GameMakersToolkit posts
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Thoughts on ReCore
I don't really review games any more.I wouldn't say I miss it. Trying to play an entire game in a weekend to review it is never much fun. And you rarely get enough time between playing the game and writing the review to sit with it, let it wash over you, let it sit in your thoughts for a few days and turn over in your head.But I do like having a chance to really put to words what I do and don't like about a game, in its entirety. So I might do that a bit more on here. And I want to start with a game that I think deserves more love t...
Quick question - GMTK and syndication
Hey guys and gals. Wanted to run something by youI've been approached by IGN, and they want to chat to me about two ideas: 1) running a couple existing episodes on the IGN platform and 2) creating some unique content for themNow I don't think I want to do the latter. I don't need IGN to make stuff - you guys make that possible and together we have complete authorial control. Also, I don't really want videos that don't go on the channel - I love how it's all easily found on one YouTube page.Like, did you know that kaptain...
Why we remember Bioshock's Fort Frolic | GMTK
I completely forgot to actually post this as a paid Patreon article! Y'all almost got a freebie ;)Thanks for the nice comments on the analytics post. I want to do more behind the scenes type stuff. I very much appreciate your support so want to bring you behind the curtain as much as possible.What's up next? I've finished the script for Boss Keys on Wind Waker so will work on that soon. Then I really want to get this Nintendo post done. I'm gonna get you all to take a look at the script on that one before I record.
Anatomy of a video's views
Hey everyone. I thought it might be fun to dig into the analytics of a random Game Maker's Toolkit video, to see who watched it, where they found it, and how long they watched it for. I keep an eye on this stuff to help me promote my videos and pick topics. I find it interesting, so maybe you will too!Okay, let's look at the Shovel Knight video. It's been out for a while now. How did that one go down?It's had 78,344 views. 28,000 on the day it came out, 12,000 the day after, 5,000 after that. It's had around 1,000 a day sinc...
Weekend 'sclusey - Why we remember Fort Frolic
Hi everyoneSo, new episode coming soon. I don't like releasing on weekends so I'll put this out on Monday. But no reason why you can't get a sneak peek!This won't be the released episode as I need to replace the final song due to copyright claims. Whoops! (I assumed it was so old it would be in the public domain. I was way wrong)Also in the world of GMTK, the channel hit 100,000 subscribers! That's a big number and i'm super proud. It was a goal for 2016 and I hit it with plenty of time to spare.There are lots of new gam...
24 hour exclusive - why we remember Bioshock's Fort Frolic
Hello! I'm back!I'd often been told that Fort Frolic is the best level in Bioshock, but couldn't find a definitive reason why people say that. I certainly remember enjoying it when I first played the game, but couldn't recall why, exactly.So, with the remastered edition out, I went back to that level, had a play, and found a number of treats - which I share within! Hope you dig it.Oh, and this is not the video that will go out to the world. Why? Well, I stupidly assumed that the song that plays at the end of the video was so old...
Game Maker's Playlist - September 2016
Something a bit different this month. As I couldn't find enough games to highly recommend I thought I'd just chat about the indie games I've played in September.
GMTK Newsletter - September 2016
September has been weird. It doesn't seem right that it's over. What have I been doing? Where did all the time go? Post ScriptIn Praise of PragueOkay, so I did finish Mankind Divided, and make this video about it.It felt important to me that I gave this game a shout out because it's doing a lot of the stuff I've talked about in previous episodes. It actually lets you navigate for yourself, and the open world is exactly as big as it needs to be. I still want big, open worlds, mind you. I can't wait for Breath of the Wild. But...
Reading List - September 2016
Grab a cup of your favourite beverage, turn off all distractions, settle down, and enjoy some awesome video game analysis from around the web. Fans, success, and UndertalePerverted Sentimentality: An Analysis of Undertale - hbomberguy shows how Undertale's narrative is about being a fan, but not losing sight of why you loved something in the first place. Retrospective on Undertale's popularity - that message didn't really get through - the game's got one of the most manic fan bases since Sonic the Hedgehog. Toby Fox talks about ...
Oracle of Ages and Seasons | Boss Keys
Enjoy! Will put this out to the world later today or tomorrow.And yeah, I will release the graphs at some point. Just gotta figure out the best place for them.Also - 800 Patrons. Holy cow. Amazing.
Holy cow, $2000!
Hey everyone. Just wanted to say a huge thank you for helping me reach this goal.It's massive. Truly mind boggling. I hope I can make stuff that's worth that level of funding.You might have noticed that I don't really do goals on here. It's for a few reasons: I don't want to look greedy, I'm absolutely humbled and appreciative of any help I receive, and I don't want to make promises I can't keep.But do know that your support is definitely improving the channel.I have much more time to dedicate to making videos, n...
In Praise of Prague (and other small worlds) | Game Maker's Toolkit
I thought it was important to do an episode about Deus Ex Mankind Divided's Prague, not just because I loved the game and its city, but because it does a lot of the things I've talked about on other episodes.Specifically the Arkham Knight and Little Dotted Line videos.Now: I'm not saying that Eidos Montreal watches my stuff! Considering the time it takes to make games this big, the videos would probably be way too late anyway. But, it's just important to me to give credit to the games that I think are doing things well.Hope you ...
Boss Keys episode 5 sneak peak
Hello! Pleased with my afternoon Photoshopping so wanted to show it off. From the script:Throughout this series, I've struggled to find a way to talk objectively about the structure and complexity of any given dungeon.Things like "how many keys are there?" and "how much backtracking do you have to do?" are useful but imperfect ways to discuss these things.So, while playing the Oracle games, and the 16 dungeons within, I wanted to come up with a universal way of representing a dungeon's structure - so we can clearly see h...
24 hour exclusive - In Praise of Prague
I thought it was important to do an episode about Deus Ex Mankind Divided's Prague, not just because I loved the game and its city, but because it does a lot of the things I've talked about on other episodes.Specifically the Arkham Knight and Little Dotted Line videos.Now: I'm not saying that Eidos Montreal watches my stuff! Considering the time it takes to make games this big, the videos would probably be way too late anyway. But, it's just important to me to give credit to the games that I think are doing things well.Hope you ...
Some quick thoughts on every new game I've played in 2016
New video coming very soon! Thanks so much for your ideas on small open worlds the other day - I used some of my favourite suggestions in the video.Anyway, it feels like ages since I've talked to you all. I've been working on this video, working away at Boss Keys, and thinking hard about the next video.To make up for my absence, here are some really quick thoughts on 2016's games - so far. Turns out: I've played a lot of video games!LovedThe WitnessMysterious, addictive, and full of inventive puzzles. Really enjoyed digging into...
How I capture stuff
A Patron asked about capturing footage from handheld games, and that made me realise that it might be fun to share some info on how I capture gameplay from different systems. Above is a picture of the main gear I use.Number one is an Elgato HD 60. This is the bomb: you plug your console into one end via HDMI, then use another HDMI cable to go from the Elgato to your TV. And finally a mini USB to connect to your computer. The reason you use two HDMIs is for two reasons: so you can play the game on your TV just like normal. And because the image ...
Little open worlds
I'm playing Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and I realised that I really love the game's open world. If you can even call it that. Prague is, ultimately, tiny. And much of the game takes place in other, more linear areas. I guess we call it a hub world.Whatever the case, it's a reminder of what can be achieved when developers think small - rather than big. In the same month when one game gave us 18 quintillion planets, another gave us like 18 streets but packed them with places to explore, unique assets, engrossing side quests, honest-to-...
Taking Notes
The iPad and Apple Pencil have been a god send for Boss Keys. Every time I play a dungeon I put a map up on the screen and then doodle on notes, locations of keys, doors, items, and mechanisms.At the end I make a little diagram to show the layout of the dungeon. It's a new thing I've come up with, and I'll explain it fully in the Oracle episode. It's a handy, objective way of comparing dungeon complexity from dungeon to dungeon, game to game. And for visualising how a dungeon is put together. The app is Paper, by the way, and ye...
Game Maker's Playlist - August 2016
6 games! That's a lot!Quality's a little crummy for boring reasons I won't go into. Sorry, hope it doesn't affect your ENJOYMENT.Bye!
Game Maker's Toolkit Newsletter - August 2016
Cutting it fine, but here I am at the end of August with my newsletter for the month! Let's a gooooooPost ScriptThe comeback of the immersive simConfession time: before making this video I had never played System Shock 1 or 2, never really heard of Ultima Underworld, had only played one level of Thief, and didn't know what "immersive sim" meant. As you can imagine, this one required a lot of research!It started out as a video about the original Deus Ex, and what made that special. But as I read interviews with Warren Spector and...
Playlist coming tomorrow
Hey! Just a heads up that GMP is coming tomorrow - sorry, I like to get these things done inside the month and while it is finished (see above!) my internet is crap and it takes all night to upload stuff.Appreciate your patience!
Shovel Knight and Nailing Nostalgia | Game Maker's Toolkit
Hey! It's a new episode. I'm going to put it live later today but you might as well watch it now, ya cheeky scamps.Newsletter coming later today but Playlist will probably have to be tomorrow. Apologies!
No Man's Sky - Reading List for August 2016
Hello everyone! Got a lot of links for you today - about 40 things to watch and read, if you have the time. This month's featured topic is, of course…No Man's SkyNo Man's Sky has been a fascinating game to read about. From its impossibly over-hyped marketing, to a hugely divisive reception on release, to the refund debacle… it's inspired quintillions of think pieces. That's why I've been hesitant to do a video myself. Don't want to get lost in the shuffle! But to make up for that, here are my favourite videos and...
24 hour exclusive - Shovel Knight and nailing nostalgia
Not sure about that title. I just typed it two seconds ago. We'll see!So here we have it folks, a new video. I'm pleased with this one, which - seeing as i normally hate everything I make - means everyone will else will probably hate it. Lemme know!Patreon rewards in the works. Just playing some stuff i missed in august for the playlist (Abzu is so gorgeous!) and whatnot.And also getting distracted by zelda. i've come up with this way of visualising dungeon complexity that i think is pretty rad and i can't wait to share it with ...
Get easy access to GMT rewards
Just a quick one! I know it must be a pain when you sign up for my Patreon with the intention of getting your rewards and then having to sift through loads of old posts to find them!Luckily, Patreon has just implemented a new tagging system so I can group together content. As such, here are all the most important posts:Game Maker's Playlist ($3+)Reading ListNewsletterTo find them in future, just hit the posts tab and then find the filters. You might not have this right now: Patreon likes to test out features on certain users before going li...
GMT was at GDC Europe!
Just wanted to give a quick thanks to backerJędrzej Wiliński who let me know that a couple talks at GDC Europe referenced my videos.If you'd like to watch (and you have vault access), they are:http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023854/Level-Design-Saga-Creating-LevelsLevel Design Saga: Creating Levels for Casual Games (24 minutes in)http://www.gdcvault.com/play/1023845/This-is-a-Talk-AboutThis is a Talk About Tutorials, Press "A" to Skip (6 minutes in)I'm massively flattered and appreciative, though I must admit it's really fre...
Sneak peak: Majora's Mask Boss Keys
I continue my Zelda dungeon design exploration, with a look at the dark and creepy Majora's MaskWill go live for everyone later today.
The Comeback of the Immersive Sim | Game Maker's Toolkit
Going to put the finishing touches on this at lunch, but you can have a sneak peak for now.As always, I want to know what you think!
24 hour exclusive - The comeback of the immersive sim
Enjoy!Quick note on Patreon credits: if you've specifically selected the 5 tier you'll get your full name, but if you're funding at 5 but have selected 3, 1, or no reward I'm putting your first name and last initial because I'm not sure if you want to be on the end or not. If you want to change that, you should be able to find it in your sub settings for GMTCheers!
An update, and thoughts on No Man's Sky
Hey everyone. Haven't said hello in a while so thought I'd check in and let you know what's up!I'm working on a video that has been very research-intensive (and fitting it in around real life stuff), but that stage is now, thankfully, done. The script is finally finished and recorded, so I will be working on all the other stuff this weekend. I'm really looking forward to getting this one out there.After that, we're onto Majora's Mask Boss Keys. I've played about 2/3rds of the game so need to finish it up and then...
