Big thanks to the very slim audience that reads this blog (perhaps one to five people) for sticking with me. I know I said a future post would cover something called "Wrapfield," and to those of you waiting, stay patient and please of all things, don't begin a flamewar.
Back in early September, I brought up a DOS game called "Aquanoid." Incase you don't know, it is one of those Arkanoid clones where you simply have to destroy all the bricks on the screen (that can be destroyed) with the assistance of powerups that spawn from the bricks that either help or hinder your progress. I'm currently working on a FAQ of Aquanoid which acts as a simple introduction to the game and spills all the details and guts of said game. Despite certain games sharing the same title, Aquanoid never received an official sequel from the original developers, Stefan Heineke and Karsten Finger, the former having a Youtube account, and the later who runs the game's official website.
As you can probably tell, Aquanoid, despite being almost two decades old, is very rare to come across. I'm not here to advertise the game, but rather to try and make it more well-known to err... very few people. And before you ask, yes I have the registered version in my possession. But you cannot find even one download of the registered version, despite the shareware version being relatively well-known and quite common to find. So the only way you can actually get the complete 149-level experience plus a number of extras in this period of time, is by contacting Karsten himself via karsten_finger@hotmail.com and sending the money (ten USD) to his Paypal (KarstenFinger@web.de). He'll then give you the zip containing the full version of Aquanoid personalized to display your name before the title screen, and offers another version of Aquanoid which contains 600+ more levels in separate level packs and a level editor. Sadly, I don't believe Karsten has any desire to upgrade Aquanoid so that it follows more common sense techniques seen in modern-day Arkanoid clones, like better ball control and such, so don't go demanding to him to release a V1.6. Besides, you may get a kick out of what this game has to offer for a low price.
As for you guys familiar to Aquanoid's shareware version, the basic registered version doesn't have relatively anything new aside from new levels, Z-Shooters, three new background patterns, and an alternative ending screen. The other version with the editor though will be your paradise if you love games that you love tweaking with a passion.
I should mention quickly and briefly that I will not give you Aquanoid's registered version. You can offer me lunch, draw fanart of my characters, or even hug my legs in deep sorrow, and I will not loan you my digital copy of Aquanoid, simply because I know damn well you'll want your name on the startup screen instead of mine. :P
Otherwise, that's it. If I can freely distribute my levels for Aquanoid, I will. Coming soon will be more custom modifications and fan-upgrades for more relatively unknown titles. See you next time.