(reposted here)
I just wrote up a blog post doing a quick handicapping of the IGF entries that I have any knowledge of. Might be of interest to some people here, so I'm reposting it. Sorry if I didn't mention your game, mention it in the thread! Unless you are Dan Marshall, because excluding his game should give him something to rant about on his blog
The IGF just posted the list of 141 entries to the 2007 Independent Games Festival. The big scary ones that are likely to make the rest of the contestants cry in their milk:
Venture Arctic -- Yes, this is our game, I have to mention it, but I won't say whether or not I think we'll be finalists. Bad form.
Bang! Howdy! -- The follow up to Puzzle Pirates by Three Rings took years and a big team. It's also innovative and fun. And it pushes a microcurrency system. Lookout IGF.
Perplex City -- This real-world/online crossover game gives riddles to players in which they have to solve problems in the real world, on the internet, and in the game. Definitely Oscar... uh I mean... IGF bait. Plus they appear to have crazy funding and just announced a deal to distribute in Gamestop. These guys mean business.
Braid -- Won the Innovation in Game Design award last year but was incomplete. Will judges give it a second look for the grand prize?
Golf? -- A crazy new take on traditional golf by the now broken-up Chronic Logic (we're not dead! we think we're feeling better!). Art style is old school vector and it's just plain weird. Love it or hate it, it might slip into a finalist berth.
Kingdom Elemental -- A VERY fun tactical RPG/RTS, development assisted by the remains of Chronic Logic. Nothing new here, but wicked fun.
(EDIT: this game was NOT made by the creator of Trash, apologies to both Scott Thunelius and Mark Currie)
New Star Soccer 3 -- Haven't played it, but Russ Carroll, editor of Game Tunnel, LOVES it, which counts for a lot. Apparently, gotta play it to believe it. Yes, you can become addicted to gambling at the race track and other odd non-soccer related activites.
Kudos -- Indie idol Cliff Harris' UI-heavy take on what life would be like if you stared at one screen all day and pushed buttons. Oh wait, that IS what life is like. Not my personal fave, but Cliff is, and his games strike a nerve with a lot of people.
Steam Brigade -- A 2d side-scrolling RTS with great steam-punk art. Could be a dark horse.
Eets -- A 2d puzzle game where you control the main character by putting him in good and bad moods with food. Crazy, wacky, fun, frustrating; reminds me of my ex.
Virtual Villagers -- Out of left-field casual hit where you control castaways on an island by telling them what to do, quitting the game, coming back hours later when they are done, and then telling them to do something else. I wanted to hate this game, but I don't know that I've ever had a stronger compulsion to see what's next. The IGF slammed this company's previous effort, Fish Tycoon, which could make them feel bad and rate this one higher, or could mean that they don't like this company so the game will get rated lower, or have no effect at all.
Minions of Mirth -- Indie MMO with constantly expanding content. I would pick it for the Tech prize -- at least a finalist spot.
Bone: The Great Cow Race -- Yes, that Bone. NO! Not THAT bone! The other one. THe one in the comic books. With the little white guy. Oh, never mind.
PlayDoJam -- Web camera game about a bouncing ball. Small, simple, might just be fun and different enough to sneak into a finalist spot.
Other games which I haven't played but are maybe worth noting:
Penumbra -- Beatuiful horror adventure game. I know nothing about it besides that it is supposed to be beautiful and atmospheric.
Tune -- Has an odd and POSSIBLY compelling game mechanic.
Global Conflicts: Palenstine -- Taking on a subject matter which actually MEANS something in the world has to be worth something.
Other games worth noting:
Aveyond -- Well constructed, LONG old-school console style RPG. Unexpected portal sales hit.
Armadillo Run -- Physics-based Incredible Machine-like game. Receiving a lot of affection from smelly hairy men. Glad I'm not that game.
Blast Miner -- The shard that split off from Chronic Logic made this one. I have no idea if it's good, but it's the brainchild of the creator of Gish.
Dangerous High School Girls in Trouble -- Haven't played it yet, heard some interesting things. Mae by the people who did Witches Yarn, which was a finalist in game design last year.
Feel free to comment, flame, tell me I don't like Torque enough, etc. THis is my list and I'm stickin to it!
In all seriousness, I've only played 5 percent of the games on this list, but I keep up pretty well with the indie scene. There are surely some on the list that are going to be finalists and maybe winners that I haven't mentioned. Grain of salt and some online etiquitte por favor.