These are articles I wrote for Digital Artist Management's newsletter. Some of them are good, some could be better. I'll update this as new ones are done.

Indie Developer-focused pieces
An interview with Introversion: Indie devs who made it
An interview with Chris Bateman; designer, award winning writer, design theorist / philosopher and generally good bloke
GDC and the steady rise of Indie gaming
More support for the Garage Developer
Trying to go Homebrew Part 1
Trying to go Homebrew Part 2
A much earlier piece on Indie gaming and homebrew devs. Can you see a pattern yet?

Hollywood and Games
In prep of the Hollywood and Games Summit
Hollywood and Games or Art VS Money?

Other stuff
E3 2006 Pre-show
E3 2006 Post-show
I-Phone: Saviour of Mobile Gaming and the Indie Developer?

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 2:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Buy it damn you!

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Nintendo gives a sex-ed class through their questionable 'Captain N' TV show.

There are no words.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is the kind of thing that the Japanese excel at - mad experimental cool shit. This is coming for PSN (PS3) and PSP. In short, you navigate MC Esher style environments and solve puzzles by changing the perspective.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Brought to you by Harmonix, the ninjas behind the mighty Guitar Hero. This will be the central piece of every party where alcohol is served for the next ten years. You can download FULL ALBUMS and there will be a new album released EVERY FUCKING WEEK.

This game is so full of win I could cry.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 11:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Russian NES pirates. Pretty exhaustive work from the looks of it. Even a version of Super Mario World. Haven't had a chance to play it, but I assume anyone with a NES emulator can give these a tinker:

http://cah4e3.shedevr.org.ru/dumping_2005.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 2:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well shiver my fucking timbers. That. Is. Awesome.

That's if these guys who hacked the Halo 3 beta are speaking truth:

http://flamesoffeenix.wordpress.com/2007/05/...

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 3:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've not tried it, but it seems dirt simple. And weird. Because it involves TOWELS.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 2:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Let it be testament to his stupidity that I took time out of being painfully overworked to post this Youtube of possibly the most idiotic twat I'v seen in a while.

Go and touch a fanny. It'll change your life mate.

Meanwhile, here are some more idiots. I'm *stunned* people like this actually exist:

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 11:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Legendary Computer Game Musician has passed away aged 53. Richard had been ill for a short period of time with Lung Cancer...

The BAFTA-winning Joseph was one of the pioneers of sampling in games, with many Bitmap Brothers tunes featuring well-known artists of the era such as Betty Boo. But his own creations for Sensible were perhaps his best known work, such as the controversial "War Has Never Been So Much Fun" tune in Cannon Fodder and, of course, "Goal Scoring Superstar Hero" used in Sensible Soccer.

I only Met Richard the once, but that was enough, Richard you will be greatly missed.

Posted by Gilrod at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Those noble fellows at Rockstar have just started the GTAIV PR ball rolling by announcing that the first trailer for the next gen title will be unleashed on Thursday March 29th, only 28 days to go...

Posted by Gilrod at 1:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A shame they're rushing this one out. Though I'm intrigued to see if they use any I.K-based concepts. Right now it just looks like Tekken Dark Ressurection: Turbo Edition with the same old 2D play.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Observe.

And the official site, here:
http://www.wiijdj.com/home.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Good show. The New Oblivion expansion looks ace.
QUICKTIME LOW >>>
QUICKTIME HIGH >>>
WMV >>>
PSP >>>
I-POD >>>

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 6:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

WITH a version of Symphony of the Night built in. If I didn't have a PSP, I'd buy one for this. Also , don't get Rondo of Blood confused with the super-shitty Dracula X on Snes. What a stinker that was...
http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3156904

Here's the first footage and don't worry, you can unlock the original non-pseudo 2.5D 16 bit version. I hate the pre-rendered style as it makes the game seem stiffer, but the CD soundtrack music inclusion is most excellent.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 3:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Oh dear. Looks like a Phillips CD-i game.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 3:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Apparently so. Here's a good piece on a special kind of hardcore game - the super tough shmup.

http://www.destructoid.com/real-men-play-gr...

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 4:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Very bloody nice. I'm loving the stupidly huge human statues. Awesome.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Though I reckon a built-in projector unit would make this THA SHIT.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/19/the-wii-laptop/

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 6:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

According to Brousard, it's in-game...
http://www.shacknews.com/ja.zz?id=13727349

And the job posting:
http://jobs.gamasutra.com/jobseekerx/viewjo...

And in case it gets removed, the image:

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Awesome. This takes me back to days of long hair and drinking cider in Heatham House.

Since this is a hack, its limitation is that it only works for play alongs, which means if you knob up, the song carries on.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

And to usher in this new age, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night will hit in at 60something MB. They'll also be providing a new memory card. But where's our super-sized HD?

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156520

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 3:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

They're the first guys to try the concept of replacing AI characters with player controlled characters. I guess I was right about it. Man I'd love to do this sort of concept with a flight sim or Spike Out-style beat-em up.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I would disagree, but hey, everyone's got an opinion right?

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 5:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dead simple too and ships with a level builder I believe. Basically, it's a puzzle game where you raise your temperature and burn shit to find an exit.
http://www.manifestogames.com/playwithfire

http://onlyagame.typepad.com/o...with_fire_.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 11:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Aka an expansive lesson in how not to get raped by a contract in developer / publisher deals. MUST READ FOR ALL DEVS.

http://gamasutra.com/features/20070112/spark_01.shtml

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 8:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Looks like a tech demo or MOD.

More here:
http://forums.ghostbusters.net/ghostbusters_post9730-0-asc-0.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 9:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Kinda makes me want to do one myself.

http://freshpics.blogspot.com/200...e-mods.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 4:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before you is a selection of awesome gameplay kung fu... nay, NINJITSU.

Trauma Center (must see for fans of the game - the guy uses 4 styluses):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8wmuRO2yAQ

And how can we NOT have the classic Daigo SF3 fight from Evo '04:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7cW2nMf1gk

A 58x chain in Pokemon puzzle!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eykf6VpWjOA

Super Metroid 55 minute speedrun
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7976315904722792546&q=super+metroid

And this is just OFFENSIVE. From Dodonpachi Dai-ou-jou, one of those bullet-fan games:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_WWLXBI3Qw

And finally, this man is a cyborg. Ikaruga. This guy controls two ships being controlled at the same time, with video recording of the hands moving too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToBdzV7w5Pc

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 7:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I'm rather excited about this one. Riddick was utterly fucking superb.

http://www.xboxyde.com/news_3930_en.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 6:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Zelda: Twilight Princess. I personally find it quite boring (yes, I know I'm the only one on Earth who does. I'll live with it), but if you've already beaten it, here's some stuff you may find entertaining. These are glitches you can use to skip entire sections in the game. A shame you can't skip the super-dull wolf bits though.

"Kill" the postman:
http://www.wii.tv/2007/01/10/zelda-g...g-the-postman/

Get to the Temple 3 boss before solving the main temple puzzle:
http://www.wii.tv/2007/01/10/zelda-t...ence-breaking/

Skip half of Temple 4:
http://www.wii.tv/2007/01/10/zelda-g...ence-breaking/

The Great Bridge of Hylia...
http://www.wii.tv/2007/01/10/zelda-glitch-great-bridge-of-hylia/

Way more here and here.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I've been bitching for a while that GH2 is a tad US centric in terms of it's song selection, and in general was wondering where the likes of AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Muse, Metallica, Kings' X, Queensryche etc are, and what do I read this morning over at eurogamer.net? Well it appears that the 360 version is getting some exclusive extras, as is the usual with this type of thing, and that there will be extra songs available via Download.

Billion Dollar Babies (Alice Cooper); Dead! (My Chemical Romance); Hush (Deep Purple); Life Wasted (Pearl Jam); and Rock N Roll Hoochie Koo (Rick Derringer) are reportedly among the 10 additions to GH2's original selection, with downloadable content also expected to feature, and more details anticipated as soon as later today.

Other rumoured inclusions are Possum Kingdom (Toadies), Salvation (Rancid) and The Trooper (Iron Maiden).

What annoys me most is, the fill the PS2 version with US centric garbage that most of us Brits go "Who the?" about, then give the gimps the nice stuff... sigh...

Posted by Gilrod at 1:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

High score fever + the sensation of flying = joy and love. Here's a link to some scanned in story book:
http://www.nightsintodreams.com/NiD/violet/NiGHTSSB/1.htm

Here's the full soundtrack (a bit 'girlie', but fuck it):
http://www.ultrace.com/uost/nights/

And lest we forget my drunk conversation with Yuji Naka where he confirmed he was making a new NiGHTS game. Oh yes. BELIEVE my brothers!
http://www.noooz.com/archives/2006/05/exclusive_yuji_naka_confirms_n.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 6:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obscene in the sense of how the hell will you run this thing? With what? Will load times be utter hell? Oh the prices we accept for luxury gaming...

Oh. And just i case you thought I was ragging on it, I'm not. It looks like it could be pretty great. There's some shades of Deus Ex in there with the attribute management - only done within a far more action-focused design context.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 8:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Co-op gameplay. 13 ways to skin a cat-style game design. Video proof here:

http://www.xboxyde.com/stream_3460_en.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 5:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Maegawa interviewed about the company's entirely new 2D top down shooter for Xbox 360 (different from Ikaruga and Radiant Silvergun, but by the same director and team). Also, check this quote out for a truly admirable attitude I think any creative guy / team would want in their boss:

1UP: That's rather rare to hear in this industry. So, we have to ask, are you content with where Treasure is or do you have bigger aspirations for the future?
MM: Honestly, my vision and the company's vision is to have the team working on games that they enjoy and feel passionate about. That is our sole vision. It's not what I want to do, it's what the team wants to do. As long as we feel like we're making good games and we can stay in business, we're happy.

Full interview here:
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3156213

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 8:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

People from the North of England; funnier than everyone else. FACT.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 3:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

A fan project, but an excellent one. Full sprite redraws, background redraws, musical enhancements, extra play modes, colour editors and a kitchen sink. Download before the makers get sued!

http://www.bombergames.net/

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This has the potential to be awesome, but it looks like poo.

http://www.hokutonoken-online.jp/index.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 7:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The steak they use for cooking doesn't look very good quality. This is sad.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 6:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Seriously. We need more. Like one more on Nintendo DS. And if it follows on from the worst installment in the series, that would be absolutely... oh.

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ffcc/movie/

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rather awesome indeed.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 4:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you're into the future of homebrew / garage gaming, you should see this.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21899

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 7:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Zangief, as a janitor, gets the sack. Thanks Bishop Muir of the Andrewopolian Ministry for the excellent link:
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1711287/

And here's part 2:
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1727058/

And now part 3:
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1732680/

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 6:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hard to judge from a trailer that looks pretty generic, but it seems to have the pseudo real time combat that FF12 on PS2 has. The official title is Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings.

http://www.square-enix.co.jp/ff12rw/

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 5:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For those flimsy Wii straps. Which they're already replacing for free and have replaced on newer consoles. But I guess that doesn't console the guys who've already flung their Wiimotes at their posh TVs. Ah well.

http://www.toptechnews.com/story.xhtml?story_id=11100CLILUI0

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 4:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fookin ace.

http://www.insertcredit.com/archives/001306.html

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

And the Brutes are looked at in more detail. They look very much close range / melee based, so it should be interesting to see their chemistry alongside the rest of the enemies.

Posted by Emperor Boutros of Daniel at 12:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)