Pictured: Not the 8-bit version...
Independent game developer Eric Ruth is coding a free PC game that envisions what Valve's popular zombie-killing franchise might have looked like on an 8-bit console, with plans to release a full version in January 2010.
Ruth (a.k.a. PixelForce) is but the latest in a long line of indie developers who pay tribute to their favorite franchises by lovingly recreating them in a two-dimensional 8-bit format. Colloquially known as "demakes," these games offer fans an opportunity to explore their favorite virtual worlds from a fresh perspective and include recent games like Gang Garrison 2 and the unfinished Shadow of the Colossus demake "Hold Me Closer, Giant Dancer." Ruth is one of the first demake developers to blatantly use the original game's title, but he's relying on Valve's alleged "love of community creations" to keep him out of legal trouble.
All we have so far is the gameplay footage below showing Bill battling his way through the "No Mercy" campaign, but Ruth promises fans a familiar four-directional arena shooter experience. The game has been optimized to run on modern gaming rigs at 256 x 240 resolution, with a vibrant 16-color palette and sound support for up to four channels.
