Red Fly CEO Responds To Ghostbusters Credit

Earlier today Sir-G posted posted an article about one concept artist’s struggle for credit for the role that he played in the Wii release of “Ghostbusters.” However, later in the day, Kombo.com posted a comment from Red Fly Studio’s CEO Dan Borth stating his side of the story. In all fairness to both parties, we have included Mr. Borth’s comments below. [Continue Reading]

Dev Box Interview: Mushroom Men’s Programmer Jeff Lake

It usually takes a small army to create the video games that we play, and, most of the time, all of the focus gets put on the game itself, and not on the people that came together to make it. Our Dev Box interview feature takes a look at some of the unsung heroes that have committed their lives to entertaining all of us. This week we are giving Red Fly Studio’s Jeff Lake a chance to answer some of our burning questions.

Name: Jeff Lake
Title: Programmer
What you do: Physics, Gameplay, Combat programming
Most recent game worked on: “Mushroom Men”

1. What game has most influenced you, and why?
The game I’m most influenced by is “Super Metroid.” It was the first game that I played which had that level of open-ended gameplay with such atmospheric art and music. It combined the best of action, puzzle, and adventure games in one experience that still stands up to the best games of today.

2. What are you playing right now?
“Fallout 3″! This game is amazing. The sheer breadth of content that Bethesda is able to bring to bear is inspiring. [Continue Reading]

Mushroom Men Developer Walk Through Video Part 4 – Pax Heads Home

In this, the last of our exclusive “Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars” developer walkthroughs, we get a preview of one of the game’s later levels – Pax’s home… or at least what’s left of it. You’ll get a look at one of the most creative and beautiful, levels to come in quite some time for a 3D platformer, as the mysterious enemy Pester turns Pax’s world upside down, literally.

For more level walkthroughs you can check out some of these videos we’ve posted over the last two weeks:
Part 1: The Beginning
Part 2: Pax’s Journey
Part 3: Pax Goes To The Bathroom

And, check out our interview with Red Fly Studio’s Interactions Lead James Clarendon as he gives us some insight to the development of “Mushroom Men.”

Mushroom Men Interview: Inside The Developer’s Head

Today we are taking a break from “Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars” gameplay, to ask Red Fly Studio’s James Clarendon some questions about the game. Get a look inside one of the minds behind “MM” as we talk about everything from classic video games to Les Claypool.

For more on “Mushroom Men,” check out more videos from our gameplay walk through series:
Part 1: The Beginning
Part 2: Pax’s Journey
Part 3: Pax Goes To The Bathroom

Check back later this week for a look at one of the craziest levels that “Mushroom Men” has to offer.

Mushroom Men Developer Walk Through Video Part 3 – Pax Goes To The Bathroom

Is there really a better way to start the week than with another preview of “Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars” with Red Fly Studio’s Interactions Lead James Clarendon? I think not. In today’s preview you’re going to get a look at Pax’s trip to the bathroom, some drop-in multiplayer (it’s better than “Mario Galaxy”), and some 2D platforming action – oh, and the return of that pesky possum.

If you like that video, be sure to check out the two previews we posted last week of the game’s opening, and one of the early levels where Pax learns to use his abilities. Also, check back later this week for even more exclusive “Mushroom Men” previews.

Mushroom Men Developer Walk Through Part 2 – Pax’s Journey

As promised, here is part two of our “Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars” developer walk through. Today Red Fly Studio’s James Clarendon gives us a look at one of the later levels, a mid-level boss fight with a possum, and some of Pax’s special abilities – including the spore kinesis, punisher, and regrowth. He also shows off the really interesting metronome feature that creates a more immersive environment for the players.

Yesterday we gave you a look at the beginning of the game, and if you check back later this week we’ll have even more preview videos with Red Fly’s Interactions Lead on “Mushroom Men.” You’ll get to see even more features, and levels for the upcoming game.

Mushroom Men Developer Walk Through Video – Part 1 – The Beginning

I recently had the privilege of sitting down with James Clarendon of Red Fly Studio for a one-on-one demo of the upcoming Gamecock release “Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars.” I was able to get a solid look at the submission build of the game, and get an idea of how everything in the game came together.

James walked me through of some of the best parts of the game, and the video above is just the beginning of what he showed me. Over the next few days TrueGameHeadz will be featuring a multi-part, inside look at “Mushroom Men” courtesy of the game’s Interactions Design Lead. Check out the video above, for a look at the early stages of the game – the opening and the tutorial. Check back later in the week for some never before seen levels later in the game.

20th Anniversary Nintendo Power Event And A Night Out With Gamecock!

Friday night was one hell of a night as yours truly got a chance to swing by Nintendo World’s 20th Anniversary event celebrating 20 years of Nintendo Power. The event itself was pretty tight as free drinks and chill people were abound. Any night with free drinks around is my kinda night! If you never had the privilege of going to Nintendo World, the store was converted from it’s usual layout to one that had a lot of open space for party goers to chill and log in some time on upcoming Wii games such as Mushroom Men(which is looking like a sleeper hit) and Rayman: Raving Rabbids 3. I also had the pleasure to meet some big names on the Nintendo side of gaming and that would be RMC (Raw Meat Cowboy) of GoNintendo fame, Triforce (Empire Arcadia and Tetris DS Guinness World record holder), Mike Wilson of the Gamecock crew and the Mushroom Men devs themselves, Red Fly Studio!

Gamers, press and industry folks hammed it up with free drinks and finger food. One of the popular attractions was a photo booth which was constantly packed with people waiting to snap a shot of themselves acting the fool. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to do so, but it was all good as I got to chat a bit with RMC along with Mom Brain. It was pretty tight talking with the creator of perhaps the biggest Nintendo fan site on the net. And really interesting to hear about his day to day maintaining (you really learn to appreciate a little thing called sleep) the site. Mom Brain was funny too as she had some jokes for my boy 2.0 as he was holding a drink in both hands (one for his lady) as we chatted it up, but that didn’t stop the jokes from coming his way. It was also funny to hear about some of RMC’s biggest fans. You all would be surprised as they are some of the biggest names in the Nintendo circle of gaming and news. Yeah, he’s pretty popular!

And then there’s the Gamecock crew. They were on hand to help promote their upcoming Wii title Mushroom Men: The Spore Wars from Red Fly Studio in which I have to say, has come along way from early video previews of the game. On the visual side, the game runs along at a pretty consistent 30 frames and the textures and character models are on point . The game supported widescreen which is always a welcome as it helped to make the levels look even bigger for your small mushroomed hero. Also what stood out pretty nice was the partial effects which had a alot of flare and vibrant colors which helped to give your attacks and telekinesis powers some punch! What was a bit disappointing was the fact that because of the party atmosphere, you couldn’t really hear the audio. But if you want to get a vibe of the direction it’s taking, I suggest you peep this little video diary on the music and audio behind the game. Shout out to Matt Piersall (who became a new fan of New York). He’s the kat behind the audio in the game which takes a unique approach to your typical game music. Most games like to claim how they use the environment to influence the audio’s direction. But in Matt’s case it isn’t just a claim. Literally the world of Mushroom Men is the music. Just take a look at the video I mentioned before and you’ll see!

After the Nintendo World event was said and done, I ran into Tracey John of MTV Multiplayer fame and so we rounded up both the Red Fly and Gamecock crew and headed on down to Manhattan’s Ace bar. We capped off the night with some good drinks , a few rounds of The Dark Knight pinball machine (yeah they have one apparently) and some good old Buck Hunter. LOL! These guys know how to have fun. In all it was good times to be had and the guys behind Gamecock and Red Fly sure know how to live up to their names and philosophy. I look at them as the Adult Swim of the gaming world which to me, is a breath of much needed fresh air . I could go on about that, but I’ll save it for another post (hopefully). To all you kats who chilled that night, It was a blast and I look forward to many more!