Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

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Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby mikeb on Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:22 pm

Hi Guys,

Been a while since I've written for the mag but was wondering if anyone might be interested in this... I interviewed Timothy Closs back when I did the Making of Druid and he provided a great little story behind the two games including design sketches and notes, and such fun facts as what the I-Ball sprite was based on, how the funny voice samples came about, and what happens when you include your home phone number in the ending of the game with the promise of a prize, thinking no-one will ever complete it! The fact Tim was at 15 and still school when he came up with the games makes for a rather surprising little 80's bedroom-coding saga....

It's a lovely little tale and I think it would make a cracking feature so if you'd like to see it feel free to show Daz & Stu your interest and hopefully they'll come around to letting me do it ;)
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby Antiriad2097 on Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:41 pm

Sounds like the sort of article I always really enjoy, its my era, I played the games but I don't know anything from behind the scenes so there'll be plenty new to read.

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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby jdanddiet on Tue Apr 03, 2012 12:57 pm

I spoke to Tim just after you about doing an I ball making of so I would obviously be very interested in hearing this story :D
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby mikeb on Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:03 pm

Heh, yes I remember him saying something about another RG writer also contacting him around the same time... ah well if the feature never comes about I'll pass the info on to you. :)

I did absolutely adore the first I'Ball game, one of the finest budget games ever I reckon - anyone remember the awesome Rainbow Ripple weapon?

The second game was also really clever (if slightly infuriating if I remember...)
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby jdanddiet on Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:12 pm

Cheers Mike, yeah the ripple gun was pretty awesome. TBH I found both games tough!
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby Bub&Bob on Tue Apr 03, 2012 1:29 pm

Antiriad2097 wrote:Sounds like the sort of article I always really enjoy, its my era, I played the games but I don't know anything from behind the scenes so there'll be plenty new to read.

Two Thumbs Up from me.

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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby necronom on Tue Apr 03, 2012 2:56 pm

Sounds good to me. It's the sort of thing I like to read about.
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby Mire Mare on Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:52 pm

'Groovy!', mikeb! I'd certainly like to read the article in RG. I-Ball and I Ball 2 were great fun to play and the sampled speech only added to the enjoyment and style of the games.

'Go for it!', RG!
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby fgasking on Wed Apr 04, 2012 7:46 pm

Another yes here :) ... Loved both games as a kid, still occasionally play both. Maybe Andrew Betts (Richard Hewison may know his whereabouts) and Rob Hubbard could contribute as well?
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby lavalyte on Sun Apr 08, 2012 4:32 am

Bring it.
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby William S on Mon Apr 09, 2012 2:40 am

Would be an interesting read for sure.
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Re: Making of I-Ball 1 & 2- interest?

Postby markopoloman on Sat Apr 14, 2012 7:47 pm

Ignoring the spam - I'd LOVE to see an I-ball article. Loved that game and the music & speech were excellent (on the C64.... not sure what the speccy version sounded like - but I could guess :wink: :lol: )
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