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Overheard@GDC: The craft of mining

Jessica Conditt — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST

Minecraft creator and recent millionaire Notch held a fireside chat with Spyparty's Chris Hecker, seated alongside a pixelated fire roaring across a plasma screen in one of the large halls at GDC. Hecker and Notch kicked off the chat with two bottles of Sierra Nevada and a cheers, and for one hour, a roomful of fans and developers listened to the pair of them talk about the intricacies of Minecraft's development in some of the most riveting, "you had to be there" moments.

But one thing Notch said applies to everyone, even those who weren't cool enough to be in the room:

"There is one thing that hasn't been found," he declared, referring to the Easter Eggs and cool tricks buried in Minecraft gameplay. Grab a beer (or legally applicable beverage) and get diggin', folks.

Overheard@GDC: The craft of mining originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 09 Mar 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Party preview: Turing, eat your heart out

Taylor Cocke — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST

These days, multiplayer games are all about letting the player play the way that they want to. Shooters let you customize your loadouts, racers give you a selecton of cars. If it's online, it's all about standing back and letting players determine their experience. And Spy Party creator Chris Hecker couldn't care less.

Spy Party, his multiplayer espionage game, demands that you play by its rules. It doesn't bend the rules, even in the slightest. Either you learn its complexities, or you lose. Every time. Guaranteed.

Gallery: SpyParty (2/23/11)

Continue reading Spy Party preview: Turing, eat your heart out

Spy Party preview: Turing, eat your heart out originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpyParty early access pricing solidified (also: appear in the credits!)

Justin McElroy — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST

We know you're sick of hearing people gush about Chris Hecker's thrilling duel of wits and subterfuge, SpyParty. Though we sympathize, there's really only one antidote and that's to become one of those people yourself. The quickest way to do that is by paying for beta access, and Hecker solidified exactly how much that'll run you today.

As we learned in May, the base rate for early entry will be $15, which includes the full game when it launches on PC and -- down the road -- Mac (free console copies likely won't happen). But, and this is the new bit, if that fee just doesn't seem like enough, you can give $50 or more and have your name included in the game's credits. Hecker stresses that beta access will be just that, with no other in-game perks, badges, awards etc. for early birds.

Apparently, Hecker wasn't listening after all those early SpyParty sessions when we offered him "Anything! Anything! Take it all! Just one more game!" with tears streaming down our faces and wallets upturned. Probably for the best.

SpyParty early access pricing solidified (also: appear in the credits!) originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zoom in on these SpyParty Joystiq E3 meetup stats

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:15:00 EST

Playing SpyParty at the Joystiq E3 2011 reader meetup may have been a lot of fun, but it was also serious business. As it turns out, attendees were not only having a good time; they were helping SpyParty developer Chris Hecker collect some important data. During our roughly three hour shindig, only 10 spies were shot during the 35 games that were completed. This confirms our long-held suspicion that Joystiq readers are indeed a crafty bunch.

Hecker also tracked the location and direction of the sniper's laser sight, though he notes he doesn't quite know what to do with the data just yet. At the very least, it looks like the snipers were a busy bunch. Pore over lots more data over at the SpyParty site.

Zoom in on these SpyParty Joystiq E3 meetup stats originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video

David Hinkle — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST

Max Paolucci (thankfully) took some video of the Joystiq E3 meetup, both as evidence it actually happened (that whole week was a blur) and as a kindness to those unable to physically attend. It suffices to say that we love Max dearly.

Continue reading Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video

Relive the Joystiq E3 2011 meetup through this video originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 reader meetup: SpyParty

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:30:00 EST

Perhaps you've been hiding in the bathroom, terrified that a sniper will spot you? We can't think of any other reason you wouldn't have heard of Chris Hecker's SpyParty otherwise. But in the off chance that you don't know what it's about, SpyParty is a two-player game where one player controls a sniper and the other a spy. While the sniper seeks out the spy (to murder him, naturalmente), the spy attempts to complete a variety of tasks without being spotted.

Moreover, the game is being developed by just one man -- the aforementioned Chris Hecker. And Hecker, along with a handful of other developers, will be on-hand at our E3 2011 meetup this Friday evening, SpyParty in-tow, so you can tell him yourself how incredibly impressed you are with his unique game.

Last month, Hecker announced his game -- like Minecraft before it -- will enter a paid beta in the near future. Given his presence at Friday night's event, Hecker answered a handful of questions we had about his game's upcoming beta.

Continue reading E3 reader meetup: SpyParty

E3 reader meetup: SpyParty originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EST

We love you, Los Angeles, you know that. Sure, it's been awhile since we last hung out, but we wanna make that up to you. And not just any boring old dinner-and-a-movie kinda thing either, a full blown party! Next Friday, June 10, Joystiq will take over the La Cita bar in downtown LA between 5:30 and 9:00PM PST for a game-filled, giveaway-packed reader meetup.

As our staff will be all up in your city for the duration of next week, we took the liberty of renting out a bar for a few hours so you -- our best friends -- could hang out, talk about the week's big news, play a bunch of great games, and take all the game swag that's been piling up in our domiciles. Chris Hecker will be swinging through with SpyParty, as will Andy Schatz with Monaco, to name just a few of the games/game devs at the event. And how about a chance to play Harmonix' next project before anyone else? 'Cause that'll totally be there too.

Unfortunately, for our friends under 21, the event space is restricted to those of us with legal access to alcohol. We're really sorry and we still love you! It was, as they say, out of our hands. An extra big thank you to all of our participants!

SpyParty, Chris Hecker (@SpyParty)
Nidhogg, Mark Essen (@Messhof)
Unannounced Project, Ska Studios (@SkaStudios)
Monaco, Pocketwatch Games (@MonacoIsMine)
Retro City Rampage, Brian Provinciano (@RetroCR)
Q.U.B.E., Toxic Games (@qubegame)
Unannounced Project, Harmonix (@Harmonix)

Still with us? Head past the break for details, and make sure to RSVP on our Facebook event page so we know how many of you to expect!

Continue reading Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup

Come hang out with Joystiq (and play a bunch of great games!) at our E3 2011 reader meetup originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Go see Hecker, Neuse and Blow speak at UC Santa Cruz next week

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 18 May 2011 19:30:00 EST

Between Jonathan Blow, Chris Hecker and Alex Neuse, the University of California Santa Cruz panel being held next week should be chock full of interesting, honest discussion from the trio of all-star indie developers. The group is being gathered to speak for UCSC's "Foundations of Interactive Game Design" class on May 26, though the panel is open to the public. The discussion is being moderated by associate professor Noah Wardrip-Fruin.

As for what's being discussed, your guess is as good as ours. Hecker describes it as "an open panel discussion" and notes that his game SpyParty unfortunately won't be on-hand for attendees. Blow separately confirmed to us that he doesn't plan on having his studio's next game, The Witness, at the event either. Bit.Trip series co-developer Alex Neuse didn't get back to us before this post was run, but it stands to reason that his next game, Laserlife, won't make an appearance either.

That isn't to say you should miss the talk, which will assuredly be thought provoking. And hey, if you're that worried about getting a chance to play SpyParty, why not sign up for the beta? That worked out pretty well with you and Minecraft, right?

Continue reading Go see Hecker, Neuse and Blow speak at UC Santa Cruz next week

Go see Hecker, Neuse and Blow speak at UC Santa Cruz next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 18 May 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpyParty 'Early-Access Beta' sign-ups begin, costs $15 when beta opens

Ben Gilbert — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:25:00 EST

Like Minecraft before it, SpyParty is being made by just one man, and it will cost a nominal amount to access the game's public beta. Creator Chris Hecker announced as much on the SpyParty blog today, detailing the game's $15 beta access -- which will eventually roll over into a full game license when SpyParty officially launches -- and also noting that it will be rolled out in batches "over the next few months" as he expands server capacity.

While signing up to be part of the "Early-Access Beta" program doesn't cost anything, Hecker encourages only serious inquiries to add their email. OS X users should also hold off for the time being, as the beta will be PC-only initially, though Hecker adds "but not forever" in the same breath. Finally, though no specific parameters are given, he says "any 3D graphics card from the past few years" should be sufficient enough to handle the game's visuals.

Wondering what all the hullabaloo about SpyParty is? Catch up with our extensive coverage of the bizarre and endearing two-player psychological strategy shooter right here!

SpyParty 'Early-Access Beta' sign-ups begin, costs $15 when beta opens originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 May 2011 14:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New SpyParty video walkthrough sneaks around The Balcony, onto The Veranda

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST

In case you didn't already know, SpyParty is being made by one dude -- ex-EA developer turned one-man indie studio, Chris Hecker. As we've been covering his game leading up to GDC, we asked if Hecker would perhaps give us a taste of the two new levels he'll be debuting at next week's show in video form. Normally, this might not be such a high-level request, but when you're one man with a family and a game to develop, well ... let's just say we really appreciate how late he stayed up last night.

Check out the full four-minute walkthrough of both "The Balcony" and "The Veranda" maps just after the break.

GDC won't be your only chance to check out the lastest SpyParty demo. Hecker will be making the cross-country trip to PAX East in March with the new build in tow. Just remember to play it cool!

Gallery: SpyParty (2/23/11)

Continue reading New SpyParty video walkthrough sneaks around The Balcony, onto The Veranda

New SpyParty video walkthrough sneaks around The Balcony, onto The Veranda originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'The Incompetent Perfectionist': Inside SpyParty dev Chris Hecker's process

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:25:00 EST

"When you're trying to do that perfect jewel, there's a kind of bar you have to hit. People argue that Jon [Blow, developer of Braid] could've shipped with the programmer art -- I mean, it won the IGF design competition. And I don't think so. I think the game design was the most important part, but the whole package came together so well -- the way David [Hellman's] art looked with the thing, and the .... I think that there's a certain quality bar that is the expression of what you're trying to do, and you kind of have to hit that."

SpyParty developer Chris Hecker doesn't plan on releasing his ambitious one-on-one spy game until he feels that it's hit the "perfect jewel" point -- an indescribable essence, or rather, a point in development when the concept and execution gel. "I'm not that interested in shipping the earlier version of it," he told me at an NYU coffeeshop late last year. Hecker's bringing the game with him to next week's Game Developer's Conference where he'll also be giving a few short lectures. And yes, he'll be making the trek across the country in a few weeks to PAX East so that everyone can check it out.

Gallery: SpyParty (2/23/11)

Continue reading 'The Incompetent Perfectionist': Inside SpyParty dev Chris Hecker's process

'The Incompetent Perfectionist': Inside SpyParty dev Chris Hecker's process originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpyParty playable at PAX East, two new levels viewable right now

Ben Gilbert — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST

Ready to get your psychological, one-on-one sleuthery on? Well, good, because Chris Hecker's bringing just that with him to PAX East this March, where his reverse Turing Test game SpyParty will be playable by attendees. Hecker revealed as much to us this afternoon when he shot over screens of two new levels, "The Balcony" and "The Veranda," that we first heard about back in January.

Hecker actually hadn't planned on bringing the game to Boston after last year's experience at PAX Prime. He is, after all, just one man. "Late last year I decided not to attempt PAX East, not because I didn't want to, but mostly because doing PAX West almost killed me. Putting a booth together is an insane amount of work, costs a ton of money, and is just totally exhausting," he told us. By this January, however, he had reconsidered -- "I started getting the itch," he admitted.

After some mulling over the opportunity -- plus some help from Slam Bolt Scrappers devs Firehose Games, which is generously sharing a spot on the show floor (#1133) with Hecker and SpyParty -- he changed his mind. One piece of logistics he hasn't worked out yet? Where to sleep. "I still haven't figured out where I'm going to sleep, but that seems like a minor detail. What could possibly go wrong?" Indeed!

Check out Hecker's detailed, hilarious account of how he ended up going to PAX East this year, as well as a handful of new information about new modes in SpyParty, just below the break.

Gallery: SpyParty (2/23/11)

Continue reading SpyParty playable at PAX East, two new levels viewable right now

SpyParty playable at PAX East, two new levels viewable right now originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two new (super difficult) Spy Party maps in the works

Griffin McElroy — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:00:00 EST

Chris Hecker has updated the blog of his innovative Turing Test-turned-espionage thriller, Spy Party, with a look at two new maps he's been designing. Unlike the plain, rectangular "Ballroom" we've seen before, the new levels don't offer balanced gameplay.

For instance, the "Balcony" map is a small, open area which can only fit about eight characters, making the Spy's job a living hell. On the other hand, the "Veranda" location (pictured) hosts 22 characters and requires the Sniper to move around in order to get a clear shot at every area of the map.

These new maps sound interesting, but we're not sure the Sniper needs a helping hand on any levels. Isn't it bad enough that the dude has an extremely high-powered sniper rifle?

Two new (super difficult) Spy Party maps in the works originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpyParty dev details his Blizzard-inspired 'depth first' approach

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST

Speaking to a packed room at New York University's Game Center last week, developer Chris Hecker -- a man perhaps best known for giving ... impassioned rants -- detailed his "depth first, accessibility later" approach to development of his latest project, SpyParty. The game is a twist on the Turing Test: one player is "the Spy" while the other is "the Sniper." The Spy must complete a set of objectives without being spotted, while the Sniper looks on and tries to pick out who the Spy is from a group of NPCs (and then murder that Spy) before the time runs out.

How does the sniper spot the spy? By paying attention to a variety of "tells" -- from the subtle (a human Spy's order of actions may differ from an NPC's) to the "hard" (catch the Spy covertly slip an object to an NPC). As Hecker is keen to point out, SpyParty is a game about human interaction. "You have to decide where you're going, go there and don't look back (basically). Of course, I also make the NPCs fidget occasionally, just to fuck with people," Hecker revealed to a laughing audience. "And that's interesting -- that interplay ... I mean, it's an inverse Turing Test at a certain level."

Gallery: Chris Hecker's SpyParty lecture @ NYU's Game Center

Continue reading SpyParty dev details his Blizzard-inspired 'depth first' approach

SpyParty dev details his Blizzard-inspired 'depth first' approach originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYC: Come play SpyParty with Chris Hecker at NYU

Ben Gilbert — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:45:00 EST

Back at PAX, game developer Chris Hecker had his innovative project, SpyParty, on hand for showgoers to try out. Justin loved it, and now those of us in the Northeast who couldn't make it to Seattle earlier this year will be able to get our hands on it, as Hecker is holding an open play session today at New York University's Game Center (not to be confused with Apple's virtual Game Center).

From 1-7PM, Hecker will host the hands-on session in the Game Center's Open Library at 721 Broadway, followed by a talk about the game wherein he'll ask for player feedback and discuss development. He'll also be interviewed by Game Center director (and Drop7 creative lead) Frank Lantz. Hecker says this will be "the last playtest for awhile," so we'd suggest jumping on the chance while you can.

And if all that wasn't enough to entice you, yes, refreshments will be served. Head past the break for all the specifics (and the gorgeous full-size art for the event).

Continue reading NYC: Come play SpyParty with Chris Hecker at NYU

NYC: Come play SpyParty with Chris Hecker at NYU originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SpyParty preview: A triumph of reverse intelligence

Justin McElroy — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST

I know times are tight, especially for one-man indie dev teams, but, as a service to the gamers of Earth, Chris Hecker has got to get a better booth.

In a nondescript corner of PAX, under a nondescript banner and sporting slightly worse than nondescript graphics (all placeholder, Hecker assured) it would have been easy to miss SpyParty. It would have been a particularly unfortunate fate considering it was (drumroll) the best thing I've played at PAX so far.

Continue reading SpyParty preview: A triumph of reverse intelligence

SpyParty preview: A triumph of reverse intelligence originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Former Maxis employee working on new project, SpyParty

Griffin McElroy — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST

If you enjoyed the bioengineering action of Spore, you owe Chris Hecker a debt of gratitude. He was a contributing developer for the title, and is a six-year employee at Maxis -- rather, he was an employee, until he was let go from the company during Maxis' recent round of layoffs. However, he's not recovering from the downsizing by crying into his ice cream -- instead, he's using his newly found free time to develop one of the most interesting-sounding independent games we've heard of in a while.

Hecker's project, SpyParty, pits two players against each other in two different roles -- one plays the eponymous Spy, who must move around a party, discreetly completing objectives and blending in with the other guests. The other player is a Sniper who must identify the Spy's movements, and, well, snipe them. The game was received fairly well when demoed at GDC earlier this year -- now, we hope Hecker will have the time he needs to crank out a finished product. Best of luck, Chris!

[Via Big Download]

Former Maxis employee working on new project, SpyParty originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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