A bit of fun for your Wednesday!
Don’t thank us, thank Russian filmmaker, Mike Tivikoff for this awesomely cool special effects video where Super Mario Cat co-ops with his human bro to save the Lost Cat Princess!
source: Mr.TVCow
Archives for 2018
Good Game Spawn Point Returns For 2018
You youngsters (and us old timers) have been patiently waiting for this news! What news you ask? Good Game Spawn Point series 9 returns on ABC ME on March 10 at 9:00am!
Here is the official ABC TV press release for those of you that may have missed it:
GOOD GAME: SPAWN POINT (GGSP) is the show for younger gamers, by gamers – and it’s back for another huge year of gaming in 2018 with an exciting new look, brand new presenter, Gem, and online-first focus!
Hosted by Rad, Goose, and Gem, with assistance from D.A.R.R.E.N. (the Digital Assistant for the Research and Regulation of Endless Noobery), GGSP will be younger gamers’ number one daily destination for the latest video game reviews and news, let’s plays, live stream playthroughs, and stories on gaming culture, coding, and the hottest tech. Plus, the hosts will continue to attempt to solve any-and-all videogame dilemmas the audience throws at them in the regular e-mailbag segment, Ask SP!
With its new online first focus, GGSP will deliver fun gaming content for Australian families first on the ABC ME app and on YouTube each weekday, Monday through to Friday. Full episodes will continue to screen on ABC ME each Saturday at 9:00am.
With 97% of Australian homes with children having video games, and 60% of Parents actively playing games with their children, GGSP is proud to offer something for everyone in the ever-growing landscape of Australian gamer families. (*igea Digital Australia 2018 report)
Video games are changing the world, so let us be your guide!
Cast Biographies:
Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll
A new face will be joining the presenting line-up, with 20-year-old Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll jumping into the GGSP team alongside show regulars Angus ‘Goose’ Ronald and Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo.
“It’s a dream come true to have the chance to share my passion for gaming with Australian families everywhere each-and-every week,” says Gem.
“When I was younger, I wasn’t really into gaming – not the way I am now anyway! But I’ve always been obsessed with fantasy and sci-fi. When I was in high school I started experimenting with games that let me create my own characters in these incredible worlds – and needless-to-say, I fell in love! These days, not a day goes by when I’m not thinking about games. I’m not the best at fighting games, but I adore big open worlds where I can explore at my own pace. That’s what I love most about gaming, there’s something for everyone!”
Obsessed with Doctor Who, Harry Potter and Star Wars from a very young age, 20-year-old Gemma ‘Gem’ Driscoll has always been a natural storyteller. A discovery of video games in her teens came via the realisation that she didn’t have to only write and
dream about fantastical worlds, but that she could actually ‘be’ in them – exploring epic, open worlds full of colourful characters, and setting forth on imaginative adventures.
Since then, video games have changed her life, inspiring her to create a YouTube channel to explore her thoughts on the medium; getting involved with the cosplay community and immersing herself in the culture that surrounds games; and now, joining ABC ME’s Good Game: Spawn Point, where she can share her passion for games daily, and inform kids of all ages on the wonderful experiences that are held within.
Angharad ‘Rad’ Yeo
“Hi! I’m Rad. I started playing games with my family when I was a kid, and ever since then games have been one of my favourite social activities! I love having puzzles to solve and goals to achieve, and I enjoy how games let you experience a whole different world. Some of my favourites include Portal 2, RollerCoaster Tycoon, Sim City, Just Dance, Monument Valley, and Tricky Towers. I’m also lucky enough to have the world’s most wonderful, perfect, special, beautiful dog – Boatmeal!”
Gus ‘Goose’ Ronald
“Because I was born in the very same year that Mario got his own game on the NES, there’s never really been a time in my life without videogames! If I wasn’t renting, borrowing, or saving up for the latest releases I’d be over at my mate’s house sharing the couch in furious bouts of multiplayer madness! These days I enjoy mixing up my interests in new and advancing tech with my nostalgic love for all things old school & retro! In between gaming sessions I’m usually at the beach hunting the perfect wave, or curled up on the couch with a good book and my beloved cat overlord, Lando!”
image source: ABC Australia
Create Your Own Miniature Arcade and Pinball Parlour
UPDATE: 33 Games is no longer available via Etsy (as at May 1 2018)
If you don’t have the space or can’t afford a row of classic arcade and pinball machines at your place, then 33 Games may have the next best thing – miniature 1/12th scale arcade and pinball replica machines!
Standing 6 inches tall and mostly made of wood and plastic, these mini arcade machines and pinball tables are an absolute meticulous work of art by Alan Friggens of 33 Games. The range is quite extensive for both arcade and pinball machines – all the greats are there, from Robotron, Galaga and Final Fight, to Bally, Gottlieb, Williams, Data East, Stern and Jersey Jack Pinball machines! We just wish Alan made JJP’s Dialed In mini pinball machine (hint! hint!).
33 Games offers these scale miniature machines as a single buy (pinball $36.82 / arcade $27.61) or in a special ‘pick any 3’ for $92.08 for 3 mini pinball tables or $73.66 for 3 mini arcade machines of your choice. Oh yeah, the pinball machines also have a LED lighting option which adds custom fitted LED lighting under the playfield and behind the backglass to really make them pop!
Which 33 Games mini arcade and/or pinball machines would you get? Jump on Twitter or Facebook to let us know!
image source: 33 Games via Etsy
The Legend Of Zorba
Kevin Lieber of Vsauce2 fame checks out the old, interesting and weirdly obscure 10kg portable CP/M machine, the Zorba!
Now imagine lugging this beast around to play video games like Zork! That is exactly what Kevin does as he dives into the complexity of this early text adventure which paved the way for the Skyrims and Witchers of today 😉
source: Vsauce2
2018 Reset64 4KB ‘Craptastic’ Game Competition
We’re excited to announce the 2018 Reset C64 4KB game coding competition. This year’s competition theme is once again…. Craptastic!
“What the bloom’n heck does craptastic mean?”, I hear you ask.
It certainly doesn’t mean crap, although it can! Craptastic can mean ludicrous, bonkers, outrageous, funny, wacky, far out, and silly. The theme simply implies that the compo is just for a bit of fun, not a serious coding competition. You are more than welcome to make an excellent game to submit for the compo. Your game may contain some humour or silliness to fit more with the theme, but it doesn’t have to!
2016 Craptastic Comp Winner: Goblin by Vanja Utne / Pond Software
In the 2016 competition, some entries were truly excellent, others excellent but silly, others truly awful but funny! It’s just a chance for people to do something a little different if they wish and explore ideas/concepts that wouldn’t normally work well in a more serious compo.
Please remember that this competition is limited to 4KB. Yes, any entry submitted can be no more than 4KB when compressed. If your game is more than 1 file, then all the files put together must not exceed the 4KB limit.
We want craptastic game entries! Remember, the key word here is fun! We want both coders and players alike to have fun and enjoy this comp!
Submit your entries to RESET (via email) by 30th June, 2018 (23:59 GMT).
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RULES
Basic rules are as follows:
- The competition deadline is 23:59 GMT on the 30th June, 2018. All entries to be submitted to [email protected])
- All entrants must register at [email protected]
- Entrants are free to preview screenshots and videos of their game(s) to other publications/websites.
- The competition will only begin when there are at least 5 registered entrants.
- All submitted games MUST be 4KB or less, compressed, and executable on a stock C64 on either or each of tape, disk and cartridge. Your submission may have a separate docs file (either as a C64 executable or a txt file, which doesn’t count towards the 4KB cap).
- The games must be previously unreleased and your own work, whether that be by yourself or as part of a collaboration.
- PAL must be supported, with additional NTSC support optional (but encouraged).
- Participants may submit multiple entries, either as an individual or within a team. Team entries must be registered by an individual, and any potential prizes will be sent to the registered individual only.
- All applicants that submit a valid entry will be featured within the next issue of RESET magazine.
- Entries should be submitted exclusively to RESET by the competition deadline. Please feel free to share as you wish after the competition has ended (after the compo deadline has passed).
- There will be a panel of judges (TBA), and entries will be scored on a point distribution basis across several criteria. The decision of the panel is final.
- Judges *CAN* enter games themselves, but cannot self-vote (award points to their own release).
- Games must be submitted as freeware.
- Games will be published (not necessarily exclusively) on a future Reset Mix-i-disk for the whole world to enjoy, after the competition has concluded, and may be included on a future cartridge compilation.
4th place in the 2016 Craptastic Comp: Bonkey Kong by Graham Axten / Pond Software
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SCORING SYSTEM
The scoring rules are very simple. Depending on the number of entries, the judges will award points to each game over several criteria (as discussed below). If there are 6 entries, 6 points go to the best, then 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 to the worst.
If a panel member has entered a game themselves, then the number of points that they can award will be adjusted (in this example, to 5) and they will not score their own release.
The criteria that each game will be evaluated on are:
Originality – New idea or “rip off”? Off the wall ideas encouraged.
Concept – Quality of game design, is it fun, is it bonkers, is it craptastic?
Execution – Execution of design, taking into account controls, NTSC/GS compatibility.
Presentation – Quality of graphics, audio and overall presentation. Supremely bad can be seen as a positive in some cases!
Gameplay – A measure of how enjoyable the game is to play.
Lasting Appeal – replay value, addictiveness.
OMG factor – when you see it, do you think “wtf!?” This is the true measure of craptasticness!
When the panel has scored each game accordingly, the totals for each criteria will be divided by the number of judges to produce a mean average. These averages are then added together for each game to give a final score.
CSDB will not be used for voting. Also, entries should not be uploaded to CSDB, or elsewhere until after the competition has closed. Feel free to post screenshots or info though.
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PRIZES
A craptastic gaming comp requires craptastic prizes, right? Actual prizes and more sponsors will be announced soon!
For now, a big thank-you to the following sponsors for their support.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Keep an eye on the Reset64 Facebook page for more information.
- If you would like to sponsor a prize, please get in touch!
So, what are you waiting for? Get coding, and remember, have fun!!
Previous competition (to help you get inspired): http://csdb.dk/event/?id=2483
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Unkle K / Reset C64
Father, husband, teacher and retro gaming/computer enthusiast! Editor of Reset… C64 magazine.
Follow Reset C64 on Twitter
SCORE WARS: Galaga World Championship
Consider yourself a top Galaga player? Then you only have till March 1 to qualify for a chance to be flown over to Score Wars (in Sante Fe, New Mexico) by Meow Wolf to compete for the $10,000 top prize!
So what are you waiting for, get on over to the Score Wars website now to register your high score!
source: Score Wars
Review: Pan-Dimensional Conga Combat
By: Kevin Tilley (Unkle K)
Being an old timer harking from the days of the Atari VCS and Commodore 64, the complexities of modern gaming sometimes get the better of me. Not only that, but with a large family and demanding job, spending hours gaming each day is an impossibility. Short, sharp bursts of gaming not only fit into the small amount of free time I actually have, it also suits my rather limited attention span as well. Cue RGCD, who have been bringing us pick up and play Commodore 64 games for years now, and in 2016 released Pan-Dimensional Conga Combat on the Windows platform via the RGCD itch.io store.
After nearly two years since the original itch.io release, and a rather quiet Greenlight campaign, Pan was released on Steam on February 16.
Self-described as “a rhythm-synchronised, old-school, score-chasing arcade game that plays like some alien coin-op from another dimension”, Pan is a mash of the old and new. I can only describe it as the love child of Volfied and Robotron, with a hint of Geometry Wars thrown in – an impressive pedigree indeed, and fortunately for us, it all gels together perfectly.
Set in a rather confined arena, Pan has you navigating the screen and obliterating everything that moves with your bullet tail. The tail follows you around at a distance that is proportional to your speed – the faster you move the longer your tail gets. You can also charge your on board laser cannon whenever the free roaming purploids drift into your tail. Once charged, you have a short burst mega destructive cannon at your disposal, which is essential when the action hits a certain level of franticness. To complete each level you must make a predetermined set of kills. There are also various score chains you can achieve and an assortment of enemy types to get your head around – with most of them homing straight in on you Robotron style, in various speeds and patterns. Enemy portals are destroyed by looping your tail around them, and levels are completed by entering the warp which opens up as soon as you reach the kill quota.
Pan is a frantic and compulsive score chaser that will have you pulling your hair out in disgust and immediately pressing the button for another go. Controls are simple and the game is immediately accessible. There are enough game modes present to keep you more than interested for a good while (include arcade and a survival mode) and the Steam release introduces online leader boards and achievements. For a game like Pan, these simple additions really add to the games longevity.
Graphics are solid without being outstanding, with the limited palette of colours supported by attractive pixel art and various visual effects, that don’t reach ‘Minter’ levels of trippyness but do their job regardless. The soundtrack is perfectly suitable, with various beats and breaks complimenting the gameplay and adding to the overall experience.
Pan-Dimensional Conga Combat deserves to be played. It’s an honest and fun score chaser that will test your (probably aging) reflexes and reward persistence. Old school gamers looking for a quick blast will love it, and younger gamers should give it a go and prove their superiority on the online leader boards – c’mon, I dare you! Highly recommended.
source: James Monkman
Footnote: A special package is still available on itch.io which contains the game (the itch.io download and a Steam key) as well as a set of two matte-finish A2 RGCD posters.
JB Hi-Fi Staff Have Done It Again!
We love our video game reviews and descriptions to be short, sharp and most importantly, witty!
Luckily for us JB Hi-Fi staff have a knack to nail their game reviews and descriptions. Who needs to read pages full of text when you can just rock up at a JB Hi-Fi and get informed on the spot.
Here are (quite) a few JB staff write-ups that caught our eye today:
The Evolution Of Nintendo Consoles
A very cool video of the evolution of Nintendo consoles by our good friends at GameSpot Today I Learned!
Before some of you say, “But where is the Game Boy, DS and 3DS?”, relax, this is the evolutionary line of their consoles, not their handhelds. Having said that, it seems like the Virtual Boy doesn’t fit in any category 🙁
How many Nintendo consoles have you owned since their Color TV-Game 6?
source: GameSpot Today I Learned
NESmaker – Make New Cartridge Based Games For the NES
We’ll keep this short and sweet – if you want to realise your childhood dreams of making a new (cartridge based) playable game for the NES but don’t have the necessary coding expertise, then hit the NESMaker Kickstarter immediately. Hurry up, ’cause there are only a few hours left to secure this awesome bit of dev-kit!
Go on, unleash your inner game developer without the need of coding skills!
PS: Don’t worry about funding, the project has already blown waaaaay past its goal and has unlocked a number of stretch targets!
source: The New 8-Bit Heroes