New York what? That’s what I ask myself every time I see this abbreviation because I’m an idiot. You’re not an idiot so knew exactly what it meant of course 🙂 I hope you had a great one, and are ready for another one because that’s what you’re getting whether you like it or not.
No post last week, but then it was xmas eve and I had places to be and people so see and didn’t even get a chance to turn on my computer. Totally worth it, I think it’s the first time I’ve been out with my friends this year! This post is gonna be more journal than article since I’ve not a lot of time to get things done, hopefully back to form next week.
Thinking back over the year it hasn’t been the kind of wild ride I’m reading a lot of other people have had. And that’s not a terrible thing! With the new addition to the family, our little daughter who recently turned one having a relatively stable year has been great. Having her around and raising her has been really great but also super draining. kids, they’re like life on hard mode right? But nothing else rewards you like they do.
Financially things have been pretty tough, but we’ve pulled through and continue to have a roof over our heads and food on the table for the foreseeable so all in all, practically things are looking OK.
I did manage to get a few things done in my spare hours not changing nappies and feeding the little monster. I got to play a few excellent games, most notably The Witcher 3 which easily get’s my GOTY, not least of which because I have a daughter myself. I don’t need to tell you how good it is or why it’s my GOTY beyond that. Plenty of people have written excellent reviews and you should go read them. They worked hard on them after all. Or just go play the game.
Most notably I got my first game out the door, and have started work on my second. Development has slowed a bit due to life, as well as friends gifting me a few sweet games, thanks guys! My favourites list in steam is sitting at 23 which is a bit ridiculous, when am I going to get to these games, make my own game and write here on top of everything else. Top titles on my favs list atm are Tales of Zesteria, Grandia II, Starpoint Gemini 2 and Devine Divinity: Original Sin. Not exactly short games. More ridiculous is my plan to play games list which has 181 games on it. And that’s just steam, there’s also GOG and Itch to think about. But I won’t.
Stand our indie games for me this year are @DarkestKale’s Seas of Scred, @SmashRiot’s Dr. Spacezoo, and @Enichan’s Ultra Hat Dimension, all available on itch.io, easily my favourite indie platform. I highly recommend you pick up these titles, they’re great fun and don’t cost very much.
There are too many people to list who’ve made my 2015 much better than it could have been, have helped me out in various ways or just made it way better. If I did list them, I’d forget some because I have a truly terrible memory and feel terrible for the unintended insult. A huge thank you nonetheless to you guys and girls of 2015 for everything you’ve done for me, and I hope I can return the favour. If you need anything, just ask.
Just to show that while I’ve not been spending much time actually developing anything, game dev hasn’t been far from my mind. A few ideas I may follow up on after I finish Test Flight: A ton of ideas for a follow up for The Willow Effect that I can’t talk about because they’re spoilerific, and I guess don’t count here.
A game where you’re an assassin’s assistant and have to reckon prospective targets and set up equipment and drops so they can complete the hit. A hospital admin sim based on my own experiences, which would also be something of a political commentary on the state of the health system here in Ireland I guess. A space horror where you have to escape a decaying space station. No jump scares, no weird little girls chasing you, just the inevitable destruction of your environment around you and your struggle to escape somehow. And also a space mining game using a text interface so a bit like an interactive fiction but it’s a management game mechanics-wise. I have other ideas but you don’t want/need to read them.
Midnight is creeping up on me, so I’m gonna finish there. I hope the new year rings in great things for you, but remember, they don’t just happen, you gotta work for em. Go out there and kick ass, take names and make friends.
Happy new year!
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