★Games Freezer Comments - "Flappy Bird"★ #GamersUnite #RetroGaming @dongatory #FlappyBird

Here at Games Freezer we don't normally get involved with the latest casual time-killer fad type game, but we couldn't help but pay attention to the ultra trending, ultra newsworthy (for some reason) "best worst" game that we have ever encountered that goes by the name of "Flappy Bird"

Think of Badlands gameplay crossed with Mario Bros styling and you are not far off what it looks / plays like.
 
We downloaded the game in the name of scientific research and we were confronted with a game that doesn't work in the traditional game-play sense of the way we envisage our games to work.
 
This game is a prime example ,in our opinion, of something that has been downloaded and played because of social media rather than favourable reviews.

We could say it's fun to play but it isn't really, it's a pain in the Ice Box!
 
What amuses us with this game though is the way it has entered the global psyche and that such a poor game could get people so involved that they cause an online outcry when it was recently announced by its gamedev, Dong Nguyen, the game is being "pulled" from the App Store and Google Play!

The saving grace of the game is its retro style, which made us look at the game in the first place and with that in mind that's really why we thought it was worth a comment.

Obviously there was also the reputed figure that it was making per day from ad revenue of $50,000 dollars that made us think WHY? HOW?

But hey fair play to this guy he's put an app out there that's caught people's imagination and piqued their interest to a point whereby it is seen as COOL to play this frustratingly difficult and annoying game!

It seems to us though that this Game Dev is a clever cookie as the story of the game being pulled has probably earned him more publicity than he could of ever imagined and now you can bet that his next game (no matter how poor it may turn out to be) will be an instant success.

Not sure how that makes other Game Dev's feel who pour their heart and soul into games only to see them do moderately well and yet a casual game such as this can turn into a money making machine.

But hey, we guess it depends how you measure success? $ or Reviews.....

To us it feels like a "Gangnam Style" one hit wonder of the Video Games world.....

A sort of social phenomenon for all the wrong reasons, but hey what do we know?

The Flappy Bird Timeline

• Released In MAY 2013 >>>

• Went "viral" JANUARY 2014 >>>

• Pulled From App Store & Google Play FEBRUARY 2014 >>>

You Can Also Check Out Dong Nguyen's Other Games At GEARS STUDIOS

 

Let us know what you think of "Flappy Bird" And All The Madness That Surrounds This Story!!

 

☆Pang Man Part 5 - "Why I Love RPGs"☆ @ian_livingstone #RetroGaming #GamersUnite

 

Pang Man Enters The Freezer Again To Talk About All The Brilliant Influences That A Lot Of Us grew Up With Which Means That We All Love The Role Playing Game Genre

Hopefully When We Mention Fighting Fantasy You Will Know Where The Pang Man Is Going With This One......

Let's Hear What The Main Man Has Got To Say On All this........

"I am a huge fan of RPGs. 

From the early days of Phantasy Star on the Sega Master System to the Final Fantasy series on the PS1, PS2 PS3 and XBOX 360, there have been many great games in the genre. 

When I think of RPGs –I think of epic quests, immersive storytelling, awesome battles (magic and weapon based) as well as open worlds to interact with and explore. 

The best RPGs have also produced some of the most memorable characters in gaming history. Characters who grew with the story and who we grew to love.

   

So with that in mind, I thought I would have a look back to reminisce about not only the games themselves but what influenced my love for of the genre.

So let’s start with what influenced my love for of the genre. What first piqued my interest as a kid was a cartoon made in the 80’s called Dungeons and Dragons:

Dungeons and Dragons

It was about 6 school friends (Eric the cowardly Cavalier, Presto the Magician, Hank the Ranger, Shelia the Thief, Diana the Acrobat and Bobby the Barbarian) who were transported via a magical fairground ride into a fantasy world of dragons and magic. 

The show followed their attempts to return home (not sure if they ever made it back in the end?) and avoid losing the magical weapons (Shield, Magicians hat, Bow, Invisible cloak, Staff and Club) that were given to them by the cryptic Dungeon Master.

The show incorporated many of the elements we see in games today such as magical weapons, a memorable villain (Venger), dragons (Tiamet) and teamwork in battle to overcome adversity

Another huge influence was the Fighting Fantasy books written by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone (@ian_livingstone)

Fighting Fantasy

These were interactive novels such as Deathtrap dungeon and The Warlock of Firetop Mountain in which you were the hero or heroine of the story and could make choices which would influence the outcome of the adventure. 

For example you might come across a sleeping dragon sitting upon a mountain of treasure and be asked to decide to:

Attempt to steal its treasure?                                         Turn to 263

Attempt to slay the dragon whilst it is asleep?            Turn to 28

Wake the dragon up?                                                      Turn to 401

Sneak quietly towards the exit on the other side?      Turn to 112

Depending on your choice, you would then go to the appropriate page reference and see what fate had in store for you. 

I found these books fascinating as this multi choice format meant the story could go down multiple branching paths, some of which had alternative endings (including death).

As a teenager I bought virtually every instalment in the series and eagerly looked forward to each new release.

RPG games today incorporate many of the same ideas today, for example epic quests, branching storylines, alternative paths to achieve goals, puzzles as well as turn based combat.

Another TV show with RPG/fantasy elements was called Knightmare

Knightmare

This was a children’s programme shown on ITV in the late 80’s. Knightmare involved a team of friends trying to successfully navigate traps and enemies and puzzles in a virtual reality blue screen dungeon. 

One of the 4 team members would don a helmet (which impeded their vision) whilst the 3 others would have to then guide that player through vocal instructions. 

Spells could be cast by spelling (for example “Spellcasting Fire, F-I-R-E!”) and directions could be given by instruction (“turn left, walk forward, stop” etc).

The show was hilarious as poor instructions, directions and decisions would often lead to death.

Today, dungeons, treasure hunting and puzzle elements are often seen in games such as The Legend of Zelda and The Elder Scrolls games.

 

Japanese Anime also contributed to my interest in fantasy and RPGs.

Anime

In the early 90’s it was extremely difficult to get anime in the UK. 

Fortunately a company called Manga Entertainment began to release videos (usually dubbed in English) of some of the titles around at the time.  

One example was an anime called RG Veda. 

Although not critically acclaimed, I loved the storyline and incorporation of magic, prophecy and cool character designs.

Later other companies would follow suit in bring anime to the western world and soon we were able to get hold of great sword and sorcery titles such as Claymore and Record of Lodoss War.

Today there is a huge overlap between anime and the gaming world. 

The Dragons Quest games are illustrated by Akira Toriyama who is the creator of Dragonball Z, whilst many games are based on an anime/manga themselves.(E.g. Naruto, Death Note etc)

    

So those were the key influences which steered me towards an interest in fantasy and in turn a love for RPGs.  

In a future instalment I hope to cover the RPG games that I loved the most growing up. Thanks for listening!

Pang Man "

To Be Continued......

What Are Your RPG Influences That Led You To Love The Role Playing Game (RPG) Genre?