After our initial trial run, here is episode one actual...
We talk about Edinburgh's Kilt walk, Quartic Llama's new game, Project Shield, The Ouya, and many games including XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Vanquish, Dead Space 3, Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen, 39 steps and Middle Manager of Justice, amongst others . We also talk about health and safety during our 24 hour charity gaming marathon.
Here you go, a pilot episode for a Sick Kids Save Point Podcast! We are aware of the technical issues, so bear with us while we try and iron these out...
Ross and Tom discuss the Sick Kids Awards, Dare Protoplay, GTA V, what we've been playing and of course Scotland's biggest charity gaming marathon.
The theme tune is by Scottish chiptune artist Comptroller. Check him out
The Playstation 4 is due this year - it could even coincide with SKSP4, but we doubt it. Why wait for a delaystation when you can get excited about the biggest charity gaming marathon in the country? With this in mind we thought we'd cheekily capsize Sony's launch with this:
Sick Kids Save Point 4. We guarantee launch in 2013..
If you think you could game for 24 hours non-stop and raise vital funds for one of the busiest Kids Hospitals in the country, sign up today! All you have to do is set up a Just Giving Page, choose your 24 hr slot on the weekend of 11th - 13th October, and prepare...
We've had a rush of new signups for this year, and we only need TWO more before we send out free codes for the cute iphone game Tilt and Sprout, which was developed here in Edinburgh. After we announced this on twitter quite a few signed up sharpish. Yes, that means YOU could get your hands on the game just by signing up for a 24 hour charity gaming marathon. Simples. But you'll need to be quick.
We're super grateful to local devs Twiddly for germinating our early adopters!
We thought we'd pre-empt Sony's big announcement on the 20th with an announcement of our own. Forget the fourth instalment of Playstation, we can confirm that the fourth Sick Kids Save Point gaming marathon will take place this year, on the weekend of 11th - 13th October.
If you think you could play games for 24 hours to raise valuable money for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation then all you have to do is click the button below to make a fundraising page on Just Giving, pick a slot of 24 hours that weekend, and start collecting sponsorship.
We have raised over £45,000 for the charity over the last three years. This money has gone towards helping and supporting children at the Royal Hosptial for Sick Children in Edinburgh, which treats kids from all over the country. Since SKSP has been running, they have purchased specialist medical equipment for the hospital. This year could easily be the best yet.
For the time being our weekly column will appear here!
For many the JRPG has lost its way in recent years. While titles like Final Fantasy have sped up their combat and lost the world map in an attempt to woo the western market, smaller development houses in Europe have been paying homage to the classic gameplay of old Japanese games. Look at the surprisingly deep Rainbow Moon on the PSN last year..
Tipped to buck this trend is Level 5's Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (12+, PS3, £39.99), released today. Stepping out with animation wizards Studio Ghibli is a potential masterstroke in lots of ways - well known and loved by western audiences, Studio Ghibli don't compromise on story in their animated films, and this alliance leaves Level 5 the creative freedom to express themselves through the game's exploration and combat. Expect emotional immersion rarely seen this generation.
The darker side of animated films can be found at the large plastic castle, and Disney's forthcoming film 'Wreck-it Ralph' is to get its own game. The title character is a retro arcade character who leaves his cabinet at night, joining the other games. Those of you who have been enjoying the sublime Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed kart racer will have spotted the character, and racked your memories of Sega classics for his appearance. You're not mistaken, he is a new invention.
Wreck-It Ralph, (3+, 3DS, DS, Wii, £29.99) is an Activision game. Movie cash in, or an introduction to old school arcade gaming to a new generation? We have our doubts...
The government’s tax breaks for the creative sector comes into effect in April 2013.This should lessen the risk of producing new games and enable them invest more in staff, letting Scottish companies rely on big producers less. It should also help graduates to start their own wee companies. At a time when the rest of the Arts and Culture are being squeezed, this could be a shot in the arm for Scotland's many games companies..
In the meantime Blazing griffin's failure to Kickstart The Ship 2 hasn't put others off. Former Rockstar North developer Gareth Murfin has launched an eye-popping shooter on kickstarter enititled Genocide Dolphins. We haven't spotted any Dolphins in the video. Or genocide, actually. But behind the trippy design it looks to have real depth. see for yourself:
Geordie Gareth has been away from Scotland too long it would appear, he's obviously missing the nightlife..
Gaming Tuesday. It's a packed day for Scottish Games!
Edinburgh based Pixels on Toast have today released Food Run on iOS devices. It's a one-button platformer, so perfect for iphone play. Bounce your wee line of fruit through 40 levels of fruity mischief. Have a look at the launch trailer here:
The game is the work of a one-person dev team, Kevin Ng, apart from the
soundtrack which was composed and performed by the polka inspired Skip Peck.
Another Edinburgh company who loves a good soundtrack is Lucky Frame, those musical mavericks behind the awesome Bad Hotel. Today they release Wave Trip, (iOS, £1.49). You control a mysterious geometric astronaut as she travels
through worlds of danger, saving her friends through the
medium of awesome tunes.. We love what Lucky Frame do with soundscapes, so expect big things from this one. Here's an amusing promo video in Leith:
If you're looking for a more tactical challenge, Elgin's Hunted Cow have released Tank Battle:
North Africa, (iOS, £1.49) which recreates the North
African theatre of war at the height of the conflict in World War II. Players
take control of British and American units and must lead the allies to victory
in a series of challenging attacks, raids, defensive actions and
battles. It's a follow up to the surprisingly deep Tank Battle: 1944
Lastly, Dare to be Digital, the world’s leading computer game design competition for students, opens today for entries – a unique opportunity for aspiring professionals to win their very own BAFTA.
Run by the University of Abertay Dundee, Dare to be Digital sees hundreds of students every year competing to become one of 15 teams to build a working game prototype in just nine weeks.
The games then go on show to the public and to industry experts in Dundee in August, with three winning teams picked to compete for the BAFTA ‘Ones to Watch’ award.
As for Sick Kids Save Point 2013, the event is being set up online by the charity, and as soon as you can sign up we'll be letting you know. In the meantime, go play some games and support your local developers.
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