New video! Will be going public tomorrow
Next up: a bonus vid for Patrons to asneer some more Q&A questions. And then Boss Keys (with a little time off for Mario Odyssey!)
2017-10-19 17:01:00 +0000 UTC View Post
New episode already?! What! I know, right. But here we are.
I really like Cuphead and wanted to talk about all the interesting attack patterns and phases and whatnot. And it should be the start of more videos on bosses down the line.
But next up - well, a different type of boss video. Yeah, I gotta get back to Boss Keys!!
Video might be out on Friday as I'm travelling tomorrow so this might be a 48 hour preview. Depends when I get in!
2017-10-18 13:05:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! One thing I failed to mention in my latest episode was that some other tactical games have already found good solutions to XCOM 2's problem (i.e. how to make players speed up and take risks without completely annoying them).
Clever YouTube commenters pointed this stuff out, and the examples were so good that I wanted to highlight three games in a quick bonus video. Which is available here!
I also used this as a a...
2017-10-12 11:04:27 +0000 UTC View PostHello everyone!
Sorry for the delay on GameClub. But let’s jump back into it.
This time, the theme is ambitious and interesting indie games - that just didn’t make it into the mainstream conversation. Maybe they were flawed. Or weird. Or boring. Or just bad. Let’s find out.
As always, please pick the game you want to play and talk about in the poll. The winner will be selected tomorrow and I’ll open up a channel in the Discord for us to talk about it.
<... 2017-10-12 09:50:07 +0000 UTC View Post
New episode! Coming out this afternoon. Here's the description
A designer’s job often involves making sure players are experiencing the game in the most fun or interesting way. In this video, I look at examples of games that have tried to achieve this - sometimes with success, and sometimes with controversy.
Hope you like it. It was fun to go back to a more design heavy video after the Metroid ...
2017-10-10 13:07:20 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello super special $5 patron people. Here's an early sneak peek at next week's video.
This is a return to pure design stuff. Lots of games, examples, quotes from designers, and it should hopefully be helpful to game makers and interesting to game players.
Lemme know what you reckon. And have a good weekend!
2017-10-06 15:13:01 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! Got a handful of cool games from September to talk about! This is stuff that came out earlier in the month - I haven't had a chance to try out the super new stuff like Golf Story and Cuphead yet. So... I guess I'll be back with them (and more) next month!
2017-09-29 16:39:08 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey everyone!
In this issue of the GMTK Insider, I want to focus on something that might seem like a bit of a quick, throwaway part of the process - but actually involves a lot of time and work to get right. It’s the thumbnail.
This thing is so important. It’s the first thing pretty much everyone sees, and it must compete with all the other thumbnails on YouTube. It needs to be bold, eye-catching, and persuasive, while also accurately conveying the tone and point of the video. It’s...
2017-09-29 09:21:57 +0000 UTC View Post
Okay! I'm back. Wow, this took longer than I was expecting thanks to horrible illness stuff (and playing each of these games twice through).
So this video looks at how two games approached the same task: remaking a Game Boy game. We'll look at how they did it, and ask whether or not they actually succeeded in their mission to faithfully update this game.
The video will talk about the ending of all three games, but it's ...
2017-09-28 15:53:48 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! I received way too many questions in my recent Q&A. Instead of making something too long, or giving rubbish answers, or ignoring half the questions, I will instead be answering them over the course of several Patreon posts these next few months - sometimes written, sometimes in video form.
Okay, so this first answer is in response to questions from OSW Review, James Law, Joshua Good, and Jake, who all asked about my background and th...
2017-09-28 10:22:56 +0000 UTC View Post
Okay! I'm back. Wow, this took longer than I was expecting thanks to horrible illness stuff (and playing each of these games twice through).
So this video looks at how two games approached the same task: remaking a Game Boy game. We'll look at how they did it, and ask whether or not they actually succeeded in their mission to faithfully update this game.
The video will talk about the ending of all three games, but it's ...
2017-09-27 13:15:49 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello!
I know this is a bit early in the month, but because I can’t yet record any new scripts (this cold has left me sounding like a nightmare goblin from the mucus dimension for the time being - will try again on Monday!), I might as well do some Patreon stuff while I wait.
So, I must apologise for the delay in new videos, and I thank for your patience while I suffer through this illness (no one’s as impatient for me to get back to making stuff as me, I promise you).
Iâ...
2017-09-22 09:37:27 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello. It's been a while since we last chatted!
So I finished the detective video and then dove straight into another huge project: this big Metroid 2 / AM2R / Samus Returns video. Which has involved playing the games multiple times, making maps, lots of research and so on.
And then I was ill for a whole week! It sucked! And I'm still not that great. It still sucks! But it has been nice to have a bit of a break at least and has given me some time to think more about the direction of the ...
2017-09-18 11:39:19 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! As promised, here's an additional bit of last month's GMTK Insider with notes on my latest video.
Research and writing
So, detective games are something I've always been interested in. I love detective fiction, and I'm fascinated by the clever ways that developers have come up with to let the player feel like a private eye.
For this video, I wanted to show the inherent problems of a d...
2017-09-05 15:04:39 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! Here's my new video, which is out tomorrow. I mine ancient DOS games, forgotten mobile apps, quirky indie titles, and games that aren’t even about solving crimes, for good murder mystery mechanics.
Note! This video contains puzzle spoilers for Life is Strange, The Shivah, and Discworld Noir.
2017-09-03 13:54:06 +0000 UTC View Post
Hoo boy! This one has been a long time in the works.
It required a lot of research. There's about 30 games shown, and maybe 10 more that I played but ended up not showing.
The script was tough. It's quite a complex and abstract idea of why some mechanics tickle your brain better than others, and explaining it was a challenge.
There's loads of motion graphic stuff, and I've only just started to learn After Effects!
And if you were on Discord today, you'll know I had tonn...
2017-09-01 20:55:11 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello all!
I decided to rename the newsletter. I used to talk about the games I’ve been playing, but this month I realised that it will all be covered in Game Maker’s Playlist or separate articles.
So instead, this monthly update will be all behind the scenes type stuff on GMTK. How I made stuff, what I’m working on, what ideas I have, and a chance for you to get involved with future episodes.
Unfortunately, my new video isn’t quite ready! It’s a real beast - ...
2017-08-31 14:30:39 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey $3 people! Here's your Playlist video for the month. I've also posted the text below if you'd prefer to read it!
Sonic Mania
So, if you don’t know, this is a tribute to classic Sonic games. A greatest hits collection, plus all new content. It’s actually made by a bunch of Sonic fans and modders, who were hired by Sega to, basically, do what they can’t: make a good Sonic game.
And they definitely pulled that off. It feels like an old Mega Drive...
2017-08-30 18:49:33 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! Loads and loads of links for you this month, and tonnes of videos. Turns out, lots of people are making videos about games now! Eek! Better step up my game!
Tacoma
[Video] Gone Home's Indie Rebellion - GameSpot talks to Fullbright about the making of Gone Home, and how the idea evolved into Tacoma.
Hey! So, I finished Uncharted: The Lost Legacy.
If you don’t know, this is a standalone Uncharted game, set after the events of Uncharted 4, and drops Nathan Drake in favour of Chloe Frazer (first seen in Uncharted 2). Chloe is chasing down some ancient macguffin in India, alongside her new gal pal, Nadine Ross (Uncharted 4).
I thought the DLC was great. It's one of my favourite Uncharted games, just behind Uncharted 2. And if you liked the other games you've gotta get it - even ...
2017-08-28 15:13:59 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! Hopefully you enjoyed playing Brothers. If you never played it before, I'm sure you now appreciate why so many design bois and gurls harp on about how darn amazing it is.
Or maybe you hated it! I dunno! You do you. All I wanna know is - what did you think? The Discord channel for the GameClub is now wide open for spoiler talk.
Or, if you prefer, you can leave your thoughts in the comments. Or write a blog or make a video and link to it. Or tattoo your review score for Brothers on ...
2017-08-28 14:08:59 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello! If you missed it earlier, I asked Patrons to submit questions to Jordan Amaro who has worked on Metal Gear Solid V, Resident Evil 7, and Splatoon 2. After receiving many insightful questions, Jordan has now been able to answer as many of 'em as possible!
I've printed his answers below.
I'll be looking for more interesting people in the future - if you're a Patron and you've had an interesting career in games (design, production, PR, journalism, wearing a Pikachu suit at Gamesc...
2017-08-25 19:17:21 +0000 UTC View PostHey everyone!
I've been crunching hard on a video for the last few weeks, but it's finally coming together and I wanted to share some progress with you all - and maybe get some ideas in the process.
So, one of the videos I've wanted to do ever since the channel first started was a look at detective games. I've always been a bit disappointed with games like LA Noire for being so simple and streamlined in many aspects, and so wanted to look at some games that offered slightly more interest...
2017-08-21 11:42:47 +0000 UTC View Post
Boss Keys is coming towards its conclusion. But until then, we need to talk about dungeon orders, the three dungeon types, and renting hammers.
Don't forget to send your questions to Jordan. He's been reading everything and will sit down to answer them in a few days.
2017-08-14 14:52:42 +0000 UTC View Post
Because Patreon is now monthly, $5 Patrons also get Boss Keys 24 hours early (and names in the credits, too).
The video's out tomorrow! Just two more episodes of Boss Keys to go - next time will be Zelda 1 and 2 (and maybe some other games, not sure yet). And then Breath of the Wild.
And then I've got to do an actual episode of Game Maker's Toolkit on Zelda dungeons and I still have no idea how that's going to work. But I like a good challenge :S
2017-08-13 13:27:45 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey! So, the poll was a close one. But one game managed to snatch a narrow victory: Brothers - A Tale of Two Sons.
You can get the game on Steam for PC, Playstation Store for PS4 and 2017-08-12 10:18:38 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello!
I’ve had some messages from viewers asking me to share more information about the graph system I created for analysing Zelda dungeons in my YouTube series, Boss Keys (introduced in the Minish Cap episode).
People want to better understand how the graphs work, and also use the system to analyse other games or even make entirely new games.
So... here’s how...
2017-08-11 13:37:44 +0000 UTC View Post
Hello!
I’m incredibly lucky to have some amazing people support me on Patreon. People who actually make video games instead of just talking about them on YouTube.
And so maybe it would be fun to chat to these guys and gals about their work in a nice, cozy, Q&A session? I’ll introduce someone, you can leave questions in the comments, and then the person will answer.
My first guest is Jordan Amaro, who has a pretty incredible CV. He’s a game designer who worked on Metal Gea...
2017-08-10 12:59:19 +0000 UTC View PostHello! Welcome back to GameClub.
Here’s how GameClub works: we pick a game, and then go play it. We discuss the game on Discord as we play, but avoid chatting about spoilers until a specific date. When that date hits, all bets are off and the game can be discussed in full.
As promised, I’ve got fewer choices this time and I think they’re all roughly on the same level in terms of popularity. I’ve got a new game, a must-play indie, and a 90s classic.
Use the poll below to pic...
2017-08-10 08:10:25 +0000 UTC View PostHello!
I’ve had a number of people tell me that they’re a bit scared to make YouTube videos about games, because they’ve heard spooky stories about copyright claims on game footage.
I wanted to try and demystify the whole process and provide some practical advice on dealing with sort of stuff. This post will be public so I can share it with anyone who asks about this.
How does it work?
As soon as you upload, your video is automatically ch...
2017-08-01 08:18:58 +0000 UTC View Post