Being the huge indie fan I am, it was only a matter of time until we devoted an entire Podtoid to indie games. I'm still not sure if we're gonna do the show on indie games in general, or just in ar-tee-steeck ones, but we'll definitely be using them as a starting point.
Tonight at 8 pm PST, we'll be talking about Passage, Gravitation, The Marriage, Stars Over Half Moon Bay and probably some others. If you want a preview of how the show will likely go, I'll be like "art games are so cool" and Aaron will be like "yeah kinda" and Jim will be like "you're both complete f*cking idiots" and Tiff will be like "hey stop interrupting me."
So, pretty much like every other show we've done, except with more arguing.
We still need reader questions, though, so go ahead and throw 'em out. Try to avoid "are indie games: showing us new things/totally pretentious/the future of videogames" and so on, since we'll probably be discussing that sorta stuff anyway. Other than that, though, go nuts.
As always, best question gets $25. Hit the comments.
Contest:
6:25 PM on 03.19.2008
| 
I know it failed in the past, but with the technology we have now, could it be done, or more importantly, could it be done well?
If we can call Bergman, Kurosawa, Lean and Lynch great artists of cinema, what would be the elements we would look for to describe a game as art? What is it that truly transcend a game beyond its entertainment value and makes us seek answers that are not in the game (like we would after watching Ikiru or any Bergman movie)?
On the other hand, I wonder if most gamers themselves even know of the existence of these games, period.
What do you guys think?
Really though, the "art games" are cute, but I prefer the ones that are actually interesting games as well (i.e. Braid).
Use the big words I told you.
Failing that, retarded "would you prefer" question: functionality, aesthetics or efficiency in video games?
Also, my cat Sophie, age 12, has been watching Reaper recently and noticed that Ray Wise plays the devil, who also played the president in RA2 (he's dreamy). I noticed this weeks ago, naturally, but she insists on being mentioned in the podcast... So anyway, any video game actors or voice actors stand out for you as being awesome? Anyone you've seen in a TV show that you recognise from a game, or vise-versa?
Ps- I've really been digging the intro music used for the show. It's nice to hear acts like Girl Talk or RJD2 welcoming listeners. Really adds to the overall podtoid experience. *thumbs up*
And in addition, do you think Artistic games are doomed to be a niche market?
And if their new ideas are successful could they do without turning it into a soulless cashwhore franchise? (IE, Guitar Hero)
also Ikaruga is art
Do you think a game like Braid would:
1) still be impressive if it was being produced and "marketed" by an EA or Namco, as opposed to how Mr. Blow is bringing the game to the world?
2) even be of interest if the same mechanics were being applied to a full release, $60 game?
Do you think we'll see rise to any one method of storytelling, or will the conventional method remain the tried and true formula?
My other question: Do you think there's a point where a game can become a little too abstract or deviate from the norm so much that it isn't a game? I sat down recently with some absurd flash game, which defiantly had "levels" but I wasn't really given a goal, the graphics didn't resemble anything, and I wasn't sure what the hell was going on. Do you think there are a set of guidelines that games need to follow?
Want to know one game I didn't play through because of filler? No More Heroes - WHAT THE FUCK? I have to mow goddamn lawns and collect coconuts to buy the next level? Help me reverend! Am I right? The story parts are great but shit, I have better things to do than drive around in that broken ass overworld and do menial chores.
Recently I fianlly played Cave Story and it (like almost everyone) BLEW my mind. I am already playing through it again and can't get over how good it is. My question is: Will or will there NOT be a Cave Story 2? If so, when? Also I have started looking at the "mods" for Cave Story but everyone says theirs is cool but usually is not or bug ridden. Do you know any that are actually good or well recieved by fans? Thanks.
Which console do you think will be easier for indie game-makers to showcase their material, Nintendo's WiiWare, Microsoft's XNA and XBLA, Sony's PSN, or will the PC still be the main stage?
Do you expect/want to see a complete switch to digital download in the future? Every machine with a hard drive, (360, PS3, PC) is halfway there already. Personally I already use Steam whenever possible, as I'm the fucking king of losing game boxes and manuals. I'd love this ability for the 360, being able to download whole 360 games over XBL.
I think Steam is the best thing to happen to PC gaming in a very long time, how would you feel about a console equivalent?
For Rev, a drink anytime he mentions bioshock, or halflife (I was thinking indie too, but given the nature of this weeks podcast, it might get a bit messy, we can add that rule next week).
For Aaron, a drink anytime he makes a jizz or masturbation reference.
For Tiff, a drink everytime she gets interrupted, or finally gets asked to have first go at a question, and can't come up with anything.
And for Jim, one drink for cunts, and a drink everytime he breaks up and you can't hear what the hell he's trying to say.
For safety's sake, it may be wise to stick away from the spirits, and to listen to the podcast in 2 chunks.
And in the guise of asking a question, do the cast have any drinking game rules they want to add??
Also, when I was in high school, some guy did a powerpoint on games and mentioned wind waker, calling it "Wind Walker" and said that cel shading was dumb. I of course corrected him, because thats bullshit and he is an idiot.
Which indie games make the best "bridge" games?
Is The Dishwasher: Undead Samurai going to be good enough to be worthy of causing SCZ2's development to be suspended? Is that even fucking possible?
Speaking of SCZ, why hasn't the mindblowingly excellent gameplay mechanics and functionality of the world's absolute best zombie game been copies or borrowed into mainstream gaming? Is it just that they're too busy making remakes to play a 2d indie computer game, or is it a pride issue, or what? I want to see a full budget blockbuster zombie epic that wins on the same level as SCZ, and there's nothing remotely close in the foreseeable future that doesn't come from James Silva himself.
Will you play my Source mod when it comes out? I promise it'll be good.
Since they have complete control they could have the game exactly as they wanted it, time and resources permitting. Now though you have teams of 100 plus and I really wonder how much the lead designer really does. Everyone knows the name Peter Molyneux but how much of what he does is marketing and how much is actully making the game?
I know that with the size of todays games the one man team is long gone but correct me if i'm wrong but wasn't aquaria made with only 2 people.