How NPR Ruined My Art Career aka “Crayon Physics Deluxe” Is Awesome!
NPR doesn’t usually interfere with my art making. but tonight, i’m blaming Melissa Block for curtailing today’s studio session. her interview with Petri Purho sent me almost immediately to my computer.
Purho, a 25-year-old independent games designer from Finland has released for sale this week what i’m predicting will be the biggest time-eater i’ve encountered in a good long while. it’s a computer game called “Crayon Physics Deluxe”. the object of the game is to find a way to send a little red ball rolling or flying or bouncing into a golden star. you do this by drawing objects that are then animated and behave according to the laws of physics. you’re presented with ever more complex problems that you must solve with the aid of a crayon and your imagination. the game was inspired by Crockett Johnson’s children’s book “Harold and the Purple Crayon” in which Harold, armed with a purple crayon, draws himself an adventure that comes to life.
the game is downloadable for only $19.95. oh, and i forgot to mention, it won the 2008 Independent Games Festival grand prize. not convinced you want it? you can start by downloading a free demo.
here’s a vid to make up for my poor explanation.
January 10, 2009 at 4:17 am
So was it the game itself or the fact that it resembled virtual crayons?
January 10, 2009 at 10:35 am
the game itself. the description on NPR piqued my interest so i quit painting early to check it out. and the game is a time-sucker for me which equals more studio time lost. it’s a really cute, charming game.
January 10, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I think that I may have to get that. yep.
January 10, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Terry, i’m sure your kids would love it, too.
January 10, 2009 at 8:42 pm
i drew a line, and it fell…
January 11, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I dunno. Limited technology in my case keeps me from checking it out. I exist on a Bronze-age dial-up service, and clinical depression is my chief time sucker. You know it’s really bad when you imagine a talking portrait of Lincoln on the wall telling you to “Come on man. cheer up!”
Maybe in better times.