Pixel Whirled iOS Available Now!

Hey everyone!


It's out!  Pixel Whirled has been released on the iPhone App Store!  Check out our previous post for more info, or just go ahead and click the pic below to grab the game now! :)

Enjoy!


 Holmfry

Pixel Whirled iOS Releases Tomorrow!

Hi everyone!

Big news!!  Tomorrow, the 24th of September, Pixel Whirled follows in the small green footprints of Hurdle Turtle to make the jump from the Xbox Indie Games channel to the iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch!

If you're a fan of the original Xbox version of the game, you're going to love the new iOS version which includes new features such as Game Center leaderboards, achievements and brand new powerups exclusive to this version!  In addition, this version features new intuitive controls that will have you physically flipping your device to rotate Pixel World!

If you're unfamiliar with the game, check out the Pixel Whirled mini-site here to view trailers, gameplay videos, screenshots and downloadable goodies for your computer!

Click pic for full version!

So limber up those hands and get a good sleep tonight - because tomorrow you're going to be taking out wave after wave of 8-bit chaos.. on the go!

 Holmfry

Pixel Whirled ..Coming Soon?

Yup!  For iOS!  


That's right, thanks to our superb developer Luke Zbihlyj, who also handled the pixel-perfect port of Hurdle Turtle to the iPod/iPhone/iPad platforms, you'll soon be whirling away on the go!

Featuring all of the levels, characters and secrets from the original, the entire original soundtrack by Walz Music, and a new Physical Whirl feature (that's right, you don't have to press a button anymore to rotate the world - you can now physically rotate your device for some real tactile control!), Pixel Whirled iOS will be arriving on an App Store enabled device near you very soon!


 Holmfry

Contest Winner / Prizes Revealed!

The results are in!

Below you'll find the smiling face of Joshua Laviolette, the big winner in our Pixel Whirled screenshot contest!  Joshua braved the unspeakable horrors of the 2nd Quest, stared frustration right in the eyes and rose victorious, with a final score of 2620, and a hiscore of 5550!  Congratulations, Joshua!

Click the pics for the full version!

Now, I suppose you'd like to know what you've won, hmm Josh?  Well, here's the list of prizes that will be arriving at your doorstep:

1. One Pixel Whirled baseball cap! (Pics below)
2. Two zipper pulls - one pirate, one ninja.  These can also be used as keychains!
3. A custom Pixel Whirled faceplate for your Xbox 360! 

Congratulations once again to our winner, and thanks to everyone that has played our game and/or entered the contest!  Stay tuned for more exciting contests and games from Holmade Games!

 Holmfry

Contest Closed!

Our Pixel Whirled screenshot contest is now closed and we are sifting through the entries. Thanks to everyone who took part!

Stay tuned for the announcement of the winner and prizes!

 Holmfry

Contest Deadline 1 Week Away!

Just a quick note to remind everyone that our Pixel Whirled SWAG contest is ending in one week, so check it out while you have a chance!

Details here: http://holmadegames.blogspot.com/2010/03/pixel-whirled-screenshot-contest.html.

Good luck!

 Holmfry

New Pixel Whirled Gameplay Video!

Check out some gameplay footage of Pixel Whirled on our Youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/holmfry

You can also subscribe to our channel to keep up-to-date on future videos!

 Holmfry

My latest developer interview!

I recently did a developer Q&A with Brian Himmelfarb (Buzzkiller) of SFX-360.com.  We covered topics such as my history in the gaming world, the development of Pixel Whirled as well as some tips and cheat codes for playing the game, and future projects for Holmade Games.  We also touch on some advice for people who are looking to get into game development.


Check out the full interview here: http://www.sfx-360.com/index.php?idNews=3231.


And don't forget about our Pixel Whirled contest, ending April 30th!


 Holmfry

Pixel Whirled Screenshot Contest!

Hey everyone!  As of March 25th, we've officially dropped the price of Pixel Whirled, our Xbox Live Indie Game, to 80 (1$)!  To celebrate this occasion, we're hosting an old timey screenshot photo contest, just like back in the pre-internet leaderboard days!  

Here's how it works:  After finishing the game, you unlock the 2nd Quest which contains alternate, more difficult levels.  After beating the 2nd Quest, email us a digital photo of the winning screen, with you standing next to it giving a thumbs up to prove your awesomeness!  Whoever sends in the highest final score will win an exclusive physical prize, which will be mailed directly to your house free of charge!  Can you say swag? ;)

There is also a cheat code to unlock the 2nd Quest instantly.. at the main menu, hold down LB and RB and press Back.  To access the 2nd Quest, you'll have to have unlocked the full version of the game.  We would like to warn you that the 2nd Quest is not for the meek.  You will have to bring your A-Game in order to beat this challenge!

If you're new to Pixel Whirled, check out the game's mini site at pixelwhirled.holmadegames.com for information, screenshots and the trailer!

Entry Rules and Stuff:

1. The screenshot does not have to include the entire screen, but please be sure the final score (and your face and thumbs up!) is visible in your submission!
2. The exact details of the mystery prize will be devulged when a winner is selected.  
3. In the case of a tie, the entry received first will win.  
4. The winning submission will be posted on blog.holmadegames.com. 
5. If you haven't downloaded the game yet, you can find both the trial and full versions on Xbox Live Marketplace.   
6. Send your submissions to contests@holmadegames.com, with the subject "PW Screenshot Contest".  Be sure to include your full mailing address so you can receive your prize!
7. Contest is open to anyone, anywhere in the world!
8. The deadline for submissions is April 30th, 2010.

Thanks for playing, good luck and have fun!

 Holmfry

Bit of War Dev Entry

I'm now at the point where I'm just tightening up and finalizing how gameplay is going to be, with just the first level built.  Once I have that, I will be working on the first boss fight and then moving on to the other levels.

However - my 3rd child is going to be born imminently, so I don't suppose I'll be having much time for development over the next few months.  I'll post something as soon as I'm back on sort of a regular schedule.  And don't worry - the game's official release date of "sometime before Duke Nukem Forever" will still be met!

BUT STAY TUNED - There's a big Pixel Whirled announcement coming in late March!

 Holmfry

Win a copy of Pixel Whirled tonight by playing Left 4 Dead 2!

The gaming site sfx-360.com runs a weekly Game Night where gamers gather and play online together on Xbox Live.  This week, one of the prizes you can win is a copy of our game, Pixel Whirled!  Below, I've included the flyer for tonight's fun from their website (also located here).

Come out and play!

 Holmfry

SFX360 Xbox 360 Game Night

LEFT 4 DEAD 2

Sunday, February 21, 2010

7:00pm ET on Xbox Live

On Sunday, February 21, the SFX360 Game Night returns for another exciting night of gaming action. This week, it's survivors vs. zombies in Left 4 Dead 2. Sure the new DLC is not here yet, but that doesn't mean that we can't have some fun in versus, survival, and scavenge play.

This week's game night will also feature some XBLA and XBLIG GAMES for you to win. Check out what you can win this week:

Wallace and Gromit: The Bogey Man - The season finale of Wallace and Gromit has Wallace trying to get out of a wedding proposal by becoming a member of Prickly Thicket country club and gets into a pickle with Duncan.

Square Off - This Xbox Live Indie Game has you facing off against waves of alien forces with the graphical style of Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers.

Pixel Whirled - It's an 8-bit Space Invaders with ninjas and pirates. A fun game with an old-school flare.

To join in on all the fun, just leave me a message on my gamertag (SFX Buzzkiller) telling me that you want in on the zombie apocalypse action and I'll send you an invite.

GAME ON!

Pixel Whirled - Final Entry!

It's done! Development on Pixel Whirled is finished, as well as the playtest and review phase that every Xbox Live Indie game must go through before...

BOOM BABY!

Ahem, excuse me, got a bit excited there for a moment..

Our latest Xbox 360 Indie Game, Pixel Whirled, has been released today on the Xbox Live Games Marketplace!!

Follow the link below to queue up the trial or full version to your Xbox 360, or visit the Games Marketplace > Indie Games section from your Xbox Dashboard.

Xbox Marketplace Link

Hope you all like it!

Additionally, you can check out the game's mini-site at http://pixelwhirled.holmadegames.com for more info on the game, downloadable goodies, screenshots and the official trailer!

 Holmfry

Pixel Whirled - Holm Stretch!

Woo! It's been a long road full of delays, distractions, and learning (don't worry, I also had a ton of fun along the way!) but we're almost there!

The next step in the development of PW360 is the integration of all the Xbox functions (Marketplace integration, etc). After that, I move on to ironing out a small list of bugs, then it's into the playtest phase!

Once it's in playtest, it gets about a week of stress testing from other members of the Creator's Club community. If anything comes out of that, I fix it up then throw it in the review phase - once it's confirmed by enough people that it doesn't crash, it's live on Xbox Live Marketplace!

I'm adding a screenshot or two here to tide you over till then...

Holmfry

Story Screen

A scene from World 1

A scene from World 2

All images contained herein © 2009 Adam Holmes - Do not use without permission.

Pixel Whirled - Art Samples!

Alright, progress has been slowed somewhat in light of the recent news that my wife is pregnant with our third child! So I've been busy taking care of her and the kids but hey - nothing can stop the Pixel Whirled train and slowly but surely, it's coming together.

Here are some art samples, including some enemy sprites and a couple of background art samples as well. In the comments of my last post, I stated that I would do something a bit more than post art, but I'm afraid you're going to have to wait for that one.. although I do have something special in the works that I hope you'll all enjoy. More on that later, on to the art!

Every oldskool game needs a princess, here she is!

Agh, I'm scared! What is that thing? I want my mummy!

Two words. Evil. Monkey. 'Nuff said.

Don't worry, this alien can't probe you - he doesn't have hands!

Here's a frame of the walk cycle of our blue-clad hero, Ninja..

..and one for Pirate as well.

And now for a little teaser of some background art:

The deep, dark woods...

This is really how towns are built in Pixel World. It is a silly place.

All images contained herein © 2009 Adam Holmes - Do not use without permission.

Pixel Whirled 360 - Look At Me Being All Artsy Fartsy

Hey everyone,

OK, so I received the final version of the soundtrack from Aaron over at Walz Music. All I can say is that I'm blown away. It exceeded all expectations. The 8-bitness of it is incredible, and the composition itself is bang on what I wanted for my game. I highly recommend Walz Music for anyone out there looking to have music created for your game.

While Aaron was working on that, I hung up my programmer's boots for awhile to do the art for the game. Still working on it, but I'm getting close - I have only 2 levels' artwork left (along with some small animated background elements) and I still have to do most of the enemies. I've got the main characters and their walk cycles complete as well as the title screen, story screen, etc.

It's coming along very nicely! Will update again when I'm ready to jump back into programming (isn't it fun working alone?) and maybe post up some samples of the art. If I'm feeling friendly ;)

Holmfry

Pixel Whirled 360 - Back on Track

You may have noticed it's been a bit quiet around here lately. Well, I got kind of distracted from Pixel Whirled for a bit with a few other side projects that were all pretty fun and successful! Here's what I've been up to:

Ocean Scenes - an Xbox 360 Indie Games screentoy

Game & Watch: Dodgeman - a retro 80s handheld simulator, based on my arcade game, Dodgeman

Game & Watch: God of War - another handheld simulator, based on the awesome Playstation series

Now that these are complete, I'm back on track and have been working hard at Pixel Whirled once again. I licensed some music from Walz Music which is almost complete and sounding absolutely awesome! Right now I'm hammering out the graphics, building backgrounds out of tiles and working on character animation.

I know there's at least one other side project coming up in the near future - more details on that later on our main newsfeed, but it shouldn't distract from PW360 for too long.

Pixel Whirled 360 First Screenshot!

So I've been doing a lot of tinkering and some learning with regards to rotation angles, tangents, sin and cos and all that stuff I kind of ignored in high school.  As a result, Pixel Whirled is coming along rather nicely and I can now present you with our very first screenshot!

The enemies will be most likely completely redone, but the rest is fairly solid.  I have to add character animation, as well as some minor tweaks and bug-fixes to complete level 1, then I'll start adding menus, a game over screen, etc. 

Another challenge is going to be finding some free music I can use for commercial purposes.  If anyone out there knows a repository for stuff like that (I have my heart set on 8-bit chiptunes) please contact me at holmfry[at]holmadegames[dot]com.

Pixel Whirled 360 Development Begins!

Dodgeman 2 has been released, so we've turned our sites to our newest project: Pixel Whirled 360. It's an Xbox 360 community game; an arcade shooter with a.. well, a twist. The game focuses on two sworn enemies, Pirate and Ninja, forced to work together against a common foe. Here's a look at the new sprites and title screen! We're going for a "jewel-sprite" look, inspired to a degree by those found in PAC-MAN Championship Edition. Stay tuned for screenshots, coming soon!












Also, for those of you who are wondering whatever happened to Bit of War, Kratos' 8-bit-esque flash incarnation will continue on as a side project, however most of our efforts will concentrate on Pixel Whirled. Updates on both games will be posted as they become available.