malamute
NEWSLETTER - DECEMBER 2024
dev updates
Here's hoping you all had a safe and happy holiday. Since the last newsletters, Patchy Matchy: Puzzle Surfing released to customers through ModRetro and through GameStop. Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy, and for the team at ModRetro for their hard work to help make that happen. It makes my day to see people playing and enjoying the game. To avoid a direct market conflict, Fydo's Magic Tiles physical carts have been discontinued (for now), but you can still play and buy the ROM on itch.
I'm still plugging away slowly at Tomb of Gara. Lately my work has been about implementing player controls and animations, and laying the foundations for the rest of the game while trying to keep the code lean and performant. Unfortunately, that means I don't have a lot to show off right now, but I'm setting myself up for success later on. Part of my goals for this year is to stream more consistently on Twitch, and make faster progress on my games. I'm honestly a little antsy to hurry up and get the idea done so I can 'graduate' from Game Boy games to something a little less restrictive, so that I can keep expanding my skills and making new, fun things.
from the scene
GB Studio NES Hack!
GBDK, the toolset I use to make my games, has been slowly expanded over the last couple years to create NES games and 6502. GB Studio, a popular drag-and-drop WYSIWYG game making app, uses GBDK as well, and so now it looks like you can use GB Studio to create NES games! The project is called BB Studio by Michel Iwaniec. For those of us who use GBDK or GB Studio, the NES is becoming a more attractive target platform. Not as ubiquitous as the Game Boy these days, but definetly a great way to grow your audience!
GB Studio has come to the NES! You can build games for the NES, using the world-class toolset found in GB Studio! #gbstudio #gameboy #nesdev github.com/michel-iwani...
— Matt Hughson (@mhughson.bsky.social) December 2, 2024 at 3:25 PM
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follow natalie the nerd
There is no one better to keep up on than Natalie for an instant dose of Game Boy inspiration for Game Boy hardware and mods. If this is your jam and you don't follow her, you certainly should!
https://bsky.app/profile/nataliethenerd.com
https://www.instagram.com/natalie.thenerd
https://nataliethenerd.carrd.co/
https://nataliethenerd.com/
Soldering up a bucket amp for the Game Boy colour (technically one handed)
— Natalie (@nataliethenerd.com) January 11, 2025 at 6:51 AM
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tad boy color... camera!
Earlier I mentioned the new GBC format mod, the Tad Boy Color. Now, there is a new form fitting Game Boy Camera specifically designed for it! I am always fascinated by the creativity of hardware modders. See the full details here in this blog post.
I still can't get over how good the Tad Boy Camera from @gameboycamera.com is
— LeggoMyFroggo (@froggocustoms.com) December 6, 2024 at 10:40 PM
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GEARS fundraiser, win a custom modded game boy pocket ($600/$1000)!
I'm currently doing a fundraiser through my twitch channel for Greater Edmonton Animal Rescue Society, with the goal of raising $1000. I've got some prizes to give away to sweeten the pot: 2 custom modded Game Boy Pockets, and two copies of Fydo's Magic Tiles.
GEARS is a local animal welfare charity that finds homes for animals in need, and they adopted my best friend Sam to me in 2023. I'm just supporting them in their mission so they can continue to find more homes like this for dogs like him.
To be eligible for the giveaway, just follow my twitch account (so I can send you a whisper in case you win), and donate at least $5 through the 'donate to charity' button on my twitch page. You must be over the age of majority in your country, you must ok with giving me a deliverable address to ship you your gift, and from a region where giveaways like this are legally permitted.
Special thanks to BMoArtist for their generous donations.
animation zone
Sometimes, I go trolling for anime on youtube. I like the idea of coming across hidden gems and discovering things which may be 30-40 years old but still have appeal and hold my attention, and charm me in some way or another. Here is a short list of some of the anime which has caught my attention. I'm recommending these for their aesthetic and entertainment value. I totally acknowledge the problematic things in 80s and 90s anime which do not need to be there and we'd now think of as offensive in a lot of contexts. At the same time, there are elements of the craft, narrative, and vibe you can enjoy if you decide not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Like crushing an entire pizza on a friday night, sometimes its alright to enjoy a little trash.
So for the next few newsletters, I'll show off one of them here. I gave each of these an audience ratings, but keep in mind these are entirely subjective.
SHERLOCK HOUND (e dub playlist) - EVERYONE
I have a soft spot for Sherlock Hound in the same way that I have one for Star Trek: the Next Generation. Pastel colors, soothing soundscapes, quiet character moments, and an aesthetic filled with such gentility and craft, that if you're not admiring it, it'll lull you to sleep in the best and most comforting way. I often put on the series to either have something on in the background while I'm working or intentionally slip into a nap. The series was directed in part by a young Hayao Miyazaki. The animation quality is simple but consistently good and often impressive. And the appreciation for this show still runs pretty deep.
I can post the animated version now. I love Sherlock Hound so much ❤️
December 17, 2024 at 7:34 AM
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cool stuffs
bookmarked in november
S L A T E
— Jack (@jackvmakes.com) December 6, 2024 at 7:04 PM
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Frost Blight Zone is where I live at this time of year. Sound on! 🔊 I also ain't hiding the fact that retro Sonic is one of my biggest inspirations, lets embrace it with some fun stage titles! #screenshotsaturday #gamedev #gamemaker #pixelart
— Case Portman - Wishlist Lost in Fuzz (@caseportman.dev) December 7, 2024 at 5:50 AM
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Virtuacall 2 // Fairytale // PC-98
— PC-98 Bot (@pc98bot.gang-fight.com) December 10, 2024 at 9:00 PM
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#pixelart #artpost
— hby's stuff (@hby.bsky.social) December 6, 2024 at 12:14 PM
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games by friends
ON ITCH!
WISHLIST! Wishlisting costs nothing and helps developers by boosting their lauch visibility, so check out these titles!
EARLY ACCESS! Purchasing the game early helps developers as they finish the game.
If you'd like your game or project featured here, get in touch!
anything to contribute?
Thanks for reading! Reach out or tag me on social media to @ohnotomsutton or reply to your newsletter email to let me know what you think or to suggest content. I'd love to get more game dev, art, and animation stuff!
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