Cautionary tale for indies.

[Musenik]

Today I was informed by Big Fish Games that they have dropped my game after a week on their site.

Apparently they were getting too many complaints about the following 'scene'.



I assume, during their testing this was found and okayed. It is a choke point in the story which is required for a later confrontation. Players have to deal with this situation to continue the game.

Having lost the distribution of the largest portal basically means, I will not recoup my expenses. Until then, it had been climbing the top 100 every day. During that time, it's climb was hindered by two things. One was an anti-virus checker's false positive, due to their wrapper. The other was the warning they added to the game's description: "This game contains scenes that some players may find of a controversial nature."

On their forums, there was an early outcry against the original description. (They changed it and added the warning after one day.) A few complaints continued, but as people began to play the game, more and more members came to its defense on the forum. However, complaints kept arriving at their customer service department.

Consider this tale as a benchmark for content that went too far for one company.

Your mileage may vary.

[Jeff]

Maybe you can make a special BFG version of the game that is lighter or something.

However, one of the whole points of being independent is that you can make whatever you want without having a publisher telling you what is or is not kosher. It would suck to be bullied by BFG into changing the story of your game.

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by Jeff

Maybe you can make a special BFG version of the game that is lighter or something.

I agree, a portal version. Just something to keep in mind when a game has to appease to a mass consumer base. Personal note, I think I made a portal version for Cactus Bruce for RA/Yahoo. Had to do with evolutions or something, been a while, can't remember - but, my website still had the original version.

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by Jeff

However, one of the whole points of being independent is that you can make whatever you want without having a publisher telling you what is or is not kosher.

Originally Posted by Musenik

Having lost the distribution of the largest portal basically means, I will not recoup my expenses.

To bring another point, what is more important? To stick to your gun and label yourself "independent" or to be more market savvy and strive for more financial independence. Of course a couple developers can achieve both, like Cliffski, but I'd rather take the latter.

[papillon]

Ouch!

I saw some of the 'outcry' on the forums. It's surprising how worked up they got at the mere mention of bullying, without even bothering to play the game.

I know I've gently pushed the envelope a few times and gotten away with it... It's hard to know what exactly will set them off. I was personally quite startled by the opening of, say, Heartwild Solitaire... I mean, who expects THAT from a solitaire game? (The content wouldn't have made me raise an eyebrow in a serious adventure game, but it was very strange in a card game, especially for being smack in the face at the start of the game.)

Is it really gone completely, or just pulled from the main listings? I can still get to the game's page and download the stub. I know Laxius Force (which contained sufficient questionable content that I'm surprised they took it onboard at all) was available on BFG but not findable through the general browser or ever listed in the new games list, you had to know it was there and jump directly to it.

[KNau]

That sucks. If it's any consolation you now bear the scars from the battle so many other Writer's Guild members face - "Dumb it down for the masses!"

[Maupin]

I'm actually surprised they accepted DHSGIT with that (rape aftermath?) scene included.

Reading through their forums, apparently the original description mentioned "bullying" and just seeing people's kneejerk reactions to that topic - having not even played the game - gives me an idea what BFG customer support was up against.

[Jeff]

Originally Posted by SteveZ

To bring another point, what is more important? To stick to your gun and label yourself "independent" or to be more market savvy and strive for more financial independence. Of course a couple developers can achieve both, like Cliffski, but I'd rather take the latter.

There's a fine line and it's a personal choice. I mean we are all selling our games, right? They're not free. Of course money is a large factor. This thread is a testament to why it can be bad to rely on a single publisher though.

You're right though, if it's a choice between freedom and going bankrupt, it's a no brainer.

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by Jeff

However, one of the whole points of being independent is that you can make whatever you want without having a publisher telling you what is or is not kosher. It would suck to be bullied by BFG into changing the story of your game.

Being independent doesn't mean every portal has to accept all aspects of your game. BFG has to be accountable to their audience. Being independent means you can choose whether you want to adjust your game to their audience or not. Unless BFG is your publisher, they can't force you to change your game.

You just have to decide what's in your best interest. But if BFG is your main distribution channel, then it might be a good idea to make them a custom version.

[PoV]

I guess this means you're eligible for a "director's cut".

[Musenik]

Originally Posted by Maupin

I'm actually surprised they accepted DHSGIT with that (rape aftermath?) scene included.

In my mind it was a rape prevention scene. It's the moment, after a chase sequence, you catch up with the person who abducted one of your girls. But it's presented ambiguously, and could be interpreted as having arrived too late and are taking vengeance.

The ambiguity of the scene is part of its strength. That's my opinion.

Ambiguity is one of the features of linear narrative that doesn't translate well to interactivity. If a player is allowed to choose what happened, they are resolving ambiguity. Here ambiguity is used to press the player's button, not the other way around.

Sorry, got a little sidetracked. Although I was hoping Big Fish would give the big bump that recoups my expenses, it is still selling on Wild Tangent, a few Mac sites, and now Amazon. I worry more about other portals who were considering the title. Will they take a pass now because of Big Fish?

[Dave TZ]

I'm currently playing (and enjoying!) your game, but I do agree that it contains some scenes of a controversial nature. I haven't got as far as the scene depicted in that screenshot, but there's been a few other cases that would require a few warnings. That one seemingly innocuous scene mxing medications for the pharmacist could technically cause the game to be refused classifcation in Australia.

I'm still in the early setup stages for my adventures into indie game business myself, pondering what my first title will be about, but I'm steadily coming to the opinion that I should be aiming for PG or less purely to avoid the hassle of this kind of controversy. But I'm not a writer, so it's an easier decision to avoid the sort of darkness in content that may be needed for a good story.

[JGOware]

"Having lost the distribution of the largest portal basically means, I will not recoup my expenses."

Sadly, you should not have relied on them (or any portal) to recoup investments. Any portal sales at all should be looked at as a bonus and not the primary revenue generator.

[ChrisP]

So I take it you're not going to make a dumbed-down-for-the-portal version? (If they'd even let you change the game after release.) It sucks to have to do that, but on a pragmatic level it doesn't seem like it would be that hard. Even just changing the text might be enough. Remove the bit about Varsity Boy's pants being down, maybe keep the victim conscious and struggling, and replace shooting him in the head with whacking him with a stick until he runs away (+ is never heard from again), and the scene suddenly becomes a lot less explicit... Perhaps that would be enough to appease people?

[Game Producer]

Turn this into your advantage: make a promotional campaign telling how you are the first casual game that got BANNED by BFG.

That should get people talking and walking... and going to your site & buy stuff.

This could be the best promotional thing ever happened to you

[desmasic]

Originally Posted by Polycount Productions

Turn this into your advantage: make a promotional campaign telling how you are the first casual game that got BANNED by BFG.

That should get people talking and walking... and going to your site & buy stuff.

This could be the best promotional thing ever happened to you

Won't this also drive away all audience who found this game controversial from all his future releases as well? I mean, they are going to avoid any title if they start thinking that this developer will try to "squeeze" in such stuff in every game (if the impression they get from this banning is that even BFG wasn't familiar with the content in the middle).

Or maybe not..

[cliffski]

this is a PR gift. You need to use it.
If this happened to me, I'd be emailing everyone everywhere and getting them to write about it.
You should also let BMT affiliates sell your game. I'd love to have it on my site.

[Desktop Gaming]

People are far too easily offended these days. Its almost as if being offended by absolutely anything is a moral obligation.

[JoKa]

This is ridiculous. BFG aims at a more mature audience featuring games with killers and deadly ghost in a creepy atmosphere and now THIS?

Reminds me of the world-shaking Nipplegate scandal in a country with the largest XXX-industry and tv shows like J.Springer, where the protagonists are paid to undress their opponents and slap each other right into the face

Heads up, try to sell them a "portalized" version and use this alternative promotion opportunity meanwhile...

[jcottier]

Originally Posted by JoKa

This is ridiculous. BFG aims at a more mature audience featuring games with killers and deadly ghost in a creepy atmosphere and now THIS?

Well, I don't think they are aiming at a more mature audience. It is the same audience: women between 30 to 60 years old.

I don't think this audience as problem playing a creepy game... they are adults.

Here, we are talking about the main protagonist whom just shot a guy and enjoy it (she kisses the smoking gun). No artwork just text, making it even stronger. I don't think this audience wants to play some kind of psycho killer girl...

It is sad for you that they removed the game, but to be honest, I'm surprised they took it initialy with this type of content.

JC

[Colm]

Originally Posted by cliffski

this is a PR gift. You need to use it.
If this happened to me, I'd be emailing everyone everywhere and getting them to write about it.
You should also let BMT affiliates sell your game. I'd love to have it on my site.

This is a good idea. Hit up some game news blogs and see if they are interested in interviewing you about it. With all the awards the game has gotten it's got the makings of a good story.

[Game Producer]

Scare people away? Rubbish!

Use it.

See, Cliff also suggests it:

Originally Posted by cliffski

this is a PR gift. You need to use it.
If this happened to me, I'd be emailing everyone everywhere and getting them to write about it.
You should also let BMT affiliates sell your game. I'd love to have it on my site.

Story about "BFG banning your game"... drives attention.

you should be sending press releases already...

[Jack Norton]

Originally Posted by Musenik

Consider this tale as a benchmark for content that went too far for one company.

It's a bit comparable to censorship, isn't it?
Anyway this is another reason why my games, even the more "casual" ones will never appear on portals. I want complete freedom If I want a lesbian scene in one of my games, and if my public is fine with it, let it be. BTW I don't mean anything "hardcore", just an innocent kiss between 2 girls. But I bet that would have been enough to start a riot on many portals if my game was published

edit: making a custom version is acceptable, if they're your main audience and the story doesn't change completely (which probably isn't your case).

[320x240]

Is it about the content or about the way the content is presented?

Don't underestimate 'jane public'. She may not be able to think for herself but she still has instincts. Sometimes these instincts are right even if they are expressed in a harsh manner. This could be one of those cases.

[Sol_HSA]

Originally Posted by Maupin

I'm actually surprised they accepted DHSGIT with that (rape aftermath?) scene included.

I'd assume they don't play the games through. And especially don't explore all potential endings.

My wife was extremely furious about said ending, to put it mildly.

[Desktop Gaming]

Hmm.... maybe I should pick a different name if "Magicville: Quest for the Wizard's Sleeve" is going go make people get all funny.

[Nikster]

I think "Magicville: Quest for the Wizard's Sleeve at wellytop moutain" would be a cool name for a game.

[AlexWeldon]

You'll recall that I said I was, not offended, but a little uneasy about certain themes in the game when you first posted a demo here almost a year ago. Given that almost nothing offends me, I'm not surprised at all that many BFG customers are up in arms about the game, especially since a lot of them are moms.

I understand that your game is intended as social commentary, and I applaud that, but most people are not smart enough to get that. Most people's gut feeling about games is that the player characters are "heroes," and the activities that you engage in to get through the game are encouraged or at least acceptable, so of course they'll be upset about a came that casts you in the role of a group of high school girls who lie, connive, bully and exploit their sexuality (and adults' discomfort about their sexuality) to progress through the game.

Who cares if that's what high school is really like (minus the giant conspiracy and mystery)? The BFG crowd sees "high school girls" and expects that the game is going to involve bake sale fundraisers, trying out for the cheerleading squad, and all the other things they wish their daughters were doing instead of smoking, shoplifting, cutting class and having sex.

Originally Posted by Jack Norton

It's a bit comparable to censorship, isn't it?

No, it isn't. Censorship is when the government prevents you from selling something at all. BFG is not the government, it's a private business, and as such has the right to sell or not sell anything it pleases. When it's a small company or store making those choices, it's no problem... the problem is not that BFG has decided not to carry that game, but that the casual game developers have handed control of their own customer base to BFG, so now if BFG doesn't want to sell something, the people who made it are S.O.L.

[Scharlo]

Originally Posted by JGOware

"Having lost the distribution of the largest portal basically means, I will not recoup my expenses."

Sadly, you should not have relied on them (or any portal) to recoup investments. Any portal sales at all should be looked at as a bonus and not the primary revenue generator.

Why ? If this is your strategy it doesn't mean that it would make sense to someone else. If you compare average revenues from direct sales to the portal sales, you will see that barely anyone is recouping cost from direct sales.
Unless you count people that claim that their work is not part of the expense.

[papillon]

BTW I don't mean anything "hardcore", just an innocent kiss between 2 girls. But I bet that would have been enough to start a riot on many portals if my game was published

(minor spoiler obviously)

Fatal Hearts does have girl-girl kissing. With an actual picture, not just text. And the player character can, in some endings, kill people with her bare hands, rather messily. It hasn't started a riot. However, as I dimly remember it:

- when the game was first presented to them, BFG was mildly uncomfortable about the combination of a dark/dramatic storyline with 'childish' anime graphics, which might cause people to be misled and then upset.
- the game was only picked up after enough players asked them for it.

I have never had a huge outcry that I know of, nor any offended demands for a refund. Browsing forums and such online, I have seen exactly two players bothered by the lesbian thing (one more than the other). I have also seen several young players complaining that their parents took the game away and said they couldn't play it because it was too scary. (Which is fair enough. I do try to tell people it's NOT meant for the very young!)

But the game is quite up-front in the description that it involves murder and vampires, which ought to steer away anyone looking for Cheerful Happy Bake Sale. And I played quite cautiously with the lesbian angle - the character in question is constantly examining the PC for subtle hints that her affection might be returned. If your choices in the plot don't make her think that you might be open to the idea, she never mentions it. Even if she does mention it, if you tell her no, she drops the subject.

I felt a bit silly for handling it so gingerly, but I didn't want anyone to feel that they were unexpectedly forced into content they didn't want.

Most people's gut feeling about games is that the player characters are "heroes," and the activities that you engage in to get through the game are encouraged or at least acceptable, so of course they'll be upset about a came that casts you in the role of a group of high school girls who lie, connive, bully and exploit their sexuality (and adults' discomfort about their sexuality) to progress through the game.

Less-offended forum poster was also somewhat shocked that there was (hetero) passionate kissing in FH, but other posters pointed out that teenagers DO that sort of thing...

.... Enh, back on topic. Maybe the original scarier description warning people what they were getting into was a better idea? Do open yourself to BMT affiliates if you can, I can't promise that I'll send many sales but it sure beats linking people to the game on BFG!