Onpoint: I'm not exactly sure why my post elicited the tones of hostility in your reply?
I'll make myself clearer and also expand on my point of view in hopes that you "buy" it. (
Sorry for the jab there, but the "not buying it" comment has really rubbed me the wrong way).
Isn't what happens in these threads a kind of grassroots effort?
I never said or even remotely implied that this wasn't a grassroots thread.
The point I was trying to relay was more speaking to the devs on their responsibility to market their own products, communicate with potential customers and get their message out. While threads created by customers are good for word of mouth and creating small ripples, relying on your customers to be the driving grassroots marketing force is a huge mistake.
Other than gaf - which until very recently I've been an inactive member - the only message board I visited with regularity was the IGN boards from 2003 - 2010. In all my time on the boards from the 360 lobby, to the 360 gb and even the vestibule I can not recall one singular thread about indie games from either the community, and more importantly, the developers. I'm not saying that creating open dialog between the gaming community and the dev is going to equal in financial success; however if one is wishing to make their wares, their full time business they have a responsibility to make the consumer aware of their product and create top of mind presence.
Also in the case of Ign, during the time frame I mentioned it was the 1st & 2nd most popular message board on the net. With such an incredible (free) resource with amazing reach and penetration right at ones fingertips it's odd that I've seen it go mostly ignored. Besides no self respecting gaming nerd would pass up a chance to talk with a game developer and discuss their game or the industry at large.
You know, there are a ton of websites out there that talk about and focus on these games too. In fact, bigger sites like Joystiq and Destructoid focus on the standouts as well. There is a pretty decent amount of coverage, honestly.
No I don't know that as a matter of fact. I used to frequent IGN regularly and their xbox live coverage (like their site) is pure shit and the indie content was so irritatingly difficult to find that I just gave up looking. I actually haven't found a "home" gaming site I like since I gave up on ign in 2009/10 so I can't/shouldn't comment on media coverage tbh; however I'm going to check out Joystiq and Destructoid. For whatever reason I always forget about them, so thanks for reminding me.
So I'm just not buying that post. If you wanted to play indie games you would. You're right: There are a ton of awful games on XBLIG. But there are a bunch of good ones as well. Not just the ones I picked in this thread, but in the large number of threads past that Toy did.
I have to admit that this comment irritates me almost as much as the "not buying it" comment. What would give you the impression I, for whatever reason, would not want to play a good game that appeals to me?
I find the statement not just odd but extremely insulting, as if I have some imbalanced axe to grind with the indie development community. While it is encouraging to hear there are a large number of threads on indie games, you are assuming I've read them and have a greater amount of information to draw from than your average consumer.
You see I am the average consumer. I have nothing to draw from other than what is on the indie channel, and what I see on the indie channel is more shit than not. From a consumers POV there are somethings I really dislike about the indie channel, some are MS's fault but most are the devs fault.
The things that turn me off from a game have to start with Zombies. When I see another zombie game all I think is "here's another POS clone of a clone of clone just trying to cash in instead of actually creating original content.
The traditional platformer. It's going to take something very unique and special for me to take notice. I'll admit this is more a matter of my taste.
Also if I can play it for free online (not pirating) chances are I will not buy it on xbl.
Crap & holiday themed games. To me these games seem like throw away titles and a waste of money. Personally I found the whining quote itt from a dev saying he's not making enough on the platform (but more than other devs, hoo hoo!), so his solution is to only put out crap. This train of thought is so unbelievable counter productive it went from funny to making me question his critical thinking abilities (not to mention making me take note of what games to ignore). With shit games being such an issue with indie games that instead of trying improve the consumers view of the indie game he's going to reenforce it and slap his own brand of shit on it? *shakes head*
From a MS perspective, I hate how I can't sort by game type anymore, there's no achievements, lack of advertising (
yes I'm one of those gamers that actually appreciate the game related ads on my 360), total lack of kinect support (though I think MS is just scared of the competition) and no quality control. I would love some sort of program where devs have a standard of quality in where a game must be passed by X number of indie developers in order to get released. Obviously that would be an undertaking in order to streamline and ensure fairness.
Anyway I'm sure I could go on but I'm more than sure I've said explained myself at this point, lol. Oh and btw I'm going to check out your other threads just in case there is something I should play before I die.