Publishing/promoting a free game

I've written a small arcade-style game for DOS/Win<xx>, using DJGPP
and Allegro, which I've put on my website under the GPL. The next step
is to draw attention to it somehow. Does anyone have any advice for
how I might go about doing this?

In particular:
- Any web sites to submit it to? I've tried submitting this and
previous games to several free games websites but nothing happens...
- Any newsgroups where announcements of this sort of thing are
appropriate?
- Any other places/people to inform?


Thanks,
Captain Pork


If you're interested in having a look at the game, which is called
Lacewing, you can get it with source code from
http://users.olis.net.au/zel/

In my opinion, www.gamedev.net is a good way to go. A forum where you
can announce your game and ask any questions you might have and expect
a prompt, friendly response. Hmm... kind of like Usenet, eh? 8u)
--Brendan Bond

Captain Pork wrote:
> I've written a small arcade-style game for DOS/Win<xx>, using DJGPP
> and Allegro, which I've put on my website under the GPL. The next step
> is to draw attention to it somehow. Does anyone have any advice for
> how I might go about doing this?
>
> In particular:
> - Any web sites to submit it to? I've tried submitting this and
> previous games to several free games websites but nothing happens...
> - Any newsgroups where announcements of this sort of thing are
> appropriate?
> - Any other places/people to inform?
>
>
> Thanks,
> Captain Pork
>
>
> If you're interested in having a look at the game, which is called
> Lacewing, you can get it with source code from
> http://users.olis.net.au/zel/

On 16 Oct 2003 23:47:34 -0700, captainpork@fastmail.fm (Captain Pork)
wrote:

>I've written a small arcade-style game for DOS/Win<xx>, using DJGPP
>and Allegro, which I've put on my website under the GPL. The next step
>is to draw attention to it somehow. Does anyone have any advice for
>how I might go about doing this?


You might also want to consider adding a "Hazardous Health Warning" to
the game documentation voluntarily, before the FDA requires it.

My right hand is permanently cramped, I've developed a serious blister
on the fourth finger of my left hand, the garbage hasn't been taken
out in two weeks, and I think my wife and dog left about a week ago,
although I'm not sure.

But I DO have second place on the High Score list, and I'm closing
in, slowly but surely on #1. Just give me another week or two (and
some bandages), and I'll have the High Score.

But I can stop any time. I know it. I can just walk away and not
play any more. As soon as I give it one more try.



BobR

"Bob Retelle" <bobr1@provide.net> wrote in message
news:je7jpvsakkjhfqmepuf106kck0ktvgceav@4ax.com...
> On 16 Oct 2003 23:47:34 -0700, captainpork@fastmail.fm (Captain Pork)
> wrote:
>
> >I've written a small arcade-style game for DOS/Win<xx>, using DJGPP
> >and Allegro, which I've put on my website under the GPL. The next step
> >is to draw attention to it somehow. Does anyone have any advice for
> >how I might go about doing this?
>
>
> You might also want to consider adding a "Hazardous Health Warning" to
> the game documentation voluntarily, before the FDA requires it.
>
> My right hand is permanently cramped, I've developed a serious blister
> on the fourth finger of my left hand, the garbage hasn't been taken
> out in two weeks, and I think my wife and dog left about a week ago,
> although I'm not sure.
>
> But I DO have second place on the High Score list, and I'm closing
> in, slowly but surely on #1. Just give me another week or two (and
> some bandages), and I'll have the High Score.
>
> But I can stop any time. I know it. I can just walk away and not
> play any more. As soon as I give it one more try.
>
>
>
> BobR
>
So... What you are saying is that where will be "Stop Addiction" group
starting up as a result of this????
..... That may indeed require a warning label....
(Now I gota go see.....)

"Lizerd" <1@2.com> wrote in message
news:esmmb.14008$Ec1.1235532@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>
> "Bob Retelle" <bobr1@provide.net> wrote in message
> news:je7jpvsakkjhfqmepuf106kck0ktvgceav@4ax.com...
> > On 16 Oct 2003 23:47:34 -0700, captainpork@fastmail.fm (Captain Pork)
> > wrote:
> >
> > >I've written a small arcade-style game for DOS/Win<xx>, using DJGPP
> > >and Allegro, which I've put on my website under the GPL. The next step
> > >is to draw attention to it somehow. Does anyone have any advice for
> > >how I might go about doing this?
> >
> >
> > You might also want to consider adding a "Hazardous Health Warning" to
> > the game documentation voluntarily, before the FDA requires it.
> >
> > My right hand is permanently cramped, I've developed a serious blister
> > on the fourth finger of my left hand, the garbage hasn't been taken
> > out in two weeks, and I think my wife and dog left about a week ago,
> > although I'm not sure.
> >
> > But I DO have second place on the High Score list, and I'm closing
> > in, slowly but surely on #1. Just give me another week or two (and
> > some bandages), and I'll have the High Score.
> >
> > But I can stop any time. I know it. I can just walk away and not
> > play any more. As soon as I give it one more try.
> >
> >
> >
> > BobR
> >
> So... What you are saying is that where will be "Stop Addiction" group
> starting up as a result of this????
> .... That may indeed require a warning label....
> (Now I gota go see.....)
>
>
*** Bad news***
I tried it but all I got was a blank screen
I am running XP on a 1.4G CPU.
I tried turning off sound but to no effect.
I even tried Win95 compatibility mode.....


Liz...

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 17:36:07 GMT, "Lizerd" <1@2.com> wrote:


>>
>*** Bad news***
>I tried it but all I got was a blank screen
>I am running XP on a 1.4G CPU.
>I tried turning off sound but to no effect.
>I even tried Win95 compatibility mode.....
>

I'm running it under 98SE and starting it from the "Run" dialog box.

It runs in an MS-DOS window, so I don't know how XP will react to it.

It's too bad you're having trouble getting it to run because it's one
of those rare games that has a good balance of features, lots of
surprises, and many "little touches" that add a great deal to the
play.

It's not heavy with useless "eye candy", but has good play value.


Where's Captain Pork when you need him..?



BobR