Hi everyone! My name is Caleb. I'm living in Muncie, IN and currently studying graphic design at Ball State University. I am a lifelong Nintendo fan.
What I value most in a video game is a well developed atmosphere. I really enjoy being fully engrossed in another world. Some of my favorite all time series are The Legend of Zelda, Metal Gear Solid<, and Metroid. I also love games with big fun factors. I'm a huge fan of the Super Mario Bros series.
Currently Playing:
Super Smash Bros. Brawl (BRAWL CODE: 2320-7930-6170)
Favorite Games:
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
The Legend of Zelda: Links Awakening
Donkey Kong '94 (aka Game Boy Donkey Kong aka Donkey Kong aka NOT Donkey Kong Land or Country)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Chrono Trigger
Super Mario World
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Prime
Chrono Trigger
Super Smash Bros. 64-Brawl
Star Fox 64
That's Bob. That's the room he's been locked in for 5 days now.
For those of you who don't know, Bob has been developing his own Nintendo DS game for the past five years. He has done everything himself. Everything. Bob's Game is a complete game made by one person.
Here's the dilemma: Bob needs a DS developers kit to finalize the game and find a publisher. Nintendo had promised him a decision on whether or not to give him one in 6-8 weeks.
That was 16 weeks ago.
In protest, Bob has willfully confined himself to his room, where he will remain until Nintendo gives him an answer.
Now I've checked out footage of Bob's Game, and it looks pretty good. The man has put a ton of work into it, and it shows. I sympathize with the guy, and I hope you do too.
What can you do to help? Let Nintendo know you want to see Bob's Game published. I've been emailing them regularly about it. You should, too. Also be sure to spread the word about Bob's Game.
Not to burst anyone's bubble (I strongly support indie productions - at least in the limited ways I can) but when I was interested in developing for Nintendo, I remember reading there are 2 things Nintendo "REQUIRES"
1) You must pay/buy a Nintendo dev kit
2) You cannot be a lone developer
I personally feel that he should try self-publishing the game (even if it means that only the homebrew community can buy/use his software) and/or port it to as many other formats (like PC or XBLA/XNA) that would be less cumbersome.
Bob updated his site today with some clarifications.
Says Bob:
"I don't have a problem with having a publisher, that's not the issue. I need to become a licensed developer to have a licensed game with licensed tools. I'm not expecting Nintendo themselves to publish my game, as they aren't even a publisher for third party titles. All I'm asking from them is that they allow me to purchase a DVD with the software I need to get my game into retail shrinkwrap. There is no cost to them whatsoever- in fact they would be profiting from the several thousand dollars the SDK costs."
So basically he has the money to buy the dev kit. The issue is just the fact that he's a lone developer. I personally think Nintendo should support him, but they aren't known for breaking policy, which sucks.
wow, what a waste of time. Seriously, why do this for free? Why not go to a publisher? Just for bragging rights? I hope his protest fails and he begins to rot. Sorry I can't sympasize for someone who cries a river about something instead of taking further action.
A game this quality would almost certainly do better as a PC title, unless it makes extensive use of the touchscreen in some way that a mouse can't replicate. It doesn't make any sense to me.
hey faceless avatar guy dj3dro, i was asking a question. and if so, i'm not interested in it. we need to know what the game is about. all i can tell from it is it's a backtracking talk to someone, backtrack, talk to someone again, rinse and repeat game. i didn't see anything that i thought compeled me to support it other than a large mass of stereotyped people at the beginning, that don't tell me shit about it.
hey faceless avatar guy dj3dro, i was asking a question. and if so, i'm not interested in it. we need to know what the game is about. all i can tell from it is it's a backtracking talk to someone, backtrack, talk to someone again, rinse and repeat game. i didn't see anything that i thought compeled me to support it other than a large mass of stereotyped people at the beginning, that don't tell me shit about it.
I made a wikipedia article for this game but it needs more info and to convince the admins it is an important article so please help so it doesn't get removed.
Why doesn't he try to contact third party publishers instead? It would be great if he could have a final build to help catch the interest of publishers but a smaller third party company like Atlus might be more willing to work with him to make his game a reality.
If anyone really cares they should contact third party developers; not Nintendo.
Get a buddy round, say he's on the team, film him changing something in the game.
Then there are 2 dev's.
Problem Solved. A plan so good, It cannot fail.
He won't get anywhere with Nintendo, he's better off self publishing it or maybe even getting steam to pick it up. Steam probably being the best option. It will get his name out there, and valve loves indie developers.
Nintendo will never give him a kit. And you don't really want them to. There's plenty of shit on the DS already, why flood it with every game that any jerk off with time can make.
It's similar to the Tengen games for the NES. And do we really want more companies like Tengen making games?
Publish it via Steam or a similar service. Stick it to the man once you've actually proven yourself.
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Props to Bob.
1) You must pay/buy a Nintendo dev kit
2) You cannot be a lone developer
I personally feel that he should try self-publishing the game (even if it means that only the homebrew community can buy/use his software) and/or port it to as many other formats (like PC or XBLA/XNA) that would be less cumbersome.
Jus' my opinion.
go for it ive got your back.
Says Bob:
"I don't have a problem with having a publisher, that's not the issue. I need to become a licensed developer to have a licensed game with licensed tools. I'm not expecting Nintendo themselves to publish my game, as they aren't even a publisher for third party titles. All I'm asking from them is that they allow me to purchase a DVD with the software I need to get my game into retail shrinkwrap. There is no cost to them whatsoever- in fact they would be profiting from the several thousand dollars the SDK costs."
So basically he has the money to buy the dev kit. The issue is just the fact that he's a lone developer. I personally think Nintendo should support him, but they aren't known for breaking policy, which sucks.
I give my moral support for Bob and any/all other indie dev's trying to get their fine works onto the DS legit.
Signed.
A game this quality would almost certainly do better as a PC title, unless it makes extensive use of the touchscreen in some way that a mouse can't replicate. It doesn't make any sense to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob%27s_Game
If anyone really cares they should contact third party developers; not Nintendo.
Get a buddy round, say he's on the team, film him changing something in the game.
Then there are 2 dev's.
Problem Solved. A plan so good, It cannot fail.
It's similar to the Tengen games for the NES. And do we really want more companies like Tengen making games?
Publish it via Steam or a similar service. Stick it to the man once you've actually proven yourself.