Game Tunnel's Game of the Year awards underway

[cyrus_zuo]

Figured this group probably is already well aware of this, but didn't want to skip out on anyone :)

Game Tunnel started off its end of year extravaganza with the posting of the Sports Game of the year on the website. The full schedule of awards can be found on the homepage of Game Tunnel (www.gametunnel.com (http://www.gametunnel.com)) and shows the next award as being posted on the 12th (dangit! I better get to work!)

As noted the Player's Choice poll is now available as well and is begging for you to vote with all your friends.

Enjoy!

[Raptisoft]

Chuzzle! Chuzzle! Chuzzle! Chuzzle!

[Drake]

Subtle! Subtle! Subtle! Subtle!

[Gmicek]

Nice, can't wait for each addition. Although, it does seem tacky that on the games that don't use Plimus you only provide a buy now link, and no link to the game or developers homepage.

[Mark Currie]

I can't speak for the developers in the top five on that page, but when GameTunnel reviewed my game I asked them not to include a link to my website. I wanted them to get affiliate credit. I just wish I knew how to make my payment provider work like plimus in this regard.

[Robert Cummings]

My missus kind of likes chuzzle.

[Sharpfish]

Chuzzle! Chuzzle! Chuzzle! Chuzzle!


Faries! Faries! Faries! Faries! ;)

nah ... seriously, Chuzzle should definitley be up there. Very polished product and somewhat influential as it turned out. :)

TBH most of the indiegames I've been playing were from last year with just a few from this year (too busy making them to play).

I think wildlife Africa thingy is a strong title

[Chris Evans]

Although, it does seem tacky that on the games that don't use Plimus you only provide a buy now link, and no link to the game or developers homepage.

I agree.

For example, with Future Pool there's really no way for someone to just download the demo or goto the developer's site. The Buy Now button goes directly to the ShareIt page and the Shareit page has no link to the developer's site. It seems you're doing a disservice to your readers by not letting them easily download one of the top sports games of the year.

[Sharpfish]

Am I right in the understanding that GT only links to those that give GT affiliate status (it always seems that way the few times I checked out the demos)? And therfore it is not a truly independent review site. I think it is good for both parties if that is the case for FREE REVIEWS.. but what about the paid ones?

[cyrus_zuo]

Am I right in the understanding that GT only links to those that give GT affiliate status (it always seems that way the few times I checked out the demos)? And therefore it is not a truly independent review site. I think it is good for both parties if that is the case for FREE REVIEWS.. but what about the paid ones?
There are no paid ones...hasn't been since earlier in the year due to some concerns. (though I am still paying reviewers for the reviews if they started reviewing during the time that I was paying)

You are correct that there aren't links unless I have affiliate links. I don't have rights to post directly to a download link (and they tend to change over time) and honestly with the amount of work being done on the site there has to be something back on it. Certainly I'm willing to put links up...but like last year I'm definitely pushing for affiliate links (last year I used about the same approach (with a couple of extra links thrown in).

I totally understand the thought...it doesn't look perfect and could be considered tacky...I'm ok with that perception due to the needs of the site. For the amount of time I put into these awards (and the site all year long) I feel comfortable with the approach that GT has taken...it has made it the most prolific of all of the sites, which could be considered a con...but there are certainly a lot of pros to it.

As far as it not being an 'independent review site' I'm not sure I agree, but I see the point. I would argue that the only true 'independent' review sites are those that don't stay around very long or look at a lot of things in a very casual and shallow way (and probably still don't stay around very long or post consistently). I look at it the same way I did developing games, if the games are done as freeware there isn't much future to the business.

Game Tunnel is definitely a business...not one I've been pocketing money on yet (after 3 years! of non-stop consistent effort). However, I certainly hope that some day it will begin to pay for the massive amounts of time that it takes. I see at is a collaborative with the development community. The more it succeeds the more it helps the community succeed. In my mind that is the root of affiliate links... (though I could go the publishing route and turn the site into a portal and jettison what I've done thus far, but I think the value of the site is worth having to approach things the way that I'm approaching them...really what we are talking about is the financial model of GT)

[cyrus_zuo]

I agree.

For example, with Future Pool there's really no way for someone to just download the demo or goto the developer's site. The Buy Now button goes directly to the ShareIt page and the Shareit page has no link to the developer's site. It seems you're doing a disservice to your readers by not letting them easily download one of the top sports games of the year.
I agree! Everyone should use Plimus! (or some combination of programs that helps to provide more links)

I'm still debating on having a website link as well...my experience is that I lose 60-80% of the credit that way...but...I'm still debating it anyway...for the exact reasons posted here...I do that with the monthly round-ups...though notably I typically see 1 sale a month that is generated from the round-up...

[cyrus_zuo]

meh...

My argument isn't winning me over...
All have Website links now :)

[Chris Evans]

meh...

My argument isn't winning me over...
All have Website links now :)

Excellent! :)

I want to make it clear, I'm not against affiliate links. I think it's cool to encourage developers to use affiliate-friendly payment processors as well. I think it's in their best interest to do so. But you shouldn't penalize the few developers who don't use them.

If you want to encourage developers to give you an affiliate link, then maybe provide an added benefit to those who give you an affiliate status. Maybe promise them you'll put their game in the banner Ad rotation if you have some extra space some months. Or have a download section where you put all affiliate linked titles (not just Reflexives).

Many of us are already happy to give GameTunnel a little commission as it stands now to support the site. But making and selling games isn't charity work either, so I also understand if some devs are reluctant to give GT affiliate status. Giving them a couple of obvious benefits (like a little banner rotation and a download link aside from the review) might reel them in.

Personally, I feel supporting the site, supports the Indie community. As the Indie community gets more recognition that eventually trickles back down to me (see I'm greedy too! :) ). However, Russ earlier in your stream of thought you mentioned the possibility of turning GT into a game portal. I think sometime soon you seriously need to decide what direction you want to take the site. Is it an independent editorial voice on the Indie game scene or is it going to be a large Indie download/portal site with game reviews. Establishing this distinction I think will help you decide on tricky decisions like the website link. If you're trying to maximize your profit, then it's pretty obvious what you should do. If you're primarily responsible to your readership, then you gotta add the website links.

Whether you want to be an Indie portal or an Indie editorial site, it doesn't matter to me. We (the community) need both. :) But I think you're going to keep ruffling feathers and sometimes get into sticky situations if you try to tip-toe the line and do both.

Hope I didn't derail the topic too much...

[NuriumGames]

Already one year more !! :eek:

By the way I'm very happy having GT as an affiliate, it sells more than most typical affiliates.

[Sharpfish]

Personally, I feel supporting the site, supports the Indie community. As the Indie community gets more recognition that eventually trickles back down to me (see I'm greedy too! :) ). However, Russ earlier in your stream of thought you mentioned the possibility of turning GT into a game portal. I think sometime soon you seriously need to decide what direction you want to take the site. Is it an independent editorial voice on the Indie game scene or is it going to be a large Indie download/portal site with game reviews. Establishing this distinction I think will help you decide on tricky decisions like the website link. If you're trying to maximize your profit, then it's pretty obvious what you should do. If you're primarily responsible to your readership, then you gotta add the website links.
Hope I didn't derail the topic too much...

Good point, I agree. It seems some "normal visitors" to GT often don't understand it's purpose fully (based on some posts in the forums). And maybe it is because there is a lack of an audience for indie-game reviews compared to retail games. However I think that GT is a great thing for the indiegame world because it helps "validate" them as a real sector worth the players interest rather than a load of seperate websites/developers all competing with each other. A portal is different as it's intentions are more revenue based. What I am trying to say is what GT is attempting is commendable and they DESERVE money from it (via affiliation, advertising or whatever) to sustain the site and help it grow so that it is useful for all devs and players alike. The part Chris just wrote "If you're primarily responsible to your readership, then you gotta add the website links" hits the nail on the head. In an ideal world it would be good if all your links added some renumeration to GT to sustain it, but a playing reader doesn't care about that and will want ALL the information at hand to make use of it as he/she requires. Holding back links really doesn't help devs or the readership - it is crippling the usefulness of the site so I am glad to see you have now put them in.

As usual good work and keep it up - it is appreciated by me even as a player because I like to read reviews and see what is new on an "almost" independent site (compared to portals who post whatever they have to sell).

[tolik]

Found a missspelll: "2005 Sports Game of the Year - Oasis"

[DrWilloughby]

Congrats Cliffsky on the GameTunnel win! Now I'm REALLY gonna have to win that Player's Choice award.

(By the way, I hope no one thinks anything dirty is going on there... I've been harnessing fans, friends, and fellow developers to vote in the player's choice awards, and that's it. And Erik knows how much I love DROD :D )

*Edit* I must note, though, when I told one of my teammates that Democracy won, he was a bit shocked. He said he prefers "Compassionate Fascism".

[cliffski]

My customers are too busy in their high powered mnisterial jobs to take time to vote for the plyers choice award :D.
I'm really pleased with the sim award, adding that to democracys web page is task number 1 today...
congrats to wildlife tycoon too.

[ErikH2000]

(By the way, I hope no one thinks anything dirty is going on there... I've been harnessing fans, friends, and fellow developers to vote in the player's choice awards, and that's it. And Erik knows how much I love DROD :D )
Heh heh. I've been telling my people to not be so damned paranoid. More than one DROD fan has been freaked out by how Wildlife Tycoon consistently jumps ahead of DROD by a vote or two after our vote total goes up. "Somebody's making extra accounts on GameTunnel to get more votes!" Well, we will never know for sure, will we? :)

-Erik

[DrWilloughby]

Heh heh. I've been telling my people to not be so damned paranoid. More than one DROD fan has been freaked out by how Wildlife Tycoon consistently jumps ahead of DROD by a vote or two after our vote total goes up. "Somebody's making extra accounts on GameTunnel to get more votes!" Well, we will never know for sure, will we? :)

-Erik

The two vote totals are feeding on one another. When one game gets ahead, the fans get complacent and the other side gets energized.

You'd better not win because I got Nader-ized by DH: Lore! ;)

[ErikH2000]

You'd better not win because I got Nader-ized by DH: Lore! ;)
Hahah! Yeah, I will start posting on forums for other games in the list urging players not to throw their vote away on the "lesser" candidates. And while I'm at it, offering to bring the bus by on December 26th to drive them to the polls.

-Erik

[cyrus_zuo]

Hahah! Yeah, I will start posting on forums for other games in the list urging players not to throw their vote away on the "lesser" candidates. And while I'm at it, offering to bring the bus by on December 26th to drive them to the polls.

-Erik
I have to say that you all are making the player's choice award the most entertainment of the whole awards!

[DrWilloughby]

I have to say that you all are making the player's choice award the most entertainment of the whole awards!
HA, the thread over on the DROD forums is hilarious.
http://forum.caravelgames.com/viewtopic.php?TopicID=8544

[siread]

Woo! New Star Soccer 3 won the Sports Game Of The Year. :)

Very chuffed. Big thanks to GameTunnel. My first proper award. :)

[Ryan Clark]

Wow, Fizzwizzle is the #1 casual game of the year? :eek: Awesome!

Thanks, Russell :)

[Sharpfish]

Wow, Fizzwizzle is the #1 casual game of the year? :eek: Awesome!

Thanks, Russell :)

I never got around to saying - I thought your readable story was very well done (funny). Well done, much deserved! :)

[Matthew]

Now if only Glow Worm was third in sales in the casual market. I would wager that it made no more than 5% of either BKR or Chuzzle's take. Probably much less...

One of these days we'll land a hit (maybe with our next title)! Anyway, thanks for the positive mention. It really boosts morale over here and helps us while we're in the trenches on our next titles.

[cyrus_zuo]

Now if only Glow Worm was third in sales in the casual market. I would wager that it made no more than 5% of either BKR or Chuzzle's take. Probably much less...

One of these days we'll land a hit (maybe with our next title)! Anyway, thanks for the positive mention. It really boosts morale over here and helps us while we're in the trenches on our next titles.

It's a dang good game! The only reason I can think why it might not be doing as well in the portals is because it takes a little more thoughts than some. For me I felt an inkling of Chess when playing the game...setting up my move 13 moves from now, but the great thing is it isn't overwhelming in that aspect. However, it may just be enough to make casual players uneasy?

Professor FW is wonderful as well...I enjoyed doing the casual category this year :)

[DrWilloughby]

Glow Worm was really nicely constructed. Has all the polish and pizazz of Fairies (ok, even more), but with an original gameplay concept too!

Maybe the reason it isn't doing as well is as Russ pointed out that it's not quite playable by a zombie. Those top selling casual games CAN use a lot of strategy but can also be played by a complete zombie. If you take too long to click... well then a little sparkle tells you where to! GlowWorms is SIMPLE and probably could be played by a near-zombie, perhaps a human that was bitten by a zombie but has not yet fully transformed, but it isn't quite at the level where a "twitcher" could play it.

Not that that's a BAD thing! (it is more fun to me than MOST casual games)

[soniCron]

Are we going to see a "Puzzle Game of the Year" award?

[cyrus_zuo]

Are we going to see a "Puzzle Game of the Year" award?
Replaced with Casual game of the year...essentially the same thing :)

[yanuart]

Replaced with Casual game of the year...essentially the same thing
does it mean that casual games is always puzzle games ? I thought the word "casual" means something different than that or is the media trying to shape public's understanding ?

[terin]

I'll go out on a limb and speak for Russel here.

The answer is to broaden the catagory. Puzzle is very specific; but what about a casual game that does not fit a puzzle description? Does such a thing exist? I think it has the potential to exist, maybe we can name a few instances.

You can call most puzzle games casual but you can not call all casual games puzzles.

I don't think Russel is trying to change the opinion of the marketplace, that's a little outside his scope :)

Instead it is more or less using perceptions. Many people (the market) don't think that a match-3 game is a PUZZLE game. In fact, I recall recently that when asked the normal response from match-3 players in reference to what KIND of game product X (A match-3 game that they play) is their answer is "I don't know, its just a game."

They don't include themselves with puzzle games, puzzle games are things with weird shapes that fit together, or where you have to really think logically to solve puzzles. Fizzwizzle is a puzzle game to the market but Fairies is not.

It's a lesson in remembering the professional world is different from the market in perception.

-Joe

PS: I think it is a fairly unimportant semantic change, but one that will help people understand what kinds of games are in the catagory

[soniCron]

PS: I think it is a fairly unimportant semantic change, but one that will help people understand what kinds of games are in the catagory Actually, my problem with the change is that there exists no place for games like D.R.O.D. Even Professor Fizzwizzle hardly falls in the category of "casual" -- it, too, should certainly be categorized as "puzzle." So, by creating the casual category for the reasons he did, Russel inadvertantly ignored a huge -- and important -- facet of the gaming market. This rather upsets me, because games which really aren't puzzle games (Big Kahuna Reef, Chuzzle or Zzed) muscled out games that are.

[terin]

Well, I should let Russel answer it :) haha.

I dont know that puzzles are really that important anymore. Sorry Caravel and Grubby, who make wonderful products... but based on sheer volume they just don't compare. If it was a "one or the other" scenario I would rather see the groups combined under the more popular name than disappear entirely.

-Joe

[yanuart]

sorry, I don't mean to raise a lot of questions about casual vs puzzle. It's just that I always thought that casual games mean something that you can play casually therefore it they could be anything regardless of the genre.

I agree with you that puzzle is more spesific than casual and it means alot different so therefore I don't understand the generalization. puzzle is genre/type of game where casual is... what ?

Just like casual clothing/wear, it can be shoes, tshirts, hats, etc right ? Just because usually casual means tshirt n jeans that doesn't mean other product type can't be called casual .. right?

A sport game can be casual, shmup game is somewhat casual too, there's even a casual RTS. In the indie world I believe that all our games that we produced are casual hehe except that rich carmack guy who people still think as an indie.

anyway.. it's just semantic or my understanding is different than the others.. who knows..

[cyrus_zuo]

I switched puzzle to casual after a few concerns were raised. Is a match 3 a puzzle game or are only games like Jig Jag puzzle games? What about Tetris? Chuzzle? How about Revolved? Water Bugs? There are plenty of opinions about what is and what is not puzzle, so after chatting with quite a few individuals I expanded puzzle to be casual so the question of whether or not say Chuzzle was really a puzzle game wouldn't be as big a concern.

I know there are plenty of opinions on the matter, I'm not trying to set any standards, just trying to make it simplier and trying to not draw the lines. Casual is a bigger category...it should probably include things like Arkanoid and may in the future :).

[ErikH2000]

Actually, my problem with the change is that there exists no place for games like D.R.O.D. Even Professor Fizzwizzle hardly falls in the category of "casual" -- it, too, should certainly be categorized as "puzzle."
I decided to stay clear the hell away from "puzzle". It used to be a good word to mean mental challenges requiring distinct solutions, but it's been corrupted by the casual marketplace. If I have to stuff DROD in a category, then it goes in "adventure". Which makes some people unhappy, but it's all just semantics.

-Erik

[Vorax]

Dec 22 Game of the Year: Graphics

Err...it's Dec 23rd now and no GOTY:Graphics yet. Something going on?

[DrWilloughby]

It was up earlier today, Mythic Blades was #1, Darwinia was #2, Tribal Trouble #3, don't remember the rest.

[Melin]

or since there is a "best graphics award", maybe a "best soundtrack award" would be nice?

[Leper]

... maybe a "best soundtrack award" would be nice?

You'd like that wouldnt ya ;)

[cyrus_zuo]

or since there is a "best graphics award", maybe a "best soundtrack award" would be nice?
Best sound comes out tomorrow :)

[Melin]

You'd like that wouldnt ya ;)

Well, it's nice to hear other talented artists soundtracks.
Almost all games I've worked on during 2005 will be released in early 2006, so I'm not expecting any of my soundtracks to win an award.


Staffan Melin
Melin Music (http://www.melinmusic.com)

[Emmanuel]

FWIW, I really liked Melin's soundtrack for Water Bugs, it contributes to the experience a lot and is very enveloping.

Best regards,
Emmanuel

[Melin]

FWIW, I really liked Melin's soundtrack for Water Bugs, it contributes to the experience a lot and is very enveloping.

Best regards,
Emmanuel

Well it's worth something to me. I'm glad you like it. It was a fun soundtrack to do, even though I had to compose in XM format.

Staffan Melin
Melin Music (http://www.melinmusic.com/)

[Leper]

Well, it's nice to hear other talented artists soundtracks.
Almost all games I've worked on during 2005 will be released in early 2006, so I'm not expecting any of my soundtracks to win an award.


Staffan Melin
Melin Music (http://www.melinmusic.com)

I think you would!!! Your music is very good IMHO.