For most, weekends means two days off work with some much-needed R&R. But for game developers, it’s also a time during which they get to show off what they’ve been working on. I am of course referring to Screenshot Saturday, which involves tweeting screenshots with the #ScreenshotSaturday hashtag. Screenshots which I will be critiquing some of every single Tuesday, in Speculating Screenshots.
Different screenshots from different developers, all working on different games. Some are very much a WIP, while other are from titles rapidly approaching release. These tweets do all have one thing they in common though, which is that they feature actual screenshots (or at the very least, mockups), animated or stills. So without further ado…
And some new weapon art too. Next up some new weapon effects 😀 #screenshotsaturday #gamedev pic.twitter.com/1Is9TkAKyR
— Ryan Alcock (@bluntgames) November 22, 2014
Super Mega Mega (@bluntgames)
Run ‘n gun (I think)? Pixel art (definitely)? Flashy colors (kinda)? Awesome! Not sure what the deal is with that huge head though, or the ones in boxes near the middle. But I do like the way it all looks and isn’t that what screenshots are for, at the end of the day?
#eldersofmadness reachs 50% completed!! #screenshotsaturday #indiedev #gamedev #GameMaker pic.twitter.com/vvuaz0Jpf9
— Miguel Ángel García (@magarciaguerra) November 22, 2014
Elders of Madness (@magarciaguerra)
Yay, more pixel art! Only this time, in a retro-styled side-scrolling SHMUP, complete with what appears to be a frozen zombie (lower right corner), and a bunch of pissed off aliens blocking your path. Nothing a few bullets can’t handle, I’m sure. Or maybe more than a few. Maybe… a few thousand!
Particle Beam Chaos http://t.co/qb0S9rTrcV #MightyTacticalShooter #screenshotsaturday #indiegames #gamedev pic.twitter.com/QCNK8NQVwt
— The Mighty Git (@TheMightyGit) November 22, 2014
Mighty Tactical Shooter (@TheMightyGit)
Another SHMUP? You bet ya, although a turn-based one this time. Not even joking. See that bar on the left? I have a feeling that’s a “who’s next?” indicator of some sort. Could be wrong though, but even if I am – turn-based SHMUP, ladies, and gentlemen. Points for originality right there.
The trolls rock on…http://t.co/aH3SV9LsTH#screenshotsaturday pic.twitter.com/eW5D0gzJNc
— CaptainD (@IndieGameNews1) November 22, 2014
Troll Song (@IndieGameNews1)
Rock Band: Trolls? Hardly. Troll Song is, far as I can tell, a pointy and clicky adventure about a society of trolls. That’s right, trolls. Not ogres, orcs, zombies or – God forbid – humans. Trolls. Also, based on the above tweet, they love to flex their musical talents (or lack thereof?).
One more screen from our #adventure game "Sonya" Like spiders?:) #indiedev #indiechat #screenshotsaturday #gameart pic.twitter.com/B0lrzGexZG
— Specialbit Studio (@Specialbit) November 21, 2014
Sonya (@Specialbit)
Alright, so we’ve had both action and adventure so far in this week’s Speculating Screenshots – it’s time for a HOG (Hidden Object Game). While it’s not a genre I’m overly fond of, I do appreciate that Specialbit Studio has left the done-to-death standard rooms and other locales behind, in favor of creepy caves full of spiders. Even if I have no love for spiders. At all. Cursed creepy crawlers.
They shoud know that if you play with fire, you get burned. #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev pic.twitter.com/4CcPE4Dw2P
— Shadows (@HereticKingdoms) November 22, 2014
Shadows: Heretic Kingdoms (@HereticKingdoms)
Who’s ready for an action RPG that isn’t Diablo III or Path of Exile? Because that’s what’s on display here, and a mighty fine looking one at that, which also ditches the classic health/mana globes for numeric bars. Not sure how I feel about that, but… at least you get to BBQ monsters and summon vile beings to do your bidding. Definitely makes up for the lack of globes!
Experimenting with furniture placement effects for Office Management 101 #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #indiedev pic.twitter.com/dULioZcVTM
— tulevik.EU (@tulevikEU) November 22, 2014
Office Management 101 (@tulevikEU)
Remember what I said earlier about taking the weekend off? No such thing for this game, as Office Management 101 is open 24 hours a day. Or at least, during those which you’re playing it. The style kinda reminds me of tycoon games of yesteryear, with its isometric viewpoint and management focus – neither of which are bad things by any stretch. Also, you get to plonk down tables and plants. Plonk!
Added lighting to the shader. Much better! #screenshotsaturday #indiedev #gamedev pic.twitter.com/wX4Celv0WX
— Dustyroom (@_dstrm) November 22, 2014
Stunt Rush (@dustyroomgames)
Remember 1989’s Stunt Car Racer? Well, I do, and hopefully Stunt Rush will bring back at least some of that magic, with simple yet stylish visuals and a focus on… well, stunt racing. Repeat after me: we need more racers that focus on chaos, mayhem, crazy stunts, and less in which it’s all about crossing the finish line as numero uno.
