Who would think someone could bring a new way to playing something as classic as Tetris? Well the fine people at NextGen Pants Studio have found a way to fuse the classic puzzle game with some “Metroidvania” style play in its game Tetropolis. .
Set in the titular city Tetropolis players take on the role of an outcast citizen who can shape himself into one of the many Tetris shapes we all love and hate. Changing into the different shapes offers unique abilities and allows you to move through the game world. This will open up new areas to explore. How you may ask? Well, in the small ode to Tetris you can shift a rotate rooms to solve the puzzles in each, opening new areas for you explore.
While the puzzles are a big part of the gameplay, you will still be dealing with enemies at the same time for an added challenge. To survive these additional challenges players will be able to purchase upgrades and new powers in Metroid and Castlevania fashion.
Tetropolis will be available to play at PAX East 2014 and, hopefully, I’ll find sometime to get a hands on feel for the game while I’m there to see how the game really plays out.
‘The Fine Young Capitalists’ begins their first online project allowing any women to have their chance at creating a video game
In 2011 the Video Game Industry took in over $16 Billion dollars but despite women representing 45% percent of the game playing audience they directed less than 2% of the Games. In combination with the production company Autobotika, The Fine Young Capitalists is running their first production initiative, allowing any women to have a crack at creating a video game.
Any person who identifies as a woman can prepare a proposal of up to 1,500 words in length explaining their concept for a video game. Each pitch will be judged on originality, financial viability, level of immersion, fun, aesthetic and feasibility with the require budget. The top 5 proposal will be given to professional concept artists and writers to create a fully realized pitch document that they can use to sell the concept to 3rd parties.
These pitches will be placed online and voted on by anyone interested in supporting women in video game design, with the pitch that receives the most votes being made into a real game and digitally distributed for the entire world.
A large portion (74%) of profits from the sale of game will be given to charity. 8% will go to the chosen creator of the game.
A Paperback writer can be expected to receive around 10% of the list price for a book. Which is between 90,000-140,000 words.A Screenwriter for a movie will typically receive 5-8% of the net profits for a movie. The final draft is usually around 16,200 words.The current WGC guidelines for digital properties specify between 5-7% of gross revenue of the product be paid to the writer and that would include a complete screenplay for the digital property.In this case the person is only writing a short outline for the game and not a complete story or about 1,500 words.We feel that 8% would not be considered out of the ordinary for a first time video game writer. Especially if regardless of the outcome of the internet voting they get to keep the art that is created.By word count you are making 47 times more then a paperback writer and 17.5 times more then a screenwriter.
Anyone wishing to support the project or submit their work can go to www.thefineyoungcapitalists.com for more information on how to support this project, to watch videos explaining gender theory as it relates to video games, to learn about video game production and to learn about the people involved with TFYC.
Source: TFYC Press Release
What do you think of The Fine Young Capitalists plan? Female NFG readers, do you have a story to pitch? Let us know in the comments below.
The eve of destruction is upon us. Except it won’t be in a blaze of hell fire or a rogue comet hurtling toward the Earth. The true harbinger of chaos will be a goat.
Coffee Stain studios are responsible for the marriage between goats and the terrorising of humble humans. The brains behind the tower defence/FPS hybrid games Sanctum and Sanctum 2. Now they are bringing what is being touted as the “dumbest and best video game this year.”
The Goats will inherit the Earth.
Harking back to the days of the Tony Hawk skating series, Goat Simulator sees players taking control of a manic goat. The object of the game, as you may have guessed, is to cause as much havoc as you possibly can with your four legs and two horns.
Goat Simulator puts the world in the palm of your hand.
In anticipation of its imminent release, Coffee Stain studios have released a new trailer showcasing the mayhem. The core of the video seems to be your goat flying through the air after utilising various ways of making people also fly through the air. The accompanying screenshots give us some indication as to Goat Simulator‘s points system. Doing all sorts of flips and tricks in the air will net you points.
The fun doesn’t stop with just carnage, however. Coffee Stain are set to collaborate with both Steam Workshop and the Goat Simulator wiki to allow players to create their own levels, goats, missions, and game modes. The partnership with Gamepedia will facilitate a competition with one lucky community winner’s level design being showcased at E3.
Goat Simulator is expecting to hit the Steam shelves on April 1st. But good news for pre-purchasers. A special early access will let anyone who has already purchased the game to start playing on Friday March 28.
Check out the new release trailer and see some crazy goat mayhem here.
Lets Take a Look at Burnout in Video Games. Not to be Confused with Burnout the Video Game.
Burnout is a term that I have come across in various discussions surrounding video games. Most specifically, Penny Arcade’s Extra Credits addressed the problem in their episode dealing with fan mail asking how to go about becoming a reviewer. It is a contentious topic with some viewing it as a problem and others as a sign of growing out of one hobby and into another.
It might seem like a dubious subject for someone in my position to write on. I was excited to see the new titles for next-gen consoles start pouring out but when it came time to pick one up and play, found myself unable to shake the lethargy. It was quite an unusual feeling of distress.
What is burnout?
No. Not this one.
Burnout is a very common and potentially serious psychological affliction. In general terms it is characterised by diminished interest in an activity – usually work. This is often also accompanied by a feeling of apathy toward said activity. Obviously professional burnout is more serious than that related to video gaming but reading has shown me that it is a common feeling amongst gamers.
The point that fuels most of the arguments I came across is whether or not video game burnout represents an actual problem. Naturally professional burnout can be an issue but if you do not feel like taking part in a (unproductive) hobby, is that so bad? In the same sense that we grow out of kids’ TV shows, stop watching them, and start watching more grown up programs.
While it may be true that feeling indifferent towards your once-favourite games can be a sign of your tastes changing, feeling burnt out can be a frustrating experience for gamers who still enjoy playing on the whole.
How does it feel?
Like opening the fridge looking for food.
My experience with burnout coincided with a rapid increase in the amount of obligations in other areas of my life. As a gamer, playing games is what I do. Truthfully, I want to play the new Thief, Dark Souls 2 or finish finding all the collectibles in Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze. Commitments for university and work mean that gaming is something akin to an obligation, not a luxury – an obligation I simply do not have time for.
There is a lack of enthusiasm to begin single-player games. A significant time investment is required. Not to mention the initial burst of momentum needed to get through the tutorial level where you waste an hour having your hand-held by incessant tip boxes. Burnt out gamers can feel daunted by the blank save files and impending 40 hour trip. Imagine facing a blank page with a bout of writer’s block.
The quicker games that can be started and stopped after a short while feel almost trivial. Starting a round in a fighting game or a couple of levels in a platformer seem to pale in comparison to other tasks that demand one’s attention. It dwindles down until the time is just wasted. There have been reported ties between this sort of procrastination and perfectionism; delaying activities in order not to see them completed to a less than perfect standard. The proliferation of eSports works to this end. Taking part in a fighting game is an exercise to reach the highest (or at least a very high) level of performance.
How to cure it?
Like I said earlier, the experiences each person will have with burnout will be different. Similarly, no one cure will work for everyone. Below are a few of the tips I found to be helpful and came upon in reading.
Dig out an old favourite game.
Looking through your game collection and finding a classic game that really resonates with you. The nostalgic charm and existing connection with the game should enable you to get through the initial barrier that prevents the starting of some other single-player adventure. For me, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, and Toy Commander all fit the bill.
Take care of other commitments first.
This ties in nicely with opinions that video game burnout is a blessing not a curse. Using the time that you would once have spent playing games to instead do something productive. Maybe it’s washing your car, cleaning the kitchen, or completing homework for school/university. Once other tasks have started diminishing in numbers, you may find blocks removed or greater energy for games. Even taking the time to do some exercises can really bolster your mood if feelings of burnout go beyond just gaming.
Invite some friends over for a split-screen party.
Just don’t let anyone pick Oddjob
Get some good friends round to yours for an old-fashioned split-screen game night. Whether it’s a classic like Mario Kart or Goldeneye 64 or a newer title like console Minecraft or Diablo 3, the effects should be obvious and immediate. The energy levels may well let you get back into the gaming world.
Have you ever experienced video game burnout? Is it a problem? Do you have any other methods to get through it? Share your story in the comments below.
It was early in the morning, I sat down, and started watching a particular video on YouTube, a speedrun of Hideo Kojima’sMetal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. while eating and. Whilst attempting to combine entertainment and nourishment I got reminded again that modern video games these days just don’t have much ‘meat’ to them.
What I mean is, they aren’t as lengthy any more. Video games are getting shorter these days.
Are video games getting shorter? Or are we…’eating’ them up to fast, get it, hehe, eh….no, ok…
As I finished eating, the video was nearing to a close and that meant so did the gentleman speed running the game. If you’re paying $60 to $100 AU, you really want a bang for your buck. Sure games can look great, due to the new technology and next gen engines. This shouldn’t be coming at the cost of length. Co-op, features, graphics and multiplayer does immerse the player more, but it doesn’t make the game,
This not being the case for today’s Video game titles, with all the New genres/game archetypes, and some being purely multiplayer based which needs no story, but that falls on whether or not games even need narrative but that’s a whole different post you can read here.
I understand the companies needs and budget as well, when going through the process of making a game. Development costs and whatnot. having a idea for a game is just the start…
But remembering the days as a kid, where Internet was not available to me and every game I got, I played the plot over and over again, and the plot has always been the core of games, the overall experience of the story……
The main campaign of a video game usually last around the 5 Hours mark these days,Basically a afternoon of gaming. I’m looking at you First Person Shooters! Although Shooters nowadays have shifted towards the online and multiplayer aspect of things.
Let’s take the newly released Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes now. You might or might not have heard that Euro-Gamer, put up a Video on YouTube, beating the game in 10 minutes! Yes, that’s a $50 AU game right there, which is pricey for a non AAA title. Though there are side missions, various tasks, collectables such as XOF Patches and a Leader Board.
But even if there are side missions to do, when I finish a main plot line in a game, I think to myself; “well that’s that”, I just feel everything else is like I’m there to pick up after the NPC’s, I feel that the main problem is gone, the princess is saved, I don’t care if I you want me to collect 10 of these, to make 5 of these so this can have that, its tedious and I’ve done my job, that’s when I put my controller down, that’s when I never touch the game again…or at least for an extended period of time.
Do I want longer games, yes and…no, If the quality the game is exceptional then, yea, but what I think is AAA games should be a ‘bit’ cheaper for the standard’s of today, even for today’s digital distributed game prices are a ‘bit’ too much in my opinion, because we still need to download the game, and for some people, internet isn’t cheap, or maybe some people live in black-spots and the only way to get reception is to do pilates (me…).
Working on my buns
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Releases in Australia 27/3/2014 for Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 and PS4
And serves as a Prologue to the upcoming Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain…
Originally scheduled for release next week, the Xbox 360 version of Respawn Entertainment’s mech shooter has been pushed back to April 8 (April 11 in Australia/Europe).
The reasoning for this delay is explained in a post on Titanfall.com from EA Studios executive vice president Patrick Söderlund, who says the game is great, but there are a few improvements to be made.
Now, I want to update everyone on Titanfall for Xbox 360 in development with Bluepoint Games. I’ve been playing the game a lot, and it is fantastic. But we see a few things that can be made even better, so we’re giving Bluepoint a little more time to do just that and deliver an epic Titanfall experience for Xbox 360 players. Titanfall for Xbox 360 will now be releasing on April 8 in North America, and beginning on April 11 in Europe. The game will feature the same 6v6 gameplay, maps, modes, weapons and Burn Cards as the Xbox One and PC versions of the game.
It’s uncertain at this stage what these improvements will be for a older generation of console. With the changes only taking two weeks to fix it’s possible they aren’t that big of an issue.
Little is known what the Titanfall Xbox 360 version will look like. There are grumblings from gamers that the delayed Xbox 360 release is an attempt to drum up more Xbox One sales.
Xbox 360 gamers will have the opportunity to crack into Titalfall next month, provided Xbox Live servers hold out for them. In the mean time you can take a look at some of the Titanfall Maps and Screenshots.
Shadowrun Online will see itself into the Steam Early Access by the end of the month. Initially aiming for a 2013 release Cliffhanger Productions has seen some setbacks due to coding restrictions and funding.
The game’s Kickstarter campaign ended in the summer of 2012 breaking their $500,000 target. Backers have been patiently waiting for their promised access. On March 31, players and backers will be able to get their hands on the game via Steam’s Early Access program.
Like most Steam Early Access however, the Shadowrun Online that will soon be playable won’t be close to the game’s final version. This initial release is described as a prequel to the game’s main campaign, and while including much of the core gameplay, will not include Shadowrun features like hacking, character progression, or items.
Updates containing more features, and more missions, will be periodically loaded into the game every 4-6 weeks.
In the video update, Cliffhanger Productions managing director Jan Wagner explains how they want the community’s help in making sure the core gameplay of Shadowrun Online is right before adding more features. He also goes into detail as to why Shadowrun Online missed its original promised release date of 2013, saying the game is a year late because an all new code base had to be made from scratch in order to achieve their vision.
As with most Early Access through Steam, it’s really a tool for developers to get the feedback from their dedicated fans on Alpha builds.
There will be plenty of interesting games to see at PAX East 2014 both big and small. I prefer knowing about the smaller ones and Chroma Squad is looking interesting as hell.
From Behold Studios, the creators of Knights of Pen and Paper, Chroma Squad is a simulation/strategy game based around an indie Sentai television show. Think the “Power Rangers” along with all of the flashing neon Japanese characters and giant mechas we’ve come to associate with these shows. Players will have the opportunity to run and manage the studio. You can buy equipment, hire actors, creating weapons and giant mechas out of simple studio materials.
Once all of the right items are in place you can bring these battle scenes to life in some interesting turn-based strategy action and turn those action sequences into your own episodes for the show.
Chroma Squad for PC has an expected Beta Build coming after PAX, but several more platforms will be getting the game sometime this year. But if you happen to be in Boston for PAX East you’ll be able to find it at the Indie Mega Booth if you still haven’t checked it out.
This will be the easiest mission you will ever have to complete in Borderlands 2. And all you have to do is right in the title of the quest.
Head to Thousand Cuts and head towards Broke Face Bridge and on a nearby ledge you will see psycho muttering to himself. I know they usually do, but he isn’t out to kill you. Talk to Face McShooty, who demands to be shot in the face. Enjoy his psychotic ramblings until you’re ready shoot him. Use any weapon you wish to shoot this guy in the face. Make sure it’s in the face; he won’t receive any damage on other parts of his body. He’ll thank you kindly for doing so.
I’m a sucker for game art. Either it be an artists own spin on a classic game or getting to see some production art prior to a game’s release. Thankfully, we’ll be seeing three books filled with the latter type of art from Bethesda games.
Partnering with Dark Horse Comics, Bethesda will be releasing three books for upcoming titles The Evil Within and Wolfenstein: The New Order, and the most recently published Dishonored. All three will bound in hardcover, so these books will be perfect for your coffee table. You know, if you like your coffee table books filled with dark imagery and violence.
The first to be released “The Art of Wolfenstein: The New Order” will be out May 14 in comic stores and in bookstores everywhere May 27. Readers will get 200 pages of development art, character design, settings and technology to look over of the latest game in the Wolfenstein series. If you can’t wait the two months there are several preview pages on Beethesda’s blog.
The other two books, “The Art of The Evil Within” and “Dishonored: The Dunwall Archives” will be released in August and November, respectively. I don’t know if I can wait the eight months for “Dishonored: The Dunwall Archives”, but it will be worth it to see the early artwork.
For more video game Comic series, check out Ninja Gaiden Z comic series. What are you going to listen to whilst reading these comics? Bethesda soundtracks are also available for Morrowind, Skyrim and Fallout New Vegas.
