Grelox, PC Engine and other plans for 2018

Here's the latest on my various projects, it's been a long time since the last update but hopefully I'll get into the habit of more regular updates.

Inferno is done and out, physical copies are due in the Aetherbyte store very soon. Some have already been dispatched to Beep.

Grelox is a continuing saga of changes, cancellations and delays ever since it started out as something called Apothecary for the PC Engine. But I'm back working on it now for Windows. Programming is an annoying distraction for me because I enjoy the graphics, game and level design much more. However, the main gameplay elements are all in place so the bulk of the heavy lifting is sorted. Tasks now involve coming up with all the enemies & hazards, mapping everything and converting a lot of the MSX style art into the new Master System style that I'm using. Here's one of the recoloured baddies.

I'm also in the early stages of another PC Engine related book. Not a second volume of Pixellence or PC Engine Gamer, but something more personal and unique. Details currently secret but I'll plod on with this as time allows. Ideally I'd like to have it released before the end of the year but it all depends on how things go.

We're between projects now at Aetherbyte. Of course we have plans (too many), but I cant reveal them. But to throw you a bone, here's a drawing of something.

Finally, I've got a new freshly styled issue of ZX Spectrum Gamer 90% complete and ready to go. This will be a special issue, containing an exclusive brand new game called Aeon. The game is split over several tapes and tells a story with the aid of illustrated cut scenes (well, lots of loading screens tied together but you get the idea). It was quite an ambitious project for me (being 4 games and lots of pictures) but I think it worked out well considering my rudimentary knowledge of AGD. I'm just waiting for the 128k music and it's good to go.

The State of Things 2016

2015 was a very quiet year in terms of my game dev projects, but 2016 looks to be busy time, so I thought it would be handy to lay out where everything stands.

Inferno (MSX)
Inferno is getting closer to completion. I've arted up all the sprites and am just mapping the final level. We then need to sort out an end boss of sorts and the whole thing will be good to go. This is our priority at the moment before we leap into any future projects.

Apothecary (PC Engine)
Cancelled. For ever.

Grelox (Windows)
Apothecary has been consumed by Grelox and they are now going to co-exist like some glorious retro-filled Brundlefly. Grelox is going to be ace and is next in line after Inferno is finished, with one exception.

Saber Rider and the Star Sherrifs (PC Engine)
Once we have all the relevant details sorted out with Saber Bossman, this is going to be developed either alongside or as priority over Grelox next. We're still waiting for clarification on certain things I think but it's going to be an interesting project to work on. Even with the graphics drawn for the other 'primary' versions, the whole lot will have to be redrawn from scratch to fit the tile sizes and limitations of the PCE, so chances are this will feel like its own unique game. And of course it will be the best version...