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Xbox LIVE Indie Games - The May 2011 Thread
- Thread starter toythatkills
- Start date
barkers crest
Member
[BrokenRecord]Avatar Legends is finally back in review.[/BrokenRecord]
In other news, I came across this read and didn't see it posted anywhere. Figured you all would want to read it.
Silver Dollar Games Defend Xbox LIVE Indie Game Crap Pile
In other news, I came across this read and didn't see it posted anywhere. Figured you all would want to read it.
Silver Dollar Games Defend Xbox LIVE Indie Game Crap Pile
the_dannobot
Member
Well... the worst thing about XBLIG is that anyone can make anything they want, and the best thing about XBLIG is that anyone can make anything they want.barkers crest said:
Silver Dollar Games make a lot of good points in that article. With all the games they release, eventually they'll read something like "Theory of Fun" or "Game Feel". Like If they could stick the the same crazy release schedule but every game had a core of chocolate dipped crunch, that would actually be pretty awesome. they got a long way to go though lol
Yeah I have no problem with Silver Dollar Games, there is some sort of issue the entire industry faces with relatively "open" marketplaces...if such a high volume of games is being released there needs to be a way for users to find content they are interested in...this is the exact same on iOS App Store too, or even YouTube or a search engine, those things are tailored for 'long tail' content where someone might be interested in "head shot furry choose your own adventure with animu art"...I love that some guys on Twitter and NeoGAF are fighting for games they love but it only can go so far, the other half needs to be giving people tools to find games in a fair and logical way (more categorization, less paid advertising would be a good start even for iOS store).
There are some articles like http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article5380304.ece from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Long_Tail about 'long tail' theories, I find it very interesting 
Anyway, right now the #1 thing that can help XBLIG devs it probably posting in this thread when you try games and like them
There are a gazillion people who have never even wandered into the Indie Games portion of the dash.
Anyway, right now the #1 thing that can help XBLIG devs it probably posting in this thread when you try games and like them
There are a gazillion people who have never even wandered into the Indie Games portion of the dash.SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
Yeah, QuadSmash is either going to be brilliant, like a 2D Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars, or completely unplayable, like C.L.E.S. Party.SmallCaveGames said:
The only dissapointment out of Silver Dollar games is that Blow was actually a fantastic game., and I would definitely pay good money to see it on a touch device like the iPhone or iPad.
the_dannobot
Member
Yeah, I totally agree. I wish there was something like "Recomended for you" or "People who bought X also bought Y". Lists like that have been standard for years in netflix, youtube, amazon, etcGaspode_T said:
Dark Octave
Banned
I loved Try not to Fart and thought it was really well done for a dollar. I also loved Head Shot and Head Shot 2. Hockey Fights and the Swat game was also fun.barkers crest said:
They create products that make sense being $1 to $5. Quick, cheap and disposable. This means the ideas behind these games should probably be the same. There aren't too many objects in this country worth one dollar that are meant to be amazing or meaningful experiences and important keepsakes for generations to come. Why should a dollar game be any different?
Some of us, our pride won't allow ourselves the choice (myself included) but I always felt spending two years on a game to sell for $1 to $5 is a huge risk and mistake. Sure I could get lucky and be another unpredictable hit on XBLIG, but the reality is, I could probably make more standing on a street corner with my hand out than I can make with my game on XBLIG. No dollar game should take more than a month or two to create. I truly believe that. But of course even I won't follow that advice because of my pride. And that's why everybody knows Silver Dollar Games and nobody yet knows my company's name.
Imo, Silver Dollar Games don't make crap, they make games that live up to exactly what a dollar is worth.
Well, I bought 'Fishcraft'.
Really glad i did, I've never owned Angry Birds, and just played demos of it. So I've been looking for an alternative over the last weeks, within the consoles/handheld I own (PS3, PSP, 360). Since PSN was down, I decided to look around Xbox Live Indies. Then ended on Kotaku's favorite.
Looks clean, nice, cute, is fun..yeah, it may not win many points in originality, but still well done job overall. And was not only what I wanted, but more than I expected. Better looking, easier to control.
I've read that Joshery worked on it and even gave a few codes around here to get it for free. So, nice game!
Really glad i did, I've never owned Angry Birds, and just played demos of it. So I've been looking for an alternative over the last weeks, within the consoles/handheld I own (PS3, PSP, 360). Since PSN was down, I decided to look around Xbox Live Indies. Then ended on Kotaku's favorite.
Looks clean, nice, cute, is fun..yeah, it may not win many points in originality, but still well done job overall. And was not only what I wanted, but more than I expected. Better looking, easier to control.
I've read that Joshery worked on it and even gave a few codes around here to get it for free. So, nice game!
SmallCaveGames
Neo Member
Dark Octave said:
I am basically with you on this. And they make some decent points, and yes it is an open market. I also generally like their attitude - they don't stir the pot, and generally go about their biz quietly and calmly. And some of their games are straight up good, no question.
But they still cross the line (my line, anyhow) quite often in terms of releasing games that a pure gimmick/cheap crash grab. The defense of "we make it because we enjoy doing it" or "we had a laugh about it over dinner" isn't enough for me. You can make it, but you don't have to release it. Or release it on PC on your website?
the_dannobot
Member
"Will program twin-stick zombie shooter 4 food"Dark Octave said:
SmallCaveGames
Neo Member
OnPoint said:
Agreed. And I get that. And it's not earth shattering for me to hear that money is the motivator, but that wasn't exactly transparent in the article (granted I skimmed some).
That "abuse" is what leads to other devs getting a bit antsy. The nature of the platform allows developers to take advantage of that massive first week of exposure. Slap a pair of teetaas on your box art, call it "Chest of Glory," and snag 300 sales. Meanwhile you push another game off the list, and vistors gain the impression that XBLIG is 90% a joke. Then you take a quote from random 13 year old Joey saying, "Chest of Glory was hilarious, keep making more games like this!" and there's your defense for "giving people what they want." How dare we suggest that we deny Joey a "good time."
Anyhow, I am far less riled up than my posts would suggest. And I did like the tone of the article. But I would have liked a full "come clean" on the stuff that's clearly garbage.
toythatkills
Member
Please buy UpBot Goes Up. Right now.
It's all about blocks this month!
(and sequences and avatars)
It's all about blocks this month!
(and sequences and avatars)
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
Some people need to start coming out with some action-adventure games.
Aside from a few exceptions I have never enjoyed puzzle games. =/
Aside from a few exceptions I have never enjoyed puzzle games. =/
toythatkills
Member
It is really good. One of the absolute best puzzle games on the service.
And I know puzzles!
And I know puzzles!
LocoMrPollock
Banned
toythatkills said:
I kind of agree with Kafel. 80pts would have been better since it's a free online game with no noticeable enhancements.
/cheap ass
toythatkills
Member
Where is it online?
LocoMrPollock
Banned
toythatkills said:
http://www.kongregate.com/games/bateleur/upbot-goes-up
Edit: It has been enhanced for 360 quite a bit actually.
toythatkills
Member
Hah, awesome. Well that's me not sleeping for ages now :lol
For 240 points though, you get a game that's about 100 times easier to play, twice as many levels, and it's sexy as hell =P
For 240 points though, you get a game that's about 100 times easier to play, twice as many levels, and it's sexy as hell =P
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
I guess QuadSmash just hit peer review. What else is in the queue? Seems like this is going to be a busy month.Kafel said:
Dark Octave
Banned
I just played it on my phone. I like it. Simple and fun.LocoMrPollock said:
Can't wait to see what the 360 version is like.
Edit: Just played the 360 version. Nice on the phone/PC and even better on XBLIG. The developer didn't simply rehash the old flash game. They took the time, put forth the effort and upgraded what could be upgraded. Looks much slicker and even more polished than it did on flash, which was already good. Great idea to map the buttons to each robot which is also color coded to the correct button, nice touch and makes the game very easy to control. Toy says it has twice as many levels, on top of this. Another XBLIG done right.
I hope it sells well for them at 240msp. They deserve at least that.
Princess Skittles
Prince's's 'Skittle's
Hmm.Gowans007 said:
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
One of the ideas I kicked around with my co-worker for a kinect indie game was uh...Bobbing for Popsicles.
Yeah no idea how it would work but who cares? It'd be a huge success.
Yeah no idea how it would work but who cares? It'd be a huge success.
Dark Octave
Banned
I wouldn't mind a twin stick that plays similar to Forgotten Worlds.
the_dannobot
Member
Finally made a trailer for my DreamBuildPlay entry, Pajamorama
CRISPY LIKE BACON!!!
Pajamorama Trailer
CRISPY LIKE BACON!!!
Pajamorama Trailer
Anyone try Battle for Venga Islands? I saw it was getting relatively high reviews...Sounds like a cross between Fantasy themed twin stick, Risk and online static world. Should get points for creativity if anything. I'm curious how it handles the online world bit - it has to be Peer 2 Peer but that requires at least 1 box to be connected 24/7, maybe the dev bought a box just for that or is hoping at least one person will be playing all the time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNh4WZ0XZpI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNh4WZ0XZpI
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
Gaspode_T said:
I wrote a review that's currently sitting in the approval process.
Maybe I should pick up on the game again and see how my side is doing.
PepsimanVsJoe
Member
Delayed double-post reporting for duty!
My review of Bumblepig is up: http://www.extraguy.com/2011/05/bumblepig-review/
My review of Bumblepig is up: http://www.extraguy.com/2011/05/bumblepig-review/
SmallCaveGames
Neo Member
PepsimanVsJoe said:
We'll get there eventually. It's just a massive undertaking to include everything that's expected and I don't want to release it until it's all in there. I agree it's a severely lacking genre on XBLIG, but now that I am neck deep in one, I know why.
Wizards Keep might scratch that itch.
toythatkills
Member
Rushing Punch, obvsFeep said:
LocoMrPollock
Banned
toythatkills said:
Naturally. Was there ever any doubt?
Looking forward to trying out Avatar Legends, though at this point I wonder if it's a good idea to include Avatar in the title? Could do more harm then good. Also I'm assuming it's 400pts?
LocoMrPollock
Banned
wwm0nkey said:
Well, that was before all of the crap games that started using them. Now some people will automatically dismiss anything with avatar in the title.
Surprised it's only 240pt. Was expecting Barker to go with 400 like he usually does.
HadesGigas
Member
LocoMrPollock said:
Considering the top download list Major Nelson publishes usually has the word "avatar" in it a dozen times, it probably won't hurt him. The people who flock to games with avatar in the title far outnumber the ones who flee.
That Avatar "MMO" is doing quite well for itself, for an example of one that's even in a similar "core" genre.
Plane Traffic is available :
http://catalog.create.msdn.com/en-U...d=9698fefa-e109-40d1-a5a0-007182b1b2d5&type=2
I don't know if it's any good but Dock'em is already out if you want a good Flight Control clone.
http://catalog.create.msdn.com/en-U...d=9698fefa-e109-40d1-a5a0-007182b1b2d5&type=2
I don't know if it's any good but Dock'em is already out if you want a good Flight Control clone.
HadesGigas
Member
Kafel said:
Haha wow Plane Traffic is a blatant carbon copy. Even has the stewardess on the cover/title screen.
toythatkills
Member
It's pretty unplayable, unfortunately. It's okay at first, but then when the screen gets busy it's just rubbish and you can't make it do anything you want. Touch screen only, for this sort of thing.