Re: [Audyssey] Where Have All The Developers Gone?
No no, I'm going to be porting all my games to the desktop as well. I admit that I haven't done much programming lately, and now I'm banging my head against the wall that is vb.net--it's bleeding quite freely now and at any moment I'm likely to pass out... Do you live near Sandusky Ohio, or are you planning a trip to Cedar Point? Receive a massage at very competitive rates--$40 per hour for a revitalizing therapeutic massage, $65 per house call--any time, anywhere (within reason.) Call 419-577-7973 I'll ease your pain and discomfort, loosen and mobilize your stiff joints, relax your achy muscles, and help you let go of stress, depression, and nervous anxiety... Ken Downey, LMT President of Blind Comfort! The Caring Without the Staring and DreamtechInteractive - Original Message - From: Louis Bryant lo...@braillesoft.net To: gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 7:43 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where Have All The Developers Gone? Hi. I'm still around, however I've been quite busy finding full-time work, raising two children under the age of two, college for my Bachelors in Software Development and Game Design, and helping both Ken Downey and Travis with PAC Mate development. I've turned away from the PAC Mate a bit to start focusing on desktop games since that's where most of the user base is anyway. Travis and Ken's games will most likely be PAC Mate games exclusively, while mine has shifted. Desktops are now my top priority while the PDA market comes last. I am working on a couple of titles but I really can't say how long they'll take to come out as the ideas are quite major and require out-of-pocket spending to get them off of the ground. This is one of the reasons why I'm looking for work, to get my family in a better financial place and to deliver to the blind gaming community what we've all wanted. I'm hanging in there, and hope you will all do the same for all other developers. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.819 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2898 - Release Date: 05/26/10 14:26:00 --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I still miss Junkyard! That was cool, especially blowing up the propane tank. Do you live near Sandusky Ohio, or are you planning a trip to Cedar Point? Receive a massage at very competitive rates--$40 per hour for a revitalizing therapeutic massage, $65 per house call--any time, anywhere (within reason.) Call 419-577-7973 I'll ease your pain and discomfort, loosen and mobilize your stiff joints, relax your achy muscles, and help you let go of stress, depression, and nervous anxiety... Ken Downey, LMT President of Blind Comfort! The Caring Without the Staring and DreamtechInteractive - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 4:26 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Ah, appologies phil, sadly i never got to play your dos games (though the description you give of arthur doesn't half make me want to). I certainly hope there might be a way to make said games windows friendly at some point in the future. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 9:00 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, I think Bryan was talking about, ARTHUR'S QUEST Produced by PCS Games Written by Carl Mickla Sounds created by Phil Vlasak Version 1.0 Copyright 1999 You are in medieval times. Your quest as Arthur is to find and recover Excalibur, then fight the Dark Lord with it, ridding the land of unrest and conflict. Before you can do all that you must fight the knights that are under the influence of the evil lord. You Build your fighting skills with various types of weapons so that you will be worthy of Excalibur and challenge the Dark Lord and banish him forever. This was one of our last DOS games. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.819 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2898 - Release Date: 05/26/10 14:26:00 --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
As I said, I really think it's a distinct shame Vip gameszone didn't take a litle more time looking at balance as well as all those great sounds etc. In fact, they could actually stil do this if they just took a litle time out, but unfortunately as I said before, they also seem to have well and truly stopped developement as well. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Shaun, What, nitro ports, super charger, gravity puller, nitro burner, six-speed transmition, extra fuel tank, and nitro booster? You have none of that? I'd hope you at least had something...grin Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of shaun everiss Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:44 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? hmmm I have lords of the galaxy and railracer. I remember they used to be the rage when i got em. But I don't play em anymore not even online. Railracer is mostly used for checking all my components are working as if they are not it crashes. I keep saying tomyself I will actually build my scores up so I can get all the extra stuff needed to really get there then save the config. but havn't bothered. At 07:13 a.m. 24/05/2010, you wrote: Hi, It's just too bad you never see anyone playing RailRacer online anymore. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 1:15 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Oh, I haven't forgotten Che. i mentioned Blind Adrenaline briefly at the end of my e-mail was the best developers between 2005 and 2010.. Besides there is too much information to really mention each and every developers acomplishments by name, but i agree Che has done more than anyone in recent years in advancing audio game technology. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, Makes sense--it fits the rather cheesy logo (or not so Cheesy as redundant the hundredth time you hear it, thank you Ryan for telling me how to shut it up). Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Phil Vlasak Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:33 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Thomas, You are correct. I think he gave his girl friend 51 percent of Adora and so she had the majority share and could do whatever she wanted with the company. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:19 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Hayden, No. Actually, if mememory serves me it was a joint ownership deal where Josh and his girl friend both owned Adora Entertainment. When they broke up there was some legal problem over who actually had a controlling interest in it. In the end Josh broke off, gave her Adora, and started up Draconis Entertainment managing to keep theESP games in the process. As for the name Draconis it is latain for dragon. So consider the name Dragon Entertainment in modern English. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, Are you kidding me? Noo! Grin I haven't even gotten that far. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:58 PM To: Lori Duncan; Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Ah yes, the wall of vines. And those mother hawks would attack you when you went after the coins. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:14 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, following the Proff is the easy bit. That rock is really hard, but in some way I liked the sound of climbing up that wall of vines. Smile - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:16 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, And I really don't t hink the three levels are good examples. Call me crazy, but it took me forever to figure out how to follow the professor to the lab. Then there's the Aztec temple? That has to be one of the hardest in the game. I still have not gotten past that rock in the entrance. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:50 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, Yeah--I particular like the synthesis background. I'm still trying to get the resources straight--in order to make a profit, you have to buy them, then sell them, and make it back to your base without using SOS, teleport, or a space truck? Best Regards, hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:10 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? There are two principle ones. Firstly, markit planets are ridiculous, sinse you can buy all six resources for them. This means they're three times more valuable than any other planet, thus having the full markit set gives any player a massive advantage. combined to this, is the fact that there is no limit on using teleport or space truck stations to grab planets, particularly the markit planet. The second reeally! obsurd loophole is the exchange coins option, which can effectively just double, or even triple your entire stack of money in one go. It doesn't matter what planets you own or don't own, or what resources you buy, getting lucky a couple of times on exchange coins and nobody will catch you up. I remember a game I was playing with Igor from vip gameszone and a couple of other people. We were all on betwene 2 and 6 thousand, while Igor was on 40 thousand after three circuites of the board, even though we'd been buying planets pretty evenly. The same goes for losing at any of the minigames, lose all your cash in hand and your pretty much out of the running, and as you can only morgage planets when you land on them, there's really no way to get back in unlike in monopoly. As I said, it's a major shame. Lords of the galaxy has some truly amazing soundscapes, and I absolutely love the different environments for each planet and minigame. The idea of sending essentially turn data to other players was a nice one as well. I just really! wich Vip gameszone would clean the game balance up a bit more. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:52 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, What loopholes are you talking about with Lords of the Galaxy? Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 9:48 PM To: Gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Back when I started looking into audio games in early 2006, it seemed there were 4 principle developers of big time serious games, and a number of people who either developed free, random symple stuff or promised and not delivered. Gma (my starting point sinse I began with Shades of doom), along with pcs who I believed at first were basically an extention of Gma (sorry Phil, this was in the days before sarah). Vip gameszone (who I bought my second game, galaxy ranger from), bsc, and Draconis. I freely admit I was wrong in seeing everyone else as pretty secondary to these four, sinse this was before Jim released some of his more extensive games like Win Golf or puppy1, and before I'd played anything Tom had released. Nevertheless, it does seem rather weerd now, because even though generally the hole state of audio games have improved, Entombed, time of conflict, sound rts, rail racer, sarah etc, etc, it seems mostly by new people like Che and jason alan. out of what I used to believe were the big four, only one, --- Gma, have consistantly developed stuff over the past five years. Though Draconis sold Sarah, they weren't actually responsable for building the game, and don't seem to have made major updates sinse 2007, the same can be said of Vip gameszone, who went quiet after the release of their sports package, quite a shame, as their Lords of the galaxy game rather impressed me, and with a litle rebalancing and illimination of loop holes could be fantastic. Then Bsc haven't made any releases in this time, though at least in their case I do know this is because Justin has a full time job and children, which is fair enough of course. It does seem a bit odd though that so many of who I believed originally to be the major players have gone somewhat silent. Does anyone know what's going on with the others, or whether there is any further news from justin? manifestly they're stil around having done vista updates and such, but it does seem somewhat strange that so many of who I believed were the big players are now rather silent, and I'd hate to think more developers have done a bavisoft. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com Em 23-05-2010 6:36, Thomas Ward escreveu: Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch and Chillingham. That was around 2003/2004 or so. After that they basically fell off the face of the earth, and haven't done anything of note since. Second, there was LightTech Interactive. That was a company that was going very far very fast. It is true they had very simple games like Light Cars, Light Locator, The Horse Racing Game, etc but they were learning. Their games were improving, getting better, more advanced and suddenly the developer doesn't want to do it any more. End of LightTech Interactive. Third, there is Alchemy Game Studios. As many here will remember James North briefly tried to make a come back had a pretty impressive list of game projects in the works like Montezuma's Revenge, ESP Raceway, a mouse demo, and Max Shrapnal. However, after a number of personal
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Personally I agree with everything Thomas said here, and I have to add that with the recent release of the bgt game engine, I believe that people are going to start creating a lot more stuff once it comes out and is publicly well known and more features are added. It has great potential and it's easy to code with. Just my 2 cents. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com Em 23-05-2010 6:36, Thomas Ward escreveu: Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch and Chillingham. That was around 2003/2004 or so. After that they basically fell off the face of the earth, and haven't done anything of note since. Second, there was LightTech Interactive. That was a company that was going very far very fast. It is true they had very simple games like Light Cars, Light Locator, The Horse
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Yeah, some of the developers have vanished. Though just because of a job, or a full time job, I can't see a reason of quiting. And also, I liked all of light tech's game apart from light battles. My audio games for the blind group. Discussions off topic are welcome in the holidays. Talking about games is welcome, talking about computer problems is welcome when their are know holidays but that's only in easter holidays or know holidays. If you want to joyn, just send a blank email to. audiogamesfortheblind+subscr...@googlegroups.com With the subject subscribe in the subject line. Contact infermation. email: muhamme...@googlemail.com msn: muhammed123...@hotmail.co.uk Skype: muhammed.deniz Klango username. muhammed - Original Message - From: Oriol Gómez ogomez@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 10:21 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Personally I agree with everything Thomas said here, and I have to add that with the recent release of the bgt game engine, I believe that people are going to start creating a lot more stuff once it comes out and is publicly well known and more features are added. It has great potential and it's easy to code with. Just my 2 cents. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com Em 23-05-2010 6:36, Thomas Ward escreveu: Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, One slight correction, I worked with Draconis on Ten Pin Alley, based on the PCS game Ten Pin Bowling for DOS. And that game was based on the GEM machine game of bowling, which was a dedicated game consul for the Blind based on the Tandy color computer and used game cartridges and a built in voice synthesizer. I bought it at an ACB convention in 1989. PCS was putting out about 4 games a year between 1996 and 1999 for DOS because both myself and Carl were single living with our parents. Since then both Carl and myself got married and he has a full time job with IBM as a programmer. My plan has always been to convert many of my DOS games to windows, but my interest in the Harry Potter world has taken over most of my time the past 4 years. Carl is considering getting back into game programming and is now putting together C plus plus libraries needed for this task. I told him about the steps Thomas ward went through to get to the point of developing a game and he may profit from that knowledge. Once my Sarah game update is finished, I plan on developing several games using the GMA engine. But I am also considering the BGT engine and Thomas Ward's engine once it is finished. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Not only that but Philip's in college is he not? We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 10:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch and Chillingham. That was around 2003/2004 or so. After that they basically fell off the face of the earth, and haven't done anything of note since. Second, there was LightTech Interactive. That was a company that was going very far very fast. It is true they had very simple games like Light Cars, Light Locator, The Horse Racing Game, etc but they were learning. Their games were improving, getting better, more advanced and suddenly the developer doesn't want to do it any more. End of LightTech Interactive. Third, there is Alchemy Game Studios. As many here will remember James North briefly tried to make a come back had a pretty impressive list of game projects in the works like Montezuma's Revenge, ESP Raceway, a mouse demo, and Max Shrapnal. However, after a number of personal problems, plus an angry mob of upset customers, I took his game projects off his hands, and he dropped out of site. Probibly never to be heard from again I figure. Finally, we have DanZ Games. As I said before I remember Dan got started helping Justin with BSC Games and then he split off and created DanZ Games with a few projects of his own like Super Deecout. However, recently after getting a full time job etc he hung up the game programming gig
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi despite people getting jobs, personally problems or lack of cash to churn out audio games, I think at least companies like Bavisoft should at least let us know why they are silent or look at alternitive ways of producing games. I'm very disappointed in a lot of these companies, especially Danzgames who just seem to have vannished off the face of the earth. When I found out the release dates of Tank Commander and Shades of Doom were so long ago I thought something had happened to GMA, but am now hoping they will produce more games using the engen, as I feel that's what the market needs. If it wasn't for Jason Allan, Philip Benfall, Tomas Ward and Phil Vlasack I think blind fans of action arcade/action games would still be stuck in the dark ages. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:36 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch and Chillingham. That was around 2003/2004 or so. After that they basically fell off the face of the earth, and haven't done anything of note since. Second, there was LightTech Interactive. That was a company that was going very far very fast. It is true they had very simple games like Light Cars, Light Locator, The Horse Racing Game, etc but they were learning. Their games were improving, getting better, more advanced and suddenly the developer doesn't want to do it any more. End of LightTech Interactive. Third, there is Alchemy Game Studios. As many
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I actually think Draconis should do what Danz did and release their stuff as free games, they're not exactly on the move anymore so why should we still have to pay a lot for not getting as much from a product as you thought you would. An example in my case was Monkey Business, really good story and sounds, but seriously lacking in narration and helpfull navigation for the blind. - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:12 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi tom. I wasn't actually aware Draconis stuff was so much based on the old Esp games, while I know monkey business, both pinball Games and ten pin alley were, I didn't think Dynaman or the pinball extention, or for that matter their soundocu game were. Slightly depressing news actually. It's also rather Sad phil can't port more of his Dos games to windows, sinse those deffinately sound fun, would any of them run in the console window? or do they require hardware synths and other dependencies. As far as Lighttech goes, that was a really sad business, I know some of the programmers of the company, and get the idea that it was a combination of creative differences and lack of time being as they were all pretty busy students. It is a great shame though, especially considdering some of the plans they had (I was actually due to voice act in one of their titles). Also, as I said, this was my impression at the time, I'll freely admit I was very wrong about jim's games, mostly because at that stage the only sapi voice I could get to work was ms Sam, which wasn't good. Also, remember that my background was very much that of someone playing graphical games, therefore, it took some shifting in my thinking to considder trying games like Monopoly or hearts. I'm glad I did, sinse these are fun in their own right, but it did take a shift in my thinking. Interestingly enough now that Jim has bought out some more detailed games such as Win golf, puppy 1, Homer and win cart, I probably wouldn't have the same position on his stuff, even without said broardening of outlook. In fact, I will say that's one thing audio games has very much taught me, it's always worth trying a game whatever preconceptions I have sinse it might be good fun, and if it doesn't appeal to me, well I haven't lost anything. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I'd love to play Arthur's Quest since I've always been intrigued by the legend of King arthur. But I've never found the Windows version of DOS to be all that workable. And I don't dare experiment since I have a tendency to change something crucial without realizing it and end up messing up the system. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, One slight correction, I worked with Draconis on Ten Pin Alley, based on the PCS game Ten Pin Bowling for DOS. And that game was based on the GEM machine game of bowling, which was a dedicated game consul for the Blind based on the Tandy color computer and used game cartridges and a built in voice synthesizer. I bought it at an ACB convention in 1989. PCS was putting out about 4 games a year between 1996 and 1999 for DOS because both myself and Carl were single living with our parents. Since then both Carl and myself got married and he has a full time job with IBM as a programmer. My plan has always been to convert many of my DOS games to windows, but my interest in the Harry Potter world has taken over most of my time the past 4 years. Carl is considering getting back into game programming and is now putting together C plus plus libraries needed for this task. I told him about the steps Thomas ward went through to get to the point of developing a game and he may profit from that knowledge. Once my Sarah game update is finished, I plan on developing several games using the GMA engine. But I am also considering the BGT engine and Thomas Ward's engine once it is finished. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
phil, Do people that bought sarah 1, get free licences for sarah 2, or do they buy it again, and if so, for what price? thanks, mauricio -Mensagem original- De: Bryan Peterson bpeterson2...@cableone.net Para: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Data: Domingo, 23 de Maio de 2010 08:23 Assunto: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I'd love to play Arthur's Quest since I've always been intrigued by the legend of King arthur. But I've never found the Windows version of DOS to be all that workable. And I don't dare experiment since I have a tendency to change something crucial without realizing it and end up messing up the system. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, One slight correction, I worked with Draconis on Ten Pin Alley, based on the PCS game Ten Pin Bowling for DOS. And that game was based on the GEM machine game of bowling, which was a dedicated game consul for the Blind based on the Tandy color computer and used game cartridges and a built in voice synthesizer. I bought it at an ACB convention in 1989. PCS was putting out about 4 games a year between 1996 and 1999 for DOS because both myself and Carl were single living with our parents. Since then both Carl and myself got married and he has a full time job with IBM as a programmer. My plan has always been to convert many of my DOS games to windows, but my interest in the Harry Potter world has taken over most of my time the past 4 years. Carl is considering getting back into game programming and is now putting together C plus plus libraries needed for this task. I told him about the steps Thomas ward went through to get to the point of developing a game and he may profit from that knowledge. Once my Sarah game update is finished, I plan on developing several games using the GMA engine. But I am also considering the BGT engine and Thomas Ward's engine once it is finished. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm sure the upgrade is free. Smile - Original Message - From: Mauricio Almeida mauricio...@uol.com.br To: gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:00 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? phil, Do people that bought sarah 1, get free licences for sarah 2, or do they buy it again, and if so, for what price? thanks, mauricio -Mensagem original- De: Bryan Peterson bpeterson2...@cableone.net Para: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Data: Domingo, 23 de Maio de 2010 08:23 Assunto: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I'd love to play Arthur's Quest since I've always been intrigued by the legend of King arthur. But I've never found the Windows version of DOS to be all that workable. And I don't dare experiment since I have a tendency to change something crucial without realizing it and end up messing up the system. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, One slight correction, I worked with Draconis on Ten Pin Alley, based on the PCS game Ten Pin Bowling for DOS. And that game was based on the GEM machine game of bowling, which was a dedicated game consul for the Blind based on the Tandy color computer and used game cartridges and a built in voice synthesizer. I bought it at an ACB convention in 1989. PCS was putting out about 4 games a year between 1996 and 1999 for DOS because both myself and Carl were single living with our parents. Since then both Carl and myself got married and he has a full time job with IBM as a programmer. My plan has always been to convert many of my DOS games to windows, but my interest in the Harry Potter world has taken over most of my time the past 4 years. Carl is considering getting back into game programming and is now putting together C plus plus libraries needed for this task. I told him about the steps Thomas ward went through to get to the point of developing a game and he may profit from that knowledge. Once my Sarah game update is finished, I plan on developing several games using the GMA engine. But I am also considering the BGT engine and Thomas Ward's engine once it is finished. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I agree completely Lori. But Bavisoft in particular doesn't seem to take our suggestions into consideration. Someone from Bavisoft, or at the very least someone claiming to be from Bavisoft, posts on the forum at www.audiogames.net, but only extremely rarely, and only then when someone suggests that their past titles should be made abandonware and distributed free as downloadable files. And even then it's a simple please don't do that. No indication of what if anything might be in the works. I mean I understand not wanting to give out too many details about the game, but at least tell us if they are working on something or even a simple seasons greetings. Even Draconis isn't quite so secretive despite their general silence. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi despite people getting jobs, personally problems or lack of cash to churn out audio games, I think at least companies like Bavisoft should at least let us know why they are silent or look at alternitive ways of producing games. I'm very disappointed in a lot of these companies, especially Danzgames who just seem to have vannished off the face of the earth. When I found out the release dates of Tank Commander and Shades of Doom were so long ago I thought something had happened to GMA, but am now hoping they will produce more games using the engen, as I feel that's what the market needs. If it wasn't for Jason Allan, Philip Benfall, Tomas Ward and Phil Vlasack I think blind fans of action arcade/action games would still be stuck in the dark ages. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:36 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I actually really loved Monkey Business. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:17 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I actually think Draconis should do what Danz did and release their stuff as free games, they're not exactly on the move anymore so why should we still have to pay a lot for not getting as much from a product as you thought you would. An example in my case was Monkey Business, really good story and sounds, but seriously lacking in narration and helpfull navigation for the blind. - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:12 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi tom. I wasn't actually aware Draconis stuff was so much based on the old Esp games, while I know monkey business, both pinball Games and ten pin alley were, I didn't think Dynaman or the pinball extention, or for that matter their soundocu game were. Slightly depressing news actually. It's also rather Sad phil can't port more of his Dos games to windows, sinse those deffinately sound fun, would any of them run in the console window? or do they require hardware synths and other dependencies. As far as Lighttech goes, that was a really sad business, I know some of the programmers of the company, and get the idea that it was a combination of creative differences and lack of time being as they were all pretty busy students. It is a great shame though, especially considdering some of the plans they had (I was actually due to voice act in one of their titles). Also, as I said, this was my impression at the time, I'll freely admit I was very wrong about jim's games, mostly because at that stage the only sapi voice I could get to work was ms Sam, which wasn't good. Also, remember that my background was very much that of someone playing graphical games, therefore, it took some shifting in my thinking to considder trying games like Monopoly or hearts. I'm glad I did, sinse these are fun in their own right, but it did take a shift in my thinking. Interestingly enough now that Jim has bought out some more detailed games such as Win golf, puppy 1, Homer and win cart, I probably wouldn't have the same position on his stuff, even without said broardening of outlook. In fact, I will say that's one thing audio games has very much taught me, it's always worth trying a game whatever preconceptions I have sinse it might be good fun, and if it doesn't appeal to me, well I haven't lost anything. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Phil. Interesting history. As I said, this observation was just my thoughts at the time I first discovered audio games. Certainly now Sarah is available it's very dclear to me Pcs is very much a company in it's own right. Fantastic as sarah already is and much as I look forward to the next update, I will be interested to see what you might come out with next, particularly if your former coligue can get back into programming too. Beware the grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:41 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, One slight correction, I worked with Draconis on Ten Pin Alley, based on the PCS game Ten Pin Bowling for DOS. And that game was based on the GEM machine game of bowling, which was a dedicated game consul for the Blind based on the Tandy color computer and used game cartridges and a built in voice synthesizer. I bought it at an ACB convention in 1989. PCS was putting out about 4 games a year between 1996 and 1999 for DOS because both myself and Carl were single living with our parents. Since then both Carl and myself got married and he has a full time job with IBM as a programmer. My plan has always been to convert many of my DOS games to windows, but my interest in the Harry Potter world has taken over most of my time the past 4 years. Carl is considering getting back into game programming and is now putting together C plus plus libraries needed for this task. I told him about the steps Thomas ward went through to get to the point of developing a game and he may profit from that knowledge. Once my Sarah game update is finished, I plan on developing several games using the GMA engine. But I am also considering the BGT engine and Thomas Ward's engine once it is finished. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Actually Gma are very consistant with releases, it just happens that consistancy is based on a new game every 18 months-2 years. The shades update was released in 2006, Vip mud in 2008, and now in early 2010 we have time of conflict. So, I wouldn't start worrying about Gma until at least 2013 ;D. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:15 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi despite people getting jobs, personally problems or lack of cash to churn out audio games, I think at least companies like Bavisoft should at least let us know why they are silent or look at alternitive ways of producing games. I'm very disappointed in a lot of these companies, especially Danzgames who just seem to have vannished off the face of the earth. When I found out the release dates of Tank Commander and Shades of Doom were so long ago I thought something had happened to GMA, but am now hoping they will produce more games using the engen, as I feel that's what the market needs. If it wasn't for Jason Allan, Philip Benfall, Tomas Ward and Phil Vlasack I think blind fans of action arcade/action games would still be stuck in the dark ages. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:36 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:17 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I actually think Draconis should do what Danz did and release their stuff as free games, they're not exactly on the move anymore so why should we still have to pay a lot for not getting as much from a product as you thought you would. An example in my case was Monkey Business, really good story and sounds, but seriously lacking in narration and helpfull navigation for the blind. - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:12 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi tom. I wasn't actually aware Draconis stuff was so much based on the old Esp games, while I know monkey business, both pinball Games and ten pin alley were, I didn't think Dynaman or the pinball extention, or for that matter their soundocu game were. Slightly depressing news actually. It's also rather Sad phil can't port more of his Dos games to windows, sinse those deffinately sound fun, would any of them run in the console window? or do they require hardware synths and other dependencies. As far as Lighttech goes, that was a really sad business, I know some of the programmers of the company, and get the idea that it was a combination of creative differences and lack of time being as they were all pretty busy students. It is a great shame though, especially considdering some of the plans they had (I was actually due to voice act in one of their titles). Also, as I said, this was my impression at the time, I'll freely admit I was very wrong about jim's games, mostly because at that stage the only sapi voice I could get to work was ms Sam, which wasn't good. Also, remember that my background was very much that of someone playing graphical games, therefore, it took some shifting in my thinking to considder trying games like Monopoly or hearts. I'm glad I did, sinse these are fun in their own right, but it did take a shift in my thinking. Interestingly enough now that Jim has bought out some more detailed games such as Win golf, puppy 1, Homer and win cart, I probably wouldn't have the same position on his stuff, even without said broardening of outlook. In fact, I will say that's one thing audio games has very much taught me, it's always worth trying a game whatever preconceptions I have sinse it might be good fun, and if it doesn't appeal to me, well I haven't lost anything. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
If you mean the infocom version of Arthur's quest, you can actually just open the file with any bog standard Zcode interpreter and play it that way. You can find said game (along with lots of other infocom stuff), at http://if.illuminion.de/index.html Appologies if this wasn't the arthur's quest you meant. Btw, I've not actually had problems running dos text adventure games like Braminar, or fallthru on this desktop or my laptop, though my previous xp desktop couldn't run those sorts of things at all. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Bryan Peterson bpeterson2...@cableone.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:23 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I'd love to play Arthur's Quest since I've always been intrigued by the legend of King arthur. But I've never found the Windows version of DOS to be all that workable. And I don't dare experiment since I have a tendency to change something crucial without realizing it and end up messing up the system. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:41 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, One slight correction, I worked with Draconis on Ten Pin Alley, based on the PCS game Ten Pin Bowling for DOS. And that game was based on the GEM machine game of bowling, which was a dedicated game consul for the Blind based on the Tandy color computer and used game cartridges and a built in voice synthesizer. I bought it at an ACB convention in 1989. PCS was putting out about 4 games a year between 1996 and 1999 for DOS because both myself and Carl were single living with our parents. Since then both Carl and myself got married and he has a full time job with IBM as a programmer. My plan has always been to convert many of my DOS games to windows, but my interest in the Harry Potter world has taken over most of my time the past 4 years. Carl is considering getting back into game programming and is now putting together C plus plus libraries needed for this task. I told him about the steps Thomas ward went through to get to the point of developing a game and he may profit from that knowledge. Once my Sarah game update is finished, I plan on developing several games using the GMA engine. But I am also considering the BGT engine and Thomas Ward's engine once it is finished. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Kind of like the Guatemalan insanity peppers HOmer ate in a memorable, to me at least, episode of The Simpsons, which caused him first to hear Ned Flanders spout out a stream of gibberish ending in one of the coolest catchphrases ever in punk rock music (that being gabba gabba hey!) and then to meet a coyote voiced by the late Johnny Cash, who urged him to find your soulmate, Homer. Find your soulmate. In fact I liked that scene so much I'm thinking of incorporating something like it in some of my games for purposes of humor. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com; Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 9:27 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant ushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:17 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? I actually think Draconis should do what Danz did and release their stuff as free games, they're not exactly on the move anymore so why should we still have to pay a lot for not getting as much from a product as you thought you would. An example in my case was Monkey Business, really good story and sounds, but seriously lacking in narration and helpfull navigation for the blind. - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:12 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi tom. I wasn't actually aware Draconis stuff was so much based on the old Esp games, while I know monkey business, both pinball Games and ten pin alley were, I didn't think Dynaman or the pinball extention, or for that matter their soundocu game were. Slightly depressing news actually. It's also rather Sad phil can't port more of his Dos games to windows, sinse those deffinately sound fun, would any of them run in the console window? or do they require hardware synths and other dependencies. As far as Lighttech goes, that was a really sad business, I know some of the programmers of the company, and get the idea that it was a combination of creative differences and lack of time being as they were all pretty busy students. It is a great shame though, especially considdering some of the plans they had (I was actually due to voice act in one of their titles). Also, as I said, this was my impression at the time, I'll freely admit I was very wrong about jim's games, mostly because at that stage the only sapi voice I could get to work was ms Sam, which wasn't good. Also, remember that my background was very much that of someone playing graphical games, therefore, it took some shifting in my thinking to considder trying games like Monopoly or hearts. I'm glad I did, sinse these are fun in their own right, but it did take a shift in my thinking. Interestingly enough now that Jim has bought out some more detailed games such as Win golf, puppy 1, Homer and win cart, I probably wouldn't have the same position on his stuff, even without said broardening of outlook. In fact, I will say that's one thing audio games has very much taught me, it's always worth trying a game whatever preconceptions I have sinse it might be good fun, and if it doesn't appeal to me, well I haven't lost anything. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
what i would love to see is a current updated version of destination mars and run for president and here is something for the sara game phil could you add stuff from book six and seven and the rest of the series -- Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. Visit www.serotek.com to learn more about accessibility anywhere. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Lori, I have to disagree with you. Draconis is still maintaining those games, and I do know Josh has plans to port a number of those games to Mac OS. Considering there really aren't any accessible games like DynaMan, Aliens in the Outback, and ESP Pinball Extreme for Mac that is a totally new market for Draconis to break into. Plus for Windows users the new versions will be written in C++ which means improved speed, Windows 7 compatibility, and greater stability as they'll be designed for a modern operating system. We won't have to fool with installing the Visual Basic 6 runtime etc. And while I'm thinking about it just because a game is old doesn't make itbad. All of those original ESP titles were good games for their time. They aren't necessarily what I would have written myself, but I still think they are fairly decent games and are worth paying for. On 5/23/10, Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com wrote: I actually think Draconis should do what Danz did and release their stuff as free games, they're not exactly on the move anymore so why should we still have to pay a lot for not getting as much from a product as you thought you would. An example in my case was Monkey Business, really good story and sounds, but seriously lacking in narration and helpfull navigation for the blind. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, Oh, I haven't forgotten Che. i mentioned Blind Adrenaline briefly at the end of my e-mail was the best developers between 2005 and 2010.. Besides there is too much information to really mention each and every developers acomplishments by name, but i agree Che has done more than anyone in recent years in advancing audio game technology. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, Yes, most of the Draconis gtitles were written by James North when the company was still ESP. Specifically, Monkey Business, ESP Pinball Classic, DynaMan, ESP Whoopass, and Aliens in the Outback. James started ESP Pinball Extreme too, but Josh finished and released that game himself when they became Adora Entertainment. Ten Pin Alley and Soundoku were Josh's original creations. So comparatively speaking Draconis and Adora haven't produced as much as they did when the company was ESP with James north developing the games. However, I know Josh is working on a new cross-platform engine for Mac/Windows so here is hoping for more games in the future. As far as the old PCS titles goes I seam to recall having to use Jaws for Dos and a hardware synth to play them. I haven't honestly tried one under Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7. Although, given the design I doubt they would work. They were based on a totally different generation of hardware and for Dos, and dependencies would be different. Phil could tell you more about how they work on a modern operating system. As for your views about Jim's games I had the very same attitude when coming to this community in 99. I had been sighted for several years so I had litterally played everything I could get my hands on from the clasic Pong for Atari all the way up to the latest and greatest games like Doom, Quake, Tomb Raider, Jedi Knight, Mech Warrior, Soldier of Fortune, whatever. So I came to the audio games community with some really high expectations assuming that blind gamers wanted to play the same kinds of bleeding edge games I liked playing, and believe me when I found out all there were is board and card type games I was disappointed. My expectations were so high that I considered what people like what Kitchens Inc and PCS Games were doing as drastically infurior to what was available for the mainstream gamer at the time. It wasn't so much I didn't like the games, but thought they were old hat and behind the times so to speak. I guess to put it bluntly for me going from the latest and greatest 3d FPS titles of the era to text adventures, card and board games, etc was a major down grade. It wasn't until GMA released Shades of Doom in 2001 that I really began to take more notice of the audio games community in general. I realized that it was possible to create games that I liked in an accessible type format, and that somebody out there did share my interests in games after all. David Greenwood really has been a leader in accessible games for the fact he introduced the first World War II submarine simulation, the first tank simulation, and a remarkably good version of Doom for the accessible games community. Now, he has Time of Conflict. All have been revolutionary in there own way as they broke the mode of the card, board, and Atari shoot-mups that seam to be the majority of accessible games. Game's like those GMA have produced were realy were what I was after in 99, and I'm glad to see others are beginning to take up the cause now too. Phil put out Sarah, as you know, and there is Teraformers, etc. So it is coming, but slowly. However, like you I have had to go through a major shift in thinking to take each and every game on its own maret, and each and every developer as well. In 99 I thought text only interactive fiction games were beneath me, but once I began exploring them I found out I loved them. Admitedly I'm not a big fan of card and board games, but I've still had plenty of hours of fun playing Jim Kitchen's games once I finally started playing them. All things being equal I still miss the big FPS type games of the 90's I was playing, but I've managed to give credit where it is do, and try not to compare every single accessible game to big comercial budget games that they were never intended to compete with in the first place. Plus no one here, including me, can run a race against mainstream companies. We neither have the time or the money to create really huge mainstream titles, and once I accepted that fact it became easier to be happier with what we do have,a dn hope to make bigger and better games in the future. Smile. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Tom I agree, I do like moving around and exploring in the game, it's just the taking certain numbers of steps and so on I find a bit trying. I can't get passed that rock in the temple! - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:49 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant ushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I know, I'll need to check them out again to remind myself. That's what I like about the PCS Game page, it's got a list of other links too to explore. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 7:14 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Oh, I haven't forgotten Che. i mentioned Blind Adrenaline briefly at the end of my e-mail was the best developers between 2005 and 2010.. Besides there is too much information to really mention each and every developers acomplishments by name, but i agree Che has done more than anyone in recent years in advancing audio game technology. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
S P O I L E R Lori if you're referring to the cave-ins, a good trick for that is to do the same thing you do for the arrow traps, that being to turn to the opposite direction and run backward at a crouch by holding down the Control and Alt keys along with the down arrow. With the cave-ins you may have to do a bit of sidestepping in order to continue to proceed but it does work. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:42 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Tom I agree, I do like moving around and exploring in the game, it's just the taking certain numbers of steps and so on I find a bit trying. I can't get passed that rock in the temple! - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 6:49 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant shroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, It's just too bad you never see anyone playing RailRacer online anymore. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 1:15 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Oh, I haven't forgotten Che. i mentioned Blind Adrenaline briefly at the end of my e-mail was the best developers between 2005 and 2010.. Besides there is too much information to really mention each and every developers acomplishments by name, but i agree Che has done more than anyone in recent years in advancing audio game technology. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, And I really don't t hink the three levels are good examples. Call me crazy, but it took me forever to figure out how to follow the professor to the lab. Then there's the Aztec temple? That has to be one of the hardest in the game. I still have not gotten past that rock in the entrance. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:50 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, Um...I'm sorry but--Josh changed the name do to a girlfriend? That's bizarre. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Bryan Peterson Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 9:11 AM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Not only that but Philip's in college is he not? We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 10:36 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch and Chillingham. That was around 2003/2004 or so. After that they basically fell off the face of the earth, and haven't done anything of note since. Second, there was LightTech Interactive. That was a company that was going very far very fast. It is true they had very simple games like Light Cars, Light Locator, The Horse Racing Game, etc but they were learning. Their games were improving, getting better, more advanced and suddenly the developer doesn't want to do it any more. End of LightTech Interactive. Third, there is Alchemy Game Studios. As many here will remember James North briefly tried to make a come back had a pretty impressive list of game projects in the works like Montezuma's Revenge, ESP Raceway, a mouse demo, and Max Shrapnal. However, after a number of personal problems, plus an angry mob
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, What loopholes are you talking about with Lords of the Galaxy? Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 9:48 PM To: Gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Back when I started looking into audio games in early 2006, it seemed there were 4 principle developers of big time serious games, and a number of people who either developed free, random symple stuff or promised and not delivered. Gma (my starting point sinse I began with Shades of doom), along with pcs who I believed at first were basically an extention of Gma (sorry Phil, this was in the days before sarah). Vip gameszone (who I bought my second game, galaxy ranger from), bsc, and Draconis. I freely admit I was wrong in seeing everyone else as pretty secondary to these four, sinse this was before Jim released some of his more extensive games like Win Golf or puppy1, and before I'd played anything Tom had released. Nevertheless, it does seem rather weerd now, because even though generally the hole state of audio games have improved, Entombed, time of conflict, sound rts, rail racer, sarah etc, etc, it seems mostly by new people like Che and jason alan. out of what I used to believe were the big four, only one, --- Gma, have consistantly developed stuff over the past five years. Though Draconis sold Sarah, they weren't actually responsable for building the game, and don't seem to have made major updates sinse 2007, the same can be said of Vip gameszone, who went quiet after the release of their sports package, quite a shame, as their Lords of the galaxy game rather impressed me, and with a litle rebalancing and illimination of loop holes could be fantastic. Then Bsc haven't made any releases in this time, though at least in their case I do know this is because Justin has a full time job and children, which is fair enough of course. It does seem a bit odd though that so many of who I believed originally to be the major players have gone somewhat silent. Does anyone know what's going on with the others, or whether there is any further news from justin? manifestly they're stil around having done vista updates and such, but it does seem somewhat strange that so many of who I believed were the big players are now rather silent, and I'd hate to think more developers have done a bavisoft. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Hayden, If you broke up with a girl named Adora and your company was named Adora wouldn't you change the name? smiles, Nah, I think he gave her the rights to the company name before they broke up and she refused to give them back. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:44 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Um...I'm sorry but--Josh changed the name do to a girlfriend? That's bizarre. Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, Ah...that was her name? That makes more sense. What does draconis mean? Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Phil Vlasak Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:55 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Hayden, If you broke up with a girl named Adora and your company was named Adora wouldn't you change the name? smiles, Nah, I think he gave her the rights to the company name before they broke up and she refused to give them back. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:44 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Um...I'm sorry but--Josh changed the name do to a girlfriend? That's bizarre. Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, Oops...that was an embarrassing message, I hadn't read the entire thing before I wrote that. However, my question on draconis still stands. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Phil Vlasak Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:55 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Hayden, If you broke up with a girl named Adora and your company was named Adora wouldn't you change the name? smiles, Nah, I think he gave her the rights to the company name before they broke up and she refused to give them back. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:44 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Um...I'm sorry but--Josh changed the name do to a girlfriend? That's bizarre. Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, I think Bryan was talking about, ARTHUR'S QUEST Produced by PCS Games Written by Carl Mickla Sounds created by Phil Vlasak Version 1.0 Copyright 1999 You are in medieval times. Your quest as Arthur is to find and recover Excalibur, then fight the Dark Lord with it, ridding the land of unrest and conflict. Before you can do all that you must fight the knights that are under the influence of the evil lord. You Build your fighting skills with various types of weapons so that you will be worthy of Excalibur and challenge the Dark Lord and banish him forever. This was one of our last DOS games. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Draconis is the name of the disease you get from being bitten by a dragon. smiles, Phil - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Ah...that was her name? That makes more sense. What does draconis mean? Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
There are two principle ones. Firstly, markit planets are ridiculous, sinse you can buy all six resources for them. This means they're three times more valuable than any other planet, thus having the full markit set gives any player a massive advantage. combined to this, is the fact that there is no limit on using teleport or space truck stations to grab planets, particularly the markit planet. The second reeally! obsurd loophole is the exchange coins option, which can effectively just double, or even triple your entire stack of money in one go. It doesn't matter what planets you own or don't own, or what resources you buy, getting lucky a couple of times on exchange coins and nobody will catch you up. I remember a game I was playing with Igor from vip gameszone and a couple of other people. We were all on betwene 2 and 6 thousand, while Igor was on 40 thousand after three circuites of the board, even though we'd been buying planets pretty evenly. The same goes for losing at any of the minigames, lose all your cash in hand and your pretty much out of the running, and as you can only morgage planets when you land on them, there's really no way to get back in unlike in monopoly. As I said, it's a major shame. Lords of the galaxy has some truly amazing soundscapes, and I absolutely love the different environments for each planet and minigame. The idea of sending essentially turn data to other players was a nice one as well. I just really! wich Vip gameszone would clean the game balance up a bit more. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:52 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, What loopholes are you talking about with Lords of the Galaxy? Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of dark Sent: Saturday, May 22, 2010 9:48 PM To: Gamers@audyssey.org Subject: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Back when I started looking into audio games in early 2006, it seemed there were 4 principle developers of big time serious games, and a number of people who either developed free, random symple stuff or promised and not delivered. Gma (my starting point sinse I began with Shades of doom), along with pcs who I believed at first were basically an extention of Gma (sorry Phil, this was in the days before sarah). Vip gameszone (who I bought my second game, galaxy ranger from), bsc, and Draconis. I freely admit I was wrong in seeing everyone else as pretty secondary to these four, sinse this was before Jim released some of his more extensive games like Win Golf or puppy1, and before I'd played anything Tom had released. Nevertheless, it does seem rather weerd now, because even though generally the hole state of audio games have improved, Entombed, time of conflict, sound rts, rail racer, sarah etc, etc, it seems mostly by new people like Che and jason alan. out of what I used to believe were the big four, only one, --- Gma, have consistantly developed stuff over the past five years. Though Draconis sold Sarah, they weren't actually responsable for building the game, and don't seem to have made major updates sinse 2007, the same can be said of Vip gameszone, who went quiet after the release of their sports package, quite a shame, as their Lords of the galaxy game rather impressed me, and with a litle rebalancing and illimination of loop holes could be fantastic. Then Bsc haven't made any releases in this time, though at least in their case I do know this is because Justin has a full time job and children, which is fair enough of course. It does seem a bit odd though that so many of who I believed originally to be the major players have gone somewhat silent. Does anyone know what's going on with the others, or whether there is any further news from justin? manifestly they're stil around having done vista updates and such, but it does seem somewhat strange that so many of who I believed were the big players are now rather silent, and I'd hate to think more developers have done a bavisoft. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi, following the Proff is the easy bit. That rock is really hard, but in some way I liked the sound of climbing up that wall of vines. Smile - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:16 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, And I really don't t hink the three levels are good examples. Call me crazy, but it took me forever to figure out how to follow the professor to the lab. Then there's the Aztec temple? That has to be one of the hardest in the game. I still have not gotten past that rock in the entrance. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:50 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Draconis is a latin derivative of dragon, --- hence why the word for dragon like is draconic. Btw, I'm not entirely certain, but I believe the first password percey weesley gives the fat lady's portrate in Harry potter and the Philosophers' stone cappert draconis (excuse wonkey spelling), is latin for Dragon's head. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:58 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Ah...that was her name? That makes more sense. What does draconis mean? Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Phil Vlasak Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:55 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Hayden, If you broke up with a girl named Adora and your company was named Adora wouldn't you change the name? smiles, Nah, I think he gave her the rights to the company name before they broke up and she refused to give them back. - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:44 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Um...I'm sorry but--Josh changed the name do to a girlfriend? That's bizarre. Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Ah, appologies phil, sadly i never got to play your dos games (though the description you give of arthur doesn't half make me want to). I certainly hope there might be a way to make said games windows friendly at some point in the future. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 9:00 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, I think Bryan was talking about, ARTHUR'S QUEST Produced by PCS Games Written by Carl Mickla Sounds created by Phil Vlasak Version 1.0 Copyright 1999 You are in medieval times. Your quest as Arthur is to find and recover Excalibur, then fight the Dark Lord with it, ridding the land of unrest and conflict. Before you can do all that you must fight the knights that are under the influence of the evil lord. You Build your fighting skills with various types of weapons so that you will be worthy of Excalibur and challenge the Dark Lord and banish him forever. This was one of our last DOS games. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Yep, that's the one. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:00 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, I think Bryan was talking about, ARTHUR'S QUEST Produced by PCS Games Written by Carl Mickla Sounds created by Phil Vlasak Version 1.0 Copyright 1999 You are in medieval times. Your quest as Arthur is to find and recover Excalibur, then fight the Dark Lord with it, ridding the land of unrest and conflict. Before you can do all that you must fight the knights that are under the influence of the evil lord. You Build your fighting skills with various types of weapons so that you will be worthy of Excalibur and challenge the Dark Lord and banish him forever. This was one of our last DOS games. Phil --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
I would think that would be Dragon Pox. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Phil Vlasak p...@pcsgames.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:04 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Draconis is the name of the disease you get from being bitten by a dragon. smiles, Phil - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 3:58 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Ah...that was her name? That makes more sense. What does draconis mean? Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Ah yes, the wall of vines. And those mother hawks would attack you when you went after the coins. We are the Knights who say...Ni! - Original Message - From: Lori Duncan lori_dunca...@hotmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 2:14 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, following the Proff is the easy bit. That rock is really hard, but in some way I liked the sound of climbing up that wall of vines. Smile - Original Message - From: Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com To: 'Gamers Discussion list' gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 8:16 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, And I really don't t hink the three levels are good examples. Call me crazy, but it took me forever to figure out how to follow the professor to the lab. Then there's the Aztec temple? That has to be one of the hardest in the game. I still have not gotten past that rock in the entrance. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 12:50 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Hayden, No. Actually, if mememory serves me it was a joint ownership deal where Josh and his girl friend both owned Adora Entertainment. When they broke up there was some legal problem over who actually had a controlling interest in it. In the end Josh broke off, gave her Adora, and started up Draconis Entertainment managing to keep theESP games in the process. As for the name Draconis it is latain for dragon. So consider the name Dragon Entertainment in modern English. On 5/23/10, Hayden Presley hdpres...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi, Ah...that was her name? That makes more sense. What does draconis mean? Best Regards, Hayden --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Thomas, You are correct. I think he gave his girl friend 51 percent of Adora and so she had the majority share and could do whatever she wanted with the company. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 5:19 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi Hayden, No. Actually, if mememory serves me it was a joint ownership deal where Josh and his girl friend both owned Adora Entertainment. When they broke up there was some legal problem over who actually had a controlling interest in it. In the end Josh broke off, gave her Adora, and started up Draconis Entertainment managing to keep theESP games in the process. As for the name Draconis it is latain for dragon. So consider the name Dragon Entertainment in modern English. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
well at one stage I thought of buying it. in fact at one stage I managed to get the ability to run the full version on another system. I never got the navigation off. it was like run and die so I never really got it working for me. though I have never bothered about the latest gma title to. At 05:49 a.m. 24/05/2010, you wrote: Hi Dark, Everyone I know has problems with Monkey Business because of the poor navigation aids. I don't exactly have an easy time of it either, but have learned enough of it to get around after some painful trial and error. Thing is Monkey Business is a poor example of an accessible FPS type game. Something like Shades of Doom is a more accessible example of a really good FPS type game, and in fact my Genesis Engine will have many of the same navigation aids as Shades of Doom and Sarah as that seams to be what works for most people. Only mine will have a 3d aspect to it rather than a 2d aspect. One thing I have learned from Monkey Business is always give a customer a demo version to try before they buy. I think if I would have played a demo of it before hand I would not have purchased it either. However, I haven't regretted the purchase just felt it could have been done a whole lot better. On 5/23/10, dark d...@xgam.org wrote: I must confess Monkey business is a rare example of a game I slightly regret buying, in fact had there been a demo I don't know if I would given how profoundly terrible I am with the game due to my problem conceptualizing spaces and the emprecise nature of the 3D navigation. That being said though, I certainly don't think Draconis should automatically release their stuff as freeware, in fact arguing that a company should basically give their work away just because it doesn't seem as good as some later work seems rather wrong, - sinse by that logic it would be fairly hard for anyone to make any money producing games. In cases like Dan Z games, the products are released not as freeware, but abandonware, ie, the company no longer supports them. There will be no efforts made to make them compatible, and should they cause chickens to fly out of your harddrive of your computer to turn into a giant mushroom, the company aren't responsable, what you've been smoking would probably be responssable in that case ;D. Beware the grue! Dark. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where Have All The Developers Gone?
Hi. I'm still around, however I've been quite busy finding full-time work, raising two children under the age of two, college for my Bachelors in Software Development and Game Design, and helping both Ken Downey and Travis with PAC Mate development. I've turned away from the PAC Mate a bit to start focusing on desktop games since that's where most of the user base is anyway. Travis and Ken's games will most likely be PAC Mate games exclusively, while mine has shifted. Desktops are now my top priority while the PDA market comes last. I am working on a couple of titles but I really can't say how long they'll take to come out as the ideas are quite major and require out-of-pocket spending to get them off of the ground. This is one of the reasons why I'm looking for work, to get my family in a better financial place and to deliver to the blind gaming community what we've all wanted. I'm hanging in there, and hope you will all do the same for all other developers. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
hmmm I have lords of the galaxy and railracer. I remember they used to be the rage when i got em. But I don't play em anymore not even online. Railracer is mostly used for checking all my components are working as if they are not it crashes. I keep saying tomyself I will actually build my scores up so I can get all the extra stuff needed to really get there then save the config. but havn't bothered. At 07:13 a.m. 24/05/2010, you wrote: Hi, It's just too bad you never see anyone playing RailRacer online anymore. Best Regards, Hayden -Original Message- From: gamers-boun...@audyssey.org [mailto:gamers-boun...@audyssey.org] On Behalf Of Thomas Ward Sent: Sunday, May 23, 2010 1:15 PM To: Gamers Discussion list Subject: Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone? Hi, Oh, I haven't forgotten Che. i mentioned Blind Adrenaline briefly at the end of my e-mail was the best developers between 2005 and 2010.. Besides there is too much information to really mention each and every developers acomplishments by name, but i agree Che has done more than anyone in recent years in advancing audio game technology. On 5/23/10, Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com wrote: Hi Thomas. I agree with allmost everything what you said here. Anyways, I think you're forgetting Che. Not only he created great games including Railracer which is for me the best audiogame ever produced and cardroom with constantly new games in the way. And also, the quolity of services that Che offers such as a dedicated server for online playing, tournaments etc. For me, in another field, blind gamers comunity owes a lot to Jim Kitchen who is for me the developper who probably made more hapy blind gamers in the world! I personally admire infinitely the work of Jim for us. Jorge Gonçalves jopo...@hotmail.com Skype: joport3 Twitter: www.twitter.com/goncalvesjorge Webpage: www.jorgegoncalves.com --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
[Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Back when I started looking into audio games in early 2006, it seemed there were 4 principle developers of big time serious games, and a number of people who either developed free, random symple stuff or promised and not delivered. Gma (my starting point sinse I began with Shades of doom), along with pcs who I believed at first were basically an extention of Gma (sorry Phil, this was in the days before sarah). Vip gameszone (who I bought my second game, galaxy ranger from), bsc, and Draconis. I freely admit I was wrong in seeing everyone else as pretty secondary to these four, sinse this was before Jim released some of his more extensive games like Win Golf or puppy1, and before I'd played anything Tom had released. Nevertheless, it does seem rather weerd now, because even though generally the hole state of audio games have improved, Entombed, time of conflict, sound rts, rail racer, sarah etc, etc, it seems mostly by new people like Che and jason alan. out of what I used to believe were the big four, only one, --- Gma, have consistantly developed stuff over the past five years. Though Draconis sold Sarah, they weren't actually responsable for building the game, and don't seem to have made major updates sinse 2007, the same can be said of Vip gameszone, who went quiet after the release of their sports package, quite a shame, as their Lords of the galaxy game rather impressed me, and with a litle rebalancing and illimination of loop holes could be fantastic. Then Bsc haven't made any releases in this time, though at least in their case I do know this is because Justin has a full time job and children, which is fair enough of course. It does seem a bit odd though that so many of who I believed originally to be the major players have gone somewhat silent. Does anyone know what's going on with the others, or whether there is any further news from justin? manifestly they're stil around having done vista updates and such, but it does seem somewhat strange that so many of who I believed were the big players are now rather silent, and I'd hate to think more developers have done a bavisoft. Beware the Grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi Dark, Oh, I've noticed this trend as well. i think everyone has that has been around this community long enough. Obviously, I've been hear a lot longer than you have, at least 10 years or so, and I've seen a lot of developers come and go. Some of them were pretty major for a while. Back when I discovered the Audyssey magazine and this list, this would have been around 1999 or 2000, game developers were just beginning to make the switch from Dos to Windows based games. The major developers at the time were PCS Games, Kitchens Inc, GMA Games, and ESP. I think BSC Games was just getting started too. At the time PCS Games had created a rather impressive catalog of Dos games like Monopoly, Kick Boxing, Panzers in North Africa, etc. Unfortunately, Kevin left PCS Games, and the market was shifting to Windows based games. Phil eventually acquired the GMA Engine and produced Packman Talks, Sarah, and Super Dog Bone Hunt. All good games, and is still an active member of our community. However, PCS isn't as active as it once was. As for ESP I think we all know the story there. James North decided to quit, turned control over to Josh, and it was renamed Adora Entertainment. Eventually Josh has some personal issues with a former girl friend, I believe it was, and he ended up renaming it Draconis Entertainment. While the software has been faithfully maintained and sold via Josh under one company name or another Draconis really hasn't yet put out anything truly new in years. All of their releases like ESP Pinball Extreme, the ESP Pinball Party Pack, Christmas Whoopass, and Ten Pin Alley, were all released quite a long time ago. I know they have something in the works for Mac, but still the fact remains when the company was still ESP James North was cranking out games left and right. Most of the Draconis product catalog is all James North's handywork. As for GMA I think David has been fairly active over the past 10 years. Considering the types of games he's produced like Tank Commander, Shades of Doom, Time of Conflict, etc I can certainly understand why there are long delays between releases. They are not the types of games a developer can slap together in a couple of weeks and sell left and right. They take considerable time and effort so I still see GMA as pretty major even if they aren't producing games left and right. As for BSC you said yourself what the problem is there. When Justin started out he and Dan were cranking out games like Pipe, Troopenum, and Hunter. Then, eventually Dan whent off to make DanZ Games and Justin got a real job, and no longer has time to devote to BSC like the old days. However, there for a couple of years or so Justin and Dan had a pretty good run. I doubt we'll see BSC make a come back any time soon unless Justin has a drastic change in employment/change in his work schedule. In fact, out of all the game developers the only one who has consistantly released games practically on a yearly basis and is the bedrock of audio gaming is Jim Kitchen. His Dos games were the first accessible games I had ever heard of, and he is still producing games on a somewhat regular basis. I have to give Jim a lot of credit for hanging in here as long as he has. I know far too many accessible game developers who have came and went over the past 10 years or so. First, there is the now infamous Bavisoft. For a couple of years they made a name for themselves when they put out Grizzly Gulch and Chillingham. That was around 2003/2004 or so. After that they basically fell off the face of the earth, and haven't done anything of note since. Second, there was LightTech Interactive. That was a company that was going very far very fast. It is true they had very simple games like Light Cars, Light Locator, The Horse Racing Game, etc but they were learning. Their games were improving, getting better, more advanced and suddenly the developer doesn't want to do it any more. End of LightTech Interactive. Third, there is Alchemy Game Studios. As many here will remember James North briefly tried to make a come back had a pretty impressive list of game projects in the works like Montezuma's Revenge, ESP Raceway, a mouse demo, and Max Shrapnal. However, after a number of personal problems, plus an angry mob of upset customers, I took his game projects off his hands, and he dropped out of site. Probibly never to be heard from again I figure. Finally, we have DanZ Games. As I said before I remember Dan got started helping Justin with BSC Games and then he split off and created DanZ Games with a few projects of his own like Super Deecout. However, recently after getting a full time job etc he hung up the game programming gig, released everything as freeware, and dropped out of sight. Not sure if he will ever return or not. And sadly those are just the major game companies I can remember that have come and gone. I don't count PB Games amung there number because obviously Philip Bennefall is still around, but PB Games has become
Re: [Audyssey] Where have all the developers gone?
Hi tom. I wasn't actually aware Draconis stuff was so much based on the old Esp games, while I know monkey business, both pinball Games and ten pin alley were, I didn't think Dynaman or the pinball extention, or for that matter their soundocu game were. Slightly depressing news actually. It's also rather Sad phil can't port more of his Dos games to windows, sinse those deffinately sound fun, would any of them run in the console window? or do they require hardware synths and other dependencies. As far as Lighttech goes, that was a really sad business, I know some of the programmers of the company, and get the idea that it was a combination of creative differences and lack of time being as they were all pretty busy students. It is a great shame though, especially considdering some of the plans they had (I was actually due to voice act in one of their titles). Also, as I said, this was my impression at the time, I'll freely admit I was very wrong about jim's games, mostly because at that stage the only sapi voice I could get to work was ms Sam, which wasn't good. Also, remember that my background was very much that of someone playing graphical games, therefore, it took some shifting in my thinking to considder trying games like Monopoly or hearts. I'm glad I did, sinse these are fun in their own right, but it did take a shift in my thinking. Interestingly enough now that Jim has bought out some more detailed games such as Win golf, puppy 1, Homer and win cart, I probably wouldn't have the same position on his stuff, even without said broardening of outlook. In fact, I will say that's one thing audio games has very much taught me, it's always worth trying a game whatever preconceptions I have sinse it might be good fun, and if it doesn't appeal to me, well I haven't lost anything. Beware the grue! Dark. --- Gamers mailing list __ Gamers@audyssey.org If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to gamers-unsubscr...@audyssey.org. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/gam...@audyssey.org. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to gamers-ow...@audyssey.org.
