I’ve finally put this site back up and don’t worry, this project hasn’t been forgotten about. It’s just that I have other projects I’m working on first before I can get back to this. Stay tuned…someday!

Hi all,

Check out the Alpha version of “Blitzwing2” for Maniac HD, originally by Blitzwing.

Full playlist so far is also available below.

Hey everyone,

It’s been a while. I’ve still been working on the soundtrack. As before, you can hear the alpha version of a new track below. This time, it’s Crystal Hammer by Karsten Obarski that was used in the original Maniac!

Hi all!

I have been working on a remix of Complications by Thomas Danko (www.danko.se)

You can listen to the alpha version here:

Hi all,

I have been working on recreating the original soundtrack and giving it a bit of life.

You can check out the alpha mix of “Freefall” which was originally written by Quinton Davie and has been remixed with permission for use in Maniac HD.

Hi all,

I previously mentioned there wasn’t going to be any original tracks (aside from the main theme) during the gameplay because of copyright reasons.

I couldn’t really settle for this as the in game music was a part of what made the original so great.

I’ve been tracking down the original composers to ask their permission to recreate the in game music with a bit of a modernised twist.

So far, I’ve contacted Thomas Danko (Complications.mod) & Quinton Davie (Freefall,mod) who have given permission for their tracks to be used in Maniac HD!

You can check out the original tracks in the entire Maniac playlist which is here:

I’m still continuing my search for the remaining composers and Maniac HD will include some new tracks too. Stay tuned!

Hi all,

I have finally made a logo/splash that I’m happy with for now but may be slightly modified later. Check it out!

Additionally, I have tweaked Pac’s look and animation to better match the original. See below.

I’ve also given Pac’s death animation a “whirl”.

More graphical updates to come this week! I’m making the fruits!

Hi all,

Today I wanted to get some perspective on how the current assets would look in the game by creating a mockup of the in game screen itself.

As you can see, we are certainly on track for a crystal clear Maniac 🙂

I haven’t really completed the Maniac logo yet, hence why it’s excluded in the HD mockup.

Eyes were enlarged on the ghosts to match the original. Gives that cute and cuddly look 😉

Click image to view full size!

Hi everyone,

I figured since I have begin sharing the fact that this project is happening, I might as well show you some asset progress!

Below is some of the progress I’ve made with recreating the visuals of the game. The images here are of an alpha nature and may be subject to change or improvement. Nevertheless, I hope you enjoy!

Original in game ghosts and Pac:

HD Remastered:

(Early Work, subject to improvements in detail and animation)

Maniac is copyright Alex Metcalf, 1994.

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Hello and welcome to the Maniac HD developer blog!

This is where official updates to game development for the Mac and iOS will be documented. For now, how about some FAQS?

So what is Maniac?

Maniac is a game created in 1994 by Alex Metcalf for the old world Macintoshes running System 7/8/MacOS 9. It’s essentially Pacman combined with hangman featuring killer sounds, music and unique gameplay elements such as various powerups.

Watch a review here

And who are you exactly?

I’m Kyle, a 26 year old from Australia. I’ve been in and around computers my whole life, experimenting with various projects. I haven’t really sunk into just one thing. I learn what I need for each given project and go from there.

If you want to know more about me, you can check out kylegp.com

Why did you decide to recreate the game?

I had discovered Maniac on a game disc labelled “600 games”, written in permanent marker. I used to play it with my cousins whenever I went over to their place all the time. Nobody from the family remembers where the disc came from and unfortunately when I went to try and get it back some weeks ago, they had already thrown away the old Mac and the disc it was played on.

Stuck on nostalgia and the absolute love for Maniac, I have decided to let it live on inside our pockets in the present time with an iOS release (completely free) and also a Mac title. The Mac title is likely to come first as some complications with converting Maniac to touch will need some working out first.

When is Maniac HD going to be available?

There is no release date. It’s one of those “it’s ready when it’s ready” type deals. Sorry to the eager fans! Believe me though, I’m as excited as you are but lets not rush to a poor quality release. There is likely to be a demo for testers available sometime in the future to gather feedback.

A lot of graphics are being worked on first and those should be complete well within the next couple of months. After that will come sounds including the Maniac theme which I need to give some modern spice (carefully, because it already kicks ass).

How does Alex Metcalf feel about this?

Alex is totally on board with the remake. I have assured him of the level of quality I wish to bring to this adaption and full permission has been given for the project (with the exception of in game music copyrighted by others).

I will be making attempts to contact the original composers and requesting their permission for the adaption. If no luck emerges there, I’ll work something out.

The main theme for Maniac will be recreated in a refreshing take on the original, without butchering the original. It’s highly important to me that the game remains the same feel and nostalgia of the original, music, sounds, graphics and gameplay.

Stay tuned for further dev updates!

Maniac is copyright Alex Metcalf, 1994.