Golden Wake gets reviewed by some Swedish Magazine.

Translated by David Ostman, provided by the wonderful Lasca.

AdventureX 2014: Still going strong!

You know, I'll save the formalities, this an expo of sorts full of nice people from the AG crowd, conducted by Mark Lovegrove. It's amazing really, and it has begun to grow to a much bigger thing. Today's schedule includes Dave Gilbert, Theodor Waern and others. Sunday also looks out to be great  (I've sent something bound to change history) There's also high chance there will be streaming of the event, so it will be nice to watch.

And there's that. Not sure if it was also seen on AdventureX, but here's a fantastic trailer of Nelly Cootalot.

A Golden Wake Is Awake

Francisco Gonzalez's (try saying that three times in a row) latest project, "A Golden Wake" being published by Wadjet Eye Games, is available for pre-order. Dave said so!

Twitter link.

Our work takes long, and time is fleeting.

I've come to understand something that is profound for everyone around the AGS community and generally the developing community, whether you're a coder, or a writer, or an artist, or a voice actor, or an animator, or any other job that is deemed useful in the game/product making process, that no matter how good or great you do that job, there's always space for improvement.

Same goes for games.

Something you could do differently, something you could improve upon, I don't know anything. At that moment, when you've delivered your quest, you are usually stricken with confidence that you did a good enough job, and that it's final, then after you revisit it, you know, stand behind and observer your labor with a more objective point of view, it is then that you realize you were completely wrong. The best way to prove myself is to find a project you've kept the first version of, and compare it with the one you released for the public. You'll probably catch yourself remembering you were quite satisfied with it back then, perhaps at that, or a later time, you thought "this is it". 

I mean, look at it.

But the more light you shed in your project with feedback either by testers or team members, or anyone practically bothering with it, and sending you his opinion about it (If I recall correctly Vince Twelve had his mom play the game (Resonance) to see if she would be having troubles with the interface), the better your game gets. 

Provided you're willing to go through feedback and process it accordingly. I mean look at any AGS game out there, take for example Technobabylon, I'm sure Technocrat thought when he first released it, "this is the most I can do with this game" and now he's turned it into a bombastic super-pretty indie game, that I would be willing to pre-order so hard.

I've been working on Primordia with Wormwood Studios these past few days (we're going to patch it everywhere (Steam, GOG, wherever it is available) as soon as we're done), and I've personally come across several things that bugged me now, but at the time I was okay with them. You tend to overlook faults over the rush of completing the core parts of a project. But when you look at the details, see deeper, that's what we call polish. And it needs to be done. The more time you devote applying small partially insignificant fixes and improvements to your work, the better.

By the rivers of (Techno)babylon

So, why is this AGS game keep appearing on your rss feed lately? Why is it referenced so much lately?

Because, besides missing the 4th part of the series for quite a while now, it appears, according to a gamasutra interview of Dave Gilbert, the game is still being worked on. I'm quite unfamiliar with the factors affecting its current production and the goal in terms of game design and polish value currently set by the developer and the parties affiliated (which I'm also mostly unaware of).

But Ben Chandler is providing artwork, yet not sure if he's drawing over or completely re-designing materials for the game. Perhaps both. I find myself accepting Dearden's choice (the developer) to enrich and re-introduce the saga. Technobabylon  is getting remaked, but I'm not sure in what way. However, since it's going commercial under Wadjet Eye Games, I'm definitely quite certain, the game will combine part one and two, perhaps even three, though the trilogy's end, wasn't really well received. 

Can you say pretty labs?

Technobabylon revolves around the premise that people choose to accept the false sense of achievement presented in multiplayer videogames, over their actual control on their lives, slowly deteriorating physically and mentally, getting addicted equally to the phenom of drug use. Such is the protagonist of the game, but as life problems pop up, it will be impossible to get a last dose of the virtual world. The second game of the series, creates one of the most wonderfully revealed ties between two games seemingly so different in almost every aspect, that literally the rembrance of it, still takes my breath away.

I do hope, the great content will be kept if not intact, at least in the same or better spirit, maintaining the consistency and surprise factor present in the freeware release of the three episodes so far. Even though, I feel this should have been out faster, I still got overly excited over the release of Technobabylon. Count one pre-order from me.

Blackwell: Epiphany - The Saga Ends April 24th

After stalking this repeatedly, I can say I'm pretty stoked for this. The addition of Ben Chandler on the graphics department makes this so pretty interesting (pun intended). So, pre-orders are available and there's a launch vid.

Pre-order linky: http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/news/blackwell-epiphany-now-available-pre-order/

Blackwell bundle plus other stuff

The capsule computers indie bundle includes all the
Blackwells and some other cool stuff. Have a look!

Vince sweeps the floor

No, he hasn't given up game making to become the AGS janitor, but instead he has won everything at the AGS Awards, including host bicilotti's hand in marriage (this may be made up)! Resonance swept pretty much every category it was in for, except best player character. You can see the full IRC Award log here. A few people got dressed up for the Awards too with special forum avatars.

Grundislav managed to grab both player and NPC awards, Ben304 got the short game gong and Lifetime Achievement, CaptainD won best demo (and thinks it means doom for his game), Ghost got best non-adventure, and JJS won the Innovation award for his awesome platform porting abilities. And of course, Resonance was helped by its awesome team including Nikolas Sideris, Shane Stevens, Dave and Janet and many others.

NB Winning 12 awards in one ceremony is a new record: well done Mr W!

Primordial Super?

Wadjet Eye have released Primordia (don't forget to put it in the games DB, Dave) and its got some reviews:

• Richard Cobbett @ Gamespy (lukewarm)
• We The Gamerz (good)

More on the Wadjet Eye preview page...

New Adventure Lanterns

September and October adventure lanterns are out, and they cover:

Sep: Summerbatch, Al Emmo+, Da New Guys: Day of the Jackass, and the August releases
Oct: AdventureX, September releases

October issue also covers Anna, but not the awesome AGS + Vince XII one :'(

The Blackwell Conception

Dave and Janet are having a baby! Congratulations to you both! Perhaps the first baby from two people who've both written AGS code?

In other Waaaah-djet Eye news, The Slowdown are a bit down on Blackwell Deception.

200k

The AGS blog has passed 200000 pageviews, woo.

In other news, Adventure Classic Gaming review Blackwell Unbound.

Wadjet Eye's next game

Wadjet Eye have officially announced Primordia, their next release, in conjunction with Wormwood studios: but this game has had a GIP thread on the forums for a while, so visit the official website, but also take the history lesson on the forums!

Pre-ordering open on Resonance

Leading up to the June 19 launch, Resonance can be preordered in both digital download and physical formats:

 

• GOG.com is offering a digital preorder brimming with goodies that include desktop wallpapers, a digital poster (suitable for printing), the game's MP3 soundtrack, a "behind the scenes" video, and video developer diaries. GOG's Resonance download, available on June 19, will be DRM-free. The regular $9.99 price is discounted 10% to $8.99 during the preorder period. For more details, visit: http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/resonance

 

• Wadjet Eye Games is offering a limited edition disc version that will only be available for purchase during the preorder period. The disc version will be packaged in a collectable box with a printed Resonance poster. The MP3 soundtrack and other digital goodies will be included on the game CD. The $24.99 price includes worldwide shipping, and customers who preorder the limited edition will also get free access to a Resonance download on launch day. For more details, visit: http://www.resonance-game.com/preorder

 

AGS Awards results out

So the awards ceremony ran over the weekend and the results are out. Pretty good night for Wadjet Eye games (who have also just got approval for Resonance to head to Steam) with Blackwell Deception and Gemini Rue walking off with a lot of awards!

You can read the IRC log of the ceremony here.

Fly me to the Moon...

The entire AGS site may be down, but that didn't stop Dave Gilbert announcing a new game for Wadjet Eye Games. Well, a friend's game. Anyhow, I don't care much about such stuff.

The important fact is that, you need to go here, and check this amazingly amazing game called To The Moon. A tale of epicosity and well, really worth it and glad Dave picked it up. The music is fantastic, and the game is quite an experience.

Well, what?

Gemini Rue is the 2nd AGS game, to have been placed on the Steam market, so WOOHOO, for that. Congratulations to JBurger, he must be really proud, and the Wadjet Eye Games, that probably helped a lot to place it there. More later on.

That would be the initial post. But well, no luck. You can read some of what really happened here.
Several places in the internet have condemned Valve for taking such action, I hope that means that eventually the game will be on Steam.

This would also be the initial post of the initial post. I am losing grasp of things. But I have a feeling Gemini Rue will get released on STEAM. Okay, that's all. Keep an eye.

Близнецы улице

Yeah, welcome to MOTHER RUSSIA. I am having a fantastically bad day, so I'll jump to the point. Gemini Rue appears to be getting translated to Polish. Then again the title is in Russian, cause, well, blame google translate. Anyhow, screenshot.

Review: Blackwell Deception

Today, Wadjet Eye Games has released its newest game, which happens to be the franchise that Dave Gilbert himself, is to blame for.


-INTERFACE

The changes towards some directions that Dave Gilbert has made, only feel natural and correct. The mouse cursor changing color to indicate which character you are controlling, is just one sprite, but really works magnificent. The control interface is basically the same, and takes zero time to get adjusted to - and if problems arise, Dave has integrated a tutorial so neatly in the start of the game. I am really impressed by how easily and naturally issues, that would bug you in the previous games, have been solved here.

With that said, I found the menus a bit generic to be frank. Perhaps I am nitpicking, but they felt a bit uninspired, graphically. I am quite possibly nagging for nothing.

-GRAPHICS

Hiring InCreator and Ben304, is probably the greatest team-up you could come up with. The background art and related animation, is definitely fantastic, and really raises the bar. A mix between 3D and 2D, really shows attention to detail, and makes every background worth it. About the character art, what can be said about Ben Chandler, that has not be said before? The animations are extremely fluid and retro-like, and there's a lot of diversity in terms of character designs. Initially one can rush to the conclusion that the character art and the background art, don't match, but I feel they give a graphical boost to the series that was perhaps needed.

-STORY

Well, I don't want to spoil much, in fact I'd rather not say anything, but since I am forced to, by Scottish supermen, I have to say that the story is definitely bloody brilliant. It's probably like watching a nice movie, it kind of stays with you for a bit after it's over. I think also a sequel is due. The conversations between Rosa and Joey are still fantastic, and perhaps even more amusing this time.

The best thing about this game is that it plays like a standalone game. You don't have to play the rest first, though that would be nice. And unless I am mistaken Wadjet Eye Games offers all the Blackwell games in a DVD.


-EXTRAS

The music and voice work are still top notch, with the voice work feeling more natural than it did for Gemini Rue. It probably has to do with the fact that the team has been stabilizing a bit, but regardless this has to be noted. I also found the best part of the game to be the Developer Commentary. Unlike Gemini Rue where frankly I hated it's implementation, here, in Blackwell, it's simply fantastic.


-INFO

The official Wadjet Eye Games, Blackwell Deception page.
A demo straight from the AGS Database
The Blackwell Deception topic, at the AGS Forums

The game is available for $14.99 (download) or $24.99 (limited edition DVD version). Note that the DVD will only be offered through this Sunday, October 16.



-CONCLUSION

Blackwell Deception, the fourth installment on the series, has just one flaw for me. It leaves you begging for a sequel. The game is certainly the best of the series, hands down.


-NOT LIKING THIS REVIEW:

You can always read the same opinion, expressed in a more coherent and verbally correct way.
So, here's two of them.

-Adventure Gamers-
-Gnome's Lair-