Experiment: Indie Superstar Videocast

[MiceHead]

We're currently creating the pilot episode of "Indie Superstar," a bi-weekly web-based video news show geared towards raising awareness about independent games. If you're an independent games developer (what are the chances!?), and would like us to talk about/show off your productions, I'd like to hear from you. I've posted some preliminary information at the Indie Superstar website (http://www.indiesuperstar.com/).

At this point, it's an experiment to see if we can produce something that is a) worth watching and b) sustainable by our studio. Ideally, it'll increase the profile of indie gaming. (Worst-case scenario, it will be so offensive that if you spot me walking down the street, you'll want to run over to smack me in the face.)

Check out the website (http://www.indiesuperstar.com/), and drop us a note. Comments and suggestions are most welcome.

[MiceHead]

A few folks have asked what kind of contributions we're looking for. We'd like to show off the breadth of indie gaming, so if you have a game demo, screenshots, video, or an interesting story to tell, drop us a note (support@dejobaan.com).

[MiceHead]

At the risk of posting thrice in a row (I received some e-mail, but I was hoping there'd be more interest in the forums), here's a tentative outline for what I'd like to cover in the pilot episode:

Welcome - A brief introduction to what Indie Superstar is about
YOU should be interested in independent games
You're missing out on enjoyable games
You're missing out on some particularly innovative games
It's affordable fun ($20 titles versus $60)
You're just plain missing out on all the fun! Panic!
Legitimization (or: get with the program; everyone else loves us)

Publishers say "yes" to indies (GG, Manifesto)
Industry events are increasingly popular (IGF)
Do you play indie games and not know it? (I.e. we're not scary.)
Don't panic! Here's how to stay in-the-know

Indie gaming websites
Gamging magazines (CGW, PCG)
Demo sites (larger sites/shareware sites)
Ask friends who are cooler than you
Podcasts
And, of course, Indie Superstar
Wrap-upAlso, just to repeat -- if you'd like us to point out your work as an example of indie gaming at its finest, drop us a quick note (support@dejobaan.com) to that effect. I'd posted in another thread that some sites have press packages, or otherwise give explicit permission to use their media in reference to a game, but most don't.


And finally, if you have any comments or suggestions on the above outline, please let me know. The target audience for Indie Superstar is the potential game buyer, but I figure that includes all of us.

Thanks.

[Sparky]

Gaming magazines (CGW, PCG)
Hey, don't forget Computer Games Magazine (http://www.cgonline.com)! They're very indie-friendly.

[Sirrus]

I find it strange how Manifesto still gets any kind of press or audience when they are still just talking. Garage Games pulled it off well because of the community they fostered and the tech they provide - I don't see the benefit here. We don't need another indie portal without some true incentives.

My point is that I don't see the benefit of this supposedly revolutionary entity - that hasn't even done anything yet. So it amazes me how much press you can get just from being a board game designer that isn't someone like Larry Harris (Paranoia was a real fun game, granted, but that doesn't mean much in terms of running a computer game publishing company).

[cliffski]

I share your concerns. Costiks blog can be interesting, but generally its about how they want to raise lots and lots of money. I was keen for a while, because it seemed like a good idea, but to be honest the terms of the deal were too much like any other portal to interest me.
I look forward to seeing the finished product, but I really can't see why it's taking so long.

[MiceHead]

Hey, don't forget Computer Games Magazine (http://www.cgonline.com/)! They're very indie-friendly.

You know, I never even knew that; thanks!

I find it strange how Manifesto still gets any kind of press or audience when they are still just talking.

Hmm. Perhaps Valve/Steam, as they've published Ragdoll Kung Fu and Darwinia?

[ErikH2000]

MiceHead, when you get your video done, I'd like to carry it on my CD magazine if you are interested.

Costikyan is an attention-getting machine. He gets it because he is always blogging, writing articles, and making speeches (http://www.manifestogames.com/conf.html). If anybody here who was equally articulate and interesting put the same effort and expense into it, I'm guessing he would get similar media attention. As far as raising money, I believe Manifesto got as much as they wanted (I heard $100k at one point), stopping short of collecting more, and now they are busy bringing their portal online. From talking to them and reading the blog entries, it seems they are learning some newcomer lessons about the portal, but still... learning quickly. For media promotion and developer relations, I think they are doing an excellent job right now.

-Erik

[MiceHead]

MiceHead, when you get your video done, I'd like to carry it on my CD magazine if you are interested.

I was thinking about distributing it under one of the Creative Commons licenses (the one that allows you to freely distribute something, so long as the Queen of England doesn't find out -- she hates indie games). I'm not sure if that would make the proposition more or less attractive/difficult. Either way, I think that's a grand idea, and will drop you a note when the video is produced.