Photics.com

The following should be read as if it was a late-night infomercial… HI! I’M MICHAEL GAROFALO AND I’M HERE TO TELL YOU ABOUT THE PHOTICS: TOOLBOX, A COLLECTION OF UTILITIES FOR THE iPHONE, iPOD TOUCH OR EVEN THE NEW iPAD. STOP WASTING YOUR MONEY ON APPS THAT ONLY DO ONE JOB. WITH THE PHOTICS TOOLBOX, YOU GET MULTIPLE TOOLS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE. IT’S A TREMENDOUS VALUE. REDUCE CLUTTER IN YOUR HOME AND ON YOUR PHONE WITH THIS EASY TO USE UTILITY SUITE.

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I’ve decided that I will be dropping the Guild Wars theme from my online role-playing game. Instead, I will be creating an original theme for Photics: Conquest. As long as the main content is tied to ArenaNet, there will always be limitations on what I can do with my game… like charging for premium access or breaking away from lore restrictions. Plus, I think it’s important to build something of my own. There shouldn’t be any confusion between two completely different games. However, that creates a significant problem. The Guild Wars artwork is beautiful. How will I be able to replace that? How can I keep my game professional looking, without the budgets of a “AAA” game studio?

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Wow, what speed. For about two years, the “Course Correction” project sat on the back-burner. But in a little over two weeks since I started using GameSalad, my game is on the App store. I’m impressed with the quality of this App. This is one of my best projects ever. The game has good graphics, great sound and the presentation is professional. Apple seems to have picked up their game too. I submitted my App on Friday. By Monday my game was available for sale. For only 99¢  you can download this game to your iPhone or iPod Touch. If you don’t have an iPhone or iPod Touch, a browser version should be available in the future. This is the start of a new era for this website and I’m really excited about it!

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Ever see those big-shot game developers showing off their Concept artwork? As a gamer, I enjoyed seeing previews from the next big game. But as a independent developer, I don’t have the pressure to impress the venture capitalists or hype the community. I somehow doubt that a screenshot is really going to make a difference in future sales… but do I know that for sure? No, so maybe I should try it. Do you want to see what I’ve been working on this week? I do admit, this makes me nervous. Will you like it? Will you steal my ideas? It’s a wonder why game developers even bother talking to gamers until the game is done. Maybe it’s because they like to show off their best work… I know I do!

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ArenaNet has been tremendously supportive and loyal to this website. For six years, Photics.com has been part of the fansite program. The hard working people at ArenaNet have shown creativity, patience, a sense of humor and dedication. I feel that I too should exhibit these traits. That’s why I’m aiming to build… THE ULTIMATE GUILD WARS FANSITE. I’ve ordered some new technology. I’m preparing to create something awesome. If you’re interested in volunteering to be part of this project, you can post up a comment. Editors, writers, illustrators, web designers and translators are welcome.

I was bracing myself for a long wait. On September 17, 2009, I submitted my first iPhone Application to the app store. I was restraining my enthusiasm, figuring that some small technicality would blight my success. I read some discouraging stories online. It seemed that it might be weeks before Apple approved my app. I was even planning to blog about the long waiting. Instead, I was surprised. Apple approved my app! I nailed it on the first shot!

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