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Inspiration

A problem many people find with working is how to get started. They worry that if something doesn't begin with a heavenly bolt of inspiration then it isn't worth nish.

WRONG!

As Nike once said to try and flog some trainers - "just do it". Once you've immersed yourself in the project inspiration will come.

Like what's just happened to us. We were reviewing our notes and looking at the drawing of the Fireman idea, suddenly we thought, "Oh, wouldn't it be funny instead of saving people, the fireman was pushing people into the flames."

OMG. IDEA.

And the game idea writes itself:

  • Sokoban style game: push the survivors into the flames
  • WEB 2.0 fashion check, make the levels user-generated by allowing people to create them in a wiki
  • Amusing name - who doesn't want to click a url with 'psycho fireman' in the title?
  • Passes the Turbo Esprit test of "it's a bit naughty"
  • Opportunity for preposterous theme-song

Theme Song

Music can really sell a web game. For our money, the tune on Jonti Picking's Atomic Badger Racing turned an average game an awesomely enjoyable experience.

Everyone sing along, Go go badger racing! Can you feel the need for badger speed?"

How to write songs

Think writing songs is hard? Well, here's the only three steps you need:

  • Pick a song that fits the attitude that you want to express. We want something RAH so we're going for something like the theme tune from Team America - except without the sweary bits!
  • Write your own lyrics to same the tune, making sure they roughly fit.
  • Find a musician and get them to write some music to these lyrics, with a similar vibe but different tune

Unleash the genius of Doghorse!

We asked Doghorse, who we worked with before, when we supplied a flash video to his rather fantastic tune Bukkake.

If you're stuck for someone to ask - and you shouldn't be, as everyone has a few friends who fancy themselves as musicians - then try a music community like FAWM.

Anyway, you want to hear the tune? Of course you do. It's blimmin' awesome!

Next week we'll write some code - woo hoo, I bet you can't wait.

And the game idea writes itself:

  • Sokoban style game: push the survivors into the flames
  • WEB 2.0 fashion check, make the levels user-generated by allowing people to create them in a wiki
  • Amusing name - who doesn't want to click a url with 'psycho fireman' in the title?
  • Passes the Turbo Esprit test of "it's a bit naughty"
  • Opportunity for preposterous theme-song

Theme Song

Music can really sell a web game. For our money, the tune on Jonti Picking's Atomic Badger Racing turned an average game an awesomely enjoyable experience.

Everyone sing along, Go go badger racing! Can you feel the need for badger speed?"

How to write songs

Think writing songs is hard? Well, here's the only three steps you need:

  • Pick a song that fits the attitude that you want to express. We want something RAH so we're going for something like the theme tune from Team America - except without the sweary bits!
  • Write your own lyrics to same the tune, making sure they roughly fit.
  • Find a musician and get them to write some music to these lyrics, with a similar vibe but different tune

Unleash the genius of Doghorse!

We asked Doghorse, who we worked with before, when we supplied a flash video to his rather fantastic tune Bukkake.

If you're stuck for someone to ask - and you shouldn't be, as everyone has a few friends who fancy themselves as musicians - then try a music community like FAWM.

Anyway, you want to hear the tune? Of course you do. It's blimmin' awesome!

Next week we'll write some code - woo hoo, I bet you can't wait.

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Showing 16 to 18 of 18 Comments

  • Comment by:
    bucsie
    Username:
    bucsie
    Posted on:
    Wed Aug 6, 2008 at 11:07 am
    Comment:
    I am surprised Volfied isn't mentioned in the classics. I never got bored playing that game.
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  • Comment by:
    bucsie
    Username:
    bucsie
    Posted on:
    Wed Aug 6, 2008 at 10:44 am
    Comment:
    A game I could play forever is volfied. I'm surprised it's not considered one of the great classics.
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  • Comment by:
    mikeypeters
    Username:
    mikeypeters
    Posted on:
    Mon Aug 4, 2008 at 12:56 am
    Comment:
    The greatest videogame is Kaboom! Atari 2600. A paddle game... simple & fun. Bomber on wall drops bombs which you have to catch. You start with three buckets, and lose them from bottom up. http://www.consoleclassix.com/info_img/Kaboom_2600_ScreenShot
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