Santa's Game Shop

"Life as a one-man videogame shop isn't a world of hot cocoa, candy canes and gingerbread men; it's one of hard work and a touch of futility. And maybe a bit of insanity. Nevertheless, I set out to release a game during the biggest retail season of the year."

Guy Stevens tells a tale of the development cycle before Christmas.

Permalink

My problem is the project is a clone of another game, which is what everyone I know wants to do. I'd love to do a game with some other folks who can code a lot better than me, but no one likes the idea of a game that's not a clone.

So... this is the much-hyped indie casual game business: flash breakout clone with do-it-yourself christmas theme graphics. I'll play the triple-A titles, thank you.

Heck, I'd rather like to give this game a spin. Sure, okay, "break out clone with do-it-yourself Christmas theme", whatever. Hearing about how it was put together? It makes me actually want to see it in action. It's got some heart to it! Some soul!

Hell, if it's any good, I'd love to have it to give to my dad and stepmom. We'd plonk it on the family computer, and spend all of Christmas competing against each other for high scores. Now that's some holiday magic.