Giveaway of the Day Forums » Topic: Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays

Giveaway of the Day Forums » Topic: Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns. http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735 Giveaway of the Day Forums » Topic: Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns. en-US Sun, 12 Feb 2012 13:23:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 Whiterabbit-uk on "Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns." http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735#post-54786 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 23:47:38 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 54786@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ I’ve just seen a game I posted in the free games project over the Christmas period is now available via Steam. I though at first that they had finally released the game as a commercial concern as it stated that it was a demo. I looked into it and discovered that it is still freeware and that the game being offered via Steam is in fact the full version. I thought I’d bring this thread back up to the front page as I’m sure with the mass of games I posted over the Christmas period, (which must have totaled 30 or more games), this particular game was probably overlooked by many. I think it is a very innovative game that has quite a lot of extras such as bonuses, enemies and the ability to raw your own character included as you continue to play. Despite having to draw, you don’t actually need to be a good artist to play this game. It’s purely a puzzle game with a difference. I’ve included information from the developer’s home page as well as a review written around the time that I found this game. That review is now out of date because the program has been updated so that you don’t need the scanner, and web cam; which you did with the first version released to the community. <blockquote>I have just come across one of the most excitingly original game concepts of recent years, and I am absolutely dying to play it. Unfortunately, I lack the necessary hardware to give it a go, so for now I am left out in the cold, nose pressed against the window in the manner of some Dickensian orphan child. Why am I unable to play? What hardware am I lacking? Is my graphics card insufficient? Do I need more RAM? No, I am unable to jump on board with this absolute dream of a puzzle and platforming romp because I don’t have a webcam. Mightier, developed by Ratloop, relies on the player making use of a printer and a webcam to provide solutions to puzzles on the screen. Objects are floating around high above ground, and you need to get your soldier-like ‘Actionaut’ up there to collect them. This is done by printing out a map of the level, marking out the areas you’d like to raise with a pen, then presenting your solutions to your webcam to be implemented in the game. The areas you indicated are then raised in the game world, and you are able to take control of your character to go collect the prizes. You are even able to draw out and decorate your Actionaut on paper and see what you have drawn interpreted in the 3D game world. Amazing. The developers seem to have written their own algorithm for interpreting and implementing the image shown to the webcam into the game world, and for that alone they are worthy of praise, but the game itself actually looks great fun to play too. I love the idea that a game can be played using a combination of pen and paper and computer. I’ll admit, the environmental issues around needing to use a sheet of A4 paper for every attempt at every level means that there would of course be some controversy if it were released as a major commercial game, but being firmly in the Indie category means that it is free to be enjoyed by those that are interested in it, and only if they have a printer and a webcam of course. I recently wrote an article in which I complained about the resurgence of originality in games in recent years, and this is a classic example of this in action. Indie developers have some fascinating new technology to work with and far more computing power on which to develop games from home than was ever possible before. Thanks to these factors we will hopefully see yet greater, more enjoyable and more innovative games in the future. Check out the developers (Ratloop’s) website where you can find out more information and download Mightier as freeware. Although it recommends using paper to draw your solutions then scanning the results in using a web cam, these tools are not necessary. The developer has patched the game so that you can still play the game using the in game mouse drawing interface (which can be used in conjunction with a drawing tablet if you have one.</blockquote> Reference: <a href="http://www.geek.com/articles/news/indie-developer-ratloops-innovative-new-game-mightier-20081222/" rel="nofollow">http://www.geek.com/articles/news/indie-developer-ratloops-innovative-new-game-mightier-20081222/</a> accessed April 09 From the developer’s site: Video <a href="http://vimeo.com/2376591" rel="nofollow">http://vimeo.com/2376591</a> Requirements <blockquote>This game requires Windows XP or better and a modern DirectX 9 video card with at least 128MB of video ram. A black & white or color printer is required for the final level. There is an optional interface mode that requires an auto focus web camera supporting 640x480 resolution and a color printer. Notes • Version 1.3 fixes a bug with invisible platforms on ATI video cards. • How To Play----Don't be stuck staring at the screen! Mightier's unique puzzles are designed to be solved by hand with pencil and paper. • Your puzzle solution determines where the laser cuts and how the landscape is formed. If it's not solved correctly, the Actionaut won't be able to reach all the Datagons! • More Than a Puzzle - Unlock characters during the course of the game and design them by hand. There are no limits to what you can draw. Watch them instantly spring to life in full 3D. • For the Less Bold - If you don't have a color printer, web camera, or spare paper, you can still enjoy Mightier by using the in-game mouse drawing interface.</blockquote> Reference: <a href="http://www.ratloop.com/?games/mightier" rel="nofollow">http://www.ratloop.com/?games/mightier</a> accessed April 2009 Download link for latest version (v1.3): <a href="http://files.filefront.com/mightier13zip/;13320875;/fileinfo.html" rel="nofollow">http://files.filefront.com/mightier13zip/;13320875;/fileinfo.html</a> thenameipicked on "Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns." http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735#post-50503 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:07:05 +0000 thenameipicked 50503@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Whiterabbit, you might want to try Chrome. It has a very clean interface (not as many buttons and such) and i have never had problems with it. BakerBob on "Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns." http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735#post-50489 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 20:57:00 +0000 BakerBob 50489@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Hi Whiterabbit...First, thank you for all the great games you post. I saw by a previous post you are in need of a turntable for your old records. Check out woot.com today as they have a USB one available. Bob Whiterabbit-uk on "Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns." http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735#post-50466 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:28:21 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 50466@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Thanks for the warning. I've deleted McAffees site advisor as it was incompatible with my new AV program and WOT is disabled in the Firefox Safe Mode (which I had to resort to because Firefox wouldn't work otherwize. So I didn't see the warnings. I'll delete the link because there are plenty of others if needed. TheDarkEngine on "Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns." http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735#post-50465 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 04:08:13 +0000 TheDarkEngine 50465@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Be aware that the second download link for Afterlife is rated as highly dangerous by both WOT and Siteadvisor.com Whiterabbit-uk on "Week 21 - Free games for the weekdays - Mightier, Afterlife & Smokin Guns." http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/topic/4735#post-50460 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:26:31 +0000 Whiterabbit-uk 50460@http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/forums/ Thursday’s games are two puzzles, (plus an additional game that I was initially asking for help with, but managed to figure out after I'd posted this). One of the games is very innovative the other not as much, both have some excellent fun factor for any discerning gamester. Sorry I’m a little late posting these. I had to prepare myself for an important meeting with my solicitor together with the team of specialists that will be supporting me in my compensation claim against the woman who disabled me and the hospital that neglected to treat me for a broken back. I’ve also had a problem with Firefox this evening. I wasn’t able to get access to the internet (despite my router and modem working). I kept getting a message that Firefox had encountered a problem and was unable to open. I tried rebooting the computer to no avail. I only just found the shortcuts for Mozilla in the start menu about half an hour ago and discovered a Firefox safe mode which thankfully worked. I've never had this problem with IE. I only swapped over to Firefox because of that security problem several weeks ago when Microsoft recommended that IE users temporarily swap to Firefox. I have been quite taken with some of the innovative plug-ins and the download manager in Firefox; but I think I’m going to revert back to IE after this because it's really interfered with my evening. ======================================================================= . Afterlife: 57Mb This is not the DOS based Sims game ‘Afterlife’; a game that enabled you to create alternate visions of heaven and hell, but a relatively new puzzle game, Initially the game downloads as a 4.4Mb file which is an installer. On clicking the installer icon the actual game will start to install which is a 57Mb download to your C: drive. The graphics are a little basic (but only by today's standards), but are absolutely fine for the type of game you'll be playing. I found It quite easy at first, but it steadily got more difficult as I progressed. You do need to control the balloon constantly, otherwise it falls to Earth quickly. The following is copied from the web site where I downloaded it from: <blockquote>OK, so the storyline is a little far-fetched - you take control of the cleverly-named Rickard Bronson and must save the planet from an afterlife in hell using nothing but your hot air balloon - but Afterlife actually provides you with hours of fun. It can take a little while to master your craft but the controls can be customized and after a frustrating couple of first levels, the game turns into an action-packed romp through the dimensions of hell. Afterlife isn't going to win any awards for its graphics, and the blocky ghosts and badly-rendered fireballs aren't exactly scary. However, there's a decent soundtrack of music composed by the software developer with lots of tunes that can be hand-picked by you. It's a highly original adventure game, that if you have the patience to practice at will become something you can come back to time and again. </blockquote> Operating System.................... Win95/98/98SE/Me/2000/XP/Vista Download Link: <a href="http://afterlife.en.softonic.com/" rel="nofollow">http://afterlife.en.softonic.com/</a> <ul> <blockquote>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </blockquote> </ul> Mightier: (12.18Mb) I’m jumping into reverseOrders territory here, (not that we have any restrictions on posting games from any source we find), but couldn’t resist posting this very unusual game called Mightier that’s already been nominated for an innovation award at the Independent Games Festival (IGF) this year. It’s a free full version download and can be downloaded from the author’s site. From my limited time with the game I found that you could either scan in a drawing that yu'd previously prepared after printing the codes that are generated for each level; or use the in game drawing pad to solve particular puzzles. You are given a coded sheet that tells you how high each platform you draw should be. The trick is to be able to transpose the codes into suitable platforms for the in game character to be able to retrieve certain objects from the scenario. Some object are quite high off the ground, so you must build suitable stepping stones that you can jump onto. If you don’t place the stepping stones/platforms in the correct order you will be unable to retrieve the objects. This is definitely worth a play if you love puzzle games. You’re effectively making your own, but in a really easy way. Check out the video for some in game footage. The following quote is the blurb I copied from IGF’s announcements pages; it implies that you are required to use pen and paper as well as a scanner. This is not necessarily true, though doing so adds to the fun of the game. I think it's an ideal family game. Using the tools available adds an extra dimension to the game. When you install Mightier, it will automatically detect any screen capturing applications which can also be utilized in the game. Quote <blockquote>Step away from the computer! Welcome to Mightier, the action puzzler that pulls you away from the screen to solve puzzles by hand with pencil and paper. Using a color printer and web camera, the game prints puzzle pages for you to draw on, then captures the results when you're done. </blockquote> Video: <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=xHMUWG9W9oo" rel="nofollow">http://youtube.com/watch?v=xHMUWG9W9oo</a> Download Link: <a href="http://www.ratloop.com/?games/mightier" rel="nofollow">http://www.ratloop.com/?games/mightier</a> <ul> <blockquote>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </blockquote> </ul> . The following game, called Smokin Guns is based on the Quake engine. You don't need quake installed to play this game It appears to have a single player campaign included, but all I seem to be able to do is watch and not actually control the characters. I’m posting it just in case it does work and I’m just not reading it correctly. It’s definitely got a multiplayer aspect to the game and there’s an editor to make your own maps. There’s also a community that post maps over on the smoking Guns website: <a href="http://www.smokin-guns.net/" rel="nofollow">http://www.smokin-guns.net/</a> I’d be interested in anyone’s experiences with the game, especially the single player campaign. Smoking Guns (334Mb) With additional optional files that you can download from the developers site. Video: <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=hsJnt8AGeWI" rel="nofollow">http://youtube.com/watch?v=hsJnt8AGeWI</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegpqX2h73k" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fegpqX2h73k</a> . Download Link: <a href="http://smokin-guns.en.softonic.com/" rel="nofollow">http://smokin-guns.en.softonic.com/</a> ======================================================================= . Edit: <blockquote>After I posted the above I went back into the game and looked at the selection of characters and saw one was called Human, lol. I selected that as one of the characters in my team; (you're basically playing a cooperative game with 'you' and a load of bots, but instead of you getting another human player you get one team of all bots and your team that comprises you and up to five bots. Check out the options menu because there's quite a lot of configurability to this game. You can also play it as a multiplayer game with other 'humans'). Once you've set the game up, click on Esc to bring up a menu to the top left of the screen. Click on play and you're in game. There's a function similar to the one you get with all the Unreal Tournament games and America's Army, where you can start as a spectator and zoom around the map as though you are flying. It's a good way of familiarizing yourself with the layout of the area you will be using as the fighting arena. There's several map types to select from, all of which look pretty good especially for free. To be honest it looks just as good as Call of Juarez a Western Shooter I was given last year fo my birthday, but it's not quite as extensive. There's more to be had by following the link to the developer’s website (linked to above). I should have saved this one for another day because I think the first two games are okay on their own. I only posted it because for some reason I was confused as to how to get the single player game to work. Now it's too late, lol. Ah well, plenty more where that came from. :) <ul> <blockquote>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- </blockquote> </ul> reverseOrder is back tomorrow, then Wizzard takes over next week. I will have another 3D space related game for you (on the lines of Elite, but with far better graphics) next time it's my turn as well as some other games that were supposed to have been posted earlier this week; until then, happy gaming. :) I've just got Mirrors Edge today, but haven't had the time to even install it. (I only ordered it yesterday and got it in 1 day and 1 hour. Not bad for a postal service. :) I'm going to check it out before I turn in and see if it's as innovative as some say. I liked the 2D version that I've posted about in the browser emporium, though you can also download it (I've posted a link in the browser section for it). It was the free 2D flash version that got me interested in the DVD based PC version, which incidenatally comes with the soundtrack to the game as well. I'd like to thank pavid for the help finding some of these games. I've actually forgotten which ones he found, so I apologize for not acknowledging them to you. You know my situation though regarding my memory. </blockquote>