"Some xbox arcade title"?
Outland is amazing. It's basically Ikaruga meets platforming plus coop.
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Housemarque (Resogun) added PC due to console sale difficulties, talks future games
- Thread starter Nirolak
- Start date
Outland is amazing. It's basically Ikaruga meets platforming plus coop.
Calm Mind
Member
funkystudent
Member
I blame ps+ and GWG for the console decline.
Now that you get free games if you even want to play online everyone got flooded with indie games. The market got fucked.
Great for PC though
Now that you get free games if you even want to play online everyone got flooded with indie games. The market got fucked.
Great for PC though
LukasTaves
Member
Should have put the game on other consoles as well, if being on Ps4 didn't paid it off.
Not that would be a big hit, but it adds up.
Not that would be a big hit, but it adds up.
It's like you weren't even paying attention last gen.
BennyBlanco
aka IMurRIVAL69
Nice. Their games should do well on Steam. 👌
So true
I own both consoles but I tend to buy all my indies on Xbox cause I just feel they will be on PS+ anyway
GWG tend to give away less indie releases than PS+
LukasTaves
Member
I think the main "problem" is self publishing. Before Ms would let only publishers release games on XBLA and they would pick a few themselves, so there were less games coming out, but they got more promotion and spotlight.
I mean, last week or so there were 14 digital only games released on xbone in the span of 7 days, and then there's Ps4 which also receives dozens of new games each week and steam that likely receives that on a daily basis.
So yeah, you have much more games releasing at the same time it's only normal that fewer of them become hits.
Ms still has an annual promotion of indie games.
I mean, last week or so there were 14 digital only games released on xbone in the span of 7 days, and then there's Ps4 which also receives dozens of new games each week and steam that likely receives that on a daily basis.
So yeah, you have much more games releasing at the same time it's only normal that fewer of them become hits.
Ms still has an annual promotion of indie games.
The main difference is the lack of promo. Games like Braid and Super Meat Boy sold very well for the time getting hype from the press and the promo on the XBLA storefront. But even with all of the hits like which enjoyed the exposure on Live were able to come out later on PC and sometimes became even bigger hits like Spelunky. Nowadays for these games I almost exclusively buy on PC. I don't see the point of buying on PS4 or XBOX when I know the games will forever be future proof in my steam library. If play anywhere became an actual thing, I'd feel better buying something on xbox.
Curation is not the answer, even on consoles. It certainly doesn't explain why indie developers flourish on Steam, where there is less curation, and more competition than any other platform.
Also, self-publishing is hurting indie developers? What nonsense. It's precisely because of the ease of publishing that indie games have flourished in recent years.
Stallion Dan
Member
All their games go to PS+, why would I buy any of them?
Just got Alienation from it.
Just got Alienation from it.
I don't think he said that self publishing was a problem for indie devs. It's good overall to just have the ability to do release wherever you want. I don't think it's crazy to say that the number of releases, especially on consoles, is MUCH MUCH higher than it ever was last gen. Last gen you legit had every single press outlet and podcast talking about the summer of arcade games as they came out. Top notch developers like Housemarque really had no peer in the digital marketplace in the week of release. Now they are going up against mobile trash along with retail juggernauts that are sold digitally.
Sho_Nuff82
Member
XBLA + mandatory demos was the best possible advertisement for new, digital-only, small scale games.
The One online store is a disorganized cluster in comparison. And nothing has demos.
The One online store is a disorganized cluster in comparison. And nothing has demos.
They make fantastic games that unfortunately are not necessarily in the most popular genres. I don't think it is a curation problem as much as it is people waiting for games to make it on PS+ or better yet waiting for a sale. People on GAF spend a lot of time discussing gamers who will never play an indie game but few threads ever discuss what people are willing to pay for an indie game and how that is impacting the indie market.
.
I think a small number of releases was good for indie games -- precisely those few indie games selected by the somewhat arbitrary "curation" process. It was a kingmaker.
These days that lottery is no more, and you have to compete against everything else and convince people to spend their money and time on your game rather than one of the other 300 released in the same month.
These days that lottery is no more, and you have to compete against everything else and convince people to spend their money and time on your game rather than one of the other 300 released in the same month.
To be honest as much as I love the visual aspects of Housemarques games, they just never did anything for me. I'd rather play something with some meat that's not simply aiming for the high score. I'd rather play indies like Stardew Valley, Hyperlight Drifter, Bastion, moon hunters etc.
I respect the types of games they make but they aren't usually something I'll go out of my way to play when there are options that are more appealing to me.
I respect the types of games they make but they aren't usually something I'll go out of my way to play when there are options that are more appealing to me.
Easily one of my favorite Ubisoft games last console gen. Right up there with From Dust.
I desperately want successors to Outland and From Dust.
MekaDragon
Member
Dead Nation, Super Stardust HD and Resogun for PC.
Please.
Please.
Stoffinator
Member
I find their just to expensive for not knowing how a game is. In quality and in length. And for me, most indie games don't interest me. But I do love Housemarque games.
Dr. Zoidberg
Member
They dumped the mandatory demo requirement because devs hated it and Sony didn't mandate a demo so it became a sticking point. Since Sony is on top now they would have to be the ones to bring that back and they've never shown any interest in doing so. As always, there is debate over whether demos help or hurt games in the long run.
One thing I've noticed about console/PC indie split is the difference in marketing.
PC games are spread purely through word of mouth without need for a marketing budget. Something like Stardew Valley, Kerbal, Binding of Isaac had zero marketing budget, but ends up selling millions of copies purely through word of mouth. This immensely benefits indie games, where they don't have the budget for a marketing campaign.
Conversely, on console marketing budget dictates the success of the game. If you don't have the ability to market, then you are significantly less likely to penetrate.
PC games are spread purely through word of mouth without need for a marketing budget. Something like Stardew Valley, Kerbal, Binding of Isaac had zero marketing budget, but ends up selling millions of copies purely through word of mouth. This immensely benefits indie games, where they don't have the budget for a marketing campaign.
Conversely, on console marketing budget dictates the success of the game. If you don't have the ability to market, then you are significantly less likely to penetrate.
Grim Patron
Member
Scorpio.
Napalm_Frank
Member
I'm definately at a point where I won't buy indies anymore unless they are especially eye catching (Cuphead for example) because I have ridicilous backlog of them from PS+ and steam sales/bundles/giveaways and they are more expensibe now than they were back in PS3 days.
I adore Super Stardust but didn't buy Alienation. Surprise surprise it got added to PS+.
I adore Super Stardust but didn't buy Alienation. Surprise surprise it got added to PS+.
Auto-Reply
Member
Housemarque would be a great dev to make a Xortex 26XX style arcade game... I'll be having one of those, thank you very much!
Sho_Nuff82
Member
I think demos almost certainly hurt big AAA games, where the vertical slice can be very misleading, or underwhelming compared to official marketing trailers and bullshots.
For a 5 hour side-scroller or FP horror title that costs $20-$30? I have to imagine most people aren't ever going to try it out unless it has stellar reviews and WoM.
DeathoftheEndless
Crashing this plane... with no survivors!
There is a ton of micro-budget crap on Netflix.
I bought Alienation last year, told all my friends the game was awesome. None of them bought it.
Now it's on PS+, all my friends are playing it and saying it's awesome. I'm fuming.
Yeah, good luck indie devs ! A VERY LARGE chunk of players just buy the usual AAA flicks and just play the PS+ indies releasing each month for free.
I don't know, For Honor and Wildlands open betas helped Ubisoft greatly.
Now it's on PS+, all my friends are playing it and saying it's awesome. I'm fuming.
Yeah, good luck indie devs ! A VERY LARGE chunk of players just buy the usual AAA flicks and just play the PS+ indies releasing each month for free.
I don't know, For Honor and Wildlands open betas helped Ubisoft greatly.
LordRaptor
Member
Those of you who think "there's just too many games now!" is the problem, the increased amount of indie titles in the console space doesn't even begin to offset the dwindling releases in the console publisher releases space.
RandomTiger
Member
Castle Crashers and stuff like that was out then. There was a small number of platform curated indie games that sold a lot because their was less competition.
ItsTheNew
I believe any game made before 1997 is "essentially cave man art."
I don't think any of their games are doing anything new or artistically fascinating. Games with workmanlike quality with a fancy shader or voxels isn't that impressive. Their last game reso gun looked interesting but the gameplay was lacking after 30 minutes of gameplay.
This also goes for most indie games. With tons of games being released every day, the cream will rise to the top and mediocre or B level indie games will sink.
This also goes for most indie games. With tons of games being released every day, the cream will rise to the top and mediocre or B level indie games will sink.
MrTroubleMaker
Member
I hope they do well on PC. I've bought almost all their games on PS and will be buying the PC versions.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
At least for now, another reason is the indie market is heavily relies on the 8 bit and 16 bit retro graphics and gameplay that Nintendo fans tend to gravitate, while also providing a market for games that no longer get made today really like beatemups and 2d zelda-likes
Vanillalite
Ask me about the GAF Notebook
Resogun was a PS+ game. Alienation wasn't as good as hyped. Couple that with more and more games releasing across a shit ton of platforms, and it's easy to see how the old say Summer of Arcade days are behind us.
I also think PS+ and GWG don't always help the stigma of indies. If you're s big indie game that's gonna sell you're probably not gonna launch on those services, and if you've sold well you probably don't need them after the fact either.
That means a lot of the indies that end up on the services aren't always the best. So if that's your only experience then I can see how you might. Come away less than impressed.
Obviously there are exceptions.
I also think PS+ and GWG don't always help the stigma of indies. If you're s big indie game that's gonna sell you're probably not gonna launch on those services, and if you've sold well you probably don't need them after the fact either.
That means a lot of the indies that end up on the services aren't always the best. So if that's your only experience then I can see how you might. Come away less than impressed.
Obviously there are exceptions.
inpHilltr8r
Member
Yeah, we're into the too-many-games part of the cycle. Going to be rough in indie-land for a bit.
Wonder if they're gonna continue with 1 multiplat + 1 Sony funded game or just go all multiplat for now on
All Sony IPs. Not happening
All Sony IPs. Not happening
This is unfortunate. But here's to hoping they find more success by expanding to the PC market. I feel that these days, "indie" titles fall into a grey (gray?) area for gamers. To some, they are viewed as game of lesser quality and value, where something like $19.99 is too much. I mean not every game has to be that much, but $20 isn't a lot to ask for a sold 3-7 hour game, which is generally where they fall in my experience.
To others, they are just more games. If they have interest in it, they buy it like any other game.
I think indie titles fill a necessary gap in the industry, because it allows for a wider variety of price points and games that wouldn't otherwise be green lit by most publishers these days. Indies get a lot more freedom than devs under a major publishing house, which gives gamers a chance to experience ideas that are crazy on paper, but works really well in execution.
That's not to say they're and titles that are bad. but that's the case for games in general.
What i hope is that they keep getting brought to the forefront and marketed in a way that brings awareness to the games. I liked the nindies (or nyandies) showcase, and I hope Nintendo does that quarterly. If not for that, I wouldn't have been at all aware of Mr. Shifty, which i really enjoyed despite its performances issues, or Pocket rumble, which i'm patiently waiting for. It also won me over on graceful explosion machine, but I just have too many switch games to play right now, and i'm the type that will try to play a little of everything so i can at least validate my purchase. so i had to slow down lol.
To others, they are just more games. If they have interest in it, they buy it like any other game.
I think indie titles fill a necessary gap in the industry, because it allows for a wider variety of price points and games that wouldn't otherwise be green lit by most publishers these days. Indies get a lot more freedom than devs under a major publishing house, which gives gamers a chance to experience ideas that are crazy on paper, but works really well in execution.
That's not to say they're and titles that are bad. but that's the case for games in general.
What i hope is that they keep getting brought to the forefront and marketed in a way that brings awareness to the games. I liked the nindies (or nyandies) showcase, and I hope Nintendo does that quarterly. If not for that, I wouldn't have been at all aware of Mr. Shifty, which i really enjoyed despite its performances issues, or Pocket rumble, which i'm patiently waiting for. It also won me over on graceful explosion machine, but I just have too many switch games to play right now, and i'm the type that will try to play a little of everything so i can at least validate my purchase. so i had to slow down lol.
I don't think that's true. I still think it's a lack of value in the indie games themself. Most games don't hold their value for very long these days. Despite that people still go out and buy a game day at 60 bucks, even though in 3-6 months it'll be 20-40 bucks.
Enigmatic Rainbow
Member
My personal reasons for not buying indies on consoles is either usually due to pricing, or the possibility of not being able to play them on future consoles. A majority of my PS3 library can't be played on the PS4, and the same for the PSP and Vita.
I'm always going to have a PC, so it's just easier to purchase it there and not worry about it down the line.
I'm always going to have a PC, so it's just easier to purchase it there and not worry about it down the line.
Sad Affleck
Member
I've long suspected that to be the case. It could be an audience issue, the mainstream console audience favors big flashy titles over smaller indie games but I do believe PS+ conditioned console customers to wait until the game is "free".
ramoisdead
Member
It could happen if Sony wanted to. They are a publisher in the Steam store releasing games like Helldivers and Everybody's Gone To The Rapture. However they decided to keep it exclusive to PS4. It sucks because the rest of the Housemarque games already have a lengthy shelf life on PS4 and most users already stating that they rather wait until they become "free" for PS Plus.
So why not release those games on PC? I think it's a waste of potential sales.
NoctisVsStar
Member
NullPointer
Member
Really?
Didn't Diablo 3 do well on consoles?
Regardless its a bummer, I'd be more into Alienation if I thought it was going to see any more support.
GuitarAtomik
Member
For me, I've noticed a mental barrier when it comes to indie games on console in that I just really don't like playing them on my TV. Or maybe it's just that I don't think to. I'm way more likely to jump in to an indie game on my PC, or on my laptop, or on a portable. This wasn't the case so much during the early 360/PS3 gen so I don't know what changed.
Price is a also a factor sometimes. They just tend to be cheaper or go on sale sooner on PC.
Price is a also a factor sometimes. They just tend to be cheaper or go on sale sooner on PC.
dragonflys545
Member
Indies were great at the beginning of the console cycle but now all I get is niche or triple a titles. Only get indie when it's in flash sales and at a very low price point.
pretty done
Member
If we're paying for these services, it makes sense to get the most out of them. And being that Sony only put indies on plus, those are the games that get skipped over because who wants to pay for something that you can get for no charge later?
It sucks for the dev but they're the ones who agreed to put their game on ps+ to begin with.
jasminlovesyoux
Banned
This is my own and many others sentiments as well. $5 - $10 is where indie games need to be. Any higher and the impulse purchases are gone.