A new PortsCenter Thread: Amiga A-Go-Go

[Ben Paddon]

(I was going to post this in the PortsCenter thread, but the site migration appears to have broken it.)

This year, thanks to the successful Kickstarter, I got to do something I’ve wanted to do for about a decade – buy a new Amiga. I spent $460 importing an A1200 from a chap in Houghton Regis, going over-budget on the computer itself, but ultimately saving money for the games considering it came with a built-in hard drive containing, I shit you not, every single Amiga game ever released. Ever. Yes, even that one rare game you’re thinking of right now.

The savings was nice, but until I acquired an American power supply I wasn’t able to actually use it. Also it needed a RAM upgrade because many of the games, including some I want to look at for PortsCenter, refused to load up. Bastards. Thankfully fans of the show have stepped in to cover both bases, and we have our power supply (the RAM upgrade is on the way). All we need now is two CD32 controllers, which are proving to be a bit of a bugger to find.

Anyway, I recorded this video looking at the Amiga. Nothing fancy, but it also serves as a “Where Are We Now?” video for PortsCenter. Bonus points if you can name all four Amiga games I filmed for this vid.

Topic

[Ben Paddon]

I love the first two Oddworld games. Didn’t like Munch’s Oddysee so much, and I haven’t spent that much time with Stranger’s Wrath, but those two Abe-centric games are incredible. I love ’em.

[Danny Stephenson]

Fuck me New ‘n’ Tasty looks absolutely fucking brilliant, doesn’t it?

[Ben Paddon]

Just a bit, yes. :)

[Connell]

I’m in total agreement. The first 2 games of the series are just masterpieces in every shape and form – definitely a benchmark for other platformers – depth of story, intricate levels beautifully designed, interesting characters, the works.

Munch’s Oddysee is best described as a letdown. Oddworld Inhabitants were lured over to the Xbox to be exclusive with promises of better hardware and more freedom of creativity, and were then rushed and forced to downsize the game by almost half it’s original size, which was very costly. Despite this Munch was one of the pioneering games for the Xbox and a very recognizable launch title.

Stranger’s Wrath was certainly a step up from Munch in terms of quality, but it was Oddworld exploring a different genre, one which I’m not that much of a fan of. I got wind they were releasing HD updates of Munch and Stranger and the proceeds would be toward future games and naturally I immediately purchased a copy from the PSN, I’ve played it about once but it was nice to contribute to a company that was a great part of my childhood.

And New N’ Tasty is just going to be a dream. I can’t wait to get that nostalgic feeling play through those levels, I just hope it lives up to it’s expectations. To add to the bashing Microsoft have received at this year’s E3 they are giving Oddworld Inhabitants a lot of hassle trying to get New N’ Tasty onto their platform – The lack of support for self publishing indie developers on their console forces Oddworld Inhabitants to go through a larger publisher to release their game, something which doesn’t seem feasible for them at this time, despite Oddworld helping them to sell their console in the first place! Sort it out Microsoft.

Apologies if I’m starting a conversation over nothing. I loves a bit of Oddworld, me.

[Ben Paddon]

Me too. But over the last three years Microsoft have gone from being one of the most indie-friendly companies to one of the least. It’s tragic.

[Danny Stephenson]

And for someone who loved Exoddus and couldn’t play Oddysee because I was shit at it, I was overjoyed to hear that they’re introducing Quiksave to New N Tasty…

Oddworld truly was a game that was too good for it’s time, the Quintology they had planned was a visionary concept. Remember being absolutely floored by the artwork in the game, every screen was just gorgeous to look at (If you haven’t got ‘The First Ten Years of Oddworld’ book, get it!) and the puzzle like gameplay is a joy. What game hides a secret level on the first screen you see… Oddworld does… :D

[Ridley]

I do want new stories from Oddworld ASAP.

(Microsoft is no longer interested in the audience Oddworld formerly used to attract.)

[Connell]

http://weknowgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/nintendo-sony-microsoft-gif.gif

[Ben Paddon]

Time for another PortsCenter! There have actually been a few in the last couple of months, but I’d forgotten about this thread. Oh well. Have some Ninja Turtles, you bastards.

[Ben Paddon]

And I’ve just formally announced Season 2.

[genericnerdyusername]

Don’t have twitter or a youtube account anymore, but wanted to say I enjoyed that Candle Cove episode. I look forward to Season 2!

[Ben Paddon]

Here endeth season one. Seb Patrick guest stars. No, really.

Fun fact: It’d take about 25 more minutes to watch all of PortsCenter’s first season than it would to watch Red Dwarf X.

[Ridley]

Sebby Shitpeas.

[Ben Paddon]

I made a trailer for the show. It’s 45 seconds long and took me all bloody day to male. I am far too proud of it.

[Connell]

Just watched the corrections episode.. the “up next” gag in the credits had me in absolute stitches. A fitting end to a very enjoyable series, and I thoroughly look forward to this years episodes.

[Ben Paddon]

I’ll be doing a livestream commentary of the entire first season on January 24th at 7pm PST (10pm EST, or 3am on Saturday morning in the UK). Full details here.

[Ben Paddon]

I done a thing.

[Author]

Replies