Dear Developers: Game Rebirths

Oh, my pixelated heart is all aflutter at the mere mention of classic video game resurrections! "Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn" isn't just a stroll down memory lane; it's like hopping into a DeLorean and punching it to 88mph, except now the car is shinier, gummy worms are in the cup holder, the streets are in 4K, and there's enough bloom lighting to make J.J. Abrams squint with delight.

AAA developers are no stranger to bringing back hit games (like Capcom), but this post is about the smaller devs. Let's talk about those indie devs weaving their 8-bit magic like they've raided Gandalf's closet for spare wands. When they crack their knuckles and dive into the code of yesteryear's treasures, oh boy, do they bring us a symphony of nostalgia with the bass boosted. It's like they've grabbed the soul of the original, pumped it with HD steroids, and slapped on a "we have technology" sticker. And you know what? We're here for it!

The rebirth of "Shadow of the Ninja" isn't just good news; it's like finding out your favorite cereal from childhood is back on the shelves, and it's part of a balanced breakfast. The gameplay? As silky as a buttered-up otter sliding down a water slide. The co-op? So much fun that you'd want to high-five your... grandmom, but you can't because you're both too busy gripping your controllers like it's the last chopper out of Contra (yes, in my mind... she games too).

So to the indie devs thinking about brushing off the dust from a classic title – don your archeological hats and start the excavation for opportunities. Just remember, it’s not enough to slap on a fresh coat of pixels and call it a day. Gamers are like elephants: we never forget. And if it's not done with the tender love and care it deserves, the roast is going to be legendary—less "resurrection" and more "rest in peace." Ya dig?!

Pull it off, though, and you've got a legion of gamers ready to chant your studio's name like you've just scored the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl of Geekdom (sponsored by Haribo). So, here's to the old becoming new, to the classics getting a second chance to shine, and to the players new and old who get to experience these gems all over again.

A degree isn't required to start developing your first game, and learning is as easy as logging onto your PC to complete a game dev curriculum in your spare time without the debt. You never know where today's affordable courses might take your skills. They could land you the keys to a remake that excited critics (who smile on the inside)... can't wait to rave about.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a cereal date with nostalgia, and she does not like to be kept waiting.

            

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The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

Aspiring Game Devs: Never Underestimate the Power of a Dream

Ladies, gentlemen, and everyone who's ever rage-quit a platformer only to come back 5 minutes later because we can't help ourselves - let this pixel-pusher preach the good word! A degree is to game development what a fork is to soup... it can be useful, yes, but spoons exist if you want to focus on the course without all the expensive extras!

The quest to become a game dev no longer requires the ol’ “sword in the stone” scenario - because, lo and behold, the internet hath provided a digital Excalibur, and it fits in your schedule like those side quests you swore you'd start after just 'one more main mission'. Whether you're a brave squire setting forth at dawn or a night owl hunting for bugs in the witching hours, there's a treasure trove of courses where the entry fee is on the low and all you need is Wi-Fi to access it.

And oh, let me weave you a tale of a future where your skills, sharper than a +10 sword of Truth, might just unlock the door to gaming's hallowed halls. Picture this... there you are, the artisan of a grand remake, bathing in the glow of your monitors, as you stitch together the fabric of your own game that could be considered a classic one day.

The critics? Those stoic sentinels of the game realm's formidable gates? They're perched, pens at the ready, peering over their half-moon glasses, prepared to unleash a flurry of words so jolly that their keyboards chuckle with delight. Because when an indie dev crafts a game so charming it makes nostalgia feel like the new kid on the block, they can’t help but tip their hat... even if it's an invisible one.

So whether you're plotting your very first sprite or coding up the next digital world wonder, never underestimate the power of a dream mixed with a dash of online study. Because, who knows? Your homemade pixel pie might just be the next big banquet critics (and players!) line up around the block for.

Strap in, future devs. Power up your rigs and let those creative juices flow like mana from the fabled fountain. Your game dev odyssey awaits!

Here are 5 of the best Udemy courses for game development:

Unreal Engine 5: The Complete Beginner's Course

Complete C# Unity Game Developer 2D & 3D courses

The Beginner's Guide to Animation in Unity

All About Gaming Industry Careers & Game Design Fundamentals

Unreal Engine 5 C++ Developer

            

 + Sophima 

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Snack Time!

The Cushion Designed for Gaming!

Zool Redimensioned... A Classic Is Back As A Door Into The Industry?

If I didn't play Zool 2 on the Atari Jaguar so many years ago (and yes I owned one of those)... I would've passed this one by, but luckily I didn't. Not only is Zool Redimensioned a remake (with the retro version tucked in)... it comes by way of a commendable initiative.
 

Zool Redimensioned, is a 2D platformer starring a ninja alien from the Nth Dimension (who totally gives me Sonic The Hedgehog vibes) who throws these laser-like shurikens and uses katanas to take on 28 redesigned stages and bosses in the Nth Dimension.

One thing I appreciate (which a number of colleges with so-called game development programs should be doing) is the door being opened into the industry for students behind this game. The industry isn't as open as some may think, and I can understand to a degree when it comes to experience... because you don't want a game release to be a waste of time based on rookie mistakes. On the other hand, how are students expected to get any seasoning when the door is closed to those who lack experience with games that have been officially released?

So that's why I salute those like... Sumo Digital Academy, because routes like this are a sure pathway to get experience under your belt. I don't know if the students get a cut of the sales, but... with that title under their belt, it's a pass that few can say they actually have. We might be looking at future legends of the industry.

Zool Redimensioned has been rebuilt from scratch by the Sumo Digital Academy, a talent development programme focused on creating new pathways into the games industry. With guidance from the developers of the 1992 original at Gremlin Graphics, we’ve retained the spirit that makes Zool a cult classic, while adding mechanics we’ve loved from the past 29 years of fantastic platforming games. The result is Zool Redimensioned, a game that transcends time and space - don’t miss out on this classic retro adventure! 

                                                                                                         - Sumo Digital Academy

This isn't the only route, but... it's certainly an option that doesn't require a 4-year college. I don't know if SDA does placement or anything of that sort, so if they're on your radar... ask questions. The other options as mentioned before... include taking courses online (which are affordably priced) or getting dev course bundles (that have books, software, and/or courses). Click the links and check them out.

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