Precision is a new action game by cactus which involves timing your leaps to collect every green bottle in each of the seven levels included. Use the cursor keys to jump or increase your running momentum. Press the left or right arrow key when the main menu is shown to change the time of the day.

Name: Precision
Developer: cactus
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB
Direct download link: Click here

Online high score table

An alpha version for Flashbang Studios' much-awaited Jetpack Brontosaurus is available to play now. The current build only has a couple of sparse missions but more content is promised in the next update. Use W, A, S, D or arrow keys to move, and press the space key to activate your jets. Hold the left mouse button to move the camera view around. Requires the installation of Unity web player to run. (source: Fun-Motion)

Name: Jetpack Brontosaurus
Developer: Flashbang Studios
Category: Action
Type: Browser

So, you may have spotted a just-debuted announcement about Austin GDC 2008 opening its registration - in there is the revelation that "an Independent Games Festival (IGF) showcase" will be part of the September 15-17th 2008 show.

However, that's all the information we've released thus far, so I wanted to explain in more detail and offer an informal call for submissions to this IGF Showcase. It will be significantly different from the traditional Independent Games Festival competition, summit and finalist exhibition that we hold every February/March at Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. (Though it will be similar in that each picked game will be showcased in a special IGF booth, with free all-access show passes for the developers.)

Basically, we decided that the event doesn't necessarily need another worldwide indie showcase - especially as the Independent Games Festival at GDC does that on such a large scale already, and will always be our flagship event (call for submissions for IGF 2009 will be up in the next 4-6 weeks, by the way!)

In addition, the Texas/Southern game scene has such a rich and interesting tapestry, from Origin Systems to Gamecock Media Group and beyond, and we wanted to honor that by doing a special 'IGF Presents' and picking some 'local flavor' in terms of interesting startups, indies, and game creators from Austin and beyond.

So that's just what we are doing! This won't be a fully-fledged 'competition' as such, but the IGF organizers will work with some of our trusted advisors to pick a select amount of Texas/Southern indie game creators to showcase in a special IGF booth at the event. We've already been making semi-discreet enquiries and have a list of possible companies to choose from, but we're definitely open to more suggestions.

So, if you're a Southern developer (we don't yet have a precise geographical boundary - use common sense!) who would like to be showcased at the IGF in Austin in September - and bearing in mind you'll need to turn up in person and show your game to the assorted publishers, developers, and luminati in attendance, of course - then please email chairman@igf.com with the following information:

- Name/location of developer & URL of official webpage/full contact details.
- What's the game and what's its platform? Brief description, please.
- Can you provide us with links to screenshots, movies, or a playable version of your title?
- A few words about what makes you 'indie', in whatever abstracted form that phrase is valid nowadays.

We're looking for all kinds of neat independently produced games - both professional and student, PC and potentially console/handheld, offline and online - so feel free to contact us on or before June 15th with your suggestions, and we'll start announcing 'IGF Presents' showcase games soon.

Simon.
[Chairman, IGF.]

Gish fans can soon download and play a port of Cryptic Sea's popular physics platformer game on their J2ME-enabled mobile phones. Multiplayer modes such as the classic deathmatch and cooperative games will be supported via the Bluetooth function. (source: Fun-Motion)

Gish Mobile web site

Game projects from the latest batch of DigiPen students are now available for download.

DigiPen's Gallery of Games 2007-2008

In Kryzta, players have to direct shots from enemies toward each other to damage them, thus generating small units to collect for points. Only enemy bullets and projectiles can damage your ship. Use the cursor keys to move, and press the Z key to activate your special weapon when available. Made for Poppenkast's 3 hour competition.

Name: Kryzta
Developer: cactus
Category: Action
Type: Freeware
Size: 2MB

Online high score table

Pictures taken at the exhibition of messhof's games.

A Breakout-style game from the developer of Understanding Games, set to be released next month.

New prototype trailer for Hampa's upcoming 3D racing game, Glitchracer. Release date: Q4 2008. (contains loud music, old preview in the extended)

Vector Infector is a new epilepsy-inducing arena shooter created by Oddbob. Use the cursor keys to move, and hold the Z key to shoot. Bullets and laser beams should be avoided at all costs. Destroy a cloud at the right time to activate the Brucey bonus. (use JoytoKey or Xpadder for gamepad support)

Name: Vector Infector
Developer: Oddbob
Category: Shooter
Type: Freeware
Size: 5MB

Review by Gr.Viper

Another big mech game coming right up! It's old but still has its charm. Unlike recently picked Bootfighter, Young's Modulus should be more appealing to Battletech (or Earthsiege) fans. That is the mechs here are ugly, heavy and steer like a sleigh full of bricks. But their enormous mass means that inside there's a lot of space for fitting weapons and equipment.

The curious might learn about the plot in game's readme but basically YM boils down to destroying two-legged steel balls that spit plasma. You can either do it in Quick Combat mode or start an alien extermination campaign where you'll have to fight for many planets and manage resources such as money, metal, energy to build more mechs. Research is also required to hit the enemy with the best stuff.

Despite simple graphics and bland menus the action feels very immersive because the view bobs with mech's steps and flashes from gunshots light everything in the area while you listen to cold computer voice listing failed subsystems. And you will feel the failures: controls start acting strange, HUD and tactical radar go haywire, IR and low-light vision flicker, reactor loses output, batteries leak and rear-view camera shows black screen. Then you fall down.

To prevent this you have to learn basic teammate controls and properly arm your mechs. Good choice of weapons allows all kinds of combinations: fast unarmoured gunner with jump jets, heavily shielded stomper with missiles and flamer, invisible cloaked laser sniper etc. You decide! Although in quick combat the choice of weapons is limited to mech's tech level while in campaign you can try to fit newly developed weapons into older gear. (tip: do not use emergency power while running up hill - mech's legs are more likely to slip with throttle over 100%)

P.S. It might be hard to see where the unlock "code" goes: main screen, bottom text field.

Name: Young's Modulus
Developer: Austin Meyer
Category: Action
Type: Freeware (demo unlocks with any 6-digit code)
Size: 25MB
Direct download link: Win, Mac

"Edge catching up with the fiercely independent creators of N to get their unique insight on working with Microsoft, the struggle of maintaining their artistic vision, and what it means to be indie." (source: GameSetWatch)

Interview: Metanet - Independent Minds