In case you missed it, yesterday the AIAS, the Guild Hall at SMU and GameStop announced their Indie Game Challenge, which offers prize money and scholarships to the winning independent game developer. Check out Adam's interview with AIAS's president Joseph Olin.
Now that we're on the same, you will know where Adam is coming from in this week's Sessler's Soapbox. The Sess wanted to explain why he thinks games coming from independent developers are so important for the industry and gamers alike. If you bring more creative voices to the table, everyone else has to match their game and be just as innovative, creative and interesting as the other guy. So press play and find out what Adam has to say on the subject.
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Comments
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wernerherzog
For me, indie games are important due to the fact that they HAVE to come up with a new intellectual property. While, of course, I have my favorite games that I'll always pick up sequels to--i MUCH rather prefer playing something completely new. Indie game developers also feel hungrier--there isn't a guarantee that whatever they're making is going to sell well, so there's a real push to come up with something innovative or exceptional on some level. Plus, you can always tell in an indie game how much fun the developers had making it. "Chef Boyardee's Barkley: Shut up and Jam Gaiden" definitely comes to mind, here.
rayken15
Agreed! This is what I love about indea games! And why I'm glad that XBLA, Steam, PSN, etc. allow for them to do pretty well.
Sandrock323
I'm actually looking into how to make a game right now. The only thing I found a way to learn is C++ though. (but I'll just take things one step at a time for now and worry about the bigger things when I'm done figuring out the smaller stuff first.)
TrogdorTheBurnin8r
Indie games are pretty fun, especially when you find that rare gem that keeps you coming back. I also like mods for HL2, they're free and awesome at the same time! Stuff like NeoTokyo (which just came out) and Synergy, aaaand SmashBall is a pretty good one. I'm probably the only one here that knows about half of what I just said though :D .
IcemanMX
The problem, TrogdorTheBurnin8r, is finding that rare gem. They are rare for a reason.
-M
skwareballz
Just go to digipen's website and play some of the games they provide made by teams of students and you'll know that it's really indie games that can bring the newest ideas to an industry that can get repetive very quickly.
PS3Darklighter
Indie games matter in that they allow gaming companies to see which individuals show promise. Still while most indie games are only on computers and not available for real gaming platforms (oftentimes they are not even given actual retail releases) they are not as important to gamers.
Famicom11
Competitions like this are exciting because its nice to see other people get to show their aspirations in game development and a real chance to stand out. Other than times like this, they don't really have an audience. This competition, and similar to it, give them the audience and the attention that the indie game designers deserve for their unpaid effort.
ur2ez2me
I'm very excited about new and innovative games. I've been working on one called "The Phoenix Line"" using the source engine but, a few days ago I read about the announcement of ""The Darkest of Days"" which is exactly like my game sooooo I'm kinda screwed there. Anyway, great subject and ideas and great coffee cup.
micrapple
Some Indie developer are very talented take "Heavy Mach." on iphone for example. Very addicted gameplay and somewhat fresh ideas. But the problem is, I can't really get that intense feeling like a full blown big budget game like COD:MW, Bioshock, etc...
seriousstew
I SEE THAT BLACK MESA SOURCE MUG! YEAHHHHHH
evilguy69
I'm always more interested in the game being played in the background. I heard fashion industry and it brought me back for a bit, but then I was right out the window again. Sad.
bourngamer42
i couldnt help but look at how interesting braid looked it the background, were u saying something adam?
SirCitadel
i want a black mesa mug...
blondbeast555
haha black mesa mugs. i need that and the companion cube cliffy has
E73RN4L
What we really need is a massive forum just for pitching ideas to indie game makers, I'm 100% that there is one out there, but i have not found it. Granted i have not looked very hard either. One of the real problems I run into is having a wonderful idea, every one you tell it to thinks its amazing as well, and then we run into the problem that we have no idea how to go about making it, and thats when the realization of the sheer massive amount of time put into making these punches you in the face and says, "you cant code at all, your screwed."
guillermo316
its wierd you always see hijm playing old games i like g4 and ign but ign has reviews on everything g4 lol not as much
happymeowmeow
Hey Adam,
New format for the Soapbox and the comment section! It even counts down how many characters you have left. Futuristic.
I'm excited to see what Indy games are going to come out of the woodwork for this festival. Is it just me or has there been a real influx of independent games in the last year or so? Have you seen the trailer for Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet? Wow that looks good.
river_tron
If it wasn't for indie games, we'd be playing "ENTER TITLE HERE" PART WHATEVER, forever. It's rare to see anything that hasn't been done before from huge game developers. These companies will never shell out the dough needed to properly bring a novel idea to fruition, and from a (greedy) business standpoint, I kind of see why. Indie developers (i'm starting to hate that word) are the ones that will probably make the most impact in the future in terms of new game-play mechanics and new game concepts in general (Eden, Braid, etc). Just look at Pixel Junk, bless their hearts. Independents show up out of nowhere and INVENT brand new games. There are "new" games and then there are REALLY new games. That is what's most exciting to me about games in the future.
happymeowmeow
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/f orums/showthread.php?t=201051< br />If anyone's interested.
Found this thread the other day, lots of links to independent games, discussions, etc.
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