Michael Hitchens
Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Waterloo
Games • Projects • Sheet Music • Resources • Links & Contact
Emailmdhitchens at gmail dot com
LinkedInProfessional profile
GitHubPersonal source code repository
BlogFor long-form articles
SoundCloudHost for compositions

Get Away From My Cake!

Made in a month for the graphics course at UWaterloo (CS 488). Due to the nature of the project, I had to put more focus on the graphics (e.g. normal mapping, particle systems, etc). However, I managed to pull together something playable.

Download on itch.io

Hangman!

Made in around 72 hours for a hackathon at BlackBerry in 2015. It's the classic game Hangman where you try to guess a word letter by letter!

Disclaimer: Installing APKs from unknown sources is dangerous and not recommended; carefully consider who you trust before installing APKs, including me.

BlackBerry World • Android APK (v1.0) • Source • Video

ICCC (LD30)

Made in 72 hours for Ludum Dare 30. Work for the (I)nternational (C)ommunication (C)onstruction and (C)onsulting! Use communication to spread your political agenda by connecting the world with the internet and shoving your message down the pipe! Beware of your demanding company, bankruptcy, and easy to piss off locals!

Download on itch.io

Evolution is the Key (LD24)

Made in 72 hours for Ludum Dare 24. You are trapped in a maze that constantly evolves around you. Made in Java with LWJGL. Use WASD to move, MOUSE to look, and the LEFT MOUSE BUTTON to fire your weapon. Scored #2 in Theme, #3 in Innovation.

Download on itch.io

SDL Snake

It's snake! Made in C! Using SDL! Programmed in one weekend in May 2013. Windows download requires the Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable which can be found here. Can be compiled for Linux and Mac; tested under Wine 1.7.25.

Download on itch.io

Portal GM: Pre-Slice

Portal is my favourite video game so I tried to make a 2D version. There's no sound because I didn't know about SFXR back then. Made with GameMaker. Previously hosted on the YoYo Games Sandbox. Released May 2008. Only compiled for Windows, but works under Wine 1.7.25.

Download on itch.io

This Website

I made this site from scratch to be lean and simple. Pure HTML, JavaScript, and CSS; no frameworks.

Source

Atom Plugins

I use Atom, the text editor, a lot so I've made a couple plugins for it. language-batch provides syntax highlighting for Windows Batch files. love-launcher launches a LÖVE process for the current project.

language-batch • love-launcher

Zardwars Revival

An encyclopedia for a now dead game. I coded the HTML, CSS, and PHP. All the information on the site was obtained by playing the game (when it was still alive).

Website • Source

Vampyr Utils

Utilities for decoding various files used by Vampyr: The Talisman of Invocation. Coded in Java. I used these utilities to decode the image and map files which I then put into albums; I've provided links below.

Source • Image album • Map album

Here are a bunch of resources I've fallen in love with:

Engines

PICO-8retro-style engine for simple arcade games
LÖVEeasy-to-learn-and-use 2D game engine utilizing Lua
jMonkeyEngine3D video game engine coded in Java
GameMakergame making program for both the new and the experienced

Libraries

SDLC library for 2D graphics, input handling, and much more
LWJGLOpenGL, OpenAL, and OpenCL for Java

Programs and Services

Synfig2D Animationvery high learning curve but free and great for small animations
Blender3D Modellingvery complicated but very powerful
GIMPArt (Bitmap)all-purpose graphics editing and creation software
InkscapeArt (Vector)scalable vector graphics editor and creator
AudacityAudio Editorpopular FOSS sound editor
TiledLevel Editorgeneral-purpose 2D level editor
LMMSMIDI Sequencerdifficult to use but free music creator
FamiTrackerMusicprogram for creating SNES music
IncompetechMusicwebsite with lots of high quality royalty-free music
MuseScoreMusic Notationopen source music notation software
SFXRSound EffectsSNES-inspired sound effects generator
AtomText Editorhighly configurable advanced text editor; almost an IDE
Notepad++Text Editorfast and reliable advanced text editor for Windows
Sublime TextText Editorsmall, slick, sexy, and fast advanced text editor