Learn more about Vektor

Last time we brought you the first in the series of our three features on escapeVektor. In this second instalment, we tell you about another enemy type, as well as details on the secrets and achievements to be uncovered in the title.

Anti-Hunter tactics, exits to hidden areas and the key to Vektor’s memory

escapeVektor™ is a retro styled arcade game in which the player controls Vektor, an entity trapped inside the player’s CPU. Each node (level) consists of a series of interconnected lines which form cells. These are claimed as Vektor moves along them. Claiming all of the cells in a node unlocks the exit to the next node, bringing Vektor closer to his escape.

However, this is no ordinary CPU. It has held Vektor captive for what feels like an eternity and it doesn’t want him to leave now. As Vektor progresses with his escape, the CPU sets up obstacles and sends out its army to destroy him.

We told you about about those dumb Patrols in the first part of our escapeVektor feature. We also described the dangerous Electric Fences and Cannons, not to mention Vektor’s useful abilities. Now it’s time to find out about another enemy and see how you get Vektor out of there. (more…)

Another one of our GDC interviews has recently appeared online. This one is a podcast interview with the Experimental Game Dev Podcast Show (see our GDC Diary, Part 2). In it, Nic & Bruce talk about why we developed the myLifeCollected range for DSiWare and how these apps influenced the making of Spirit Hunters Inc. We also talk about Pop/Pop Plus: Solo and escapeVektor, and why we make games for consoles rather than mobile phones or PCs.

Click here to be taken to the podcast

As featured in part 3 of our GDC diary, Nic was interviewed by Gamereactor. They have recently released the interview which covers escapeVektor, Spirit Hunters Inc and Nnooo’s game making strategy. Click here to see the video



When the guys from Australia’s MMGN website got in touch for an interview, Nic was there to answer their questions on being an indie developer, the state of the Australian market, and of course Spirit Hunters Inc & escapeVektor: Chapter 1. See and hear what he had to say to Stephen Heller from MMGN.

Indie Dev Insight – Nnooo

It takes drive, motivation and a creative flair to be successful in the games industry, and Sydney-based developer Nnooo have all of its bases covered. With a successful game under its belt and a series of popular applications for the Nintendo DSi to their name, we recently had the chance to catch up with founder Nic Watt and discuss his thoughts on the industry, and find out a little more about their upcoming projects. (more…)

When Matt Sainsbury from Digitally Downloaded came to have a look at escapeVektor: Chapter 1, he also took some time to catch up with Nic. Based in Sydney, Matt knows us reasonably well by now and Nnooo is featured in this month’s edition of the online magazine. Once you’ve finished reading pages 16-19, have a flick through the rest of it. We think it’s well worth a read!

We were recently contacted by the Indie Games Channel for a written interview. As well as asking Nic about the background to escapeVektor and Spirit Hunters Inc, they were keen to learn more about the game development process and the challenges of making games for different platforms. Finally, Nic has some advice for new development studios. (more…)

Next up on the GDC interviews is Gamespot. They interviewed Nic on the final afternoon of GDC. We think he looks pretty fresh considering the hectic week he had at the conference. Have a look at our GDC Diaries for the full story but first check out the interview. (more…)

Another week, another interview! This time Nic was interviewed by Cameron Litland from The Speed Gamers. The interview covers the origin of the name “Nnooo”, the reasons for making the myLifeCollected series and how myLifeCollected helped us to develop Spirit Hunters Inc. And of course, a chat about Spirit Hunters Inc & escapeVektor, and what we’re planning for the Nintendo 3DS. At around 16 minutes, this bitesize interview is well worth a listen!

Go directly to The Speed Gamers website for the interview.

Nic testing out his Nntendo 3DS "for research purposes"

We recently had our first team interview! The interviewers were our old friend Daan Koopman, who has interviewed Nic a few times before, and Daan’s colleague Jason Davidson. We talked in detail about Spirit Hunters Inc, escapeVektor, our future plans and a few other things. It was quite a long one, about an hour and a quarter, with plenty of details on the upcoming games! Daan and Jason are starting up a new site called Moving Platforms. Knowing these guys, it is bound to be a great success. Keep an eye out for their future content through Daan’s twitter account.

Click here for the full interview and let us know what you think!

This is why we like audio interviews! From left, Nic, Bruce & Steven

Friday March 4th – Interviews, Secret Talks & Pure Entertainment

Thankfully we had a quiet night on Thursday because Friday was a media onslaught with every interview on camera! First up was News 10 from the ABC network. They were meant to be doing 3 interviews over the course of an hour, but as the other devs didn’t show (not any of the guys mentioned in part 2 by the way), Nic had a full hour with them! Not only did he showcase escapeVektor and Spirit Hunters Inc, he did an additional interview on the madness of Australia not having an R18+ rating. We’re looking forward to that coming out! (more…)