FAQ: Indie Author badge

[Indinera]

Well you know my views. Anyone in the first three categories shouldn't be here at all as they're not independent.... ;)

I'm not sure if you mean the top 3 categories or the bottom 3? lol

[Uhfgood]

Technically speaking I have finished 3 games the last one being in 2002, and have sold them online (I think I sold 8 copies of one of my games). In the meantime like I said in other messages I made 90 levels for one game (which itself doesn't qualify me for anything but at least it's an honorable mention), and then I (semi)recently did all the programming for a game that got released on a portal. Even though I didn't totally design said game, I did have some input on it.

So generally speaking I should be eligible, but what does it really prove? I haven't finished a game on my own that was completely design, developed and programmed by me since 2002. If it's just for distinction I don't say it makes much.

[Reactor]

Profit from games>$10,000,000 ->no longer indie, you corporate douche!

:)

So generally speaking I should be eligible, but what does it really prove? I haven't finished a game on my own that was completely design, developed and programmed by me since 2002. If it's just for distinction I don't say it makes much.

I wouldn't over-analyse it. As Applewood rightly said,

Finishing a game to marketable quality is not [easy], hence the badge is to show who's talking from experience and who is merely talking.

There are obviously amazing guys on this forum who aren't developing games, and possibly worthy of some kind of an awesome looking badge, but when it comes to discussing how to make games independently, it's nice to quickly be able to pick out those with experience from the crowd. Not all sig links show that.

Plus, it makes you look awesum.

If you finished a game back in 2002, and can comment on the process of taking a game from the start of development to sale, then I for one would like to see you adorned with a badge.

[dannthr]

Does working on this game qualify me for some kind of badge?

http://lucasarts.com/games/monkeyisland2/

[Reactor]

Did you take some time off from composing to create the game independently?

[dannthr]

[Reactor]

Yes, as mentioned, nice badge. What's your point?

EDIT: I'm not hinting at you not having one... I just don't seem to be catching it.

[Uhfgood]

:)



I wouldn't over-analyse it. As Applewood rightly said,



There are obviously amazing guys on this forum who aren't developing games, and possibly worthy of some kind of an awesome looking badge, but when it comes to discussing how to make games independently, it's nice to quickly be able to pick out those with experience from the crowd. Not all sig links show that.

Plus, it makes you look awesum.

If you finished a game back in 2002, and can comment on the process of taking a game from the start of development to sale, then I for one would like to see you adorned with a badge.

Thanks Reactor :-)

[dannthr]

Did you take some time off from composing to create the game independently?

I worked 70 hour weeks, 40 for LucasArts, 30 for my regular job.

A real indie doesn't take time off, he invents time!

[Reactor]

Okay... but what's point about the badge? I'm still not getting it.

[dannthr]

Don't sweat it, man.

You've made it pretty clear this community is not for us asset devs.

[Applewood]

Its for everyone who has something valid to bring to the table. It's the badge that's not for asset devs.

[dannthr]

As stated before, the badge is what determines the value of what you bring to the table.

The validity of what I have to offer is suspect because I provide and develop quality assets for use in independent and AAA productions but do not implement those assets.

That's fine, the focus of this community is clear to me now.

[Applewood]

Look, why don't you drop this.

What you bring to the table is almost nothing mate. You supply wav files.

[Reactor]

Applewood is playing the bad cop, obviously ;)

The badge both celebrates the task of completing a game, and entering the independent game development arena, which is what this forum is all about. The extra forums for people who want to sell their services are a side part to that. It's hard to find indie devs outside this forum. Asset providers exist outside of this forum, all over the place. The badge is not an indicator of how much your opinion or contribution is measured in this community. There are tons of heavyweights on this forum who don't have a pretty badge. I respect many of them more than some indie badge wearers. But, it's still nice to see at a glance who has been through the same war that I have (so to speak).

Keep in mind, I play both roles of dev and asset developer. I'm not biased about this. There is a clear difference between completing a game to marketable quality and selling it, than creating content for games.

[princec]

Well you know my views. Anyone in the first three categories shouldn't be here at all as they're not independent.... ;)

I'm not independent of a Michelin star, I simply can't cook.

Sadly, that rules me out too as despite releasing a few indie titles I don't do it all the time. Maybe the next one will do it.... :)

*Snif* I'll get me coat :(

Cas :)

[Uhfgood]

I will probably ask for a badge when I get my current game done (well right now I'm just mostly building an editor, but when I finish the game that I will make with the editor).

[chrisroyale]

That's fine, the focus of this community is clear to me now.

Not to me, I'm more confused than ever ;)

Single-handedly writing and releasing an *fairly* successful xbox indie game doesn't warrant an 'Indie Author' badge either apparently. Maybe there's a secret handshake or something.

[Artinum]

Don't sweat it, man.
You've made it pretty clear this community is not for us asset devs.

You've got more chance than me of getting a badge. My two spokes in the fire of indie development don't even produce assets!!

[Applewood]

Not to me, I'm more confused than ever ;)

Single-handedly writing and releasing an *fairly* successful xbox indie game doesn't warrant an 'Indie Author' badge either apparently. Maybe there's a secret handshake or something.

It does imo. Trouble is that counts for Jack as I'm not a mod or anything. I remember there was a problem with assigning new ones a while back, though.

[Reactor]

I remember there was a problem with assigning new ones a while back, though.

Does anyone know if Svero is still around? I pm'd him not long ago to ask about the situation but... he seems to have vanished.

[princec]

Does anyone know if Svero is still around? I pm'd him not long ago to ask about the situation but... he seems to have vanished.

He's about, intermittently. Enjoying himself too much I think.

Cas :)

[Reactor]

Thanks princec. I fired off a pm a short while back and haven't heard back. I shall email the good man.

[tubberb]

Great work Hyr This shouldve been done much sooner

EDIT: Hmm, the info topics about the games are not stickified, and AFAICT theyre not linked to in the main topics in this forum. Wouldnt those topics be interested to keep in sight? They contain useful information.

[Makani]

I can't figure out who the active moderators are. Even if I find someone, I do not seem to have the permission to pm them or anyone (so weird!). As such, I'm asking through this post (which will first go through days of moderation before showing up if at all) if I can also get one of those Indie Author badges. I've commercially published the flash game 'Alien Paratroopers' and the iPhone / iPad / Android game, 'Red Card Rampage'.

Thanks,

Makani

[Reactor]

I can't figure out who the active moderators are.

Just look for the people with Moderator next to their name.

Even if I find someone, I do not seem to have the permission to pm them or anyone (so weird!).

The forum has a fair few quirks at the moment. The main guy who'd normally fix things is quite busy at the moment, so I'm afraid we're stuck with them for the time being. For example, I'm supposed to be a mod, but for some reason even though I've been set to be one, I lack the usual super powers.

That said, if you need to pm someone and can't get through to a moderator, try me. I'll pass on your request to a moderator. I've done it a few times for people.

[peacemaker]

Ok... I know I'm new around here but the badge looks shiny and I've got several commercially released games credited to my name :)

Do they have to be "indie" games for this badge though?

I've worked for a few big games companies and released games on the PS2, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Nothing for myself yet but I'm working on it!

[Reactor]

Do they have to be "indie" games for this badge though?

Yes, the idea of the badge is to show who has independently developed (and sold) a game. Obviously there's some fuzziness to the details, but that's the main idea. The problem at the moment is, there are a few forum quirks that are preventing most worthy of the badge from receiving it. So for now, it's best to ignore it :)

Nothing for myself yet but I'm working on it!

Sounds good.

[meds]

Does it count if you've sold one game for $2.50 and quite possibly your mum bought the only copy you sold?


*Also what is the definition of indie game? Are we talking a game made without the help of a publisher?

[Reactor]

Does it count if you've sold one game for $2.50 and quite possibly your mum bought the only copy you sold?

Possibly not :) But, I think that'd be one of those things looked at on a case by case basis.

*Also what is the definition of indie game? Are we talking a game made without the help of a publisher?

That would be my interpretation, but it is somewhat open to debate.