Diablohead
Member
If you found Dust an easy game, play it on hardcore like it should be set as!
Amazing game, noogy dun good.
Amazing game, noogy dun good.
So how well did Dust: An Elysian Tail do saleswise?
- Thread starter Ghost_Protocol
- Start date
No but because there now hundreds of quality retail games out there that compete with "cheap" downloadable games that's what I usually go with. To me it's absolutely ridiculous that live arcade or psn titles hardly if ever go on sale. For me personally to purchase a game like this it needs to be $5-$10. When these games end up on a steam sale for $2.25 or $5.00 then I'll buy it.
I know! Since when is 700K considered poor? Consider that the average American earns about 30K a year...
The_Darkest_Red
Member
Since when do we know the terms of his agreement with Microsoft?
Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
The mitigating factor here is that the developer spent years to get to this point, scraping by and accumulating debt, based on the development stories I've read. 700k, not counting Microsoft's cut remember, seems like a lot at a glance. But it's not that much more per year than the actual median income, for a lot of work and risk.
I will never tie my credit card to my Xbox account ever again, and I can't be bothered to go and get a points card. Valve has earned my trust with my card, so I impulse buy (or regular buy) on Steam far more often than anything else.
Bony Manifesto
Member
It's far from terrible, but I think you're falling into the trap of believing that indie game development is creating something out of nothing. In reality, it's a business like any other, with all sorts of expenses taking a massive chunk out of any potential earnings.
Yeah, but he's accumulated a huge amount of skills and knowledge by making this game by himself. Remember, before this game Noogy didn't have any programming knowledge. Now he's got tonnes and is getting paid for it.
RPGCrazied
Member
I want to play this so bad, but ugh, no 360. I hope we see a day it comes out on PC/Steam and or PS3 someday.
Been looking forward to playing for this but I've honestly had my fingers crossed for a PC version as I feel like my 360 is going to explode at minute and I have no interest in buying a new one.
I can see the furry thing being a turn off, but damn it just looks so good that I can easily look by that. I'm only going by what I've seen in the trailers though, so I don't know if it gets "weird" like people are saying. The fact of the matter is that Noogy is talented as hell, so he can draw his characters any freaking way he wants, and as long as the game itself feels great, then who cares?
Also Noogy, I just read your postmortem you linked to on Gamasutra. Inspiring stuff dude. Looking forward to diving into Dust one day.
I can see the furry thing being a turn off, but damn it just looks so good that I can easily look by that. I'm only going by what I've seen in the trailers though, so I don't know if it gets "weird" like people are saying. The fact of the matter is that Noogy is talented as hell, so he can draw his characters any freaking way he wants, and as long as the game itself feels great, then who cares?
Also Noogy, I just read your postmortem you linked to on Gamasutra. Inspiring stuff dude. Looking forward to diving into Dust one day.
Same here..
Oh boo hoo
Its an indie game on XBLA of course its gona be on PC.
Jonnyboy117
Member
I was having a blast with Dust, especially searching for secrets in the environments. Unfortunately, the game started bugging out and eventually corrupted my save such that scripted events wouldn't trigger, and map progress wouldn't save between sessions. I'd have to start over and lose ~5 hours of progress, and it could happen all over again. So I'm still waiting for a patch before I play it anymore.
MidnightCowboy
Member
Beat it, loved it, my only complaint is the combat gets a little stale after a while. I wish there were more combos.
Yeah... I don't want to the guy who is port begging because I normally would just disagree with that logic, but really I would probably have bought this game if I was on Steam. I've found myself just not buying anything on XBLA and PSN after the hacking scares. I know it's safer than its ever been.
Not sure what the mentality is with me nowadays, but if it's not downloadable on Steam I just avoid it. I would logically think price but I picked up Ys Origin when it hit Steam day one so if something appeals to me enough I have no problem with MSRP.
Shame too that I feel like I'm becoming the problem because Dust seemed like it would be really solid and I wanted to play it.
Thinking about it though it might just come down to time and devotion to physical goods. There's something in my mind about going out and spending 60 bucks on a box copy game and just feel more compelled to play it than something I perceive as a rental. I really have no proof I purchased anything downloadable if I lose my accounts.
bigdaddygamebot
Member
I did my part...thanks to a nudge from Giant Bomb.
Ghost_Protocol
Member
Yup, around 3 more unique combos/attacks to discover/unlock would have been perfect.
Electivirus
Member
Fun game, though I fully admit to not being a fan of the art style.
The Mana Legend
Banned
So I watched a gameplay video and was definitely interested. It said it was an RPG, and was wondering if it actually has real RPG depth, or is it just one of those fake RPGs where you only level up to get new combos and shit?
Yeah, I'm bummed out about that too. Honestly, I just chose an art style (among several I had been testing) and did not expect it to be THE sticking point with a lot of people. In hindsight would I have changed it? Probably not, my reasons for going with that are still valid, but I have to say as a LONG time gamer I find the whole thing just a bit ridiculous.
Should have stuck with pixel art and chiptunes, huh?
$700k, I wish
I am guessing you are being a bit sarcastic, but the main reason your game was even on my radar was the art. Of course I am the type of person who will say a game like Odin Sphere is a better looking game than Crysis on max settings (insert any other super realistic looking game) as realistic looking games will rarely ever wow me, but an art style can.
It is a shame if people are getting hung up on the art, but it happens. I know if I see any generic looking realistic war shooter anymore that my eyes just glaze over and I can't bother to care, so it's not unbelievable that others would get that towards other things like furries. That all being said I am hoping that the sales were good enough for you to feel it was worth making the game, though from what I have gathered talking to you in the past you are mostly just happy that people are enjoying your game
I am guessing you are being a bit sarcastic, but the main reason your game was even on my radar was the art. Of course I am the type of person who will say a game like Odin Sphere is a better looking game than Crysis on max settings (insert any other super realistic looking game) as realistic looking games will rarely ever wow me, but an art style can.
It is a shame if people are getting hung up on the art, but it happens. I know if I see any generic looking realistic war shooter anymore that my eyes just glaze over and I can't bother to care, so it's not unbelievable that others would get that towards other things like furries. That all being said I am hoping that the sales were good enough for you to feel it was worth making the game, though from what I have gathered talking to you in the past you are mostly just happy that people are enjoying your game
Oh yeah, I'm being sarcastic (sort of). Sure, I take it more personally than I probably should, but everything in the game, good or bad, is on my shoulders. One of the difficult things about being indie and shooting high. I guess I'm just more open-minded when it comes to video games, since I really don't care what they look like, as long as the mechanics/story sound interesting.
And honestly, most of the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. For my first programming experiment I can't ask for anything more. The game is doing fine, but I dread to think where I'd be if I had to pay five other developers.
I am guessing you are being a bit sarcastic, but the main reason your game was even on my radar was the art. Of course I am the type of person who will say a game like Odin Sphere is a better looking game than Crysis on max settings (insert any other super realistic looking game) as realistic looking games will rarely ever wow me, but an art style can.
It is a shame if people are getting hung up on the art, but it happens. I know if I see any generic looking realistic war shooter anymore that my eyes just glaze over and I can't bother to care, so it's not unbelievable that others would get that towards other things like furries. That all being said I am hoping that the sales were good enough for you to feel it was worth making the game, though from what I have gathered talking to you in the past you are mostly just happy that people are enjoying your game
Jawmuncher
Member
I still have no idea what this game even is.
Even after reading the reviews.
I'm going to have to download the trial when I get back.
Even after reading the reviews.
I'm going to have to download the trial when I get back.
John Rabbit
Banned
again, as a poster said earlier in the thread, sometimes art style/direction is a major barrier to entry for some people. a game's visuals are just as integral to the experience as sound and mechanics.
Ghost_Protocol
Member
It's coming to steam?!
Speculation.
I never stop smiling when I see your avatar
I think I animated that.... 15 years ago? Man I'm old.I actually just drew Jazz again recently for Cliff... sadly it might be the last time I ever do. Link
Messofanego
Banned
I put 25 hours into it, loved all the indie game crossovers, fluid Ninja Gaiden/DMC combat, all the really tough challenges for treasures, and yes the visually pleasing art design.
Maybe it's a men thing to not like the art because when my sister or relatives saw it they got interested and wanted to play in this beautiful art.
Now that indie developers have figured out that Microsoft's promotion and funding power is not worth the exclusivity compared to Valve's Steam, I don't see many indie devs sticking to that system unless MS makes huge changes. Team Meat, Monday Night Combat devs, Blacklight devs, all jumping ship to PC shores.
Dark Octave
Banned
I remember the first time I saw the animation. My jaw was on the floor. Then I found out it was one guy who was making the whole game and it was so inspiring. It is possible for one person to do it all and do it amazingly well. I wanted to contact Noogy before I knew he was a Gaffer and tell him how that trailer has inspired a wannabe game designer, animator and do it all. But I was shy to do it. Well, now that I see how open you are, so that puts me at ease to say these things now.
I hope to see Dust on other platforms down the road but even more, I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve. Keep up the great work, man.
I hope to see Dust on other platforms down the road but even more, I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve. Keep up the great work, man.
I never stop smiling when I see your avatar
I actually just drew Jazz again recently for Cliff... sadly it might be the last time I ever do. Link
Cool drawing! I really like O_O Jazz for the avatar though, and I've gotten quite a few complements on it so I'll probably wear it for a while.
More like "I already did, but I can't tell you yet"
JasonUresti
Member
Not grooving with an art style is a perfectly valid reason for someone to be pushed away from trying a game.
How many here crying foul would say the same about someone being repulsed by Binding of Isaac's grotesque imagery? People have different tolerances for different things.
This game very clearly seems to be appealing to a certain set with its art, and that's fine. The creator shouldn't be surprised that it turned so many off, particularly given the less than pleasant aspects often associated with this style of depicting anthropomorphic woodland animals.
How many here crying foul would say the same about someone being repulsed by Binding of Isaac's grotesque imagery? People have different tolerances for different things.
This game very clearly seems to be appealing to a certain set with its art, and that's fine. The creator shouldn't be surprised that it turned so many off, particularly given the less than pleasant aspects often associated with this style of depicting anthropomorphic woodland animals.
j0hnny_385
Member
Agreed. Dust is one of the most beautiful games I've played on my X360 (I'm currently at ~2hrs in). Gorgeous game, loving it so far! I hope it sold well. IIRC, Noogy said on Twitter something in the line of: "thanks for your support guys and for the fact that I can feed my family", etc. I'll take from that the game sold well. \o/
I get that some people simply won't be into it, they're entitled to that opinion, it's just surprising to me since it seems like a style that's been used all over the place for a long time. I mean, aren't most cartoons in the same ballpark as this?
Well, there are different reasons to be repulsed by an art style. Isaac's visual style reinforced a clear religious intent. Games with an art style intended push a certain political or social agenda, I can understand crossing the line. I wouldn't play an otherwise amazing game littered with swatzikas if I knew the creator was a racist, for example.
But I chose this art style because I thought it was unique, was manageable to create on my own, and reinforced the story I wanted to tell. There is no social agenda, no sexual content, and as dark as the story is I made every effort to keep it clean. If I had released this game 15 years ago there wouldn't even be an issue.
But I've said enough. I thank those of you who enjoyed the game, it really means a lot to me.
It really bothers me that so many people are put off by the art style. I dont own a 360 but I've put in 3-5 hours into the game at a friends place. Obviously the sense of movement in the game a big high point as well as the story. The voice acting is hit and miss but I will say its surprisingly good from an amateur cast. I'd be lucky to just cast a bunch of my friends into my game and hope for that result. Im not a huge fan of the artstyle but its coherent and I very much agree with the choices behind it.
My only real knocks against the game are its use of meta-humor, the sidekick and the fact that I cant play it on my PS3 or PC.
Great job Noogy! I've been fighting of some serious spurts of depression working on my game over the last year and im glad you made it to the finish line!
My only real knocks against the game are its use of meta-humor, the sidekick and the fact that I cant play it on my PS3 or PC.
Great job Noogy! I've been fighting of some serious spurts of depression working on my game over the last year and im glad you made it to the finish line!
NO. This is a worthless comparison.
Proper reasoning from your failed analogy: not playing a game because you don't like the cover art.
A better comparison: not reading a picturebook because you don't like the pictures... which is perfectly valid.
Plenty of my co-workers bought and enjoyed the game. I'm in the camp that was put off by the art.
Goldenroad
Member
$700k, I wish
Whatever it was, I hope you made out alright. It was a hell of an experience playing that game. Just want to say thanks for the passion you put into that game, it shows at every single turn.
timetokill
Banned
Yeah.... I tried the demo myself, and while it seemed pretty fun, it was a little expensive for my tastes at the time. Along with the furry art style and grating voicework for the flying dragon/cat with boobs thing, I just couldn't convince myself to plop down the money. That and it's not really my favorite kind of game in the first place.
I will definitely be looking out for it on Steam sale when that comes along down the line, though. I'm not posting any of this as offense to Noogy. I hope he does well with this and I can definitely appreciate the craft that went into it.
I will definitely be looking out for it on Steam sale when that comes along down the line, though. I'm not posting any of this as offense to Noogy. I hope he does well with this and I can definitely appreciate the craft that went into it.