ahoy

Big Boxes

Computer games used to come in boxes. They still do, but they used to as well.

Big Box EP Download

The soundtrack for my forthcoming video (Big Box EP) is now live on most streaming platforms - you'll find it on Spotify here, for instance.

It's also available on Bandcamp, but here's a link to a complimentary lossless FLAC download for patrons:

http://xboxahoy.com/patreon/big-box-ep.zip [95MB] 

Patreon Vlog №24

New camera! Intended for future projects, but the vlog benefits as well.

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_  

Patreon Vlog №23

Video on boxes nearly complete.

 Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_  

Patreon Vlog №22

A post-lockdown update.

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_ 

Explosive Barrels.

Overused. Everywhere. Explosive Barrels.

Glock.

Iconic Arms returns with the Glock.

Soundtrack: The First Video Game

The soundtrack to FVG is available on most platforms, including Spotify, Bandcamp, and even YouTube. If you'd like to download the soundtrack, you can do so here:

http://xboxahoy.com/patreon/firstvideogame.zip (FLAC, 258MB) 

The First Video Game

Here's a question for you: what was the first ever video game?

A question which I always thought lacked a satisfactory answer. This video is my attempt to find one - or at least a reason for the difficulty in answering.

The Visual Style of 'The First Video Game'

I've always been fond of the analogue domain. From the footage dubbed onto VHS for Polybius, to the direct-from-CRT shots of Flatline, there's something about the impefections of the real world that can't be simulated authentically. Naturally, for a video about the first ever video game, I wanted something equally evocative of an era past - nostalgic mid-century tech. 

Luckily, I had a slightly rusty overhead projector to hand - originally acquired for 'Behind The Lines' in 2011, it was never used, and spent most of its post-academic career in my shed. However, after a thorough clean and check-over - I decided that FVG was this OHP's time to shine (forgive the pun).

I had the idea of preparing printed acetate sheets for my graphics, and filming the placement and removal of such sheets on the OHP. With a touch of editing, I could sync everything up - and even have two slides overlap on screen at once, if necessary.

However, rather than the traditional dark-on-light approach, I wanted to mirror the light-on-dark screens of early games - so I designed my graphics in negative, with the raw acetate footage looking something like this:

Then, we can invert the image, apply some level adjustment/colour correction - and we end up with this:

Which looks distinctly more asteroids-y. Of course, I could have just saved out clean digital versions of the graphics and skipped filming entirely - but then we would have lost out on those desirable analogue traits. 

Even in stills, these qualities are apparent: the sharp edges are blurred, with a touch of (all-natural) chromatic abberation imparted by the less-than-perfect fresnel lenses. While I've designed all the slides as black and white images, the results show hints of colour at the fringes - if we boost saturation we can see this more clearly:

Also notice the rogue fingers (model's own). The odd fingerprint, mote of dust or spill also turn up on some slides - there's even an errant moth drawn in by the OHP's lamp.

A quick note on type: I decided early on that I wanted a strong mid-century feel (i.e. 1950s/60s). Something slightly retro-futuristic to reflect the post-war era, but not to lose the sense of technological impulse. 

Helvetica is the poster child of the late 20th century, but it was a bit on the nose for this video (I tend to reserve it for Iconic Arms, anyway) - so I considered another neo-grotesque typeface: Monotype Grotesque. It's similar to Helvetica, but in a not-quite-there sense that carries along with the midcentury feel.

I've attempted to include original documents wherever possible in this video, as not only are some of them interesting (and relevant to the topic of the video), but the original design and typography help contribute to that 'feel' of the video: as though you're viewing these documents on a microfiche viewer in a dusty corner of a library, circa 1983.

Somewhere between a school presentation and fevered research deep down some rabbit hole: Printing out hundreds of acetate sheets may not have been the most practical idea, but it is definitely a process.

Minecraft Realm

I've set up a Minecraft Realm for patrons! Click the link to join our server (you'll need Bedrock edition - i.e. Windows 10, Xbox, Switch or mobile).

10 slots, all welcome. Catch me in the evenings mining, mapping or building some grand project.

Patreon Vlog №20

Still writing the soundtrack for 'First Video Game', but at least the vlog is on time!

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_ 

Patreon Vlog №19

I'm approaching the end of my 'First Video Game' project, and it's fair to say it (along with the summer heat) has taken its toll. We'll find out if it was worth it soon, but here's a vlog in the meantime!

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_  

Patreon Vlog №18

My garage gets warmer with every month that passes. Soon I won't have to wear a jacket.

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_ 

MP40.

Iconic Arms returns with the MP40.

NB: This isn't the start of a 6-episode run, I plan on incorporating Iconic Arms into the mix of vids I produce. This does mean I won't leave it so long between episodes, however.

Patreon Vlog №17

This is actually last month's vlog - I, er, forgot to post it. Good news though - another one is due very soon (and I'm about to post a new vid release).

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_  

Flatline Soundtrack

I'm about to put the Flatline soundtrack live on Bandcamp, but before I do I figured I'd send you guys a free download link.

It's in lossless FLAC format (the same ones I provided to Bandcamp), and the link is here:

http://xboxahoy.com/patreon/flatline-album.zip [142MB]

FLATLINE: How The Amiga Languished [Patreon Preview]

Finally done!

Flatline is a tale of the Amiga's initial promise, its failure - and eventual redemption. It details a period in the machine's history of which even ardent fans of the Amiga may only have a limited appreciation.

I chose a slightly different approach to this video, using original hardware and CRT displays instead of emulation. Not only does it grant a unique visual aesthetic, I think it also lends a degree of authenticity to the 'feel' of the video - as well as a considerable technical challenge. (Also, it gave me an excuse to expand my collection of Amiga hardware and software!)

I'll be releasing the video publicly in a week (14th December) via the new 'YouTube Premieres' feature - i.e. subscribers will be notified ahead of the video going live.

Vlog to follow soon - I'll be posting soundtrack/wallpaper links for the benefit of patrons shortly, too.

Patreon Vlog №16

 Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_  

Chicken-o-meter.

The story of a particularly peculiar style of health bar.

I've had this idea for a while - it's essentially a vignette on the greater evolution of health indication/systems in games. An evolutionary offshoot that endured for a few years, then died off. I was always quite fond of them.

Soundtrack is here: https://soundcloud.com/xahoy/chicken-o-meter

Patreon Vlog №15

A vlog! Expect another soon-ish too - I plan on doing another in the wake of Chicken-o-meter where I'll take some viewer questions again.

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_ 

RetroAhoy: The Secret of Monkey Island

 How appropriate. You fight like a cow.

Patreon Vlog №14

First vlog post-move! Now that I've actually got a new studio, I shall have to update my goals.

Bonus Monkey Island trivia vid here:  https://youtu.be/tDLyrEwuz4s 

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_ 

[PREVIEW] RetroAhoy: Monkey Island (Act One)

I have some work-in-progress for you: the first third of the next RetroAhoy installment (featuring one of my all-time favourites, The Secret of Monkey Island). This portion covers the early history of adventure games, the formation of LucasFilm Games - everything up to SOMI's release, essentially.

The final video will probably end up being an hour long or so, in the vein of the Doom/Quake videos. Another two acts to produce yet, along with an intro/outro.

Vlog to follow very soon. Still catching up in the wake of moving house!

Patreon Vlog №13

I'll catch up eventually. 

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_ 

Polybius 4K Wallpapers

I spent quite a bit of time on the pixel art for Polybius' intro, shooting for that 16-bit arcade aesthetic. It was laborious, but some of the scenes were pretty nice!

I made some 4K wallpapers for those that might want them - browse the Imgur gallery linked, or download direct here:

http://xboxahoy.com/patreon/polybius-4k-wallpapers.zip

Polybius Soundtrack

If you've watched the Polybius video, you might have noticed the background music: I was foolish enough to compose an original soundtrack for the project.

By popular demand, I've posted the album to Bandcamp so you can hear the tracks without me talking over the top.

And, as a perk of your patronage, here's the link to the full set of FLAC files:

http://xboxahoy.com/patreon/polybius-album.zip [250MB]

POLYBIUS - The Video Game That Doesn't Exist

There is a video game that doesn't exist...

Patreon Vlog №12

Slightly delayed because I am moving house and it turns out that's a pain. Different camera (My Canon 7D) because my usual one isn't taking AC power any more.

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_  

Patreon Vlog №11

A little different this time - I am playing a game. 

Oh, and if you haven't seen it you can see a preview of the first act of the forthcoming Polybius video here: https://youtu.be/7QMP4Xb1P-I 

Vlog playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_HMHCOFcqy6jpNK3JhmN7Pd1j2uq7VY_