One of the major piece of works we have done recently is to move and upgrade the XNA-UK site, One of the main hubs in the XNA game space and the best place to meet likeminded people to make games, share ideas and get help.

One of the other signature pieces of the site it to bring devs / artists and testers / designers together in one place.

Come and check it out here:

http://xna-uk.net/blogs/braindump/archive/2010/07/22/welcome-to-the-all-new-amp-shiny-xna-uk-site.aspx

Check back often for some exciting news coming soon!

Darkside

And Worry not, Dark Omen games haven’t stalled at our first release, we have much more coming soon, even to the Windows Phone 7 Platform

Just a quick preview/teaser for the next game we have in the works – Bubble Trubble!

The game is based on the classic arcade hit “Puzzle Bobble” – and will feature three different game modes:

Puzzle Mode

You have to complete each puzzle to progress to the next, before the bubbles reach the bottom of the screen.

Endurance Mode

The bubbles just keep coming!  You have to stay alive as long as possible.

VS Mode

Play against a friend (locally) in split-screen mode (see screenshot).  The idea is to clear your grid before your opponent does, or cause them to fill up their screen (before you do).

BubbleTrubble will be submitted to peer-review in September.

Stay tuned.

@darkomengames

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we have another patch planned for Nebulon later this month (August).

The most important new feature will be Global Scoreboards.  This has been requested several times, so we’ve decided to add it to the game.

Once this happens, instead of just getting a single high-score in the credits, the game will feature a seperate screen, with both local, and global hi-scores.

While you are playing, the game will compare scores with anyone else who happens to have the game running – and merge the high-score tables together.

The new version will also feature a “proper” menu system on the title screen, which should make the game feel a bit more polished.

There may also be a few suprises…

Stay Tuned!

DaphydTheBard

This new version now supports dual-stick play for those who prefer a more Geometry-Wars-esque experience.

Buy and Download the game from XBOX LIVE Marketplace.

If you have a Premium Membership, or if you reviewed the game for us last time round, please help us to get the patch out to our customers (existing and potential!) by reviewing the game here:

http://catalog.xna.com/en-GB/GameDetails.aspx?catalogEntryId=e08c5f76-fe9e-45b1-a8aa-008508400ca9&type=1

Thanks in advance, and we hope you enjoy the improvements we have made to the game.

Looks like I’ll have to submit it for peer review tomorrow now, which means it’s going to be at LEAST another week before the update hits the marketplace.

From GameSpot UK:

Nebulon is an old school shooter, much like geometry wars, galaga, etc. The only difference is, is that Nebulon is a community game and it is home made. But don’t let that fool you. In no way is Nebulon any less good than those other titles. Infact, it’s just as good. It’s addictive, pretty and it sounds good too. And best of all, it costs only 200 MS points, or about $2.50.

- It’s priced low and you get more than you pay for

- The graphics and music are great

- The gameplay is simple and pretty addictive

- It challenges you without frustrating you

Overall, Nebulon is a fantastic shooter and the price is definitely worth it. If they threw in some multiplayer options and customization options, they could have easily gotten away with charging us 800 MS points for it. If you have 200 MS points sitting in your account, pick up Nebulon. You won’t regret it.

Article is here:

http://uk.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/nebulon/player_review.html?id=671817

It would appear that the vast majority of people don’t like the “one-and-a-half-stick” control scheme.  Additionally, there have been comments about the grid being too dark to see, it not being clear that weapons have an energy meter, among other complaints.

Therefore, I am going to release an update for Nebulon (tonight) with the following changes:

• Optional Control Scheme – dual-stick
• Grid brightness increased
• More on-screen/audio feedback
• More help-screens detaling the mechanics of play
• Performance issues addressed

Naturally, the update will need to go through the peer review process again, but rest assured – We want to provide fun, addictive games that the XBox community want to play – and with that in mind, I have listened to the critisims / issues that have been raised and have done my best to address them.

DaphydTheBard

-Nemo