The Last Peacock!: The Beta Launch Post!!

So the time is finally upon us, this weekend the tiny Indie Game team that i formed with my friends will be releasing our first game into world to be played by actual people. Its exciting, refreshing and most of all... Terrifying.

In this blog i will talk about the game, its development process and to be honest the reasons why i hope it all goes well.

First of all, The Last Peacock is a free running platformer that was built for Mobile Devices.

You control Percy The Peacock (yes i know its genius!!) as he attempts to escape the Evil dragon that chases him. Now i wont completely spoil the story, but hes also out for abit of revenge!

The game takes place over 2 different stages and uses randomly generated terrain to allow you to play for as long as you can, racking up the biggest score in the process. In the Full version of the game there will also be a boss battle or two chucked in for good measure! Overall its pretty fun to be honest, even though im clearly biased!!

Now this may sound bizarre, but that's the first time i have ever explained the game and the first time we have shown off any of the story. Its one of the many lessons about game development that i have learnt in the last 12 months, it becomes very difficult to see what you're doing when you're so involved within it. How are other people supposed to know what state the game is in if no one has told them? This is something we will improve in the next 12 months i am sure!

I have really enjoyed working on this game. Despite an engine change, 3 Project changes and many nights of "what's the point!?"  in the end i have really enjoyed it. I think we have built a fun little game that people will enjoy, i do! I want to do this for the rest of my life and i would love to do it with my team here at Wild Melon Games.

So back to the Beta! The Beta is basically the game minus a few features that need abit more testing such as the Boss battles. Then why release it? you ask. Well, firstly its a great opportunity for people other than our own little bubble to get some game time in and let us know what they think without spending money on it. Secondly we can test the game on more Android devices which is very important for us going forward. And lastly, we get to practise publicizing our games!

So if this has tickled you're interest or you have any questions please follow us on Facebook and twitter!

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Wii U Chat: 09/11/2013

Back to talk about the Wii U, So what's happened in the last 3 months? Well.... GAMES!!

Wonderful 101, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Lego Marvel Heroes, Rayman Legends, Assassins Creed 4, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Batman Arkham Origins and Deux Ex Human Revolution Directors Cut. Gasp.

All of them are really good and different, if only there were a driving game in there and we would be able to point towards the Wii U finally becoming a viable main console. Now don't get me wrong, i know the HD twins are back this month and the Wii U will NOT compete with them, however, in my opinion i don't think that matters. Whenever friends or family ask me about the Wii U i say the same thing, its the perfect SECOND console. Just like the Gamecube before it. There isn't a console out right now that can compete with Nintendo's games, Knack is not Mario, Modnation Racers is not Mario Kart and Nothing is more fun than Smash bros. If you're reading this chances are you will be getting a PS4 or an XBONE, probably not both. But dont let that rule out the Wii U, its growing its own Niche and doing it well.

Anyway rant over!

What have i been playing?
Mass Effect 3: Special Edition

Lets prepare the humble pie.... so those who know me know how much i hated on ME3 on its Xbox 360 release. The ending ruined the series for me, seriously, it was that bad, like a kick in the balls. Due to that i couldn't bring myself to play it any more. So almost a year later i picked up the Wii U version on the cheap and i must say its great. The Wii U version comes with most of the DLC on other consoles which includes the extended (IMPROVED) ending.

The single player campaign is still fantastic, Mass Effect just does a great job of making the player fall in love with the characters and makes you care what happens. Its the best RPG experience on the Wii U so far and if you haven't played it pick it up!

Now the Multi Player, wow, i know its a glorified Horde mode from Gears Of War but its just so much fun. I Had know problem getting into a match, no smack talk from players and no lag. Nintendo cant do Internet eh?

It has some cool features too, i like that you have to press a button on the gamepad touch screen to talk, simple but effective. I like levelling up characters with perks like the single player and i like that it affects the single player.

Overall i would highly recommend ME3 for Wii U to any Wii U owners, for the price you can pick it up for now its completely worth it. And if you haven't played the past games, don't worry, the game has a large opening comic that helps you out so please check it out!

Next up for me on the Wii U games front will be Assassins Creed 3!

Thanks for reading, i swear ill structure the next one!!

Return of Dave!: 08/11/13

Wow, 3 MONTH!?!?! For once my blog hiatus was not of my own choosing...well sort of! I recently moved into a new flat with my better half and as a result have been without the Internet during the transition... and for whatever reason that has been 3 months but now i am back!

So what have i been upto?
Well aside from moving i have been working on Wild Melon Games debut title The Last Peacock! which will be releasing within a month for Mobile devices! In my opinion its a gameplay hybrid of Robot Unicorn Attack with a few elements of a more traditional Platformer like Super Mario Bros'. I like it and i hope you do too!

In terms of playing games i will be covering my latest Wii U exploits in a post later this weekend but i have actually been playing other consoles alot recently. I beat Dragon Age 2 out of sheer boredom at the lack of internet (its really not as bad as people say) and i have, of course, played well over 60 hours of Pokemon X on the 3DS. Its arguably the best game in the series too which i never thought possible, if you have a 3DS buy Pokemon END OF!!

So that's really it for my return to blogging, ill hopefully get back into the swing of things again soon so keep your eyes peeled!!

What have i been doing this week?: 16/08/2013

So its been a very quiet week as im trying to sort out moving house!!

What have i been playing?: The Wonderful 101 Demo - Wii U
Ive already had a pretty extensive blog on my thoughts of this demo, i love it, if i weren't moving house soon i would 100% buying this. Best game on the Wii U!

What have i been Watching?: WRESTLING!!

Yep i have been relieving my childhood by watching old wrestling pay per views. Spefically the Invasion era WWE. It used to be so much better then it is now.

Wii U Thursdays?: 15/08/2013

Its Thursday so lets start another little chat about the Wii U! Because...yeah lets beat that dead horse!
Today im going to be briefly giving my thoughts on the Wonderful 101 Demo that recently went up on the Eshop.

So what is the Wonderful 101? Well, its kind of hard to put into a genre but if i were to try then i would say its an Action Adventure game. Despite a striking resemblence to Pikmin it actually plays alot more like a traditional Action Adventure, more like Metal Gear Rising than Nintendo's plant-a-thon to be honest. Its made by the guys at Platinum Games (Famous for Bayonetta and Vanquish among others) and is the first part of there dual Nintendo published titles (the other being Bayonetta 2).

Right so lets get to the gameplay in slightly more detail. First off, it looks fantastic. It might be the best looking game ive played so far on the Wii U, its a perfect blend of a HD engine and Nintedo-esque art design that makes fantastic use of both of the Wii U's screens.

The main gameplay is very Bayonetta as mentioned above but the real touch pad gimmick is essentially a glorified weapon select. You draw a rough image of the item you want to use, press A and then you have that weapon. Its a cool looking gimmick but i feel that in a boss fight that may prove a problem. Other than that its a pretty good game, once you get used to how the game plays and can follow the sometimes hectic screen, you get a game that is really unique, smooth and most of all fun.

Also as a side note, i was only able to give the local multiplayer a little play but looks FANTASTIC. its plays in a co-op mission system that i think myself and my GF will have alot of fun with.

Overall this is the first step to making the Wii U a much more viable sale, its great and with this and Pikmin 3 being within a month, then having a great looking Zelda: Wind Waker remake coming soon after, its finally a good time to be a Wii U Owner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYjBRDxK3b8

What have i been doing this week?: 09/08/2013

Its week two.... so What have i been doing?

What have i been playing?: The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Wake - Gamecube

Im pretty ashamed to say i never actually got past the first dungeon of this game when i got it as a kid so with the Wii U HD port out soon and a girlfriend who loves Zelda, ive decided to give it a go. Im enjoying it so far and im actually very surprised at how well the game holds up. The controls can be a tad frustrating from time to time but overall its still a great game.

What have i been watching?: Two Best Friends Play

I love two best friends play. They are arguably the funniest team on youtube and i will watch just about anything they put out!!

What have i been working on?: Survival of the Fishiest

This week i started work on the Construct 2 version of the game and thus far its looking promising. Still a long way from a release but hey im getting there!!

Thursday Musing: 08/08/13: The Wii U

Hey Guys! So my second proper blog post (and hopefully a second segment!) is all about my rather expensive Christmas present... the Nintendo Wii U. Its been 8 months since i got it, so does it stand up? or is it the biggest waste of money here in my grotto? lets find out...

First off lets talk about what the Wii U is! The Wii U a video game console from the lords of gaming Nintendo. Its NOT a touch screen controller for the Wii...yes i really think the name was a mistake!

The Machine
The console itself is fantastic... no really, its oustanding. Graphically it easily outpaces current gen consoles and to be honest i feel Nintendos art styles will lead the Wii U to still look comparable when the PS4 and XBox One launch. Intially the load times werent great and stability was a tad erratic, thankfully that has been patched out and it nows runs perfectly.

Now the controller...oh my the controller....

Its very hard to explain this beast of a device, in my opinion, its the consoles strongest feature. From a gameplaying point of view it is very comfortable, the buttons are well built and the touch screen is good. Functionality wise, its saved the Wii U for me due to the ability to browse and watch videos on the pad alone, its one of those features that you will not be able to un-use once youve got the hang of it.

Also as a side note... i LOVE the blue cases, it adds needed colour to my game collection.

GAMES

Ok, here is the big problem right now. Games.... or the lack there of. Now im a really hardcore console gamer, i will buy anything tbh but even i only have  6 Wii U games with all but 1 being launch games. It is coming though, the line up from now onwards is alot better but this huge draught has really hurt the console. If any one is interested in picking a Wii U (you should be, you WONT find a better local multiplayer machine) then i would start with the fantastic underrated mini game collection Nintendo Land. Argueably the best game on the console with a really surprising amount of depth to each of its games. If single player is more your bag then you cant go wrong with Pikmin 3 or the literally life consuming Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate. Overall i think its becoming less of a problem, the E-Shop offering are getting better and better, and the premium "get back 10% of what you spend" offer makes this download only service a real coup, all the Wii U really needs is that one killer game...and its coming in spring! Depending on who you are, this killer game is Super Smash Bros U or Mario Kart 8. Both look like serious game changers and if you want a new console but dont want to spend £400 and put up with 8 months of growing pains that i promise you the PS4 and XBONE will have... pick up a Wii U and have some fun!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HT3diQX3i1I

What Have I Been Doing?: Friday 02/08/13

So what have i been doing this week? This is my first regular segment, im experimenting with it so it wont be amazing right away but here goes nothing!!

What have i been playing?: Wipeout 2048 - PS Vita

I got my Playstation Vita last week and i must say i am heavily impressed with the PS Vita so far. Wipeout 2048 has been a big part of that intial great first impression, its everything that the PS Vita should be shouting from the rooftops about, a HD console experience on the go. It plays great, it looks great and the multi player is flawless. The best thing is i got it for FREE with my console and i really cannot recommend this enough for anyone on the fence about getting a PS Vita

What have i been Watching?: The JonTronShow

I cannot get enough of this guy. JonTron is a youtuber from the school of AVGN and Spoony in that he gets rather worked up about the games he reviews and its utterly fantastic. I particularly enjoy his Banjo Kazooie Nuts and Bolts review. If you like AVGN and games in general, give this guy a look!

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdJdEguB1F1CiYe7OEi3SBg

What have i been Working on?: Survival of the Fishiest
Ive been working towards finishing the one of the games my company (Wild Melon Game Studios - Link below!!) have been working on for the last couple months. The games going well, this week ive been going back over the demo we took to the Wales Game Development Show last month and trying to improve it where i can.

www.facebook.com/wildmelongames

Another blog dave? REALLY!?!?!

So yes, its that time of year again... Daves Blogging!

Ok so i know i start alot of these but i do plan to keep going with this, i recently had a interview (Career stuff is cool btw :P) and during that interview it was recommended to me that i should start blogging regularly in an attempt to improve my writing skills and so that im more used to talking about myself and my projects. So here we go!

Im going to start this slowly and add more content as i go, to begin im planning to do a "Friday post" where i just talk about what ive been upto all week!

Hope the few of you who will read this enjoy what i write and tweet me @wildmelondave if you have any ideas to improve my blog!