Comments on: Vaporware

By: Brett Notter

Brett Notter — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 03:48:40 +0000

Hi, I loved the first Jetpack soo much, and I’m really sorry to hear about what happened, but hey, you’re making a new Jetpack, and you got married so that’s really pretty awesome. I got an idea that I think would be neat if implemented, you mentioned that you might want an energy bar or something like that, how about real physical problems if hurt, like a broken leg or legs, but a health pack could heal it, and you wouldn’t even need a health bar. I don’t know, it’s just an idea, and I’m sure it’ll be great either way. You’re the man, and I swear my eternal thanks to you for providing one of the best games out there.

By: Jetpack 2 in development, has dev blog

Jetpack 2 in development, has dev blog — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:41:15 +0000

[...] specific missions that you have created into another web page. There is also a great post on the nature of vaporware and, in a way, getting in over your head. The blog is an excellent read for all interested in [...]

By: Adam Conroy

Adam Conroy — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:26:18 +0000

Wow, I never knew! I grew up with Jetpack being one of my favorite games. With Loderunner on the Apple2E as one of my first video games, Jetpack felt like the grown up version of it and I played it to death. That marble worm was the first of many challenges that really pushed me to think a little differently. I kind of assumed that everyone who made the games I loved went on to be the Carmacks and Sweenys of the world.

This also really touches me deeply, I’ve personally felt the sting of making some poor decisions after small amounts of success and not treating it properly. It’s never too late to go for it.

I am currently working at a gaming company that makes quality, original flash games and we treat people well in all ways (no evil grind, good pay, good creative outlets). I don’t know if you’re looking for contract work or as a good full time hire but I might be able to do something for you. Check out our site and company site to see what we’re about:

http://www.conduitlabs.com
http://www.loudcrowd.com

Anyway, I wish you all the luck in the world! If Jetpack 2 is good I will patronize your products and espouse its qualities far and wide! If you want a critical eye or any feedback on Jetpack 2 I’d be more than happy to give it, the joy you gave me as a child could never be properly paid back. Just shoot me an email.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:42:57 +0000

My third (or fourth?) comment today…sorry! I’m just finding this site really interesting!

I was wondering, what is it you don’t like about C++ or particularly do like about ActionScript? I’ve never used AS and usually program in C++ (not C, I suck at it) but whenever I start a project I look for alternatives before deciding C++ is the easiest for me to use. I don’t think my code suffers from readability cos I’m a competant but not clever programmer, so my code usually ends up simple, maybe not very compact, but effective.

Also, I’ve not had time to read everything, but did you make the original Jetpack? If so then kudos! I loved that game.

By: gbgg9409

gbgg9409 — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:07:31 +0000

Wow. This is amazing. I played the original Jetpack when I was younger, but I never thought to take that message about Jetpack 2 at the end seriously! Good job, friend. You have not been sucked in by the same vortex that got the programmers for Commander Keen, and Bill Watterson. Anyway, wish you the best with Jetpack 2! In the meantime, I’ll just keep playing the first one… that should keep me satisfied until you’re finished.

By: Ethan

Ethan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:53:34 +0000

You did a good job on the first game [it was fun and playable, which are really the two most important features in a game,] I’m glad you didn’t give up on games altogether, and I’m sure a whole bunch more people will be soon when Jetpack 2 is released. I don’t know if I’m so excited about the 800×600 part, but maybe that’s more of a necessity when you’re working with flash than an intentional choice, I don’t know.

That’s awesome that you were part of Obama’s campaign: even up here in Canada a lot of people were really excited and followed the race all the way from the primaries. These was definitely some champagne being drunk up here on the 4th and 5th of November.
Yes we can!

By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 01:44:34 +0000

I just wanted to say the I met Mark on cybersoulmate in Februrary of 2004, we married in September of that year and now we have a beautiful little girl all thanks to your website. We have one of the best relationships of anyone I know. We truly are made for each other. So your years of work on that website wasn’t a total waste. Thanks!

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:16:08 +0000

Yeah, I like the idea of a layered block. For example, you could place a simple gold block, then you could apply a moving walkway, ice, sludge, or make it fake, (walk through-able). Also, the backgrounds like the railing, the blackness, and the vines should be in a separate section so that you can apply them over any object. You also need some angled vine blocks. Then you can make cool hanging vines. Spiky vines that kill you too!! I don’t think vehicles or health should be implemented. Lava and water. I think there should be a background timing system so you don’t always have to place balls that are sealed off and roll to switch the switches That wastes space. You should be able to choose how big the level is and then the player can choose how much to show on the screen at once (zoom). That is just my opinion. Even if jetpack 2 is a flop (which it shouldn’t be), then I can at least create more and more and more infinitely fun levels for the original Jetpack.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:16:35 +0000

I loved the original jetpack as a kid. I would like to add my two cents:

* Variable sized levels would be a big plus, so one could make a single screened game, or a very wide one that the screen follows horizontally (or a tall one).
* A tile should have several layers, so one can change the background of the tile independently of the item in the square, and the floor of a tile should be separate to its block, so one for instance could place ice on a gold block.
* I like the previously mentioned ideas of more colours for switches and teleporters.
* Would be cool to have moving target emeralds (eg, one dragged on a chain behind a ball).
* Lots of useless objects and decorations, so levels can be created, then styled.

*PLEASE* keep elements of the original game, that made the gameplay unique:
- Emeralds be the main focus, other “missions” should be secondary, or also involve emeralds somehow. In fact in my opinion missions are not necessary, since one can already create missions by clever use of switches and emerald placement, etc.
- Player should still only jump one square high.
- Please call it Jetpack 2, not many other games can boast 15 years between productions, you should be proud of the legacy of jetpack.
- Leaving the gems ‘gone’ after you die should be optional, otherwise there could possibly be times where it would be tactical to kill one’s self.

Last but not least, please DON’T introduce a Mrs Jetpack.

All the best of luck, I’m watching this space and spreading the word.

By: Protected

Protected — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:53:32 +0000

“Why are there no companies that just want to make cool, original games and treat people fairly?”

There are some. But usually they can’t pay you so much, because treating people fairly is more expensive than treating them like shit. Maybe you should look at smaller companies instead?

Here’s a good (not so small) company: http://www.doublefine.com/ . Tim Schaffer and some of the old LucasArts crew (and LucasArts was the most kickass game development company before year 2000). Try their game Psychonauts, if you didn’t yet.