Of course, the sensible thing would be to use an existing game engine, but after a certain point, there is some curiosity if learning and fighting yet another game engine is really quicker that just writing something from scratch.
I've started on a new section on Sumea, called Sumea Flashback. It's an archive of free to distribute games from Australian developers. I know that Beam's 8-bit computer titles have been made free since '96, so I'll be concentrating on getting all them up.. (if you're a bit of a retro nut, and don't mind finding some of the games and doing their pictures, then I'd appreciate some help :)) Also if you know any other developer CEO's that don't mind their 8-bit / 16-bit games in the list, then let…
Polycount reports of a cool plugin for Max4.2 users who need some Max5 UVW unwrapping goodness..
"UnRapper4 is a freeware clone Max5's UVW Unwrap tool - except it runs in Max4.2 and above. The functionality is identical, but the menus and icons are a "little" different. If you are stuck using Max 4.2 or you would like new uvw unwrap functionality in Max4.2, please "try my product." I am giving this plugin away free because I am confident you will come back to me for all your UV Editing needs.…
Activision and Marvel comics have got together to bring us The Invincible Iron Man..
"Developed by Torus Games, The Invincible Iron Man allows gamers to experience the powers of Iron Man as he fights hordes of enemies while tracking down the super-villains who have stolen his battle suit technology. Using a variety of battle suit weaponry he navigates diverse levels that are filled with environmental obstacles and imminent danger. Multiple power-ups, unlockable bonus items and special pick-ups…
Sometimes when you search around on the net, you might stumble onto something that's pretty darn interesting. Well, I found this recent-ish interview (April 2002) with the FIRST employee at Melbourne House / Beam Software (now Infogrames Melbourne House) !!! Veronika Megler was in the team that included Philip Mitchell, and Stuart Ritchie who developed "The Hobbit", over a period of 18 months. That title managed to push over a million units. Not too shabby! There's plenty of interesting…
Pop over to Ausgamers to download Ratbag's Dirt Track Racing 2 demo! You'll get to play with a choice of 2 cars, 2 tracks, and 2 skins, so check it out here!
Gamespy has another developer diary with a Krome personnel. This time, it's with Ty, the Tasmanian Tiger's level designer, Robert Watson. He gives us some insights on tools and procedures for building the levels for Ty, along with how he got the gig.
"For the three years I've spent at Krome I have filled a variety of roles, including lead QA, assistant producer, and producer. So it was with some genuine nervousness that I jumped into the role of lead level builder on Ty a little less than 12…
Gamasutra has a great article discussing the role of architecture in videogames, and how the environment supports gameplay.
"Architecture -- meaning both landscapes and structures -- is what turns the bare grid of the chessboard into the living world of the computer game. Its importance is on a par with character design in creating the player's visual experience. Character design tells you who you are; architecture tells you where you are. But more than that, it also tells you what might happen…
It all started a long time ago when John Passfield, a Microbee progammer who occasionally wrote for comics, met talented comic artist Steve Stamatiadis through a mutal friend working in a comic book shop. Together, they formed Interactive Binary Illusions, which later became Gee Whiz! Entertainment. They are, however, known now as Krome Studios, responsible for the impressive and most eagerly awaited Australian developed title called Ty, the Tasmanian Tiger.
Ty had it's North American release…
Well, it's finally here. Gamershell reports..
"EA today announced that it has begun to ship in North America its new character-based action game, TY the Tasmanian Tiger for the PlayStation? 2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo GameCube(TM). The game drops players into the richly animated, 3D backdrop of Australia, where as the boomerang-wielding TY character, players will go "down under" for a variety of Outback-themed adventures."
To read…
The Age reports that Melbourne developers, Tantalus, is gearing up to do more original games in the future....
"After a hiatus of nearly a year, Australian game software maker Tantalus is revving up for new opportunities.
Its latest hand-held Nintendo Game Boy Advance (GBA) title, ATV Quad Power Racing, is due to be released through publisher Acclaim. The 26-person company is also completing the Men In Black port to the Nintendo GameCube under contract from Infogrames Melbourne House. Titles…
