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on August 24
Alexander Shen
Posted project update #12Burger Quest and the fate of Cadet 227.
Admittedly, Cadet 227 hit a snag when my world came barreling forward at 1,000 miles per hour. The progress of the project came to a complete halt and it seemed like all was, well, lost.
But all was not lost. I took the funds and released another audio game to the blind gaming community, one that has made its rounds in blind gaming forums and received good reception all around. While I've shared the game with some, I did not share it with the good backers of the original Cadet 227 project.
The new game is called Burger Quest and can be played at http://www.shengames.com/flash/burgerquest/.
That being said, I've been reminded of the original idea that went into Cadet 227 and the soul of the project still lives on. The project is not forgotten and is something I will do my best to continue, even after this long hiatus.
I appreciate your efforts and faith in me and hope to do right by you all. Thanks again and hope to see you soon with a new update for the series.
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on April 26, 2011
Alexander Shen
backed a project
Tweet Land - The first set of games that play with reality! by Villalobos, Espinoza, Vasquez, Cartin(s)
Help us redifine real-time gaming! Tweet Land is the 1st set of games that play with reality, turning world's tweets into real stuff.
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123% funded $8,613 pledged
- 319 backers
- Funded May 04, 2011
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on February 22, 2011
Alexander Shen launched a project
Board Game Toolkit - The Best Game is the One You Make by Alexander Shen
The Board Game Toolkit is a standard set of pieces across different game genres that allow you to make your own board game!
Funding Unsuccessful (03/24/2011) -
on February 16, 2011
Alexander Shen
backed a project
The Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment by The Made
The MADE will be a fully interactive videogame museum in San Francisco, in the United States. Help us secure a space.
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106% funded $21,329 pledged
- 306 backers
- Funded Apr 19, 2011
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on December 13, 2010
Alexander Shen
Posted project update #11Cadet 227 Reboot - New Games, Revamped Genre
Post CommentDemo the Reboot by clicking here.
I've decided to reboot the series a little. While I've been floundering with figuring out what to do with the series, it is still something I feel is important and a genre that should be explored. So audio adventure games are still a go, but will just be going in a slightly different direction.
I've decided to move towards more storytelling and less exploration. I came to this decision after two specific realizations. 1) I enjoy audio books quite a lot and 2) forcing some kind of "exploration" that is somewhat contrived. I put that in quotes because looking back at the experience, it didn't really engage you. Granted, it did feel like you were doing something, but the something really wasn't that important. I figured that if I can create a much more engaging experience by the words themselves, then slimming down gameplay could be acceptable because the player was already invested in the story, setting and measuring all potential outcomes.
So the reboot is essentially making an audio version of those once popular "Choose Your Own Adventure" books. One of the key components to this is that I wanted to create something that allowed for multiple endings. I wanted to really make it feel like not only were you listening to something of a radio show, but you actually had influence on what the outcome would be. The original Cadet 227, regardless of your actions, would only lead you to the one ending. The only real differing factor being how long it took you to get there. If I could focus on the story more, I could also focus on creating branching story paths.
You can actually see how the game is broken up in this tiny tree here.
This extremely simple story only offers two points in which the player makes a decision. Each decision point only offers two decisions. With only two levels down, the game already offers four endings. At the same time, only because I didn't choose to have any crossing paths, content had to be written for a total of seven separate events. You can imagine how large and complicated the decision tree will be if you allow the player three, four or even five decision points. That is, however, the goal.
Each time the game is played will alter the story completely. That is what I want to create.
When you think back at the old point-and-click adventure games, you are probably filled with tasty nostalgia of Monkey Island or King's Quest. You'll also remember that outside of a fun story, it offered very little replay value. After you had solved all the puzzles, what left was there? You could compare it to a movie you really enjoy, but it would be nothing more than experiencing the same story over and over. While there is a time and place for content like that, I also appreciate experiences that offer multiple paths.
So while the original Cadet 227 is probably no more, this is a genre of game I will be approaching in the same spirit and vain as the original Cadet 227. These games will still be constructed in a way that blind gamers can play and experience the game like anyone else. The story will still be all driven by audio and the choices you make, though limited, will open up one of many outcomes and hopefully make each game a box of wonder.
Related Link: Cadet 227 Reboot Tech Demo -
on October 25, 2010
Alexander Shen
commented on a project update@kristofer: Check out http://shengames.com/pc/cadet227/ for a MAC link.
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on August 31, 2010
Alexander Shen
Posted project update #10Chapter 3 Released!
Ok, I lied from the earlier post. Here is chapter 3 (PC Version)! I'll have the MAC version up shortly.
Download: Mediafire Mirror-
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Kristofer Simicic on October 15, 2010
How's it going with the MAC version? I can't wait to continue playing, I really like the concept and the first two chapters made me very excited!
Hope you release more chapters soon. Keep up the good work! -
Alexander Shen on October 25, 2010
@kristofer: Check out http://shengames.com/pc/cadet227/ for a MAC link.
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on August 31, 2010
Alexander Shen
Posted project update #9Chapter 3 To Be Released Soon
Post CommentHey Backers!
Just letting you know that Chapter 3 of Cadet 227 will be released by the end of the week.
Also, I'd love to know if you'd also like me create a "full version" that encompasses every chapter in one playable. In the end, the game shouldn't be more than 25 minutes long in one sitting, so I'm also curious about save states. Anyway, would you like to see a "full version" with each chapter being released (having you play previous chapters again) or just stick to single chapter releases until it's all done?
Thanks!
Alexander Shen -
on August 2, 2010
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on July 30, 2010
Alexander Shen
Posted project update #7Cadet 227 - Part 1 of 13 - Released!
Yes, it's been a long time coming and this title is sure to be very confusing. I would highly recommend listening to the audio portion, which would be along the lines of an official podcast-type-thing?
In any case, you can download the .zip file and start playing the game now! Stay tuned as a new chapter comes out at the end of very month!
Download:
Mirror 1 (MediaFire): Donation Page-
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Kaolin Fire on July 30, 2010
You do some good work, sir! That's solid audio; and with my eyes closed, decent creepy. :) Is it cool to share this? Is there an explanatary page?
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Post Comment -
Alexander Shen
San Jose, CA
I consider myself an illustrator, musician and game maker. I cannot express how deeply I feel for those things and hope that I can one day support myself by creating entertainment for the people in the world. I've done many independent game projects... view more
Thanks for the update; I look forward to it moving forward. :)