I don't really review games any more.
I wouldn't say I miss it. Trying to play an entire game in a weekend to review it is never much fun. And you rarely get enough time between playing the game and writing the review to sit with it, let it wash over you, let it sit in your thoughts for a few days and turn over in your head.
But I do like having a chance to really put to words what I do and don't like about a game, in its entirety. So I might do that a bit more on here. And I want to sta...
2016-10-13 10:09:40 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys and gals. Wanted to run something by you
I've been approached by IGN, and they want to chat to me about two ideas: 1) running a couple existing episodes on the IGN platform and 2) creating some unique content for them
Now I don't think I want to do the latter. I don't need IGN to make stuff - you guys make that possible and together we have complete authorial control. Also, I don't really want videos that don't go on the channel - I love how it's all easily found on one YouTube ...
2016-10-13 06:37:30 +0000 UTC
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I completely forgot to actually post this as a paid Patreon article! Y'all almost got a freebie ;)
Thanks for the nice comments on the analytics post. I want to do more behind the scenes type stuff. I very much appreciate your support so want to bring you behind the curtain as much as possible.
What's up next? I've finished the script for Boss Keys on Wind Waker so will work on that soon. Then I really want to get this Nintendo post done. I'm gonna get you all to take a look at the...
2016-10-11 20:00:21 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone. I thought it might be fun to dig into the analytics of a random Game Maker's Toolkit video, to see who watched it, where they found it, and how long they watched it for.
I keep an eye on this stuff to help me promote my videos and pick topics. I find it interesting, so maybe you will too!
Okay, let's look at the Shovel Knight video. It's been out for a while now. How did that ...
2016-10-11 09:24:18 +0000 UTC
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Hi everyone
So, new episode coming soon. I don't like releasing on weekends so I'll put this out on Monday. But no reason why you can't get a sneak peek!
This won't be the released episode as I need to replace the final song due to copyright claims. Whoops! (I assumed it was so old it would be in the public domain. I was way wrong)
Also in the world of GMTK, the channel hit 100,000 subscribers! That's a big number and i'm super proud. It was a goal for 2016 and I hit it with pl...
2016-10-08 09:08:30 +0000 UTC
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Hello! I'm back!
I'd often been told that Fort Frolic is the best level in Bioshock, but couldn't find a definitive reason why people say that. I certainly remember enjoying it when I first played the game, but couldn't recall why, exactly.
So, with the remastered edition out, I went back to that level, had a play, and found a number of treats - which I share within! Hope you dig it.
Oh, and this is not the video that will go out to the world. Why? Well, I stupidly assumed that the...
2016-10-07 05:33:10 +0000 UTC
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Something a bit different this month. As I couldn't find enough games to highly recommend I thought I'd just chat about the indie games I've played in September.
2016-10-01 08:39:44 +0000 UTC
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September has been weird. It doesn't seem right that it's over. What have I been doing? Where did all the time go?
Post Script
In Praise of Prague
Okay, so I did finish Mankind Divided, and make this video about it.
It felt important to me that I gave this game a shout out because it's doing a lot of the stuff I've talked about in previous episodes. It actually lets you ...
2016-09-30 20:06:46 +0000 UTC
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Grab a cup of your favourite beverage, turn off all distractions, settle down, and enjoy some awesome video game analysis from around the web.
Fans, success, and Undertale
Perverted Sentimentality: An Analysis of Undertale - hbomberguy shows how Undertale's narrative is about being a fan, but not losing sight of why you loved something in the first place.
2016-09-27 11:53:20 +0000 UTC
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Enjoy! Will put this out to the world later today or tomorrow.
And yeah, I will release the graphs at some point. Just gotta figure out the best place for them.
Also - 800 Patrons. Holy cow. Amazing.
2016-09-25 08:18:00 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone. Just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping me reach this goal.
It's massive. Truly mind boggling. I hope I can make stuff that's worth that level of funding.
You might have noticed that I don't really do goals on here. It's for a few reasons: I don't want to look greedy, I'm absolutely humbled and appreciative of any help I receive, and I don't want to make promises I can't keep.
But do know that your support is definitely improving the channe...
2016-09-21 10:18:15 +0000 UTC
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I thought it was important to do an episode about Deus Ex Mankind Divided's Prague, not just because I loved the game and its city, but because it does a lot of the things I've talked about on other episodes.
Specifically the Arkham Knight and Little Dotted Line videos.
Now: I'm not saying that Eidos Montreal watches my stuff! Considering the time it takes to make games this big, the videos would probably be way too late anyway. But, it's just important to me to give credit to t...
2016-09-19 18:01:09 +0000 UTC
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Hello! Pleased with my afternoon Photoshopping so wanted to show it off. From the script:
Throughout this series, I've struggled to find a way to talk objectively about the structure and complexity of any given dungeon.
Things like "how many keys are there?" and "how much backtracking do you have to do?" are useful but imperfect ways to discuss these things.
So, while playing the Oracle games, and the 16 dungeons within, I wanted to come up with a universal way of repre...
2016-09-18 16:02:22 +0000 UTC
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I thought it was important to do an episode about Deus Ex Mankind Divided's Prague, not just because I loved the game and its city, but because it does a lot of the things I've talked about on other episodes.
Specifically the Arkham Knight and Little Dotted Line videos.
Now: I'm not saying that Eidos Montreal watches my stuff! Considering the time it takes to make games this big, the videos would probably be way too late anyway. But, it's just important to me to give credit to the games ...
2016-09-18 08:25:29 +0000 UTC
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New video coming very soon! Thanks so much for your ideas on small open worlds the other day - I used some of my favourite suggestions in the video.
Anyway, it feels like ages since I've talked to you all. I've been working on this video, working away at Boss Keys, and thinking hard about the next video.
To make up for my absence, here are some really quick thoughts on 2016's games - so far. Turns out: I've played a lot of video games!
Loved
The Witnes...
2016-09-17 17:01:16 +0000 UTC
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A Patron asked about capturing footage from handheld games, and that made me realise that it might be fun to share some info on how I capture gameplay from different systems.
Above is a picture of the main gear I use.
Number one is an Elgato HD 60. This is the bomb: you plug your console into one end via HDMI, then use another HDMI cable to go from the Elgato to your TV. And finally a mini USB to connect to your computer.
The reason you use two HDMIs is for two reasons: so...
2016-09-06 18:00:03 +0000 UTC
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I'm playing Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and I realised that I really love the game's open world. If you can even call it that. Prague is, ultimately, tiny. And much of the game takes place in other, more linear areas. I guess we call it a hub world.
Whatever the case, it's a reminder of what can be achieved when developers think small - rather than big. In the same month when one game gave us 18 quintillion planets, another gave us like 18 streets but packed them with places to explore, unique a...
2016-09-05 16:20:11 +0000 UTC
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The iPad and Apple Pencil have been a god send for Boss Keys. Every time I play a dungeon I put a map up on the screen and then doodle on notes, locations of keys, doors, items, and mechanisms.
At the end I make a little diagram to show the layout of the dungeon. It's a new thing I've come up with, and I'll explain it fully in the Oracle episode. It's a handy, objective way of comparing dungeon complexity from dungeon to dungeon, game to game. And for visualising how a dungeon is put tog...
2016-09-03 21:20:41 +0000 UTC
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6 games! That's a lot!
Quality's a little crummy for boring reasons I won't go into. Sorry, hope it doesn't affect your ENJOYMENT.
Bye!
2016-09-01 06:28:15 +0000 UTC
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Cutting it fine, but here I am at the end of August with my newsletter for the month! Let's a goooooo
Post Script
The comeback of the immersive sim
Confession time: before making this video I had never played System Shock 1 or 2, never really heard of Ultima Underworld, had only played one level of Thief, and didn't know what "immersive sim" meant. As you can imagine, this one r...
2016-08-31 22:02:59 +0000 UTC
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Hey! Just a heads up that GMP is coming tomorrow - sorry, I like to get these things done inside the month and while it is finished (see above!) my internet is crap and it takes all night to upload stuff.
Appreciate your patience!
2016-08-31 20:10:39 +0000 UTC
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Hey! It's a new episode. I'm going to put it live later today but you might as well watch it now, ya cheeky scamps.
Newsletter coming later today but Playlist will probably have to be tomorrow. Apologies!
2016-08-31 11:58:05 +0000 UTC
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Hello everyone! Got a lot of links for you today - about 40 things to watch and read, if you have the time. This month's featured topic is, of course…
No Man's Sky
No Man's Sky has been a fascinating game to read about. From its impossibly over-hyped marketing, to a hugely divisive reception on release, to the refund debacle… it's inspired quintillions of think pieces.
That's why I've been hesitant to do a video myself. Don't want to get lost in the shu...
2016-08-31 07:11:24 +0000 UTC
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Not sure about that title. I just typed it two seconds ago. We'll see!
So here we have it folks, a new video. I'm pleased with this one, which - seeing as i normally hate everything I make - means everyone will else will probably hate it. Lemme know!
Patreon rewards in the works. Just playing some stuff i missed in august for the playlist (Abzu is so gorgeous!) and whatnot.
And also getting distracted by zelda. i've come up with this way of visualising dungeon complexity that i thi...
2016-08-30 09:45:28 +0000 UTC
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Just a quick one! I know it must be a pain when you sign up for my Patreon with the intention of getting your rewards and then having to sift through loads of old posts to find them!
Luckily, Patreon has just implemented a new tagging system so I can group together content. As such, here are all the most important posts:
Game Maker's Playlist ($3+)
2016-08-29 12:13:13 +0000 UTC
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Just wanted to give a quick thanks to backer Jędrzej Wiliński who let me know that a couple talks at GDC Europe referenced my videos.
If you'd like to watch (and you have vault access), they are:
http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023854/Level-Design-Saga-Creating-Levels
Level Design Saga: Creating Levels for Casual Games (24 minutes in)
2016-08-26 15:53:28 +0000 UTC
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I continue my Zelda dungeon design exploration, with a look at the dark and creepy Majora's Mask
Will go live for everyone later today.
2016-08-24 08:44:36 +0000 UTC
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Going to put the finishing touches on this at lunch, but you can have a sneak peak for now.
As always, I want to know what you think!
2016-08-18 10:27:18 +0000 UTC
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Enjoy!
Quick note on Patreon credits: if you've specifically selected the 5 tier you'll get your full name, but if you're funding at 5 but have selected 3, 1, or no reward I'm putting your first name and last initial because I'm not sure if you want to be on the end or not. If you want to change that, you should be able to find it in your sub settings for GMT
Cheers!
2016-08-17 06:49:18 +0000 UTC
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Hey everyone. Haven't said hello in a while so thought I'd check in and let you know what's up!
I'm working on a video that has been very research-intensive (and fitting it in around real life stuff), but that stage is now, thankfully, done. The script is finally finished and recorded, so I will be working on all the other stuff this weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting this one out there.
After that, we're onto Majora's Mask Boss Keys. I've played about 2/3rds of the gam...
2016-08-12 06:28:34 +0000 UTC
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