Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games
Hello tom. While I understand the various reasons behind your annoyence with licensing and other issues, these weren't the reasons given by the lead developer of Dragonslayer. I actually had several conversations with him, sinse I felt he had a lot of enthusiasm, and indeed potentially good ideas of implementing interesting games even if he was just learning his craft, - pluss he was a genuinely nice chap to talk to. After this great display of enthusiasm though, he literally just dropped off the map, and I don't just mean in terms of programming I mean in terms of the games community in general. He no longer posted on the forum, nor indeed when i E-mailed him did he answer. At a later date, another friend of mine happened to run across him on Skype, and asked why, to which he dismissively replied that now he had a life so wasn't bothered about accessible games anymore. the fact that one can be interested in computer games and indeed have a life, interests, and friends outside them had planely not occurred to him at all. while he on average showed a mature atitude, this sounded to me more a case of teenaged anxt than anything else, - he certainly never voiced the concerns your raising. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 1:54 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Hi Dark, Being a game developer myself I think I can understand the lead developer's reasons well enough. It is pretty easy to get disenchanted and out right discouraged when creating audio games. I'm obviously a lot older and more seasoned than the lead developer for Dragon Slayer Games was, but even I feel like hanging it up from time to time. Although, my major gripe has to do with licensing issues. When I first started writing accessible games I imagined writing games like those I use to play in the good old days when I still could see. I figured as the common person does that I would be able to make my own versions of Double Dragon, Castlevania, Tomb Raider, Star Wars, whatever, and the mainstream companies would leave me alone. No such luck. i found out the hard way when I got threatened with a law suit over Montezuma's Revenge, and now i feel pretty bitter about that. Especially, considering the fact that current laws grants these companies nearly godlike control over their copyrights, trade marks, and creations regardless of accessibility concerns. That alone killed many of my hopes and dreams for creating audio games. Then, there is the technical aspects to deal with. If a developer wants to specifically program for Windows the sky is the limit. However, over the passed couple of years I have joined the ranks of blind computer users that use alternative operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS. This makes writing games tricky because it is hard to find any programming API, specification, that is supported on Mac, Linux, and Windows. There are some good ones out there like the FMOD Audio API, but it isn't free for commercial developers. Licensing can be steep, and a certain percentage of all sales will have to go into licensing the API. This isn't necessarily an acceptable situation given USA Games doesn't make all that much off our games to begin with. Basically, enough just to properly license, sounds, music, and perhaps an API like FMOD if we can afford it. Finally, after all that there are complete jerks out there that will happily crack and redistribute the game to every disreputable blind person on the planet. To them it doesn't matter how long it took to create the game, how much it cost the developer to license this or that, and so on. All of that means nothing to them. Instead the game is something they can hack, crack, and pass around like bubble gum cards. So, bottom line, there is a lot a developer can get disenchanted about. It is hard work for very little financial gain, and sometimes little recognition. I do it because I generally like the work despite the troubles, bologna, and other crap I have to put up with. Cheers! --- 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
Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games
Hi Thomas, And for me it is the love of the idea I have for the game that I am developing and the wanting to play it. Pretty sure that I would want to hang it up if say I was tied into producing games that I was not really in love with. So for me playing the finished game and the fun of figuring out the code is the fun of it all. Of course it has been very very rewarding hearing from those who enjoy the games for all these years. TGIF and BFN Jim I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it. j...@kitchensinc.net http://www.kitchensinc.net (440) 286-6920 Chardon Ohio USA --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Hi, Dark. I realize that. My actual point was to point out that while programming accessible games is often rewarding it also can be disenchanting once you discover all the legal and technical entanglements that goes with the job. I'm not sure what the lead developers reasons were, but I know how I feel about the issues I mentioned earlier. Which I braught them up as an example of the kinds of problems we face as audio game developers. As far as the developers comments about he now had a life I agree this sounds more like teenaged anxt than anything else. I program and play accessible games, but I do have a life outside of it. I'm not sure where he is coming from, but maybe he felt it took up too much of his time. Its hard to say without him giving his reasons. Smile. dark wrote: Hello tom. While I understand the various reasons behind your annoyence with licensing and other issues, these weren't the reasons given by the lead developer of Dragonslayer. I actually had several conversations with him, sinse I felt he had a lot of enthusiasm, and indeed potentially good ideas of implementing interesting games even if he was just learning his craft, - pluss he was a genuinely nice chap to talk to. After this great display of enthusiasm though, he literally just dropped off the map, and I don't just mean in terms of programming I mean in terms of the games community in general. He no longer posted on the forum, nor indeed when i E-mailed him did he answer. At a later date, another friend of mine happened to run across him on Skype, and asked why, to which he dismissively replied that now he had a life so wasn't bothered about accessible games anymore. the fact that one can be interested in computer games and indeed have a life, interests, and friends outside them had planely not occurred to him at all. while he on average showed a mature atitude, this sounded to me more a case of teenaged anxt than anything else, - he certainly never voiced the concerns your raising. Beware the Grue! Dark. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Friday, September 18, 2009 1:54 AM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Hi Dark, Being a game developer myself I think I can understand the lead developer's reasons well enough. It is pretty easy to get disenchanted and out right discouraged when creating audio games. I'm obviously a lot older and more seasoned than the lead developer for Dragon Slayer Games was, but even I feel like hanging it up from time to time. Although, my major gripe has to do with licensing issues. When I first started writing accessible games I imagined writing games like those I use to play in the good old days when I still could see. I figured as the common person does that I would be able to make my own versions of Double Dragon, Castlevania, Tomb Raider, Star Wars, whatever, and the mainstream companies would leave me alone. No such luck. i found out the hard way when I got threatened with a law suit over Montezuma's Revenge, and now i feel pretty bitter about that. Especially, considering the fact that current laws grants these companies nearly godlike control over their copyrights, trade marks, and creations regardless of accessibility concerns. That alone killed many of my hopes and dreams for creating audio games. Then, there is the technical aspects to deal with. If a developer wants to specifically program for Windows the sky is the limit. However, over the passed couple of years I have joined the ranks of blind computer users that use alternative operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS. This makes writing games tricky because it is hard to find any programming API, specification, that is supported on Mac, Linux, and Windows. There are some good ones out there like the FMOD Audio API, but it isn't free for commercial developers. Licensing can be steep, and a certain percentage of all sales will have to go into licensing the API. This isn't necessarily an acceptable situation given USA Games doesn't make all that much off our games to begin with. Basically, enough just to properly license, sounds, music, and perhaps an API like FMOD if we can afford it. Finally, after all that there are complete jerks out there that will happily crack and redistribute the game to every disreputable blind person on the planet. To them it doesn't matter how long it took to create the game, how much it cost the developer to license this or that, and so on. All of that means nothing to them. Instead the game is something they can hack, crack, and pass around like bubble gum cards. So, bottom line, there is a lot a developer can get disenchanted about. It is hard work for very little financial gain, and sometimes little recognition. I do it because I generally like the work despite the troubles, bologna, and other crap I have
Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games
Hi Jim, Yeah, I'm not really in it for the money either. I mainly started writing games purely for the fun of it too. However, arguing with companies over copyrights has taken a good deal of fun out of it. However, if I were to go straight freeware or open source I could probably save myself a lot of grief. As I have said many times before on list a developer is more likely to get sued or get attention when or if he or she tries to market a product commercially. Since all of your games are totally free Hazbro isn't likely to send you a letter to yank Monopoly off your site because it would cost them more to lidigate the issue than they would get out of suing you, and they know it. Jim Kitchen wrote: Hi Thomas, And for me it is the love of the idea I have for the game that I am developing and the wanting to play it. Pretty sure that I would want to hang it up if say I was tied into producing games that I was not really in love with. So for me playing the finished game and the fun of figuring out the code is the fun of it all. Of course it has been very very rewarding hearing from those who enjoy the games for all these years. TGIF and BFN --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Hi Thomas, Yes, producing free games definitely allows a certain amount of copyright freedom etc. Like when I was breaking bread with one of the writers from the Simpson's and mentioned that Homer was in just about every one of my games, he was about to say something about it because the Simpson's have always been strict on copyright issues, until I mentioned that all of my games are totally free. Then he and his wife started asking me questions about How I make my games and how they do the audio described TV show of The Simpson's. BTW It was weird that today on the history channel I learned that President Abraham Lincoln's effigy was done by Matthew Simpson in Springfield Illinois. And of course the writers never realized that there is actually a Shelbyville just north of Springfield Illinois. BFN Jim Compiling...Linking...Dialing Copyright Lawyer... j...@kitchensinc.net http://www.kitchensinc.net (440) 286-6920 Chardon Ohio USA --- 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] dragonSlayers games
I wish that was what everyone wanted. Though some are just greedy and only think in dollar values. At 01:44 a.m. 19/09/2009, you wrote: Hi Thomas, And for me it is the love of the idea I have for the game that I am developing and the wanting to play it. Pretty sure that I would want to hang it up if say I was tied into producing games that I was not really in love with. So for me playing the finished game and the fun of figuring out the code is the fun of it all. Of course it has been very very rewarding hearing from those who enjoy the games for all these years. TGIF and BFN Jim I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it. j...@kitchensinc.net http://www.kitchensinc.net (440) 286-6920 Chardon Ohio USA --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Hi all, Just heard about some audio games, at least I think so, made by something called dragonSlayers games. With a bit of searching there seems to have been a few games available at one time, something called elemental battles, dragon warrior, and some others. What kind of games where these, and is it possible to get ones hands on them? thanks, al Jesus the Messiah 33AD --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Hello Allan. Dragonslayer games was a set of small quick games produced by a group of developers who were just getting used to making games and finding their feet. they had some quick online games using sound effects and text messages, and two downloadable games with text boxes, dragon warrior and elemental battle which functioned as simple turn based combat and item collection games, they were working on some more serious audio games under developement including an audio marrio with original sfx and music, (which was interesting if a trifle problematic), but unfortunately the lead programmer basically decided to throw in the towel. I'm not sure if their stuff is stil available, but while they showed some promise and were improving with each title, I'd say your not missing too much. Beware the Grue! dark. - Original Message - From: Allan Thompson allan1.thomp...@cox.net To: gamers discussion list Gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 7:48 PM Subject: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Hi all, Just heard about some audio games, at least I think so, made by something called dragonSlayers games. With a bit of searching there seems to have been a few games available at one time, something called elemental battles, dragon warrior, and some others. What kind of games where these, and is it possible to get ones hands on them? thanks, al Jesus the Messiah 33AD --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Hi, I have to agree. In terms of actual game content goes Dragon Slayer Games never created anything of note. All of their games are what I would classify as practice games. Every developer in the world writes a few programs purely for practice, proof of concept, and obviously some of those early practice programs aren't very good. That's kind of how I see Dragon Slayer Games titles. In many respects they were still getting their feet wet, learning their craft, and what they produced was largely of the practice variety. The Audio Mario game was certainly better than their earlier games, but it could have used more work in various areas of development. At the time the lead developer quit they were just beginning to explore and design serious action games, and certainly would have gotten better in time. However, they quit before they really got started. dark wrote: Hello Allan. Dragonslayer games was a set of small quick games produced by a group of developers who were just getting used to making games and finding their feet. they had some quick online games using sound effects and text messages, and two downloadable games with text boxes, dragon warrior and elemental battle which functioned as simple turn based combat and item collection games, they were working on some more serious audio games under developement including an audio marrio with original sfx and music, (which was interesting if a trifle problematic), but unfortunately the lead programmer basically decided to throw in the towel. I'm not sure if their stuff is stil available, but while they showed some promise and were improving with each title, I'd say your not missing too much. Beware the Grue! --- 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] dragonSlayers games
I definitely agree that the Audio Mario game could have used a lot more work. For one thing I don't think they should have used MIDI music files. Anytime the MIDI ended and started over the game would hang just long enough for you to die. Not to mention the control scheme left a lot to be desired. They had a lot of potential but they quit before they could really explore it. Homer: Hey, uh, could you go across the street and get me a slice of pizza? Vender: No pizza. Only Khlav Kalash. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 1:59 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Hi, I have to agree. In terms of actual game content goes Dragon Slayer Games never created anything of note. All of their games are what I would classify as practice games. Every developer in the world writes a few programs purely for practice, proof of concept, and obviously some of those early practice programs aren't very good. That's kind of how I see Dragon Slayer Games titles. In many respects they were still getting their feet wet, learning their craft, and what they produced was largely of the practice variety. The Audio Mario game was certainly better than their earlier games, but it could have used more work in various areas of development. At the time the lead developer quit they were just beginning to explore and design serious action games, and certainly would have gotten better in time. However, they quit before they really got started. dark wrote: Hello Allan. Dragonslayer games was a set of small quick games produced by a group of developers who were just getting used to making games and finding their feet. they had some quick online games using sound effects and text messages, and two downloadable games with text boxes, dragon warrior and elemental battle which functioned as simple turn based combat and item collection games, they were working on some more serious audio games under developement including an audio marrio with original sfx and music, (which was interesting if a trifle problematic), but unfortunately the lead programmer basically decided to throw in the towel. I'm not sure if their stuff is stil available, but while they showed some promise and were improving with each title, I'd say your not missing too much. Beware the Grue! --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Well, remembering the lead dev was himself fifteen at the time, I thought their improvements were going very well. apparently he's sinse become totally disenchanted with audiogames, which is a waste of a developing skill, but it's his decision I suppose. 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] dragonSlayers games
Ok, Thanks all. I guess I am not missing anything then. Too bad since it sounds like there was some potential there. Thanks again, al - Original Message - From: dark d...@xgam.org To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 5:58 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Well, remembering the lead dev was himself fifteen at the time, I thought their improvements were going very well. apparently he's sinse become totally disenchanted with audiogames, which is a waste of a developing skill, but it's his decision I suppose. 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] dragonSlayers games
can definitely look into making some sort of Dragon Slayer Games legacy thing. I could fix up the games -- Tony sent me the source of them. Yay. - Original Message - From: Bryan Peterson bpeterson2...@cableone.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 4:25 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games I definitely agree that the Audio Mario game could have used a lot more work. For one thing I don't think they should have used MIDI music files. Anytime the MIDI ended and started over the game would hang just long enough for you to die. Not to mention the control scheme left a lot to be desired. They had a lot of potential but they quit before they could really explore it. Homer: Hey, uh, could you go across the street and get me a slice of pizza? Vender: No pizza. Only Khlav Kalash. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 1:59 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Hi, I have to agree. In terms of actual game content goes Dragon Slayer Games never created anything of note. All of their games are what I would classify as practice games. Every developer in the world writes a few programs purely for practice, proof of concept, and obviously some of those early practice programs aren't very good. That's kind of how I see Dragon Slayer Games titles. In many respects they were still getting their feet wet, learning their craft, and what they produced was largely of the practice variety. The Audio Mario game was certainly better than their earlier games, but it could have used more work in various areas of development. At the time the lead developer quit they were just beginning to explore and design serious action games, and certainly would have gotten better in time. However, they quit before they really got started. dark wrote: Hello Allan. Dragonslayer games was a set of small quick games produced by a group of developers who were just getting used to making games and finding their feet. they had some quick online games using sound effects and text messages, and two downloadable games with text boxes, dragon warrior and elemental battle which functioned as simple turn based combat and item collection games, they were working on some more serious audio games under developement including an audio marrio with original sfx and music, (which was interesting if a trifle problematic), but unfortunately the lead programmer basically decided to throw in the towel. I'm not sure if their stuff is stil available, but while they showed some promise and were improving with each title, I'd say your not missing too much. Beware the Grue! --- 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] dragonSlayers games
Hi Dark, Being a game developer myself I think I can understand the lead developer's reasons well enough. It is pretty easy to get disenchanted and out right discouraged when creating audio games. I'm obviously a lot older and more seasoned than the lead developer for Dragon Slayer Games was, but even I feel like hanging it up from time to time. Although, my major gripe has to do with licensing issues. When I first started writing accessible games I imagined writing games like those I use to play in the good old days when I still could see. I figured as the common person does that I would be able to make my own versions of Double Dragon, Castlevania, Tomb Raider, Star Wars, whatever, and the mainstream companies would leave me alone. No such luck. i found out the hard way when I got threatened with a law suit over Montezuma's Revenge, and now i feel pretty bitter about that. Especially, considering the fact that current laws grants these companies nearly godlike control over their copyrights, trade marks, and creations regardless of accessibility concerns. That alone killed many of my hopes and dreams for creating audio games. Then, there is the technical aspects to deal with. If a developer wants to specifically program for Windows the sky is the limit. However, over the passed couple of years I have joined the ranks of blind computer users that use alternative operating systems such as Linux and Mac OS. This makes writing games tricky because it is hard to find any programming API, specification, that is supported on Mac, Linux, and Windows. There are some good ones out there like the FMOD Audio API, but it isn't free for commercial developers. Licensing can be steep, and a certain percentage of all sales will have to go into licensing the API. This isn't necessarily an acceptable situation given USA Games doesn't make all that much off our games to begin with. Basically, enough just to properly license, sounds, music, and perhaps an API like FMOD if we can afford it. Finally, after all that there are complete jerks out there that will happily crack and redistribute the game to every disreputable blind person on the planet. To them it doesn't matter how long it took to create the game, how much it cost the developer to license this or that, and so on. All of that means nothing to them. Instead the game is something they can hack, crack, and pass around like bubble gum cards. So, bottom line, there is a lot a developer can get disenchanted about. It is hard work for very little financial gain, and sometimes little recognition. I do it because I generally like the work despite the troubles, bologna, and other crap I have to put up with. Cheers! --- 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] dragonSlayers games
aah, is it possible you will be making games yourself, I'd be interested. At 10:57 a.m. 18/09/2009, you wrote: can definitely look into making some sort of Dragon Slayer Games legacy thing. I could fix up the games -- Tony sent me the source of them. Yay. - Original Message - From: Bryan Peterson bpeterson2...@cableone.net To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 4:25 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games I definitely agree that the Audio Mario game could have used a lot more work. For one thing I don't think they should have used MIDI music files. Anytime the MIDI ended and started over the game would hang just long enough for you to die. Not to mention the control scheme left a lot to be desired. They had a lot of potential but they quit before they could really explore it. Homer: Hey, uh, could you go across the street and get me a slice of pizza? Vender: No pizza. Only Khlav Kalash. - Original Message - From: Thomas Ward thomasward1...@gmail.com To: Gamers Discussion list gamers@audyssey.org Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 1:59 PM Subject: Re: [Audyssey] dragonSlayers games Hi, I have to agree. In terms of actual game content goes Dragon Slayer Games never created anything of note. All of their games are what I would classify as practice games. Every developer in the world writes a few programs purely for practice, proof of concept, and obviously some of those early practice programs aren't very good. That's kind of how I see Dragon Slayer Games titles. In many respects they were still getting their feet wet, learning their craft, and what they produced was largely of the practice variety. The Audio Mario game was certainly better than their earlier games, but it could have used more work in various areas of development. At the time the lead developer quit they were just beginning to explore and design serious action games, and certainly would have gotten better in time. However, they quit before they really got started. dark wrote: Hello Allan. Dragonslayer games was a set of small quick games produced by a group of developers who were just getting used to making games and finding their feet. they had some quick online games using sound effects and text messages, and two downloadable games with text boxes, dragon warrior and elemental battle which functioned as simple turn based combat and item collection games, they were working on some more serious audio games under developement including an audio marrio with original sfx and music, (which was interesting if a trifle problematic), but unfortunately the lead programmer basically decided to throw in the towel. I'm not sure if their stuff is stil available, but while they showed some promise and were improving with each title, I'd say your not missing too much. Beware the Grue! --- 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.
