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[More_Badass]

A look back at June 2014 and how indies have progressed (or not) in a year

Apocalypse Cow - Still in development, was submitted for IndieCade

Congo - Currently on Early Access

Desolus - Still in development, regular progess updates and was submitted for IndieCade

Flagship - Still in development, moved to Unity 5, last progress update in March

Freaking Meatbags - Finished and released, dev working on next game Machiavillain

Freedom Planet - Finished and released

Fritz - Kickstarter failed, no recent progress

Havenguard - Still in development, game was completely rebuilt

Lakeview Cabin Collection - Released

Negspace - Regular progress updates

No More Probes - Greenlit last month

Perish - No updates since Indiegogo last year

SARCIA - Rebuilt, getting regular updates

Skyld - Concept teaser and new screenshots released in March

Viktor - Finished and released

Warlocks - Successful Kickstarter, currently on Early Access

Westerado: Double Barreled - Finished and released

And a quick glance at June 2013 reveals that:

• Crypt of the NecroDancer, Echoes of the Wilds, Ephemerid, Hero of Many, Heroes of Loot, Jazzpunk, Luxuria Superbia, Malebolgia, Massive Chalice, Operation Smash, Rooks Keep, Tessalation, The Novelist, Trash TV have all been finished and released
• A Hat in Time, else Heart.break(), Prisonscape, Signs of Life, Tangiers, Ultima Ratio Regum are still in development with recent progress
• A Shepard in Dark Times, lifeless: ECHRO, LIT, Red Rover, Remnant are abandoned or have made little progress
• Kachina is now Donut Country

 

[Toma]

Heh, I remember when you posted impressions of the first alpha, saying it was pretty much a tech demo with a lot of potential

True, I remembered that as soon as I noticed the game in my library. Also sweet progress write up above! Pretty positive overall Nice to see that most seem to be already released or still in development.

 

[Moobabe]

Hey now, you still have the whole month Another month in which I hope I wont need to postpone playing the games for too long.

Also, you have no idea how hyped that blurb about Staglands made me, ugh.

But with those out of the way I can discover stuff and play weird stuff from the OP.

I just booted into Staglands proper. Yeah. It's really good.

Bummed to see Perish hasn't had any updates at all - always thought that looked pretty cool.

And I'll be keeping a close eye on We Happy few - Contrast burned me badly but this looks like it has a more interesting premise.

Edit - This just popped up. I do love a good asynchronous multiplayer game.

BIOS - £11.55 (PLAT)

http://store.steampowered.com/app/350600/

BIOS is a First Person Shooter with a twist. We call it a Racing First Person Shooter (RFPS) The player needs to complete the different simulated hostile environment the fastest way possible. BIOS is a fast paced, high octane asynchronous competitive game.

 

[More_Badass]

True, I remembered that as soon as I noticed the game in my library. Also sweet progress write up above! Pretty positive overall Nice to see that most seem to be already released or still in development.

Also added a quick look at June 2013

Basically if you want to know about the best indies way before they become popular, these threads are the place to be. Necrodancer, Jazzpunk, Massive Chalice, etc.

 

[More_Badass]

We Happy Few is live

As is Song of Horror

and Diluvion

 

[Moobabe]

That We Happy Few goal is high... I worry for them

 

[Toma]

That We Happy Few goal is high... I worry for them

They are decently well known as a dev and have a great video up, I think they might be able to scrape the goal, but not much more above it, yeah.

 

[More_Badass]

They are decently well known as a dev and have a great video up, I think they might be able to scrape the goal, but not much more above it, yeah.

Seriously that video was excellent

 

[Moobabe]

Pneuma: Breath of Life - PS4 (Already out on PC/XBONE?)

http://www.pneumabreathoflife.com/

Pneuma: Breath of Life is an enthralling first person puzzler putting gamers' minds to the test in a visually stunning world using Unreal Engine 4 and Physically Based Rendering. Pneuma provides players with an unrivalled sense of adventure and a relentless determination to solve each puzzle and progress through a story of self-discovery, exploring the fundamental nature of being.

They are decently well known as a dev and have a great video up, I think they might be able to scrape the goal, but not much more above it, yeah.

Seriously that video was excellent

It is a great video - but still, I'm skeptical about how it'll do.

 

[More_Badass]

Pneuma: Breath of Life - PS4 (Already out on PC/XBONE?)






It is a great video - but still, I'm skeptical about how it'll do.

Last month and currently despite Bloodstained and Yooka, Deadwood made 100k, Little Devil Inside reached 300k, Tokyo Dark is at 160k and Umbra at 259k. And those are all debut projects. I think Compulsion could pull it off

E3 might be a problem though

 

[Toma]

E3 might be a problem though

Havent thought about that, thats true, yeah. I am probably going to be in Zombie mode for 3-4 days

 

[arcanadei]

With the GOG sale ongoing and Steam summer sale pending, just feels like a horrible time to launch a Kickstarter. We Happy Few, Song of Horror and Diluvion all look amazing but I just can't see paying normal new release prices at the moment. My backlog is already ridiculous and keeps growing faster than I can play. All that said, the indie gaming community is truly amazing, developers, fans, and especially GAF. Having too many amazing things to play has got to be one of the silliest problems to have, but glad I do.

 

[Nabs]

Free playable teaser for Windows/Mac/Linux/iPhone/iPad

 

[Moobabe]

Free playable teaser for Windows/Mac/Linux/iPhone/iPad

Fantastic.

 

[Moobabe]

Double post, don't care:

Have you all backed this?

Independent By Design

I can't get any of the stupid pictures to load BUT:

Independent By Design is a deluxe hardback book that chronicles the experiences and vivid design of over twenty of the world's most revered and renowned independent developers.

A beautifully realised, 240+ page tome totalling over 80,000 words, Independent By Design is a collection of bespoke, visually stimulating chapters; each telling the story of a featured development studio.

 

[Toma]

Double post, don't care:

Have you all backed this?

Independent By Design

I can't get any of the stupid pictures to load BUT:

I want to back this. Hopefully I'll remember tomorrow when I have someone with a credit card around to ask.

 

[More_Badass]

Double post, don't care:

Have you all backed this?

Independent By Design

I can't get any of the stupid pictures to load BUT:

It's really annoying that I have to upload any KS images and GIFs on Imgur first if I want to post them here

 

[More_Badass]

Exanima
So I decided to pick this up, and I'm both pleased and disappointed. The latter because I learned after the fact that it's actually a stand-alone prelude to a larger project that's still in development. And the actual dungeon crawling is kind of bare bones. Environments are samey, and of course being Early Access, it's lacking in other areas

But god damn, the combat. It's physics based, and while at times it feels more like pulling a puppet around rather than controlling a person, when you get a rhythm down and are in the heat of fight, it's so so satisfying. There's an arena mode that's very helpful in learning the ins and outs of the combat, and that's all I've been playing. Armed with a shield and sword, I face my a spear wielding opponent. We circle each other, I move in after he staggers forward from a missed strike to slice him along the side. He gets in a solid blow, sending me reeling into the wall. We parry and dodge, feinting and exchanging blows. I get up close, pushing him into a corner so he doesn't have the space to wind up a powerful attack. Finally I deliver a killing blow

It's so much fun. It feels desperate and realistic. Attacks have weight and force behind them, and blows and misses will throw you off balance. Bodies and blades get tangled up and pushed around. It's Demons Souls' "Don't use broadswords or pole-arms in a narrow corridor" logic expanded with realistic physics. It's Mount and Blade directional combat, but 100x's better.

http://fat.gfycat.com/DirectShamelessHoneyeater.webm

 

[Kitbash]

A look back at June 2014 and how indies have progressed (or not) in a year

I love these retrospectives. Getting a game out the door can be a massive struggle -- it's interesting to see who's reached the finish line and who's (seemingly) given up.

 

[More_Badass]

I love these retrospectives. Getting a game out the door can be a massive struggle -- it's interesting to see who's reached the finish line and who's (seemingly) given up.

Here's May's

And I think "given up" sounds too negative. Like they weren't cut out to be developers or something, idk. Sometimes, it's simply losing interest or other responsibilities taking precedent or moving onto a new more promising project. But that doesn't diminish what the devs accomplished up to that point, the artistry or uniqueness or promise of their vision

 

[Liljagare]

Diluvion sounds/looks very interesting!!

 

[Moobabe]

It's really annoying that I have to upload any KS images and GIFs on Imgur first if I want to post them here

Thanks man - I thought it was just me

GRAV has been updated to include new planet types:

Did anyone pick it up in the end?

 

[More_Badass]

Thanks man - I thought it was just me

GRAV has been updated to include new planet types:



Did anyone pick it up in the end?

Well I know what game just jumped to the top of my Wishlist.

 

[Toma]

Well I know what game just jumped to the top of my Wishlist.

Dwarf Fortress?

Spoiler

I am going to bug you for all eternity

 

[timetokill]

DAMN, some great stuff, I'm way behind on checking out indie games lately.

 

[More_Badass]

I wonder how pervasive the notion that "indie games are all 2D pixel art puzzle platformers" still is. I remember it being very common a year or two ago, but I don't see it anymore very often on GAF.

There have been so many games that refute that idea in the past few years. I think stuff like PS+ and Games with Gold and Sony/MS' big focus on indies and Kickstarter has made more people aware of a wider range of indie games, dispelling that outdated view

 

[Kitbash]

And I think "given up" sounds too negative. Like they weren't cut out to be developers or something, idk. Sometimes, it's simply losing interest or other responsibilities taking precedent or moving onto a new more promising project. But that doesn't diminish what the devs accomplished up to that point, the artistry or uniqueness or promise of their vision

Just to be clear, that's not what I was suggesting. I was thinking along the lines of "decided to stop" rather than "succumbed to failure".

Downloading Flame Over now!

 

[arcanadei]

Interesting little side project by ShinyLoot, VidXplore looks to be a game recommendation system. Similar to Netflix and Pandora, it learns what you like and bases suggestions off of that. I bet like others, it isn't super useful until you put in a bit of time getting it setup. Nice to see the concept being used for games.

 

[b4mv]

Crayon Poke was actually amazing.. I hope to see that turn into something bigger. I would pay quite a bit for something that fleshed out that mechanic

 

[Remy]

One more for the correction list: Last Word came out in early May.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/355530/

 

[More_Badass]

Anyone playing The Forest? Would it be worth getting during the Summer Sale (mainly in terms of current status)?

Also any thoughts on how it compares to Stranded Deep?

 

[More_Badass]

So...it seems like it's the last days for Desura
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/06/05/desura-bankruptcy-bad-juju-games/

Thank god for Humble and itch.io

 

[arcanadei]

Not 100% on this, but from what I just read the same company that owns Desura and declared bankruptcy, also runs Indie Royale. I would strongly recommend everyone backup and/or redeem any keys you might have from both places ASAP.

 

[SerTapTap]

If you're aware of any games that are on Desura but not other DRM free platforms I'd suggest buzzing the devs to

A) Delist their game on Desura using this method, so current owners can still download the game but no more money goes to Desura. It seems highly likely that there will be no further payouts from Desura, minimum aside.
B) throw their game up on itch.io, easily the best non-steam platform IMO. DRM free, no hassle, can provide steam keys, can pick rev share.
C) Some devs are offering to convert Desura keys into Humble/etc keys, it might be a bit above and beyond but it's a very nice gesture

I already pinged Fruitbat Factory and the dev of Multilytheus.

Agree with the above post too, I already made sure to get my DRM free stuff off Desura, did not know Indie Royale was by them, I'll be sure I have all my keys claimed. Devs should be very wary of doing business with either.

 

[More_Badass]

Huh, I had a lot of good games in my Desura library that I had forgotten about

But anyway, talking about good games, it's the half year mark so what would you say were the best 2015 indies you've played so far?

- This War of Mine
- Hotline Miami 2
- Ori and the Blind Forest
- Satellite Reign
- Besiege
- Infinifactory
- Catacomb Kids
- Crypt of the NecroDancer
- Rain World (okay, that's cheating, but hey, I've been playing the alpha this year)

There hasn't really been any relatively obscure game that wowed me like MirrorMoon and NaissanceE did in past years

 

[Nabs]

Ori and the Blind Forest
Not A Hero
Hotline Miami 2
Westerado

 

[SerTapTap]

I'd have to double check what I've played, Axiom Verge is at the top so far though. Haven't played as many games as I've meant to lately, been playing too many long games and not enough short ones.

 

[titch]

Ach crap desura and indie - it's gonna take ages!!!

 

[Dog Problems]

But anyway, talking about good games, it's the half year mark so what would you say were the best 2015 indies you've played so far

Dyscourse
TouchTone
Three Fourths Home: Extended Edition
Gardenarium
Axiom Verge

In no order, those are my top five at this point.

 

[More_Badass]

Dyscourse
TouchTone
Three Fourths Home: Extended Edition
Gardenarium
Axiom Verge

In no order, those are my top five at this point.

Dyscourse is that good? Haven't seen much hype about it

And I liked TouchTone, more for its story and presentation than the gameplay

 

[Dog Problems]

Dyscourse is that good? Haven't seen much hype about it

And I liked TouchTone, more for its story and presentation than the gameplay

I think so. I guess it's light on gameplay but it's all based on making decisions and they actually feel like they matter in Dyscourse. And there's lots of decisions to make resulting in different outcomes so it offers quite a bit of replayability. The characters are also interesting and I ended up caring for most of them.

 

[MrNinjaSquirrel]

D4: Dark Dreams Don't Die - $14.99 (PC)

http://store.steampowered.com/app/358090/?snr=1_5_9__205

This is the story of a man with a very strange fate. His name is David Young. Two years ago, his wife was murdered by an unknown assailant, and Young suffered a blow to the head that cost him his memory. His wife's final words: “Look for D."

I assume this counts as indie? Either way it's something I hope people look into. One of the weirdest, most earnest and delightful games I've ever played. It's a bit rough around the edges but I totally recommend it regardless.

I wrote a full review for those who desire more convincing: http://kritiqal.com/2015/06/05/d4-dark-dreams-dont-die-review/

 

[Toma]

Bye bye Desura, we did saw your demise coming. Itch, Humble and Gog ahoy.

 

[Wok]

This puzzle game is good. I know you can do better, Toma.

 

[Toma]

This puzzle game is good. I know you can do better, Toma.

Trying to go through the whole game first becore breaking my head over how you all did 201 cycles there.

 

[Toma]

.. you goaded me into this and I needed to stop making breakfast just to take care of it, arghhh.

 

[More_Badass]

If you had backed Noct, should have received a Steam key for the private alpha/beta today

I'll post impressions later

 

[titch]

Nice!! Didnt back it but played the demo a few month back.

 

[More_Badass]

Some cool stuff this Screenshot Saturday, now let's get to page 3 already

 

[titch]

Oh go on then - after all the news about Desura and Indie Royale it's been groupees that have been having server problems.

Back up now though so Be Mine 20 is finally available!!!