Luna: Shattered Hearts Gaming In the Raw

Many aspects go into getting a game up and going and KickStarter has seen hundreds of indie developers try to do just that. So what does it take for a successful campaign? Quite a bit actually and a development team is essential. Does it mean because a game didn’t get funded it wasn’t a good game or even a great idea? Not always but that’s where games like Luna fall in.

Luna has the potential to be a great game especially if it was focused towards the mobile platform of Android and iOS. However lack of funding often means the components and software needed don’t make that a possibility. So what is Luna and what does it have going for it? Luna is an RPG fantasy with the basis that the character relies on a light orb and another in-game character to keep him progressing from level to level. It’s a neat idea though the light orb, which is how you can see in the dark, could use some tweaking. It’s uniqueness is in the fact that all the backgrounds are hand drawn by artist and developer Gillis and it fits in the Retro Game Genre which the mobile platforms are excelling in. Hit the break for more.

However what Luna lacks will also probably be its KickStarter demise. Gillis is the design team and that’s it. Along with that he needs development packages and equipment upgrades. So how does he have a successful campaign, well this one probably won’t hit his desired goal but thankfully you get more than one strike with Kickstater and you can always relaunch a new campaign. Gillis needs the tools and could do so by taking a chance on a small loan which could get him his equipment and networking more his other developers. If all works well and he nails down the right components and preps the game past its current infancy stage he could come back with a strong campaign and possibly blow his goal out of the water. We’ll see how it goes for Gillis click the link here to see his current KickStarter campaign. Press release incoming!

For Immediate Release – Brighton, CO – Luna: Shattered Hearts

solo indie developer Daniel Gill, of Gillis LLC out of Brighton, CO is currently making a platform RPG game called 'Luna Shattered Hearts' and is seeking Kickstarter crowd funding capital. Luna is an amazing 2D side scroller that Daniel Gill, the developer has been working on for six years, and the project is nearly complete. The game features an engaging story and has beautifully hand-drawn graphics. All that's left to do is give Luna an awesome soundtrack, dialog, and sound effects to go along with Luna's already amazing art style. Daniel needs to raise eight thousand dollars to complete the project, and release it. He has already raised close to two thousand with 45 backers on Kickstarter. We are asking for your help letting the public know about Luna, and how they can help this project come to fruition. Once you see Luna you'll be incline to help out also. As an added incentive to help fund this game immediate access to the Beta once the project is funded will be given to all backers. Time is running out and the game is still looking for supporters. The Kickstarter campaign ends February 1st.

We'd like to thank a few journalist who have helped us get Luna to the public:

Louis Edwards – www.terminalgamer.com

Kev J – www.electronictheatre.co.uk

Phil & Brad – www.capsulecomputers.com.au

Patrick Hickey – www.reviewfix.com

Elizabeth Burnette – www.vividgamer.com

Khris Golder – www.gamercheeese.com

William Usher – www.cinemablend.com

Julie Wenzel – www.go-critic.com

Thank you for your continued support.

Puzzlebox Orbit is a toy helicopter you control with your brain

If you have ever taken one of those classes in college that aims to, for example, teach you “physics as related to popular movies,” then you’ve already experienced what “fun education” is supposed to be like. Now, with a Kickstarter campaign that already reached its funding goal, educational company Puzzlebox aims to give everyone the chance to own a toy helicopter you control with your brain, and learn something along the way.

Rather than teaching you how Spider-Man should actually be able to swing around New York like in that college course, Puzzlebox includes educational hardware and software guides with each helicopter. Dubbed the Puzzlebox Orbit, the goal of the toy is to not only make you feel like you have telekinetic powers, but to learn something about building and customizing your own hardware and software.

Puzzlebox aims to release lessons on how brain-controlled devices actually work, as well as how infrared signals can pilot the helicopter. With the Puzzlebox Orbit, Puzzlebox is testing their hypothesis that this kind of product can not only be a successful educational tool, but be commercially viable. Now that the project has hit its goal, Puzzlebox will freely release and distribute all of the material related to the Orbit, such as hardware schematics and source code.

The Orbit is a toy helicopter encased in a protective orb, in order to prevent the toy’s blades from bumping into objects it might fly into. Puzzlebox notes that while RC helicopters have a reputation for being fragile, their Orbit has survived multiple falls and crashes throughout the testing process.

Puzzlebox is offering two models of brain-controlled helicopter — one that can be controlled with smartphones and tablets, and one self-contained unit that comes with the pyramid stand pictured above. The units are controlled via a NeuroSky MindWave Mobile EEG headset, but simply use a different base of communications — a mobile device or the pyramid. The Orbit receives infrared signals from either communications base, but the pyramid station is capable of sending out infrared signals that can be programmed to control other IR-based toys, or even a television.

Now, your brain can’t tell the helicopter to fly in complicated aerial patterns. However, different patterns — such as hovering, or flying across a room — can be set to specific mental states that are measured by the headset. Once the specific mental state is maintained, the signal is sent off to the helicopter, and the Orbit flies in the appropriate pattern.

Though the project has already met its minimum funding goal of $10,000, there are still 16 days left to back the project, and some neat rewards for doing so. A small pledge of $10 will get your name added to a list of sponsors included on the website and within the software, whereas a pledge of $149 will net you an Orbit system along with NeuroSky headset.

If you want to back the project, or are simply interested in learning more, head on over to the Kickstarter page before the funding phase is over in a couple weeks.

Like Power Naps Then You Need The Ostrich Pillow

Anyone who knows me will know that I am prone to odd power nap now and then, but these little power ups can be messy affairs with drinks and stuff on your desk. However, this handy Ostrich Pillow gives the power napper a little bit of privacy and comfort all at the same time. It is not on sale just yet as the team behind the Ostrich Pillow are currently looking at raising funds through the crowd funding site Kickstarter.

These are the details for the very interesting if not strange Ostrich Pillow;

OSTRICH PILLOW is a revolutionary new product to enable easy power naps anytime, everywhere, OSTRICH PILLOW's unique design offers a micro environment in which to take a cosy and comfortable power nap at ease. OSTRICH PILLOW has been designed to allow you to create a little private space within a public one, to relax and unwind. Its soothing soft interior shelters and isolates your head and hands (mind and body) for a short break, without needing to leave your desk, chair, bench or wherever you may be.

Backers on Kickstarter will be able to get their hands on one of the first Ostrich Pillows by pledging just $75 in the US or 47 in the UK.

Source [Studio Banana Things]