The new version of the game runs on Mac OS X as well as Windows (and even Linux, but then you’ll have to get the game engine separately). It also has added voices, improved music and some improved graphics. It still isn’t perfect, but it’s good enough for me to be proud of what I’ve made, and now I can move on to make my next game. (Unless someone finds any bugs in this one.)

Enjoy, and please let me know what you think of it!

I’m still working on the Special Edition of Frasse and the Peas of Kejick. The main reason that I failed to meet the deadline I’d given myself was that I hadn’t received all the voice recordings from other people (I’m still waiting on two persons), but that wasn’t the only reason. When I realised that it would be impossible to finish the game on schedule, I didn’t push that hard to finish the things I could have finished either. And now that I’m waiting I’ve also started to go through all the background graphics, updating them to take advantage of the unlimited colour palette in the new version of the engine, and touching them up a bit where I find things that I can improve.

I’m now really looking forward to when I’ll finally be able to wrap up the game and finally call it done. (This has gone on a lot longer than I originally planned.) I can’t make a new estimation of a release date today. As soon as I have the parts created by others that I need to finish, I’ll put it together as quickly as I can, but until then I’ll keep making small updates all over the game. I just hope the end will come soon, so that I’ll be able to move on.

Today I’ve spent some time on a piece of music from Frasse. This time it’s a piece from the last part of the game, so if you’re afraid of minor spoilers, read no further.It’s the music playing in the princess’ room, and this is what it sounds like in the released game: Flute Concert (old version) Here’s what it will sound like (unless I change it further) in the Special Edition: Flute Concert (new version). I think you’ll agree that it sounds a lot better, even though it’s almost exactly the same notes, and it’s still played by a computer.

Update: Oops. Encoding it to MP3 caused both versions to lose clarity, so I’ve now re-uploaded them in higher bitrate.

I am looking at the game and considering how I can make it better. The graphics will get some small improvements, and a few added animations. The menu system probably should be made prettier (but I’m not so good at that kind of stuff, so we’ll see…) I’m considering adding a short intro to the game, and also give the player a clear goal from the start.

The biggest updates (aside from the ones coming from the upgrade of the game engine) will be in the area of sound. I’ve already revealed that I’m reworking the music and adding some sound effects. What you probably don’t know is that I’m also adding voice acting. I posted in the Voice Acting Alliance Forums (which I found out about through the – mostly good voiced – game Dirty Split) and when I got some really good voices in reply, it got quite interesting. This may even make the game worth replaying for those who have already played it.

But there is a problem. The most interesting replies I got from that forum were all from women, and there are fewer females than males in the game. (I may have more females in my next game.) I’ve managed to fill most roles, and I’ve decided to voice the title character myself (nobody even auditioned for that part!), but there are still five parts left without an actor to play them. Blake, Ike, Tom Braider, the Huge Dog and the King. (I’m still waiting for the recordings of several of the other characters that people have agreed to do, but I hope that I won’t have to worry about those.) So if you who are reading this know another place where I could ask people if they’d be interested to voice a character, I’d like to hear from you. Maybe you’d even be interested to do it yourself? I’m not offering any other compensation than a place in the credits, though. (Or some small favour in return. I’ve agreed to record a few lines for a project of one of the actors, or if you want a piece of music or something that could also be arranged.)

The thought of an in-game hint system has also crossed my mind, but I don’t know if I’ll add that.

I’m aiming for a release around Easter-time, and it still seems realistic to think I’ll make that deadline.

And finally, since the few people who are reading this are likely to have played the game already: If this post reminds you of something that you think I should improve in Frasse, please don’t hesitate to let me know!

I got a lot done on the SLUDGE adventure game engine during the summer. (If you’re interested in knowing more about that, and maybe trying it out, you should head on over to the Adventure Developers forum. That’s where the SLUDGE action is.)

Now my SLUDGE-making speed has slowed down a bit, for two reasons. One is that the vacation is over, and my paid work naturally has priority over this stuff. The other is that I’ve been spending a little time [i]using[/i] the SLUDGE development kit, making Frasse and the Peas of Kejick: Special Edition. No estimated release date for that yet, but I’m hoping to get it done this side of Christmas.

Thanks, JD, for taking the time to write reviews! (And I’m not saying this because he liked my game. If anyone who doesn’t like my game would like to review it, I’d be equally grateful. I’d probably learn more from that review.)

Instead I have spent some time with Frasse. The original game, and not the sequel. When I release it for the Mac, it will be an updated game, and the area where I really want to update things in in the sound department. I want to use real instruments in the music. Here’s an example: The original version, and the updated one with a live trombone. The new version is far from perfect (I need to practice recording myself) and I’ll probably return to it again before the game is re-released, but I hope you’ll agree it’s an improvement anyway. I plan to do this all over the place, and also add other sounds.

Progress was made for a while, but then I was hit by serious lack of time somewhere around August, and didn’t resume work on this project until this week. Before this long break, most stuff except the graphics were more or less working. (I say “more or less” partly because there are some things that I know that doesn’t work, and partly because it’s not easy to test things without any graphics.) Today I made a bit of a breakthrough on the graphics front: While there’s still a lot to be done, I can now see the backgrounds of Frasse (at least the non-scrolling ones) on my MacBook. Yay! This gives me new confidence – I now know I’ll be able to make it run properly eventually. It’s just a matter of time.

Then we will be able to play Frasse and the other good SLUDGE games on our Macs. Maybe even Bad Timing, eventually. Erwin is also slow with his game making, but I’m looking forward to seeing if the game will be able to match my (high) expectations for it.

That’s it for now, but I hope it won’t be quite long until next time I have news to share.