Category:Mark Hadley

Hark Hadley's Parsec Man 3D

Michigander Mark J. Hadley probably comes as close as anyone to playing Game-Maker like a fine instrument. He has a sense of the software's limits, and he works within them to avoid bumping the edges and giving away his secrets. And within that space that carves, he takes the time to actually explore ideas.

It's always notable when an artist has something to say, and choses to use his chosen medium to illustrate it rather than just get caught up in the trappings of the medium for its own sake. Take, for instance, a skillful, polished shooter that plays like a remix of four other games you've already played. Okay, that’s some decent craft there -- but to what end? Then take a simple and awkward game, that tries to translate some other unrelated concept into game design — say, the artist’s obsession with physics or an overactive curiosity about the man who sells hot dogs down the street. Now you may get something out of the work. Maybe not a whole new perspective on life, but maybe a few angles you hadn’t noticed before.

I don’t mean to big up Hadley’s games too much, but I find it curious that his games make a point of having a point to them beyond simply being another random videogame. Given the limitations of the software, whether or not they succeed is almost beyond the point. The effort is what counts.

Another mind-blowing detail is that Hadley composed all his own music for his games. Add him to the pile with David Barras and James Faux, then.

Also, the designer of the high-profile indie game Slender: The Eight Pages (as seen on Conan).

Also, writer of a bunch of music for Andrew Hussie's Homestuck.

Registration information

Mark Hadley

1250 East Wattles Road

Troy, MI 48098

Sites

• Parsec Productions

Social Media

• AgentParsec (deviantART)
• Facebook profile
• AgentParsec's YouTube channel
• Twitter feed
• Last.FM profile

Interviews / Articles

• Mark Hadley (DIYGamer)

Misc. Links

• MobyGames entry