This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 29, released in February 2009. Game Development. The words have a way of sending a flurry of mathematical equations and complex code lines swirling through one’s head; after all, it’s exactly that which drives a game forward, isn’t it? – having your logical pathways set out so that [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 19, released in December 2007. Bit-Blot, comprising of indie developers Alec Holowka and Derek Yu, is the force responsible for the IGF Grand Prize winning game, Aquaria, which was released on 7 December 2007. We chat them up and ask them about their exploits and their future prospects. [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 22, released in June 2008. Q. Mind telling us a little about yourself? Danny. My name is Danny Day. I’m 27 years old. I own QCF Design, an independent game development studio. I run Game.Dev, a non-profit community of South African game developers. I’ve lectured on games at [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 22, released in June 2008. Trilby: Art of Theft is a stealth-platform game created by Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw using Adventure Game Studio. Yes, you read correctly – a platformer made in an engine designed for adventure games. As the title not-so-subtly suggests, Art of Theft stars Chzo Mythos [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 21, released in April 2008. One hundred and ninety six years ago, cat burglar Trilby escaped the horrors of DeFoe Manor, only to discover an even greater danger. One hundred and ninety six years from now, an unwitting starship crew will stumble upon a remnant of his attempts [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 21, released in April 2008 We’re back with the third installment in the Chzo Mythos series by Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw. Trilby’s Notes takes place 4 years after the events in the DeFoe manor from 5 Days a Stranger. The titular handwritten notes from the original game’s protagonist serve [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 20, released in February 2008. It’s a quiet day in the Caracus Galaxy. The starship Mephistopheles sullies forth across the sea of stars, its six-person skeleton crew boldly scouting what no six-person skeleton crew has scouted before. Of course (being a horror game and all), trouble is inevitable [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 20, released in February 2008 5 Days a Stranger is a freeware point-and-click adventure game developed by Ben “Yahtzee” Croshaw. “Yahtzee” has a become a bit of an internet star lately with his weekly video reviews, Zero Punctuation, where he gives a funny and sarcastic view on the game [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 20, released in February 2008 I must admit: I’ve been a philistine. I played the original Tower of Goo back when it was on Experimental Gameplay and thought that it was entertaining enough. It didn’t blow my mind or anything, but it was worth the time spent playing and I [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 20, released in February 2008. A stunning setting, an involved story, and a gargantuan world to explore. This is the promise of Aquaria, an indie title nearly 2 years in the making, and winner of last year’s IGF grand prize. Diving into this action-adventure styled game is thus an [...]
Sitting down with Derek Yu’s latest creation, I had some pretty high expectations. After all, we’re talking about the guy behind stuff like Aquaria, I’m O.K. and TIGSource. I’m happy to say that I didn’t walk away disappointed. In fact, it was difficult for me to walk away at all.
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 28, released in January 2009. To accompany our review of the game, Dev.Mag sat down with Daniel Remar, the sole creator of Iji, and harassed him with questions about the development of the remarkable game.
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 28, released in January 2009 Here goes: if one were to attempt classification, Iji could be described as a “Nonlinear Action RPG Platformer”. It borrows thematic and gameplay elements from System Shock and Deus Ex, marries them with tactical platformer gunplay a la Blackthorne, and presents it all [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 16, released in August 2007 Welcome back, fellow coders! Prepare yourselves for the final, bumper episode of the Trig Trilogy, where I cover a whole lot of awesome trig techniques for your game-making pleasure. We’ve got a lot to cover, so let’s jump right in. It’s time for [...]
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 12, released in July 2007 Previously… Last issue we covered the core principles of trigonometry and learned how to use these to calculate unknown sides in a triangle. Well, I hope you’re rested and ready Commander, because we’ll be jumping straight back in with another essential technique – [...]
{ I find that the essence of great indie games comes from knowing their core rules. If all gameplay adheres to the core rules, then emergent... } – May 11, 9:11 PM
{ Insanely detailed, well written and an interesting read 
Being in the process of developing a game that has a web of interconnected rules and... } – May 11, 5:17 PM
{ Great article! Very informative. } – May 08, 9:51 AM
{ Nothing to beat a simple tutorial with Actual Screen shots. } – Apr 26, 9:44 PM
{ Thanks for the feedback Ben, max and cool math 
Glad you found it useful. } – Apr 23, 8:56 PM
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Happy coding for a happy coder
This article originally appeared in Dev.Mag Issue 29, released in February 2009. I must confess. I hardly ever comment my code. It’s the sort of thing that everybody lectures about, saying that it’s important for clarity, ease of use and even national security in the event of nuclear war. This is all true (though perhaps [...]