Mole Warfare – FREE demo tunnels it’s way on to android phones

For a while now, as lead creative at Media Wow,  I’ve had the opportunity to work on some fun, side-projects as time allowed. Now, after some intense learning and the release of Flash CS6, I’ve been able to release a demo of my first smart phone game, Mole Warfare!

The inspiration for this warfare epic hit me one day, walking home from work via the Leeds – Liverpool canal. For some time I had been wishing to have a go at developing a simple and addictive premise for a mobile game. I wanted to make use of the touch-screen interface AND the accelerometer as well as some nifty physics in one neat package. This would also provide an opportunity to do some illustration and character design 🙂

To beat the moles you simply light the fuse at the best length / timing and then guide your bomb down into enemy territory to find your quarry. Timing is key to ensure the bomb explodes close to your target so choose your fuse length wisely.

Work will continue towards the full release of the game, with lots of fun levels to play through. For now though you can whet your appetite with the 6 level demo, now available on Google play here!

You can also read more about the game on the Media Wow blog here.

Bounty Huntress

Today sees the release of collective member, Ste O’Brien’s online comic, Bounty Huntress! We’ve been looking forward to seeing it hit the shelves (web) and now the wait is over. Check it out yourself here.

Bounty Huntress follows the exploits of Seisha Djynn, a deadly bounty hunter with her own ideas of justice (as long as there’s a fat pay check at the end). Make sure you click on the TWC link to help support what’s sure to be an epic series!

You can keep up to date with Bounty Huntress news on the BulletDollar blog here.

Coins & Nooses goes live!

March 2010 sees the launch of the ‘Last Coiner’ movie website and game in the run up to production starting on this feature film project from Duchy Parade Films. The film will follow the lives and fortunes of the Yorkshire Coiners in a ‘Western’ style story based on real events. Unlike most period dramas, this tale follows the poorer members of society as they struggle in a bleak North Yorkshire setting.


The Coins & Nooses game can be accessed through the movie website and will give you snippets of historical information, interviews and production notes as you navigate the Snakes & Ladders style board. See how many counterfeit coins you can collect before reaching square 100 but don’t get caught red-handed by the excise man or you’ll surely hang by the neck!


Be sure to enter your name and email address to enter the high score table, updated regularly on the Last Coiner Movie blog here.

Oh and check out more of my creative work at www.trumpetcleaner.co.uk!

Parrworld

Well, we’ve never seen Creative Networks so packed full to the rafters! A huge turn out of eager creatives all there to hear Martin Parr, famous British Photographer.

The audience were given a choice between three talks: (1) Martin’s Career (2) Parrworld (3) Martin’s Books.

The touring exhibition ‘Parrworld’ won out and we were all treated to a talk which reveals Parr’s collection of unusual collectibles (photographic tea trays for instance), retro postcards and much much more besides.

“With photography, I like to create fiction out of reality. I try and do this by taking society’s natural prejudice and giving it a twist.” – Martin Parr


This image from his latest book made us giggle. Apparently Martin had to follow this guy around the art exhibition to catch him standing in front of this Pollock. The book is entitled, ‘Luxury’, and explores the lifestyles of the rich, including quotes from his subjects.


We bumped into our friends Dean Vipond and Helen Harrop during the evening too and then we took a quick tour of one of the regular art exhibitions held by the college.

Dean has written a great write up of the event on the Culture Vulture website: Read it here.
Visit Martin Parr’s website here.

Masters Show gets DOM-inated!

Collective member and expert dancer Dominic invited us over to Patrick Stewart’s fine Uni to view the Masters end of year show. Once we had sorted ourselves out with free booze we took a look around the exhibits which covered all kinds of creative design disciplines from 3D vis and textiles to VJ motion graphics and graphic design.


Dom’s project explored the design challenge of finding fun and creative ways to deliver scientific data, perhaps to be published in book form. In celebration of his achievement we awarded him with the grand prize, a whole Kinder Egg Surprise!


Apparently the Kinder offspring is now on guard duty?? Well you wouldn’t want to mess with him ^^ now would ya!?


It was ace meeting up with Dom’s chums and great to chat with Melissa again. We ended up dancing the night away (some really top-notch dance moves we might add, though not enough robot for my liking).


Unfortunately we didn’t spot Picard whilst touring the exhibition 🙁

TrumpetCleaner is live!


That’s right my brand new, interactive, mechanical portfolio site is finished. Inspired as much by cosy (dingy) pubs as it is by Blackpool, the site should also give you an idea about what bounces around inside my skull when I’m staring into space 🙂 For me there’s a wonderful nostalgia attached to Blackpool, particularly the Illuminations so what better way to decorate my creative work showcase?

Come take a nosy, see what you think. Point your browser to: http://www.trumpetcleaner.co.uk

Barry Purves: Animator Extraordinaire

This month’s Creative Networks featured Barry Purves, a traditional stop motion animator who has worked on all sorts from Postman Pat and Wind In The Willows to Hollywood blockbusters like King Kong. His love for animating comes from the ‘performance’ though as he originally wanted to be an actor. Barry showed us some lovely examples of his own work and personal favourites by other artists. Take a look:


Related Links:
Animated Yorkshire

An Evening with Wayne Hemingway

As part of this year’s Northern Design Competition, run by Leeds Met University (where we both studied, yay team!) the Rose Bowl played host to a lecture from designer, Wayne Hemingway. The talk, entitled ‘Be Inspired by Creativity and Design,’ covered the success of Wayne’s entrepreneurial endeavours and his social/ political views and impact on the country.

From the early years fixing and selling Doc Martins along with his partner Geraldine, the two went on to lead the fashion industry with controversial label, ‘Red or Dead’ which would make the headlines for it’s support for Greenpeace and other social causes. The fashion label was sold and the two have worked on many creative projects since, always with a view to improve the standard of living with his current venture, Hemingway Design.


As usual, Katherine ensured that she was heard and piped up during the talk. The new building, Broadcasting Place was mentioned and we just couldn’t resist voicing our reservations for the eye-sore. Wayne thought it was an old building that had been updated and we had to point out that it was brand new. Well we can’t agree on everything now can we! 😀

570 Media Launch Party

Bukkie from the Collective celebrated the launch of 570 Media‘s new website in style, with a party held in Leeds, Old Broadcasting House. As well as presenting some of the artist’s work featured on the site, guests were entertained with funky tunes by DJ Silvao with the Element dance troupe, a catwalk of models strutting their stuff with some up and coming fashion and who could forget the jelly beans! Yes there were many sweets consumed that evening 🙂


We also managed to squeeze in some mingling amongst the guests (between scoffing jelly beans and crisps) and met a great couple: Dominic Palmer and Melissa March, who run the social enterprise University of the Fourth Age together. Dominic is a creative who like ourselves mixes his Traditional Fine Art style with his Digital Art work through his Masters degree in Graphic Design. It’s just great to meet another creative who crosses both disciplines like this. Be sure to check out his portfolio here.