Kotaku: browser games

What A Day To Launch Legends Of Zork

Mike Fahey — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:40:00 MDT

I suppose April 1st is as good a day as ever to revisit the ruins of the Great Underground Empire, as Jolt Online Gaming launches their free-to-play browser-based adventure game, Legends of Zork.

Legends of Zork is basically a graphical, browser based MUD, or multi-user dungeon, with some distinctive Zork flair thrown in for good measure. You're an out of work salesperson for FrobozzCo International who ventures out into the wilds to earn fame and fortune hunting monsters, solving puzzles, or defeating your fellow players in the arena. It's got a simple yet addictive sort of gameplay, which is compounded by the fact that you can play it in any web browser, including the Safari on your iPod Touch, not that I just spent 10 minutes playing in the bathroom or anything.

Just beware. You start off with a set amount of action points per day, which are used to fight and explore, and once you run out your only option is to buy more using real currency. See, that's where they get you. With any game of this sort, you want to just take it easy, make it a part of your daily routine, and do your best to avoid falling into the extra points trap, lest you be eaten by a grue.

Legends of Zork [Official Website]

The Top 5 Indie Games of '08

Maggie Greene — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:30:00 MST

Gamasutra's been rounding up the top titles of the year in a variety of categories; up recently were the top five 'indie' games (plus ten honorable mentions).

People have been having hissy fits because because some of the downloadable titles of the year (e.g., Braid) weren't on the list, but take note:

The games picked are the editors' choice, and span PC free-to-play titles released during 2008's calendar year to date, with a mixture of Flash and Windows executable games. (Many other fine pay-to-download games for console and PC that might be considered 'indie' were ranked in the Top 5 Downloadable Games earlier this week.)

There are some nice titles on there if you haven't been keeping up with the free indie game scene; the other lists are worth a looksee too. I always like seeing the yearend roundups, even if I don't agree with all of their picks.

Gamasutra's Best Of 2008: Top 5 Indie Games [Gamasutra]

Sunday Timewaster: Robo-Evolution

Maggie Greene — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 12:30:00 MST

From SKT comes a bizarrely addictive little game called Robo-Evolution. It's very short, but there's a certain je ne sais quoi about evolving a panko-breaded shrimp (or an egg, or lips) into a scuttling little robot. There are various powerups you need to collect so you can leap over the walls and complete the game; some powerups simply give you stats, while others will also add to your appearance.

Robo-Evolution [NHK via IndieGames]

Sunday Timewaster: the irRegular Game of Life

Maggie Greene — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 12:30:00 MST

The irRegular Game of Life is a weird but fun little game (by irRegular Games) based on mathematician John Horton Conway's 'Game of Life' theory. In this iteration, you are given puzzles to solve and must set the little cells into motion to meet the goals of each level. It's surprisingly hypnotic at times — after getting past the initial introductory levels, you watch the cells shuffle back and forth, creating a variety of patterns and interacting with each other. There's also a sandbox mode and some other features; the regular puzzle mode was plenty fun for me.

The irRegular Game of Life [Kongregate via IndieGames]

Sunday Timewaster: HDOS Databank request 01

Maggie Greene — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 13:30:00 MDT

This is a fun little remake (more or less) of the puzzle mode of Tetris Attack; you have a limited number of moves to swap blocks and clear the whole board. While the early levels are pretty easy, some of the later stages get pretty complicated — all in all, not a bad little browser-based timewaster to kill some time on a Sunday.

HDOS Databank request 01 [Game Reclaim via IndieGames] [Update: mirror at Kongregate]

Sunday Timewaster: Meat Boy

Maggie Greene — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:30:00 MDT

Edmund McMillen (of Aether, Gish, and the game that shall not be named) is back with Meat Boy, a challenging little game that involves the titular blob of meat trying to rescue Bandaid Girl in a variety of levels. It took me a while to actually look at the game, since the designer woke me up a few nights in a row via IM asking me to take a look at it — I hold a grudge when it comes to my sleep being interrupted — but I've spent some time with it and it's worth a looksee if you're in the mood for a challenge on a Sunday afternoon. Controls are simple, the game is difficult, but you can skip two levels per group — so if you really get stuck, don't despair.

Meat Boy

Sunday Timewaster: Marshmallow

Maggie Greene — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 13:30:00 MDT

This wonderfully adorable (and kind of weird) game is pretty straight forward — guide the marshmallow around a variety of objects just waiting to take a bite out of your head and send you hurtling towards the ground so you can land with a 'splat.' It's cute. It's not terribly taxing. The soundtrack is ... well, something (soothing? Weird? Vaguely Katamari-esque? All of the above?), but the game is really cute and a nice way to waste a couple of minutes or more ....

Marshmallow [forrent via IndieGames]

Saturday Timewaster: Hoshi Saga 3

Maggie Greene — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:30:00 MDT

Hoshi Saga 3 is a fun little puzzle game — the object is to discover the star(s) in each level through experimentation. The mechanics of each level are different, and while some are familiar, some will require a little more fiddling to get the right answer. Some levels are quite easy, though others may have you scratching your head — overall, a nice, relaxing little collection to spend some time with.

星探３ [hoshi saga 3] [nekogames via IndieGames]

Sunday Timewaster: Bounce Shot

Maggie Greene — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:30:00 MDT

IndieGames succinctly describes this as 'a cross between Breakout and Space Invaders,' which is pretty accurate — but it's a fun game with a retro feel. I was in the mood for some candy-colored, easy to pick up fun this weekend, and this definitely hit the spot. Boss battles every 10 levels, power ups, and trying not to get hit with your own bullets (so watch out for that trigger finger) — add in some cute alien enemies, and you've got the recipe for how I wasted a good chunk of my Sunday morning.

Bounce Shot [Nigoro via IndieGames]

Saturday Timewaster: Aether

Maggie Greene — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 14:00:00 MDT

We're having a slow weekend here at Kotaku: Owen is off, and I'm holed up in bed trying to stave off the flu; Aether made a nice respite from my headache and general feelings of 'blah.' It's a weird little game — a little abstract and fuzzy around the edges, you control a little guy and his pet who can fly through the air with the greatest of ease, using said pet's tongue as a grappling hook/trapeze .... I actually quite enjoyed zipping through space from planet to planet, trying to solve puzzles and bring the color back to unhappy people (the core of an unhappy planet seen above). It's not the most intuitive game ever — it did take me some time to figure out how to successfully get off the ground and into the atmosphere - and I broke out the mouse because the trackpad wasn't cutting it. Still, it's pretty and soothing (and short) — good for a bit of time on a Saturday afternoon.

Aether [Armor Games via IndieGames]

Holiday Timewaster: Hexiom Connect

Maggie Greene — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:00:00 MDT

Hexiom Connect is a pretty intuitive browser-based puzzle game; you have to rearrange hexagons on the board so that all the colored lines are connected. There are 40 levels (and even a colorblind option, so if you can't tell the difference between red and green, never fear), so I've spent quite a chunk of time this morning clicking, clicking, clicking the minutes away.

Hexiom Connect [Kongregate via IndieGames]

Acclaim Launches MyDivaDoll, We Feel Pretty

Mike Fahey — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:00:00 MDT

Times like this I wish they had just flat-out refused to sell former Activision CEO Howard Marks the Acclaim name back in 2005. Acclaim Games has just launched MyDivaDoll, a web-based online game described in the announcement email as "The Game of Attitude, Fashion, & Interior Design". Create your own diva, buy here clothes, decorate her house, and try not to feel violated with the knowledge that anyone can then click on her, strip her down to her underwear and just...stare. The game also features community voting for best doll and best condo, various mini-games, and a flirting game that I don't think I even want to understand.

I tried to create my own diva, but as you can see from the results I spent far too many DivaBucks on facial tattoos, leaving me no money for pants, a situation I find myself in with alarming regularity. Feel free to hop over there and create your own, but remember to share!

MyDivaDoll: Attitude, Fashion & Interior Design [Acclaim]

365 Days of Free Games

Maggie Greene — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:40:00 MDT

Bored this summer? GamesRadar has an appallingly expansive (10 pages!) listing of a wide, wide variety of games available for free, with just about every genre under the sun represented (including the classic 'Victorian slap-fighting game'). Many have videos and most have screenshots, so you can just scroll down and see what catches your eye. Organized into thematic groupings ('King of Pain,' 'Polychromatic,' 'Suburban Drama'), there's plenty of options to please any palette and more than enough games to keep just about anyone busy for a long, long time.

365 days of free games [GamesRadar via IndieGames]

Saturday Timewaster: Pandemic 2

Maggie Greene — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:30:00 MDT

Ever wanted to decimate the world's population or see if you could develop a super-bug that would leave the globe in utter pandemonium? If the answer is yes, browser-based Pandemic 2 is your game; even if the answer is 'uh, no,' it's an interesting way to while away some time. Watch as your customized disease of choice is let loose on the world, then use your 'evolution points' to mutate the perfect delivery method for a global pandemic — the goal is to have a trail of devastation (and bodies) left in your wake. There are two different modes, 'realistic' and 'relaxed,' so if you're not sure you're ready for a realistic onslaught, you can try your hand with the easier mode.

Pandemic 2 [CrazyMonkeyGames via IndieGames]

The Witcher: DuelMail Becomes The Witcher: Versus

Mike Fahey — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:20:00 MDT

Remember The Witcher: DuelMail, the free-to-play browser fighting game based on the hit PC RPG that ate up a whole lot of productivity when it went into open beta back in March? Well the beta is over, and the game has a new, more sensible name - The Witcher: Versus. More than 48,000 people participated in the beta, offering feedback that brought about changes in the release version of the game. Updated features include multi-channel chat, a new player tutorial, enhanced graphics, and a more demanding character development system so you can fully customize your character's skills.

I'm assuming they also fixed whatever it was that was letting me kick so much ass in the beta version, as evidenced by the frustrated comments in the original post. Only one way to be sure though...head over to The Witcher: Versus and challenge the powerful sorceress Kotaku to a duel. Muhahahaha.

The Witcher: Versus [CD Projekt Red]

Fallen Empire: Legions In InstantAction

Mike Fahey — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:00:00 MDT

InstantAction.com draws closer and closer to the wide release of the Tribes-channeling Fallen Empire: Legions, a first-person shooter with jet packs for the innovative web-based gaming community. It's not a bad little game, if a bit simplistic in its current form. The only thing missing from it right now are large groups of people to play it, but that should be rectified once it finally emerges from private beta testing. Looking good so far!

InstantAction.com's Rokkitball Trailer

Mike Fahey — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:30:00 MDT

Here's the exclusive trailer for Rokkitball, the latest game to grace the lineup at GarageGames' InstantAction.com web-based multiplayer gaming portal. It looks like guns and soccer. Or guns and basketball. We'll just stick with guns and ball for now, until we get our hands on the game. It should be showing up at InstantAction later tonight, or possibly early tomorrow. Be sure and friend MikeFahey if you are signed up over there, as currently I have none and it makes me sad.

InstantAction.com Readies Rokkitball

Mike Fahey — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:00:00 MDT

GarageGames' labor of love, browser based action game portal InstantAction.com ads another title to their arsenal tomorrow with the introduction of Rokkitball. Rokkitball is a futuristic, team-based game that weaves together action and strategy to form a very compelling concept in browser-based gaming.

Rokkitball brings a new level of multiplayer gaming to InstantAction, combining the frantic pace of a shooter with the team strategy of a real-world sport," said Alex Swanson, Rokkitball Producer and Designer. "We plan to provide an on-going flow of new content to players through InstantAction, with several additional stadiums and enhanced team customization options already in the works."

While we won't know much more until we actually get to play the game, there will be a live chat with developer Alex Swanson tomorrow at 3PM Pacific, the same time the game goes live, where he will be discussing the creation of Rokkitball and all that entails. For now, check out our exclusive screens from the new title, and head over to InstantAction.com for more web-based multiplayer goodness.

InstantAction RELEASES 'ROKKITBALL'
Fast-paced Full-court Action Combines FPS Skills with Sports Strategy

EUGENE, OREGON - InstantAction.com, the web browser based action gaming platform that's revolutionizing how people play, today announced Rokkitball, a futuristic team-based game that's best described as football with rocket launchers and magno-beams. The game is available in public beta to play today at www.instantaction.com.

"Rokkitball brings a new level of multiplayer gaming to InstantAction, combining the frantic pace of a shooter with the team strategy of a real-world sport," said Alex Swanson, Rokkitball Producer and Designer. "We plan to provide an on-going flow of new content to players through InstantAction, with several additional stadiums and enhanced team customization options already in the works."

Launching on InstantAction with support for up to eight players, Rokkitball puts players on an ultramodern playfield with multiple goals. The tactics reward a combination of precision fire and team positioning to disrupt the enemy and control the field. Challenging bot players can be used to fill out games if there are too few humans, or to practice your skills when your friends aren't available.

"Rokkitball is a great example of the depth of games we can deploy on InstantAction," said Andy Yang, General Manager of InstantAction.com. "It begins to show the versatility of the platform and the quality of titles that we'll deliver more and more of to players."

Rokkitball was created by GarageGames internal studio.

To sign up and play Rokkitball or the numerous other games at InstantAction, please visit www.instantaction.com

About InstantAction
InstantAction is the leading multi-player action gaming destination that's revolutionizing how and where people play core games. It combines high-end visuals and action gameplay with social gaming, allowing players to form parties and easily move from one game to the next. InstantAction's initial portfolio of original games range from high-profile studios to newly discovered game development talent. InstantAction was created by GarageGames, an operating business of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI). InstantAction is located in Eugene, OR and on the web at http://www.instantaction.com.
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The Witcher: Duel Mail Open Beta Battles Begin

Mike Fahey — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:20:00 MDT

While my character rose to great (hypothetical) heights of power during the closed beta, the open beta for CD Projekt Red and one2tribe's The Witcher: Duel Mail now begins in earnest, with players all over the globe invited to show them just how slow their game can run with all of you trying to beat up my pretty little level 1 sorceress at once. Her name is Kotaku, and she enjoys long walks on the beach, candlelit dinners, ponies, and kicking your sorry ass. Teehee!

The Witcher: Duel Mail [Official Site]

IGA And ID Team For Free, Web-Based Quake Live

Mike Fahey — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:55:04 MST

In-game advertising specialists IGA and id Software have partnered to bring you the next iteration of the classic Quake franchise, Quake Live, and it's definitely not your normal web-based, free-to-play game. Quake Live will deliver a full community experience, including stat tracking, friends lists, matchmaking, and sponsored tournaments, all within your standard web browser. Integrated with IGA's proprietary SDK, it is the first title in the company's "freemium category", offering premium gaming experiences for free thanks to integrated advertising.

"id Software is among the proverbial godfathers of modern gaming and we are thrilled to be working with them on their first title in our 'freemium' category," said Justin Townsend, CEO of IGA Worldwide. "This partnership is only the latest testament to the increasing acceptance of in-game as an effective, measurable advertising medium and a strategic revenue opportunity for publishers and developers."

While I know many of you folks aren't too fond of in-game advertising, this is free Quake we're talking about. It's not like they are delivering some Peggle clone or something. And the features? It's like they're packing a mini Xbox Live into the website. Seems like a fair trade-off for a few "Sponsored By" banners to me.

IGA is banking big on Quake Live, hopeful that other forward-thinking publishers will give the "freemium" concept a go. No word yet on when the game will officially launch, but you can bet we'll be keeping you posted!

IGA Worldwide Partners with id Software on Forthcoming QUAKE LIVE title
IGA Selected Exclusive Provider of Advertiser Sponsorships; In-Game Brand Integration Opportunities within Revolutionary QUAKE LIVE Portal

San Francisco, CA- February 19, 2008 -IGA Worldwide Inc., the leading independent in-game advertising network announced today from the 2008 Game Developer Conference that it has partnered with id Software to manage all advertising, sponsorship and creative branding opportunities within the forthcoming QUAKE LIVE web site and free-to-play version of the popular action series.

Created by id Software as an all-new way to deliver the excitement and energy of first-person multiplayer action to a broader audience than ever before, QUAKE LIVE offers game players of all skill levels a totally free and easily accessible multiplayer gaming experience and community through a single website at quakelive.com. Every element of the experience, including friends lists and communication, sponsored events and tournaments, matchmaking, stats tracking, and even the game itself is accessed and delivered free of charge through the web browser. Integrated with IGA's proprietary SDK, QUAKE LIVE will offer companies and agencies fresh opportunities to dynamically-target brands to audiences within a broadly accessible version of one of the world's premiere game franchises, while also offering gamers a totally free premium game, fun events and a vibrant, active community of other players.

"IGA understands game developers and game players which makes them the perfect partner for QUAKE LIVE. Whether it's been the ease of implementing their SDK or just their excitement about QUAKE LIVE, they have been fantastic to work with," said Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software. "As we work to bring QUAKE-style deathmatch excitement to the masses, IGA has fully supported our vision."

"id Software is among the proverbial godfathers of modern gaming and we are thrilled to be working with them on their first title in our 'freemium' category," said Justin Townsend, CEO of IGA Worldwide. "This partnership is only the latest testament to the increasing acceptance of in-game as an effective, measurable advertising medium and a strategic revenue opportunity for publishers and developers."

IGA predicts more progressive game publishers like id will create what the company has coined "freemium," or free-to-play premium games based on their most popular titles in order to attract new audiences and open new revenue advertising revenue streams. A recent eMarketer forecast estimated the current video game advertising market to exceed $502MM and is expected to grow 23 percent year-over-year over the next five years.

About IGA Worldwide
IGA Worldwide, Inc. is the market-leading in-game advertising network offering brands and agencies a single point of access to an exclusive range of opportunities within the world's premium videogame franchises. IGA's proprietary Radial NetworkSM enables advertisers to dynamically-target over 15 million uniquely engaged consumers and has successfully delivered campaigns for brands such as Intel, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, Nokia, Gillette and Unilever. IGA also provides brands with customized branding solutions including integrated product placement and co promotion. IGA Worldwide is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Los Angeles, Connecticut and Berlin.
For more information please visit www.igaworldwide.com.

About id Software:
Id - defined by Freud as the primal section of the human psyche; id Software, located in Mesquite, Texas, was founded in 1991. From inception to present day, id Software has relentlessly provided technical, design and artistic leadership as an independent game developer and technology provider. Transcending the games industry, id's iconic brands such as Wolfenstein, DOOM, QUAKE and Enemy Territory have become staples of popular culture for generations of gamers. More information on id Software can be found at www.idsoftware.com.