Author Archives: Martin Mulrooney

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About Martin Mulrooney

I am a professional writer and editor from the UK. I graduated with a B.A. (Hons) degree in Media and Film in 2009, specialising in Print Journalism and Advanced Screenwriting. I created Alternative Magazine Online soon after.
by | 24/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Jakub Dvorsky, Founder Of Amanita Design And Creator Of Machinarium

By Marty Mulrooney

jakub_dvorsky_2

Alternative Magazine Online recently reviewed the fantastic Machinarium here, an indie point and click adventure created by Amanita Design. Founded by Samorost 1&2 creator Jakub Dvorsky, the studio’s latest offering has received glowing reviews from the gaming press, showing that even the smallest indie endeavours can reach a larger audience if enough care and attention is given during the creation process.

Featuring exclusive artwork and insight into the creation of Machinarium, Alternative Magazine Online is proud to present an interview with the man behind it all, Jakub Dvorsky. Enjoy!

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by | 23/11/2009 · 12:00 pm

GAME REVIEW – Machinarium

By Marty Mulrooney

machinariumheader

The first thing that strikes you about Machinarium, the new point and click adventure game from Amanita Design (creators of Samorost 1&2),  are its graphics. Showing a dense robot city full of hustle and bustle, the artwork on display is never anything less than stunning, elevating the material far above its Adobe Flash-based engine. (Usually used for short, online-only games.)

The next thing you notice is the sound design. This game features amazing background music and sound-effects, perfectly suited to the onscreen visuals. It really is a delightful pleasure to load up an independent game from a small Czech development studio and be blown away, in this day and age of HD graphics and next-gen console gaming, by an indie offering.

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by | 21/11/2009 · 12:00 am

INTERVIEW – In Conversation With Philip Hunt (Studio AKA, Director Of Lost And Found)

By Marty Mulrooney

I recently watched an animated short called Lost and Found with a good friend of mine called Jamie. He is 4 years old. What amazed me was that, although this film is aimed at children (it is based on a children’s book that my little pal Jamie loves) it totally enthralled me as an almost-adult (I don’t think I’m there quite yet!)

I then went and read the aforementioned book and found the artwork and story as equally beautiful as what was shown in the film. I hope people can look beyond any initial preconceptions they may have and just appreciate what is ultimately a fantastic story. This 24 minute film is an absolute treasure.

It is therefore a great pleasure to be able to present a conversation between myself and the director of Lost and Found, Studio AKA’s Philip Hunt, put together exclusively for Alternative Magazine Online.

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by | 19/11/2009 · 4:30 pm

Book Review – Druids 1: The Ogham Sacrifice (Graphic Novel)

By Marty Mulrooney

Druids The Ogham Sacrifice

Druids 1: The Oghmam Sacrifice is a graphic novel that has just been released by Dalen Books (publishers of Celtic graphic novels in English and Welsh). They describe it as:

The first volume of a gothic thriller set in the Age of the Saints. There is turmoil in the 5th century Celtic periphery of Europe – an age of change at the end of the Roman Empire and an age of conflict between peoples and religions. Oppressed by Saxons to the east, many of the Celts of Britain have colonised Armorica in Gaul. Gwynlan, the last of the Druids, is caught in a mysterious battle for survival against the monks of the church. Accusations of depravity, murder, sacrifice and sorcery are rife, but the old gods are at hand to assist the righteous.

I would describe Druids as a graphic novel that I started to read with some interest, before being totally sucked in and enthralled. This really is a little gem!

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