Best of Gaming — 2024

1
Video
YouTube·2y
Making a Game with Java with No Experience
An enthusiastic developer, inspired by childhood favorites like RuneScape and Minecraft, embarks on creating an RPG game using Java from scratch. The journey begins with revisiting Java basics using a mobile course and then downloading Eclipse. After a successful 'Hello World' program, the developer progresses to creating a game window, implementing entity classes, and developing a tile map system. They also work on NPCs, dialogue systems, artwork, and basic game mechanics, emphasizing the rewarding experience of building a game without a game engine. Useful resources like RN’s Java tutorial series and Brilliant are mentioned for those interested in learning more.
360
10
2
Article
GamesIndustry.biz·2y
'Singles, not albums': A guide to making smaller games | GI Sprint
Tony Gowland, managing director of UK studio Ant Workshop, shares his insights on the benefits and practices of creating smaller, more focused games instead of large projects. After investing significant time and money into a game that failed to reach a wide audience, the studio decided to adopt a more agile approach, releasing 'singles' instead of 'albums.' These smaller games, developed on tighter budgets and schedules, allow for more experimentation and quicker feedback from players. Gowland emphasizes simplicity in game design, flexibility in the development process, and the importance of early player feedback.
307
5
3
Article
Godot Developers·2y
Meet Aisa
An introduction to a character named Aisa, designed for an upcoming video game currently in development. The post highlights the process of drawing and conceptualizing characters for the game.
294
56
4
Article
Hacker News·2y
[Piracy]
The post highlights the disparity between the pricing of boxed and digital versions of games and software. It criticizes the lack of ownership in digital purchases, the phenomenon of abandonware, and excessive pricing models turning products into SaaS with microtransactions. The post notes the importance of digital archiving by individuals and the relative success of platforms like Spotify in reducing piracy.
274
15
5
Article
It's Foss·1y
I Don't See a Reason to Switch to Windows from Linux Anymore in 2025
With the rise of web-based tools and the diversity of Linux distributions, switching from Linux to Windows is becoming less necessary. Linux now supports a wide range of software, including proprietary ones, and offers unique advantages such as freedom from ads, better containerization tools, and solid gaming support through Steam. The flexibility and control Linux provides, combined with web access to essential services like Office 365, make it a compelling choice over Windows.
221
71
6
Article
Community Picks·2y
A Valve engineer used ChatGPT to find a new matchmaking algorithm for Deadlock, and now it's in the game
A Valve engineer, Fletcher Dunn, successfully used ChatGPT to identify a new matchmaking algorithm for the game Deadlock. He highlights how generative AI tools like ChatGPT can act as powerful search engines, simplifying the search process even with vague descriptions. Dunn believes that although AI technology might face challenges, it currently offers significant time efficiency and innovative solutions in game development.
182
11
7
Article
Hacker News·2y
Anime Is Eating The World
Anime has evolved from a niche genre to a multi-billion dollar industry, influencing pop culture, fashion, and technology. With new technologies and business models, anime's reach is expanding through interactive fan engagement, AI companions, and user-generated content. The industry includes popular games, diverse audience types, VTubing, and AI-driven content creation tools, all of which are reshaping how fans consume and interact with anime. Platforms like Roblox and startups are also pushing boundaries, making anime a significant force in content creation and entertainment.
144
15
8
Video
YouTube·2y
6 Years of Learning Game Development
Over six years, the author transitioned from a novice game developer to a seasoned professional, utilizing Unity and Unreal Engine. They shared experiences from early arcade games and 2D projects to complex 3D games and indie releases. The post touches on team dynamics, solo projects, feature creep, and the challenges of VR game development. The author also highlights their career as an instructor and their pivot to creating game development tutorials.
144
9
9
Article
Hacker News·1y
A summer intern once saved Valve from a near-fatal lawsuit after a publisher 'decided to go World War 3' on it, and it all hinged on one email
Valve narrowly avoided bankruptcy due to a legal battle with Vivendi, who had acquired Half-Life's original publisher, Sierra. During the dispute, Vivendi overwhelmed Valve with documents in Korean, which a summer intern managed to sift through, finding a crucial email that shifted the case in Valve's favor. This victory was pivotal for Valve, allowing it to retain ownership of its IPs and significantly influencing the development of PC gaming as we know it today.
124
8
10
Article
Hacker News·2y
kitao/pyxel: A retro game engine for Python
Pyxel is a Python-based retro game engine inspired by PICO-8 and TIC-80. It supports a 16-color palette, simple sound channels, and includes image and sound editors. Pyxel runs on multiple platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, and Web. It's open source and ideal for creating pixel art games. Installation is straightforward with pip, Homebrew, or manual setup, and examples are provided to help get started.
115
8
11
Video
Fireship·2y
Intel chips can’t possibly be this bad… 100% crash rate?
Intel's 13th and 14th generation CPUs, also known as Raptor Lake, are experiencing high failure rates, causing frequent crashes in gaming and other high-demand applications. Initial blame was placed on Nvidia drivers, but later investigations pointed to issues within Intel's microcode algorithm. Many users and developers are calling for a recall of these CPUs due to their instability. Intel has acknowledged the problem but has yet to offer a definitive solution.
112
12
12
Article
Hacker News·2y
solcloud/Counter-Strike: Multiplayer FPS game
Competitive multiplayer FPS game where players are divided into two teams: Attackers and Defenders. Defenders aim to protect their fan base sanctuary from attackers wielding a graffiti bomb. Win conditions vary depending on successful elimination of opponents or bomb defusal. The game minimizes violence with no visual blood or animal harm. Includes instructions for downloading or building the game and setting up a private server. Contributions to the project are welcome.
112
12
13
Article
GamesIndustry.biz·2y
Why are Japanese developers not undergoing mass layoffs?
Japanese developers have largely been spared from the mass layoffs affecting the global gaming industry due to strong employee protections and cultural factors. Major Japanese companies like FromSoftware, Konami, Capcom, and Nintendo are increasing wages and retaining staff, contributing to a stable and growing employment landscape. Factors include Japan's robust mobile gaming market, language barriers preventing outsourcing, and a shrinking workforce driving wage competition. These practices contrast sharply with the frequent layoffs seen in Western companies driven by short-term profitability goals.
106
9
14
Article
Watercooler·2y
Modern porblems require a modern solution.
The post discusses modern problems and their solutions, and asks for recommendations of favorite indie games.
101
5
15
Article
Community Picks·2y
shadps4-emu/shadPS4: PS4 emulator for Windows,Linux,MacOS
shadPS4 is an early PlayStation 4 emulator for Windows, Linux, and macOS, written in C++. Although it's still in the early stages with limited game compatibility, small games like Sonic Mania and Undertale are already working. Interested developers can check the build instructions for various platforms and contribute to the project via GitHub.
91
1
16
Article
Unreal Engine·2y
Introducing 'Epic Games Game Design Professional Certificate' on Coursera
Many indie and mobile game developers are transitioning to Unreal Engine due to its advanced stylized graphics and versatile development capabilities. Seven games that made this switch have experienced significant benefits as a result.
86
3
17
Video
Community Picks·2y
6 Game Design Mistakes You MUST Avoid
The post discusses crucial game design principles learned from the development of 'Twisted Tower,' focusing on avoiding key mistakes. Highlights include showing the problem before the solution, simplifying level design, offering mechanical choices to players, ensuring players learn useful skills, clear communication of game mechanics, and incorporating surprises and fun elements to keep players engaged.
81
5
18
Article
The Verge·2y
The man who put Doom in a Lego brick is now playing it on a volumetric voxel display
James Brown, a graphics engineer at Weta Workshop, has advanced his hobby of creating innovative displays by building a crystal ball with spinning volumetric light to play *Voxel Doom*. The display operates like a hologram fan but on a 2D panel that spins to create 3D images. He shares his progress and other projects, like volumetric lunar landers and dino heads, on YouTube and Mastodon.
80
2
19
Video
Fireship·2y
Silly Linux mistake exposes a terabyte of secret Pokémon data
Game Freak, the developer behind Pokémon, experienced a significant data breach exposing a terabyte of information. The leaked data includes employee details, Pokémon game source code, and information about the Nintendo Switch 2. The breach occurred due to a misconfigured GitLab server. The hacker, seemingly a fan, chose to withhold some spoilers. The leak also highlights Nintendo's aggressive actions against open-source Switch emulators. New details about unannounced games and project specs were revealed, making this an intriguing discovery for Pokémon fans.
77
8
20
Video
Two Minute Papers·2y
NVIDIA’s New AI: Game Changer!
67
3
21
Article
Hacker News·2y
Building a game with the Real Engine
The author chose to create a game using handcrafted dioramas instead of traditional 3D modeling tools like Blender, due to difficulties working with artists and personal preferences. They describe the detailed process, including prototyping, camera setup, and the challenges faced in building and photographing dioramas. The game, set in a mountainous abbey, promises a unique art style and innovative approaches to common game development problems. Expected release is in 2025 or 2026.
57
2
22
Video
YouTube·2y
1 Year of Developing My Game in Godot
The author has spent over a year developing a game in Godot, transforming a simple prototype into a more complex, fully-featured game with over 1,200 commits and 25,000 lines of code. The development process can be divided into three phases: getting something playable, finding the fun, and production and polish. The game, named Bloodthief, incorporates elements from Quake, Hotline Miami, and Titanfall, with a focus on fast-paced movement and challenging mechanics. Throughout the journey, the author faced various challenges, including refining animation, improving code quality, and optimizing performance. The flexibility and features of Godot were praised, despite occasional bugs. The post also discusses the use of tools like FMOD, Trench Broom, and Jolt Physics, and emphasizes the importance of quick iteration and continuous playtesting.
56
5
23
Article
Hacker News·2y
defrag the game
Defrag the game offers varying difficulty levels based on the size of the drive chosen for defragmentation. Players can select from Easy (1KB), Normal (128KB), or Hard (1MB) to test their skills.
53
14
24
Article
The Verge·2y
Indie studio opens up to share canceled Magic School project
Dinosaur Polo Club, creators of *Mini Metro* and *Mini Motorways*, revealed their canceled project *Magic School* due to the need for a larger team. Despite the cancellation, no employees were laid off and their skills will be redirected to new projects within the *Mini* series. The studio's transparency offers a refreshing change in an industry often secretive about such cancellations.
52
1
25
Article
80 LEVEL·2y
Look at These Beautifully Crafted Scenes for an Upcoming Indie Game
Get a look at the visually captivating indie game We Kill Monsters and witness the stunning 3D environments created using Unreal Engine.
52
7

See all Gaming archives