GDC 14: The best of the IGF Pavilion

’m mere hours away from one of the biggest events in GDC, The Independent Game Festival awards—the real action of IGF however, is happening right now at the IGF pavilion on the show floor. Soaking in all of the noise and lights that surrounded me, my stroll through the area proved to be a fruitful one, the games I sampled here are some of the most impressive I’ve played at the show so far.

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Bullet Heaven HD, Episode 94 - Luftrausers

ou know Ser has been longing for this day. Several articles on PPR, constant training in the original Flash game online, tearful nights wondering when it was finally going to happen... Well, Luftrausers is finally coming home, but was it worth the wait? Watch to find out!

NEW MUSIC BY SER FLASH! The 4th Album, Meteoric, is on sale now for just $7! Support Bullet Heaven HD!

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Bullet Heaven HD, Episode 93 - Daisenpu Custom

aisenpu Custom is an enhanced version of the original Daisenpu, also known as Twin Hawk. Making its way to the PC Engine CD ROM 2 though, is it really the most definitive version? Watch to find out how it stacks up.

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GDC 14: A Wild Indie Mega Booth Appears

alking through the West Hall at the Moscone, I was delightfully surprised to see one of my favorite exhibits appear at GDC; that’s right, the Indie Mega Booth. I settled myself in, and took it upon myself to get familiar with all the games showcased; here are the games that I believe will make 2014 the best year in video games yet.

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GDC 14: Mixing it up at the IGN Indie Mixer

s Rob Rich and I slogged our way through the doors of IGN and wrestled with the possibility of being trapped within a malfunctioning elevator, our spirit was never the less indomitable as we excitedly approached the fourth floor with glee—for above us, lay dozens of games presented by their respective teams, ripe for the playing.

With a fist full of beer and poncy wine, I walked into the lion’s den, and left with anticipation for an incredible batch of games slated for release in 2014, these titles stood out particularly to me.

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GDC 14: Exposing who the Character is, instead of what they do

he art of weaving an engaging fiction for the most interactive media in existence pens out like one of the easiest tasks in game development. The reality, however, is far from it. As we’re entering into the eighth generation of video games, an age where the latest foundation of tech at hand can simulate the most realistic of atmospheres and imagery, games still struggle to escape the trappings of the self-derived conceit that is ludonarrative dissonance, among other shortcomings -- Why?

The journey to fix these flaws and expand storytelling into new, more refined territories is a challenge that several developers attempt to tackle during every Game Developers Conference. While last year’s efforts focused on what could improve the writing that composes these tales, this year tackles the art of direction and engagement, and factors that motivate the gamer to emotionally invest into the narrative.

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QCF: Peggle 2

he science of a sequel is a tricky one; delivering too much of the same results in recycled content that’s poised to lose the pop of its series signature assets—deviating too far from the set formula with new features or style though risks a game into becoming something that fans may not even recognize with the intended brand.

Finding the right balance when developing the follow-up to an established success are the necessary pains within their ass that the developers undergo to ensure that the next entry in the line is a worthy one to the name—Popcap approaches Peggle 2 with the right attitude, but the final effort barely nails the follow-through on the ideal. Which isn’t necessarily bad, but it isn’t exactly an improvement either.

Banking on the infinite simplistic accessibility that’s fueled with instantaneous appeal , it would difficult (to say the least) to expand on Peggle, as one wrong change could easily endanger that crucial hook; Popcap played it safe, but almost a little too safe.

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QCF: South Park: The Stick of Truth

eventeen years and going, that’s nothing to sneeze at as far as commitment goes, and even more so when you factor all the consistency to be found in this ever mounting legacy—well, except for one; the shitty video games it’s spawned.

In what’s nearly amounted to almost two decades, I have continually found it strange that a solid property like South Park (one that has faithfully employed satire on the culture of video games on several occasions within its run) has failed to inspire developers to truly capture the spirit of the license in a video game five times.

That’s what makes The Stick of Truth so special; Obsidian and South Park Digital Studios didn’t aim to deliver one of the most ground breaking games to release in 2014—no, they instead have labored towards crafting the most satisfying vehicle of interaction for its property first, and above average game design to shoulder it secondly.

Ironically, this direction is makes The Stick of Truth one of the first must play games of 2014.

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