Gamma Comes to GDC

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: September 14th, 2009

You may have already heard this news, but I think it’s prudent to post it again: The fourth iteration of the previously Montreal-based indie game exposition / dance party, Gamma, will now be held at this year’s GDC in San Francisco. While I’m sad to not have an excuse to take the train up to Montreal this year, I’m thrilled to see Gamma return bigger than ever.

Read Simon’s announcement post for all the details. (Or if this is the first time you’ve heard of Gamma!)


Kokoromi will reveal this year’s theme and open submissions in November, so stay tuned!

Infinite Ammo: Vlogging MIGS and GAMMA

By: Derek Yu

On: December 4th, 2008

Alec Holowka and his Infinite Ammo team video blogged their trip to the Montreal International Games Summit, which went on like a week or so ago. Five videos long, there’s really only one word to describe the journey: EPIC. It’s probably worth it just to see Jon Blow get his boogie on to Soulja Boy, but the whole thing is just good, clean indie fun. Witness every possible method of high-fiving known to humankind.

Also, be sure to try out IA’s Paper Moon, which was featured at GAMMA 3D and is now available for download.

Videos 1, 2, 3, and 4 are after the jump.

Gamma 3D: Paper Moon

By: Derek Yu

On: October 21st, 2008

What’s that I spy, hanging over the canvas sky? Why, it’s Paper Moon, a new game from my friend (and Aquaria partner) Alec Holowka, developed with his all-Canuck, Winnipeg-based studio Infinite Ammo. Made for Gamma 3D, this Unity-based platform game features true 3d graphics (using 3d glasses), and an interesting mechanic. The cut-out graphics are by the talented Katie De Sousa, with help from Adam Saltsman (Gravity Hook, Wurdle).

Play the demo at Gamma 3D in November!

GAMMA 3D IS GOOOOOOOOO

By: Derek Yu

On: August 16th, 2008

Alright! Gamma 3d, the highly-anticipated sequel to Gamma 256, has been announced! Gamma 256 was an extremely successful indie game party hosted by Phil Fish and Kokoromi. Users were asked to submit low resolution games, and some awesome stuff came out of it, as well as one of our most beloved memes (hint: “pidgeon-hunter-killer”). You can see photos of the event here, courtesy of Mr. Ivan “toastie” Safrin.

The call this time is going out for games that use stereoscopy. In other words, games you need red-and-blue 3d peepers for. Submissions are due by October 15th, and the actual event is taking place on November 19th, in beautiful Montreal. As usual, TIGSource is proudly hosting the official Gamma thread, for all your Gamma discussion.

See you there!

The Games of Gamma 256

By: Derek Yu

On: December 12th, 2007

I know it’s been awhile since Gamma 256 ended, but I just got around to playing the entries. (Some of them at least!) I was expecting good things, but managed to be blown away regardless. There are some really interesting ideas in here!

Each of the 10 games mentioned below are are compatible with both the keyboard and the Xbox 360 gamepad. Enjoy!

Bloody Zombies is the brainchild of none other than Petri Purho, who seems never to run out of interesting game ideas. I don’t know if I really need to say more about this one other than “blood surfing on a lawnmower.”

The arthouse kids are ostensibly peeing their pants with delight over Mondrian Provoked, Jim McGinley’s kaleidoscopic feast for your optic nerves. I really like the way you slide around against the sides of the various obstacles in this game, and the ending blitz of special effects is inspiring!

1A90 is a glowy shoot ‘em up where the background is a cellular automaton. Whenever your ship’s bullet (which you can design and redesign at the beginning of each level) strikes an enemy, it pastes itself into the background and sets off a series of chain reactions based on the ruleset of each level!

Sunset Runner has you hopping across the top of a moving train in an attempt to save your “best friend” before he/she/it gets squished. A fun, fast-paced, and difficult game from the King of Grinds, Guert!

StdBits, named after “the low-level pixel blitter in classic Mac OS,” is an abstract exploration game, where every screen has its own unique look. Beautiful visuals and music make this entry a stand-out.

Célu, by Alec Holowka, is a dreamy platform game inspired by Le Petit Prince. In the game you leap from planet to planet and soar through the stars.

Namako Team’s Dive is a brilliantly-realized underwater game where you plumb the depths of the ocean and interact with good and bad creatures using sonar. The atmosphere in this one is top notch.

Mr. Heart Loves You Very Much is a nifty little puzzle game that has you pushing rooms and rotating the level to get to your beloved Mr. Heart. A fun and original idea made better by super-cute retro pixel art.

Nick Sheets’ Doomed Planet is a B-Movie throwback that puts you in control of a UFO looking for victims (for probing?). I really dig the “movie reel” backdrop for this fun little game.

Our final Gamma 256 game is Passage, a poignant exploration of life, love, and the passage of time. My suggestion is to play the game a few times before you read the developer’s statement about what the game means to him.

Gamma Games Announced!

By: ARelativelyHotGirl

On: November 28th, 2007

In case you missed it, the Gamma 256 selection has been announced here!

Doomed Planet
Nick Sheets (link)

Dive
Trevor Wilson (link)

Dodge Club
James Montagna

Bloody Zombies
Petri Purho (link)

Mr Heart Loves You Very Much
Jimmy Andrews (link)

Célu
Alec Holowka (YouTube)

StdBits
Mark Johns (the creator of Space Barnacle)

Passage
Jason Rohrer (link)

Gamma 256

By: Derek Yu

On: September 5th, 2007

Kokoromi is a Québécois (“Quebec sauce?”) game developer collective, and they’re working with the Montreal International Game Summit and the Society for Arts and Technology to set up a “game jam” called gamma 256.

The theme is “low resolutions,” and the rules are as follows:

1. Your game’s resolution absolutely may not exceed 256×256 pixels maximum.

2. Your game must run on Windows XP and use an XBox 360 controller.

The submission period ends on November 1st. TIGForums is hosting the discussion for the competition, because we think it’s neat, okay? Head on over and make with the talkies.