Character Development: a fresh perspective (Owlboy)

You'll have to take my word here that every other post will not simply be a link to elsewhere on the web. Having said that:

I found a recent post on the D-Pad studios page concerning the Owlboy Project; and it struck me as being wholly engrossing. This post was Simon discussing his step by step process for coming up with the character of Owlboy himself. In this thorough (yet concise) post one can see how he not only came up with a character, but in doing so, was able to remain true to (and refine) his original vision for the game as a whole. This is; in reality, a great way to do it. I'm a huge fan of the iterative design solution. (Just not so good at implementing it personally!)

As I said in response to his post: 'I quite enjoy hearing people discuss their character development; as mine always ends up being something of a dartboard style. (I.E. scatter-shot attempts until one sticks.)' The only exception I can think of off hand would be characters I feel; in some way, personally attached to. These seem to get some greater level of refinement. Any real attention my characters core design is derivative of my game's world design as opposed to the other way around.

Enough chatter from me: go now and enjoy this link to elsewhere on the web. When you are finished tell me how you design (character design or even generally speaking). I personally find the topic very interesting and worthy of a large volume of attention.

Thanks.

Project Egg Teaser

-Please note: This does not represent the final quality of the project! An actual game-play video will be released as soon as possible. Thank you.

Project Egg Update

A new teaser will be up for Project Egg on Friday.

The current projected release for PE still stands; (late October) however, I am having to go back and retool much of the engine and revert it to the original design documents. Everywhere I look it seems as if large game corporations advice to indie(s) is the same, "do not try to create a grand new experiment on your first go!" I knew this, understood this, and tried my best to follow that mantra. Yet somehow; new ideas and thoughts kept getting added on until I realized I was working on a beast which would take a year to complete (at least). So; by shedding much of the weight, we are back on track. Not only does it feel good to be in line with my original vision for the game, it should end up being a far greater product.

Thanks.

Budapest Descension

-EDIT/UPDATE - It would seem two things need pointing out to the masses, as there seems to be some confusion. Firstly; this game is really short and quite difficult. It was designed intentionally to be so. It should not be taken as a benchmark for the quality of our upcoming releases or projects. It's just a 'fun' little thing we did in a short amount of time.

Secondly; no one has sent any times officially but if the emails are to be believed, the best I've heard personally is 12:00. Come on folks, lets shoot for speed here. Thanks, on to the game info!


Budapest Descension is a 'game' my team and I thought up, wrote, and finished in 48 hours. It is simply a punishing platformer with a timer. In many respects; I wish I could prattle on about how there is some mysterious subtext to this bit of interactivity or how it is in actuality art, but this is not the case. The game is hard, short, and most importantly free.


There is more to the story:

• We will a release a free game every month or so ( of varying quality). Even thought I need to survive; and games are a viable front for this, I don't want justify game creation as a 'means to an end.' In this light; we ask that you do buy our large projects when they come out or at least donate, but that you also enjoy any free material we release.
  
• In addition to being a jammin' little platformer; Budapest Descension might be your ticket to our (unrelated) first commercial game, Project Egg. An open challenge stands for anyone who can play BD and record video of said play-through.

The Challenge:
From today (September 4th at the time of this posting) until September 29th I am asking people to record their play-through of BD. These are to be emailed to me as proof of both completion and time. Come the 29th; the top three times will receive e-vouchers for a free copy of Project Egg. Anyone who can reach top three status and not die more than once will gain both a voucher for PE and a mention as a character in it! (Mind you this game is terribly difficult to some and child's play to others; my personal record is 2:56 ) -Be sure to tell us how your descent went.

Thanks.

Budapest Descension Download Links*:

For now...
I have taken down the links to the downloads, if you want to play email me, I'll send you a copy.

* if you have any issues with either downloading or playing the game, please email me. I will get back to you as soon as I can, thank you. I am aware that I've left the system requirements off the page for this game. It is small, and most (somewhat modern) machines should be able to run it.

Thr33li@gmail.com

Fine Print:
The play-through must not contain any editing and the final screen which shows the time must be visible for at least 3 seconds. The winners will receive an email confirming their victory as well as a mention on this blog (unless they ask otherwise). Email me a Thr33li@gmail.com