Xepherys

@Dshark

Exciting, isn't it?! :)

@Wackydavo I'm with you on this entirely. This could really make a huge shift. I've found myself over the years being more interested in indie games because they are often more fresh and unique. Sadly, they also have lower production values because many of them simply don't have the case. This is the perfect middle ground. DF may not be indie (they are biggish), but they aren't Activision-Blizzard. They don't have unlimited funds. Now they are free of the burdens of publishers and investment folk making decisions about their own game. I can see this turning the tide and making the gamin industry truly remarkable once again - as big a paradigm shift as games moving from arcades into homes.

@Dick Socrates Hmmm, that's a pretty gross generalization. I gave $15 to Double Fine through this. I've given a few hundred over the years to Child's Play. I donate regularly to charities for veterans who need care (as a vet myself, this is important to me). I'm sure other also give in other places as well. So, what you're saying is that we should have no material possessions and simply give all our money to charity? I'd rather give Double Fine $15 for something I'm interested in than $60 (retail game price). That $45 can be used for all sorts of things, including dropping a few bucks in some charity buckets.

#headoutofrear

http://www.xepherys.net/wordpress/?p=68

I love crowd-sourced funding, and this really takes the case. I love video games even more, so combining the two into what is rapidly becoming an epic event pleases me beyond words.

@(Unverified) No, this is for Double Fine Adventure, which has already been described as a modern-envisioned point-n-click adventure game (think Money Island, King's Quest, et cetera).

Psychonauts 2 will likely be separate entirely, though I'd happily kick in $ on a kickstarter for it as well.

@Electrium "charming"...

You know, I've become extremely fond of low-budget, low-personnel indie games lately. I've described them as unique, innovative, back-to-basics. Somehow "charming" has eluded me thus far. You, my friend, have hit the proverbial nail on the head (possibly with a golden hammer). This game, like Limbo and Braid, is charming.

@TheShaper I'd say the feeling is closer to that of Braid. There's a mild desperation that keeps pulling everything together. It's a very ethereal game. It's easily in the category of Brain and Limbo for me - some of the best XBLA titles to date.

@godly967 Fairly short - About 8 hours for 200GS (two play throughs). However, it's worth every MS point you toss at it.

@VideoGameConnection "If your really excited for ITSP you should tryout Microbot because it's like the same game with the exception that ITSP wants to pretend it was made by Play Dead.
Yeah Bastion looks alright but lets face it, none of these games are the caliber of Shadow Complex or Limbo. "

I'm going to have to toss my twopence in here. I consider Braid and Limbo to be two of the best XBLA titles ever, and both reaffirmed my love for small-budget games and developers. I would put Bastion on par with Braid. They are, obviously, very different games, but the feeling (more than just hand-drawn graphics and good tunes) of them are very similar. Both are short(ish), but sweet.

ITSP, I think, looks to be an interesting game with an awesome style and potentially varied gameplay (at least from the gameplay videos I've seen).

While Fruit Ninja is... well, it is what it is. I'll still probably pick it up for my kids - may as well close the loop and get them all.

@TwEE

I tend to disagree. First, you aren't paying $60 (or even $20) for the game. The need to resell or share is diminished greatly. Second, name one other place this happens? PC gaming. Even with physical discs, you often need single-use keys to play the game, making it worthless on the used market. Or DRM-protected apps or music (even physical CDs sometimes).