FreeWareCentral

Since the site is still not working satisfactorily, I will post links to some games you have to try. But first, an update for what’s going on behind the scenes of FWC:

The first major change will be how games are added and managed. Until now, this was the game page. A little annoying to use, couldn’t find games by name, inconsistent layout, etc.

Here’s a look at the newer layout. In this case I have used a commercial game, Rayman Raving Rabbids (Wii) as an example. Firstly, it has a blurb about the game. Also present is some information such as category, download link (if free game), publisher, etc. Links to the Review, Videos, and Screenshots are also there.

Also, there is a search engine being worked on. Here is the link to it. Currently, there are only a couple games (rayman raving rabbids and mu-cade) added to the new system, so you won’t find much with it. However, it’s getting there.

The parts that need to be finished before I start using the new system (and updating more frequently) are:

• Images for game page and search page. It’s still a little chaotic developer-version looking
• Finishing up the method of adding new videos, screenshots, etc. on the admin page to make it more convenient
• Fixing some glitches, making the video player friendlier to non-Windows-systems

Overall, not that much. However, it may still take a month to get it done due to other concerns I currently have.

So, now that I’m done that, you’re probably asking for the games. Well, here they are:

• Megapixel, interesting FPS (singleplayer only, Mac and Windows and Browser versions available)
• Sumotori Dreams, very funny (in multiplayer) game where two ragdoll sumo people try to knock the other person over
• Orbiter, not really a game, more of a simulator. Can simulate flying to other planets and landing with realistic (and not-so-realistic) craft. Has a lot of mods available, very cool simulator, though only try it if you’re a hardcore-flight-simulator-fan. Large download.
• Grid Wars, a Geometry Wars-clone that unfortunately had the original link removed due to Intellectual Property Rights. Anyway, the link goes to WorldOfStuart which has a mirror. Very VERY fun arcade-like game
• Within a Deep Forest, an adventure game where you play a bouncing ball trying to stop a bomb exploding that will freeze the world. Very fun, unique game, though I would have suggested a different narrator

That’s some of the games I’d suggest at the moment. I’ve got a list with 40+ of them, many untested, about 20 listed to add to the site. These are just a few that I think are really good, though don’t try Orbiter unless you’re really into flight simulators.

Anyway, just before I end this post, here’s a few projects I’m keeping an eye on because they look interesting:

• MarioKart Source, mod that uses the source game engine (you need Half Life 2 installed) to create a physics-accurate Mario Kart game. Looks like it will be fun when it’s done.
• Subversion, a game from the creators of Darwinia that is currently in the works. The link goes to the blog, where you can find articles called “It’s all in your head, Part #” which talk about Subversion. Looks like it’ll be interesting when released.

I know that must look like the longest blog post yet. Well, it is pretty much. Anyway, as I get through my testing que I’ll write about any other games I suggest and updates about the site.

Until next post,

-Dravailo

There was an RTS named Total Annihilation. It was released prior to the well-known Starcraft by a company named Cavedog. Though those who found it (including me) found it to be superior to Starcraft, it died out as Cavedog went bankrupt.

Now there is Supreme Commander, a game which is considered to be the ’spiritual sequel’ to TA, as it was made by some of the same people. I also have played Supreme Commander and find it retains the same amount of difficulty as TA, the same habit of non-satisfactory campaigns, and a LOT better multiplayer than the first.

However, before SupCom was released, there was a project. Known as TA Spring! (now simply Spring) it’s goal was to replicate the type of gameplay as TA, while offering it for free. Recently the project has moved away from being a copy of the gameplay of TA, and is now starting to develop and be a fun online game. It has mods (eg. StarWars mod), good 3D graphics, deforming terrain. It’s got many new features, all for free:

Spring Homepage

Overall, after testing it again, I can see it’s become better than ever. I’d definitely suggest it to any fan of TA, or SupCom. Though, newbie be warned, metal resource management is quite hard.

Coming up tomorrow, several games to try out while I get the main site up and running proper (search engine for games, game database, etc.),

-Dravailo

Hello,

This is a notification that there are now contributors being added. They will be able to write posts for the blog as well as Dravailo. Also, to those who got a subscription email, it will, if you wish, notify you of any new posts.

There are several changes now to the site. Note the SideNotes section on the right. It’s now Digg-compatible. You can email posts to friends. There’s obviously the subscription feature. And a new image visualization, which will start to appear!

So, anyway, welcome to the newer, improved forums!

Todays update is practically fully on videos. My website’s videos, that is. The video section is experiencing a major facelift, along with the rest of the site. Soon it will be a lot more user-friendly.

Anyway, this is just a quick post. I’d like to point out a new FredTheMonkey mini-cartoon, called Hide and Seek. It’s a webcam episode, and is currently on the homepage for all your viewing pleasure. For those who haven’t heard of FredTheMonkey, check it out at FredTheMonkey.com.

Finally, Spooks and Liquisity have been added to the games selection. Spooks is a really fun adventure game, as long as you can get past the pixelized style the artist was going for. Liquisity is an underwater puzzle game, made by Vertigo Games, an often-posting game creator.

Anyway, see you online,

-Dravailo

 Well, it seemed like a blizzard went on all day. And the snow piles high, yet what do I do: go to play squash. In shorts.

 Anyway, though it was a freezing walk there, I had a great time. I would really suggest trying squash if you can, just one point: the ball doesn’t bounce.

 Also, speaking of the website (even though we weren’t), I’m adding some new games since the redisign is pretty much done. There’s a fighting game, called Rumble Box, in which all enemies and characters are actually blocks that remain around after death. There’s Pixel War!, a game I’ve known about for a while but never gotten around to adding. I would definately suggest it. And finally, there’s Cave Story, a fun side-view fighting-RPG-adventure game all in one. It’s definately addictive as you want to know what’ll happen, so don’t play it if you don’t have the time.

 Anyway, I’m off to gaming, work, and the website. See you on the web,

-Dravailo

It has begun.

December is upon us, and with it comes Christmas. The busiest and most chaotic time of year, as people rush around for the gifts for their families.

Anyway, The Legend of Zelda is going great (20 hours of play time so far),the website redisign is coming along well, and everything is well. That brings me upon my next point: The Secret

The Secret is a movie by the creators of What The Bleep!?!: Down the Rabbit Hole! The Secret is a movie about getting everything in life that you want, fulfilling your dreams, and discovering true happiness. Despite the action-oriented advertisements, the movie is essentially interviews with people who have had great success in their life because of the ’secret’. It is a great movie once you get past the fact that it is not an action flick, and you will learn great things from it. I sure have.

Anyway, I’d definately suggest you pick it up. It is available for around $25.00 online ordering, or $5.00 for streaming it to your computer over the internet ($5.00 per viewing). It is a wonderful movie if you are into self-developement and whatnot.