Aquaria

By: Derek Yu

On: September 13th, 2006

Hey, guys! It’s me, Derek Yu. Me and my friend Alec are working on a computer game and it’s in IGF. I figured I might as well be the first to tell you about it.

I’ve already written long descriptions of the game twice today, once for the official site and once on my personal blog, so you get the cliff’s here: sprawling, non-linear action/adventure game set in an underwater fantasy world. For more info and screenshots, hit up either of the links above.

This is my first foray into the world of shareware. Whereas my previous efforts have been all gratis, I’ve finally bit the bullet and am going to try and make a living making games! I hope you guys will enjoy it.

Whew, I’ve been keeping this secret for quite a while now. Feels good to finally let it out!

EDIT: It says on the site, but just to make it clear, we’re planning on releasing the game in Spring.

Posted in Action, Previews, Windows | Tags: AlecHolowka, BitBlot, DerekYu

Drake

Looks fantastic. Looks Metroid-y. Excellent.

Good luck with the IGF!
Sergio

I still love you with a passion, Derek.
Dan MacDonald

Beautiful! Can’t wait to take it for a spin. Maybe I SHOULD got to GDC this year :)
http://www.arsecast.com The Arsecast Host

Maaaaan, that’s beautiful! Like Scuba Dive only so pretty my eyes might burst.
Alexander

Woohoo! It looks great Derek. I’ve gotta say I’m becoming increasingly fond of minimalistic HUDs ever since Shadow of the Collosus blew my proverbials off. Good luck with the IGF, I think you two’ve got one hell of a chance!
http://www.datarealms.com/devlog Dan

This looks like the bomb! F’n A on taking the plunge, man… welcome to the club. ;D
Greg at Rockstar Games

Looks awesome – on this evidence I reckon you won’t have any trouble making a living out of making games.
Wrestlevania

Sounds intriguing – especially the controls – and the graphics are quite beautiful, too.

Best of luck.
http://www.TScreative.net BMcC

Lookin’ great, Derek!

::crosses fingers for an IGF win::
NO!

Looks great!, I’m not too happy for the mouse based controlls, though, but I’ll give it a try anyway.

Hope you can really make a good living making games, we want more Derek Yu games even if we have to pay!
Lorne

My favorite part I’ve seen is the awesome cephalopod in the lower-middle screenshot on the official page.
Albert Lai

It looks really nice – you’ve definitely got a title that will be accepted in any contest of your choosing.

Anyway, it looks to be one of the titles I’ll try out – possibly even buy!
http://www.bardinelli.com John B

From playing your previous games and the description/screenshots from this one, I can safely say that you already have my cash.
Shabadage

Damn dude! That’s absolutely beautiful! So jealous!

What’s it being made with?
http://www.TScreative.net BMcC

Computers, mostly.
Alec

Code-wise its OpenGL / C++
Shabadage

@BMcC – Yeah, I walked right into that one I guess.

@Alec – Cool, good luck guys. Looking forward to trying this out.
Derek

Thanks, guys! I’m glad you think it looks cool. It plays pretty tight, too. ;)

There will be a demo available eventually.
AndrewLW

Looks amazing! Any chance you could post a few screenshots that would be suitable for desktop backgrounds?
Dan MacDonald

Out of curiosity why did you yank your blog post? (on your personal blog)
Derek

Hey, Dan! I didn’t yank it, my host lost it in a server transfer. Ugh.

There’s a new post up now to replace it, however (same link).

@AndrewLW: I’ll see what I can do!
Eos

It feels good to see that you’ve “finally let it out!”

And what a marvelous sight it is!
PoV

That looks freaking great Derek. Keep up the goods.
Teeth

Sublime
MedO

I’m with John B there, I will definitely buy this game.
As your customer, I must now say: PLEASE do it right. I can’t say anything about how, because I’m not a game designer and I do not know much about this game yet. But some games rock and some are lame, and some, like Eternal Daughter, are so great they keep you tied to the screen, until you finally beat the last obstacle and stare with tears in your eyes as the last chapter of the story is told… err… I think I got carried away a bit. Anyway, you really make me hope this will be another game like that. Please make it happen again :-).
Advenith

Hey, this’ll be the first shareware game I actually purchase the full version of!
ryan

got some dollars earmarked for this one. I sortof semi-heard what you were planning, but THIS.. dang, dude, THIS is amazing! I’m happy that you’re taking the time (and working your ass to the bone, it sounds like) to really make this satisfying and complete. TAP Merfolk wallet looter!
http://jayisgames.com Jay

The screenshot looks great, Derek! Good luck finishing it up and with the competition.
Liquixcat

:)