HamsterSpeak Final Stats and Reminiscence

For the last year and a half, I've let the HamsterSpeak Contributor Index sit around without being updated. Well, I've finally gone in and filled it out in its entirety, from issue 1 to 63. If you'd like to take a look at it for whatever reason, here you go: http://www.superwalrusland.com/ohr/cont/Contributions.html

At this point, I'm much happier not working on HamsterSpeak, and I'm having a much better time just writing this blog. We had a lot of fun over the last five years, but I needed a break, and now that I've taken one I don't feel any strong desire to get back in the game. I've thought about launching an OHR review/feature site to replace HS and archive all of its content there (in addition to in the magazine itself), but this would involve learning a lot of code that I just don't have time to learn.

So, I'd like to take a second to announce that HamsterSpeak is officially closing shop. If someone else wants to take a shot at running an OHR magazine, now's the time. It's hard, frustrating work, especially on months where no one contributes, and it takes a lot of dedication. If you can pull it off, I salute you. Just don't use the same name.

Here are some statistics, for those of you that like that kind of thing. They're probably not 100% accurate. That's ok.

HamsterSpeak 63 Online

And that's that. This is the last issue before a hiatus of unspecified length. If and when HamsterSpeak returns, we'll have a fresh new format will a slightly less clunky layout!

Special thanks to all of this month's contributors who have helped make this issue one of the most packed in months. I was hoping to get something more from some of our older users, but the newer ones really did a great job. You guys are the future of the OHR, and I'm looking forward to all the games you make. It's been a fun five years, but I'm going to take a nap now.

HamsterSpeak 62 Online

The Salom Contest results are here! More Sky Flyers, comic art, a retrospective, and a word from James about features in the next stable OHR Engine release.

Please read the Letter from the Editor.

Add Salom to Everything Contest - Round 2 Voting Begins!

Thank you to all of our artists who submitted pictures of Salom stuck in a pipe. 34 pictures were received, and readers voted for their top 10. It's time to crown the True Salom Champions!

HamsterSpeak 61 Online

Sorry for the delay! Issue 61 is live. Read about Ridiculous Contest Games, ponder the message behind Sky Flyers #4-6, and stick around for some Retrospectives. Be sure to vote in the Add Salom to Everything Contest! We have 34 entries. Pick your top ten and respond with their numbers either here or on Slime Salad/Facebook/Walrus Forums.

The Add Salom to Everything Contest

It's the Add Salom to Everything Contest! Lately, Salom Lancoven, the seal monster hero from Walthros and Who Killed Dinosaur Giant? has found himself in a bit of a jam. Specifically, he's stuck in a pipe. A PIPE!

HamsterSpeak 60 Online

HamsterSpeak 60 

This month we have a celebration of Bob Surlaw's birthday, the results of the Collaboration Contest (and reviews of its games), Game of the Year 2011, and more.

HamsterSpeak 59 Online

Hey, I've got yet another place to post these links to now!

A brief issue in which ghosts and goblins are discussed and Surlaw shows us his MySpace angle pictures.

Special thanks to Willy Elektrix and The Cube for being really good contributors over the last few months. You dudes have basically been keeping this magazine alive with your regular contributions and I really appreciate it.

Just a reminder that there's only three more weeks left in the Game of the Year 2011 vote, if anyone wants to get in some last minute votes. I'll be posting my own votes towards the end as usual.