Feel that buzz!

Well I just released a demo of my new game (Easter Bonus) to the publisher so he can whip up a frenzy with the portals! wooo :-)

Please note these screnshots are only jpgs so loose something in the translation, plus you really have to see the game moving and hear the music/sounds etc. Mind you I think they are still pretty cool (/blows own trumpet).











This one is hopefully better than Xmas Bonus because I reinvested my earnings into hiring an artist who has been brilliant all the way and given the game a totally great look. Plus I've fixed things and enhanced things too.

Now I've got around 1 week to get a final beta together which I'll release in the Showcase forum. I'll be looking for some good feedback from you all :-). This means that the portals with have around 6 weeks to wrap it and get it ready before Sun April 16th (Easter Day). But I really want them to put it up around 2 weeks in advance for maximum relevant coverage, too early and it'll disappear from the new games list into gaming oblivion. To late and well ... it's just too late. The other difficulty I found last time was getting the portals to accept an updated version, but this may have had something to do with christmas holidays.

I mentioned in a thread that got erased duing the server changeover period that I've got permission from my other half to work on this game full-time which is a real breakthrough for me. I've put all my usual contract work on hold and it's such a relief, I actually enjoy my job now :-) It's still hard work though, finishing a game. If this game does well I hope to work full-time (or nearly) on my next few games too. Live the dream and all that. I read on this other forum a guy said (paraphrased) "My wife lets me programme WHENEVER I WANT now, she even lets me take the laptop to family functions ... that is arriving!". lol, cool.

Anyway all, please wish me luck. I'm feeling the buzz now.

I'll ask the artist and publisher if I can post a screenie yet. Plus we can see if the artist wants to reveal himself? (They don't have to ;-) )

Plus a big thanks to Cygnus. Your last track has made it off to the publisher. Also to One Eyed Jack for the new logo, and to everyone else for your support so far.

Yeah, good luck with this Grey - I just wonder how sensible it is to release games with a finite sales window. Are you still getting sales from Xmas Bonus?

Just write a killer generic version of your game and get sales all year long. :)

Good luck.

@Grey, Post the screenie - as per my recent email to you this is leaps and bounds better than the previous version. Well done!

@big10p, I'm sure Grey will echo this.... I kinda railroaded Grey into Xmas Bonus, it was more of an experiment in seasonal themes, the final game will be a 24x7x365 (or is that 24x7x52) seller. Xmas Bonus is still selling BUT this one will outsell it hands down!

Great work Grey- Just glad i was of help, and I'm totally shocked my track went further than your inbox :)

yeah xms bonus did pretty cool and it was only on two portals. This game is better and will go on as many portals as poss therefore I could see a 10x increase in sales making it worthwhile. I have spent less than 100 hours modifying Xmas Bonus into this one so I don't have to make much money for it to be worthwhile. Plus theres more in the pipeline hehe. Also this is all experience.

Grey.. This *SMILES* polish!

cool! Well I've got a new version for you tomorrow with pastel backgrounds more in keeping with the colours on the main image. The version you have has the original backgrounds which are darker (more suited for an ahem autumn game ;-). Helen suggested making them more pastelly to keep with the rest of the game which is bright. I was dubious at first but it looks good now. The stars have changed too to be brighter and no black outline (perhaps). I'll be interested in your's and Penny's opinions :-)

That menu screen looks pretty neat, great look & feel to it. Very interested to see the in-game graphics as well.

Blimey GA, that looks nice!

The presentation graphics of Xmas Bonus let it down IMHO, although, I thought the actual in-play graphics were fine.

Anyway, it looks like that side of thing is going to be vastly improved in Easter Bonus.

Good luck with it. :o)

Thanks guys. I've asked the artist if he minds me posting an in-game shot today. It looks cool in-game but for the proper feel you have to hear the music/sound and see the game moving.

Oh and change that damn mouse pointer!!!

but it's love and cute and alphablended with a shadow. Seriously though, what should I make it like? Ideas?

Hey nice eXigo logo btw.

lol. I suggested that yonks ago, in an email to Grey. No go. He luuuuuurvs that pointer. :P

I'm prepared to change it given the correct one (it was actually the second one I made). Problem is I had to draw it by hand, it's 2 images, one is the pointer + shadow you see and the other is a carefully crafted "alphamap" that my code uses to blend the pointer with the background. Any other pointer won't have this and I'll have to make it.

posted some screenshots at the top. The hint button is going to change. I suppose this thread really belongs in showcase now...

Aaah yes. That's much nicer than the 'programmer art'-esque look of Xmas Bonus.

This one looks much more 'like a bought one'. Well done.

Grey,

Missed this yesterday - wow looking fabtastic (as usual) - you've been hard at it during your breaks between COD games then.

Nice one.

IPete2.

thanks guys, the pressure is on now to release it really soon, got a busy week ahead. no more CoD (except for may a quick game on Tuesday if IPete2 and Avon are up for it).

Hello.

Looking good. Now, get on with it.

Goodbye.

Roger Wilco SoggyP, been doing other stuff this weekend but will work hard on it next week. Expect to see a beta Monday 6th March (or there abouts).

So how did your no-wife drinking session go? (your thread was erased) Also where is you shooter on rails, I really wanna see it. The thread seems to have disappeared totally...