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I recently released the latest version of Novelty, my visual novel maker. More features, video playback and an improved UI are among the updates.

Unfortunately, some users experienced problems running Novelty on older (or new+cheap) hardware and I’ve had to spend my time on improving compatibility rather than on new fun features and you know what? That’s totally fine! Ever since I started working on Novelty I’ve noticed a shift in my attitude towards my end-users.

When I was a novice programmer and still in school, I didn’t really understand DirectX or hardware in general. I was focused on making kickass games. Whenever someone had problems running my games, that ran perfectly fine on my computer, my attitude was this: “Tough luck. If you can’t run my game then that’s your problem.”

Any game developer with a hint of self respect should cringe at that last sentence. I do too. I get it now.

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Ever since playing Tekken 3 with my brothers and friends on the original Playstation, I’ve been an fighting game aficionado. I’m not competitive in nature so beating them was never the real appeal. What I enjoy the most is the slow but rewarding process of mastering a character. Usually I pick just one, usually the cutest girl, and play that character until I reach the level where I stop thinking about which button to press and more about applying strategy to win the match.

Not too long ago I bought my first fighting stick because I got sick of grinding out my thumb in Arcana Heart (which is a really good game, yet dismissed by most for its moe-ness).

The fighting stick I got couldn’t be more generic, but it’s a decent stick for newbies like myself. Ever since I shelved Arcana Heart it’s been collecting dust (along with the Wii) but I brought it out again for Street Fighter 4.

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Street Fighter IV:

“Getting beat up has never been so fun, nor pretty.”

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia:

“Beautiful, exciting and rewarding game, despite lack of whip.”

DJ Max Black Square:

“As good as always but the arduous challenges minimizes any chance for progression, unlocking songs.”

Killzone 2:

“I’ll wait until after Resident Evil 5.”

Flower:

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