(apologies to Hubert J. Farnsworth)
UPDATE: Ignore this post. After investigating the possibilities, I decided that there wasn’t enough market for just a basic port of the original Jetpack.
We’re shifting gears!
Instead of just releasing a small retro port as a milestone on the way to Jetpack 2, I suddenly realized with so much work done, taking a bit more work I could make a full game release out of it. Announcing the March 2010 release of a brand new & enhanced, web playable Jetpack!
From the press release:
Jetpack is a classic game from the MSDOS era (1993). Jetpack was the #1 top seller for its publisher out of 70 titles, and since its re-release as freeware in 1995 it has been downloaded over 1 million times from AdeptSoftware.com. Many people have fond memories of the family-friendly brand. The old DOS version of Jetpack continues to receive 2000+ downloads per month from our site, despite requiring DOSBox to run in new versions of Windows. The re-release of Jetpack to the web platform will add high res graphics, new levels, remastered sounds, realistic physics, and a pixelated “retro mode”, as well as a level editor integrated into the level repository at JetpackHQ.com.
Adept Software was founded in 1997 and incorporated in 2004. Past projects range from development applications (PLC, Nautilus) to dating & social networking services (CyberSoulmate, NetRelate, ConnectMate). Our current focus is on web playable video games, specifically reviving classic retro games.
The title of this game will just be “Jetpack”, like the original. As for Jetpack 2, the plan is for a release near the end of this year. I’m pulling the retro mode out of Jetpack 2 – it will only exist in Jetpack 1. The gameplay of Jetpack 2 will be significantly different, so you’ll want to play them both.
It’s great to be working toward a goal that’s so close! We’ll be staying true to the original gameplay, but with your help there will be several enhancements:
- New high res graphics & sound effects
- Music!
- New levels!
- Difficulty levels. Finally my mom will be able to play.
- Improvements to controls and physics
- Shiny new info panels & end level stats
- The author & background story for each original level, including the official hintbook text
- Web playable, embeddable, and downloadable versions
- Retro mode with the original, old school graphics and sounds
I say “with your help”, because I’m going to need help creating new graphics, music, sounds, and levels. More on that coming soon.
Adam
January 31st, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Considering the differences in gameplay between the two new games, how representative of Jetpack 2′s performance will this release be? Flash isn’t exactly known for being a speed hound, but considering how much work you’ve put into optimization, I’m sure it’ll be much more fluent than the average Flash game. If this holds true for Jetpack (the second number one), can one assume it does for Jetpack 2 (i.e. the third) as well?
Despite my skepticism on the choice of platform, these are very pleasant news with which to be surprised on a snowy Danish night, I tell you. Great work!
January 31st, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Thanks! Since there’s no scrolling, there’s really very little to slow it down. The only time speed is a consideration in these projects is when it limits visual effects. I have code to automatically reduce quality if the frame rate drops – this affects the number of smoke particles produced, the amount of antialiasing, etc. I’m more concerned about jerkiness, which is caused by the browser. People playing web games must be used to that, but the jerkiness goes away when its run standalone.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:49 am
Great news indeed!
February 1st, 2010 at 10:53 am
This is awesome! I’m not entirely sure I can help with graphics like I said earlier (although I’d be glad to help in whatever you need), but I guess I could give a hand with music.
I have some of it in my page here, if you need some sample: http://syniphas.drx.pl/?page=music
February 1st, 2010 at 12:23 pm
I’d love to help out with level design! I was creating levels for the original DOS version back when I was 6! I had some very interesting level designs that I wish I had kept. How should I go about creating them (what format, etc.)?
February 1st, 2010 at 1:12 pm
Jetpack DOS is the only tool for creating levels at the moment.
Music submissions would be great, the music needs to be MOD format, preferably from 50k-150k.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Although I share Mikael’s disdain for Flash, it is exciting to see a fresh Jetpack game on the horizon that will be easily accessible to a wider audience.
February 12th, 2010 at 1:37 pm
I think this is a great idea, I hope you get many people playing this and that it helps you publicise Jetpack 2.
I *really* hope I can find my old floppy discs that have the old levels, there is at least 20 that me and a friend made over several years that are of very high quality, to the point where every square on the screen had been considered and plays an intricate role in the gameplay.
What are your thoughts about selling Jetpack 2 for the iPad? I think their app distribution platform is quite good (heard flash doesn’t run on it though, not sure if that’s just for web pages or not).
February 17th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
no way! And it looks like I’ve missed a lot more than just this announcement. I can’t believe so much is happening with Jetpack so quickly!