An interview with Wan Hazmer, developer of Ballistic Wars and The Last Canopy.

Hi Haz, can you introduce yourself for the benefit of our readers?

Sure thing! I'm Wan Hazmer, a Malaysian independent game developer. I have my own little set-up called Easy Only! Games. Now EOG has only one employee: me!

Thanks to my background in Computing and IT, I program all of my games, and I'm the main game designer as well. I can't draw to save my life, so I usually get my wonderful cousins and friends to be freelance artists.

People tell me that I'm a happy-go-lucky guy with a knack for entertaining others. I do not know as much about game design concepts and terminologies as many other game designers do, but I do know how to make games entertaining. I just happen to have a very simple view of how games can be fun.

Are you doing game development full-time?

When I'm not scratching my head for the next game idea, I work as a part-time lecturer in The One Academy, teaching interaction design and Flash programming to budding young multimedia designers.

I've always believed that everyone can understand programming, since everyone's logical in some way or another. The One Academy got to know of this passion of mine and decided to hire me to teach programming to multimedia design students. Since I have experience in Digital Advertising, I also teach interaction design and supervise students on their multimedia final year projects.

It's also my passion to teach others anyway, so I'm really enjoying myself at the moment.

In Thomas and the Magical Words, your quest is to help the protagonist escape from an unfortunate situation by creating chains of words to reach the exit point of each level.

Some basic word game rules apply. The storyline is well-written, and there's a dictionary in-game that you can access at any time.

One of the best word games I've played this year.

Name: Thomas and the Magical Words
Developer: Viqua Games
Category: Puzzle
Type: Demo
Size: 16MB

Coded using only DHTML/CSS and Javascript, this version of Solitaire Mahjongg requires only a Javascript-enabled browser to run. The objective is to clear the board by matching tiles with the same symbols.

If the game is running slowly on Internet Explorer, try this. Click on 'Tools/Extras', 'Internet Options', 'Temporary Internet Files', 'Settings', then check 'Automatic' to prevent images from being reloaded after every click.

Name: Solitaire Mahjongg
Developer: Thomas Weibel
Category: Mahjong
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

The Crazy Ball demo features four levels of Marble Madness style of gameplay, where you use either the keyboard or mouse to control the movement of a ball from one end of the field to the other.

Graphics are pretty impressive for an indie 3D action puzzler.

Name: Crazy Ball
Developer: Atomic Elbow
Category: Puzzle
Type: Demo
Size: 40MB

Aquatic Sun is not really a game but more of an exploration tool that simulates an underwater environment and the rich sealife that inhabits it.

FPS controls are used for movement (W, A, S, D keys and the mouse) but that's about it. No harpoons or such. The music is very soothing as well.

Name: Aquatic Sun
Developer: Liberation Games
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 30MB

Ocular Ink could possibly be one of the most talked about entries in this year's IGF Competition. The protagonist is a paintbrush-wielding eyeball on a quest to rid it's town of evil forces.

Of course, it's no ordinary brush. The magical item can be used to fling all sorts of things at enemies to inflict damage. You'll have companions travelling with you on your journey as well, lending a helping hand or two in combat.

Name: Ocular Ink
Developer: Pistachio Productions
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 20MB

Stunt Island plays a lot like the famous extreme skateboarding series, only this time the tricks are performed using a bicycle.

Controls are not as complicated as other games from the same genre, although there are enough trick variations to hold your interest for a while.

Name: Stunt Island
Developer: ForgeFX
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

To celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day, we bring news of a game that puts the fun back into captaining a ship and sailing the high seas.

Sea of Chaos attempts to recreate hectic ship battles using 3D graphics, coupled with a good control scheme and upgradable weapons for that slight advantage over your opponents.

There's even a storyline and multiplayer as well. Love the pirate humor!

Name: Sea of Chaos
Developer: Kickbach Studios
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 40MB

Parity Shot is another great shooter from Japan that features two characters to choose from, power-ups, and plenty of collectibles in the form of bonuses.

This game is pretty amazing in the graphics department, especially the water and reflection effects in stage three. Pick up an option to boost your firepower and hold down the secondary shot button to initiate rapid fire.

Both characters have different sets of special abilities. Parity can lock on to targets and fire homing shots if you hold down the secondary button, then use the primary shot button. Xlala has an ordinary light saber. Just kidding about the ordinary part.

Trial version showcases the first three levels only.

Name: Parity Shot
Developer: Crane House
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

Leave it to the Japanese to name their games. Jabberwock may sound strange but the gameplay smacks of class.

The game is basically a combination of all the good stuff that made Smash TV and Zelda series fun. Jabberwock puts you in control of a character trapped in a labyrinth full of strange creatures, armed with some spells that will drain your mana when used.

Download link can be found at the bottom of the page.

Name: Jabberwock
Developer: Murasame
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 3MB

Speed is a nifty little game where the objective is to click on the numbers in sequence in the shortest time possible.

The game is pretty short and there's only five levels, but the concept is well-executed and fun to play for a while.

Name: Speed
Developer: KURAGE
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

ArkLight is an interesting take on the popular paddle game genre that throws shooter elements into the mix.

Controls are easy to learn, and your ship is able to release multiple balls into play.

Name: ArkLight
Developer: PiEyeGames
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 5MB

My New Filing Technique... is an interesting little flash game that has you duking it out with a filing cabinet.

You would expect the exercise to be boring but notes written on the files are peppered with funny little anecdotes about life in the office, amongst other stuff.

Features three levels of filing mayhem.

Name: My New Filing Technique is Unstoppable
Developer: David Rees
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

In Kill the Pacman, your objective is to stomp on the number of Pacmans as dictated at the start of each stage. Ten levels only. Short but addictive.

Name: Kill the Pacman
Developer: Thin
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Block is a great Arkanoid clone from Japan that introduces some new ideas to the paddle game genre.

You're given ten balls in each stage that can be released into play by right-clicking your mouse. Gravity affects the trajectory of the balls, so they don't really travel in a straight line.

Some crazy power ups can be collected, such as having unlimited balls at your disposal that can be released, causing hundreds of balls to be on screen at the same time.

Name: Block
Developer: KENTA(22)
Category: Breakout
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

Zen-Ichi is a Japanese shooter that features three ships to choose from, each with a different set of weapon configuration.

Enemies will leave behind collectibles serving as bonuses when blown away. The game is limited to a ten minute trial.

Name: Zen-Ichi
Developer: Equinox Development
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

Guardian of Paradise is the latest effort by E. Hashimoto, creator of Akuji the Demon and several other freeware titles. Guide Tela as he embarks on a quest to find a cure for his ill sister.

Controls are:

Z - Action/Attack
X - Spirit Power
C - Switch Spirit Power
Q - Save Game
F1 - Collection Screen
ESC - Game Options

To leave the village, talk to the guards. Then find the elder and get his permission to depart.

Name: Guardian of Paradise
Developer: Buster
Category: Adventure
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Tobi Divine is one of those Japanese shooters that has everything but stands out especially in the graphics department.

Using really good 2D sprites to complement the R-Type weapon system, the only problem with the demo is that it only showcases one level. You could watch a video preview of other levels which is available on the site.

Direct download link here.

Name: Tobi Divine
Developer: Abogado Powers
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

Wrecking Ball puts you in control of a heavy ball on an elastic string. You must use the said object to break all bricks in each level.

Simple to pick up yet requires a considerable amount of dexterity to get past latter levels.

Name: Wrecking Ball
Developer: Big Brain Games
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Storm Calibur: Counter Attack of Verrier has one of the best shmup gameplay system which is easy to pick up but requires some skill to master and use effectively.

With three weapon types to choose from, the highlight of the game is your ship's ability to launch counterattack shots at enemies when it grazes enemy bullets.

May have some problems running it in fullscreen. I would suggest trying out windowed mode first.

Name: Storm Calibur: Counter Attack of Verrier
Developer: S.S.P.
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 3MB

Storm Calibur Revival 99 is the prequel of SC: Counter Attack of Verrier, and it sports just about all the options that you would find in it's next installment.

The weapon selection menu, counterattack shots, down to it's sprites and gameplay system are just about the same.

Encountered some problems running this game in fullscreen, so I would recommend trying out windowed mode first.

Name: Storm Calibur Revival 99
Developer: S.S.P.
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Retro at it's coolest! Replicator has you in control of a ship, clearing nests of eggs in each stage as the bugs attempt to replicate and overwhelm you.

27 levels of gaming goodness done entirely using DHTML.

Name: Replicator
Developer: Brent Silby
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

SyuSo-Gyoku plays a lot like a shmup from the SNES era, due to it's extensive use of 16-bit graphics and sprites.

The game does offer a myriad of weapon types, good framerate and controls, power-ups as well as end level bosses. A decent shooter to try out if you're willing to forgive the slightly dated graphics.

Download link can be found at the bottom of the page.

Name: SyuSo-Gyoku
Developer: Syunsatu Sare Do
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 1MB

Tontie ver.1 is a variation of the Whac-a-Mole games where the numeric keypad is assigned as controls. To hit a particular spot just press the key that corresponds to it.

Starts off simple but gets frantic as soon as more elements are introduced in the game. From EYEZMAZE, developer of Grow and Grow RPG.

Name: Tontie ver.1
Developer: Eyezmaze
Category: Action
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

A good remake of the original Puzzle Bobble game, this version is nearly flawless and runs on any browser that supports Flash.

Name: Puzzle Bobble
Developer: NiLS
Category: Puzzle
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Rinne Tensho is a shmup from Japan that uses cute sprites instead of common enemy ship designs seen in other shooters.

Two shot types are available by either tapping or depressing the shoot button. Not the most impressive but plays well enough and does offer a decent challenge.

Name: Rinne Tensho
Developer: TakeTake
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 10MB

Name: StripGenerator
Developer: Third Frame Studios
Category: Application
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Drum Lab is a fun little Flash tool that can actually be used to mix decent tracks!

The Drum Loop option can be used to create loops. Just drag an instrument onto one of the empty squares to start making your drum loop. Click on the plus sign to create another loop.

Select the sequencer tab to add loops to your track. If your track is long enough, you can save it for other users to listen to.

Name: Drum Lab
Developer: Paper Islands
Category: Application
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Z-LOCK is another surprisingly good freeware shooter from Japan. Enemy ships will attempt to get a lock on your position before shooting at your craft, giving you ample opportunities to dodge bullet patterns.

Great use of minimal graphics, cool effects and a rocking soundtrack rounds up the package.

Name: Z-LOCK
Developer: Hello World Project
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 6MB

Feel like breaking some light and fixtures? Here's a fun way to do it without hurting yourself in the process.

Light Warrior is basically a shooting gallery of sorts, with lights as your primary targets. Aiming and shooting is done using the mouse. Starts off slow but gets frantic really quickly after level 3. Developed in two days.

Name: Light Warrior
Developer: Jetro Lauha
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Sunny Ball is another Arkanoid clone that uses bright and colorful images imprinted on bricks in an attempt to distance itself from it's competition.

Succeeding marginally, gameplay is what you would expect out of a title that features paddles and bricks.

Name: Sunny Ball
Developer: Reflected Games
Category: Breakout
Type: Demo
Size: 2MB

Vax-11 is probably the best example of how a shmup from the Pong era would look like. Done entirely using ASCII, it has everything you'd expect to see in a Japanese freeware shooter.

Power-ups, bombs, good frame rates, end level bosses, they're all there.

Name: Vax-11
Developer: Hello World Project
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 1MB

I love the description for Hold Off Red.

Remake of a crappy old minigame I made a long time ago. Fight off the woes for as long as you can in a hopeless battle for survival.

Sispri Gauntlet is basically a remake of the old classic with super deformed characters.

The Z and X keys are used to shoot and locking your aim in one direction. Expect to dodge lots of bullets in this one. Demo version only.

Name: Sispri Gauntlet
Developer: D5
Category: Action
Type: Demo
Size: 2MB

Banshiryuu is a two level demo shooter that features four difficulty levels and several weapon configurations that you can choose from the selection menu.

Name: Banshiryuu
Developer: Syunsatu Sare Do
Category: Shooter
Type: Demo
Size: 5MB

The objective of Cubeoban is to slide colored blocks into their places, which are marked by tiny little colored dots.

Features a very useful password feature to skip levels that you had completed successfully.

Name: Cubeoban
Developer: Klas Kroon
Category: Puzzle
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

A game by Kenta Cho that isn't a shooter! The objective of Wok is to catch balls using a container and toss them to the edge of the screen.

Will probably entertain for a few minutes. Works on Linux as well.

Name: Wok
Developer: Kenta Cho
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 1MB

Maze is a flash based puzzler from Japan that is simple in design yet fun to play for an afternoon or two. The objective of the game is to find the exit within a given time limit.

Special items can be collected to help you along the way. Picking up a map will show you the entire level, clocks add an extra ten seconds to the timer and hammers can be used to break down walls.

Name: Maze
Developer: GameDesign
Category: Puzzle
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

Alveolata Noctiluca Neonlight is not really a game but more of an experiment in sight and sound.

Great use of graphics to accompany some ambient noise makes it a very interesting tool that showcases Macoto Yanagisawa's creativity.

Name: Alveolata Noctiluca Neonlight
Developer: Macoto Yanagisawa
Category: Application
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

MMORPGs were never this fun! Although it's quite debatable that Ultima Online: Age of Shooters plays anything like a game from that genre.

The game itself is a flash based freeware from Japan with a twist. UO sprites were used to create a vertical scrolling shooter with collectible power-ups, end level bosses and a myriad of nondescript enemies from Richard Garriott's creation.

Name: Ultima Online: Age of Shooters
Developer: Ikusawa Lio
Category: Shooter
Type: Flash
Size: 1MB

The pyroclastic wall of doom is approaching. Nothing survives it. The premise is clear, you either run ahead of it, or you die. No one said survival was going to be easy in this dino-eat-dino world.

Pixeljam's latest game lets you decide the fate of a dino, and has the typical* features of a free indie game: old school pixel art, multiple areas to explore, achievements to unlock, upgrades and secrets to obsess over.

And to prove these dinos live in packs, the developers have included an online multiplayer mode that'll have you competing against other dinos across the Pangea. (Smack talking optional)

*By typical, I mean extraordinary

Name: Dino Run
Developer: PiXelJAM games (kindly donate)
Category: Action
Type: Browser

(reviewed by bigbossSNK)

An informal chat with darthlupi, developer of Raging Skies, The Cleaner, Airdoo and Winter's Heart.

Hi lupi, can you introduce yourself for the benefit of our readers?

Sure. My name is Robert Lupinek. I've been making freeware video games for the last 4 or 5 years for the pure pleasure of it.

Hmmm, I like to drink dark beer and I think that ninjas do beat pirates.

Do you develop games full-time? Or supplement your hobby with a day job?

Ok first off - I work full-time during the day as a UNIX/Oracle admin. And I hate to think of game making as just a hobby - you know? Even if I have to do something else to feed the family, I hope to be able to support myself fully with game making someday. That is if I can get the art down right.

What do you do to relax?

I go camping. That is how I chill. I like to run and go camping with my wife and take pictures of nature. And I love, love, love to snorkel. If anyone wants a super happy snorkeling buddy give me a call!

Any recollections of the first game you've made?

Of course. It was called Hell Stalker! It was coded in QBasic. It was never completed because I foolishly didn't believe in backing up my hard drive. The first game anyone played was called SpoonPage. That game was so silly and awful and fun.