Knytt Online World: Sneak Peak

By: Derek Yu

On: October 16th, 2008

A Knytt fan who goes by the handle “Dynamite” is working on a multiplayer online version of Nifflas’s atmospheric platform game. You can read more about the project here.

Unfortunately, development of the game is being postponed until the holidays, as Dynamite grapples with one of indie gaming’s greatest foes, SCHOOL. How many promising young developers has this menace claimed? Oh, the humanity!

[Follow the discussion on TIGForums]

(Thenks, architekt!)

Knytt Stories…on the DS?

By: Shabadage

On: August 28th, 2008

Just stumbled across this video. Apparently a fan of Knytt Stories is in the process of porting the golden child freeware game over to the DS.

While it’s not done yet, it seems to be coming along quite nicely!

Games For Windows Magazine: Knytt

By: Derek Yu

On: November 6th, 2007

Games For Windows is fast becoming the most indie-friendly magazine around, what with its 3-page spread on Dwarf Fortress (yes!) a few months ago, and now this little write-up (scan) on Knytt. Go Nifflas!

And by the way, I had no idea Knytt was pronounced “KNIGHT.” I’ve been pronouncing it “KNIT” this whole time. I don’t think that’s gonna stop, either. Also, I’ve been pronouncing metanet‘s N as “CHEESEBURGER,” which I’m now worried is totally wrong.

And The Underside as “CAVE STORY.” (Ohsnapwtfbbqkekekekejk <3.)

(Thanks very much to The DMac for the news/scan!)

Knytt Experiment

By: Terry

On: October 30th, 2007

There’s a good chance you’ve already heard the news by now: a week or so ago Nicklas “”http://nifflas.ni2.se/“>Nifflas” Nygren announced the Knytt Experiment, a totally goal-less version of Knytt with one level, built out from the centre of an empty world with user submitted maps. After working on that for a couple of days, he cancelled the project, along with the new Knytt Stories expansion. Apparently, he feels that the success of Knytt Stories has put a lot of pressure on him to produce something at the same standard, and that it’s affecting the quality of his work. On the future of his projects, he had this to say:

I’ll definitely keep creating games, but I need to find the way back to the spirit I had when I created Knytt, when nothing mattered except just the artistic expression. One step in this is probably to keep my future projects secret. You’ll probably not even know about them before the release.

(You can read the full forum post here.)

Nevertheless, Knytt Experiment is basically finished, and released. You can find it here, on his forums. At the moment it’s quite small, but it’s growing all the time – when you first start it up, you’ll only have access to the centre room. To get the latest maps, simply select the “update world” option under each of the level types.

It’s much closer to the original Knytt than to Knytt Stories: the only differences are that the map now scrolls, that your Knytt is invincible (in fact there’s nothing to hurt him), and that he can float in the air with a balloon (making exploration a lot easier). Unfortunately there’s no music (which is a big part of the Knytt experience for me), but I guess that’ll only add to the atmosphere for some people. I played it with the Silent Hill 2 soundtrack in the background, which worked pretty well, heh.

In summary, nice work, Nicklas! I for one can’t wait to see what you come up with next, regardless of what direction you go in.

Knytt Stories Third Party Level: “Don’t Eat The Mushroom”

By: Terry

On: October 2nd, 2007

Wasn’t Knytt Stories fun? Nifflas hasn’t compiled a new third party expansion pack just yet, but there are quite a few candidates for it popping up over on his forums. Here’s one that I really liked: UncleSporky’s funny and imaginative “”http://nifflas.ni2.se/forum/index.php?topic=1451.0">Don’t Eat The Mushroom". It may only be a couple of minutes long, but if you’re anything like me, chances are you’ll be playing through it twice!

If you want to try a few more third party levels, Nifflas’s list of favourites might be a good place to start. And feel free to post your favourites in the comments! (or plug your own mod, that’s cool too :) )

(Thanks clysm!)

Furthermore!

‘Night Game’ — Potential New Project From Nifflas

By: Brandon McCartin (BMcC)

On: September 17th, 2007

Whoa! Shih Tzu was just telling me today about the great Knytt Stories expansions out there, and look what I find on Tim’s blog just now… Concept art for Nifflas’ new project, tentatively called “Night Game.” Could this be a spiritual successor to Within a Deep Forest?

Little is known at this point, but mysterious user “pi” on Tim’s site has pointed out a forum thread on Clickteam’s site where Nifflas seems mighty interested in physics solutions. He even posted some diagrams that bear a striking resemblance to the image above.

It’s quite cool seeing Nifflas explore new graphical and gameplay styles like this. Keep an eye on this one.

(Source: TIM)

The aforementioned diagrams and further description from Nifflas in the extended.

Nifflas’ forum post:

“I want to create a game that takes place in a 2D landscape. The background scenery will contain slopes, but it does not have to be curved like in the demonstration images.

There must be a way to attach several rectangles and spheres to each other, to create more complex objects (four rectangles can become a windmill). There must also be a way to attach a physical object to the background, so it’s X and Y position becomes fixed, but it still begins to rotate realistically if you push it somewhere."

Knytt Stories Level: Gustav’s Daughter

By: Derek Yu

On: September 12th, 2007

Nifflas has released a new official level for Knytt Stories, called Gustav’s Daughter. It’s a short level with some tough jumping parts. It also shows off a few cool tricks of the engine, like an overworld map! Very enjoyable. To get at it, go here and click on “Other Levels.”

Or feeling creative? Check out this level editing tutorial and post your levels on Nifflas’s forums.

Knytt Stories

By: Derek Yu

On: August 28th, 2007

Knytt Stories and a lunar eclipse in one night? Surely it’s a subtle sign from the Universe that this is something special.

Beyond the fact that I think Nifflas has improved upon his craft since the original game and that I am in love with this one, I don’t want to belabor a description. You should know Knytt Stories is not just a single adventure, but a series of adventures. Really, an unlimited number of adventures, since the game comes packaged with a level editor that seems very robust and easy to use.

Those of you who found Knytt to be too “boring” will get more out of Knytt Stories, I think, but no promises. The rest of us may have been sold from the start, but I gotta say that I genuinely like this game even better. Download it immediately.

(Thanks, Circy!)

Knytt Stories Release Date

By: Derek Yu

On: July 11th, 2007

According to Nifflas’s website, Knytt Stories, the spiritual sequel to the much beloved Knytt, will be arriving on August 30th.

Also arriving on August 30th: the peaceful plant aliens from the planet Geti Prime, here to share with us their delicious recipe for meatloaf that stops aging and cures cancer. Which are you most interested in?

(Source: Total Klik)

Gamekult Interview: Nifflas

By: Derek Yu

On: June 22nd, 2007

“”http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ico">Ico [has] affected everything about what I value in games: atmosphere over gameplay and power-ups, items, bosses… Ico is not about what the game is, it’s about what the game is not – despite the very little music, very small amount of possible moves, bonus games, etc. It’s so incredibly beautiful in every way. So I’d say it have had a huge impact of all my future game designing.

Knytt is built on the same philosophy, and I had to create the Ljus level in Within a Deep Forest (the only level without music) after playing Ico (I was near the end of the WaDF development when I played that game for the first time). But even before I had played Ico, I value atmosphere a whole lot.“ -from the ”http://www.gamekult.com/blog/darknemo/59123/Portrait+Nicklas+Nygren+Ume%E5+Suede.html">interview

I didn’t realize Nifflas was Jesus. But I had a hunch.

(Source: Timmy)