Ye Olde TIGSource (Part 2)

By: ithamore

On: July 27th, 2007

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1168/923239490_51a5391890.jpg” width=“299” height=“221” alt=“Moose n TIGSource” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />During the second half of January 2005, things were looking good for TIGSource. It was even less demo centric. However, dun, dun, duuun, the specter of despair loomed its head over Flaming Pear as its minions wrought his life in such a way that he must abandon his TIGSource dreams.

Is all hope lost? Has our hero burned out? Shall the nascent TIGSource be trudged upon by the march of time? Find out in the next installment of Ye Olde TIGSource.

---

Monday, January 31, 2005

Important Message

The long and the short of it:

Due to unforeseen circumstances I will no longer be able to update this website. As I say, this was unforeseen, and regrettable. Thanks to everyone who appreciated and supported TIGSource.

If anyone would like to host my interviews with Metanet and Blackeye before they disappear into the cybermist, please feel free to do so.

If anyone would like to take this site over from me, please email [email protected] within the next couple of days.

Life is mad.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Saturday, January 29, 2005

Daily Click GOTW: Splinter Source

One of the more promising GOTW’s I’ve tried recently, Splinter Source is a Splinter Cell fan game done platform style in 2D. Strikes me as a bit of a cross between Blackeye’s never finished Trigger Happy 2 and the wonderful old classic Framed.

There are a bunch of cool touches, and basically the game does a nice job of making you feel like the sneaky agent you’re supposed to be. Whatch out, it’s toughy though. Also note that there is currently only one level, and the game runs in a supremely tiny window. My hope is that some updates/sequels will fix these issues.

As always with the DC the game is free, and weighs in at just 1.7 MB. Check it out here.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Friday, January 28, 2005

TIGSource interviews Blackeye

Continuing on in our quest to understand freeware game developers TIGSource interviews Blackeye Software (a.k.a Derek Yu), creators of Eternal Daughter, and many other cult classics of the freeware gaming world (check Quibble Race). So make yourself comfortable and take a look at part 2 of What Makes Them Tick? Getting Inside the Heads of Freeware Game Developers. The interview is available here.

(Part 1, an interview with Metanet Software, creators of N, is available here.)

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Game Hippo looks at Ouroboros

From Game Hippo:

“Fantastic Snake Byte clone with an Egyptian theme.”

Rates 9/10. Download it here.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Blackeye interview on the way

I just interviewed Derek Yu of Blackeye Software (of Eternal Daughter fame) today, so check back tomorrow or the next day for a look inside this popular freeware developer’s troubled (er, brilliant) mind: What Makes Them Tick? Part II.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Bytten reviews Soda Pipes

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1236/776925568_62d08ab003_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Soda Pipes” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Bytten:

“Hopefully, you’ve now read the Plummit review and worked out that Soda Pipes is another Pipes clone. Fortunately the sense of deja vu started to pass pretty quickly once I started playing Soda Pipes, as developer Athletic Design has managed to include enough variation to stand it apart from other Pipes games.” More…

The game gets an identical score to Plummet across the board! 77% overall.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

My Take on Betty’s Beer Bar

Who wouldn’t want to be a sexy beer tender and serve out drinks to Santa Clause, aliens, and giant teddy bears? Well… at least for an hour… or two… or… you know, maybe this is my life’s calling.

After months of putting it off I knew I finally had to try this game, and frankly, it’s an addictive little sucker. Repetition could be an issue down the road (essentially a click fest of go here, then go here, then go here), but I think it’s highly unlikely that anyone who tries it will play for less than 45 minutes… oh, except that the demo doesn’t really give you much to work with: I was just barely into the swing of my (er, I mean, Betty’s) career when I was told to go buy the full game if I wanted to keep playing, forcing me to contact Mystery Studio for a full version. I guess that’s what they want though…

So yeah, I’m rambling here, but the point is that unless you’re a teatotaller you’ll probably want to check out this 3.5 MB download… make that especially if you’re a teatotaller.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Ada Bubble Bomb updated to 2.5

A few additions to the bubble bursting puzzle game. Check the new version out here.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Game Hippo looks at Cirque de Zale

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1275/776925550_5fa3099d4d_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“150” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right alt=“Cirque de Zale” />From Game Hippo:

“This game is an evident homage to the style of Monkey Island – and I mean the best ones, the first two episodes. The main character looks a lot like Guybrush, so much that I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a retouched sprite! Nothing ripped, however, don’t worry: the graphics remind me a lot of the VGA version of the first Monkey, colorful and adorably retro. Music is all original, the tunes are somewhat repetitive, but never invasive – a discrete accompaniment…

“The game… deserves to be played in any case. It feels like the author had a lot of fun making it, and the same fun is transmitted to the player. You probably won’t leave it until you reach the end – pity that it could happen the same day you downloaded the file.”

The Staff Rating is 7/10, and the game weighs 3.2 MB. Download it here.

(Image Source: Game Hippo)

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Help wanted!

Needless to say, running a site like this takes quite a bit of work. On top of that, I think it’d be great to get a few different opinions and personalities going around here.

SO… if you have any interest in contributing to TIGSource, please contact me. People wanting to look for and post indie-related news (like, most of the normal posts) are especially welcome, but if you’d like to write reviews or whatever, that’d be great too.

Anyone? Email [email protected].

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Game Tunnel reviews Jets’n’Guns

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1112/776925580_a26aaa8f72_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Jets n Guns” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Game Tunnel:

“I personally think that this is an excellent game. The music and graphics are great, and so is the game play. If you’re a grown-up and longing for a game where you can mow people down for no other reason than that they are space pirates – get Jets’n’Guns now. Arcade games sure won’t get much better than this!” More…

J’n’G is the 14th game (out of 185 reviewed) to receive a perfect score of 10/10 from Game Tunnel. Others in this prestigious category include Mutant Storm, Gish, and Starscape, so you’ll probably want to check this out.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Bytten reviews I of the Enemy

From Bytten:

“IOTE is a real-time combat strategy game in much the style of Warcraft or Command and Conquer. Unlike these, however, more focus is placed on controlling units and military tactics than the endless construction that often results. Instead, IOTE uses a temporal gate to periodically supply the player with reinforcements and supplies, so instead of building an impenetrable fortress you spend your time hunting down the enemy.” More…

Final analysis is 93%, and a gold star. Compare to a mean 7/10 score in Game Tunnel’s December Roundup.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Alawar releases Sea Wolves

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1050/776842784_6d64044f79_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Sea Wolves” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Alawar’s press release:

“…a 3D action game in which you explore the ocean in search of enemies, treasure and uncharted territory. Featuring simple controls, intense combat and the latest visual effects, Sea Wolves is designed to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers.”

More info and demo here.

Hm… I like ships. In fact, I’ve always had a weakness for games involving ships, so I guess I’ll have to check it out. But if one more game comes out claiming to appeal to “both casual and hardcore gamers, and your grandmother, and your pet monkey, and your punk rocker friend,” I may just blow my top.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

My Take on Lux

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1080/776842768_e40b7ec9cc_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“160” alt=“Lux: Japan Sengoku Jidai” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />All I have to say is thank you, thank you, thank you Sillysoft! I’ve been waiting and waiting for a good PC Risk game. To date I’ve been running Mac Risk on an Emulator for lack of a better alternative.

Well, I hate to say it, but I think ten years of Mac Risk loyalty have just gone down the drain, thanks to Sillysoft sending me a full version of their game Lux this morning.

What else do you want me to say? The game is freakin’ beautiful, it can be played super fast, you can see the whole world without scrolling (stupid Hasbro game), there are maps galore (I love the idea of fighting for the UK), lots of computer personalities that range from easy to impressively hard, and full network support (along with a large community of dedicated players). Oh, and the game runs on Windows, MacOS, and Linux! Oh, and a large part of the game is open source!

Download this game, fool!

posted by Flaming Pear

---

DIY’s Independent Adventuring – December 2004

From DIY Games:

“A great year in independent adventure gaming was capped by a sleepy month. There have been only a handful of new games, but their overall quality was quite high. Nearly all the titles deserve your attention, and even though none was truly memorable, they would keep you entertained for quite a while.” More…

If you’re into adventure games you should definitely make DIY Games’ monthly indie adventuring column a routine read.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

DIY Games reviews Wik and the Fable of Souls

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1133/776842752_025d4345fd_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Wik” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From DIY Games:

“To say this game impressed me is an understatement; it cut through the thick haze of indifference and disappointment caused by the commercial games I’m so used to playing. Here was a game which didn’t require an update to my graphics card, yet still looked lovely. A game that didn’t demand a degree in computing just to get to grips with the controls; Wik is simplicity personified, one button to jump another for the tongue (of which more in a minute). This game was a breath of fresh air.” More…

DIY gives Wik 4.5/5 stars.

Download the 14 MB demo here [from Reflex].

My Take:
The game didn’t quite overwhelm me with amazement as much as it did Andrew Marsh, but I have to say that it’s a neat offering. It is indeed elegant, and it does indeed look nice. While it wasn’t able to hold me for more than about 45 minutes, most people seem to be liking this game, and it’s a finalist at IGF, so I’d check it out if I were you.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Monday, January 24, 2005

Daily Click GOTW #119

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/776925540_7b00e21e3c_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“146” alt=“DC Ninja” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />

This week’s GOTW, DC Ninja, is an old school fighter tribute with nice graphics, fairly bad controls, and a horrible plethora of bugs. All in all not bad for a three week effort, but it needs to be cleaned up. Don’t download if you’re not prepared for aggravation.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Cellblock Squadrons released

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1221/809684646_bdb5c386a0_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Cellblock Squadrons” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From the press release:

“<a href=http://www.superfurious.com/cellblock-squadrons/>Cellblock Squadrons takes the player out of the bogus, “I’m going to save the world” attitude and slaps them into a prisoner’s cell. As a convicted anti-government rebel you are forced to repay your debt to society by flying fighter missions against an invading alien force. With each successful mission you are one step closer to freedom. Enjoy all the action you would expect from a space combat game with a fun and witty storyline brought to you in your cell by e-mail each ‘week’ of play."

This is the first release by Australian-based Super Furious Software. Check it out here.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Game Tunnel previews Heavy Weapon

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1002/776842810_15b8e99721_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Heavy Weapon” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />The behemoth of indie game developers seems to be testing new waters with their upcoming game, due out next month.

From Game Tunnel:

“With so much success in the past in working with the casual gamers, it is no real surprise that PopCap might want to continue to grow with that market while also testing new waters, and their up-coming game Heavy Weapon definitely fits the bill as stepping outside of what they have been doing to see what else they can do.” More…

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Sunday, January 23, 2005

Indiepath.Asteroids released

From Indiepath:

“Indiepath.Asteroids is a work of art, using 3D accelerated GFX to bring the original look and feel of the Atari classics to your screen. A great deal of care has been taken to make this remake as near to the originals as you can get. Asteroids now features improved gameplay, on-line high score tables and original arcade ambient sounds.”

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Indiepath releases Hightailed

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1270/776842732_82e705b7bc_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Hightailed” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Indiepath:

“Hightailed is a strategy game not unlike the game of chess where the aim is to force your opponent into a position where they cannot move or “Hightail it out of there.” You win by either blocking your opponent or avoiding capture yourself for a specified number of rounds. To advance levels you must play as each opposing side, if you win then you may move on. There is also an integrated level editor so if you need a new challenge then you can make your own levels. There’s ‘easy’ difficulty level for children and ‘normal’ for adult players."

Check out the game here.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Pretty Good MahJongg 2.1

Pretty Good MahJongg version 2.1 is now available. It can be downloaded here. Additions include new tile-matching layouts, a screensaver, and the ability to create your own layouts.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Lack of updates explained

If you’re wondering why there haven’t been any updates for the last couple of days, it’s because my host decided to switch servers on me, and I wasn’t able to edit the site for a time. Anyway, now the move’s over, and the new server is supposed to be significantly faster (Dual Xeon Dell 1600sc with 2 gigs of Ram, if that means anything to you).

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Cornutopia’s next project

Mark Sheeky, manager of Cornutopia ([makers of] Radioactive [, which was] recently reviewed [at TIGSource]), has just sent word of his newest project. This is exclusive TIGSource material:

“I thought I’d drop you a note about the game that I currently have in development. Currently entitled Space Pool, the game is a futuristic sport that pits player against player in a Pool hall of the future. Space Pool will be a unique and exciting game, not another Pool game and not anything like the Pool games that already exist. The game is scheduled for release in February.”

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Friday, January 21, 2005

Darwinia Demo Released

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1423/795533662_53a57bb848_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Darwinia” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Introversion Software:

“Nearly three years after taking the underground gaming scene by storm with Uplink, Introversion Software is poised to release its follow-up title, Darwinia. Combining fast paced action with strategic battle planning, the game features a novel and intuitive control mechanism, a graphical style ripped from 80’s retro classics, and a story concerning a tribe of video game sprites trapped in a modern 3d game world.”

Download the demo here or here, or check out the spiffy video (41 MB).

My Take:
I need to play around with this more (the in-game tutorial is not super fast-going, or super helpfull), but this game looks very strange, and very promising. From another UK developer… go figure.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

The Daily Click Christmas Competition Results

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/794639519_c3db35717a_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“179” alt=“Super Santa Snowland” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />For those of you not up on the latest “click” news, TDC, with the aid of Clickteam, sponsored a Christmas game making competition a while back, the results of which have just been posted. The goal of the competition was to make a game that married Christmas with Mario (I’m questioning my word choice here).

Well, I took the winner (Super Santa Snowland) for a spin, and unless you’re really dying to get that Christmas feeling back I’d stay away: there’s something strangely unresponsive about the controls, and Mario is just too old.

Check out the full competition results here (if you’re tempted, like me, to try out the last place entry based on the description don’t bother: it’s not as horrible as it sounds — at least, not in the wonderful sense).

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Coin World v1.7 Released

From Indie Gamer:

“We’ve just released a major update to the original Colin the Coin game – Coin World.

Version 1.7 has a number of changes to it but the major difference is that the countries (sets of levels) can now be played in any order. This was the most requested change by players."

Information, screenshots and the demo can be found at http://www.addictive247.co.uk/coinworld.htm.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Puppytron Win32 released

For those of you scared of Java, Puppygames has released a downloadable version of Puppytron. At 3.8 MB it’s worth the download. But don’t forget to play while online, or you won’t be getting into the high scores. How long can you hold out against swarms of evil killer robots?

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Game Tunnel reviews Bugged Out Rally

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/794639503_cc83386a53_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Bugged Out Rally” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Game Tunnel:

“This is a game where you are supposed to race against other bugs using mines and rockets to scare your enemies away. Couldn’t you just use a fly swatter? Is this game really going to go somewhere, or will it just be the target for a lot of puns?” More…

They give the game a 6/10, mostly because of graphics issues (bad graphics + graphics problems). If you want to try the demo, you can find it here.

My Take:
This game is trying to be Re-Volt, but without too much success. Re-Volt was a good/great game, this is not. Poorer AI, worse graphics, worse physics, far less intense… just try the Re-Volt demo already, and leave the bugs alone (bugs without legs? For crying out loud…).

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Thursday, January 20, 2005

Game Hippo looks at Fantom Subdivision A

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1181/809557638_f933adbb0b_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Fantom Subdivision” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From Game Hippo:

“Fantom Subdivision A is a fun-yet-difficult on-rails shooter that takes place hundreds of years in the future. In case you aren’t familiar with the term, on-rails means that you can’t maneuver yourself (think of an arcade lightgun shooter). You are moved along, and as you go you must shoot down anything that moves.”

Cost: free
Get it at: The Game Creators

My Take:
The game is fairly fun (probably just because I haven’t played an on-rail for a while), but repetitive, and outrageously hard. Worth a look? If you like arcade shooters, or if you’re just looking for a challenge.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Mark Currie talks Trash

From DIY Games:

“Inhuman Games’ Mark Currie has been making independent and mainstream games for more than 15 years, and a significant portion of that time has been spent creating Trash.” More…

Interesting read, and (OMG) a release date for Trash?

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Mr. Robot developer diary

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1286/794303251_7d7eaa3ff9_m.jpg” width=“200” height=“200” alt=“Mr. Robot” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From DIY Games:

“The guys at Moonpod Games, developers of the award winning Starscape, have been kind enough to submit another edition of their ongoing series of developer diaries for their upcoming isometric adventure puzzler Mr. Robot. This months diary is full of new information concerning the game’s development, and, as always, includes a number of screenshots from different areas of the game.” More…

(Image Source: Xenopi)

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

New Blackeye Miscellany

I was over checking out Derek’s webpage today, and low and behold there’s actually some new content. Go to the Miscellany section and click on “Stalkers”… the article gives a good look into what it’s like being a super celebrity freeware game designer. Not an easy life.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

Zzed Released

<img src=“http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1067/794303231_8b365e5142_m.jpg” width=“240” height=“180” alt=“Zzed” hspace=10 vspace=10 align=right />From NevoSoft:

“A new game from NevoSoft! Control the spacecraft and help Zzed to clean star roads from garbage in this thrilling action puzzler. Shoot meteoroids to make sets of three, but don’t let them reach your spacecraft!” More…

Well… that tells us a lot. The graphics do look pretty nice, though. You know, I think I’m gonna try it.

posted by Flaming Pear

---

[All images are from the websites of their respective games unless otherwise noted.]

If you want to view any of the old comments for any particular post, head over here.