Flying Squirrel Games

Avatar Battle Bees competition!

2011-06-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

To celebrate the recent release of Avatar Battle Bees, we're giving away a code to download the game for free!

In order to win, you must download the trial version of the game - click HERE if you haven't already.

1) When you enter the game, you must hunt each and every screen for a reference to our old game Banana Split.

2) When you find them all, just tell us (via twitter @torturasfsg)how many you found and the winner will be selected from those with the correct answer.

There is more than 1 reference in the game - so search each and every screen!

The winner will be chosen tomorrow, so happy hunting!

ABB Update [17th April]

2011-04-17T01:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone its time for another update! So I guess you're wondering what we have been up to over the past 12 days. The answer to that question is lots! Milestone 4 have been met meaning that the date we intend to release ABB is on track (so far!). So whats new then?

Code:

Kieran has been working his socks off since the last update. Different game modes have had their frameworks laid out, these will include:

Deathmatch - for all your bog standard killing needs.

Wave Defense - Think zombie survival mode, without the zombies and with bees!

Capture The Hive (CTH) - Capture the flag bee style....

AI has been finished. If you cannot find a player online the AI will always be willing to challenge you in wave defense mode.

Particles have been added, and unlike the bullets from the weapons these are secondary effects that go in the environments and are used to show things that can't really be modelled in 3D effectively. Things like EXPLOSIONS. In addition to the explosions, so far there are water spray effects from a waterfall and flames/smoke from a camp-fire. May not initially sound like gripping stuff to you but to us its a massive leap forward!

Art:

Like the code side of the game, art has moved forward with the addition of the super secret level that Brett was cooking up (it was only super secret as I wasn't on the approved list of people who got to know!) Its a deathmatch map based around a tree top village.

As you can see this map has all those pretty particle effects that Kieran slaved over in, you'll agree they are magnificent! Also no update would be complete without a new game play clip...

Brett has also textured all the weapons now:

The white areas are where the custom colours for you Bees go. As its very important that when you're on a rampaging killing spree your showing off your custom colours!

As for the Garden level I mentioned last time its still in the pipeline. Due to work I have not been able to put as much time into ABB as the rest of the team. However due to well placed holiday days I'll have 11 days off around the Easter period so fingers crossed I'll man up and have it done by then!

ABB Update [5th April]

2011-04-05T09:50:00.001-07:00

Howdy followers, its time for a few updates on the progress of the game. Since the last update the game has been moving forward even more. The code has been updated, models have been built and textured. Altogether its starting to look very nice if I do say so myself!

This is a pre-alpha video of game play footage form about 2 weeks ago. The clip shows the movement around one of the levels on the game recorded by Brett.

Since this video was recorded the game has developed more. With a few updates to the camera lag and how it follows the Bees on their epic battle of the skies the game play feels more like your flying the bee around, rather than moving it. An update of the game play footage will follow in the coming few days as the last parts are cleaned up.

New additions to the art: Since the last update the bee model and the weapons model has been textured. The above image is fresh off the presses so to speak. The projectiles now have their own models. So now can you not only fly around an island town, you can fly around an island town launching honey combs and pollen lumps at your fellow bees!

Also in the pipeline is another 2 levels (possibly more). One of these levels is featured in a back garden, with decking, washing line and trees to fly around. Here are some early WIP screen shots of this level.

The "Garden" level is hopefully going to be used as a CTF type mode with the flag replaced with either a hive or pollen or something else bee related. At this moment in time extra game modes will be added when the team is happy with how the death match aspect works.

As for the second in the pipe line its a closely regarded secret!

New Additions to the design: Since the last update some outline ideas have been drawn up for the Perk systems. So far there is a total of three perks that the player can equip which will lend to their play style and give them an edge over their enemies.

Shield: This will give the player a temporary shield which will grant a damage reduction. Useful when you have a swarm of angry bees closing in on you with stinger missiles.

Speed Boost: This will give the player a real kick to their flying speed, handy when chasing after your pray.

Extra Damage: This will upgrade the strength of the players fire-power. For those suicidal moments where harder hitting pollen blobs will make the enemy bees fall out of the sky.

So far all the perks will be running on a 10sec Duration and a 30-45sec Cooldown with this system timing will be key to survive those encounters.

That is all for the moment. I'll keep you all updated on the progress as and when its made!

Announcing: Avatar Battle Bees!

2011-03-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

Hello! For those who have been following us on Facebook, you'll already know that we have been working on a new project since the 20th of January. I felt it was about time we got around to updating the blog. So without further a due:

Avatar Battle Bees!

Trying to follow up on the success of Avatar Bumper Cars we have chosen to return to the world of avatars after a small diversion of rabid elves and huge blood thirsty snowmen. Avatar Battle Bees is pretty much what the name suggests! Large bees (which your XBL avatar rides) take to the skies in battle, each one bringing a different combination of weapons and perks. The game will be XNA for XBL and will support online play. So you'll bee able to take down your friends with 'stinger' missiles and water cannons.

Here is some work in progress screen shots.

As you can see the game is starting to take shape this is a glimpse of one level so far. More levels are in the pipeline, as we update the game we'll try to keep the blog updated. Fingers crossed and look to the skies in May!

The Xmas Chainsaw Massacre - Teaser Trailer

2010-12-13T16:36:00.001-08:00

The Xmas Chainsaw Massacre is now in peer review on the XNA website....

Here is a trailer to whet your appetites!

The Xmas Chainsaw Massacre!

2010-12-04T15:10:00.000-08:00

We've been busy (and quiet) for the best part of the year.

Here is a WIP video of a game we aim to release in the next couple weeks!

More info coming soon!

Avatar Bumper Cars Gets Online Play!

2010-05-11T16:27:00.000-07:00

Flying Squirrel Games would like to officially anounce that it's #1 selling title, Avatar Bumper Cars, has just had a patch approved for release on Xbox Live Indie Games. This patch, in addition to fixing a few minor issues found previously, incorporates the much-anticipated Xbox LIVE Multiplayer mode.

We look forward to playing a game with you soon!

Avatar Bumper Cars Update!

2010-05-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Good day, loyal Flying Squirrel followers.

Just a quick update today to mention that the Xbox LIVE multiplayer patch has been in peer review for a while now, and it's taking a bit longer to release the game this time - probably as online modes take a lot longer to review. Expect the update to hit the game within a few weeks though.

As well as this, we're happy to announce that sales of the game passed 12,300 as of May 6th. This is extremely awesome and we're thankful to everyone that's bought the game so far!

Hope to see you online when the patch is released!

First Trailer for Avatar Bumper Cars

2010-04-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

We have made a trailer to show off ABC. Check it out below, or if you have something against youtube (maybe it ran over your cat or something) you can view it at Gametrailers or Vimeo.

Feel free to share it with anyone and (preferably) everyone :)

Avatar Bumper Cars Review Roundup!

2010-03-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

Following on from that mouthful of a title, greetings!

Today I'm going to share a collection of all the reviews we've had so far. Enjoy!

GamerEuphoria:
http://gamereuphoria.com/2010/03/28/avatar-bumper-cars-review-xbox-360/

GamerGeddon:
http://www.gamergeddon.com/2010/03/24/avatar-bumper-cars-review/

Abstract360:
http://abstract360.com/2010/03/avatar-bumper-cars-review/

Small Cave Games:
http://smallcavegames.blogspot.com/2010/03/try-it-or-die-3.html

More will be posted as they're found!

Some news - I've been working since the game was released on a patch to include online play in the game. Look out for this soon!

Final Code Giveaway!

2010-03-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

We've reached the 5th day of Avatar Bumper Cars code giveaways.

Today's the final "rearrange the code" competition.

Here's today's code, and don't forget to let us know on twitter @TorturasFSG if you're the winner!

EDIT: Code Redeemed!

Good luck!

Even though this is the final "rearrange the code" game, we are having 2 special (and much larger) code hunt games tomorrow and saturday for the final codes. Stay tuned on twitter for more info!

Avatar Bumper Cars Competition!

2010-03-24T08:00:00.000-07:00

Greetings everyone!

Here is today's "rearrange the code" game.

Let us know on twitter @TorturasFSG if you're the lucky redeemer!

EDIT: Code redeemed! Check back tomorrow for the final "rearrange the code" game.

Good luck!

Competition Time Again!

2010-03-23T06:31:00.000-07:00

Here is today's "rearrange the code" competition.

I'll make it slightly easier than Sunday's version.

EDIT: Code Redeemed!

Let us know on twitter @TorturasFSG if you're the winner! Enjoy!

Top Download!

2010-03-23T04:01:00.000-07:00

Avatar Bumper Cars sold 750 copies on it's first day.

That was enough to send the game to the top downloaded game. Let's try and keep it there!

Keep an eye out for more code giveaways today and the rest of the week!

Avatar Bumper Cars Competition Time!

2010-03-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Greetings friends!

We're going to be giving away codes daily for the next few days for Avatar Bumper Cars.

So here's the first code - it's split into separate parts though... first person to rearrange it into the right order wins!

EDIT:
Code redeemed! - Follow @TorturasFSG for the next competition later today!

Good luck, and let us know on twitter @TorturasFSG if you manage to win it!

Avatar Bumper Cars RELEASED!

2010-03-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

Flying Squirrel Games would like to announce that Avatar Bumper Cars has been released to the world on Xbox Live Indie Games.

Official blub:

"Avatar Bumper Cars is a 1-4 player arena battle game. Watch your avatar take control of a bumper car in one of 5 different arenas and face off against either your friends or the computer in an action packed battle! Use your car's spikes to hit their gas cans and send them flying out of the arena. Will you be the last man standing?"

You can download the game for the small sum of 80 Microsoft Points.

You can get it from your Xbox console, or by clicking here:

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d80258550481

Stay tuned to this website for competitions soon!

Avatar Bumper Cars Complete!

2010-03-09T02:19:00.000-08:00

Hey all!

For today's post I would like to share the news that Avatar Bumper Cars has "gone gold" as much as an Indie Game can. What this essentially means is that the game is finished, all the content is in, all the features are in, and all that's left is for the game to pass review.

At the time of writing, the final build is in playtesting on the xna site - so if you're a member go and give it a shot. I will be uploading the final build for submission and review on Thursday (11th March). This means we expect the game to be releasing sometime in the following week or so - providing there are no massive bugs present.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting release!

ABC Update

2010-02-17T03:51:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post today to drop in some new screenshots from ABC.

The game is now complete, and we're just polishing everything up ready to get it released - but for now, enjoy these screenshots:

Avatar Bumper Cars

2010-02-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

I posted something about this game a while back, before we made TFBC last December.

Just thought I'd drop some new info in to show you we're still working hard on the game. As you might know, the original intention for the project was to be quick and quite basic. The focus has shifted into getting it more polished now, so it's going to be in development for a few weeks more than we originally said. However, the game will still be out very soon, so keep an eye out for it!

For now, have some new screenshots.

Banana Split Price Cut!

2010-01-19T16:28:00.000-08:00

Flying Squirrel Games would like to announce that Banana Split has been reduced to the glorious price of 80MSP. That's approximately $1. Or about 70 pence. Why are you reading this instead of buying it? Go!

The Flight Before Christmas Released!

2009-12-15T01:15:00.000-08:00

Today, 15/12/09, The Flight Before Christmas has been released onto Xbox Live Indie Games.

You may purchase here - and those of you that entered the competition and won a prize can expect your codes through today at some point!

For everyone else, it's only 80MSP, so get supporting!

Thanks!

Interview with FSG on Xbox Lifestyle!

2009-12-02T04:05:00.000-08:00

Go and watch us spout rubbish as we pretend to know what we're talking about:

http://xboxlifestyle.net/2009/11/30/interview-flying-squirrel-games/

Also, the excellent endoflevelboss.com has been kind enough to bum our games once more:

http://www.endoflevelboss.com/?p=2153

We have box art!

2009-11-28T15:41:00.000-08:00

Fresh off the Photoshop press:

The Flight Before Christmas

2009-11-19T09:48:00.000-08:00

We have a name for our game, you may have guessed what it is.

The game is now entering playtest, so those lucky XNA developers can try it out and give us feedback and/or insults (we're hoping for the former).

Thanks again and congratulations to Andrew for winning the competition.

Competition time, better than bed time but worse than bath time.

2009-11-16T11:06:00.000-08:00

So as you know from avidly following the blog, we're going to be releasing a new game very soon. Since we are really lazy and obviously we love the community, we thought you guys could come up with a name for us.

The Game is a 2D side-scroller where you play as Santa delivering presents via throwing them into chimneys. You press the face buttons (A,X,Y,B) to throw the right present into the right chimney. It can also be played with a guitar controller for maximum coolness.

The talented individual that comes up with the winning name will receive a code to download our previous game Banana Split for free (so make sure we can contact you, e-mail is easiest).
So post your name ideas in the comments.

The Competition is now closed, thanks to everyone who submitted ideas.

The winner is: Andrew, for the name "The Flight Before Christmas"

He'll receive codes for Banana Split and The Flight Before Christmas, as well a mention in the credits.

The runners up are: Zidargh for "December Dash", warlockuk for "Santa and the Riffing Reindeer" and caligari for "Quick St. Nick!".

They'll all receive codes for The Flight Before Christmas, when it's released.

FSG Gets Festive!

2009-11-16T08:48:00.000-08:00

We recently took some time off of our schedule working on the bumper cars game, so that we could work on a more festive title.

We challenged ourselves to create a Christmas themed game within a 2 week period. We've just completed the first week of work and even though the Xbox we were using to develop on has died a horrible death we're still working on it and hoping to get it released in December.

So, more about the game next time, but for now, here's a screenshot!

Banana Split on One Life Left

2009-11-12T02:57:00.000-08:00

Banana Split was mentioned on One Life Left #109. We obviously heard this a few weeks ago when this episode was put up, we didn't only just notice because a friend told us... honest.

It's a great podcast that everyone should listen to, a refreshing take on the games podcast, plus it has awesome 8-bit remixes.

Here's a quote from one of OLL's top 3 reviewers:

"This was a really good game, thanks for sending a code, I don't usually play games"

-Ann Scantlebury

You can listen to the whole thing here. (Banana Split is 46 minutes in).

Banana Split climbs "Top Download" charts..

2009-10-25T04:44:00.000-07:00

Banana Split went straight to the 2nd top downloaded XBL Indie Game on the day after its release. The game also showed up on the Popularity Charts at number 5. The game is currently 8th in the popularity chart.

Thanks to everyone that's bought the game and we hope you'll continue promoting it to your friends!

Banana Split Released!

2009-10-20T00:53:00.000-07:00

Good news, everyone!

Banana Split was approved for release late last night, and is now officially on the Xbox Live Indie Games tab on the XBL Marketplace so you can all get your hands on it for a mere 240 Microsoft Points.

Here's a link for you lazy types:

http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/media/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025855033b/?p=1&of=0&pid=00000000-0000-4000-8000-00005855033b&bt=0&sb=1

A peak at the first environment

2009-10-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

This is the first of three of four environments for the new game. Lovely isn't it?

Our Next Project!

2009-10-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

Good day, joyous readers.

Today, I'm going to post something small about the next game we're working on.

As a young gamer, I often spent a lot of time at a friend's house, where we engaged in long lasting, and sometimes all night, multiplayer game sessions. Not sex, you dirty bastard. Anyway, there was a particular game which I can remember spending a long time playing constantly one night, and I'm not entirely sure why, as it was only a small minigame from Mario Party 2 on the N64. This game involved 4 players, and each had their own "bumper car" that had a set of spikes attatched to the front, and a balloon attached to the back. The game was simple - spike your 3 opponents' balloons whilst attempting to keep yours intact. Being the last one left won you the game. Games of this usually lasted between 10 seconds and 2 minutes, which makes the fact we spent about 6 hours straight playing this game even more baffling. I guess this was before we all started drinking to get through our lives.

With all this build-up, you can see where I'm going. The friend of mine which owned this Mario Party 2 cartridge had conveniently lost it the next time we decided to dig it out and have a game. It was over. For years, we had to suffer without playing this minigame, and all it could be was a distant memory.

But wait! I have a degree in Computer Games Programming now! Since XNA is so deliciously easy to work with, Flying Squirrel Games is now working on a clone of this minigame, coming to Xbox Live Indie Games around the January period. Maybe quicker. It depends how much I like you at the time.

I'm sure my colleague Mr Brett will post some updates from the artistry side of things, and I intend to regularly keep updating with whimsical anecdotes that I come across while coding. Things such as how damn awesome XNA is.

For now, enjoy an early screenshot. This is my xbox avatar, driving the kart - complete with spikes and (to avoid being sued) some petrol cans on the back. The final game will be 4 players and will involve your own avatars! How nice.

In other small news, Banana Split is being resubmitted to the XBLIG community this evening. Extensive tests have proven to me that this build is solid and will indeed pass review. When I know more about the release, you can find it here.

Till then, au revoir!

Banana Split Trailer!

2009-10-11T08:48:00.001-07:00

This is the official release trailer for Banana Split!

Welcome To FSG!

2009-10-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

Hey, and welcome to our new (extremely lazy) website!

Hopefully by using the form of a delicious blog, we'll be able to keep you up to date with our games and any juicy bits of things we feel we'd like to show you from what we're working on.

Banana Split, our first game, is currently going through the process of being put up on Xbox Live Indie Games. More info about the release of that to come.

We've also recently announced that we're working on another game, due to be released around the January period. More on this soon.

For now, sit back and relax while we get going!