Another year, another restart :(
Well, not a complete restart at least.
What I have decided to do, is attempt to focus on and complete one game before moving on to another. I’ve been fighting the “squirrel” battle for a long time, but I’m hoping to overcome it this year (just in time for the world to end, I know).
I’m digging up an old game that I’d started a number of times but put on the back burner since it’s a fairly big game, at least from the number of features I’m planning. I’m planning on releasing it on XBLIG (why I still haven’t figure out given it’s a virtual graveyard that’s to the mismanagement and/or uncaring of MS 
) and then probably IndieCity or possibly Steam if I’m lucky. WP7 is a dream, but I’m not sure how well it would do on that platform. If I can get enough done for the next DreamBuildPlay, so much the better.
The short list of significant features I’m planning on:
- In-game level editor
- Level sharing
- “Global” leaderboards
- In-game (and possibly out-of-game for the PC version) “store” for players to upgrade their “character”
- 6 player multiplayer
- Single player with AI
I’m hoping this game will be my ticket to indie game developer freedom so I can ditch the boring (although fairly well-paying) day job. I’m not holding my breath though. If I can make a decent chunk of money I’ll be happy.
I probably won’t share any more details about the actual game until it’s ready for playtest. I will be posting status updates here though for the 1 person that actually might follow this blog. 
On a personal note, I did receive my MVP award again my contributions to the tech for last year. That’s 6 years in a row for anyone counting. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to maintain it with XNA slowly dying however. I guess I’ll just keep chugging away and see what happens.
At least you blogged more in 2011 than 2010. Still wish you’d revisit a new version of your RPG book. Maybe include some newer ‘Squirrel’ or open source ‘Squirrel’ technologies?
I’d love to redo my RPG book or do the MMORPG book I was supposed to help co-author, but that’s up to the publisher.
Since you wont give any more details on your project until you release to playtest, i can assume that we wont get any screenshots until then
I think I mentioned it before to you over twitter but I hope you release something to the market so that you can start building that nest egg!
I’m hoping playtest readiness is very soon. Maybe I’ll drop a screenshot right before. If I can get out of “squirrel” mode I’ll get a couple of games out this year.
have Jim, I’m trying every avenue to get a hold of you. I’m doing a LAN this Friday evening, email me @ drosowsk@gmail.com thanks!