Long time since my last blog. Basically, i've been busy. Was in LA for two weeks and around the area, Las vegas and such. Also i've been busy working on our next release Trinity. But As I'm trying not to have this work related (well about my work) I'm gonna talk about something else.

Well that is also hard, I haven't been playing many games due to work being busy. So I've been playing EVE mostly. And funnily I've been mining. If you (if someone reads this actually) know eve, then you know that mining is a bit dull. I'll freely admit that, but i'm guilt free as I didn't design that! :p yes, i'm deliciously evil like that.

But I also found (again) one of my favourite games being made into a freeform (if you own the game). Freelancers have been working for quite some time on http://www.openttd.org

So they have been working on doing Transport Tycoon Deluxe into a freeform game, windows support, added functionality, more designs, more compatability, more power, bigger maps etc. (just try it)

Being a fan of Chris Sawyer's work, and followed him since the original Transport Tycoon in 1993/1994, I've always had this game in the back of my mind, as being the one game that has taken the industry strategy model and made it it's own. But it's also alot of fun. And even tho the original is now long dated, this work done by the openttd guys, has revived it for me as it's not worked reliably in Windows. It also supports Vista, and it supports large screens, window mode etc.

Yes it made me happy in the pants! But it's something I will always go back to, again and again. And I think, as designers, we have to try to go back sometimes, to the old and reliable designs that actually worked for gameplay. Many might say it's repetative, but it seems that not many designers are coming up with anything new.

Civilization is still working on the same principles as they did back in the days, but with some ammended and tweaked features to appeal to newer crowds. But I find myself also coming back to the original, as although it lacks the new 3D graphics, it has the core gameplay there. And It sometimes is harder than the newer ones. (Perhaps it lacks balance, I can't say).

But It seems that many games (or companies i should say), being single or multiplayer, that they are not daring enough to risk going untravelled roads, as they dare not risk their money. Although companies have to make money to survive, games can be made for small amount of money and gain alot. Xbox Live Arcade is one of these venues that does this. Although small games, their gamplay is often solid.

But enough about that. As a closure, a NYT article about Trinity and EVE! Yes yes, shameless plug on my part, but it's a fun read!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/28/arts/television/28eve.html

Ok! Yesterday was one of those days that I had alot of fun playing one game.

Portal

There is a total lack of words to describe this. The engine itself is of course the same one that has brought us Half life 2, episode one and two and no further words to say about that. But Portal is a sheer joy.

I don't honestly know where to begin. The basic principle being that you are trying to go through series of "tests". The levels are quite challenging and fun. And the actual design of the levels are intuitive as well as inspired (something i don't usually say). The controls are easy to learn, and once you know what the basic functions are then you are pretty much set to go.

The fact that it was not only an amazing puzzle game, but also had a nice twist, made the experience all that better. And the twisted mind of the AI just added to the whole experience.

And the voice of the AI was outstanding and also, just to add to the pure joy this game was. And the credits song was a masterpiece.

But enough good words and sheer joy.

It was however dissapointing how quick the game was. under 3 hours to finish the main, and with a few extra levels for more challenge. Was I just cought up in the hype? Too much expectations? Who knows. The fact that for 3 hours I had alot of fun, is good enough for me. But, I suppose it is the only thing i can say about it in a bad manner. It could have been longer.

Most gamer blogs are probably full of the "Halo 3" topics already, and will continue to do so. So i'm gonna follow the hype, as rest of the gamers out there.

Not to bore anyone with the history, Halo 3 follows Halo and Halo 2 in one of the most successfull gaming franchises in history. Enough said! But, what is good about this game?

Well, I started playing during the weekend and finished the first part rather quickly however I have rather mixed emotions regarding it. For one, the game allows for alot of instant action, linear path and most of the same that make a FPS good. The graphics are, well they are not as groundbreaking as i thought they would be. But this has been blazing through the intrawebs lately, that it is in 640p. I'm not gonna say if it is, as i lack the necessary technological knowledge (and the will) to actually test that theory out. But lets not dwell on that.

But the gameplay is pretty solid, the story is quite immersive and you feel like you are actually there. However, the constant firing bad guys while you try to save the universe gets repetative. This is probably why I like more the FPS games that allow for more exploration, minigames and other fun stuff to do while shooting bad guys, plots, dead ends and so forth (Bioshock for example).

Granted, that I don't have played through the game, but these are the problems i'm facing at the moment.

Ammo is annoying me as well. The lack of it actually. I do like that i can use the enemies guns, and they are often more fun! But at the time i stopped playing last night, I had lost all ammo, and had no way to shoot through some "huge guys with stopping power of tötalhelldeath" but i could do melee.

Ok, First Person Shooter.

Shooting, fun, killing aliens = Good Times! but no.