Sorry for the delay with this one, it’s been a heck of a couple of months.

Still, we’re getting things back on track now :). RnS update 5 comes with some notable fixes and improvements as suggested by the community, along with a few extra bonuses for good luck. I’m guessing the rebalancing of some of the more unfair aspects is going to lead to some truly terrifying new high scores, so get out there and get strafin’.

I didn’t have time to implement everything I’d have liked this time around (caves were a big one I couldn’t quite fit in, along with two other terrain types), but I figured you folks would like the current fixes anyway to tide you over. As always, more content will be coming in the future.

Update 5

– Added new powerup: shield. Protects you for a single hit.
– Added new weapon: cluster bombs. Because there weren’t quite enough explosions already.
– Added new terrain: beach
– Crates now spawn higher in cities, should be easier to get. Not too easy, but not impossible like before.
– Minor tweaks to spawning systems, most noticeable is that terrain changes match a lot better now.
– Lots of graphics/effects tweaks, boosts and fixes. Livelier explosions, clearer pickups, splashier water and so on.
– Final score now appears prominently on the results screen, as it should do.
– Removed all traces of ad code from all versions. In-game ads are now gone for good!
– More to come!

 

As always, RnS is available at the Google Play Store, itch.io, Game Jolt and the OUYA Discover store, all of which should be seeing the update soon. Those of you out there on other platforms, keep a look out for further ports in the very near future (minor update: RnS is now also available from the Amazon App Store).

Best Pixel Games

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• Draw Poker
• Vegas Stakes
• Lynx Casino
• Hard Rock Casino

Time for a major update, featuring cross-platform online score tables, a second plane and a new micro-mission system. RNS now includes all the additions from updates 3 & 4 listed below:

Update 4

– Added cross-platform online highscores and a local score table.

Tweaks:

– Fixed glitch where you couldn’t read the VTOL’s description without starting the game.
– Lowered blast radius of AA guns a little.
– AA gun spawning rates now a little less crazy.
– Minor graphics tweaks.

 

Update 3 – BETA 1

– Added a second plane, the VTOL.
– Added local highscore saving.
– Added dynamic missions where you destroy targets for bonus scores.
– Added a final ranking at the end of a run.

Tweaks:

– Added debris for turrets. .
– Zones are now longer and repeat less. Enemy spawning and zone selection alters depending on your mission.
– Increased rate of fuel drops.
– Adjusted building physics.

RNS is now available at the Google Play Store, itch.io, Game Jolt and the OUYA Discover store, all of which should be seeing the update soon. Ouya fans waiting for it to pass cert can skip the queue and sideload it from here instead.

New release time, with an arcade-action infinite flyer, heavily influenced by the old Amstrad classic-in-the-memory Harrier Attack. As I still haven’t learned to leave the deep, dark world of tenuous puns behind me, this one’s called Rubble N Strafe.

I’m experimenting with different payment models this time, with both a pay-what-you-want model for the PC Version (yes, this also includes free) and a free, ad-supported version for Android. Not sure what I’ll do for OUYA yet, but that should be along in a couple of days too.

 

Download Android Verison (10.1MB Play Store Link)

Download PC Version (4.6MB ZIP)

Edit: Update with V1.2 with some control quickfixes, release notes at the bottom of the post.

Download Snowbrawl directly to your OUYA: Download Now!

Well, it’s that time of year again, hope you’ve got the requisite halls thoroughly decked by now

Here’s a little seasonal something for ya, a playable mini-game inspired by the 8-bit classic “Hunchback”, starring Hellbounders’ Harmony Winters, free for Windows, OUYA and HTML5. It looks like the OUYA one isn’t going to pass certification in time for Xmas, but you can sideload the file here without any trouble (just download it through the system’s browser in the “make” menu, then “manage > storage > downloads”).

Controls are A,D & Space, or left, right and any button if you’re playing on the microconsole. Hope you enjoy it.

Snowbrawl in HELL

Download OUYA .apk (6MB)
Download Windows .ZIP
Play in Web Browser (HTML5/WebGL Required)

 

V1.2 Update notes

• Additional control options. Now you can use Cursor keys or WAD to move and jump, or optionally Space or Z to jump as well.

V1.1 Update notes

• Player movement tweaked to be a little faster.
• Fixed bug that was causing fireballs to occasionally fail to fire, also speeded ’em up a bit.
• Fireballs now fire from cannons with visible “warning” lights & audible cycling.
• Further minor optimisation and tweaks.

Happy Holidays everyone, hope you have a good one.

Took a couple of days out to fix up an enhanced version of gemHEX for my shiny new OUYA. As of this writing it has just past certification/approval and has just gone live on the OUYA store, for the grand total of zero dollars. I’m releasing it free both to celebrate my first published game on the platform and as a little something for the spooky season.

Changes in this version:

• Revised and enhanced interface graphics with appropriate OUYA facing
• Further performance and stability tweaks
• Fully implemented gamepad support (the current build retains mouse support so you can use the pad, mouse or trackpad as you prefer)
• A silly little pushy-finger hand icon to steer around
• Minor tweaks to the tutorial

As of now, the OUYA version is the one to get, but I’ll bring the updates over to the other platforms once I get a little extra free time. Also note that although the OUYA version doesn’t yet have the level editor, it’ll certainly support level sets created with the current PC version of the editor in future versions, if you want to get a headstart.

You can get the official blurb over at the game’s official OUYA page, or boot up your console and grab it (100% free with no added BS) right now. Have fun

Here we go, the all-singing, all-blastin’ update number 2.

Play it in your Web Browser (Google Chrome and a reasonably decent computer preferred)
Download 3MB .ZIP for Windows (for slower computers and offline play)

I didn’t get to cover quite all the fixes and updates I’d planned due to being sick as a dog over the weekend, but there should still be some fun stuff to get to grips with. It’s essentially the same game with the same content as the LD entry, just given a major overhaul in every department. Here’s the stuff that actually made it in:

• Updated graphics, lots left to do but you get the idea.
• Hugely revamped PC AI, should now pose more of a challenge and be more fun to play against.
• Rebalanced Normal difficulty for more challenge, added easier and harder modes too. Hard more (AKA “Let ‘Em Eat Lead”) will probably kick your butt : p
• Bullets can now be shot out of the air! (not easily though)
• The seemingly “random” weapon scatter has been redone. While the calculations are similar, the deviation of shots are now shown in the character’s arm movements and smoothed a little, so you’ll shoot exactly where you’re pointing.
• You’re now at extremely high risk of a Misfire if you attempt a shot with a red crosshair (not in easy mode).
• Added a few bits & pieces of a possible soundtrack.
• Added some new sound effects. It’s all a bit of a mishmash for now and subject to change, but it’s getting there.
• Added the beginning of the point system, but not the proper scoring yet.
• Added options to set fullscreen, scanlines, sound etc.

Think of this one as the baseline to build from, now the foundations are in fairly solid shape I’ll be expanding things from there. Hopefully we should have progress on the Team Career and Local Multiplayer modes pretty soon. I’ve got another couple of ideas I quite like now I think of it, but one thing at a time, yeah?

 

Following its surprisingly warm reception at Ludum Dare (thanks so much to everyone for such amazing feedback), I’m currently doing some further development work on the Duellists. Currently the most major change is the graphics, as I’ve decided to see what happened if I ramped up the pixel definition by 2 and removed the 16 colour limit. You can see a split-screen comparison with a current test version below:

I’m quite happy with how it’s turning out so far. I should have most of the graphics converted over by tonight, then it’s back to work on the gameplay. It’s looking like Sunday for the release of Alpha 2, here’s a few highlights of what to expect:

• Rebalanced difficulty of normal mode, added a very lethal hard mode and a super-easy mode for casual play or for players with limited motor function.
• Completely redrawn higher-definition pixel art.
• Better visual cues for players without sound.
• New animations for flinching/hit, cocking and firing weapons for all characters.
• Rounds are now limited to 3 exchanges of fire before “Stalemate” is declared.
• New health/injury system, tied into difficulty levels.
• New scoring system, tied into Guineas, the game’s currency.
• Graveyard fixed in the HTML5 version (fingers crossed).
• Some new sound effects and soundtrack work.
• Hopefully some other cool stuff.

In case you’re wondering about the currency, it’s just video game play money. I don’t sell virtual currency and I don’t believe in IAP bullshit either. A scoring system based on betting Guineas just seemed to fit with the theme.

Regarding multiplayer, local multi will be coming soon, not this update but maybe the next. Online is going to be much more of a pain but I know there’s quite a few people who’d like to see it so I’ll see what I can do. There’s also going to be an android port (probably for alpha 3) once I get a control system sorted out.

If you have any comments or feedback, as always I’d love to hear it. I want to try and make this as good a game as I can, and every little helps.

 

Another month, another Game Jam. August marks my first ever attempt at the Ludum Dare 48-hour design competition, and in a nice change from last month’s events, I actually met my deadline this time.

So here’s a new mini-game for you all, a tale of two shady Generals and their ten trusty Seconds, otherwise known as The Duellists.

More info and a proper game page to come soon, but for the time being you can grab it from GameJolt in both downloadable and web versions. Hope you like it : )