2012 / New Year's Resolutions

Looking back 2012 was a great year for me. I've gotten better at making games and landed a great internship. I'm hoping 2013 will be even better for me and I'm hoping to make even more games.

Games (Complete) made this year:
1.Firefighters
2.Bit by Bit
3. Get Dat Swag
4. Konkey Dong
5. The Youthening

My Resolutions for next year are:
1. Make at least 6 games
2. Do more game jams
3. Exercise more
4. Finish Disorder
5. Land a job / move to a new city
6. Get better at pixel art / music
7. Learn to cook a variety of food
8. Learn a new game engine - probably Game Maker

Ludum Dare 25

I don't think I mentioned that I participated in Ludum Dare 25. The theme was "You Are The Villain". My first couple of ideas were way too big in scope, so I decided I'd take a different look on a pre-existing game. I ended up with Konkey Dong! It's basically the old school Donkey Kong arcade game, but you get to play as DK...I mean KD this time around.

The original version can be played here:
http://saampahlavan.com/konkeyDong.html


I decided to fix up some of the parts that were lacking in the original and add a 2 Player mode. You can play the latest version here:
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/608521

I felt like I was in a bit of a slump during the break, but Ludum Dare really changed that. The time pressure really motivated me to get something done quick and not worry about the code structure or other little details. I'm really happy that I participated and can't wait for Global Game Jam!

My Top 5 Games of 2012

I just thought I'd share what my top 5 games of 2012.

Journey - (PSN)
I'd been waiting for Journey for awhile after playing thatgamecompany's flower. I've gotta say it's a unique experience. The multiplayer experience is unlike anything you've ever played. Journey is really a master piece of game design, art, and music. There's really something magical about this game...

The Walking Dead - (PC, iOS, PS3, 360)
If you're apprehensive about picking this up because you don't enjoy the TV show then slap yourself and buy this game! It's an adventure game unlike any other one I've played. You'll have to make some really hard decisions and endure some pretty tragic events. The game has 5 episodes and each one tops the next.

Alan Wake - (PC, 360)
Ok, so this one came out in 2010, but the PC version came out this year. I've been a big fan of Remedy Entertainment since Max Payne. Alan Wake can be described as if Stephen King made a video game, but also put himself in it. It's a different take on survival horror / third person shooter. After playing Silent Hill 2 and a little bit of 3 I was bored with the structure of those games. Alan Wake gives you a pretty linear game, but it means that you're getting all the meaty parts. Also the lighting in this game is incredible.

FarCry 3 - (PC,360,PS3)
I really enjoyed the original FarCry when it came out for it's great setting and open gameplay. FarCry 3 gives you a playground filled with animals and treacherous pirates. Also the story isn't bad. There's an interesting cast of characters and some great acting. I'm sure I'll sink at least 100 to 200 hours into this one. No offense to Dishonored, but FarCry 3 delivered on all the things I think Dishonored missed out on.

Spelunky - XBLA
This game will destroy you....but in a good way. Spelunky is a game that takes patience and true skill to beat. I can't remember how many times I've died in this game, but what made me want to keep playing it its rogue-like formula. You rarely feel like oh I've been here before...in each level. There's a small glimer of hope that maybe this time the random dungeon will build to your will. I've only beaten Spelunky once, but I've gotta tell you that my hands were still shaking after the final boss. I don't think a video game has done that to me since I was 12.

Other Random Awards:

Hotline Miami - PC - Weirdest/Craziest Game
Hotline Miami is sort of like taking a bit of the 80's, the move Drive, and a funky soundtrack and putting it into a blender while trying to eat that with the blender is still on....enjoy

The Binding of Isaac - PC - Game I Should've played a year ago
Rogue-like Zelda dungeons where you fight deformed beasts with your tears...need I say more. I think I didn't pick this up when it came about because of the difficulty, but it has a similar rewarding feeling like Spelunky. Also after the first time you beat it there's more content and it's not recycled garbage content.

Torchlight II - PC - Game I liked way more than Diablo 3
I really couldn't get into Diablo 3. There wasn't enough character customization / choices being made when you level up. Torchlight II delivers with stat distribution and a ton of abilities like turning into a giant purple wolf that makes everything bleed. Oh and there are pets....yes..it's awesome.

FEZ - 360 - Purdiest Game
This game is freaking beautiful. Not just visually, but the game really sets a beautiful mood. Green grass, blue skies, and fresh air.

Monaco - PC,PS3,360 - Most Anticipated Indie Game of 2013
I've had my eye on Monaco ever since it won the Grand Prize in the IGF back in 2010. I've had a chance to play a little bit of the beta and I can't wait to go on some heists with my buddies online and locally.

Super Hexagon - iOS, PC - Best Mobile Game
Another super hard game. It's pretty crazy how your brain starts to recognize the patterns that the game throws out at you. It's like you gain some other super power that lets you focus on rotating shapes.

The Last of Us - Most Anticipated AAA Game of 2013
I'm not sure what Naughty Dog has up their sleeves with this one, but I'm eager to find out.

Winter Breakin'

Hey everybody,

I'm two weeks into winter break and things are alright. We're working on Disorder and hoping to have level 1 and 2 completely done before the quarter starts.

I'm trying to set some solid goals for myself for the break. So here they are:

1. Work on Disorder
2. Make another flixel game (hopefully finish it, but no promises)
3. Learn / Practice Game Maker
4. Look / Apply for jobs as a game designer

Here's some random stuff I've been doing over the past 2 weeks. Enjoy.

Disorder Update#8 - Fall Quarter Aftermath

Our Gold presentation for Disorder went pretty well. We're taking a couple of days off, but we'll hopefully be working on the game over break. I'll be sure to put up a copy of the game for testing purposes.

The rest of my classes went pretty well. It's really weird that my last quarter is coming up. I'm hoping to do a couple of things over the break including:

-Practice / Learn Game Maker
-Work on some prototypes
-Pixel Art practice
-Work on Disorder
-Play some games!

I'll try to update weekly.

Disorder Update#7

Things are coming along. At this point it's about play testing / refining level 1 and adding more art / sound. We've started to really set dress the level so it doesn't look so block and I'm excited to see how gold turns out. Here are some screen shots of the latest build.

The quarter is ending really soon.....

Disorder Update#6

Beta went well. Gold is due in two weeks. Level one should be completely done for Gold and at least the layout for Level 2 will be done too. Here's a shot of one of the set pieces in the first level.