Spectrum 30 was an opportunity for me. An opportunity to meet people who played my games and to talk about the process of creating them, marketing them and doing things the way I did. I got asked lots of great, searching questions, and fun ones, like where the beard is now! 🙂
So I finally did what I wanted to do. Part of this game has now been developed in the Grand Place in Brussels. In a coffee shop overlooking the square and those great buildings! What I was working on was some of the animation pieces that I decide to add just recently. So it’s still a case of just keep working working I know what I’m aiming for and I know when I get there.
This game has taken some stamina!
The managers have got smarter. Not sure about real life, has Arsene Wenger made the right choice to try another season for example? But in the game they have. I have been adding to that. I also know what the piece is that is missing, what it is that I need to change. So there is more to do but the game gets qualities that are faster, higher, stronger 😉
You know sometimes it’s great to sit in the sun. I have red wine, a cool bar, and a pavement table. Not much of a summer this year so this is great!
I’ve been working on the AI of the teams. Adding to it. I have plenty to work with now, lots of related variables. This game has a lot of scope to evolve over time. I’ve been playing it. It’s good. But something is still missing. I can’t place it yet, but I will.
I was asked in a comment about Software Star. That was a good game too. And worth another look. I will in time I suspect, but for now I have to continue to cut my App Store teeth on this football game! 🙂
Well no, I’m not planning that! And as you now can see in recent pictures I don’t have a grey old beard. 🙂
But the game itself, yes it is at an advanced stage now. The only problem I have is that I am still getting new ideas. But, it is just a case of continuing, continuing, continuing until it’s ready.
But I’ll say this, writing it has been an experience of re-discovery. Re-discovery of how much I just really enjoy writing computer games. 🙂
The thing is, I can talk about it here as much as I like, but all that really matters in the end is whether the game is fun. And, it is a bit, now. I am a critical judge and I am still working on it, but I think the basis that I am looking for is there.
I am full of ideas of things to add, but I will do none of those, because if I do the game will never come out! So here’s a screenshot again. Remember these are placeholder graphics, it will get better!! 🙂
Games Britannia was a real step into the past for me. There were lots of old C64s, Amstrads, Spectrums etc, playing the old games. And lots of people playing on them. Good to see. I have a few discussions with people, and one thing that crops up is that there is a similarity of those early 80s pioneering years of creating games and now. In particular, with iOS and Android, it is possible to create a game yourself, publish it yourself, and market it yourself. You are not blocked in any way from getting to market with whatever you want, or believe in as a product.
This is unquestionably true, the similarity. It is one of things I am taking advantage of with launching my new game.
The good thing is that this opening up of access to markets has unleashed creativity and innovation in games design.
