Search found 617 matches

by Gridlock
Sun Mar 17, 2024 3:43
Forum: Unofficial Keen Games
Topic: Are "source code mods" mods or fangames?
Replies: 15
Views: 466

Re: Are "source code mods" mods or fangames?

Thought I'd chime in on this one. Ultimately, I think it's a fairly trivial discussion of semantics. But, if I had to make a binary choice, I'd say source code projects are much more related to modding than fangames. I personally draw a core distinction between modding and fangames (specifically tho...
by Gridlock
Sun Dec 24, 2023 0:05
Forum: Unofficial Keen Games
Topic: What mods and level packs have replay value?
Replies: 9
Views: 4740

Re: What mods and level packs have replay value?

I haven't played many (or maybe any) Keen mods in the last few years, but I do get nostalgic about Keen this time of year. I might have to try out Operation Station Infiltration finally, and there's a few others I'd like to play or replay. Vorticons-wise, I wouldn't mind playing Sunset again, and po...
by Gridlock
Sat Oct 21, 2023 1:01
Forum: Official Keen Games
Topic: Keen 4's choices in assigning music to levels...
Replies: 3
Views: 4021

Re: Keen 4's choices in assigning music to levels...

Despite being such a short loop, I've always been impressed by the dangerous and threatening tone of Too Hot. It really does fit so many levels in Keen 4. It's a piece of music so intertwined with my childhood and the thrill of exploring the more dangerous corners of (I think) my first video game ev...
by Gridlock
Fri Sep 29, 2023 15:28
Forum: Other Keen Stuff
Topic: Best image editing program for editing graphics for a Keen mod?
Replies: 12
Views: 5798

Re: Best image editing program for editing graphics for a Keen mod?

I did all of Atroxian Realm with Paint XP because I was too stubborn to find something better. But I've been using Aseprite for several years now. I do experience a few minor annoyances with it, particularly with controls selection, but overall it's pretty nice. I wish it had a few more dithering-re...
by Gridlock
Sun Jul 23, 2023 20:29
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: OFF TOPIC THREAD: Where derailing the thread is impossible!
Replies: 2367
Views: 965159

Re: OFF TOPIC THREAD: Where derailing the thread is impossible!

Been a while since I've been active here. Hope everyone is doing okay. Thought I'd share what's going on with me. I've mentioned once or twice before that I'm working in the games industry now, coming up on 5 years (holy heck time flies). This last week I launched a game I've been working on as Deve...
by Gridlock
Sat Jan 14, 2023 7:13
Forum: Unofficial Keen Games
Topic: Aliens and Their Just Desserts
Replies: 10
Views: 7479

Re: Aliens and Their Just Desserts

Love the creativity in those sprites! Keen 6 seems like it might be the most fun game in the trilogy to expand with new creatures and locations. I had a few random thoughts/ideas. Feel free to use if any sound interesting: Blooguards These enemies were always a bit frustrating because you never knew...
by Gridlock
Tue Dec 27, 2022 19:30
Forum: Release Forum
Topic: Operation Station Infiltration
Replies: 54
Views: 32609

Re: Operation Station Infiltration

I unfortunately only have access to a Mac over the holidays for... reasons. But, I'm really looking forward to trying this when I can. I'm quite intrigued about the potential in using Omnispeak and seeing what it can do. I'm now a fairly proficient C# programmer, and it makes me think I might be abl...
by Gridlock
Sun Dec 25, 2022 19:01
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Merry Christmas 2022!
Replies: 9
Views: 4379

Re: Merry Christmas 2022!

Also a Merry Christmas! Christmas is usually a low-key event for me, but it's nice to travel to be with family. I totally get how it can be a little hard to maintain the Christmas spirit some years. I haven't been very active in this community lately, but I still enjoy reading what's posted. I think...
by Gridlock
Thu Dec 08, 2022 7:50
Forum: Unofficial Keen Games
Topic: Operation Station Infiltration
Replies: 69
Views: 33760

Re: Operation Station Infiltration

Yeah, that's completely fair, and I feel like I'm coming across as too harsh. Return to the Shadowlands was a really impressive effort and definitely evoked the spirit of the original Keen 4, and I can appreciate how much effort went into it. I think part of it is just getting older and busier... fe...
by Gridlock
Thu Dec 08, 2022 4:13
Forum: Unofficial Keen Games
Topic: Operation Station Infiltration
Replies: 69
Views: 33760

Re: Operation Station Infiltration

I thought I'd offer my own perspective on level design, though I worry it may come across as too harsh or contrarian. I personally find most levels that try to emulate the classic Keen style very boring these days. I think a lot of the magic in the originals came from their novelty to my kid brain, ...
by Gridlock
Fri Jun 24, 2022 1:11
Forum: Release Forum
Topic: Atroxian Realm (Version 1.2 Released)
Replies: 244
Views: 215805

Re: Atroxian Realm (Version 1.2 Released)

Oh, that's interesting. This is the first I'm hearing of this game, so there's definitely no connection. As to whether the Starbound devs took inspiration from AR... probably not? AR is still a pretty obscure game overall. I've yet to meet anyone else IRL who has heard of it, even among my game dev ...
by Gridlock
Thu May 26, 2022 18:56
Forum: Miscellaneous
Topic: Any modern day VR gamers here that can help out?
Replies: 2
Views: 3501

Re: Any modern day VR gamers here that can help out?

I've dabbled in VR. I first got a Rift in 2017 and experimented with a little VR hobby development in Unity. And I bought a Quest 2 around Black Friday last year when it was heavily discounted. Personally, I find VR really cool but also difficult to tolerate. I'm prone to motion sickness even from n...
by Gridlock
Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:59
Forum: Release Forum
Topic: Atroxian Realm (Version 1.2 Released)
Replies: 244
Views: 215805

Re: Atroxian Realm (Version 1.2 Released)

Gridlock in general does such smart level design that I doubt he left a gaping flaw in this level and just hoped nobody would notice. Lol, I think you're giving me too much credit. I downloaded 1.4, and yeah, it totally is broken right now. The green square switch is supposed to affect both bridges...
by Gridlock
Wed Mar 30, 2022 2:40
Forum: Unofficial Keen Games
Topic: Operation Station Infiltration
Replies: 69
Views: 33760

Re: Operation Station Infiltration

I don't know if it would exactly fit with low gravity, but I'm reminded of an idea I had with the jump cheat in Keen Dreams. IIRC, in that game, you only get one jump press where you can go as high as you want, but you have to land first before you can rise again. Basically an infinitely high jump. ...
by Gridlock
Thu Jan 20, 2022 5:48
Forum: Release Forum
Topic: Fleex & Markeen's Keen 5 Level Pack
Replies: 31
Views: 12917

Re: Fleex & Markeen's Keen 5 Level Pack

Always nice to see a new release! I've typically never been a fan of random generation in games, but this made for a distinct approach to Keen modding that I had to check out. I finished a playthrough on easy to see what these levels would be like. Overall, I find them to simultaneously be very inte...