that down.

BENDER: Even if, we wouldn't give it away without releasing a teaser trailer with some metal music.

iP: What's the future look like for Wolpertinger Games?
HANISCH: Oh, that's a good one. It's the part where I have to say, "The future looks bright and shining as we will be the leading star in the games market with our top-notch games!" No, to be honest, I think that will be there in the future but it is a hard road, and we're not safe yet. Maybe we try some more small game ideas before we get to release our bigger projects. Maybe we will create some app games or try the browser games sector. Everything is possible.

BENDER: We are definitely trying different platforms and game concepts. We want to realize more complex projects in the future and also grow a little bit. We'll look into working with publishers and doing work-for-hire. I think it's sensible to try different things before settling with one strategy. But our vision is to get to the point where we can create games that are educating without suffering from lack of quality entertainment or being kids' games.

iP: What about the future of indie games?
BENDER: That's a tough question as 'being indie' is hard to define. I guess we will see more ambitious indie projects with technologies like Unity3D, Unreal, Source and others becoming available for free to indies or getting cheaper. I also think that crowdfunding may become an option for indies to fund their projects. We're actually thinking about a funding mix for porting Poopocalypse to iOS that contains crowdfunding. I also think that it will become more difficult in the future to make a living creating games. It's already easier than ever before to create and distribute games to an international audience on huge platforms like Facebook, iOS via the App Store, Xbox with XBLIG or PCs with Steam. The competition is tough, prices are falling and free-to-play is on the rise. And there are few markets that are not already dominated by the big players. But there's always room for the ones who work hard and get creative.

iP: What advice to you have for other indie game developers?
ACKERMANN: Keep it simple and don't build your own technology. Don't do it. If you are, stop it. Right now. Create games, not technology.

BENDER: And do something new. Innovate. Dare something. You have nothing to lose but a lot to gain. Make games you really would love to play yourself and test it with others to see if they get it. Test early and often and don't hesitate to throw something in the bin. And maybe keep your day job until you can really make a living making games.

~ ~ ~

SITE: Wolpertinger Games
SITE: Remote Control Productions
PURCHASE/PLAY: Poopocalypse @ Xbox Live Marketplace
PURCHASE/PLAY: Quizocalypse @ Xbox Live Marketplace