This is hilarious. Jeff Minter, old school cult developer who recently released the trippy, arty and not-very-good Space Giraffe for Xbox Live Arcade has thrown a bitchfit over the aforementioned game's lacklustre sales. Because the updated Frogger has done so much better on Arcade than some silly light show, whiny Minter now sees very little point in making games.
not seeing a lot of reason to continue even trying to make games, at this point, when a remake of Frogger, one of the worst games in the history of old arcade games, can outsell Space Giraffe that we put so much love and effort into, by more than ten to one, in one week.
OK, we get the message. All you want on that channel is remakes of old, sh*te arcade games and crap you vaguely remember playing on your Amiga.
We'll shut up trying to do anything new then.
Sorry for even trying.
Maybe he's kidding? One would hope he is, because that's such an amazing crybaby attitude that I'd be embarrassed to make myself look that bad even in jest. What shocks me is that he acted surprised that an obscure, confusing game that had no mainstream appeal did poorly. It's not exactly Wii Sports in terms of accessibility now, is it? While I fully believe that original and inventive games should be supported (if they're good), it's never a surprise when they don't sell well. Sadly, a lot of people DO want old, sh*te arcade games.
Oh, and it doesn't help that Space Giraffe simply isn't better than "one of the worst games in the history of old arcade games." You need some gameplay to go with your lights and pretty music, Jeff.
[Thanks to Buster]
most popular
RSS feed
MORE IN OUR 
More from this author: 
Space Giraffe looked and played like ass. Let's hope he really doesn't develop any more games.
Space Giraffe looked ok, but I couldn't understand what I was actually meant to do. I haven't brought Frogger, but if you're looking for a good XBLA game, then get Puzzle Quest.
After seeing it on a friends box, I can't exactly vouch for Space Giraffe
I have to say, I kind of support him on this one though. It's only because Frogger is a well known name that it's done better than Space Giraffe when SG is way more fun. But nobody knows it's way more fun because they haven't played it, whereas they have fond memories of Frogger being something more than it actually is (e.g. fun). It's a shame he sounds so whiney with his complaining but I really can't fault him for the complaint itself!
Would you have been as dismissive of his comments if he'd been the creator of Psychonauts complaining about the attention that other, inferior games got instead of his?
glipe: Better example -- I adore Killer 7 and I find it shameful it sold poorly, but if Suda51 whined and said he'd throw in the towel and can't believe how Halo sold better than it? I'd laugh him outta town.
Do not speak ill of the Space Giraffe! It's awesome!
wardrox spends his evenings playing Boom Boom Rocket
God SG was a bad game. Hell, SG would make a terrible free flash game. Style can cover up shitty gameplay, for example Flow. But SG was just...well..shit.
Someone should tell Mr. Minter how many people have bought Uno, he'll flip his fucking lid once he finds out.
@Jim: you're pretty much right on the reaction to such a comedic tantrum but, as you say yourself, it's gutting when a good game does badly.
Maybe he would have been better phrasing it as "Ahhh bollox. =( "
Also, he needs to stick to weed if the acid is making him this highly strung.
Maybe he still has a vendetta against Frogger since the old days when his camels and llamas were outsold by the frog as well? Maybe SG is an acid flashback to those days?
He has a point. It's not like Space Giraffe has less name recognition. Or is easier to pick up and play. Seriously, the demo for this game totally threw me off. At least Frogger didn't give me seizures...
Frankly, I think the fucking ridiculous name didn't help.
Space. Giraffe.
Sounds like an indie band.
he could probably get a job at silicone knights with that attitude.
lulz.
Oh game developers... haven't you learned not to put your crybaby rants online yet?
if you don't understand how to play, that doesn't mean the gameplay sucks. the point of the game is to score points and finish level 100
but frogger is awesomes.
Okay, so Space Giraffe didn't work out. Try again. Yes, sequels and rereleases sell well, and those are easy. But you know what? If you can fill a niche that's been itching to be filled, and put it out and the right time, success'll come your way. This Tempest variant just wasn't it.
Who cares about what Jeff Minter has to say, make a real game for once & stop complaining.
I don't get it... Isn't Space Giraffe exactly this: A remake of old, sh*te arcade game and crap i vaguely remember playing on my errr... Atari... (Tempest) ???
Space Giraffe is great.
Most people are either too intimidated by it or to lazy to figure the game out.
lol. thats just silly... hes older than 12 right?
Yeah Jeff Minter is a Hack. I want my Live points back for this game.
"love and effort" my ass, Microsoft Interns did better with Aegis Wings
Seeing as how Frogger is free (atleast it was for me) I don't see why he's complaining.
Ironically, Space Giraffe looks like a ripoff of Tempest.
I wouldn't go as far as calling space giraffe a bad game, but I definitely would call it a mediocre game. I could see why some people would like it and some people would hate it. Personally, I didn't like it and deleted the demo immediately after I played it.
But like Jim said, whining about your game not doing good is completely unforgivable. Tim Schafer didn't do that, Hell it seemed like he didn't even care. People should make videogames because they like it, not because they want to turn a profit. If this guy is going to complain about how his game did, then he really shouldn't be in the videogame business.
A crappy ripoff of Tempest. I really do hope he is joking, because really, this guy is a d**k. First he goes on about how "art" his game is, then I download it and it's ugly, easy, and pointless (and did I mention ass ugly?) It looks like what Every Extent Extra vomits after a long night of drinking. Now he throws a damn "I'm taking my football and going home" tantrum because it doesn't sell as well as one of the biggest selling games of all time. Yeah Jeff, I think you are in the wrong line of work, and I wish more people that made crappy games got the hint and, you know, stopped making crappy games.
You have got to be shitting me... he wants space giraffe to sell well?!?! I keep the demo of the game as a JOKE so friends can come over and laugh at it! The game is dismal at best. Filling it with internet catch phrases and stylings does not make you original either... what a tool.
I also have to go with aborto. The guy makes a poor selling gmae, bitches about it doing poorly then quits? He doesn't have what it takes to make it in the industry. Final Fantasy was named such because they felt it was actually their final fantasy at making a game before going bankrupt.
Jeff Minter isn't worthy to lick the semen off my boot.
@Diomeneus
Why do you have semen on your boot?
*shrug*
look I drink...
Bitching does not make anything better. It makes you a douche. Nobody likes douches. Doesn't he realize that getting all emo and stuff just annoys everybody?
I just checked the blog with the original post. Here's his post from two days after posting his bitchfest(please BBCode, please work):
[quote]
I'm not going to be writing about game development here any more after this. Yes, I had a bit of a rant the other night because frankly yes, it is a bit disappointing to see a repackaged MAME rom doing much better than original content, but hey, that's how it goes. People are more inclined to buy stuff they remember rather than stuff that's new.
We're invested in XBLA now, and we *need* to re-use the SG framework for a couple of reasonably quick games - I think that's the way to make it work out for us, we just need more games in the pipeline. I'm already halfway through the next one and I just want to get my head down and get on with it.
To those who came on here to have a go at me and tell me how much I suck - just piss off, I don't care. If you do that I shall delete your comments and ban you. Guess what, I think you suck too, and I don't give a rat's arse if you don't like my games; they aren't made for you anyway.
And thanks to those who gave me a bit of encouragement at a low moment. Rest assured I'm not giving up; I'm just getting on with it quietly.
So no more dev stuff here, from now on this will just be about sheep and plushies and other such non-work-related stuff. There will be no talk, no press, no screenshots and no videos of work in progress except as and when we are ready to release them, at the appropriate time, through the appropriate channels.
[/quote]
Damn it... just read the text. I guess there will not be any cool effects for this.
The guy has his fellings hurt. He put alot of thought and effort into making the game. I take pride in my work and would be just as pissed as him......but I wouldn't make a game like Space Giraffe so thats his fault.
Talentless, high and crying is no way to go thru life son.
bawwwwww
WHat was space giraffe about? it confused me.
What a lamer. Besides, Space Giraffe didnt sell because it sucks
Guess he should have ripped off of frogger instead then. seriously though, I never played SG, but it didn't look good at all.
Maca said it best.. fucking demo gave me seizures. I mean shit, if I wanted that I cold get it AND enjoy it via other measures.. but to seize and not enjoy it... hell to the no.
I am really shocked he bitched about anything at all, I would have laughed him out the building if he had shown me that to put on XBLA... it could possibly make them liable for causing utter stupidity.
Yes that's how much I HATED the thing.
Sounds like someone has sand in his vagina
I really had no clue what the fuck was going on when I played Space Giraffe. I wasn't a fan.
Space Giraffe confused me. Frogger doesn't. Guess which one I'm more likely to play?
Here's what I'll say to anyone who is on the fence or defending him based on Frogger's assness: Play the Space Giraffes demo. A winner is Frogger on this win.
Frogger>Space Giraffe. simple.
I used to like Jeff's monthly column in Edge magazine, he seemed like an ok kind of chap. Sadly though Jeff, love and effort don't make a great game.
My game isnt good...WHY DID NO ONE BUY IT.
Like I always say, if you don't want your work criticized, don't publish it.
Jeff is ok, he needs to get good at writing instructions. Do I watch or play this thing? Shoot? Collect? WTF is this tempest????........Dashboard. Delete.
Aww man, I really liked Grid Runner. It had a good balance of those bright graphics and great gameplay but space giraffe wasn't as balanced. It was a good concept and had pretty decent gameplay it just hurt my eyes a bit too much. Both of those posts were pretty whiney, I never thought he'd act like this.
I hope you were joking about the tempest ripoff thing.
You know its not really a good idea to compare Space Giraffe sales to Frogger. Now I dont know if he is talking one week as of last week or launch week but if its the later he should really think of this. Frogger was released a while back there was no VC there was no Playstation Store and If im remember right there was no game every Wednesday. So basically there is alot more competing for my money now and Im sure for others too. I used to buy almost every title on live but that is dying down now cause there just so many other things to play. And Frogger for all its flaws is still reguard as a classic thus insighting nostalgia for purchaces(its familiar if I just got a 360 today and was looking in the now long list of games Space Giraffe would probably not jump out at me like Frogger) and its 5 bucks cheaper than Space Giraffe. I also wonder if the free codes count for sales too on Frogger they had those Funky madcat joysticks at Best Buy marked down to like 15 bucks with Frogger, Astropop, and Time Pilot.
Yeah, in spite of Jeff Minter's weirdness, Space Giraffe is an excellent game. I can't believe it is so despised around here.
@Blufire
So.. he' admits his game is not made for everyone and yet he whines about sales?
What a fucking whiner! Bitch much? Unreal. Get out of the game or start making good ones. This is ridiculous, and funny. I can't believe he doesn't realize how spoilt he is.
Anyone with a lack of respect for the old school doesn't deserve any in return. Especially when your new game isn't all that fun.
It's like what they say: "If at first you don't succeed, you fail."
Frogger isn't the greatest game ever made, but it beats the hell out of Space Giraffe. At least you can tell what's going on at any given moment in a game of Frogger. Jeff Minter, make a good game or lick my balls.
Quit being a bitch Jeff.
His biggest problem is when he told the people who said his game sucked that it "wasn't meant for them, so piss off." Well, who the hell was it meant for then? Aging hipsters who love shitty gameplay and "funny" giraffes aren't exactly a power demo these days, Jeff.
P.S. Your game sucks.
His biggest problem is when he told the people who said his game sucked that it "wasn't meant for them, so piss off." Well, who the hell was it meant for then? Aging hipsters who love shitty gameplay and "funny" giraffes aren't exactly a power demo these days, Jeff.
P.S. Your game sucks.
Space Giraffe was garbage. Tell that whiny prick to put the Space Giraffe code on disk, then shove it up his idiotic ass. I'm by no means a fan of Frogger, but it was God-like compared to his shitty game. Stop making games then, you'll be doing us all a favor if this piece of shit is any indication of how well you make games. Also, you're a douche and an arrogant asshole with a childish personality. Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
@Topher
No need to respect the old school if the game in question is shit. Howeverrrr... Frogger is not shit. It's the epitome of a simple, casual game. Just because it's not all weird and artsy and shit, Minter- Oh, just shut the fuck up. You know the rules and so do I.
Regardless of whether or not Space Giraffe truly sucks (I'd vote yeah), I think it's damned odd that we're all bashing on someone for making an upset post to their livejournal. I mean: isn't that the purpose of those things, to vent your feelings and get a few people to say "hey, man, it's alright?" Now, if he sent a manifesto to every gaming publication or made a website called www.jeffminterwillnevercodeagainbecauseyousuck.com then I would gladly jump in and pummel him with the rest of you.
Not to defend Minters outburst(mainly because I've never played Space Giraffe), but an average of almost 7/10 on metacritic says that SG is far from crap. Reading some of the reviews it seems like this is a game you either "get" or don't...so calling it crap after only giving it minutes of your time says more about you as a gamer than the game itself. But that is one of the problems with games today...they hold your hand all the way to the end. Classic hardcore games are simply too intimidating for most gamers today.
Also, crap games sell in bucketloads. Great games flop. That's how it works sometimes.
I've given it more than a few hours of my time, just trying to see how in the world it got a 7/10 on the meta. Frankly, it's just not much fun. It always felt so laborious just to understand what was going on; so much so that it sucked out anything that might be fun about the repetitve psychadelic graphics and uninspired pewpew gameplay. Oh, I can "leap" off the grid? Wow! A third demension in a 2D scrolling shooter? That's amazing! I just wish that he had actually created something fun and original when whining about how an "original" game (that comes off as really half-assed because of the repetitive backgrounds and rudimentary graphics) sold more poorly than an iconic classic.
He's right about Frogger, but that doesn't mean he can whine about that.
Oh, and I wasn't telling Topher to shut up. I meant Minter.
misfit: Are we really going to use review scores as a point of authority? That's not to mention that some people are just going to be scared to give it a bad review for fear of looking like they don't "get it" or are "intimidated," as happens with all weird shit that's typically not very good.
Lots of people love the game, and lots of people hate it. Why that is, I'm not sure, but anyone who say it is objectively "bad" is just plain wrong in my opinion. You might not like it, that's fine, but it's not a bad game at all.
I liked the inclusion of MOO MOO
It reminded me of C and C Music Factory and other parts of my childhood I want to forget
Jim: Well, you could say the same thing about Destructoid...sticking your neck out here to defend SG seems like a bad idea. Review scores should never be more than a general guideline, but reading some of the worst and some of the best usually gives you a correct impression of the game...mainly because you find out why one person hate it and why another love it.
Me? I couldn't care less about SG(currently enjoying Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3), but it certainly doesn't seem to deserve the pounding it is currently receiving here.
I like games that don't take themselves too seriously, but Space Giraffe is like any movie you've ever seen but with a heavy metal soundtrack, strobe effects, and where all the characters speak in chipmunk voices. The core gameplay is decent in small doses, but the ambiance does nothing to complement the gameplay. Nothing works together. A game can be overwhelming once in a while, but SG is just totally disorganized. It's dada. How does that make a game good?
It doesn't surprise me why it took so damn long to get the game through Microsoft's QA.
I actually stared at the opening image of this game over the course of the last two days trying to figure out exactly what I was looking at. For that time until just now I thought it was a Guitar Hero-esque bridge with a chromosome at the bottom and soap bubbles refracting light on either end. Thanks to my fellow Dtoiders now I realize it's just a shitty Tempest clone and I can once again sleep at night.
Aw, poor widdle baby. Does he want his mommy to kiss the boo boo and make it go away?
If you need me, I'll be over here playing a sad tune on the world's smallest violin.
Oh come ON! It's a remake of fucking TEMPEST, for Jabber's sake!
He can't seriously be THAT upset.
"We'll shut up trying to do anything new then."
What a fucking joke, clearly this guys mental, Space Giraffe new? Its fucking Tempest on Ecstasy.