Dead Cyborg Version 002 Released

Dead Cyborg is a sci-fi title strictly focused on adventure and exploration – with no fighting, shooting, or any of that sort of thing. The first version of this freeware title was released a little while back, this year. The game had its faults, chief of which was the fact that it lacked mouse control. During development, this feature existed, but it was taken out somewhere down the line for some reason. The browser-based version of the game still has support for the mouse.

But as of just this month, there’s a new version of DC’s episode 1 available. Version 002 for Windows now has support for the mouse as well as the AZERTY keys, instead of using the directional keys next to the enter key – which have been gathering more dust than just about any other part of the keyboard, apart from the numpad, anyway.

If you haven’t given Dead Cyborg a try yet – do so. It’s not too bad – especially considering that it’s a one-man project. By the way, this game is what one might call beggarware. To ever have any hope of seeing episode 2 (about 50% complete right now), you have to donate – and Endre, the guy who makes this game, wants $4000 dollars total for it. That amount sounds more like he’s holding the game hostage!

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Sources:

http://www.deadcyborg.com/

http://www.deadcyborg.com/download_page.html

http://www.twitter.com/deadcyborg

Dead Cyborg Version 002 Released

Game Maker 8 Available for Download

Not that I really dabble in this sort of thing anymore, but I was reading recently that the latest version of this little program is now up for download.

The last version I toyed with was version 6, 6.1, or something years ago while I was studying a course at college. I wasn’t very good with it. It’s okay for small, scrolling based games, but I actually preferred working in AGS (Adventure Game Studio). This program is great for making those classic point and click style games, and even a basic RPG if you know how.

Here’s the blurb from the site that explains what it’s all about, better than I could.

“Do you want to develop computer games without spending countless hours learning how to become a programmer?

Game Maker allows you to make exciting computer games, without the need to write a single line of code. Using easy to learn drag-and-drop actions, you can create professional looking games within very little time. You can make games with:

* Backgrounds, Sprites and Images
* Animated Graphics
* Basic sound functions, Special effects, 3D music, CD music
* Even 3d games!

And when you've become more experienced, there is a built-in programming language which gives you the full flexibility of creating games with Game Maker.

The Lite Edition is meant for those taking their first steps on the path of developing games. It can be used for free but is limited in its functionality. When you are using Game Maker regularly you are strongly recommended to upgrade it to the Pro Edition for $25.”

Along with this, I was checking out some of the website, and there’s a new Game Maker competition just starting.

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Game Maker 8 available for download

http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/

Game Maker 8 Available for Download

Married Men Would Rather Play Games of Another Sort #2

Despite the so called dying of gaming magazines, Game Informer is still one of the top selling magazines in the US. It's ahead of Time, TV Guide, Sports Illustrated, Cosmo, Newsweek; even Playboy and Maxim!

http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/01/game-informer-larger-than-time-playboy-and-maxim-even-oprah/

Married Men Would Rather Play Games of Another Sort #2

Married Men Would Rather Play Games of Another Sort

According to a survey that polled 1 130 on whether they would prefer an evening of playing games or having a romantic roll in the hay with their partner, 32% said they'd play games instead. Of course the men polled were married...

Another question asked whether they would rather have sex or play a new game- 72% said they'd take the new game!

The thing here is that playing games can last for hours where as sex doesn't- not usually anyway.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jte5jIFHnonk-bWh6umf7zthWHtg

Married Men Would Rather Play Games of Another Sort

Resident Racism

Resident Evil 5 has come under a lot of criticism lately, particularly on the racist front, with people claiming that mowing down black zombies leaves them shuddering with guilt. Now gamers are not just murderers in training, but racists as well, according to the media.

In fact, Resident Evil 5 has come under fire since it was first previewed at E3 in 2007.

Capcom should have thought this one through first. 

You saw what they did with Far Cry 2, right? They had black enemies, as well as white and people from different ethnic backgrounds. Did you hear anyone complain about Far Cry 2? No. There might have been some, but they were likely in the minority since I didn’t hear anything about it. Nobody complained of racism as far as the other games in the Resident Evil series are concerned either. Those games took place in America and Europe where there is a mixed bunch of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

The story of Umbrella and the T-virus spreading meant that sooner or later it would reach Africa, and indeed, Resident Evil 5 is set in a fictional country in Africa that happens to contain a lot of black people. Big surprise there; people of ethnic origin make up most of the population in Africa and so Capcom had to be demographically correct. They certainly couldn’t have all white, or pink or purple people running around.

Well, the game is out there, and you have people in different camps. There are those who claim it’s racist, there are those who claim it isn’t, and there are those who claim it isn’t, but still get an uneasy feeling when they play it, and sort of sit on the fence and hum and ha, before going in for another session to 'investigate'.

Well, Capcom didn’t intend to make a racist game, I’m sure. They meant to continue the story of Resident Evil and its spread throughout the world, and the player having to contend with the real enemy behind it all- the Umbrella Corporation.

The only way to go now is to make the virus spread to Asia, and infect Japanese people, and have Japanese zombie ninjas and killer Koi. It would make sense since Capcom is Japanese. 

Remember folks, it’s just a game.

Just do us a favour and don’t venture into the Middle East. That is pushing it a bit, and we don’t want them getting upset…

Resident Racism

President's Day (U.S.A)

On This Day: Nox 

According to IGN.com, the game RPG, Nox, was released on this day back in 2000.

President's Day (U.S.A)

On This Day- Unreal II: The Awakening

Six years ago, Unreal II: The Awakening was released. Although the name suggests that it is the sequel to Unreal, the game itself offers little in the way of continuation of the original. The only real remnant from the first game is the Skaarj, those funny lizard-like creatures with blades coming out of their hands, a total rip-off of Wolverine.

Despite this, it is a great game to play, and I must have played and clocked it a few times. Aida, the intelligence officer, was certainly a motivator in this regard.

On This Day- Unreal II: The Awakening