New DLC: "Dungeonomalies"
I have not update Anomalies in a long time. But it's been about ten (10) years since the original game was released so I thought it was a good time to put something new out there. Why Dungeonomalies? It's a bit of a long story, so I figure I will start from the beginning. It all
I have not update Anomalies in a long time. But it's been about ten (10) years since the original game was released so I thought it was a good time to put something new out there.
Why Dungeonomalies?
It's a bit of a long story, so I figure I will start from the beginning. It all started when a person commented on the music for Cyclopean: The Great Abyss, my recent CRPG based on the underworld of Lovecraft's Dreamlands. Here is the comment:
Now I can't say I fully agree with this sentiment, but I will take a compliment where I can get one. I had not really been formally introduced to dungeon synth, but here was someone saying (or rather implying) that my music was somehow included in this genre. So I went down the rabbit hole, and discovered a whole new (to me) genre of music that I had not realized existed. It's true, I had a few run-ins with it before, most notably the sound track for "Dungeons of Blood and Dream" which I can strongly recommend. Anyway after a couple weeks of listening I happened across Erang's Dark Dungeon Synth Starter Pack over on Bandcamp, and I realized I could use those sounds with Anomalies. After some minor adjustments I put the sounds into a testing build of the game. I thought it sounded fantastic! Maybe it's just me, but the notes rang out more clearly than before, and it game the whole thing a more polished, but also decidedly more "dungeony" feel. Thus "Dungeonomalies" was born!
The Dungeons
The new backgrounds are based on photos I recently took of some ancient Roman and Greek ruins. There is also a background noise associated with each new background, so you might hear the hiss of an old audio tape or the crackle of a dusty record player when you are experiencing your new anomalies...
Cyclopean II
Ultimately, I am doing this for my own reasons. As I am currently working on the sequel of Cyclopean: The Great Abyss, I have been thinking about the background music. I wanted it to be different and stand out from that in the original game. Dungeonomalies has provided a perfect combination of familiar melodies, with new textures, and I think it will give Cyclopean II: The Dreamlands a unique mood and atmosphere that compliment the expanded gameplay.
"Oddities" is the latest of these records. It is actually a collection of songs that, for various reasons, did not make it onto any of the other albums.
You can listen to and download the album for free on my Bandcamp page if you like:
https://mkschmidt.bandcamp.com/album/anomalies-oddities
However, it is also included with the Anomalies Music Collection as of later today (uploading as I type this).
Movement and Speed Instructions
Another small change is in the spawn menu - that big green menu with all the buttons and sliders - the text at the bottom has been modified slightly to mention that WASD controls movement in view mode, and that SHIFT will speed up movement.
Mention of the Options menu has also been added in that text, as some players did not seem to know about it.
That's right, by simply playing a Schmidt Workshops game, you will help to show other players on Steam that these games exist. Writing a nice review will help to establish that our games are fun to play. Sharing our games on Social Media, or simply telling your friends about them will help too.
If you like the experimental, artistic and philosophical themes in Schmidt Workshops games, then please help by spreading the word.
Anomalies' new price is $0.99 and I think it makes more sense that way. Maybe it will help it find a new audience, especially with the new "Advanced Spawn Menu" option.
Anyway, I hope you guys have enjoyed playing Anomalies as much as I have enjoyed working on it!