"They support the living sh*t out of it, and they support it really well," Capybara's Nathan Vella told Gamasutra when talking about Sony's free PhyreEngine. "Any of the parts that are inside Phyre that we didn't know how to fix or we had an issue with, they would fix it for us in a day. Overall, I think Sony's doing a lot of right stuff for small independent developers."
Vella's praise echoes similar sentiments from other PSN developers, like Shatter's Mario Wynands. In addition to free development tools, Vella noted other benefits by partnering with Sony. Critter Crunch was promoted heavily on the PlayStation Network via the PlayStation.Blog, Pulse and banners on the PlayStation Store. Most importantly, though, Sony "treated us like we weren't a small nobody developer from Toronto."
In spite of Sony's best intentions, though, Vella notes that sales aren't quite where they should be on the PSN. "It's still a fraction of what XBLA is doing, and we know that," he admitted. "But that's okay for us because they let us do what we wanted to do." Apparently what they want to do now is work on a zombie game.
Reader Comments (49)
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 6:40PM (Unverified) said
Well, apparently we can't have enough zombie, indie, zombie indie, or indie zombie games. So bring it on!
Reply
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 6:44PM (Unverified) said
This is another reason I like Sony, they take risks. Whether it be a new IP that seems risky (I.E Flower) or supporting Indy devs.
This is the way I see it
Sony = The Beatles
Microsoft = Metallica
Reply
This is the way I see it
Sony = The Beatles
Microsoft = Metallica
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 6:46PM (Unverified) said
eww, dont compare Sony to trash like the Beatles
Its more like
Sony = Lady Gaga
Microsoft = Britney Spears
Reply
Its more like
Sony = Lady Gaga
Microsoft = Britney Spears
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 6:48PM (Unverified) said
Oh, and Nintendo, you can be... Michael Jackson, I guess...
/Has nothing against MJ
Reply
/Has nothing against MJ
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 6:52PM (Unverified) said
I just deleted you off my friend's list, even if you were joking
Anyways, the reason I made that comparison is because Sony are peace loving ever changing company where as MS is a tough market player better suited for the mainstream. As for Nintendo, well, they were in their prime years ago, now they just arget little kids and not "hardcore" players. Make sense?
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Anyways, the reason I made that comparison is because Sony are peace loving ever changing company where as MS is a tough market player better suited for the mainstream. As for Nintendo, well, they were in their prime years ago, now they just arget little kids and not "hardcore" players. Make sense?
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:22PM (Unverified) said
"Sony = The Beatles
Microsoft = Metallica"
Microsoft wins then. Maybe that's why they're more popular and doing better than Sony this gen :P
Reply
Microsoft = Metallica"
Microsoft wins then. Maybe that's why they're more popular and doing better than Sony this gen :P
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:26PM (Unverified) said
That's basically what I said. Microsoft is more suited for the mainstream. But (imo) Sony has much better content.
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Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:33PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
LOL @ Metallica being better than The Beatles. Thats FAIL if I've ever seen it right there.
While we're making fun comparisons I'll make one of my own.
PS3 = Peyton Manning
360 = Drew Brees
Wii = Doug Flutie
Reply
While we're making fun comparisons I'll make one of my own.
PS3 = Peyton Manning
360 = Drew Brees
Wii = Doug Flutie
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 9:58PM (Unverified) said
lol yea they always take risks. that's why critter crunch is a completely different puzzle game from tetris and Uncharted was by no means inspired by Indiana Jones and Gears of War. and let's not forget killzone 1+2 which have absolutely no WW2 underpinnings.
sony rips-off more than any other company and that extends beyond games. they stuck a gun to the critter crunch devs' heads and handed them this press release.
Reply
sony rips-off more than any other company and that extends beyond games. they stuck a gun to the critter crunch devs' heads and handed them this press release.
Posted: Nov 21st 2009 1:56AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
@ladykiller
Dude Critter Crunch is nothing like Tetris. It's obvious you've never played it so no need to even bother. By your logic everything can be traced back as a ripoff of pong.
Reply
Dude Critter Crunch is nothing like Tetris. It's obvious you've never played it so no need to even bother. By your logic everything can be traced back as a ripoff of pong.
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:24PM (Unverified) said
Top 10 =/= selling well.
If #1 only sells 500 games that month, that's hardly a victory even if it is #1.
Reply
If #1 only sells 500 games that month, that's hardly a victory even if it is #1.
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:41PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
It is selling better though. I agree with Sly that it's an awesome game as well. It's just got so much damn personality. Reminds of me that Ghibli movie Totoro. Like when your on the map and you try to move to a spot thats not unlocked and the little bugger shakes his fat little cute head ... thats the bees knees right there.
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Posted: Nov 20th 2009 6:51PM linebeginstoblur said
ANOTHER zombie game? When people speak of the zombie apocalypse, they're not talking about a time in which zombies take over, they're talking about a time in which zombie-based movies, games, books, etc. take over.
Seriously, I think we've had enough. Don't get me wrong, I think Capybara could make a good one. I also think Housemarque's Dead Nation will be fantastic. That doesn't mean the theme is any less tired already...
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Seriously, I think we've had enough. Don't get me wrong, I think Capybara could make a good one. I also think Housemarque's Dead Nation will be fantastic. That doesn't mean the theme is any less tired already...
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:03PM (Unverified) said
Someone should make a movie about a girl who falls in love with a Beholder.
Reply
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 7:15PM Finito said
It finally came out in the EU store this week so I bought it even though I suck at action puzzle games. This game is so goddamn cute and funny, I love it.
Too bad about the zombie game though. It's very unoriginal by now. PSN already has Burn Zombie Burn, Zombie Apocalypse and the upcoming zombie game from the stardust hd devs.
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Too bad about the zombie game though. It's very unoriginal by now. PSN already has Burn Zombie Burn, Zombie Apocalypse and the upcoming zombie game from the stardust hd devs.
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 11:42PM HydrophobicFish PSN ID Hydrophob said
For every Twisted Pixel, you list, there's a PixelJunk... for every Behemoth, there's a Titan studios, for every ninja bee, there's a Sidhe (Shut up, it rhymes, that's how it's similar.
Then there's a Thatgamecompany, and several others.
Microsoft supports the indie devs, Sony gives them personal shoulder massages.
Reply
Then there's a Thatgamecompany, and several others.
Microsoft supports the indie devs, Sony gives them personal shoulder massages.
Posted: Nov 20th 2009 10:03PM (Unverified) said
kinda suspicious isn't it? well only the clever ones though, the sheep take it for what's read from whatever sony says.
it's included as a clause in their contract to give sony free positive press. of course the guys @ critter crunch are spewing BS - the xbla has a dedicated indie games channel for literally anybody to showcase their work and that's given us games like Dishwasher or even Braid. and it's clear sony keeps a tight noose over these devs which completely defies the notion of "indie", more like ball and chain. Braid was set free and allowed where Jonathan Blow wanted it to be, even on PSN now. would sony give that freedom to critter crunch? never, and it was taken from the iphone. poor guys. not that i would envy a game like critter crunch of which it's an overcharged puzzle game that is freeware on hundreds of flash sites.
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it's included as a clause in their contract to give sony free positive press. of course the guys @ critter crunch are spewing BS - the xbla has a dedicated indie games channel for literally anybody to showcase their work and that's given us games like Dishwasher or even Braid. and it's clear sony keeps a tight noose over these devs which completely defies the notion of "indie", more like ball and chain. Braid was set free and allowed where Jonathan Blow wanted it to be, even on PSN now. would sony give that freedom to critter crunch? never, and it was taken from the iphone. poor guys. not that i would envy a game like critter crunch of which it's an overcharged puzzle game that is freeware on hundreds of flash sites.
Posted: Nov 21st 2009 1:59AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Dude buzz off Critter Crunch has some serious spit and shine on it. The game is masterful. Don't hate just appreciate. Go play your blossoming XBLA games from the angelic MS that strong arms and forces companies to charge money for free DLC. Bitch.
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Posted: Nov 20th 2009 11:36PM (Unverified) said
I played it earlier the only thing that is holding me back from buying it, is oddly enough my severe lack of funds
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Posted: Nov 21st 2009 3:57AM Pure Black World Tendency said
More people should buy this game. At least give the demo a chance, for me it was a must-buy about 10 seconds in. :)
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Posted: Nov 21st 2009 9:37AM shadowhowl1900 said
its sad that it didnt sell too well but come on how much cuter do u want the character want be, this is like hotcakes when my girlfriend comes over and awes at the loading screen
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Posted: Nov 21st 2009 12:24PM kspraydad said
I don't get the 'fraction of XBLA' comment...this game isn't on LIVE right? So why are they lamenting sales that might not have happened there either?
When you put out a game that has been out for a year on the iPhone, your sales will not be large...that's a pro-tip my friend.
That being said...I bought the game to support some T-dotians.
Reply
When you put out a game that has been out for a year on the iPhone, your sales will not be large...that's a pro-tip my friend.
That being said...I bought the game to support some T-dotians.
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