Good Pizza, Great Pizza is the Ultimate Pizzeria Simulator

In Fall 2020 when I was just launching the Mr. Dave Pizza concept, I played Good Pizza, Great Pizza by Tapblaze on an Android tablet, one of the many formats this game is available on. Today I played the official version released for Nintendo Switch to go back and really see what amused me about this game. Pizza, the food, has always been pretty popular, but in the last five years, it's developed a near cult status. It's kind of weird honestly, but it's spun some pretty creative and entertaining ideas. So, after so much traffic from google here by indie-game playing pizza lovers and truffle pizza fast food cravers, I am issuing an inaugural validation of Good Pizza, Great Pizza as one of the greatest pizza-themed indie games of all time. At least that I've played--I'll get to you Freddy.

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The Gunk is Simply a Kinda Random 3D World Game on Game Pass, But I Enjoyed It

Discovered through Game Pass, I'm rather fond of this new title, The Gunk, from Image and Form/Thunderful Development, just launched a few days ago. It fits neatly into the category of games I usually enjoy which are casual character development, soft sci-fi, and familiar mechanics of resource collecting games. And this version of those styles is well presented here. While the game is really very straightforward without much need for introduction, a quality I appreciate, I'll share some highlights on my experience playing through the first few areas plus what you should know about this game.

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Figment 2: Creed Valley is a Vibrant & Dali’esque Game

It seems that Figment 2: Creed Valley, is a new game headed to Nintendo Switch in February of 2022. I've been all about checking out these Switch demos right away, and when I saw this listed today I downloaded it immediately. I wasn't quite sure what I was dealing with here, as it seemed somewhat derivative but also cozily familiar, the reason of which I discovered later. This game is really pleasant-looking though. It reminds me of moments from games like Bastion but also games like Weaving Tides. It's pretty cute really, with enough prickly wholesome creepiness to stay interested. Yeah, actually it feels really good. So, let's take a look.

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Loading Story Killed An Afternoon For Free

Today's game, Loading Story, listed as developed by "potatodog" on Steam is a tad quirky but genuinely satisfying. It's a very short game about a character troubleshooting a game loading error in an imaginary video game town, where the loading tube passes through. Just wander around and solve the mystery. It's good that it's free because it only takes about 20-30 minutes to play, which is fine. I'll tell you enough about it but won't go too crazy on detailing this one, since you really should just play it. Loading Story: Free and Fine Just a heads up, this game…

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Bebop and Rocksteady Make a Terrific & Toxic Duo

Well, I guess this review is going to be a trial attempt at an idea I've had. It takes me days to churn out a full volume review, which I don't really mind or anything, but it's nice to just pick something up for about the length it takes me to create solo dev showcases. Anyway, whatever, so today I'm taking a look at Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road Issue 1. I have to confess,Well, I guess this review is going to be a trial attempt at an idea I've had. It takes me days to churn out a full volume review, which I don't really mind or anything, but it's nice to just pick something up for about the length it takes me to create solo dev showcases. Anyway, whatever, so today I'm taking a look at Bebop and Rocksteady Hit the Road Issue 1. I have to confess, I thought I was reading Bebop and Rocksteady Destroy Everything, which is an entirely different series apparently. This one is good too though, and Bebop and Rocksteady's dimwitted fully loaded antics are just as good here as they could be anywhere. Anyway, my idea here is, instead of trying to conquer every individual volume collection, I can taste a bit of everything for you and provide a swath of curated comics. So, let's go.

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Shindig is the Ultimate Happy Family Indie

This is a game that had come across my desk yesterday, which I had accidentally overlooked because of my new format, but I was really interested in it. Shindig is an interactive fiction in the style of something like a kids' exploration picturebook with some tried and true interactive gameplay. As you might know, it's always been my goal to seek out wholesome indie games because I'm a bit jumpier than a jackrabbit at times. I tend to like games that can be played by anyone. In Shindig I explored this friendly animated world on a quest to help a friendly warthog find treasures to put together a party, or a Shindig rather. It's cute and thoughtful. Learn more here if you wish.

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The World Before Your Feet Review

The World Before Your Feet is an independent documentary about a gentleman named Matt Green, hailing from--well, anywhere he goes, which is everywhere in New York City, every street, every block. He considers himself independently homeless, sufficing on $15 a day so he can afford to keep walking without a job. This is an interesting film as a concept and project. It highlights the human intricacies of finding purpose, especially purposes not motivated by conventional profit or advantage. I think if you're from New York or have an interest in its complexities, as I've always had, this is a pretty interesting, relatively efficient feature.

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Mobile Games at the Beach

If you've ever felt cool sand between your toes or watched moonrise on the beach, there's something unequivocally enticing about the ocean. I'd like to reflect on a trip I took to the coast recently, and how it basically has healed many stresses from the last few years. Nope, not video games, nature. Our new spot on the ocean seemed to change every day like Poseidon's will or endless rolling glass, stained portraits in a cathedral with each its own marine creature. There were manatees flying on the surf and peaceful, anonymous specters of other people entranced by the waves, sanderlings tracing in their step to peck at bubbles.

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Ninja Turtles Funko T-Shirt and Ghostbusters DVD

I read in the news that shipping bottlenecks are uncomfortably poignant this year. It's like every time we get some new way to make things faster, the system gets flooded by shoppers. I wondered even if I should order anything at all. In the process of doing some gift shopping, however, I noticed Target has a deal for free shipping over $35. I'm not totally fond of these humongous retailers on principle, but they can be a good source for fandom memorabilia. So, I picked up this Funko Pop Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cardboard turtle van packaged t-shirt. And because they had it, I grabbed a DVD of the original Ghostbusters film DVD for $5! I don't do many unboxings here, but I could start. Enjoy some pictures and a bit of brief commentary.

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Some Resources For Using Non-Copyright Music in a GameDev

When I went to learn what was involved in making my visual novel, this surprisingly was not so simple. Do not get me wrong, I'm here to give you the goods, but when it comes to music, graphics, or anything really, the way copyright protection works is stern yet often confusing. So, let me get you going here. Don't fret--or do! I'm here to tell you that things are not hopeless. More specifically: how to obtain copyright-free music. So, let me paint the picture: copyrights. Yes, "copyrights." Copyright is the law that protects the intellectual property of artists, writers, and…

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