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[riverman_jacob]

For me, it's not a question of whether to make a fun game. Of course I should make fun games!

The real challenge is how to make fun games while remaining viable from a business perspective. The real great companies (Nintendo, Blizzard in my article) manage to do both. I wish I could say I understood how they pull it off.

Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

We've got a very special update this week: Due to popular demand, we are pleased to announce that Yes, you will be able to choose the toppings on your pizza. And more! Not only that, but we want your suggestions on what you'd like to include on your pizza. Read the article below for details!

http://www.rivermanmedia.com/news/165-better-ingredients-deader-skeletons

Thanks!
Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

Thanks for all the suggestions so far! Keep 'em coming!
Jacob

[ANtY]

http://www.rivermanmedia.com/news/16...ader-skeletons - this link doesn't work.

[riverman_jacob]

Whoops, try this one:

http://www.rivermanmedia.com/news/165-better-ingredients-deader-skeletons

[riverman_jacob]

Hello everyone,
We made great progress on Pizza Vs. Skeletons this week. However, nothing is ready to show off *quite* yet. So instead, I've written an article on a little GUI design tip that I've recently discovered. I know that GUIs aren't the most glamorous part of a game, but they are important, so I hope you find this useful and interesting.

GUI Design Tip: The Navigation Grid

Hope to have more to show next week!
Thanks,
Jacob

[Cactose]

Will this be free?

[riverman_jacob]

Will this be free?

It is an iOS app for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. We haven't set the price, but it will not be free except for special promotions. Probably between $0.99 and $2.99. However, we are planning a "lite" version that will be free and have a few demo levels.

Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

Finally, finally made some video footage. It's really early and rough, but I think the basic idea comes through: You're a big pizza

Read more here: 100 Seconds of Pizza Vs. Skeletons

Thanks!
Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

Hi Everyone!
For this week's update, I went into an in-depth discussion of Pizza Vs. Skeletons' camera system. Even though the game is 2D, which usually means you can get away with a simple camera, we've had to add a lot of extra logic because the main character is so big (maybe the biggest playable character ever put into a 2D game???)

This is fairly in-depth and technical, so read at your own risk

Camera Design for a Super-Sized Character
http://www.rivermanmedia.com/home/3-game-design/184-camera-design-for-a-super-sized-character

Thanks!
Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

One more thing! Which background art style do you prefer, the top one or the bottom one?



Thanks!
Jacob

[gimymblert]

new but pizza is less readable!

[riverman_jacob]

Thanks!

Again, better or worse?


PS: The pizza is bloodier/saucier in the bottom one because it's taken damage.

[blinkok]

i think the background is heading in the right direction. the softer, smoother treatment makes a good contrast to the crisp characters.
one thing that really distracted me in the video was the spinning pizza. for me it was just off putting and as far as i could see it did not contribute to the gameplay.
i must say this has been a very educational project for me. thanks!!

[riverman_jacob]

one thing that really distracted me in the video was the spinning pizza. for me it was just off putting and as far as i could see it did not contribute to the gameplay.

Interesting! That's the first time I've heard a comment in that vein. The pizza is physically modeled as a circle. You tilt the iPhone/iPad to make it roll. So I think spinning is necessary to give the controls proper feedback.

Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

Hi everyone. Sorry for the lack of updates. Everything with the game is proceeding well. We've been adding content, content, and more content. There really will be 100 levels, and not just those 1-screener physics/puzzle levels so common on iPhone. Each one has a different set of enemies and obstacles.

I'm guessing a Halloween release date, fingers crossed!

Thanks,
Jacob

[riverman_jacob]

I finally got around to typing up a proper update! Here it is:

http://www.rivermanmedia.com/news/193-quick-pizza-update

Thanks!
Jacob

EDIT: And as an added bonus, I finally feel comfortable pushing our completion icon up to 40%!

[ANtY]

I want to see this new video already! 

What a shame I have no iPhone nor iPad

[Uykered]

Looks cool, does the face roll with the pizza yet? Or don't you like that.

[riverman_jacob]

Looks cool, does the face roll with the pizza yet? Or don't you like that.

Nah, the face will definitely not rotate with the pizza. Think Meatwad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

Jacob