First, ADDICT has been AWESOME! The overwhelming positive response has been incredible. Thank you all, I really appreciate it. Sorry for not posting more updates on the website, I’ve just been busy between ADDICT, TTYPC, and new YouTube Let’s Play I’m trying to (dismally) start, and my own personal life which is becoming increasingly busy. That said, I really want to stay “in the game”

So, why do I have a picture from the Skyrim Dragonborn expansion on my main page? What is this “rumination” all about? Well, it’s come to my attention that there are many aspiring game developers out there. And then there are “little developers” like me who are always looking for encouragement/confirmation, a feeling that you’re not alone in the joys and frustrations of game development.

Here is the essence of my “rumination” – people expect a whole dang lot from Indie Game Developers. Have you noticed that? And why not? Shouldn’t we all expect a lot from game developers? I mean, who wants to play crappy games?

But take a moment to think all this through with me. ADDICT has received huge, overwhelmingly positive reaction. And I am soooo happy and feel soooo blessed by that! So please understand that I’m not complaining in this blog. I’m just sharing some things I’ve learned from reality. What sets ADDICT apart from, say, Skyrim? Well, for one thing, Skyrim is about 1,000x as awesome (you’re talking to a serious Skyrim fanboy here ya’ll). But I think there’s something else. . . product placement. You see, with a game like Skyrim or the Dawnguard and Dragonborn expansions, people don’t look at an advertisement and say, “Meh, a new game is out.”

No, no. . . they say, “AW YEAAAHHH MAN A NEW ELDER SCROLLS GAME BABAAAYYYY GOTTA HAVE THEM EXPANSION PACKS YO!”

I mean, I did!

And so we, the gaming masses, buy the game. What got me to thinking about this was my recent purchase of Dawnguard (I know, I’m behind the curve). AWESOME gameplay. Love the crossbow addition. Also, there’s this:

Seriously. Watch that. If you don’t you just won’t get my point at all. I experienced this, what you see in this video. That’s right. Skyrim just puts a nice happy little gate in at THE ONLY STINKING EXIT. And how to fix that? Why, just walk through the wall! After all, why not? I mean. . . YOU ARE THE DRAGONBORN!

Now here’s the funny thing. I’m not upset with Bethesda. They’re incredible. I love Skyrim. I don’t think this is “total crap” and that they’re just “idiots” for making this kinda game. Cut em’ some slack! I mean, for crying out loud. . . Skyrim is HUGE. I would NOT want to be doing to debugging on a game like that. Can you even imagine? It’s more massive than I even want to think about!

But you see, here’s the thing. Because of the product placement on Skyrim – it’s all over Steam, the web, etc. – it sells like crazy. And rightly so, it’s awesome! Then, after selling a few hundred thousand copies, bugs creep up. People realize it’s not perfection. Trolls begin their attacks on the “morons” that made it. But in the end, people realize it’s still awesome and the game continues to sell. And hey. . . I think that’s the way it should be!

Here’s my realization for us indie developers – we don’t get the “product placement.” We don’t get the “assumption” that our games are perfection. Gamers who won’t hesitate to drop $60 for, say, another Call of Duty or some awesome RPG, suddenly become all finnicky about that whoppin’ $1.99 price tag on ADDICT. As one commenter said, “This game looks awesome for free, but money? Not so much.”

Because, after all, indie developers are just supposed to give their hard work out for free! Because Jos Shmoe deserves it for free, apparently.

And so, instead of, say, 1,000 copies sold, ADDICT still sits humbly under 40 copies sold at this point. Granted, I’m close to that lofty goal. But it’s still under 40 copies sold. Why? Because the game is crap? Well, it’s not stellar, but it certainly isn’t shabby. What it all comes down to is the simple fact that, even though ADDICT does not even BEGIN to have the bugginess of something like Dawnguard, it simply isn’t going to be bought by an increasingly bureaucratic gaming generation here everything has to be “professionally” produced. Or featured on a big website.

OK, I’ve spoken long enough. Let me close by saying a few things. First, I’m not complaining. I’m not seeking pity. I’m trying to share some encouragement. Don’t get discouraged when people mock your game. Sure, you may have made some mistakes. But does the player have to walk through walls because you put a stinkin’ gate in front of their exit? Probably not, so just calm down and relax. You’re not bad at making games.

Secondly, and finally, yes – there are other indie developers out there just as frustrated with incredibly low sales numbers as you. Welcome to the world of indie games. The old “make a good game and people will buy it” thing doesn’t always work. Thousands of new games are coming out on a daily basis. Try to fathom that. . . thousands. Some times you just have to get back up, release an update, and try your hand at the next project. And, most importantly, enjoy makin’ games!

All right folks. . . I’m done!

So – what now? Well, for one thing, ADDICT ain’t done! I’ve already got plans for the first update, which I will probably start working on tonight (seriously. . . tonight!). Here’s a list of ideas I have been given. I am not saying that all of this will happen, but it’s a good start:

*Rocks killing enemies, a type of gravity puzzle element

*Options menu with volume

*More screams for the Watcher

*Timed mode

*Hardcore mode with one heart, less food

*8-Bit Music Level

*Less jumpscares, more legit freakin’ out

*More intrigue

*Art improvements

Do you have thoughts? Comment! Contact me! Do whatever it takes. . . I’m open to suggestions on this.

BUT WAIT!!!!!! THERE’S MORE!!!!

I have already begun development on another game which, frankly, is exciting the tar out of me (that’s a good thing btw). Visually, it’s very calming. It will not be a horror game, or even creepy for that matter. It will be incredibly fun! I am seriously stoked about this thing, and can’t wait to actually get the gameplay in a video. I think folks are going to just plain love it. So I’ll close with a screenshot.

Alright folks, I’m done here. Off to work on some new game content!

ADDICT is now available for pre-order on Desura! As always, it’s been a pleasure to work with them again. They’re always very punctual and very easy to communicate with. So, what are you waiting for? ADDICT is just $1.99! Pre-order your copy now and get yourself something to do over the weekend!

Remember, there are many other ways you can help support ADDICT and Jenito in general. Why not take a moment to do some of the following important things?

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jenito-Games/221009241259507

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: http://twitter.com/JDanielHall

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/jenitogames

WATCH US ON INDIEDB: http://www.indiedb.com/games/addict

I’m very excited about the release of ADDICT, and both honored and humbled by the overwhelming positive reception the game has encountered on the web. Thank you all so much! I’m looking forward to the first update

Well, that moment has come! And I won’t lie – I am smiling from ear to ear as I write this. Not because I think I’m awesome or some bullcrap like that, but because I feel I’ve been able to share an experience with someone. That I’ve been able to give them, if just for a few moments, something to smile about. And that is AWESOME!

So, what the heck am I talking about? XD Fantastic question! Monday afternoon I contacted some YouTube “Let’s Players” with the concept of making playthroughs of ADDICT. . . and was actually surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response I received from many of them! But the distinction of first goes to Sinuyan, an amazing talent on YouTube with a fantastic channel which you should check out here!

So what am I waiting for?!?! I’m featuring his second vid here because it’s. . . the part where he finds the Watcher! But I’ve provided a link to the first video as well at the bottom of this article. Behold!

And the link to the first video: clicky here

As for the game itself – I’m working out a few little bugs which have been found, and otherwise just trying to make sure it’s all good to go. I’m still waiting to hear back from Desura, but I’m sure we’re all good there. In closing, some quotes from folks who have seen the game!

“Oh gosh the beginning scared me! D:”
“Looks like a nice game!”
“I like how mysterious it is!. . . So far it’s very polished compared to most of the games I’ve been playing. . . And for a one man team I’m very impressed!” – Sinuyan

Thanks to everoyne who’s showing interest in the game! I am so excited to be any part of this

In all seriousness, I think the game is going to be really cool! And I’ve got a lot of favors to ask. So let’s start with number one. . . watch the trailer!

PLEASE make sure to subscribe to Jenito’s YouTube channel! JenitoGames on YouTube! But wait, there is MORE!!!! Click on the following links to follow/like, and then check out the AMAZING link below which take you to our page over at IndieDB!

Twitter!

Facebook!

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to keep up with the game. I am hoping for a March 1st (this Friday!) release date. . . excitement! Please leave comments here and at the other sites and let me know what you think. Thus far I have gotten VERY positive comments, so I’m pretty pumped. Thanks for supporting Jenito!

Means I’m excited. Thunderfall, my first iPad/iPhone/Mac game, is COMING SOON!!!! Check out the pimp trailer on YouTube, LIKE it, and comment saying, “Daniel, you rock, and live up to the name of Big Boss.” Then buy the game when it is released.

You WILL do these things, brothers and sisters. You WILL.

A brief breakdown of the story in Thunderfall. It’s set on the fantasy world of “Utopia.” In the year 3434 AD a powerful organization known as the Genetic Symposium rises to political power and mandates “The Purge,” which casts “genetically undesirable” humans out into space to live in the cruel Roanoke System. Years later, these purged humans, called “The Blight,” form a space armada to make war with Utopia. In an act of defiance, The Blight rename themselves “Liberty.”

You’ll play as Captain Jake Fox, formerly a simple cargo runner who now becomes DA’ STINKIN’ BOMMMM!!!!! (That’s spelled with FOUR m’s, thank you very much)

Brace yourselves!

Sorry, gotta’ hype it up Believe it or not, a MicroTale update IS coming. It’s been in development for a while, actually. . . and now it’s time to get down to the serious coding and get this baby done!

The first update will actually add an all new style of play (small, but awesome) called “Survival Arcade.” As the screenshot demonstrates, it will rock.

Behold. The awesomeness that is to come!

It will stand completely separate from the main game, and will include a heavily improved combat system, an epic day/night system, a comletely different set of things to build, and a HUGE survival emphasis. As the “arcade” suggests, you won’t be able to save in this mode of play. But trust me, I don’t think you’ll care. The purpose of this is to give you a fun, action-packed thirty-fifty minute round of fun. Because the deal with survival is. . . you WILL die ultimately! XD

Stay tuned!

But now for another very exciting announcement: I’ve released the first promo images for Jenito’s new title, Thunderfall! Thunderfall is being developed for iPad, iPhone, and Mac, and hopefully will see a Windows 8 and Android release some time next Spring/Summer. I’ve never released an app in the Apple Store, so this will be a very new experience for me. But I am excited about it! Check out the promo images below and get ready for some serious space shootin’!

Click on the image to link to the full sized file

The game has a pretty nifty storyline. . . more on that soon!

Of all the games I’ve made thus far, this one feels the most polished to me. It’s also a lot more fun than MicroTale, Triquaria, The Miffets, etc. I’ve really enjoyed putting it together! As of right now the first “Chapter” of the game is complete. Just two more and I’ll release the game, and there should be plenty of updates to come after that. Tell your friends!

MicroTale did OK on Desura, but I’d like to see if it’s possible to raise some more income from the game as I start work on the first update for the game. It’s going to be very cool. . . but it’d be nice to hit the minimum income mark before getting too heavily involved in that

SO! MicroTale will be on sale for just .95 cents from November 8th to November 29th! WOWZERS! Tell your friends and enjoy the game!

MicroTale is now available over there if you’d like to buy it from somewhere other than Desura. Not that I’d know why you’d want to, since Desura is awesome. But hey, Indievania is awesome too, so why buy from Desura? I feel like I’m torn between two loves here or something! Anyway, you can check out the page at Indievania by clicking on the amazing picture below.

Oooh. . . it looks so placid and clickable. Do it. You know you want to. Click it. CLICK IT! ! ! !

Or, of course, you could just go ahead and buy the game from both sources and show your incredible love for MicroTale. I wouldn’t complain, I promise!

Sales are going OK right now. But please share the game with your friends. I know that there are tons of things that could be changed to make it better. Tons of updates that could be added. They will be, but only with your help! I need to get at least 300-500 copies shipped this month if we want to get the first update done speedily. I think that’s a doable goal, so make sure to let your buddies know that MicroTale is da’ stinkin’ BOMB.

Thanks ya’ll!