Derek Yu

Derek Yu
Derek Yu at GDC 2007
Born	1982 (age 28–29) Pasadena, California
Occupation	Game developer, artist, blogger

Derek Yu (born 1982 in Pasadena, California) is an independent game developer,^[1] game artist,^[2] and blogger.

While he may be best known for his early work on freeware titles such as Eternal Daughter, Yu continues to make games. An early exposure to the Nintendo Entertainment System explains why older titles provide him with inspiration.^[3]

Games

Yu has helped make freeware games in the past and commercial efforts today.

Blackeye software

Early in his game-creating career he was associated^[4] with a freeware game website solely distributing its own wares,^{[citation needed]} including Diabolika and Eternal Daughter.^[5]

Eternal Daughter

Main article: Eternal Daughter

Eternal Daughter (2002) is a platform game that was developed over a two year period.^[3][5]

I'm O.K.

Main article: I'm O.K - A Murder Simulator

A platformer that Yu helped create, I'm O.K - A Murder Simulator, was a response to Jack Thompson's open letter "A Modest Video Game Proposal".^[6]

For-profit games

the Aquaria game world

Yu has worked on several games sold outside of traditional distribution channels. He helped create the award-winning 2007 Aquaria^[7] and was part of the two-man team^[8] that released it, Bit Blot.^[1]

Aquaria

Main article: Aquaria (video game)

A collaboration between Yu and Alec Holowka (at times a long-distance one,^[2] as the two live in separate countries),^[1] Aquaria is a side-scrolling video game that takes place underwater.^[1] It won the Independent Games Festival's 2007 Seumas McNally Grand Prize,^[9][10] was available as a download,^[9][11] and was also sold in a Humble Indie Bundle.

Spelunky

Main article: Spelunky

Spelunky is a platform game reminiscent of the 1983 Spelunker. It will be available through Xbox Live Marketplace in the future.^[12]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Road To The IGF: Bit Blot's Aquaria gamesutra.com, October 23, 2006
2. ^ ^{a b} Inside Job: Interview; Aquaria Creators Derek Yu, Alec Holowka (page 2/5) escapistmagazine.com, 18 January 2008
3. ^ ^{a b} 4cr Interview - Derek Yu 4colorrebellion.com, September 30th, 2005
4. ^ Blackeye software profile reloaded.org
5. ^ ^{a b} Eternal Daughter the-underdogs.org (Archive.org cache)
6. ^ Wallis, Alistair (2006-10-23). "Road To The IGF: Bit Blot's Aquaria". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=11362. Retrieved 2009-12-10. 
7. ^ GF Award Winner Aquaria Released Today kotaku.com.au, December 8, 2007
8. ^ Company Bit Blot Official Site
9. ^ ^{a b} IGS: Inside The Making Of Aquaria gamesutra.com, February 18, 2008
10. ^ 2007 Finalists and Winners: 2007 Independent Games Festival Winners Independent Games Festival Official Site
11. ^ Aquaria Sets Sale On Steam kotaku.com, Dec 17, 2008
12. ^ Spelunky on XBLA features multiplayer; we want it on PC pcgamer.com, 01/03/2011

External links

• Blackeye software games mirror

Persondata
Name	Yu, Derek
Alternative names
Short description	Video game artist
Date of birth	1982
Place of birth	Pasadena, California
Date of death
Place of death