JoyToKey and How I Use It To Keybind Controllers for Gaming

This article is about how to keybind your game controller with JoytoKey to play games, like browser games on Itch.IO, if native controller support is not supported. I play a lot of platformers and games on Itch.IO and Steam that use a keyboard and mouse, but generally, I prefer controller support. Keybinding is a useful ability that can allow you to play more responsively, or even play an indie without native controller support away from your desk!

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Jaded – First Impressions of a Stylish New Platformer

I love these platformer games that emerge from the woodwork every single day. Today, that game is Jaded by Shellsnore games, up on Steam. It's a standard platformer with directional keys, jump, attack, and a special mechanic which is a time warp. Although the time warp mechanic is more of a cacoon slingshot kinda thing, it works pretty well. I was able to bind my controller to the basic keys with no problem. Let me share a tad more here for you.

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Recommendation: Ducksoup Dungeon

Let's jump right into Ducksoup Dungeon. It's a free web browser playable rogue-lite on Itch.io by developer Richard Lems, also known as Blastmode Games. You might have heard of Lems' work on the game Mighty Goose. In the game I'm discussing here, Ducksoup Dungeon, you choose one of four heroes. It is playable in a web browser or can be downloaded. Starting with "Slashchicken," the first hero is a chicken. With amazing firepower at your side, you'll blast your way through and collect coins. Each play's collection can be used to unlock the other three heroes. Every level features hidden procedurally generated areas, meaning it can be a different layout every time you play. The levels, of which there seems to be an infinite number, are filled with containers destructible for coins, reached by eliminating various mobs.

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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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Make Dialogue Sound Effects With Tyranobuilder

Welcome back to another article in my how-to series for gamers and game makers. Today I’ll be talking about making a dialogue blip sound effect in Tyranobuilder free! Sometimes known as dialogue blip. You might be able to use this in Ren’Py or VN Maker, or even other dev projects. Tyranobuilder is where I’ve staked my claim though right now. The sound effect is universally compatible though, just change the part where you actually implement to the protocol for whatever tool you are using. Okay, let’s get started.

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Burnstar is a Bargain Rogue-Like on Nintendo Switch

I got Burnstar for under $2 on eShop and it’s also on Steam for around $5. That’s not bad really. And this game is actually good fun. It is cheaper than a burrito from Chipotle too. This is one of those games that doesn’t have a sweeping lore setup for burning a bunch of junk. It’s just cool looking, fun, and the sound design is funkalicious. You can play this game either as a single-player or co-op. I think co-op would probably be easier, but I did alright on single-player. This game is $2 you have nothing to lose really.

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