Since January I run an indie adventure gaming blog (occasionally about other topics as well) called "A Hardy Developer's Journal" (http://hardydev.com). Outside of it being something I like to do for fun, I want to show in it that modern indie adventure games can be at least as cool, creative and relevant as other genre productions. Similarly, the stories and storytelling possibilities can be no less intriguing than in movies, comics etc. And AGS games are a big part of this of course.
I want the blog to constantly grow, improve, and experiment, but because of the time I can devote to it is shrinking, it's becoming very problematic to just provide new content regularly, even though I'm not working on it alone anymore (two of my friends have joined me in June).
So I wanted to ask if anyone would be interested in contributing. I'd really use the help of:
1) People who would be interested in writing articles about designing their own games and the challenges involved. The articles should be interesting, honest and educative.
2) People interested in writing about other people's games, who should be unafraid of being critical when needed.
3) Someone to deal with the webmaster/technical stuff.
Anyone interested please PM me, or send me an email to igor at hardydev.com. You should be prepared to provide some kind of example of your writing.
Always nice to see another interesting blog. :)
Afraid I wouldn't be much help, though. My own blog has managed one new entry in the last eighteen months!
Quote from: LimpingFish on Mon 17/08/2009 00:44:25
Always nice to see another interesting blog. :)
Thanks.
Quote from: LimpingFish on Mon 17/08/2009 00:44:25
Afraid I wouldn't be much help, though. My own blog has managed one new entry in the last eighteen months!
I don't expect long term collaboration from everyone who would be willing to write something (although long term is certainly more valuable to me). Especially presentations of one's own game design work are very welcome (just as long as someone has truly something to say about the process).
Boom. Headshot. (edit: I don't know what this means)
As long as I have set stuff to write about I'd love to do it. I hate scrounging for topic matter.
Oh there certainly will be specific topics to write about. Or (almost) complete freedom if someone prefers.
I hope it's clear that the blog is supposed to be fun to work on, and I don't demand things like keeping schedules and availability (I just won't give press copies of new games and interviews to people who aren't reasonably quick, that's all :D).
Never did I expect that people who ultimately decide to write guest articles on HardyDev will turn out to be the most prolific AGSers, already well known in the indie games scene, and having their own popular blogs (http://"http://ben304.blogspot.com/") with a wealth of game design information.
Yet this is what happened. Today Ben Chandler (Ben304) posted on our site his first article in a four chapter series titled "Design Taught in Pitfalls" (http://hardydev.com/2009/11/11/design-taught-in-pitfalls-1-planning-the-journey/). I heartily invite everyone to read his advices (http://hardydev.com/2009/11/11/design-taught-in-pitfalls-1-planning-the-journey/), especially those like me interested in how does he make those great games (and 10 times faster than everyone else too). Huge thanks, Ben!
And next week we will present a game design article from another AGS celebrity and it will concern a very specific issue. But let's keep the details a surprise. :)
Note: We'll be happy to post articles of other game designers that would like to share their thoughts on their experiences. HardyDev is not some huge gaming site, but your writing will definitely give some more exposure to your games (unless your games already regularly appear on gaming websites and magazines like Ben's - but you can still write something for the fun of it then :) ).
I occasionally blog about game development.
I'd be happy to write the occasional article if you'd like.
Par example: http://www.thethoughtradar.com/blog/?p=125 (http://www.thethoughtradar.com/blog/?p=125)
et (not game related but an example of my writing) : http://www.thethoughtradar.com/blog/?p=96 (http://www.thethoughtradar.com/blog/?p=96)
Thanks very much for the offer, Calin. I've sent you a PM.
I'd be happy to contribute on the first part (1).
Wow! :o
A review of the Winter Rose on the same page as one for Machinarium. You honour me greatly!
Quote from: Baron on Sun 15/11/2009 05:35:21
Wow! :o
A review of the Winter Rose on the same page as one for Machinarium. You honour me greatly!
I'd never consider there is something unusual about putting them even side by side. When you compare them as games and playing experiences, there's no exaggeration in similar extent of appreciation for both.
New guest article. This time TheJBurger shares his thoughts on Visually Directing The Player (http://hardydev.com/2009/11/18/visually-directing-the-player/). And by doing so showcases some new scenes from Boryokudan Rue.
Hot Hot Hot
Josh's and Ben's articles received a mention on Rock, Paper, Shotgun: http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/11/20/lessons-from-indie-adventuring/
New article: The second chapter of Ben Chandler's "Design Taught in Pitfalls": http://hardydev.com/2009/11/25/design-taught-in-pitfalls-2-taking-the-plunge/
Includes a completely new screenshot for IWWHIIWWHITOMIROTPG: The Game!
I'm sure I could write an article on dealing with your first game being in the works for 4 years. It's a common experience I'm sure. Though I'd like to try and argue it isn't ALL that bad an idea to aim high first time. ;)
The third chapter of Ben Chandler's "Design Taught in Pitfalls" is up for reading: http://hardydev.com/2009/12/12/design-taught-in-pitfalls-3-the-long-haul/
Includes a completely new screenshot for... ?
@markbilly Basically everyone is welcome to write for HardyDev as long as it is about adventure games/indie games. But if you're not a superstar game creator you may need to show to me a sample of your writing and discuss the article's topic with me before I can confirm I'll post it.
So this is it. The final chapter of Ben Chandler's "Design Taught in Pitfalls" has been finally posted: http://hardydev.com/2010/01/12/design-taught-in-pitfalls-4-when-do-i-stop/
Inside it Ben wonders, when, how & why to end the creation of your game.
Also, feel free to read the whole series right from the beginning (http://hardydev.com/2009/11/11/design-taught-in-pitfalls-1-planning-the-journey/).
Coming Up Next: An Interview with someone you might know (And it even isn't with me this time around!).
Coming Soon: New articles by other well-known AGS Forums members.
And lastly... Keep me site in mind if you're preparing an interesting game design article!
In part a response to Ben Chandler's Pitfall series and in part a general defense of the uncompromising approach to making games - markbilly has just posted The Idealist’s Way: Developing Your Dream Game (http://hardydev.com/2010/01/16/idealists-way-develop-your-dream-game/).
And if you are still in doubt if going all the way and becoming the ultimate Indie is worth the risk of putting years into a project and being often beaten by the problems you face, here's something that might additionally inspire you: http://www.vimeo.com/8749745
...just wanted to say that hd is becoming a very interesting blog to read. :)
I can do text and video reviews. In fact, I have a video for a "certain game" that I can shoot you a link to if you're interested.
Some text reviews on my site:
Games: A mix of full reviews and summaries/overviews. (http://ddq5.com/tag/games/)
Movie (to see more of my review style): http://ddq5.com/2009/08/28/vpsuckshard/
EDIT: The video was just uploaded and is current set to private. No one's seen it yet.
ddq, I'm sending you a PM.
Quote from: anian on Sat 16/01/2010 02:42:12
...just wanted to say that hd is becoming a very interesting blog to read. :)
Finally! :)
ddq reveals his mysterious video for a "certain game" and it turns out to be... (http://hardydev.com/2010/01/17/the-mccarthy-chronicles-episode-1-video-review/)
Superstar Guest Writer at HardyDev! Vince Twelve will tell you how to balance your Interfaces... (http://hardydev.com/2010/01/26/adventures-in-interfacing-part-i-should-the-interface-be-the-adventure/)
Vince Twelve has just completed his Interface duology with a detailed analysis of how he came up with and designed the interface for Resonance (http://hardydev.com/2010/02/13/adventures-in-interfacing-part-ii-interfacing-the-adventure/).
Also, ddq has recently written an excellent review of Danny Dread is On Call (http://hardydev.com/2010/02/11/danny-dread-is-on-call-review/).
Learn about doing remakes (http://hardydev.com/2010/03/16/the-hitchhikers-guide-to-remakes/) with Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy - written by Dualnames.
Super-important announcement that will blow you out of the water more than all this recent Cosmo Quest stuff!!!!
Starting today HardyDev changes its focus to adventure games in the true sense of the word "adventure". And what better way to start our journey in this new, exciting direction than with a review of Modern VVarfare 2 (http://hardydev.com/2010/04/01/modern-warfare-2-review/) written by ddq.
Haha, nice April Fool's review :)
Quote from: Xenogia on Tue 06/04/2010 03:39:04
Haha, nice April Fool's review :)
Thank you kindly! It was a fun one to write. And in the name of being mysteriously secretive and secretly mysterious, I'll just say there's some more pretty rad stuff coming up.
Haha, I truly look forward to it.
markbilly's ambitious vision for making adventure games venture beyond the genre's traditional limits can be read here (http://hardydev.com/2010/04/12/the-grand-unified-genre-a-vision-for-the-adventure-game/).
Just wanted to say that I really like your blog and the variety of articles!
Thanks very much, cat! I hope you'll keep visiting us, and if possible invite some new potential readers too. 8)
Wesrey has been... teaching AGS in class (http://hardydev.com/2010/04/22/adventure-game-workshops-become-a-designer-in-1-day/).
I was thinking to leave that thread rot away as new writers got found and all, but...
Firstly, we have a great new article by The Journey's Down creator Theodor Waern focused on the creation of background art for adventure games (http://hardydev.com/2010/09/11/the-journey-down-background-art/).
Secondly, there's a great review of The Journey Down (http://hardydev.com/2010/09/01/the-journey-down-over-the-edge-review/) written by ddq.
Thirdly, markbilly has finished reviewing the whole, gargantuan 3rd Sam & Max season (http://hardydev.com/author/mark_billy/).
And finally, I do want to remind everyone else that we will gladly post your game design and adventure-gaming-related articles. Just pm me, if interested.
A great interview (http://hardydev.com/2011/01/16/interview-with-thecatamites-space-funeral/) for a great start of the new HardyDev year!
Biggles on Mars...
Too Many Kittens...
The Astonishing Captain Skull...
Space Funeral...
...thecatamites! (http://hardydev.com/2011/01/16/interview-with-thecatamites-space-funeral/)
And now, an interview with...
Josh Roberts (http://www.hardydev.com/2011/01/29/dev-intro-6-josh-roberts-chapter-11-studios/)
...the maker of Rise of The Hidden Sun!
Nice interview. A good read for anybody who thinks their project is taking forever.... ;)
Akril15 (aka Jess Beebe) talks about designing her wonderfully heavily-animated and postmodernist games Adventure: The Inside Job and Adventure: All in the Game:
http://www.hardydev.com/2011/07/06/whats-in-a-game/
Anyone here likes Jasper Fforde? Then you must play them (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/games.php?action=detail&id=1439).
Also, just a teaser for something that D0mithan is in the process of cooking up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GULXhA82BwI