Comments on: Just How “Indie” Are Indie Games?

By: What’s the Big Deal with Bigyama | HomeStation Magazine

What’s the Big Deal with Bigyama | HomeStation Magazine — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:11:04 +0000

[…] solid “farm team” process to cultivate talented independent developers (as mentioned in Gideon’s outstanding January article on indie games); it wouldn’t be surprising if they have a similar program in place for […]

By: HearItWow

HearItWow — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 23:57:37 +0000

You raise some excellent points here, Gideon. Ultimately, the “indie” label has little meaning beyond the idea that an established studio/distributor (I’m including film and music here) didn’t source the material or hire the people who created it.

I beleive what Sony’s doing is ultimately a very good thing, because many of these developers would not find a life on a games console in other circumstances. One of the requirements for publishing on consoles is adherence to core standards that are established by each console maker. If a game isn’t in compliance, it cannot be published. These rules affect everything from how informational graphics are presented to what happens when you try and quit a game, and they’re largely unknown to anyone who doesn’t have a pile of dev kits and an agreement to publish content for a major console.

In supporting small developers, Sony is introducing them to the requirements of console gaming, providing information they otherwise wouldn’t have. That gives these developers a leg up on future projects, because they can design from the beginning with consoles in mind.

By: Kid Fleetfoot

Kid Fleetfoot — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 15:50:19 +0000

We are more likely to get things we want if we ask. So at times I ask. I do prefer Elvis over Pink Floyd but I think The Dark Side of the Moon would make a better space apartment than Graceland or Jailhouse Rock. I haven't heard Dark Side and it's electronics in years. A friend or friends had it. Now I shall have to buy the album since you reminded me of it. That is good. As to existing markets and creating markets, I shouldn't complain too much, if at all. The Flaming Guitar active music item is pretty cool and for nostalgia (or good old time music) the Valentines Box has two cool songs, the Doo Wop I Only Have Eyes For You and Feel Like Making Love. Satisfaction for me. On the Loot spaces there are some excellent radio stations. One of them has a cover pic of Elvis with 50s & 60s music I love. And big band and jazz thrown in for good measure. Again, satisfaction. These are things people asked for and we got them so at times I will ask for other things. I hope I don't overdo it. I do think it would be interesting if Home users could form a company to create things for Home whether it be clothes, spaces, or music items. We shall see. As to dealing in dreams, I am sorry to report that one of the dark sides of dreaming is madness. Good luck to you too, cthulu93. And to everyone.

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:06:05 +0000

Just read the link and yeah that looks like a sweet deal all around.IF Home had that I’d imagine Home would start to have a little bit of a wild west feel to it,I personally have no problem with that,and we’d probably have a plethora of choices in every possible place,games,items,personal spaces,etc. Many wouldn’t be “good” but some,maybe even just a very few,would be gems well worth the outlay to users.Either word of mouth or a try before you buy option would be necessary for us but I think it could be great.I’d love to see some other peoples game ideas come to life and heck even have a few of my own,lol.

By: Gideon

Gideon — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:14:54 +0000

I really wish Sony would adopt the Unreal UDK concept. the Unreal UDK is 100% free to use and devs can use Unreal to make their game and they don’t owe Epic Games one red cent until they make $50K in profits.

Just imagine what the PS3 would have if Sony took a similar approach to PSN content…. to Home content.

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2011/02/no-royalties-on-unreal-development-kit-until-5000-in-sales.ars

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:10:09 +0000

You deal in dreams,I as cthulu deal with madness.You prefer Elvis,I prefer Pink Floyd.You like the Halloween band,I prefer the lady dancers.There is a wide range of tastes and preferences of Home users and the more that developers feed these the better they will do financially.Which is why the recent releases by Lockwood and others will do quite well IMO.It’s much more profitable to find out what people want and give it to them than to create something and tell or expect people to buy into it.In other words,it’s easier to feed an existing market than to try to create a market based on uncertain demand.It’s not impossible to create new markets from uncertainty but it has more risk.Personally I could watch an Elvis concert,especially if it’s the older,fatter Elvis,if there was a Pink Floyd concert right after.Heck I’d even pay to watch this.Hint,hint,Sony lol.

By: cthulu93

cthulu93 — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:54:42 +0000

I can see where this COULD be problematic to the creative process,I guess it depends on how much input Sony demands for the cash.Like most things,the devil is in the details.However from a users standpoint this SEEMS to be a way for us to get a wider variety of games,something I’m all in favor of as I’m positive that there are whole catagories of games that are under-represented on the PS3 and which I’d pay,and pay well,for.Hopefully there aren’t a lot of strings attached or restrictions on ideas.Of course I think Sony should get their cash back if the game does well,and maybe some other financial sweeteners for Sony,but the ideas and concepts shouldn’t have to conform to strict company policies,IMO.

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:51:44 +0000

I actually tried the Limbo demo once. I played it through, it was quirky and different, but not my kind of game as I am almost solely an RPG fan. If Braid had a demo I might try that out as well. I will look at it today. If a game has RPG elements to it it is more likely to catch my attention. Puzzlers and such aren’t my cup of tea, but I do have to say that Limbo’s graphics were very different from anything I had ever seen before being all black and white.

By: Kid Fleetfoot

Kid Fleetfoot — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:21:10 +0000
I am wondering if this applies to not just games but Home spaces and items (clothing, weapons, music etc). And I wonder if it would be possible for Home users to develop things that would be accepted by Sony. And I wonder (more importantly) if there are Home users talented enough to program such things. I certainly don't know the business side of things and I don't know business at all or the facts of how to do it. But I don't deal in facts. I deal in dreams and listening to and making music. However, it is my understanding that it costs to purchase a programming kit from Sony, somewhere from $5,000 to $10,000 for a developer's kit? But I don't know the facts, do I? No, I don't. I believe it would be ultra cool (hot?) if Home users could get together and raise founds to create something. Were I CEO of a formed company my priorities if funds were raised would be a farm or city park and more items like the Halloween horror band trio which is quite good (when one gets past their horrific looks ;). So cool it would be to have an Elvis Presley hippy hippy pelvic thruster item which played 2 or 3 of his tunes. Or a Home user like Musicman1234 (I'm a fan). I prefer Elvis and truth be known I'd prefer Del Shannon or Roy Orbison over both of them. But I want the farm or city park first. I think what little business wisdom I have just realized that an Indie wouldn't make a public space like a city park, so the farm it is. "In Dreams". Get it? But I don't deal in facts, I deal in dreams. Sometimes that is good and sometimes it is not.

By: Terra_Cide

Terra_Cide — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:56:45 +0000

I didn’t get into the beta -- wish I did though. Thatgamecompany just seems to have the right mix of compelling gameplay, simple yet beautiful visuals, and length (especially length, as at this point in my life, I can’t really commit the hours a storyline like Skyrim’s would require of me).

By: Gideon

Gideon — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:50:00 +0000

Braid and Limbo are hands down two of the best games I’ve ever played. They’re short too, which is sometimes very appreciated! lol!

By: Gideon

Gideon — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:49:01 +0000

Did you play the Beta? I didn’t get to despite my efforts.

I’m totally right there with you Terra. Journey is numero uno on my list without a doubt!

By: Terra_Cide

Terra_Cide — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:43:19 +0000
Journey is by far and away the most anticipated new release for 2012 for me. I can't begin to tell you how excited I am to play that game; it just looks so stunning.

By: Burbie52

Burbie52 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:34:05 +0000

Good read as always Gideon, glad to see you haven’t lost your flare! I am not into Indie Games that much, but I might have to give a few a try sometime, you make them sound very interesting.

By: johneboy1970

johneboy1970 — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:07:02 +0000

Great article, Gideon.