Dark Link Trailer & Character Information!

We've done it!

And by it, I am of course referring to the Official Teaser for our new IP called Dark Link. After the video, I'll explain in this blog post what you are seeing and why you are seeing it. Enjoy this first look at an exciting new title from Bio's Remnant Gaming.

The Art and Animation of Larc Muckenmuller

The bit of gameplay footage you see in this brief teaser is the proverbial star of the show. Our Art Lead - the aforementioned Larc - did an amazing job of creating this Mephistopolian backdrop and bit of character work. You can clearly see Kaela moving to hide behind what we call a "Boo Box" before she is suddenly transformed into a rather ghastly monster named Rendark. He proceeds to launch himself at a second "Boo Box", destroying it and releasing the soul of some unfortunate creature from its prison.

And that is all you get for now. I know, the pixel art is better than anything many of you have ever seen (certainly surprised the hell out of me) and the world is definitely interesting, but I have to admit that we are still VERY early in the process of making this game. This footage wasn't even done in an engine. We have a long way to go.

This teaser was born out of the necessity of having something for us to take to Web Summit 2014 in Dublin, Ireland. We can show off our ideas and where our creative headspace is at while also displaying some of the work of our remarkably talented staff. This should go a long way in helping us secure some capital moving forward.

This month is already shaping up to be an exciting one, and not just because my birthday is tomorrow. We will find out over the next few weeks what exactly Bio's Remnant Gaming is and what we are going to have the resources to do as a company. I am excited by what is happening and can't wait to start proper development on this amazing game (as well as others!). Be on the lookout for some pretty meaty updates over the next few weeks.

And, as always, good luck!

~Matt

Dark Link Has a Website & Logo!

I am too excited for words, so here is a picture that helps explain why.

We have a logo! A cacophonous round of accolades for Janece D. Winder and the amazing work she did for us on this image. You can clearly see the silhouettes of Rendark and Kaela and sort of get a sense for what might be coming with our game in the near future.

The game trailer/teaser/gameplay video is nearly completed as well. I am super excited to post that up and talk about it as well. Larc Muckenmuller is doing epic work for us on that front with pixel art and animation. I feel pretty lucky to have such a great team around me helping me get this thing done and out there.

Here is the link to the site: http://darklinkgame.weebly.com/

Also, we have launched a community with the site as a means of providing everyone with a way to give feedback and hang out with those of us at Bio's Remnant Gaming who are involved with the project. Seriously, we actually do want the feedback of the gamer community. We are still really early into the development phase so your opinions and comments now would go a long way toward helping us craft an experience that would be fun and accessible for as many gamers as possible.

You can access that community here: http://darklinkgame.weebly.com/

Any questions about Dark Link? Bio's Remnant Gaming? Me as a Designer? Make an account there and fire away. :) I look forward to seeing you there!

PS: If it won't hurt, do you mind sharing this blog post with everyone you know? Let me know if you've been spreading word about my blog and I'll tweet and share your link out to my followers in return. Thanks in advance!

Alien: Isolation...Keep Your Head (MILD SPOILERS)

Tough Vulnerability

Alien: Isolation. Judging by the conversations I've been having with many of you out there in the Gamersphere, this title is either must-have or an easy-to-forget. Now that I've had plenty of hands of time with it myself, I can tell you that the polarization of opinions regarding this game will never change.

At its core, Alien is a horror game. That said, I don't think hardcore fans of horror games are going to find a lot to love here. Even on the hardest difficulty, avoiding certain death at the claws (or vicious teeth) of the Xenomorph and other myriad enemies (other survivors, androids) isn't all that challenging. I did fail a fair amount initially but after changing how I approached the game and playing with a decent amount of patience, it did become easier. Essentially, all you have to do is think on your feet, hide long enough, or use your little crafted contraptions (Amanda might even be more resourceful than her Mom) in clever enough fashion and you'll be cruising through Sevastopol station.

So, like I said, not really something a super fan of the horror genre is going to find fulfilling. But if you are a fan of Alien and good science fiction, there is a lot here to enjoy. For me, this was a pleasant trip into a fictional world I've only ever been able to enjoy from a distance via my television. This game stuck me into that universe in a remarkably satisfying way. This IS Ridley Scott's Alien, down to the slippers by the cryo beds, highly textured surfaces, and the slime dripping from the villain's fangs.

The story is worth tracking and the gameplay keeps you on your toes. You'll find your own pace and rhythm (especially when the motion tracker finds it way to your hands) as you go but keep in mind that if you simply react to what is happening rather than attempt to "figure out" everything before it happens you'll save yourself a lot of frustration. This game is meant to surprise you and it certainly can. But once you find yourself memorizing the locations of closets and dark, chair-less desks then you'll basically be ready to survive most encounters.

That think-on-your-feet gameplay is fun but the real draw for the fans of the source material is that will remember the characters, story, and events of this game long after they've forgotten where the save points are. Amanda Ripley is acted well and reminded me a great deal of Crystal Dynamics' turn with Tomb Raider. In that game, just like this one, the playable character is strong but inherently human and vulnerable. I am enjoying this trend in games and hope it continues long into the future. Being Master Chief or Duke Nukem is fun for a spell, but being human is far more interesting.

As is Alien: Isolation.

Best game ever? No. But it is worth a play-through even if you aren't a fan of the films. If you are however, just TRY and trade this one back in. Playing as THE Ripley herself on the Nostromo in the Crew Expendable mission is more than enough reason to add this to your Permanent Collection of All Things Ridley. Or to place at the base of his statue in your closet, whichever applies.

~Matt

Gamer Video Blog Challenge! Shadow of Mordor Hit Streaks!

Gamer Vlog Challenge

I am officially challenging my fellow Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor players to a little Gamer Video Blog Challenge! It is really simple. First, just watch this clip of me (Uploaded from my Xbox One) dishing out a world of hurt on these Uruks.

Now that you've seen my epicness, let me see yours! Beat my 134 Hit Streak, Captain Kill, and Quest Completion Combo if you can! By my rudimentary and entirely made-up scoring method, I earned 134 points for the combo, 25 points for the Captain Kill, and 50 points for completing a Sword Legend for a total of 209! Beat that!

Here is how to SCORE:

1 point for every hit in the streak
25 points for a Captain Kill (Zero if Captain escapes)
50 for a War-chief
50 for a Sword or Bow Legend completion

Here are the RULES:

> You must be beyond or near the 130+ Hit Mark
> You must kill at least one Captain
> You can use ANY skills/powers/or weapons you like
> BONUS points for a War-chief
> Upload as many videos as you like! There is a week!
> Contest ends at 2:00pm CST on Friday the 31st of October. I'll put the three best videos up against each other for you all to vote on (via my Twitter and this blog) and we'll decide our winner!

Just find me on Twitter @MAWeeden over the next 7 days hours (starting from right now, 1:20pm CST) or comment on here with a link to your video and we will see who reigns supreme! To the winner goes the spoils! And by spoils, I mean bragging rights and views for your channel/blog/twitter/twitch/or site.

See you around, and happy streaking!

~Matt

My First Interview! Full Disclosure: Dark Link

Thanks to Stew Heckenberg for giving me an opportunity to talk about Dark Link and Bio's Remnant Gaming! The interview was fun, even if I was a bit jittery at the start.

Watch and enjoy!