Editorial GameTunnel speaks on niches and indies

[Saint_Proverbius]

Tags: Anito: Defend a Land Enraged

While somewhat off and on topic, I thought it was worth posting that <A href="http://www.gametunnel.com/">GameTunnel</a> has posted <A href="http://www.gametunnel.com/html/contentid-8.html"Out of Niche? (A risky trend in Indie gaming)</a>, an editorial about mainstreaming indie games. Here's a bit talking about <A href="http://www.aninoentertainment.com/products/anito/index.php">Anito</a>:
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>Recent "Indie" efforts include Savage, a multi-million dollar effort, and <b>Anito</b>, a fantastically deep Role-Playing game that is not a game that the casual gamer would consider playing. Garage Games is also deeply involved in trying to make Independent products mainstream, though they have several titles that appeal to both casual and mainstream gamers. In many of the instances where indie developers are pushing their products toward the mainstream, the main purpose isn't to make mainstream gamers aware of Indie efforts, but instead the idea is to help Indie developers gain more control and money off of the projects that they have created. As these efforts continue, a great dichotomy is being created in the Indie Gaming world. On the one hand, there are several companies that are sticking with the known audience, creating tried and true games for the 1-hour gamer, and often distributing their games through sites such as Real Arcade. On the other side is the mainstream movement, creating games for the hardcore gamer, and attempting to either distribute them through normal retail channels, or through the internet.</blockquote>
<br>
<br>
Making indie games more mainstream and interesting to casual gamers would be the death of them. The whole reason I turned to them in the first place is because I wasn't happy with the mainstream. I wouldn't have bought <a href="Http://www.spidweb.com/geneforge/index.html">Geneforge</a> if it were a <A href="http://www.interplay.com/bgate">Baldur's Gate</a> clone with less production value.
<br>
<br>
Spotted at: <A HREF="http://www.gengamers.com">GenGamers</A>

 

[EEVIAC]

I too have always though of indie games as the domain of crackpots and enthusiasts. We already have the largest sub-section of the gaming industry trying to appease "casual" gamers, and if that's what the indies want to compete with, (flash without substance or depth, mediocrity, and automation,) well shit, of course they're going to fail.

That said, as great as Gearhead in ASCII is, the fancy graphics version will be fantastic.

 

[XMark]

I think the idea of trying to make an indie game for the mainstream market is a ludicrous idea, because generally indie developers have zero to low budgets for their games, and the only way they can hope to sell their games is to appeal to the indie "niche" market, which is comprised mostly of other indie developers AFAIK. If you go for the mainstream then you'll end up with a game that has both the lack of depth of a mainstream game AND the low production values of an indie game, the worst of both worlds.

So, basically, just make something that's original and interesting despite its low budget and you'll have a product you can sell. (I hope that's what I'm doing, heh)