Difference between revisions of "Houses"

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|text=
 
|text=
 
'''Release type:''' [[:Category:Demo games|Demo game]]<br />
 
'''Release type:''' [[:Category:Demo games|Demo game]]<br />
'''Release date:''' 1991<br />
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'''Release date:''' [[1991]][[Category: 1991]]<br />
 
'''Levels:''' 3<br />
 
'''Levels:''' 3<br />
'''Author:''' [[Recreational Software Designs]] with [[Sheldon Chase]]<br />
+
'''Author:''' [[Joan Stone]] with [[Sheldon Chase]]<br />
 
'''Related games:''' ''[[Terrain]]'', ''[[Sample]]'', ''[[Tutor]]'', ''[[Woman Warrior and the Outer Limits | WW: Outer Limits]]'', ''[[Woman Warrior and the Attack from Below | WW: Attack from Below]]''
 
'''Related games:''' ''[[Terrain]]'', ''[[Sample]]'', ''[[Tutor]]'', ''[[Woman Warrior and the Outer Limits | WW: Outer Limits]]'', ''[[Woman Warrior and the Attack from Below | WW: Attack from Below]]''
}}Along with ''[[Terrain]]'' and ''[[Tutor]]'', Houses is one of the more overt demo games to come with [[Game-Maker]], and along with ''Terrain'' you could kind of consider it a spin-off or crossover from ''[[Sample]]''. The object is to teach designers how to incorporate multiple characters within a single level. You wander a map riddled with houses of various designs. If you follow the path, each of the first few houses is a hotspot. Depending on which door you enter, you branch off into a parallel version of the map starring a different character.
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}}Along with ''[[Terrain]]'' and ''[[Tutor]]'', Houses is one of the more overt demo games to come with [[Game-Maker]], and along with ''Terrain'' it may be considered it a spin-off of or crossover from ''[[Sample]]''.  
  
The game contains (indeed begins with) a slightly less refined version of [[Sheldon Chase|Chase]]’s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge  Muybridge] lady, wearing just a blue swimsuit — more or less a selective palette swap, adding both a bit of color and a bit of modesty to the black-and-white photos. Houses is a later addition to [[Recreational Software Designs | RSD]]’s demo portfolio, and perhaps was added for the 3.0 CD release. For posterity, that release also comes with a bare version of the Muybridge model — although I believe it exists only as a raw sprite set, and is not incorporated into any game.
+
In its original incarnation, ''Houses'' was a single-level affair involving the biker character. Find the right door; exit the level. As with ''Terrain'', its main purpose was to illustrate various tiling patterns. For later releases of Game-Maker, ''Houses'' was updated with two further characters and a branched structure.
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[[File:Terrance.png|center]]
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 +
In its ultimate incarnation, the object of the game is to teach designers how to incorporate multiple characters within a single level. The player wanders a map riddled with houses of various designs. If one follows the path, each of the first few houses is a hotspot. Depending on which door one enters, the path branches off into a parallel version of the map featuring a different character.
 +
 
 +
The extra characters include "[[:File:RSD-Cast.png|Sam Stone]]" from ''Sample'' and ''Terrain'', and a basic version of [[Sheldon Chase|Chase]]’s [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge  Muybridge] lady, wearing just a blue swimsuit — more or less a selective palette swap, adding both a bit of color and a bit of modesty to Muybridge's original black-and-white photos. A fully nude version also exists (as per the original photographs), although only as a raw sprite set; it is not incorporated into any game.
 +
 
 +
[[File:Edie.png|center]]
  
 
[[File:houses.png|thumb|320px|Ghostly faces in ''Houses'']]
 
[[File:houses.png|thumb|320px|Ghostly faces in ''Houses'']]
[[File:Edie.png|center]]
 
  
''Houses'' seems to have undergone heavy revision at some point; although early instruction manuals mention the game, in the final version Sheldon Chase’s character sprite, which was only introduced in late versions of Game-Maker, holds center stage.  
+
Altogether, ''Houses'' seems to have undergone heavy revision along the way; although early instruction manuals mention the game, in the final version Sheldon Chase’s character sprite, which was only introduced in late versions of Game-Maker, holds center stage.
 +
 
 +
Some of the background elements in ''Houses'' (indeed also in ''Sample'' and ''Terrain'') are borrowed from [[Andy Stone]]'s ''[[Labyrinth]]'', the Ur game that led to the development of Game-Maker. Those tiles include some of the grass and mud elements.  
  
===Notes:===
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'''Notes:'''
  
* Why does the punk unicyclist live in the ritziest house of all?
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* Why does the biker character live in the ritziest house of all? Is it a consolation prize for being relegated to a third-tier character in his own game?
 
* Wow, what's the deal with the shadowy forms in the row house windows?
 
* Wow, what's the deal with the shadowy forms in the row house windows?
 
* There is in fact a goal to find. It's a house with the word "EXIT" above the door.
 
* There is in fact a goal to find. It's a house with the word "EXIT" above the door.
 
* You can only actually finish the game with the biker character.
 
* You can only actually finish the game with the biker character.
  
==Instructions==
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{{SeriesNav|Terrain|Houses|Sample series{{!}}(Overview)|[[Sample series]]}}
 +
 
 +
== Story ==
 +
 
 +
[[File:HousesMap.png|thumb|320px|The prime real estate of ''Houses'']]
 +
 
 +
''Houses'' illustrates how to make buildings out of the blocks in the HOUSES block set. It also illustrates how you can have the character change to another character.
  
''Houses'' illustrates how to make buildings out of the blocks in the HOUSES block set.  It also illustrates  how  you can have the  character    change    to another character.
+
== Instructions ==
  
 
Use the '''arrow  keys'''  to  move. Other  keys do various  things for each of the characters.
 
Use the '''arrow  keys'''  to  move. Other  keys do various  things for each of the characters.
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Female character by [[Sheldon Chase]].
 
Female character by [[Sheldon Chase]].
  
==Resources==
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== Resources ==
  
 
* Background blocks, character blocks, and character reused from ''[[Sample]]''.
 
* Background blocks, character blocks, and character reused from ''[[Sample]]''.
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* Sheldon Chase's female character is based on photographs by ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge Eadweard Muybridge]'', and is further adapted in his ''[[Woman Warrior]]'' games.
 
* Sheldon Chase's female character is based on photographs by ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge Eadweard Muybridge]'', and is further adapted in his ''[[Woman Warrior]]'' games.
  
==Links==
+
== Availability ==
 +
 
 +
Distributed with all versions of [[Game-Maker]].
 +
 
 +
In addition, full versions of Game-Maker and its gameware were illegally distributed on several shovelware CD-ROMs in the early-mid 1990s, such as '''[[:Category: Softkey Entertainment Pack|Softkey Entertainment Pack]]'''[[Category: Softkey Entertainment Pack]] (July 1996)
 +
 
 +
== Archive History ==
 +
 
 +
''Houses'' was introduced to the archive with the purchase of Game-Maker 1.02 in September 1992.
 +
 
 +
== Links ==
 +
 
 +
<youtube>1KuWwoWmPHA</youtube>
  
<videoflash>Q0j1EN519lM</videoflash>
+
=== Interviews / Articles ===
  
 +
* [http://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/EJRTairne/20130512/192139/Bonus_Time_with_Andy_Stone.php Bonus Time with Andrew Stone] (Gamasutra)
 
* [http://www.diygamer.com/2010/06/gamemaker-archive-sheldon-chase-woman-warrior/ Sheldon Chase and the Warrior Woman (DIYGamer)]
 
* [http://www.diygamer.com/2010/06/gamemaker-archive-sheldon-chase-woman-warrior/ Sheldon Chase and the Warrior Woman (DIYGamer)]
 +
* [http://ejmuybridge.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/the-woman-warrior-muybridge-motion-capture/ Muy Blog]
 +
 +
=== Listings ===
 +
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/Houses_1020 archive.org entry]
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* [http://demu.org/resource/Houses_1020 demu.org entry]
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 +
=== Misc. Links ===
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* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0j1EN519lM Older gameplay video]
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* '''[http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/java/houses.php Play ''Houses'' online]'''
  
==Downloads==
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== Downloads ==
  
 
* '''''[http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/downloads/houses.zip Houses]''''' (220.5 kB)
 
* '''''[http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/downloads/houses.zip Houses]''''' (220.5 kB)
 +
* [[Media:HousesMap.png|Houses map]] (281 kB)
  
 
[[Category: Game-Maker games]]
 
[[Category: Game-Maker games]]
 
[[Category: Demo games]]
 
[[Category: Demo games]]
 +
[[Category: Joan Stone]]
 
[[Category: Recreational Software Designs]]
 
[[Category: Recreational Software Designs]]
 
[[Category: Sheldon Chase]]
 
[[Category: Sheldon Chase]]
 
[[Category: Nonlinear]]
 
[[Category: Nonlinear]]
 
[[Category: Top-down]]
 
[[Category: Top-down]]
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[[Category: Multiple characters]]
 
[[Category: Educational]]
 
[[Category: Educational]]
 
[[Category: Old discoveries]]
 
[[Category: Old discoveries]]
 +
[[Category: Game-Maker 3.0 CD]]
 +
[[Category: Sample series]]
 +
[[Category: Woman Warrior series]]
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[[Category: Complete games]]
 +
[[Category: Compilation CD-ROMs]]
 +
[[Category: New Hampshire]]
 +
[[Category: United States]]
 +
[[Category: DIYGamer]]

Latest revision as of 18:19, 22 June 2021

Houses
Houses-title.gif

Release type: Demo game
Release date: 1991
Levels: 3
Author: Joan Stone with Sheldon Chase
Related games: Terrain, Sample, Tutor, WW: Outer Limits, WW: Attack from Below

Along with Terrain and Tutor, Houses is one of the more overt demo games to come with Game-Maker, and along with Terrain it may be considered it a spin-off of or crossover from Sample.

In its original incarnation, Houses was a single-level affair involving the biker character. Find the right door; exit the level. As with Terrain, its main purpose was to illustrate various tiling patterns. For later releases of Game-Maker, Houses was updated with two further characters and a branched structure.

Terrance.png

In its ultimate incarnation, the object of the game is to teach designers how to incorporate multiple characters within a single level. The player wanders a map riddled with houses of various designs. If one follows the path, each of the first few houses is a hotspot. Depending on which door one enters, the path branches off into a parallel version of the map featuring a different character.

The extra characters include "Sam Stone" from Sample and Terrain, and a basic version of Chase’s Muybridge lady, wearing just a blue swimsuit — more or less a selective palette swap, adding both a bit of color and a bit of modesty to Muybridge's original black-and-white photos. A fully nude version also exists (as per the original photographs), although only as a raw sprite set; it is not incorporated into any game.

Edie.png
Ghostly faces in Houses

Altogether, Houses seems to have undergone heavy revision along the way; although early instruction manuals mention the game, in the final version Sheldon Chase’s character sprite, which was only introduced in late versions of Game-Maker, holds center stage.

Some of the background elements in Houses (indeed also in Sample and Terrain) are borrowed from Andy Stone's Labyrinth, the Ur game that led to the development of Game-Maker. Those tiles include some of the grass and mud elements.

Notes:

  • Why does the biker character live in the ritziest house of all? Is it a consolation prize for being relegated to a third-tier character in his own game?
  • Wow, what's the deal with the shadowy forms in the row house windows?
  • There is in fact a goal to find. It's a house with the word "EXIT" above the door.
  • You can only actually finish the game with the biker character.
Previous Current Next
Terrain Houses (Overview)
Sample series

Story

The prime real estate of Houses

Houses illustrates how to make buildings out of the blocks in the HOUSES block set. It also illustrates how you can have the character change to another character.

Instructions

Use the arrow keys to move. Other keys do various things for each of the characters.

Follow the green path to change into another character. To leave the game, press the ESC key or enter the door with the EXIT sign.

Credits

Designed by Recreational Software Designs.

Female character by Sheldon Chase.

Resources

  • Background blocks, character blocks, and character reused from Sample.
  • The biker character is also used in Tutor.
  • Sheldon Chase's female character is based on photographs by Eadweard Muybridge, and is further adapted in his Woman Warrior games.

Availability

Distributed with all versions of Game-Maker.

In addition, full versions of Game-Maker and its gameware were illegally distributed on several shovelware CD-ROMs in the early-mid 1990s, such as Softkey Entertainment Pack (July 1996)

Archive History

Houses was introduced to the archive with the purchase of Game-Maker 1.02 in September 1992.

Links

Interviews / Articles

Listings

Misc. Links

Downloads