Project announcement
A few days ago I mentioned that I was going to re-release one of my former game titles. That game is Project Firestart, a sci-fi horror First Person Shooter that was a remake of one the best games made for the C64.
I had originally released it for the Retro Remakes 2006 competition, and my intention was simply to apply some much needed bug fixes (the game crashes after a short time on a significant percentage of computers) and do a bit of tidying. I hoped that the people that play my games would accept it for what it is, a flawed lesser entry in my body of work.
However, after reviewing the game I decided that it needs a lot more done to it. In particular it looks dull, and it is very shoddily put together - which, I suppose one can expect from a solo-developed first person shooter made within ten weeks. Gameplay is alright, but could be a lot better.
So, rather then simply applying some patches, I feel I should rebuild the game almost from scratch, both to honour the original better as well as provide freeware gamers some extra entertainment.
People still want a good remake of Project Firestart, there's even a petition here. I don't know if I can provide them with that, but I'll give it my best shot! I'll post a progress report in a week or so.
Comments
I think I will eventually do a commercial survival horror sci-fi FPS - I have some ideas for a Derelict prequel that I don't think have been done before in any game ever - but that won't be for awhile now.
The reasons for doing the remake as a freeware project at all are:
- I want to honour the original game with a fitting modernisation, as well as to introduce more people to the original
- I want to expand my game portfolio, and this one shouldn't take to long to do as I already know the original inside out so design decisions will be minimal!
- It's going to be used as a test-bed for my new 3D level editor, the Earok Engine as well as for experimenting with effects such as smoke and shadows.
Project Firestart was one of my favorite games for the C64. I recently did a Let's Play for it on Youtube. I heard you did a remake but could not find it. So, if you are going to redo it, I would be very happy to play it when it is done. I look forward to seeing the game (I would even be willing to help out if needed or try out the old version and make suggestions?) let me know. Thanks.
http://demonews.com/download-3151.html seems to be about the only place that still has it. I made it nearly three years ago and it is very badly bugged, so I make no guarantees on its quality.
I'll definitely watch your C64 recording on Youtube sometime, I had the idea to do the same awhile back but never got around to it.
I may make an announcement on the blog in a few weeks asking for playtesters.
Why freeware? Why not do a project firestart 'inspired' first person shooter and try to sell it?