Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: Swifty on September 12, 2015, 01:52:27 pm

Title: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Swifty on September 12, 2015, 01:52:27 pm: You guys are probably wondering why I've gone silent since I've pushed out the initial physically-based rendering build for Freespace Open. No, I didn't quit working on Freespace. The truth is, I've been secretly moonlighting on you guys working on video games for money. It's a very shameful situation and I decided to come out to you guys with the truth.

But don't worry, after these games are released, I'll get back on to working on what's actually important! In the meantime, check out our games. One game that's coming out is Laserlife which I'm credited as a programmer for. It's a music/rhythm game (in space) for PC/PS4/Xbox One. It features some pretty trippy visuals accompanied by a very cool sounding soundtrack. Playstation recently featured us on their blog (http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/09/10/laserlife-zapping-to-ps4-on-september-22nd/) so please check it out!

In addition to that, I am the programming lead for yet another space-based video game! I've been busy working on Tharsis, a game about a deteriorating mission to Mars driven by virtual dice and rogue-lite mechanics. PC Gamer featured us on their website (http://www.pcgamer.com/peril-dice-and-cannibalism-in-tharsis-a-game-about-our-first-mission-to-mars/) and did an interview with our creative director. We're really happy where this game has come along and we're really happy with the response we got at PAX Prime.

It's weird how I'm always finding myself working on space games...
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Scourge of Ages on September 12, 2015, 02:43:43 pm: Bah! What do you evenn neeeeed money for anyway?? Lame :P
Tharsis sounds cool, though. I bit like FTL on Mars, sounds like?
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Swifty on September 12, 2015, 04:31:54 pm: The stressful oppressiveness of surviving in space with limited resources is definitely there. So it's not a bad comparison! You're essentially managing the well-being of your crew as they battle a series of cascading failures that threaten to break the ship apart and injure your crew. We've crafted some really interesting systems in this game that abstracts it all. Unlike FTL, there's no combat but the ship damage control mechanics in of itself creates a lot of friction needed to create these very fun and tense moments in the game.
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Scourge of Ages on September 12, 2015, 07:04:24 pm: I heard it mentioned, just now, on two PC Gamer Show podcasts (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pc-gamer/id383093125?mt=2) (8/25 and 9/1), they saw it at PAX.
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Spoon on September 15, 2015, 09:33:21 am: Neat!

(I can't think of anything else to say, it's cool to see the stuff you've worked!)
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Swifty on September 23, 2015, 03:16:38 am: We released Laserlife yesterday! That's one release down, another to go...

Steam: http://store.steampowered.com/app/323040/
Playstation Store: https://store.playstation.com/#!/en-us/games/laserlife/cid=UP2148-CUSA02862_00-GAME000000000000

I recorded some PS4 footage of the game if you guys are curious about how it plays: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZVB_86JIqg
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Spoon on September 23, 2015, 06:09:00 pm: I'm totally not into rhyme games normally, but I shall get this because of Swifty reason.
Title: Re: I've been moonlighting on a bunch of video games
Post by: Swifty on September 24, 2015, 12:10:01 am: aww shucks spoon. if it's not your cup of tea, you shouldn't spend your money. but it's good knowing you gots mah back.