Home > 2009 > February

Enhanced Mode…

February 23,2009 9:13 am 4 comments

We’re still going around and around (in our heads) with this mode for Archon.  We’ve come up with some REALLY cool ideas, so I wanted to share a little bit.  Let me introduce the “ENHANCED” mode concept…and how it came to be.  In our talks with current console publishers we’ve come to realize a straight port with updated visuals wouldn’t be enough by itself to attract the newer generation of player.  So we explored some additional ideas and came up with “ENHANCED MODE”, which will be offered as an option as well as the “CLASSIC MODE”.

In Enhanced Mode, we will be changing the look, play and feel of the game SLIGHTLY to add a bit more depth to the game.  The game will still be 2d, using sprites…still have the same fast, frantic gameplay during Combat, but add things like: Adding secondary attacks and abilities to each piece, More spells for spell casters, Up to 4 players, Engaging environments during combat, Bonus items throughout play and many more enhancements throughout both boards.

We are still working and balancing things out, but those are the major changes that we’re pretty excited about, although I don’t know which ones will make it to the final version after playtesting, or if there will be more added.  Time (and testing) will tell.  Again, this mode is an option besides the Original Classic version (You hardcore Archon dudes, don’t worry.)  I’ll keep you posted as things progress.

iPhone Update…

February 18,2009 9:38 am 4 comments

The core game engine is pretty much complete with simple AI and 2 player mode enabled.  We can use that cross platform now, which is pretty exciting.  Still some bumps to address, but that’s the process.  The iPhone version is coming along and I’ve received word that the prototype will be finished a little earlier than expected (always a good thing.)  I hope to be play-testing soon.

We’ve decided to release our “free demo” first, followed by a full release a little later on.  The demo will be an unrestricted 1 player version of the game.  The AI will be set to “easy” and won’t include the 2 player versions or the other “campaign” mode (details a little later on.)  I can honestly say it will be one of the best looking, most intriguing games available for the iPhone (but maybe I’m biased.)  We’re just excited to get this into the hands of our fans…and free ain’t bad, right?

Oh, for those of you who care, check out our Archon Facebook page here.  Join as a friend, post on our wall and do all those things you do on Facebook.

Internal Milestone #1 hit…

February 9,2009 3:41 pm no comments

It seems like many months have passed, but it’s only been a month and a half since we really began production of this great title.  So many things have fallen into place for us, I can’t believe things are going this fast and well.

Our first milestone was hit last week, which was a fully playable demo.  We’ve been playing around with different versions, but the “official” build for the milestone was really quite nice.  It even featured some rudimentary AI, so I was able to play against the computer today.  The controls are nice and responsive, the artwork is still rough, but IT WAS FUN!  Everything seems to be coming together.  

Our programmer, let’s call him “Martin”, is one of the best I’ve worked with for many reasons.  Not only is he a huge Archon fan, but he always says to me, “Don’t let me hold you back.  Let me know what you want, and I’ll find a way to do it.”  I can’t tell you how refreshing that is to me.  I’ve been in the gaming industry since 1994 and I’ve worked with many a programmer.  I find that there are those who are in it for a paycheck, and those who love to program.  Martin is of the latter group.  I always hated to hear from programmers, “That can’t be done.”, or “This console has such-and-such restrictions, so we can’t do that.”  There was even once where I was working on a game a long time ago (PSone era) and was told over and over again that something couldn’t be done.  Then we went to E3 and saw a game for the same platform doing everything I wanted our programmers to do.

Anyway, I’m very happy how things are going.  When we get farther along, I’ll post some screen shots or even some video, if I get the chance.  One thing we are excited about is a new “Enhanced Mode” which will be an option that will give the game an updated “flavor”.  This will accompany the “Classic Mode”, of course.