Hello again. So, if you were wondering what’s the fuzz about we changing layouts, our questionable header and we announcing the release of the final version of Mnemons in a long time (even though we left it as an incomplete demo), well, is the answer:

It’s a new project. You may be able to recognize a pattern in our naming for projects, this is Qasir Project, there is a Tsar Project. If you did make the connection you’re in the right trail: this game is basically a prologue for the Tsar Project. In the same way the Tsar Project is driven by the concepts of Aloneness and Patience it’s prologue deals with Gambit. With this in mind one can expect a game based in exchanges, high risks for high rewards.

As for the setting in this chapter we are aiming more on fantasy than on historical fiction, which has a central role in the Tsar Project. Some real world places and persons will be mentioned, but more in a tangential way. For instance instead of the Golden Palace of the Moscow Kremlin this time the story will unveil in Qasir al-Hayr fiy al-Wasat, a fictional palace that may, or may not, be located near the ancient city of Palmyra on 12th century Syria.

And this is it, expect more news and production updates soon. Happy easter, everyone!

Ahoy folks!

So, as you can see we have “finished” two projects in this last trimester. But we have to use the quotes here because there is still one last step so we can call a project finished: make it avaliable in a game portal so that you, our beloved player, can invest into our future games while playing the current ones. (i.e: to buy ; )

For several strategic reasons thoroughly discussed by our team, we decided to make available the current versions of Semblante and Mnemons for free here in the website. Nevertheless, we have implemented this fantastic PayPal’s donation button (just by your side, if you are viewing this post in owr website). It is quite fast to create an account and contribute with the ammount that you feel it’s fair enough!

If you enjoyed our games, or if you like Aduge, and wanna see more results sooner: just click it! x ) Many thanks, pal!

As promised before, we are releasing today a new build of Mnemons’ alpha. This is the last build we will release of Mnemons in a long time and, I’m not gonna lie, probably ever. March 14th we will be dropping steadily our work and support on Mnemons and Semblante and we will start from scratch a brand new project.

Download Mnemons Alpha (0.2)

These are the changes from the last version:

*    Music on the hub should be working properly now.
*    Fixed a problem with the music loop on certain stages.
*    Added different graphic settings for the game:
**    F1 for Best settings: this is the regular graphics settings with lowest performance, which needs a good video card to run smoothly. It’s the default mode.
**    F2 for Better settings: this mode removes some graphical effects, improving performance. Mid-range to budget graphics cards can run this mode smoothly.
**    F3 for Good settings: this mode removes all shaders and graphical effects. Use it if you have an IGP or legacy cards that can’t run the game properly even on the previous mode.
**    You can change the graphics settings at any time during the game or at the main menu. The changes only takes effect when you change stages, however.
*    Up to 46% performance improvement on all of the aforementioned modes by using a new rendering method for the Lethe, which means that if the game only slowed down on stages 1-6, 1-7 and 3-2, it will probably run smoothly now even on Best settings.
*    Added a brand new stage: 3-3.
*    Small fixes on stages 1-7 and 2-4. They should be less challenging now.
*    And some other small fixes…

And, oh yes! The image of this post is a wallpaper from our Mnemons Wallpaper Pack! Grab yours now!

Ok, if we believe there is something important everybody in and around the game industry should be doing is watching Extra Credits. The ever inspiring presentations written by James Portnow, presented by Daniel Floyd and rendered by Allison Theus are one of the most competent and noble effort to push the bounds of games as a media we have seen, both to prove it’s qualities and to clarify it’s flaws. Watching Extra Credits shows us a brighter future for games, and we are glad for that. But most important, Allison, Daniel and James have the bravery to stand out for what they (and we) believe is true, fair and important for this incredible media.

While you three stand out there, boldly conceiving the next episodes, preparing for storms after pointing the worst flaws we as industry and public do and what we could be doing for a better future, while you are there, know you have our love, respect and gratitude.

The Adugans

Just a quick update: we are officially listed on IndieDB which is probably the best game database for indie games on the web today. Also both Mnemons and Semblante have their own pages.

In other news, we are wrapping things up here and both Mnemons and Semblante will have their final (for now) builds. We are preparing a series of posts for both games, detailing aspects of their brief development (both were developed in a 3 week time-frame). Expect the final builds to be released by the end of the week and the posts following soon thereafter.

So, what have the Adugans been doing these past 3 weeks? We’ve been working on the brand new version of Mnemons. After the Global Game Jam 2011 we striped down the prototype, identified it’s core mechanics, essential features, pros and cons, and redefined it as a Synchronous Platforming Adventure. Today we are submitting it to the South By Southwest Festival Screenburn Independent Propeller Awards by IndiePub (so I heard indies like big names).

The game is now in Alpha, which means it’s core is running healthily, the mechanics and most of the assets are there, but it has only 13 of the 28 planned levels, and you’ll be able to play with Moe and Jimmie, but not with Debbie and Andy. We’ll feed you with more news about the Festival ASAP, and hope you enjoy playing the Alpha with your friends!

You can download the game here or you can check the brand new game page instead.