News! Tech! Tools! Talks! Games! And Stuff Worth Sharing!

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 03 Dec 2020, 23:32

Unreal Engine 4.26 is out now!

Feature Highlights


UPDATE: And free stuff of the month

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 04 Dec 2020, 02:40

PortaPlay has a free content update for Broken Lines - The Drunk and the Dead coming up.
With a clear zombie focus! More clearly a zombies with hats focus. Because zombies loves wearing hats!

Worked a little bit on this. Mostly environment tweaks, VFX and 3D stuff.




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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 04 Dec 2020, 16:08

FMOD is now free for smaller outfits


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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 07 Dec 2020, 13:29

This teaser 7 years ago! :cool:
We are getting closer now!!

Also I wish I had the actual time to play it for longer meaningful playsessions.... Only realistic option is during Christmas if I can get the kiddo dragged away from Roblox for few a seconds. :rolleyes Otherwise it's not looking good. :cry:




Update: Oh and the early metacritic scores are in! Looking pretty sweet there! :cool:
Usually early days are 'just a bit early'. And the less positive reviews might lurk around the corner. But It looks very promising regardless! Let's see what the player reception will look like in a few days.
One thing is sure.. it will sell ton of copies!
https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/cybe ... ic-reviews


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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 07 Dec 2020, 14:49

The "Broken Lines - The Dead and the Drunk" Playtest is OPEN!
https://steamcommunity.com/games/926580 ... 5257999029


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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 07 Dec 2020, 15:21

DADIU productions 2020

Gneiss: a misshapen journey
http://www.dadiu.dk/gneiss
A lonely rock sets out for acceptance, but is smashed to bits in the process. Only a squishy core of flesh remains. Stretch and freely transform your new body to overcome an imposing world. Experiment and find your own favorite shapes to guide Gneiss through this unique deformation platformer.
https://dadiu.itch.io/gneiss


Asgardromeda
http://www.dadiu.dk/asgardromeda
Help Freya escape from a wooden space station filled to the brim with the dumbest mead-drinking musclesheads space can offer. Set off the plethora of accidents this place has, in this comedic accident action simulator.
https://dadiu.itch.io/asgardromeda


Patcha: Habitat Protector
http://www.dadiu.dk/pacha-habitat-protector
After hibernating during the winter, Pacha wakes up and goes to search for food for her offspring. However, while Pacha was sleeping, humans have entered the forest and are now destroying it by harvesting trees for power. Pacha must now fight to protect her habitat and keep her cubs fed.
https://dadiu.itch.io/pacha


Kathairein within
http://www.dadiu.dk/kathairein-within
Play as Kathairein Sloane, a veteran combat medic, haunted by her own survivor's guilt. Join her as she struggles to come to terms with her past mistakes and help her fight to forgive herself.
https://dadiu.itch.io/kathairein-within


Cai Cai Balão
http://www.dadiu.dk/caicaibalao
Cai Cai Balão is a fast-paced Parkour-lite racing game in which the player needs to navigate through different locations inspired by the streets of Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro at breakneck speeds - while dodging obstacles and police officers - in order to be the FIRST to catch a giant hot air balloon that will earn you respect!
https://dadiu.itch.io/cai-cai-balao



The Bleeding Tree
http://www.dadiu.dk/bleedingtree
The Bleeding Tree is a roguelike with a unique twist on replayability. Whenever you play, whether you win or lose, you leave behind something to find in a future run.
If you die during a run, your character becomes a ghost that will linger in that level, waiting to help you next time you come through. If you defeat the final boss, your character becomes the final boss.
And in both of these cases, you also leave behind all the powers you have collected along the way, making the ghost and boss just as powerful as you were.
https://dadiu.itch.io/the-bleeding-tree


Online presentations on Thursday at 16:00 on Twitch
http://www.dadiu.dk/news/2020/12/4/join ... 2020-games

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 07 Dec 2020, 22:19

Kawaii! :)

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ Grand Opening February 4th, 2021! As part of Universal Studios. Osaka, Japan.

Not the first game IP based theme park. I remember the Chinese doing a rip off World of Warcraft/Starcraft themepark.
But his Super Nintendo World looks slick and on point!




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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 08 Dec 2020, 15:04

DIGITALE SPIL KAN OGSÅ VÆRE KUNST
Digitale spil er en fortællende kunstart, som udvikles og produceres på højt niveau i Danmark. Kunstfonden støtter danske spiludviklere med arbejdslegater og rejselegater på linje med filmskabere.

https://www.kunst.dk/digitale-spil-kan- ... aere-kunst

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 10 Dec 2020, 15:20

So it's Cyberpunk 2077 launch day! One of the years biggest releases.
Also it's my 3 years work anniversary at PortaPlay. But that is >completely< unrelated. ;)

There are a near infinite numbers of reviews out there. So I won't bore you with that. But Digital Foundry takes an early look at the rendering behind the game. That's of cause just a tiny component of such massive game. But always fun for technerds.

Also the DK developed cyberpunk themed game Static Sky from Framebunker for iPad (at least originally) is still in development and there hasn't been a whole lot of news on that front for a while. Did some very early contributions for a couple weeks on that project back in 2013 where that journey started. I'm still very exited about a Danish cyberpunk themed game! :D
Crossing fingers they will finish it at some point. Their web presence has certainly shrunk. Not sure that is that best sign. 8O

But now to Digital Foundry's look at Cyberpunk 2077 on PC!

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 10 Dec 2020, 22:45

And from (DK) Slipgate Ironworks comes a (very) time-limited demo of retro inspired action shooter RPG'ish Graven. Available until the 13th december 2020.

Had some problems with the demo not starting at all due to shader errors earlier today. But on another machine I got it running. Just about to give it a short look!
In case you missed the demo window. There are 30 mins of gameplay here.

*Quick update*
I must say I quite enjoyed it! :)
Even with it's slew of bugs, being under development and not being a top of the line game.

The game feels a bit closer to games like Dark Messiah (without fancy physics stuff) as opposed to Hexen/Heretic that I thought this game would be. Which is a good thing!
There are too way few Dark Messiah like games out there!

The mood and music works quite well.
The levels are fairly open for exploration. Secrets here and there.
Weapons are useful. Fairly limited ammo will make you pick the right weapon for the right encounter.
The checkpoint system doesn't work well in it's current form. In may cases I felt I teleported to a random location I had not visited. A clear "magic stoneslab" indication of checkpoints would work so much better to illustrate that player had activated a checkpoint. Should be trivial implementation.
Had a point on the lighthouse where I almost got stuck on level geometry because I went climbing. 8O
The level design can be a little misleading here and there.
NPC's and enemy characters within their own category are very samey visually. Given the low fidelity of the game. It wouldn't be completely unheard of with a bit more variation. Also the character art is not the strongest. Passable.
The difficulty was quite easy. It's defiantly not a souls-like game.. so for old pops here.. THAT IS GREAT NEWS! :blush So you can just have an adventure without spending hours and hours skill-grinding and replaying the same segments over and over. Works for me!
There are also some very light puzzle segments. Put crate here to open door type of stuff. It's ok.
Shift running had some strange issues.
Melee combat could certainly use a block.

It won't probably be the next big award winning game. But games doesn't always has to be that to be enjoyed. Had good run with the demo with it's kinks.

But give it a shot and see for yourself if it's a match for your taste. While the demo is still available.



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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 15 Dec 2020, 10:16

More cutesy platforming from the DK based developers plus a mostly international team at Gears for Breakfast. The developers of the VERY well revived A Hat in Time.
Has announced Here Comes Niko!
Frog Vibes is the main studio behind the project. And Gears for Breakfast seems to have a smaller co-production role. Listed as publisher on Steam. But cool the less!




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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 15 Dec 2020, 10:39

An today is release day for DK developed Headland. By Northplay!
Grats on the release! :D

An article on DR reveals a bit more behind the game.

Dansk spil gør op med forhadt tendens: 'Folk siger, det er idiotisk'
https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/kultur/gaming ... r-idiotisk

Personally I don't think it's an completely idiotic move to do the Free to Try model. Albeit
- IF they have an awesome game on their hands.
- AND has some nice featuring lined up on the stores. Apple Arcade would probably have been wiser on iOS if they was able to get through. But not really sure the visual aspect of the game is strong enough for that.
- AND are not only putting their eggs in one mobile basket. The game could clearly work well on PC and consoles. I guess it's just a matter of marketing of selling the visuals as retro.

But so far a mobile release is the only thing on offer. Which is a little stupid actually. ;) But that can fairly easily be remedied.

A Zelda-like is a completely obvious release candidate for Switch especially! :D ;)
Get porting guys! You are not done yet! :cool:

Headland Gameplay Walkthrough (Android, iOS) -Part 1


On the web
https://www.headlandgame.com/


iOS
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/headland/id1339714199

GooglePlay
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... l=en&gl=US

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 17 Dec 2020, 15:55

I totally missed this DK release back in april 2018 from Alimote ApS.

Sadly it doesn't look like it went running really.

The game seems have a fairly strong inspiration in Subway Surfers. But with the some additions like wall running and jump pads.



GooglePlay
https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... celrangers

iOS
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/parcel-ra ... 1273714166

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 17 Dec 2020, 16:05

And a new education (or shorter course it seems) for game producers has emerged in Denmark. Not really sure that DK game development ecosystem job market can truly support that role in great numbers. But it's always a great addition. It will mostly likely be people who has entrepreneurial startup blood running in their veins that will have the most benefit from this.

Lacking on details the course seems to a have certain entrepreneurial streak from what I can skimp through. Which is a very welcome thing.

Drømmer du om at blive spilproducer?
På spilproduceruddannelsen giver vi dig de praktiske evner til enten at lede små indieproduktioner og mellemstore hold. Hvad enten du er ansat, teamleder eller iværksætter, så har vi sammensat et program, der kan opkvalificere dine evner og forberede dig på mødet med spilindustrien.

Vi underviser dig i værktøjerne og giver dig et indblik i teorien, der skal til at lede, producere og finansiere originale spilproduktioner.
Vores forløb henvender sig til dig med lederambitioner eller iværksætterdrømme, hvad enten du er studerende eller ansat.

Byg dit fundament inden du starter egen virksomhed eller udbyg din viden, hvis du er på vej op ad karrierestigen.


https://www.spilproducer.net/

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 17 Dec 2020, 17:55

Besides the weekly free games on the Epic Store.
In approx 10 minutes at time of writing.

The daily free game will unlock. There will be a new free game for the next 15 days! 🎮🤓👍

My Epic account is totally ready to recieve the gift rain of more games I will probably never have time to play. 😅

PC gaming is just too spoiled.

https://www.epicgames.com/

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 17 Dec 2020, 23:16

Oh a bit late here! But Ubisoft also has a few days of free games.
Today is Trials Rising.
Last day is the 19th December 2020.

Grab it on Ubisoft Connect (Formerly Uplay)
https://ubi.li/happyholidays/

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 17 Dec 2020, 23:46

Oh had a nice little demo play-through today of Little Nightmares II from Tarsier in Malmö. The demo has been out of a little while. :)
I have a few former colleges from my Sweden years working on it.

Btw. Never got around to give the mobile game (Very Little Nightmares) a spin. Looked nice though!

So if you are in the mood for a bit of atmospheric cinematic platforming with a macabre twist. You should give it a go! I enjoyed the first game. More of that is welcome! It's more in the same vein. And not a bad one!

It's also funny how it's almost impossible to do a side scrolling game starting in a forest without a certain hint of Limbo/Inside feel. ;)

Basically it's this play-through you will experience.



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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 18 Dec 2020, 15:25

Full steam ahead for MSP.

Claus Lykke Jensen har tjent stort på populære børnespil - nu vil han udvide forretningen betragteligt
Spillet Moviestarplanet, der henvender sig til børn og unge, har givet pæne millionoverskud i de seneste mange år, men ejeren ønsker nu at udvide forretningen med en trecifret millioninvestering til en fordobling af medarbejderskarren og en håndfuld nye spil.


https://finans.dk/erhverv/ECE12629889/c ... ragteligt/

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 19 Dec 2020, 17:45

Indigo Gaming has a really nice documentary on cyberpunk in gaming and media. Something to enjoy over the weekend.
Part 3 is under way.
Basically they are summing up a sizeable chunk of my game and media consumption in my younger years. It's also interesting seeing all the cool games and movies presented I never got a chance to see back then.

Cyberpunk Documentary PART 1 | Neuromancer, Blade Runner, Shadowrun, Akira


Cyberpunk Documentary PART 2 | Ghost in the Shell, Shadowrun, Total Recall, Blade Runner Game


**Update Part 3 is here
Cyberpunk Documentary PART 3 | The Matrix, System Shock, Snow Crash, Hackers, VR & Simulation Theory

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 20 Dec 2020, 13:36

One of my former colleges from the NDS Denmark days has soft launched his little mobile retro inspired space shooter, Danger Grid.


The official space time survival simulator.

Danger Grid is a retro futuristic action adventure game, with elements of exploring, trading and occasional furious laser combat. The visual style is pixelated, low poly, cyberpunk, gritty, and full of neon that glows in the dark.

You, the captain of a small spaceship, will be going on an adventure through time and space, encountering strange worlds, glowing neon lights, trash talking pirates, googly eyed aliens, killer robots, and much more.

Soundtrack produced by: Chris Keya, Danger Mode, Johnny Rehab, Powder Slut, Skimode, Stealth Mode, Superflight, Tapecult, and Video Kids. All tracks are available on Bandcamp.



Danger Grid is out on iOS
https://apps.apple.com/app/id1541451725

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 20 Dec 2020, 14:39

And now another DK project that went under my radar. Aviator Arcade (2014) And Aviator Arcade II (2018) for Commodore 64 by Mark Hindsbo, Saul Cross and Thomas Egeskov Petersen.
A true retro project. Running on the actual the C64 hardware. (That's pretty cool btw) :)

The first game was developed in 2014 as a competition project for cartridge and the sequel is also available on Diskette and on itch.io.
Including a playable demo.
Scroll all the way down to Demo download. Recommending the 41MB version that includes the C64 emulator Vice, if you are not already an C64 aficionado. It's ready to run out of the box. Optionally just setup gamepad support and CRT emulation in Vice. And it's smooth sailing from there.
https://rgcddev.itch.io/aviator-arcade-ii

More on the games here
http://www.psytronik.net/newsite/index. ... 02-aviator

The games is a very basic vertically scrolling shoot-em up. And does not veer far from what you would expect from the games of that time it's trying to emulate. Though with a bit of extra stuff here and there. It works well at what it does.
*Edit: Except the weapon pick up system which is actually a bit annoying (Shoot weapon icon to pick up). Should have been collide with chopper or even better hover above the weapon for a few seconds (with a progress bar) to pick it up.
Now have a taste of them sweet member berries! :D

The longplay of Aviator Arcade II


An interview with Mark on Daily Rush
https://www.dailyrush.dk/artikler/inter ... lderpuder/

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 21 Dec 2020, 14:13

Haven't gotten to around to give Hades a spin. But word on the street is that it's pretty amazing.


How 6 Months of COVID-19 Quarantine Affected Life at Supergiant Games

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 21 Dec 2020, 14:27



The paper is a collaboration between Nvidia and University of Copenhagen. Cool bananas!

The paper: Detailed Rigid Body Simulation with Extended Position Based Dynamics
https://matthias-research.github.io/pag ... Bodies.pdf

A more detailed and technical talk from SCA 2020.

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Unread post by jonaz.dk » 22 Dec 2020, 12:49

Nordisk Games acquires 40% ownership of MercurySteam
Today, Copenhagen-based Nordisk Games expands its portfolio of successful game studios and announces an investment in MercurySteam, the Spanish company behind such high-profile titles as “Clive Barker’s Jericho”, the “Castlevania: Lords of Shadow” trilogy, Nintendo 3DS bestseller “Metroid: Samus Returns” and self-published online free-to-play action-adventure game “Spacelords”.


Press release
https://www.egmont.com/nordisk-games-ac ... rcurysteam

Børsen (paywalled)
https://borsen.dk/nyheder/virksomheder/ ... lproducent


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