The Dream Machine (it's an adventure game)

[JedExodus]

It's pretty nice. Think Grim Fandango meets Wallace and Gromit or something.

There’s nothing else out there that looks like this game, and there’s precious little out there that plays like it. It’s a real treat. - RockPaperShotgun

this game is gay I don't even know what I'm trying to do
- SHODANFreeman


http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/images/11/jan/drea2.jpg

Play it here (http://www.thedreammachine.se/)

[taumel]

Is it from New Zealand?

[JedExodus]

Is it from New Zealand?

lmao, no. It's not underrated enough

[taumel]

Okay, i just wanted to be sure. Then i can give it a try. I already had my beer ready, just in case.

[TomPravetz]

Trih-pah! :D

[taumel]

It's another great point&click adventure with puzzles which are not targeted at Palin voters and it even is crossplatform available, bought.

[Jennifer]

I just played the first chapter. That was great! :)

I love the art style. I love the story so far. I love the atmosphere. I want to see how it ends. I just hope they're able to make their deadlines for releases of the next three chapters.

[Icedhope]

Wow...this game is...well it's weird...and lol @ Shodan.

[guitarsareboring]

That seems really nice so far, beautiful animation.

[taumel]

It's a great adventure! Beautiful, different, interesting, finally something you don't need to feel ashamed playing as an adult. More realistic and still interesting problems instead of the pseudo crap they normally want you to care about. I dislike that i can't download and more own the game but the game is winning me on the other aspects so that i bite into this sour apple.

Interesting characters, thoughts and dialogues, puzzle design so far is good but also not very good as well. The game just wins on the adult aspect, the style and the atmosphere. I'm very happy that thanks to the different development technologies and the digital distribution small indies get their chances and come up with such great adventures.

In my opinion this and other games also illustrate how TTG is wasting all their ressources others could only dream of and somehow manage to come up with worse games with each release.

Anyway back to the game, if you can get over the fact that you have to play it online, i recommend buying it, it's a great experience and also illustrates a better episodic gaming. The game is cheaper (€14) than a TTG season but also offers less content/playing time compared to pre BTTF episodes.

So far a 9/10.

[taumel]

http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/5023/tdm1.jpg
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9251/tdm2p.jpg
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/8475/tdma.jpg

[ShaggE]

Wow. Those screens are... wow. Why aren't there more claymation games!? (besides the obscene amount of work that goes into them...)

[taumel]

Not only this, it also has a good story.

[ShaggE]

Yeah, I finished the free chapter, and I'm hugely impressed. The dissonance between the beautiful graphics and the (understandably) cheap-feeling interface and animation is a bit jarring, but the writing and music are great, and the puzzles seem solid.

I'll likely wait for a downloadable copy of the rest of the game, though. I don't much care for how uneven the performance is in the browser.

[taumel]

The second chapter is better, creepier, longer and features better puzzles than the first one, oh and it ends with a cliffhanger. From there on you probably know what to expect. I doubt that you'll see it as a download in the near future because they will first have to release all chapters. Maybe if they alter their policy and they will be ready until then, it could end up in a Humble Bundle #3?

But honestly it worked perfectly in the browser for me. I had zero glitches, you get an account, login with it, it gets streamed in the background, save&load your games, it just works.

For this price and the quality experience i didn't want to miss it right now as well as i wanted to support them. The inventory is minimalistic but honestly it worked better than what BTTF offered and it gets the job done. The story/characters evolve and the atmosphere is brilliant.

The best adventure since Machinarium.

Thanks @JedExodus for bringing it up and @New Zealand for not beeing involved.

[Darth Marsden]

Well, that was interesting. A good little game, but not quite for me. I wish the makers every success with this, it should do well.

And if anyone's stuck on the circuit breaker puzzle, here's a hint: go through as few resistors as possible.

[ShaggE]

Things

Fair points. Maybe I'll nab it earlier anyway, since letting the plot simmer in my head for awhile has made me somewhat anxious to find out where they're going with this. I've certainly spent a lot more on a lot less deserving.

One nice thing about it being distributed the way it is: it makes piracy pretty much impossible.

[taumel]

Well, you could spread your login, investigate your browser cache and redirect absolute links, ..., so never say never.

But i understand this, i also hestitated to buy the game due to the online only version but as i was playing the game i completely forgot about it and i expect them to put the files on their servers at some point when things cooled down anyway, may it be for the customers or a bundle, who knows.

It just doesn't make sense to complain about TTG all the time and then when something better/different shows up not to support it, so i hit the purchase button and i haven't regret it. The only problem is that i'm now excited for chapter 3. :O)

[JedExodus]

Thanks @JedExodus for bringing it up

It is my duty to serve you citizen

[taumel]

Your majesty?

[JedExodus]

Interesting characters, thoughts and dialogues, puzzle design so far is good but also not very good as well. The game just wins on the adult aspect, the style and the atmosphere.

If you haven't played it already, there's a puzzle in Chapter 2 that had me jumping with joy as I grabbed a pen and paper as I realised the solution. :D

[puzzlebox]

if you can get over the fact that you have to play it online

I was going to save it to play on a long flight... guess not. :(

Looks beautiful though - I love the handmade quality. Will definitely check it out.

[taumel]

@JedExodus
I had a hard time figuring out how to open up the safe. And this was a good puzzle in my opinion, i enjoyed it a lot.

@puzzlebox
Yep it sadly isn't optimal for such situations, although i'm not sure if you can stream upfront a whole chapter to axe downloads during gameplay but in reality chances are big that something will go wrong, Murphy's law.

[taumel]

@JedExodus
So, how far art thou?

[JedExodus]

Oh i've cleared it all. Sat some time aside to do it last night. Waiting on the next few chapters is gonna be pretty gruelling. I really wanna know what happens next :(

I loved everything about it, it's tone, it's art, the puzzles, everything. I don't think i've played an adventure game that excited me this much since The Longest Journey.

I could wax lyrical about it all day, but I gotta go pretty myself up for work.

If we're the demographic that Telltale's aiming for then they should play this thing and take a few notes, if not then bull on with things the way they're doing them. It seems to be working for them so far to say the least

[taumel]

What they could improve in my opinion are the puzzles, whilst they are good, they just lack this extra kick the graphics offer. I've sent them an email and asked for an rough estimation, let's see what happens. Whilst i was browsing their website, i think i saw a few screen about the next chapter which seems to play on a boat trip or so.

I think they've told me already that at least i'm not part of the TTG demographics so i doubt it, not unless there will be some more serious revolution at TTG. What otherwise was stopping them until now?

[taumel]

I got an answer and they say that they are looking into the subject offering a offline version as well, although nothing has been decided yet.

In my opinion this sounds like that at some point you'll see it offline as well. Personally i can life with a business model like that it's online for a hot anti piracy/maturing phase and after that available as a download, most of the time.

They are hoping to release chapter 3 by the end of march with a development time of roughly three months for each release.

[JedExodus]

Oh nice one, thanks for the detective work Taumel :)

If the next episode/chapter's March/April It shouldn't be too bad a wait at all :)

[taumel]

Well, i think you have to let things go in the meantime and once it's done be happily surprised. Otherwise three months are a long time to wait but better this way with hopefully convincing results again. :O)

Kaptain Brawe was good already but The Dream Machine is very good.

Btw have you heard about Gemini Rue (http://www.wadjeteyegames.com/geminirue.htm)? It sounds good from the story. Although i don't mind simple graphics at all, i dislike the style of it but if the rest is as convincing as they say...

[StarEye]

I must admit, I wasn't overly impressed by the game. Graphcis are nice - and Morton looks like he's straight out of Grim Fandango if that was claymation.

The puzzles weren't particularly clever or fun, and the characters were generally not very interesting. The atmosphere reminded me a bit of Dreamweb, which is a game I love. The Dream Machine isn't quite as dark though. I would like to play more of it eventually, but right I just started playing Machinarium for the first time. What a charming game that is.

And I'm really looking forward to trying out Gemini Rue. It looks like a mix between Beneath a Steel Sky and Flashback.

[taumel]

Did you play chapter 2 already?

[StarEye]

I haven't bought the series, so I can't play chapter 2. I'm not going to spend money on a series I'm not sure about, especially when there's so much else I want to play first.

[taumel]

Okay, i just was wondering because the points you've mentioned are a lot better in chapter 2 than in chapter 1, so i would have been surprised by your critics after you played chapter 2 as well.

[StarEye]

Yeah, I know, maybe I'll pick it up when it's on sale. If it ever goes on sale. If they decide to release an offline version, I might opt for that instead too.

[taumel]

On sale?

Uhm you can buy/play chapter 1 and 2 right now and i would be surprised if you don't get the offline version once one might be ready then as well, everything else just doesn't make sense. But you're free not to like/buy it, i just was confused by what you wrote.

Another thing, did anyone play 999? I just sneaked a bit into a video of it and i'm not sure if i like it or not. I guess i do have some problems beeing fond of the reading and interacting switch.

[StarEye]

On sale?

Uhm you can buy/play chapter 1 and 2 right now and i would be surprised if you don't get the offline version once one might be ready then as well, everything else just doesn't make sense. But you're free not to like/buy it, i just was confused by what you wrote.

Another thing, did anyone play 999? I just sneaked a bit into a video of it and i'm not sure if i like it or not. I guess i do have some problems beeing fond of the reading and interacting switch.

On sale as in, when there's a deal for it at a reduced price.

[taumel]

You mean like the currently offered 20% off deal?

I agree, it's a little bit hidden as it's only on their front page. Somehow they really don't want you to know.

http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5629/20pa.jpg

[JedExodus]

You mean like the currently offered 20% off deal?

I agree, it's a little bit hidden as it's only on their front page. They really don't want you to know.

In fairness, it's still a bit of an asking price for something that you don't know for certain will get finished. It looks prohibitvely expensive to make with low returns

[taumel]

2.75€ per episode, including taxes.

That's a lot for you, for a non mainstream hand crafted game of this quality in a non mainstream genre? We definately have different opinions on what's expensive.

[JedExodus]

If it were a lot for me I wouldn't have bought it.

Just that there's no certainty in it being finished so some people might wanna hold on to their money and sit tight

[taumel]

Why do you think it's uncertain that the game will be finished?

[JedExodus]

It's not like other episodic ventures haven't failed before, even with bigger backing. And it looks like a pricey endeavour with its lush visuals

I'm sure it'll do fine obviously, others may just wanna play it safe though

[taumel]

I've read/heard subzero evidence that the game won't be finished.

They once were in search for some funding in order to get the game faster done. They got the funding. They released chapter 1 & 2, are working on chapter 3 and made the release dates for the rest of the chapters public online. I have a good feeling that they'll get it done.

[StarEye]

It's a bit odd to sell it a reduced price from the beginning. It can't really be reduced unless it's first offered at full price. You can't reduce a price that doesn't yet exist.

Also, I'd prefer to buy the full game (all episodes) in one go. I'd prefer this with Telltale games too, if I wasn't such a big fan of Monkey Island and Back To The Future. Those are the only Telltale games I've bought the full season before it's completed. I haven't even bought Sam and Max season 3 yet because I haven't finished season 2 (they're not my favourite franchise really, I like the two main characters, but I find the games rather boring).

[taumel]

It's pretty normal offering a discount price during a introduction period. I bought/updated a lot of software ranging from games up to professional applications this way, so no, i don't think it's odd.

I can fully understand that you prefer playing/buying games after they are finished. The only thing is that a) i was too curious about the game and b) i also wanted to support them, as i can imagine they also prefer to eat and drink before all the episodes are finished.

Personally i'm completely fine with it as they provide a gaming experience i'm after and honestly playing alone through the first two chapters was worth the money in my opinion. Now if you think the game isn't worth it, then you obviously shouldn't buy it. That's probably the same reason i stopped buying TTG games.

Btw here is a review from the adventure gamer (http://www.adventuregamers.com/article/id,1257). Not that i always agree with them but it might entertain you.

[StarEye]

as i can imagine they also prefer to eat and drink before all the episodes are finished.

I seriously doubt this is their main income, so that's not really a good argument. I completely agree with supporting indie developers, but don't believe for a second this isn't extra income for them.

Yeah, I checked out the adventuregamers review. That's one of the reasons I tried it in the first place. :)

[taumel]

But you do agree on facts like that developing such a game involves ressources in form of time, money, knowledge, hard-&software and talent and expenses must be covered?

We are living in weird days where a term like indie is stretched quite a bit. It nowadays ranges from bedroom coders up to small teams (2-8 people) up to almost studio sized like professional companies like TTG, which don't have a lot in common with an indie in a more traditional sense anymore.

According to their size they all have their very own problems and work differently. So yes i do imagine that in this case it's important to support the team because i want to enable&encourage them to produce more of these kind of games.

[StarEye]

I do agree that supporting teams of people who develop great games is right. But it's not a given right to make games, so I shouldn't feel obligated to give them my money before I think it's right, just to support them. Plus, you don't make games in your spare time if you can't afford it. Unless you're going to become a full-time developer with games as your main income, you shouldn't expect expenses to be paid for you. Also, if you do intend on developing game as your main income, you should play it safe at first. I hope they played their cards right and that they don't rely on sales to be able to finish the remaining episodes, and I suspect they have.

So yes, support them to show them you want more of these games, that they're work is appreciated. But don't expect that they desperately need the cash so they can breakfast on the table. Who knows, they may be rolling in it already, and only doing this as a hobby. Money is often not an issue with nordic citizens, even those on welfare, like myself. And if money IS their concern, this isn't exactly the brightest financial idea either, considering the genre.

But yes, I'm all for supporting indie developers.

[taumel]

If you reread above i already wrote several times that if you don't feel comfy with the game just don't buy it. I think that's quite understandable.

Uhm you don't know many indie game developers on your own, right? There are many ways leading to Rome and even more away from it, still people are passionate enough to follow even those.

I think you have a weird point of view regarding money and games but each to his own.

[anonima]

It's not like other episodic ventures haven't failed before, even with bigger backing. And it looks like a pricey endeavour with its lush visuals

I'm sure it'll do fine obviously, others may just wanna play it safe though

he is right, sam and max freelance police failed and was canceled, and dream machine is weird, it can fail

[taumel]

I'm sure this one won't fail but i would be interested to know which other games did.

The only other episodic games i can think of right now are Half Life 2 (having their own episodic time definition (http://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Valve_Time)) and 1112 (after a long time, lost interest meanwhile, they finally released chapter 2).

[StarEye]

Uhm you don't know many indie game developers on your own, right? There are many ways leading to Rome and even more away from it, still people are passionate enough to follow even those.

I don't know any indie game developers no, but I'm going to assume that it's the same as in the music industry. You secure yourself financially, unless there's a huge chance you'll be able to live off your hobby. And even then, you will have to get a normal job in the spare time. Indie developers are very often making the games in their spare time. My brother's band have released three albums, and all of them have been made in their spare time. There's a lot of sacrifices to get their albums out.

What, I assume, indie developers first and foremost aim for, is to be able to make back what the spend on developing the games. If they make a profit, that's extra income. Nothing to complaint about there. But mainly, they probably aim to make even.

What I'm getting at is, there's a difference between passionate and stupid. It's very likely that the developers of The Dream Machine either just hopes to break even, or earn a small profit (but not likely enough to support themselves financially). Therefore, I am pretty sure they have a main job outside of developing games.

[taumel]

There is a wide range from slow migration with a safety plan in the back as well as people who are sick of their daily job and invest everything they have and hope for the best. But no mattter on which road you are, sooner or later you will need the income from the game as otheriwse things will crush and so it does matter.

Same with if you're having a main job beside of your game development as you can't do this forever because you normally burn out by doing so rather quickly. If it doesn't pay out and shows no persepctive, you'll stop doing so. If you're having a family this will happen even sooner, so again the money is important. Suggesting that it somehow doesn't matter if they get something out of their work, just because they might have another ressource as well, in practice is rather nonsense.

[Blooglspash]

Can this be a hint thread, too? I'd like to know how to get the floorboard in Chapter 1 open.

[taumel]

You need a crowbar.
Which you can get from the mover.
Who is causing trouble at the entance to the lobby, outside of your appartment.

[JedExodus]

Interview with one of the designers here. (http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/01/19/anders-gustafsson-on-the-dream-machine/) This guy's not mucking around

[taumel]

I wonder who's the Mc Donald of adventure games these days.

[taumel]

It's march! :O)

10 video games looking forward to.
http://s13.directupload.net/images/110306/jg9sqnlk.jpg

[JedExodus]

Bumping this for everyone who's interested. ie, taumel, and nobody else.

The game's been delayed, shocking expose shocking expose here (http://dreammachinegame.blogspot.com/2011/03/sorry-about-lack-of-communication.html)

JedExodus proven slightly right; previous page (http://www.telltalegames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22207&page=2).

JedExodus gets first comment on blog post IT'S THE SAME AS THE LINK AT THE TOP (http://dreammachinegame.blogspot.com/2011/03/sorry-about-lack-of-communication.html)

News.

[JedExodus]

Oh and taumel's apparently been banned, making said post above worthless fer god's sake

[SHODANFreeman]

Oh and taumel's apparently been banned, making said post above worthless fer god's sake

He's been banned for a while for some reason.

[taumel]

@JedExodus
It will come!

I've talked to Anders Gustafsson the last month via eMail and he named a few reasons like that they are a small team, that they decided to rebuild everything for chapter 3, that their ambitions grew whilst working on it and that they wanted to expanded the plot. I'm confident that it will be great. And even if not, which i strongly doubt, i did enjoy the first two chapters already. :O)

I wonder if puzzlebox has bought it in the meantime.

They are also on Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/theDreamGame) now.

[Jennifer]

Chapter 3 of The Dream Machine is out now. (http://www.thedreammachine.se/) :D

[JedExodus]

I know right! I've tomorrow off work so ima get the chilling out shorts on and kick back into this one tonight.

And it's only six months overdue, cracking!!

Seriously you lot. Give this a go, and if you like it, buy it!

[JedExodus]

Just finished the new episode, it was fantastic as to be expected.

What I didn't expect was it to be so difficult!! The puzzles were challenging and logical, finding the solutions was very rewarding.

[flesk]

Just finished the new episode, it was fantastic as to be expected.

What I didn't expect was it to be so difficult!! The puzzles were challenging and logical, finding the solutions was very rewarding.

Yeah, it was great. I also agree that the difficulty level was a good bit higher than in the two previous chapters. And if I didn't miss anything there seemed to be a red herring in it.