Saturday 22 December 2012

Free graphics is the way to start as HTML5 dev

Since I'm a programming developer and not a sound or graphics artists, I realized that in order to start completing games you have to put your pride in your pocket and accept help where you can find it.

So I did some research to find where I can get graphics for games, and still be allowed to sell them commercially, use it in many different small game formats for HTML5. Where it is important not to use to much large sprites, since games must be small to run fast in browsers.

I found this man, who is doing us an excellent service by releasing his well organised and themed graphics sets so that we may better the world with new games, even if we want to sell them. He only requires that you refer to him for credit and not to clone his games made with the same graphics, which is so little to ask.
Please make sure to read his licensing blog post, before you use his art.

His website: http://www.lostgarden.com/

I will be making my first games with these graphics for HTML5, give him credit, and see if I can sell it.
Then if it works I can reinvest that money to commission graphic artists and build my own game dev assets base, and repeat the process.
If this works then you will know how it is possible.

There are other free graphics sites, like http://www.opengameart.org, but you will find it is difficult to get a set of sprites that work well together and in multiple different game formats. Make sure to read and use their licensing terms correctly.

I do not condone stealing or plagiarism.

But I do agree with Daniel Cook, from Lost Garden, that we should share and give credit to the individual for creation of game assets, and not allow it to go lost in history due to large companies only paying them a salary for their efforts.

Viva Indie Gaming!!

Friday 21 December 2012

rotMG an excellent indie game example, but...

I stumbled on rotMG aka "realm of the Mad God" online browser game, which is a great example of how Indie gamer devs can innovate to make fun and fantastic games with minimal graphical complexity.

It is also a good experiment showing that if a game is fun, fast and rewarding to the player it doesn't need fancy graphics. This game is an 8Bit (with some clever black outlining and shade effects) design. A player can create a free account, and immediately start playing when its loaded in the browser. It takes about 5 minutes to load in the browser, then from there the game runs smooth. Free to play model, with in game gold purchase with real money, which you then can use to buy equipment and buffs, etc. But the game doesn't unbalance which would create a Pay to Win model. This is a clever move by the developers.

Unfortunately it is a shame how many people now are taking advantage of this open and popular free game, by monetizing it before the developers can do it themselves. Unbeknownst the developers created an excellent market for gold farmers to earn real money by not allowing ingame sales of items and free accounts, and thus cut into the profits of the game itself, which is a shame. If the developers can access these profits, and cut out the farmers then it would be so much more successful and rewarding for the player in the long run if reinvested. Also, the game is a hardcore game in the sense that if you character dies, it loses its items and permanently dies, and you must restart it. This creates even more demand for gear and farmed items. Luckily they reward you with a honor system if you die, and as you reach higher levels you unlock other character classes. The developers should think fast on how to expand their monetizing model, and have a look at what the farmers are doing and just do it themselves but better. Farmers may yet turn this into a Pay to Win game...unfortunately.

Another inspiring idea, is that the developers allow players to create their own 8Bit sprites for the game, with a web browser pixel editor. Unfortunately you can place this content in the game itself yet. Actually it would be great if the developers where to share this tool with other indie devs, since it automatically outlines the sprites with black thin lines and adds a shade all around it, making it immediately usable in game, and always matching the game world graphics with no effort.

It is an action pact shootup up style game, but with gear and loot and theme from classic fantasy rpg style games, but much more fast paced. Truly an amazing game and I will recommend it to any game fan, especially indie gamer's.

Here is the link:
rotMG

Tuesday 4 December 2012

buldersgate 1 redone

I'm really excited about the new remakes of the classic Baldur's Gate 1 game!!

Saw it today on my good friends wide screen pc, and it looks amazing. The game is basically a carbon copy and now works on modern PCs.

We can now finally indulge in this epic adventure which is especially good news to those who couldnt afford it as kids back in the 90's.

Support them and soon we may just yet see a Baldurs Gate 3 from this kickstarter project.

Till next time my passionate indie gamer friends enjoy your festive season.