Go 3D Released
As expected, Go 3D passed the XLCG review process without a hitch! It's now available in the New Releases area on XLCG, for the low price of 200 MS points. Download the free trial today!
As gratifying as it is to see our work completed, we're already deeply entrenched in our next game, which we hope to release early this summer. Check back later for updates and content previews.
Results Not Typical
Go For Go!
Most of the team is currently working on development to one degree or another, which means that we're really super-busy, even though it seems particularly slow to me. I could wander into a developer's office and ask him what he's doing, but chances are I wouldn't understand a word of it. I'm no idiot, but developers speak their own language.
Our next upcoming release is a classic rendition of the game of Go. It's been around for over 2500 years, so we felt it's long overdue for release on XBox 360 Community Games. Check out the gameplay video:
Go Go UFO Smackdown has gone Most Popular!
Within 48 hours of becoming available for download on XBox Live, Go Go UFO Smackdown jumped into the top 10 Most Popular games category! There has certainly been a lot of excitement in the office about it; my hands are going red from all of the high fives.
I've seen on a couple of forums that one of the game's cheat codes has been leaked! It's no great surprise, since the people who figure this sort of thing out can rarely keep it to themselves. Since the cat is already out of the bag, I've decided to go ahead and share it with the world:
Up Right Down Left
Up Right Down Left
Up Right Down Left
A A A A
Enter all of that, and you get The Ballstorm! Try it... it's awesome. There are other cheat codes as well, and I'll post them here as I see them leaked.
Go Go UFO Smackdown is GO!
Today's staff meeting was ground zero for a moment of pure elation when we were all told that Go Go UFO Smackdown has been approved, and that it will be available for purchase through XBox Live Community Games within 48 hours!
For me, that elation shortly gave way to panic as I was quickly jerked out of my chair by our President, who held me upside down by the ankles and started shaking me violently. When web ads and press releases failed to pour magically from my pockets, our CEO wrenched an ankle from him and joined in the fun.
Once they were satisfied that the spontaneous appearance of promotional materials was not being delayed by a blockage in my pockets, they abruptly shifted tactics. We all learned that two members of the Board screaming obscenities at me causes an uncontrollable urge to dive into my office and begin writing very dilligently.
While the development team was hard at work, I was taking 2-hour lunches. Now that they're sharing a few well-earned toasts, I've got a lot of work to do.*
Look for Go Go UFO Smackdown on XBox Live Community Games very, very soon!
*I was half-tempted to make an allegorical reference to the Circle of Life just now. I slapped myself fairly hard.
Another Day at the Office
I make it a habit to wander into the President's office a couple of times a day. Without fail, he greets me with a "Good, you're here," or perhaps a "What the hell took you so long?" I've yet to actually be called into his office for anything. The arrangement we have seems to work.
On my inital visit this morning, he was pouring himself a pre-lunch scotch. Had it been anyone else, I'd have pointed out that pilsners are typically used for drinking beer, but I'd learned early on that some battles simply should not be picked. He sighed.
"It's no good, Hooker." The fact that he called me by my last name caused me no consternation. The fact that he did it with a straight face gave me pause.*
"What's the problem, Chief?"
The tirade that followed was awe-inspiring. The President is in a fairly unique position, in that he has to keep himself informed of every issue that the company faces. From PR, to scheduling, to programming, to stocking the liquor cabinet, the man knows everything. He's been doing it for so long that he's started to develop his own language to accomodate all of the lingo that applies to these different facets.
At one point, his references were so code-intensive that he must have forgotten that I'm not a programmer. I think was speaking binary... just a string of Ones and Zeros. I was unnerved because I'm pretty sure I heard a Two...
The CEO seemed to sense the President's distress, and strode forcefully into the room to help quell a couple of issues. His taking the floor gave our beloved President enough time to down his morning scotch, which seemed to stop his hands from shaking somewhat.
They take turns being the level-headed one. It's a great system.
We're still awaiting final approval on Go Go UFO Smackdown, and I expect the general tension level in the office to decrease once it's available for download on XBox Live. In the meantime, I'll help the bosses make sure the liquor cabinet is stocked.
*People have taken delight in calling me by my last name since middle school. In elementary school, I got the "T.J. Hooker" association, and the other kids were jealous. Thanks, Mr. Shatner.
Gameplay Video for Go Go UFO Smackdown
I have to cover our backsides, and warn you that this game can become habit-forming. We've already had to pay out a couple of medical claims for interns who have had to start going to rehab. Play at your own risk.
Ready... NOW!
I was welcomed aboard as the Marketing Director for Frogslayer Studios at a very interesting time. This particular division of Frogslayer Software had very recently launched, and was a sideline "dream" program; over several months, we would slowly transition ourselves into a video game company.
My arrival on the team unfortunately coincided with some recession-induced financial difficulties for the more established (and profitable) divisions of the company. Being a glass-half-full kind of guy, I started making lemonade when the President of the company pulled me into his office and started beating me about the neck and face with lemons.
"Confounded recession," he said, using far more colorful descriptors than I care to repeat. "The video game division is now our first priority. We're releasing our first game for community playtesting this week. Can you be ready?"
My lemonade ran over my shoes like so much... liquid of a similar color (albeit more pungent). Using a coaster, I gently set down my metaphor and picked up my pen.*
I was then introduced to the Project Manager, who appeared to have been very content with what she'd been doing before she was shuffled in to the President's office at gunpoint by draconian thugs. I'm probably exaggerating.
We spent the next 4 hours basting ourselves in savory minutiae. Ultimately, we came up with a schedule of sorts. It did little to assuage the choking panic that was slowly dragging me into My Dark Place, but I kept smiling and nodding, which seemed to reassure them.**
I've spent the whole of today sequestered in my office, scribbling furiously on little pieces of paper and relently bombing the inboxes of my co-workers (who are, undoubtedly, cursing under their breaths at the incessant distractions). The campaign that should have started 2 months ago is only a few days from launch! My left arm is tingling and I can smell toast, but I really love my job.
Look for Go Go UFO Smackdown on XBox Community Games very, very soon!
*I love working with tech guys. They look at pens and paper as though they were ancient relics I'd dug up in the yard. I told him it was a prototype for Microsoft Word, and that I was being retro.
**For the record, when you decide to go into marketing, smiling and nodding is all they teach you in your first year. It's more complicated than you might think.
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