Deus Ex Machina, Deus Ex Machina 2

Don't ask me how it happened, but Potassium Frog is launching both Deus Ex Machina and Deus Ex Machina 2 on desktops. Now. www.potassiumfrog.com

Not to mention the bumper package The Book, The Game & The Sequel, but they told me not to mention that.

After 30 years, it's a hit again...

I wonder if this has ever happened before? After 30 years an 8bit computer game has entered the top 20 in Europe. As I write, Deus Ex Machina is no 11 in Amazon Italy's and number 20 in Amazon Spain's Android games charts. Which currently might not be a blockbuster, but it's not bad considering the game's only been out a few days and we have absolutely no publicity budget.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot. We're out on OUYA this Saturday. Home TV plugged into the hifi makes the game a completely new experience. Pretty overwhelming, actually.

Deus Ex Maxhina, Game of the Year 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition

This is the most difficult game I've ever programmed, and for the third time!

You'd think after programming both the c64 and MSX versions of the original classic I'd have had a good idea of how tricky this game would be. Trouble is I could never say no to this classic, and to it's author Mel Croucher.

Part of the problem is that it's a series of short games, linked together by an audio soundtrack. Part of the problem is when playtesting. You get to the point where the only way to playtest is to sit through the whole 40-odd minutes of synchronized soundtrack, checking that everything happens just exactly where it should. 

Oh yes, and there are two different versions of the game, the original and all-new hires graphics edition. How many formats? iOS, Android, Ouya, PC, Mac, Linux, Fire TV, and almost certainly a few more in the future. 

iOS and Android are out now, and OUYA should be out on Saturday the 14th Feb. Desktops by the end of the month, with added director's commentary. There's talk of a follow-up you know. Now would I get involved in that? Watch this space. www,deusexmachina2.com


It would genuinely be a shame to miss it.

DEUS EX MACHINA, Game of the Year, 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition from Colin Jones on Vimeo.