Tag Archives: hand-drawn

Microsoft Surface Pro 3: A Artist’s / Game Developer’s Review

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Warning: I am a indie game developer and an artist by hobby only. Therefore, your requirements may differ depending on usage.

No doubt you’ve seen many reviews and previews of the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 tablet, which Microsoft claims to be the “true” laptop killer (which they’ve said for versions 2 and 1 as well). I’ve been tempted to buy one… who wouldn’t be interested in a tablet that can do everything your computer can? I remember making fun of the original iPad as a oversized-iPhone, only to realize that the larger touchscreen was the perfect device for note-taking and digital sketching. As an artist-wannabe, that meant something. But the only issues with the iPad were that it didn’t have USB connections, and that the OS itself was different (therefore, not compatible with any software I need to use). In fact, given the iPad’s relatively affordable price, I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple ditches the iMac one day for a “professional” iPad to appeal to more consumers.

So the Surface Pro seemed like a great thing. It was a professional tablet with full Windows OS, and unlike most other tablet-PC’s, it came with a pen stylus and a decent processor and other specs, making it a true replacement hardware-wise for your PC. I was torn between the Surface Pro 1 (nice price), Surface Pro 2 (Wacom-pen with latest improvements to tablet), or the new Surface Pro 3 (even more new improvements). I eventually took advantage of Microsoft’s student offer and got a i3-Surface Pro 3 for about $700 (plus tax). Here are my thoughts after a few weeks.

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Finally…

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I’m happy to announce that “Drew and the Floating Labyrinth,” my hand-drawn 3D puzzle platformer, is just about complete.

And you didn’t think I could do it! Well… ok, I didn’t think I could do it. I said months ago that this would be finished in August 2014. I hoped to get it done a few weeks ago, but even now, it looks likely to get released just before September.

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Drew and the Floating Labyrinth updates – Giving Drew Some Color

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Some game development updates on “Drew and the Floating Labyrinth”.

First, realized that people have different input methods with computers. It’s one of the many reasons why computers are worse than consoles to develop for, because you have no idea what the gamer has with their computer rig, even if there is potential to make a better experience on PC than anywhere else. I’ve already had gamepad and keyboard+mouse+scrollwheel made, but also updated controls to work without the scroll wheel, best for people on laptops for example. I really should consider some form of touch controls too, just in case (but won’t until the very end). I probably won’t update the demos continuously with fixes like this, but we’ll see. Thankfully, Unity3D makes it really easy to update input methods: you can “define” a input button, then define several versions with the same name, each with its own real keyboard or gamepad button. Nice.

Also tried adding more color to Drew: her red hair.

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