Games

WWDC and E3 2011

E3 logo and WWDC 2011 press badge

It has been an exciting time for technology enthusiasts lately. Two, huge events took place in the same week. One was Apple’s WWDC (Worldwide Developer’s Conference) where Steve Jobs and co. revealed their future plans for iOS (the iPhone and iPad operating system), Lion (the Mac’s operating system) and iCloud (a new service for storing your data online).

The other event was E3, the biggest annual entertainments expo at which all the games developers, publishers and console manufacturers pack into one space and try to wow the press and public with what they’ve been working on. It’s a place for big reveals, immense amounts of hype, and cutting edge tech. I absolutely love it.

The problem (and it’s a nice problem) with having both WWDC and E3 in the same week is that it has taken this long to absorb everything new that was announced. I’ve been watching all the keynotes and trailers, reading up on all the technical info and figuring out what’s hot and what’s not.

So what were the biggest announcements? What’s most likely to shake up the industry in 2011-2012? What is going to end up in the hands of average Joe Punter? I’ll be sharing my opinions in a series of posts over the next few days and weeks…

Update: We’re past the point where it’s worth me writing anymore about WWDC and E3. It was some time ago now and the world has long since moved on. I think it’ll be better if I concentrate on my own life/projects here from now on, rather than try to commentate on everything else. That’s what news blogs and social media are for.

Nintendo 3DS (Or iPad 2?)

Mii Sitting on iPad

If, like me, you walk into a JB HiFi (or equivalent) anytime soon, with a bit of cash in your back wallet, looking around at what new gadget you can treat yourself to (as you do), you’ll see there are currently two pop-out options.

  1. Nintendo’s latest gaming handheld, the Nintendo 3DS.
  2. Apple’s iPad 2 (or the older, iPad 1 if you haven’t got one already).

Which should you get? There’s an easy answer… the iPad 2. Unless perhaps… you already own an iPad 1. Which I do. So I got the 3DS…

Read More…

OsXs 1.1 Update Out

Apple just approved the first update I submitted of Frosty Badger’s iOS game, OsXs.

Version 1.1 is now a “Universal” app which means it works on iPhone, iPod Touch and… (drum roll)… iPad! On top of that, we’re still managing to maintain backward compatibility with earlier versions of iOS (as far back as 3.1.3). Which means those with earlier generation iPod Touches (or those not wishing to update their iPhone 3g to iOS 4) will still be able to enjoy the new features.

The biggest addition, besides retina and HD versions of all existing graphics, is the new “Blueprint” theme (awesome work Anton). And Paul recorded some appropriate stationary sounds to accompany it (pencil scribbles and rubber effects) – they give it an authentic “architect at his desk” feel.

Frosty Badger has some other more ambitious projects in the pipeline which I hope will see the light of day soon. It’s tough doing all this as a hobby in our spare time, but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far (and there in lies the reward).

Link: http://www.frostybadger.com/osxs/

Work in Progress: Squirml

This is Squirml, a game I’m working on for the iPhone under the Frosty Badger banner. It’s still in the very early stages but I thought I’d start a diary of development to help motivate me through to completion (I’m wavering a little lately).

Squirml is inspired by an awesome little HTML5 game I came across developed by a clever chappy, Hakim El Hattab. “Sinuous“, meaning “having many curves and turns” is simple and addictive and involves guiding a little cell with a tail on it (looks a bit like a sperm) through a tide of red cells flowing in a diagonal direction against you. At its heart, it’s a simple game of dodge but the movement of your cell is very appealing (in an almost calming way) – it feels great to weave your way in and out and around the other cells. I thought it’d make a great game for the iPhone because it’s so easy to pick up and play in small doses, yet it’s quite catchy for lengthier sessions and has that whole “just one more go” thing. Especially if I could work in Game Center support for high distance scores.

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Please Leave 64 Wood in the Toll Box

Welcome to Dom Island

This is “Dom Island”, my island, crafted from ugly 16-bit looking terrain blocks of earth, sand, wood and rock. It has a beach all the way around its perimeter, a small cave looking out to sea, a natural spa, and of course, an obligatory Hollywood-esque sign of my name towering over all. It’ll cost you 64 wood to visit (I need it – few trees grow there) . Please leave the toll in the chest provided.

If you’ve missed the boat on the phenomenon that is Minecraft, let me educate you. It’s a small indy game(ish) developed by a clever chap called Notch. I use the label “game” with caution because currently, there’s not much structure to it. It’s all very work in progress still as its “Alpha” version implies. However, already it’s an astonishingly fun sandbox for creativity…

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Sackboy is Back – Joy!

I wasn’t all that fussed about the prospect of a Little Big Planet sequel, until I saw this trailer. It reminded me just how superbly cute and creative the LBP world is. I had an absolute blast with the original game, especially when playing it through co-op with a few mates.

If you’ve never heard of or never played Little Big Planet before, you’re missing out. Even if you don’t normally play video games. It’s very easy to pick up and play and I defy anyone to not shed a smile and a grin when directing you sackboy around the screen.

If I was to put a video game in front of someone that had never played one before, LBP would probably be at the top of the list (Flower would be second). It demonstrates so many of the best attributes the medium has to offer and solidifies the argument (to me at least) that video games are a type of artform.

Looking forward to this arriving at the end of the year. Fingers crossed they’ll get Stephen Fry back to do the voice commentary again.

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