Over at NAG Online, I've written one or two pieces that concern themselves with game modding and the like. I'll be the first to admit that modding isn't my strongest point — or an aspect of game development which I have a particularly vested interest in — but I do believe that any self-respecting developer who wants to approach their craft with a well-rounded knowledge base will keep general tabs on the mod scene.

It's for this reason that I'm particularly interested in this GameCareerGuide feature entitled "Is Modding Useful?" Not only does it soberly and thoroughly explore the mod scene as it stands today, but it gives realistic advice about how to use your modding experience to attract game recruiters and gain valuable skills. Think of it as a "crash course" guide to mod-making, right down to how you get started with it in the first place.

It's nice to see a piece like this, particularly when some people still view modding as a "childish" or "wasteful" pursuit (unless, of course, my impression of the general populace is totally screwy). I can't say that I'm really a fan of Counterstrike and the like, but there have been some fascinating mods recently which demonstrate that this field isn't restricted to the likes of mere amateurs and wannabes.

-Nandrew

Holy crap, it really seems to be the season for indie specials and giveaways. First we had the pay-what-you-want special for World of Goo, then the giveaway announcement for Unity3D's Indie package. Now we hear that Lugaru, the ninja bunny brawler from the good old chaps at Wolfire, is going for a quarter of its normal price via Direct2Drive.

Readers may remember us singing Lugaru's praises a little while back, and our opinion hasn't changed since then. Get it! Get it! Get it! It's a damn challenging game, but if you aren't the easily intimidated type, you're in for a close-combat fighter that relies on good old timing and skill rather than fancy combos and relentless button-mashing. Really has a way of making a player feel alive. At least, as long as said player isn't getting relentlessly slaughtered. But hey, with great challenge comes great achievement!

Lugaru is currently pinned at $4.95, and the offer lasts until 4 November. It's sitting pretty over here.

-Nandrew

Oh boy, Unity's servers must be veritably clogged right now. Earlier today, Rock, Paper, Shotgun discovered that the Unity Indie package is being given away for free. Considering how the product used to be a not-so-dismissable $200, this offer is pretty damn significant for indie enthusiasts cursed with shallow pockets.

The Pro edition still stands at its original price tag of $1500, but the new offer means that hobbyists and casual users can now poke about with the tool and explore its power without incurring any financial risk. It's a great opportunity for anybody to grab a very high-profile tool and do some wonderful stuff with it.

And, well ... that pretty much sums up this news report, I suppose. Read the RPS post for more juicy flavour text, then head on over to Unity's Website to get this super smexy product for yourself!

-Nandrew

I think I've mentioned before how delightfully interesting TIGSource manages to make its game development competitions. Oh, sure, you could go for one of those stock-standard phrase-themed compos that all the other kids are going for, but why keep yourself trapped inside that box when you can think in terms of the new Assemblee comp?

Assemblee comes in two month-long parts: first, it gathers a bunch of artists and musicians to generate content — any content — for potential videogames of kickass awesomeness. After said month of art and music creation, entrants are rated on the quality of their creations and the relay baton is passed on to programmers and designers, whose job involves looking at these resources and trying to devise a game from them. No edits, no external material: just whatever they can do with the given material in-game.

It's an interesting competition premise, and as with any interesting competition should attract some pretty interesting entries. If you're a musician or artist, your job starts now. If you're a programmer or designer, head on over and keep tabs on the stuff getting created: you'll be asked to start your work in a little under a month's time.

Good luck to everybody taking part, this looks like good fun!

-Nandrew

So here's a little something to kickstart your weekend and brighten your day. Edmund Mcmillen, a delightfully twisted gentleman who should probably never be allowed near children, was recently allowed near children. One of them happened to be a grizzled, stern-faced game reviewer called Acacia, and it was her job to analyse and evaluate Super Meat Boy.

But seriously? This YouTube vid shows how a totally smart and totally cute 3-year-old ends up playing an awesome game, while making some totally smart and totally cute comments in the process. As a whole, the video is best described as "adorably disturbing". Remember, kids: Super Meat Boy will cause deadly spikes to haunt your nightmares. Or something like that.

Just watching this video makes me pretty amped to try SMB myself. It also highlights the value of using toddlers in game marketing efforts.

Ahh, magical!

-Nandrew