Gem Runner (a free computer game)

**Brykovian** · May 11th, 2006, 16:31

Not sure if this is totally appropriate here, so I'll rely on the mods to move or delete if needed.

I put together a little top-down shooter game for a programming contest back in March. If you like that sort of thing, please try it out and let me know what you think. You can get the details here: http://www.mwgames.com/MessageBoard/viewtopic.php?t=208

It requires Windows, DirectX8.1 (or better), and a graphics card that can handle 1024x768 at 16-bit color (or better).

It's a short little 10-level tech demo, initially intended to show off the 2D game engine that I'm using to code it. However, it's also a proof-of-concept of a larger shareware version of the game that I hope to have out by late summer.

Here's a little teaser screenshot:

Cheers!
-Bryk

**Brykovian** · May 12th, 2006, 15:44

Anybody tried it?

**Brian Baldwin** · May 13th, 2006, 13:41

I'm Downloading it now and will try it out tomorrow while at the in-laws trying to ignore all of them. We'll see if it can pass that test

**Brian Baldwin** · May 13th, 2006, 13:44

By the way... Did you program the engine from scratch or use some of the multitude available for dollars on the net?

**Brykovian** · May 13th, 2006, 20:57

Originally Posted by Brian Baldwin

Did you program the engine from scratch or use some of the multitude available for dollars on the net?

The main engine is called the DXGame Engine, and it's primarily programmed by a guy in Texas named Dave Munsie, although he has added other folks routines into it as needed. It's for 2D-only games, but makes working with DirectX routines (graphics, sounds, music, controls, etc.) very easy.

The game logic, and all graphics and music were mine though.

-Bryk

**Brian Baldwin** · May 13th, 2006, 23:44

Well I tried it out some today and it is quickly addictive. Nice job. I will keep it on my laptop for when I go to my inlaws! lol

As for the engine... Programing one's own engine is pure love. I say that because it is so damned frustrating you HAVE to love doing it. I'm with you in that I would use someone else's engine when possible. I'll have to take a look at his engine and see what all it can do. Maybe we can make a game for the TAA site and compete with each other for high score.

**Brykovian** · May 14th, 2006, 02:22

Originally Posted by Brian Baldwin

Programing one's own engine is pure love.

That's the pure truth!

I had written a very simple WinAPI-based drawing engine that I used for my first couple games (simple board games -- no fast-drawing methods required). But my attempts to try to build my own DirectX-based engine were not going to be satisfactory. This engine was the best fit -- free, 2D and VB-based ... definitely not for everyone, but enough for me to put my designer hat back on instead of programmer hat -- a much more comfortable fit.

Glad you like the game ... once you get good at it, drop me an e-mail -- I have some updated versions of the maps that make things a bit trickier.

-Bryk

**Brian Baldwin** · May 16th, 2006, 18:42

Well, taking it to the inlaws backfired! I started playing it so I wouldn't have to listen to the inane conversations of how all their children are absolute genius' and then lo and behold... One by one they all gathered around me and asked a bunch of questions about the game. lmao

I think I'm going to purchase a taser instead. Then I can play the game in peace.

**Ryan Ruck** · May 17th, 2006, 01:32

Taser? Like this?

By the way, I have downloaded the game, I just have not had a chance to play it yet.

**Brian Baldwin** · May 22nd, 2006, 06:07

taser exactly like that! lol

Here's an example of their conversational habits. Her older brother talks non-stop about growing veggies for farmers markets' Her sisters talk about children incessantly and her parents believe George W. Bush is an evil Overlord in charge of all the oil companies.

Try to bring up a current event or future technologies or even the cosmos and their eyes glaze over and they immediately begin doing hail mary's and are father's. They live within a bubble and think I should too. (Stepford Wives style bubble.) Really creepy.

**Brykovian** · October 13th, 2006, 18:40

I will have a public beta available for "Gem Raider" (the up-coming polished shareware version of "Gem Runner") in the next few days and I'm looking for some testers.

If you'd like to beat the game up (and give me feedback, of course), send me an e-mail and I'll reply with a link to the download (~10MB).

Thanks,
-Bryk

**Brykovian** · November 8th, 2006, 03:49

I just released "Gem Raider" ... with a free demo and a buy-the-full-version shareware type setup.

You can checkout the game's webpage here: http://www.mwgames.com/gemraider.asp

Check it out ... and let me know what you think.

-Bryk