Minter on Minter (and Space Giraffe, Sheepies, and Gridrunner+++)

Eurogamer popped off an interview with Jeff Minter, the wild yak of a man behind such games as Llamatron, Ancipital, and, more recently, Space Giraffe. The piece talks a bit about the specifics of the PC version of Space Giraffe, which is now available from the company's official site, complete with a free demo version.

We sent it off to [Microsoft] months ago, but they've just not said anything - we're just waiting for them. Basically I'm going to carry on with the PC version of it if I don't hear from them soon, because they're just sitting on the demo we sent them three or four months ago. We haven't heard a thing.

It's colourful and that's what matters.

If there is some sort of backlog of content, it seems completely within the interests of Microsoft to organize the releases better, promote titles in the weeks before they come out (game play videos on the console, getting copies of the game into reviewer's hands). While a lot the content available for download on the consoles services seems to be missing the mark, the good content, the downloadable games, are really only generating interest and hype among "hardcore" gamers. Much of the blame for that falls upon Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo as publishers.

Minter should nestle into Steam with his games and toss XBLA to the curb. People will appreciate them on PC.

"Minter should nestle into Steam with his games and toss XBLA to the curb. People will appreciate them on PC."

I totally agree. One of the most exciting periods of the year was that month of pre-planned releases on x-box live. But getting info on release dates and what is available is too difficult generally - even browsing about on the consoles it is not easy to follow.

Jeff Minter FTW.

Jeff's blog is well worth reading - he's a very interesting guy.  He's a wee bit pre-occupied with sheep for my liking, but the snippets of tech he slips in, are fascinating.

That's lava...

Wait...

I love Jeff Minter's work, there are precious few people like him out there making interesting arcade style games. Space Giraffe is great fun, it's a nice slice of classic gaming with a complete head trip of a visual style. 100 Levels for the 400 points it costs you? bargain! (though thoroughly stuck on level 64...there's SOMETHING in there, I'm just finding it very hard to wrap my head around that one)

Can't wait to see Gridrunner+++, as Gridrunner++ is awesome as heck.

Even if you're not a fan, you have to respect anyone who can make a level based on J Allard's face, and he has to have the only game available on a mainstream console with the word yiff in it...so that's something.

I will always have a soft spot in my otherwise cold mechanical heart for this guy.

The amount of time I spent playing Llamatron 2112 and Revenge of the Mutant Camels on my Amiga was dwarfed only by Nethack.  These are games that you just don't get to play anymore, as everyone just wants to make a game which you play for the "experience", not for arcadey goodness.

Gridrunner++ is an awesome game which you can download from the Llamasoft web site still, as well as some other ports of games to the PC.  I highly suggest checking them out if you like older games.

Here's hoping the next game will not feature sheep or camelids of any frigging kind.  Maybe as a bonus icon, but that's it.

Jeff: Tell the other Jeff to get Space Giraffe on Steam and I'll buy it today.

hmmm

Still on level 95 of Space Giraffe. Maybe I will pick it up again sometime and complete all of it. The types of enemies that far into the game make it really really hard.

I want a llamatron sequel!!!!!!!