iSplume Out Now (w/ Video Proof!)

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: September 11th, 2008

iSplume (that’s Splume for iPhone/iPod touch, kids) is now available for purchasing in the iTunes App Store… for, like, three bucks. (What’s that, a pack of gum nowadays?) And it incorporates all that touch screen and tilting wizardry I’ve been hearing so much about. It’s even getting mentioned alongside the likes of Spore: Origins in press releases and such. (Which means something, I think?) Quick tangent: What the heck could Spore: Origins be about, anyway? Doesn’t Spore have you starting out as a single-celled organism? We developed the theory on Skype the other night that this “Origins” installment will have you starting out playing as God or The Big Bang or the primordial ooze itself or something. Of course, going from God to microorganism would be a bit of a letdown, wouldn’t it? I’m just saying… I’m glad I’m not the one to have to answer these questions!

Splume (which you can play here) was the first release in a series of games started as an experiment in rapid development by the gentlemanly and modern gentlemen at Flashbang Studios, who went on to craft such indie touchstones as Off-Road Velociraptor Safari and Jetpack Brontosaurus, as well as host the first annual TIGJam. (For future reference, you can find their weirder, mostly dinosaur-themed games over at their new site, called Blurst — I guess maybe to create some distance from Flashbang’s more “casual” reputation?)

Dang, this might be the best TIGS post I’ve ever written. I mean, look at all the formatting. And the video! I’m going to take this moment to point out that my first article on TIGS was also the first (yes, in the world) to break the news of gaming on the iPod, and now it’s like the gosh-darned Golden City of Milk & Opportunity over there! I humbly accept all credit for this and wait patiently for the numerous parades in my honor.*

Hrm, I just noticed we haven’t yet posted the first gameplay video from Jetpack Brontosaurus. Shameful! Dare I create a new article? No, that’d make for one-too-many videos on the front page… Okay. I’ll stash it after the jump. With a secret TIGJam-related note!

*Also, I’m a huge narcissist now?

SECRET NOTE FOLLOWS: Derek, Jeff, Steve, Matt… someone. I need to go to TIGJam. Fantasy Grill alone sparks a roaring fire in my loins. And I was thinking. I’m like the F’n Senior mother-F’n Editor of mother-F’n TIGSource, mother-F’ers. For word. Like, I should already be on my way via a courtesy rickshaw following a path of, like, rose petals or peonies or whatever. Lilies. Some pimp stuff.

But seriously, I know I haven’t been the most consistent “mother-F’er” on the planet, and I know this article is pretty erratic (likely to the point of warranting concern), and I know I could be contacting you guys directly (wait, why haven’t I done that?), but this would bring me scads of happiness. I wanna see you guys again! I wanna smell you guys again… I mean it. Gimme a call or email or something, yeah? Hopefully we can make this happen!

And so ends the last article I will ever write… today.

It’s TIGJam!!!

By: Derek Yu

On: August 23rd, 2008

Guys, I’m very pleased to announce that TIGSource and Flashbang Studios are teaming up, like Batman and Superman-styles, to throw the first-ever TIGJam – a three-day creative pow-wow in the red-hot Arizona desert. Bring your projects to work on in the company of your fellow indie developers, or start new ones! For those of you trying to meet the November 1st IGF deadline, this might be a great time to get some feedback. For everyone else, just be ready to have fun, make friends, and create some cool stuff. Sleep is totally optional.

There is a $50 registration fee, which will help keep the brass monkeys, soda, and snacks flowing during the jam, and will also cover the post-jam celebratory dinner and ensuing party on Sunday. Space is also somewhat limited, so if you’re serious about attending, sign up soon! Head here for online registration, as well as more detailed directions.

We’re hoping this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful tradition. Look out for more info (and possibly some surprises) as the date approaches. Depending on how many people decide to show up, lodging should be free or cheap. We’ll let you know.

Hope to see you there! Let us know what you think!

It was the best of times…

By: Derek Yu

On: August 14th, 2008

Those kinky Flashbang boys are teasing us about Blurst, which will be the new home for all their game experiments. The site will go live with five titles, including Raptor Safari, Jetpack Brontosaurus, and their latest project, Minotaur China Shop, which stars an angry minotaur who’s trying to run a china shop (okay, that is an awesome idea). Coming soon!

Hit the jump for some test footage of Minotaur China Shop:

Jetpack Brontosaurus: Coming Soon

By: Derek Yu

On: March 27th, 2008

Some alpha footage of the game in question. Click here for the HD version!

Jetpack Brontosaurus is planning on jetpacking its way into your hearts at the end of April.

Age of the (Fucking) Dinosaurs

By: Derek Yu

On: March 21st, 2008

1up review of Flashbang Studio’s Off-Road Velociraptor Safari, featuring Mr. Scott Sharkey and Mr. Cesar Quintero. Gotta love how aggro (i.e. drunk) Scott is!

Testing the long-necked, small-brained physics for Flashbang’s next game, Jetpack Brontosaurus. Be sure to check out the new concept art on the site, as well!

Dinowaurs – 2d dino on dino combat. Wear helmets, fire rockets, and command helpless cavemen to do your bidding (or kill them)! Coming soon.

And finally, Dino Run, a new single and multiplayer online platformer from the creators of Gamma Bros.!

Proof positive that, though dinosaurs may not rule the Earth any more, they still rule… our hearts_. Now if only the mainstream game industry follow suit and make a new Rage">Primal Rage game! (Dead serious here.)

From the People That Brought You Raptor Safari…

By: Derek Yu

On: February 12th, 2008

Jetpack Brontosaurus. Coming soon.

Off-Road Velociraptor Safari!

By: Derek Yu

On: January 29th, 2008

Sweet Raptorchrist, it’s here… and it’s even more incredible than you imagined.

(Thanks, Dan!)

Video: Off-Road Velociraptor Safari

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: December 13th, 2007

This game looks every bit as awesome as its title would suggest.

Coming out next Friday, December 21st, 2007. (I hope!)

Splume

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: October 28th, 2007

Content Directors for this year’s IGF, Steve Swink and Matthew Wegner (a.k.a. Flashbang Studios), have recently released a quirky, physics-based puzzle game called Splume, made in only four short weeks as part of a new development path experiment they’re conducting. In Splume you shoot balls that attach to other balls… and… wait, why am I describing this when you could simply watch the video, or, in just a few more mouse clicks, play the game? Here’s what’s important: It’s fun and polished and free.

So apparently Flashbang will continue releasing compact games like this for some months, then decide which games are the best to flesh out into “full” versions. Can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

Splume has an online scoretable, level editor, and live feed of recent play history across the galaxy. Check it out. And enjoy.

Flashbang Studios Halloween Party Webcast

By: Derek Yu

On: October 27th, 2007

Guys, if for whatever reason you can’t make it out tonight to get sloshed, you can always watch Matthew Wegner and Steve Swink (Flashbang Studios / IGF Organizers) get sloshed for you at their Halloween party, LIVE. Like, tonight. Like, right now.

Special appearance by Daniel Tabar (Data Realms), possibly in a towel.

Point your video player (VLC recommended) here for the drunken Gish action! And be sure to send a message direct to party central (via the Flashbang LED board)!