Slinker
Release type: Freeware
Release date: December 24, 1993
Levels: 4
Author: David Wallin
Website: White Noise Audio Blog
Related games: N/A
Slinker is one of a few memorable games to find distribution through the Game-Maker Exchange program; users would send in their games, and RSD would tweak them if necessary and compile them for distribution. Often the games packaged this way were experimental or somehow progressive, as the idea was to inspire other users to new heights and suggest unusual ways to use RSD's software.
Slinker is both an unusual use of RSD's software and charming in its own right. The game takes on an isometric, 1980s Rareware perspective reminiscent of Snake Rattle 'n' Roll or Marble Madness, and features a sort of inchworm creature that calls to mind both Atlus' Mesopotamia and the Like-Likes from The Legend of Zelda.
The Slinky character consists of three orbs arranged in a line, and animated so that the outer two continually rotate around the middle axis. Hit the spacebar, and the worm scrunches down and opens its orifice to suck in food.
It's a good start for a game, and David Wallin explores the premise pretty well within the game's brief span. The player gets health by sucking up food pellets; most enemies can be stripped down to pellets and absorbed. Bombs litter the levels, also shaped like pellets. RSD president Oliver Stone asked for more, and indeed the concept can handle much more expansion.
The levels are scattered with unfriendly Slinkers, which can die but which the player cannot directly affect. It would be fun to involve them more. It would be fun to use different kinds of terrain and even some puzzle elements that take advantage of the isometric view. No use complaining, though, as what's there is so novel.
The mechanics can be a little clunky, as is often true with isometric games. Collision issues abound, and the eating mechanics are confining. It's understandable that Wallin abandoned the game when he did; he developed it just far enough to prove that it could work, then tossed his hands in the air.
As many of the best Game-Maker games do, Slinker shows how much unused potential there is in RSD's engine once you get past the obvious limitations and glitches.
Contents
Story[edit]
- /sl'ink'er/ n. (1) A three segmented worm with a mouth-like orifice on each end. It preys upon small pink discs known as giblets, which it catches by inhaling large amounts of air, or sucking. Known to the scientific community as Slinkus Wormikus. (2) n. One who slinks.
The object of the game is to maneuver Slinky (your character) through each of the levels. To do this, you have to eat (suck up) 6 giblets and get to the exit. Giblets are small pink discs. To eat them, place Slinky directly underneath one, and press the space bar. If you eat less than your quota you will lose points.
There are some enemies on Slinky's quest which will try to stop him. They must either be avoided or sucked up.
Slinky can collect red giblets for 1ups.
And watch out for bombs!!!!
Instructions[edit]
- Arrow Keys - Moves Slinky
- Space Bar - Makes Slinky Suck
- F1 - Press anytime for help and other options.
To configure for your system type 'CONFIG' at the MS-DOS prompt.
Credits[edit]
This Game was made by:
**************** * David Wallin * ****************
Other games are available from the author.
If you are in the exchange feel free to add new levels and enemies!
Background[edit]
During the development of Slinker and other games, David Wallin was in touch with RSD president Oliver Stone. Stone complimented the character animation, suggesting that he had showed the game around and gotten a good response, and encouraged the game's development, saying "I'd just like to see more of it!" He also adjusted the game a bit, unprompted, for inclusion in the Game-Maker Exchange program (which in turn ensured the game's survival over the following decade and a half).
The letter goes on to discuss the inclusion of .FLI files in Game-Maker, a prominent feature in the program's 3.0 release, and mentions some techniques for faking introductions, likely inspired by Mark A. Janelle's work.
Another significant detail is the discussion of Wallin's lost game, Dudle.
Archive history[edit]
Slinker was introduced to the archive with the distribution of the October 10th 1993 floppy exchange. It was then lost in the mid-late 1990s, during repeated data migration. The game was then returned to the archive on February 24, 2011, during a discussion with Gary Acord.
Availability[edit]
This game was distributed to Game-Maker Exchange members a 3.5" floppy labeled "Shareware Disk #1" (October 10th 1993).
It also seems to have been made available on several shareware compilation CD-ROMs. More precise details TBD.
Links[edit]
Downloads[edit]
- Slinker (133.6kB)
- Level 1 Map (18.8 kB)
- Level 2 Map (11.6 kB)
- Level 3 Map (11.2 kB)
- Level 4 Map (12 kB)
