Manifesto Games Interview

[NoName]

Gamecloud got an interview (http://www.gamecloud.com/article.php?article_id=1681) with the founders of Manifesto Games. It has some good information on their immediate plans for the company as well as some background information on their experience in the industry. It sounds like they've been getting a lot of positive feedback.
Gamecloud - Why did you guys decide to create your own game developer/publisher?

Greg Costikyan - When I wrote part of the Scratchware Manifesto, basically talking about the problems I see, back in 2000, it was basically ignored. When I ranted at GDC this year, developers were just about ready to grab pitchforks and storm the convention center. There's been a cultural change in the development community--people are ready for this.

[TheKeck]

So, the key to all this working, it seems, is the stuff about "indie development" catching on. I think this is going to be a huge hurdle. I mean, we just expect so much from games these days. I can handle a little lack in the "graphic glitz" as he likes to say, as long as we don't have to suffer in the area of "gameplay glitz" as well. These games are going to have to be AMAZINGLY fun, if they actually hope to succeed. That's just my thought.

[NoName]

These games are going to have to be AMAZINGLY fun, if they actually hope to succeed. That's just my thought.
So... you would play games that have great graphics but are only so so fun? I think the fun factor is the main selling point in any game, despite the graphics.

[TheKeck]

So... you would play games that have great graphics but are only so so fun? I think the fun factor is the main selling point in any game, despite the graphics.

No, what I'm saying is that I think these AAA titles they keep bashing are pretty darn fun. I think that graphics are not the only thing they work on.

I tried Control Monger, for instance, (which I don't know much about, but it seemed pretty "indie" to me.) The graphics were obvioulsy pathetic compared to modern titles, but the game was also AWFUL to play.

I think a lot of indie development has the danger of falling short in BOTH gameplay and graphics, leaving it with no reason for people to buy. Does that makes sense?

[bapenguin]

Hmmm...this may be an opening for my masterpiece work Massacre of the Fairies (http://www.happyapplefarm.net/mof). It's been in development almost as long as Duke Nukem Forever!

[motor]

I'm still unclear what this guy brings to the table. There are plenty of portals for purching games on-line, both large and small. This guy doesn't have money to invest in titles, he isn't going to develop them himself, is he just getting all this press for setting up another web-based shareware store. How does that change anything?

[XxSATANxX]

This is a solution in search of a problem.

Indie = teh suck

I think the indie game movement is alive and well. I think they are called MODS. As for really original game play and development I think the industry has tried to create a number of methods for the indie minded game developer. Most of it just sux. Game theory is tough stuff. Think about Chess. It evolved over 1000 years ago. In terms of game theory what has surpassed it?

Most Indie folks who have decent (playable) games have figured out how to sell them online. If the great Manifeasto Games becomes a portal for Indie stuff then I guess the dream is realized? Seems pretty simple to me. Find good indie games and sell them online. When those sales numbers grow to X point go retail. They are'nt going to actually fund anyone are they?????

If they are I got an idea just need about 200K to get going!

Check out

Horny Space Rabbits Must Die by the Sword of Diablo Dungeons Space Quest 5

at

http://www.HornySpaceRabbitsMustDiebytheSwordofDiabloDung eonsSpaceQuest5.org

the .org thing makes it seem sooo indie

[bapenguin]

http://www.HornySpaceRabbitsMustDiebytheSwordofDiabloDung eonsSpaceQuest5.org


I'm so registering that domain name ;)