In a historic first for this site, The Kiwi's Tale download now includes an executable for Intel Macs. It isn't nicely "bundled" like a proper Mac application should be, but works fine none the less (I think it works better then the Windows version actually!)

I had originally considered doing a PPC Mac build but decided not to after finding out about the little/big endian problem. Linux support will probably come at a later date.

The new download can be found on the game page or here.

There are no other changes, except that the Retro Remakes splash screen has been removed, and it comes with a permissive licence to explicitly allow redistribution and modding etc.

Also, Blow Stuff Up and Heart of Ice have been re-uploaded with a similar licence, and Blow Stuff Up now includes a bug fix which should stop it from crashing on some computers, and better instructions in the config file on how to customise the game (Change the number of buildings, fighters, tanks etc).

In preparation for releasing the extremely limited Earok 2009 Collection CD, I have done some tweaks to Derelict and uploaded version 1.21 to the site.

The only real changes to speak of are:

• The previously released level editor is now included as part of the download.
• The character sets not only support lower case, but also special characters. This should make localisation a lot easier if anyone wants to port Derelict to their native language.
• Some minor spelling tweaks here and there.

And that's it really. Download link is on the Games page or here. It's unlikely to have introduced any new bugs to the game, but please let me know if it has.

Even though this is just a minor update, this has historic value as it will probably be the last version of the game programmed in Blitz Basic 3D. Future versions will probably be done in Unity, UDK or C++.

On a slightly related topic, I have already decided that a screenplay of Derelict will be my Script Frenzy project for 2010. It will be a reimagining rather then a straight adaptation of the (Lacking) story of the game, and will be used as the basis for the next version of the game.

This is the post where I list each Milestone needed for completing the Blow Stuff Up remake. I plan to complete each Milestone in both UDK and Unity before moving to the next step.

I'll also post my results for each Milestone on the blog, and declare either UDK or Unity the winner for that step.

1: Environment

The "World" will be established with an infinitely long, flat plane with a rocky texture. Next the "Island" will be added as a terrain on top of that, hopefully using my existing Heightmap and Texture from the Blitz 3D version.

A blue sky will be set up at this point, hopefully a good looking skybox or skysphere would not be too difficult to add.

2: Water

Another infinitely long plane is established to be water. A thick blue fog will be visible if the camera is underneath the plane, to mimic the effect of being under water.

Having light refract and reflect off the water would be a nice touch, so I will have a play with Unity's and UDK's shaders. Having actual 3D waves would be brilliant, though not entirely necessary.

3: Movement

By this stage it shouldn't be to hard to set up the game's camera to be able to 'Walk' on the terrain. The game needs to be playable with standard FPS 'WASD + Mouse' controls.

I also want to test to see if UDK and Unity have inbuilt solutions for overcoming Gimbal lock, ie being able to rotate an object on all axes independently. Not having an adequate solution to Gimbal lock was one of the key reasons why I ditched Dark Basic for Blitz3D.

4: Buildings

This one might be one of the more complicated steps. In the original Blitz3D version, the buildings were procedurally generated. Random facade and roof textures were applied by the process, and also the heights were set randomly (though buildings near the centre of the city were set to be taller.)

I am not sure about either UDK's or Unity's ability to create meshes during the game, so this one will be interesting to say the least.

5: Weapons (Edit - Made this a separate step)

At this stage I simply want to add guns. I'll just make them out of textured primatives in the engine, one loosely in the shape of a gatlin gun and the other loosely in the shape of a bazooka, and then attach them to the player.

They should also sway slightly while the player is moving, and have recoil when the player shoots.

6: Effects

Now this is where things get fun! Here I'll test out Physics, Explosions, Dynamic Shadows, 3D Sound, Particle effects and the like.

One major enhancement I intend to make over the original Blitz3D version is being able to knock the buildings down on each other, Dominoes style.

7: AI

There are three kinds of Vehicles that now need to be added to the game.

• Cars simply drive through town without turning, although they will back up and reverse if the player is standing in front of them.
• Tanks drive across Terrain from the edges of the Island to hunt out and shoot the Player (or at least, the building he is standing on!)
• Jet fighters roar overhead, releasing accurate bombs that will always hit the Player if he is standing still.

Depending on how I'm going for time, I may look at adding a Fourth - an enemy Battleship, out at sea, that serves as the sort of final boss.

8: Polishing

An introductory text screen will be added to the front of the game, with a concluding text screen for anyone who successfully destroys everything on the Island. GUI elements, such as health and crosshairs, will also be added.

After this stage is complete, I should have at least one new version of the game that is at least on par with the Blitz3D original, and hopefully a heck of a lot better.

And if I don't, then it's definitely back to C++ and Ogre!

Okay, so the 2010 Global Game Jam isn't until the end of January, but well ahead of time I have decided to give myself a bit of a dare. And my dare for the Jam is simply:

Regardless of how insane it is, I will try to make your game idea.

Within certain limitations of course:

1. It must be entirely appriopriate for a PG-13 or below audience.
2. It must be completely "Politically Correct" (Does not set out to offend anyone of any particular race, creed, culture, political affiliation, sexual orientation etc)
3. Your idea will be shoe horned into whatever themes or rules are set for the Game Jam.
4. Your idea will be limited by what my computer is able to do.
5. You will need to accept the quality of the game based on your idea is restricted by my personal artistic and programming abilities, as well as the strict 48 hour time limit.
6. You will need to accept the game based on your idea will be released publically on a GPL or BSD based licence.
7. You will need to accept that I retain the right to claim authorship of the game.
8. The game can only require Mouse and/or Keyboard as it's prehiperals.
9. Copyrighted content can be parodied or referenced, but not infringed upon.
10. Any game idea that requires or allows online multiplayer will be rejected, hot-seat multiplayer may be considered.
11. Your idea may be rejected for any other reason that would make it impossible, or at least incredibly impractical, to develop.

And that's it, really. If you have got an idea for a game so bizarre that makes Cactus's work seem utterly pedestrian, then I would love to hear it.

However, there is a catch. I will accept, and only accept, the first idea submitted to me by someone who completes the following challenge:

1. Take a screenshot of the ending cutscene of Heart of Ice
2. Take a screenshot of the ending text of Blow Stuff Up
3. Take a screenshot of the end sequence from The Kiwi's Tale
4. Take a screenshot of the text scroll from the "Good" ending of Derelict
5. Upload these screenshots to an online image service (such as Flickr)
6. Send me links to those screenshots through the contact page

(Note: This challenge isn't open to anyone who worked on any of the above games. Sorry guys, I have to be fair.)

Sounds like a tall order? Perhaps, but how often has someone offered to make your game idea for you, for free?

Good luck!