So I finally released Alien Intruder yesterday, on Christmas day. Perhaps it should have happened a few weeks ago, but I was tired and couldn’t focus on writing the music. But that’s OK, it has been like a Christmas present –although I don’t think is the best date to release a game!–.
The blobs have a lot of personality
Although I sent a couple of emails to the usual people –what I call the press release–, the main “announcement” has been this post in Mastodon, and a few people said they liked the game, so it is being played. But you know, it is very unlikely that the news have reached to everybody that could be interested in an new DOS game in 2024. Any help spreading the word would be appreciated!
Checking some of the websites that cover DOS games beyond being a site to download “free” games, and at least check new titles, I was visiting DOS haven, and I liked they answer to why would someone make game for DOS nowadays?, which is essentially three reasons:
- Because it’s fun, if you are into that sort of thing. Indeed.
- Because it’s retro, and retro is cool! Perhaps I would say nostalgia plays a role here. Although I didn’t look at the DOS era like that, some people do.
- Because thanks to DOSBox, you can run DOS programs almost anywhere: Windows, Linux, MacOS, smartphones, tablets, Raspberry Pi, you name it. Yes, this is a nice plus: games are as portable as DOSBox.
I’m not encouraging people to make DOS games as a for-profit adventure –there are plenty of limitations–, but playing the game on my RG35xx H is very nice and I didn’t have to port the game.
Anyway, I wanted to make a 16-bit DOS game, in the spirit of the shareware boom of early 90s. Although it isn’t shareware –and you don’t need to register the game!–, I was inspired by the feel of those titles –and I read Shareware heroes this year as well, an enjoyable book–. I know I have already released other DOS games, targeting both the age before and after, but I guess it doesn’t matter because it is 2024 anyway.
Making a game for the 286 with VGA graphics wasn’t perhaps the best idea, and I mentioned already how dificult was to write my own sound driver, but I enjoyed the process (it is fun, remember?). I may or may not make more DOS games, but after this experience I think that would be 32-bit –meaning 386 or better–. It is probably what makes more sense now that I have been there, done that.
As always, there’s a free download in the game’s website. I was approached by a publisher asking if I would like to make a big box release of the game. I’m not sure about this, but never say never. For now, just go an blast some cute aliens!