IJBM: ANOTHER reason to hate S*ny...

MoeDantes

Doubly agreed.

I was telling a friend recently: "Here's the number one reason independent games rock... because the Skunk-Ape is killing people because its high on crack."

That wasn't quite Ecco the Dolphin levels of fucked up but it was pretty awesome.

GLORIOUSLeader

Retro City Rampage also looks to be very fun. 

glennmagusharvey

MoeDantes: Then go acquire and play Nostalgia via Completely Legal Means, and then if you like it, go buy a DS or 3DS and buy the game itself.

I think the game is basically what FFVII would have hoped to be.  Graphically, at least, and in script presentation.

Hatter

It's my deepest desire to somehow form an indie game development company and make old-school RPGs and shooters in the tradition of Ultima, Pokemon, Half-Life and Baldur's Gate. Unfortunately, I lack the expertise needed to do such a thing, and "guy who has ideas about what he thinks might be a good game" isn't exactly a position that's in high demand.

Still, if I could make cheap, fun indie games, I'd be the happiest guy in the world.

inkblot

Have you considered the iOS and Android market?

Hatter

Yes. The Android market, specifically, and the Linux distros and Windows generally. 

The kinds of games I'd be interested in making, though, would require at least some amount of screen space, in order to allow text (most dialog would be entirely text-based) to be read and inventory to be managed. I can think of few easier ways to ruin a Baldur's Gate-style game than to try to cram it all on a 4" screen.

inkblot

Many Android machines are 7''+ tablets.

The most diffcult thing about the Android is that it's PC-like: There are 5 distinct iOS devices, but dozens upon dozens of Android configurations.

Hatter

True. But I'm no expert on Android, which is why Windows came closer to mind. The kind of games I'd want to make would appeal mainly to neckbeards, so I'm not too worried about accessibility. 

inkblot

You would need to release either very generous demos, enable nodding support or release everything for free. If you don't treat those neckbeards like members of the glorious PC master race, they'll turn on you like they turned on Notch.

Hatter

Free demos, heavy modding support (if possible, I'd see if I could include a built-in script extender and animation/skill slots, allowing a theoretically infinite number of added-on skills, weapons, races and the like) and free DLC, along with a $20 price floor for primary games. Secondary projects, like expansion packs, would run about $10. I'd also see if I could increase replay potential by including basic multiplayer, computer-generated quests and areas (similar to Borderlands' weaponry system), procedural terrain generation and random encounters.

SotiCoto

Meh. Do as the Japanese do.
#1. Get pictures of scenes.
#2. Get pictures of characters.
#3. Get pictures of characters having sex in scenes.
#4. Cobble it all together, add a few selections here and there, and call it a dating sim.

In fact, whatever you do, as long as it has violence and sexual imagery it is sure to do well.

Chagen

"And now, they're making a new Wipeout afterall but it's apaprently going the Burnout/Motorstorm route."

Ugh. Please tell you're misinformed.

2048 is the same as the other games. It still has the futuristic cities. However, story-line wise, it's one of the first Wipeout competitions. That's why some of the tracks are normal city streets.

Hatter

Soti, with all due respect, that's about the time I drive dull spoons in my eyes and pound my head against the table until the voice in my head stops screaming.

I'm all for romance in games, especially RPGs, where it can help make you care about a character, but visual dating novels would be the last thing I'd want to make.

Alkthash

They aren't really even video games. Your choices are very limited and you don't really play at much beyond how fast to advance the text, which options to pick. VNs are closer to a choose your own adventure book, but with music and pictures thrown in.

SotiCoto

Most choose-your-own-adventure books have a LOT more potential choices than the average "dating sim" game. Far more bad ends too... but that is by the by.  Those games are mostly just picture-porn with the occasional illusion of choice.

But one might think of it as a whole spectrum.... with those on one end and things like the Elder Scrolls games on the other end: extreme sandboxy with little real plot to speak of...  <3

inkblot

"And now, they're making a new Wipeout afterall but it's apaprently going the Burnout/Motorstorm route."

You sure you're not thinking of Ridge Racer?

I saw Anulpha Pass and Sol 2 in 2048's trailer and they looked exactly like they do in HD/Fury.

Chagen

That's because they are those tracks as they appear in Fury.

PS3 owners will be able to compete against Vita owners on those tracks.

Hatter

I prefer the Elder Scrolls-type sandbox game, because I actually feel like I have control over my character. In most JRPGs and many Western RPGs, you don't get that kind of freedom.

I do like a good plot, though.

Glowsquid

"Ugh. Please tell you're misinformed. 2048 is the same as the other games. It still has the futuristic cities. However, story-line wise, it's one of the first Wipeout competitions. That's why some of the tracks are normal city streets. "

Admitelly the Burnout/Motorstorm comparison was not a good one, but deal is that they interviewed one of the developers and he said that "there would be a lot more focus on the weapon" and that the tracks would be wider to accomodate that (so Fusion all over again), which makes it look like they are going into a combat-racer direction. And uh yeah.

(the game looks good, mind you)

Chagen

And? Wipeout has had combat since the first game.