News

JikGuard
Steel Hunters - Color-Grading/Post-Stack Tuning
I tried to employ an actual scientific method to taking a pass at color-grading/post-stack tuning for not-super-well-calibrated monitors or non-ideal viewing conditions.
April 4, 2017
JikGuard
Composing video game music to build suspense, part 3: creepy clusters
The 3rd of a 5-part series. Video game composer Winifred Phillips shares strategies from her GDC 2017 talk, Homefront to God of War: Using Music to Build Suspense. Part 3: Creepy Clusters, exploring the psychology of dissonance & tips for using it well.
April 4, 2017
JikGuard
Indie Games Scene - 2017 Overview
2017 comes with an amazing roster of indie games. So I decided to go through a 100 games selection done by Indieformer for a slightly deeper insight into how games get their funding, their social platforms and trending genres.
April 4, 2017
JikGuard
In-House Engine Development: Process Tips
Creating software is not really that much about technology. The human side to it is infinitely more complex than than the programs we write. That is why I want to deal with the human side of software creation this time.
April 4, 2017
JikGuard
POST MORTEM NSFW: Take a chance on a small casual PC game
I wanted to share a post mortem of our first published game for PC - Steam, NSFW – Not a Simulator for Working. The story behind our attempt to enter the Steam market using a small casual game.
April 3, 2017
JikGuard
Video Game Deep Cuts: Hitman vs. Edith Finch - Go!
This week's Video Game Deep Cuts long read/video highlights include include Hitman level design, What Remains of Edith Finch, and much, much more.
April 3, 2017
JikGuard
Train Jam, the IRL Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express is real, and it’s called Train Jam! Train Jam is an annual pilgrimage of game developers who decide to meet up in Chicago and ride a train all the way to San Francisco for Game Developers Conference (GDC). All aboard, choo choo!
April 3, 2017
JikGuard
The ever changing battlefield of Antegods
How do you make space feel infinite? In Antegods we use procedural generation to create unique levels for players to explore, ensuring that skills and collaboration are what win matches rather than know the best routes!
March 31, 2017
JikGuard
Videogames - too fun for their own good?
In videogames, classical gameplay makes sure players have a fun time. Using this to engage ones audience is a good bet, but it may hinder us in evolving other parts of game design, e.g. storytelling. Let's build games focusing on gameplay
March 31, 2017
JikGuard
Writing Indie Games Is Like Being a Musician. In the Bad Way.
The Indie Bubble happened. And then the Indie Glut. The indie games business has entered its final phase, which will last forever. What is it, and how can we survive in it? If survival is possible. I mean, have you looked out there lately? It's BANANAS!
March 30, 2017
JikGuard
Living the Dream (Part II) - from Hardcore Gamer to Successful Creator
Part II of my story of taking a love of games, and turning it into a full-time job, launching a studio and creating a popular (350,000+ copies sold to date) game in its own niche (hardcore medieval life-sim).
March 30, 2017
JikGuard
Designing Game Controls
My article with a big general guideline about game controls design.
March 29, 2017