Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA['What's it like to have your indie game stolen?']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/whats-it-like-to-have-your-indie-game-stolen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/whats-it-like-to-have-your-indie-game-stolen/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/16/whats-it-like-to-have-your-indie-game-stolen/#comments

No journalist, friend or decent human being wants to ask that question, especially not to an 18-year-old first-time developer who recently saw success as a student finalist in IGF 2012. Unfortunately, today we asked Mattia Traverso that very thing about his game One and One Story, after the events unfolded live on his Twitter feed: Traverso alerted the community that One and One Story had been counterfieted with "THEY STOLE MY GAME" and a succession of five tweets that included seven capitalized f-bombs.

One and One Story hadn't been cloned or copied, but it was completely stolen -- code, graphics and all. The group that stole it implemented a few unused assets that were hidden in the game file, Traverso told Joystiq, and its version has completely broken animations and stretched graphics.

"It's kind of hilarious," Traverso said hours after his initial discovery. But when he first got the Google Alert and tracked down the stolen game to the App Store this morning, Traverso didn't find anything about the situation amusing.

"I panicked. I didn't know what to do, so I screamed on Twitter," he said.

His screaming didn't go unnoticed and it drew the attention of other indies, including Canabalt's Adam Saltsman. Saltsman instructed Traverso to fill out a DMCA takedown, and two hours after his discovery Traverso was able to breathe a little easier.

Continue reading 'What's it like to have your indie game stolen?'

Joystiq'What's it like to have your indie game stolen?' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>app-storeclonecopycopyrightcopyright-infringementDMCAigfigf-student-showcase-2012iosipadiphoneMattia-TraversoMaTXmobileOne-and-One-StorypcFri, 16 Mar 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/13/fezes-are-cool-an-afternoon-with-phil-fish/#comments Amidst the gridlocked, city-wide pandemonium that is SXSW Interactive, I was able to rescue Fez's lead designer and artist Phil Fish from a pack of ravenous, business-card waving fans long enough for an interview. We set up at the quiet end of the Palmer Events Center's glass-lined second floor, standing at a chest high, sidewalk cafe-esque table overlooking Zilker Park. It had been raining for two days straight, but that morning the clouds had parted and festival attendees were treated to one of the few gorgeous spring afternoons Texas will get this year.

Fez has missed its most recently announced release window of Q1 2012, but the fact that the game is undergoing Microsoft certification means that it'll be out relatively soon. "We almost made it to Q1," Fish said. "We entered certification like two weeks ago, but we actually just failed it, which is kinda standard. Pretty much everybody fails their first cert."

Microsoft has a two-month window in which it can release Fez once it has gone gold, and Fish wants to make sure it happens as quickly as possible. "We're trying to put pressure on them to release it as soon as possible because the zeitgeist is really good right now, with the movie starting to get a lot of play and the award. And, also, it's been five years. I don't want to wait another two months after that."

Continue reading Fezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish

JoystiqFezes are cool: An afternoon with Phil Fish originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FezIGFigf-2012indie-game-the-movieKickstarterLisanne-PajotmicrosoftPhil-FishPolytronpolytron-corporationsummer-of-arcadeSXSW-2012XBLAxboxTue, 13 Mar 2012 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF nomination doesn't guarantee success, says Solipskier dev]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/igf-nomination-doesnt-guarantee-success-says-solipskier-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/igf-nomination-doesnt-guarantee-success-says-solipskier-dev/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/07/igf-nomination-doesnt-guarantee-success-says-solipskier-dev/#comments Michael Boxleiter may not be a familiar name, but you've most likely played Solipskier -- at least we hope you have. Boxleiter was one of ten indie developers talking during The Indie Soapbox Session at GDC 2012, a freeform, large-group therapy session for indies to talk about what's on their mind.

Boxleiter vented on the Independent Games Festival -- getting into the IGF isn't indicative of becoming a successful developer, he warned. "I believed this myth of IGF makes you, IGF creates the future and makes you into a superstar," he said of the time he first got into game development, years ago. "It's not important -- at least, not very. It's a media junket for you." He says that hard work, putting in the hours every day and making sacrifices is what makes the best game possible.

"Nobody gives a shit about the IGF," he told a packed house of developers, enthusiasts and reporters alike. It wasn't a statement meant to hurt anyone's feelings, but rather curb expectations that getting into the IGF "makes you." Boxleiter would know, having been chosen for the IGF last year.

Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo aren't going to suddenly take interest in your project if you get into the IGF, he said.

One particular anecdote about Nintendo icon and legendary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto delighted the audience. Apparently, after Boxleiter's own game was nominated, he saw Miyamoto wandering the halls of GDC and approached the Nintendo legend with a pitch document. Miyamoto then promptly signed his John Hancock and walked away.

"The IGF should not be as big a deal as it is." While it gets you some press and it's "cool" to see the announcement, he said, in the end it's just an awards show. "It's just hard, hard work. And if you do it, you can all show that amazing thing you have inside you that you want to show to people. You're just going to have to work your ass off."

JoystiqIGF nomination doesn't guarantee success, says Solipskier dev originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc-2012igfigf-2012michael-boxleitermike-boxleitermikengregmikengreg-games-coSolipskierWed, 07 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF 2012 Audience Award voting now open]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/igf-2012-audience-award-voting-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/igf-2012-audience-award-voting-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/06/igf-2012-audience-award-voting-now-open/#comments Despite being into awards shows before they were cool, we're hoping you're not above voting for this year's Independent Game Festival "Audience Award." Voting has just kicked off for 2012's entrants, which comprise all finalist games across all IGF 2012 categories (yes, the list once again includes Fez).

Should you choose to cast your favor towards any particular game, you'll want to head to this particularly yellow form and fill things out before February 19. Once you've done as much, we're told a verification email will come through to make sure you're not an evil robot. If you are, in fact, not an evil robot, things should go swimmingly.

JoystiqIGF 2012 Audience Award voting now open originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidaudience-awardFezgdcgdc-2012igfigf-2012independent-games-festivalindependent-games-festival-2012iosipadiphonemacmicrosoftmobilemovepcplaystationps3xboxMon, 06 Feb 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cliff Bleszinski to host GDC Awards, Schatz returns for IGF Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/cliff-bleszinski-to-host-gdc-awards-schatz-returns-for-igf-awar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/cliff-bleszinski-to-host-gdc-awards-schatz-returns-for-igf-awar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/17/cliff-bleszinski-to-host-gdc-awards-schatz-returns-for-igf-awar/#comments Planning to attend GDC? If you are, you'll get to see everyone's favorite design director of Epic Games, Cliff Bleszinski, host the 12th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, replacing Double Fine's Tim Schafer as host. The Independent Games Festival Awards is kicking it old-school with 2007-2009's host, Andy Schatz of Monaco, winner of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize and Excellence in Design awards in 2010's IGF.

Peruse the list of finalists for both award shows right here, and look for winners to be announced March 7 from GDC.

JoystiqCliff Bleszinski to host GDC Awards, Schatz returns for IGF Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andy-schatzawardscliff-bleszinskiCliffyBgame-developers-choice-awardsGDCgdc-2012igfmacmicrosoftmobilemonacopcplaystationPocketwatch-Gamesps3xboxTue, 17 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Competing in the indie world is fun and games for IGF entrant Zarzecki]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/competing-in-the-indie-world-is-fun-and-games-for-igf-entrant-za/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/competing-in-the-indie-world-is-fun-and-games-for-igf-entrant-za/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/13/competing-in-the-indie-world-is-fun-and-games-for-igf-entrant-za/#comments Matthias Zarzecki was waiting anxiously for the IGF Student Showcase finalists to be announced on Sunday, Jan. 15, where his game, Unstoppaball, was an entrant. He had steeled himself to endure the five days between finalist announcements for the main competition and the student one by programming new games relentlessly; indie-developer therapy, he described it.

And then the Student Showcase finalists were announced on Friday, Jan. 13. Unstoppaball wasn't on the list, and Zarzecki could have let that pent-up anxiety and excitement explode in a livid email to the IGF for reporting incorrect announcement dates, or in a furious YouTube video calling on all developers to boycott the IGF -- but Zarzecki chose a different response.

"My reaction was something of a 'huh, those games are really good,'" Zarzecki told Joystiq. He was a one-man team and had absolutely no budget, so Zarzecki could see how, out of the 300 games submitted to the IGF student competition, he may have been out-performed. "In that way it is a little disappointing to see that I was probably beaten through factors that were outside my influence," he said.

Continue reading Competing in the indie world is fun and games for IGF entrant Zarzecki

JoystiqCompeting in the indie world is fun and games for IGF entrant Zarzecki originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>competitionigfigf-student-showcaseigf-student-showcase-2012IndieMatthias-ZarzeckiNuclear-WombatUnstoppaballFri, 13 Jan 2012 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF finalists Smash a Frozen Fez To the Moon (from a cave)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/igf-finalists-smash-a-frozen-fez-to-the-moon-from-a-cave/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/igf-finalists-smash-a-frozen-fez-to-the-moon-from-a-cave/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/10/igf-finalists-smash-a-frozen-fez-to-the-moon-from-a-cave/#comments The 14th annual Independent Game Festival finalists have been announced, and this year's finalists are indie-licious (yum). Titles include pop-indie hits Fez, Frozen Synapse, Spelunky and Atom Zombie Smasher, as well as some of our own understated favorites, such as Freebird Games' To the Moon.

The winner of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize receives $30,000, the winner of the Nuovo Award for "abstract, shortform and unconventional game development" gets $5,000, and all other category winners receive $3,000. The awards will take place March 7 at GDC. Check out the entire list of finalists right here:

Continue reading IGF finalists Smash a Frozen Fez To the Moon (from a cave)

JoystiqIGF finalists Smash a Frozen Fez To the Moon (from a cave) originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igfigf-2012independent-games-festivalindependent-games-festival-2012Indiemacmicrosoftmobilepcplaystationps3spelunkyxboxTue, 10 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF 2012 entrants have a crack at winning the first ever 'XBLA Prize']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/igf-2012-entrants-have-a-crack-at-winning-the-first-ever-xbla-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/igf-2012-entrants-have-a-crack-at-winning-the-first-ever-xbla-p/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/05/igf-2012-entrants-have-a-crack-at-winning-the-first-ever-xbla-p/#comments Independent Games Festival entrants aren't just charming, attractive, and creative -- they're also potential XBLA developers. At least they are now, after today's announcement of the first "XBLA Prize" by Microsoft and Game Developers Conference administrators UBM, which gives IGF entrants a crack at being fast-tracked on Xbox Live Arcade for publishing by Microsoft.

According to the prize sponsors, a "standalone jury of independent game creators" will apparently collaborate with Microsoft to "identify a shortlist" -- a list which will then be considered for the XBLA prize. If the winner so chooses, his/her project will then be offered funding for development across Xbox 360, Windows Phone 7, and Windows, as well as given the opportunity to employ Microsoft's bevy of testing, marketing, and usability support.

Alongside today's prize announcement, Microsoft head of first-party publishing Ted Woolsey also revealed that Microsoft invests upward of $20 million annually on XBLA titles, and offered support for the multi-year partnership with the IGF. "The independent development scene wouldn't be nearly as robust as it is today without the exposure provided by the IGF. We look forward to working with the IGF and having a window into to the huge array of independent games that are submitted every year so that we can continue to find the best games to share with our customers."

JoystiqIGF 2012 entrants have a crack at winning the first ever 'XBLA Prize' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>game-developers-conferencegame-developers-conference-2012gdcgdc-2012igfigf-2012independent-games-festivalindependent-games-festival-2012indie-gamesmicrosoftted-woolseyxblaxbla-prizexboxxbox-livexbox-live-arcadeMon, 05 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF chair continues campaign against game cloning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/igf-chair-continues-campaign-against-game-cloning/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/igf-chair-continues-campaign-against-game-cloning/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/15/igf-chair-continues-campaign-against-game-cloning/#comments Independent Games Festival chairman Brandon Boyer is quite unhappy with Gamenaut's iOS title Ninja Fishing, a game that's more than "inspired" by indie studio Vlambeer's Flash game Radical Fishing. Vlambeer was secretly in the process of porting the game to iOS when the studio was blindsided by the clone.

"I have a chart I'm almost done with. This is not inspiration," Boyer told us at GDC Europe today when he brought up the dilemma. "The things [Radical Fishing] doesn't have is ... Fruit Ninja. Radical Fishing didn't have Fruit Ninja. [Ninja Fishing] has everything else, except they added Fruit Ninja to one of the parts."

Boyer continued, "The progress, the structure, the power-ups. The mechanics, the three-part design. It's just Radical Fishing. I think most people in the indie circle haven't played Ninja Fishing, which is good, but I think because of that they don't quite understand how blatant it was. Once you lay it out side by side [a project that Boyer will publish soon on an excel sheet he showed us], it's like 'Oh yeah, they just 100 percent ripped that off.'"

When asked what the difference is between "inspiration" and theft, Boyer said, "It's like the thing about pornography, you know it when you see it."

If this type of blatant cloning sounds familiar, it's because it is. In February, the story of The Blocks Cometh theft made the rounds. Indies being ripped off by indies isn't the only type of iOS cloning going on, either. It can also happen with major publishers, as was the case with Capcom's MaXplosion, a blatant clone of Twisted Pixel's high-profile 'Splosion Man.

[Image credit: Official GDC]

JoystiqIGF chair continues campaign against game cloning originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brandon-boyerGamenautsgdce-2011IGFmobileninja-fishingpcradical-fishingvlambeerMon, 15 Aug 2011 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival 2012 accepting submissions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/independent-games-festival-2012-accepting-submissions/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/independent-games-festival-2012-accepting-submissions/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/independent-games-festival-2012-accepting-submissions/#comments Independent game makers: did you know there's, like, a whole festival for you? The Independent Games Festival isn't the "funnel cakes" type of festival, but rather the "widespread recognition and cash prizes" kind of festival.

If you'd like to participate in the annual pageantry, the IGF's organizers are now accepting submissions. If you're a student, the deadline for you to submit your world-changing (or just cute!) indie game is October 31; the deadline for the main competition is October 17.

Chances are, you'll like the changes being implemented this year. According to a letter posted by IGF chair Brandon Boyer, the judge and jury system, which includes "our 150-200 judges recommending games in certain categories, and discipline-specific juries of 8-10 subject matter experts assigned to each award," will be returning from last year. But the prizes for award winners chosen by those juries have changed. They're bigger.

If you win the Seumas McNally Grand Prize, you'll receive $30,000, with which you could certainly fund the development of a small game, or get part of the way through the title screen of the AAA shooter you've suddenly decided to make.

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival 2012 accepting submissions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igfigf-2011igf-2012indieFri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Seen@GDC: The Winnitron 1000, featuring Super Crate Box]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/seen-gdc-the-winnitron-1000-featuring-super-crate-box/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/seen-gdc-the-winnitron-1000-featuring-super-crate-box/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/04/seen-gdc-the-winnitron-1000-featuring-super-crate-box/#comments You've never played IGF Pavillion game Super Crate Box? Well then, let's fix that right now (it's free!).

Unfortunately, if you weren't at GDC -- or aren't a resident of Winnipeg, Canada -- it's going to be a bit difficult to check out the game's two player co-op mode, housed inside of the wonderful and mysterious Winnitron 1000.

Continue reading Seen@GDC: The Winnitron 1000, featuring Super Crate Box

JoystiqSeen@GDC: The Winnitron 1000, featuring Super Crate Box originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc-2011igfigf-pavillionmacpcseensuper-crate-boxvlambeerwinnitron-1000Fri, 04 Mar 2011 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Live from the IGF/GDC Awards 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/live-from-the-igf-gdc-awards-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/live-from-the-igf-gdc-awards-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/live-from-the-igf-gdc-awards-2011/#comments We're here, live from the IGF slash GDC Awards, and things are just getting underway. We promise laughs, tears, and maybe even some expletives. Join us after the break. Unless you're scared.

Continue reading Live from the IGF/GDC Awards 2011

JoystiqLive from the IGF/GDC Awards 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC-2011GDCAIGFWed, 02 Mar 2011 21:35:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF 2011 audience voting now open]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/igf-2011-audience-voting-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/igf-2011-audience-voting-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/31/igf-2011-audience-voting-now-open/#comments Voting for the Independent Games Festival (IGF) Audience Award (i.e. the Popularity Contest Award) is now open to the masses ... who will likely end up picking Minecraft, we surmise, based on our own comprehension of basic math. Hopefully, those other indies have good marketing and PR departments ... what?

Unlike previous years, the IGF Audience Award is available to any game chosen as a finalist, not just the ones with public PC demos. The reasoning, noted by IGF Chairman Brandon Boyer, is that many of the games have been available at other events, or have beta and other versions that fans may have checked out.

Voting will be open until midnight (Pacific) on Friday, February 18. At a minimum, for the sake of humoring some idea of competition, please try the other "available" game demos before just voting for Minecraft.

JoystiqIGF 2011 audience voting now open originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igfigf-2011MinecraftpcMon, 31 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[IGF announces 2011 Student Showcase winners]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/igf-announces-2011-student-showcase-winners/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/igf-announces-2011-student-showcase-winners/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/11/igf-announces-2011-student-showcase-winners/#comments The 2011 Independent Games Festival has named the winners of this year's Student Showcase. Created by student teams all over the world, each of the eight titles will be featured and playable at the 2011 Game Developers Conference next month. The games also serve as finalists for Best Student Game at the IGF awards, which will be presented on March 2.

The finalists cover a wide swath of styles and gameplay concepts, from ambient shooters to Myst-like adventures. And then there's the one about an octopus trying to make it in human society. See the list of nominees, with links to their IGF pages, after the break.

Continue reading IGF announces 2011 Student Showcase winners

JoystiqIGF announces 2011 Student Showcase winners originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2011igfigf-2011independent-games-festivalpcTue, 11 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nidhogg, Hazard, and more nominated for IGF Nuovo Award]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/nidhogg-hazard-and-more-nominated-for-igf-nuovo-award/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/nidhogg-hazard-and-more-nominated-for-igf-nuovo-award/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/20/nidhogg-hazard-and-more-nominated-for-igf-nuovo-award/#commentsThe Independent Games Festival has announced the nominees for the 2011 Nuovo Award, a special category within the IGF for "abstract, short-form, and unconventional game development." In other words, weird art games!

"I think what we've decided now is that even more light needs to be shed on this particular sub-section of the ever-growing sub-section that indie games already occupy in the wider gaming sphere," IGF chair Brandon Boyer told Joystiq, "the bit where developers are truly pushing at the edges and limits of what games can and probably should grow to encompass, whether that's videogames that move off the screen and into the playspace of the participants themselves, or games that tackle documentary, more personal and otherwise autobiographical subjects, or games that simply tonally run counterintuitive to the kinds of emotions games usually elicit."

The eight nominees include the following:
  1. Monobanda's Bohm, a game in which you control the life of a tree.
  2. A House in California by Cardboard Computer, a "surreal" adventure game about four characters exploring a house.
  3. Nidhogg, Messhof's two-player, side-scrolling versus fencing game.
  4. Dinner Date by Stout Games, in which you listen in on Julian Luxemburg's thoughts as you follow him through the agonizing wait for his date to show.
  5. Loop Raccord by UFO on Tape creator Nicolai Troshinsky, a game based on video editing -- you have to create "continuous movement" by stringing together clips from archive.org.
  6. The Cat and the Coup by Peter Brinson and Kurosh VaiaNejad, a "documentary game" from the perspective of former Iranian Prime Minister Dr. Mohammed Mossadegh's ... cat.
  7. Copenhagen Game Collective's Brutally Unfair Tactics Totally OK Now, a one-button game for up to eight players, with rules that players must enforce themselves (or choose not to).
  8. Hazard: The Journey of Life by Demruth, an abstract first-person puzzle game in which the world is constantly changing.

Continue reading Nidhogg, Hazard, and more nominated for IGF Nuovo Award

JoystiqNidhogg, Hazard, and more nominated for IGF Nuovo Award originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-house-in-californiabohmbrandon-boyerbrutally-unfair-tactics-totally-ok-nowdinner-dategdc-2011hazard-the-journey-of-lifeigfigf-2011indieloop-raccordnidhoggpcthe-cat-and-the-coupMon, 20 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival expanding focus to include handheld titles]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/independent-games-festival-expanding-focus-on-handheld-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/independent-games-festival-expanding-focus-on-handheld-titles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/independent-games-festival-expanding-focus-on-handheld-titles/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As the Independent Games Festival enters its thirteenth year, chairman Brandon Boyer has announced a couple of significant changes to the awards format. This year, handheld games -- including those for DS, PSP and iPhone -- will be included in the main judging and be up for the same awards as non-portable titles. A new "Best Mobile Game" category is also being added to the IGF Awards suite; the separate IGF Mobile Awards of years past has, effectively, been rolled into the main ceremony. The next IGF Awards event is scheduled for March 2, 2011.

Additionally, the field for the IGF Nuovo Award, which is given to more "abstract" entries, is being widened from five to eight titles. Finally, judging will be overhauled: 170 IGF member judges will evaluate the initial entries, recommending them for specific categories, which will then be judged by smaller, more specialized panels to determine a winner for each award.

The Independent Games Festival runs from February 28 through March 4, 2011, during GDC 2011 in San Francisco. Submissions are now being accepted.

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival expanding focus to include handheld titles originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2011igfigf-2011independent-games-festivalMon, 28 Jun 2010 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on: Limbo]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/hands-on-limbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/hands-on-limbo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/15/hands-on-limbo/#comments Very few games manage to instill a pure kind of terror such as Limbo, an aptly-titled puzzle-platformer in development for the past four years. Winner of multiple IGF awards, Limbo is a beautiful and haunting journey, one that must be experienced to be understood -- and thankfully, you'll be able to experience it on Xbox Live Arcade this summer. Like Braid and Shadow Complex before it, Limbo is likely to become the headlining downloadable game of the year.

To describe Limbo in great detail would be a huge disservice to gamers. What makes Limbo so mesmerizing is its mysterious quality: the game simply begins, and continues. The abstract narrative is told simply through the journey; don't expect long Jonathan Blow-esque prose throughout. Presented in black and white and silence, Limbo's simplistic style carries a foreboding atmosphere unlike any other game. It's gorgeous, with detailed animations giving life to every object in the world. Were it not for its interactivity, one might be hard pressed not to think it's a painting.

Limbo offers players little direction, nor does it need to. A GUI would ruin the simple beauty of developer Playdead's project. The controls will be immediately familiar to most gamers: A to jump and X to grab. It may seem a bit too simplistic, but Limbo offers some rather unique puzzles that take advantage of the environment in unusual and unexpected ways. Timing and precision is a necessity -- as is repetition, with death an unavoidable part of the gameplay. Traps, enemies, and pitfalls will make this a perilous journey, and the graphic depictions of death will keep you uncomfortable and on edge for hours.

It was hard to resist the urge to continue playing through the entire adventure. While I found myself stuck at a few devilish puzzles, I never found myself too frustrated to go on. Limbo is a gorgeous game that explores emotions so rarely found in games: not just terror, but a distinct sense of helplessness and longing.

Gallery: Limbo

JoystiqHands-on: Limbo originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igflimboMicrosoftplaydeadxblaXbox-360xbox-live-arcadeMon, 15 Mar 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Joystiq live at the IGF/GDC Awards 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/joystiq-live-at-the-igf-gdc-awards-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/joystiq-live-at-the-igf-gdc-awards-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/joystiq-live-at-the-igf-gdc-awards-2010/#comments

Update: Uncharted 2 wins big (again) at the Game Developers Choice Awards, and Pocketwatch Games' Monaco takes home the IGF Awards' Seumas McNally Prize. A complete list of winners is posted after the break, followed by our liveblog coverage.

Continue reading Joystiq live at the IGF/GDC Awards 2010

JoystiqJoystiq live at the IGF/GDC Awards 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardsgame-developers-choice-awardsgdcgdc-2010igfigf-2010monacouncharted-2Uncharted-2-Among-ThievesThu, 11 Mar 2010 21:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Joe Danger stirs up trouble on PSN, doesn't rule out other platforms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/joe-danger-stirs-up-trouble-on-psn-doesnt-rule-out-other-platf/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/joe-danger-stirs-up-trouble-on-psn-doesnt-rule-out-other-platf/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/joe-danger-stirs-up-trouble-on-psn-doesnt-rule-out-other-platf/#comments
Click image to make a smooth landing into our gallery

IGF-nominated indie start-up Hello Games just dished out a press release stating its upcoming title, Joe Danger, is headed to PSN. Of course, we thought it would, but it's just nice to finally have that official confirmation, you know? You really can't put a price on piece of mind. You also can't put a price on this game -- at least, for right now.

Joe Danger will be available for download this spring, initially exclusive to PSN as part of Pub Fund. But, that "doesn't mean we won't ever come to any other platforms," a Hello Games spokesperson told Joystiq. The rep also added that "coming to console is really hard sometimes and until recently it looked like Joe Danger might never get a console release. Since we announced, and especially since the IGF, a whole bunch of people have helped us and Sony was definitely one of them."

Gallery: Joe Danger (3.5.2010)

JoystiqJoe Danger stirs up trouble on PSN, doesn't rule out other platforms originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hello-gamesigfjoe-dangerMicrosoftplaystation-networkpsnXbox-360Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Limbo coming to XBLA this summer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/limbo-coming-to-xbla-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/limbo-coming-to-xbla-this-summer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/limbo-coming-to-xbla-this-summer/#comments We can't help but notice you checking out that Limbo screenshot above, and who can blame you? The IGF-nominated puzzle platformer isn't just a real head-turner, it's got brains to match. Even better, developer Playdead tells us you'll be able to help its young protagonist look for his sister on the edge of Hell when it hits XBLA this summer.

Here's the crazy thing though: You two have already met. No, really, it's true, way back in 2006, when Limbo was little more than a design doc and a teaser trailer. Kinda makes you feel a little creepy for ogling it, huh? Don't worry, your secret's safe with us.

JoystiqLimbo coming to XBLA this summer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igflimboMicrosoftplaydeadxblaXbox-360Wed, 03 Mar 2010 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 IGF Student Showcase winners announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/2010-igf-student-showcase-winners-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/2010-igf-student-showcase-winners-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/18/2010-igf-student-showcase-winners-announced/#comments Are you ever curious about what the future of video gaming is going to look like? Perhaps you envision a world where young people control the actions of prison inmates remotely, as they compete in a gruesome deathmatch? Or maybe it's world where games that are played with the hands are curtly dismissed as "baby toys." However, for a glimpse at the more immediate future of our industry, we need not look further than the IGF Student Showcase -- a round-up of the neatest titles being developed by the big industry names of tomorrow ... today!

The IGF committee recently announced the winners of the 2010 Student Showcase, highlighting ten games independently developed by the bright minds currently attending some form of educational institute across the globe. These games will go on to compete in the Best Student Game category of the IGF Awards on March 11 -- an award which nets the winner a cool $2,500.

Check out the full list of finalists -- some of which are totally free and available to download now -- right after the jump.

Continue reading 2010 IGF Student Showcase winners announced

Joystiq2010 IGF Student Showcase winners announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-student-gameigfigf-2010independent-games-festivalindiestudent-showcaseMon, 18 Jan 2010 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival 2010 finalists announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/independent-games-festival-2010-finalists-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/independent-games-festival-2010-finalists-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/04/independent-games-festival-2010-finalists-announced/#comments The contenders for the 12th Annual Independent Games Festival awards have been announced today -- you can find the full list of finalists after the jump. In addition to the Seamus McNally Grand Prize (nominees for which include Joe Danger and Super Meat Boy), there are specialized categories recognizing excellence in art, design, audio, and technical achievement. There's also the Nuovo Award, which honors "abstract, shortform, and unconventional game development." Previous winners of the Nuovo include N+ co-creator Mare Sheppard and Passage developer Jason Rohrer.

We find ourselves particularly invested in this year's awards show, as -- deep breath now -- AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! -- A Reckless Disregard For Gravity was nominated for Excellence in Design. We've got, like, a million jokes we still want to make about that game title, but we're running out of opportunities to do so.

Continue reading Independent Games Festival 2010 finalists announced

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival 2010 finalists announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-a-reckless-disregard-for-gravityawardsclosureheroes-of-newerthigfigf-2010independent-games-festivalindiejoe-dangerlimboshanksuper-meat-boytraumaMon, 04 Jan 2010 11:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival 2010 competitors announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/independent-games-festival-2010-competitors-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/independent-games-festival-2010-competitors-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/independent-games-festival-2010-competitors-announced/#comments Each year, indie developers from around the world submit their creations to the Independent Games Festival Main Challenge in hopes of becoming the next cola-to-Cristal success. This year, the IGF has received a whopping 306 entries (last year: 224) competing for the top prize of $20,000. Last year's winner, Erik Svedang's Blueberry Garden, was picked up for distribution on Steam.

Screens, videos and details on all 306 entries can be perused on the IGF website, while many of the games are either downloadable or directly playable from their developer's homepages. Finalists will be picked in January, with the winners in various categories -- including art, design, audio, and innovation -- set to be announced during GDC 2010, which runs March 9-13, 2010.

[Via Eurogamer]

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival 2010 competitors announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igfigf-2010independent-games-festivalindieTue, 03 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST<![CDATA[N+ dev announces 'Office Yeti,' Robotology 'nowhere near complete']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/n-dev-announces-office-yeti-robotology-nowhere-near-complet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/n-dev-announces-office-yeti-robotology-nowhere-near-complet/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/12/n-dev-announces-office-yeti-robotology-nowhere-near-complet/#comments We're pretty big fans of indie developer Metanet Software's first offering, N+. That may explain why we were so excited for the announcement of a second currently-in-development title on the company's blog -- Office Yeti. Another explanation could be that the game is about a freakin' yeti in an office. The game is still early in development and was only being worked on "part-time" until recently. Metanet teases Rampage and Skool Daze-inspired gameplay, calling it: "A single-player action/puzzle/simulation game in which players assume control of a yeti who works in an office." Magical!

Unfortunately, it appears that we won't be seeing anything new on Robotology in the near future, as the developer is still working hard on having a playable entry for the IGF deadline this November. "Despite months and months of work, it's still nowhere near complete, but at the same time we've managed to get most of the vital parts figured out," Metanet says. Aside from the teasing of possible screenshots coming soon, it looks like we're not going to get anything new this year to play. Sometimes a taste of honey is worse than none at all.

Source 1 - Metanet
Source 2 - Metanet

[Via Offworld]

JoystiqN+ dev announces 'Office Yeti,' Robotology 'nowhere near complete' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>igfmetanetmetanet-softwarenoffice-yetirampagerobotologyskool-dazeSat, 12 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[2010 Independent Games Festival accepting submissions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/2010-independent-games-festival-accepting-submissions/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/2010-independent-games-festival-accepting-submissions/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/09/2010-independent-games-festival-accepting-submissions/#comments
If you're ready to unleash your totally deviant, totally original and totally counter-cultural Tetris remake upon the world, your best chance to do so has arrived. The Independent Games Festival is now accepting entries into its Main and Student Showcase categories. You've got until November to get your submissions in, and finalists in the Main Competitions will be announced January 4.

If you're looking for reasons to enter your humble project, the festival's organizers have about 20,000 good ones, and by "ones" we mean dollars, by which we mean $20,000 is the grand prize for the competition. In addition, finalists will have their games exhibited on the GDC show floor, where they can be played, admired and possibly exalted by the gaming press -- a treatment received by titles such as World of Goo and Castle Crashers in the past. If your game is of that caliber, we highly suggest throwing your hat into the ring.

Joystiq2010 Independent Games Festival accepting submissions originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>castle-crasherscompetitiongdcigfindependent-games-festivalindieworld-of-gooThu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone apps stats revealed, games dominate list]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/iphone-apps-stats-revealed-games-dominate-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/iphone-apps-stats-revealed-games-dominate-list/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/iphone-apps-stats-revealed-games-dominate-list/#comments
With game applications taking up nearly half the list (12 of 25), the rankings for iPhone apps released this week by internet information company comScore may be aimed at advertisers, but tells us a ton about the newest gaming platform. For instance, of the 15 million iPhone users in the US, 32 percent (nearly one in every three) have installed Tap Tap Revenge, making it the most popular application by an ice cold five percent.

Furthermore, of the 12 game applications listed, 75 percent of them were developed by small startup companies or, in one case, a single individual. Actually, aside from Pac-Man, Hangman, Sudoku, and a version of Solitaire, all the games are original IP, with number one title Tap Tap Revenge serving as the prime example. We're starting to understand why the iPhone dominated the IGF this year and will likely continue to do so for years to come.

JoystiqiPhone apps stats revealed, games dominate list originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advertisingApplecomscorehangmanIGFiPodpac-mansolitairesudokutap-tap-revengetapulousTue, 07 Apr 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Mega64 punches people, makes out at IGF Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/mega64-punches-people-makes-out-at-igf-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/mega64-punches-people-makes-out-at-igf-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/mega64-punches-people-makes-out-at-igf-awards/#comments
If you thoroughly enjoyed Mega64's video shenanigans at last year's Independent Games Festival Awards show, brace yourselves for round two. This year's IGF Awards featured a pair of clips from the comedic quartet, both of which you can find posted after the jump.

The first video is aptly titled IF YOU'RE NOT INDIE, F**K YOU, and features a bunch of people getting punched in the face, except The Behemoth co-founder Dan Paladin, who is, as legend tells us, unpunchable. The second video, Topher Great Payens: "The GDC" (an homage to the equally unsettling Shine on Me by renowned musician Chris Dane Owens) is, well, extremely bizarre. Or extremely arousing. We haven't decided yet.

Continue reading Mega64 punches people, makes out at IGF Awards

JoystiqMega64 punches people, makes out at IGF Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdcgdc-2009igfigf-2009independent-games-festivalmega64Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Mega64 and special guest use CQC on Metal Gear Solid 4]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/mega64-and-special-guest-use-cqc-on-metal-gear-solid-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/mega64-and-special-guest-use-cqc-on-metal-gear-solid-4/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/30/mega64-and-special-guest-use-cqc-on-metal-gear-solid-4/#comments
No matter how many times the Mega64 guys dress as beloved video game characters and go into public, we never fail to be entertained. But their take on Metal Gear Solid 4, which debuted at the GDCAs last week, takes a turn towards the surreal and becomes something far more epic than simple spoof.

We want to tell you more, but, frankly, we've said too much already. You should probably just watch the whole thing for yourself right after the break.

Continue reading Mega64 and special guest use CQC on Metal Gear Solid 4

JoystiqMega64 and special guest use CQC on Metal Gear Solid 4 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2009gdcahideo-kojimaigfmega64metal-gear-solid-4Metal-Gear-Solid-4-Guns-of-the-PatriotsOMGMon, 30 Mar 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Overheard@GDC09: Tim makes a good point]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/overheard-gdc-09-tim-makes-a-good-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/overheard-gdc-09-tim-makes-a-good-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/26/overheard-gdc-09-tim-makes-a-good-point/#comments
"No one's ever made a bong in the shape of a game designer."

-Tim Schafer

We could give you some more context here, but we're pretty sure it speaks for itself.

JoystiqOverheard@GDC09: Tim makes a good point originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2009gdcaigfoverheardtim-schaferThu, 26 Mar 2009 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: Joystiq live at the IGF and GDCA awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/gdc09-joystiq-live-at-the-igf-and-gdca-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/gdc09-joystiq-live-at-the-igf-and-gdca-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/25/gdc09-joystiq-live-at-the-igf-and-gdca-awards/#comments
We're live at the IGF slash GDCA awards, from the very same Moscone Center room that housed this morning's Nintendo keynote. Andy Schatz from Pocket Watch reprises his role as IGF host, with Tim "Freaking" Schafer taking host duties for the Game Developer Conference Awards. Check out the whole liveblog, updating from bottom to top, after the break.

Continue reading GDC09: Joystiq live at the IGF and GDCA awards

JoystiqGDC09: Joystiq live at the IGF and GDCA awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GDCGDC-2009GDCAIGFliveblogWed, 25 Mar 2009 21:43:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: IGF showcases 'the next great mobile game' concepts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-igf-showcases-the-next-great-mobile-game-concepts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-igf-showcases-the-next-great-mobile-game-concepts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-igf-showcases-the-next-great-mobile-game-concepts/#comments Before the Independent Games Festival organizers handed out today's awards for best mobile titles, they welcomed several indie devs on stage to pitch their ideas for the "next great mobile game." It was an interactive affair; after the presentations, the audience got to "vote" for the best of the bunch via the most scientific of methods: how loud we clapped.

We honestly wanted everything we saw to win; there are clearly some very bright designers working on some very cool "games" that can only be done on mobile platforms. The first we saw, Depict, is an iPhone title from VillaVanilla -- although we could easily see it on DSi -- that challenges a group of online players to take photos that match a "target image" as closely as possible. In the demo we saw, everyday household items and even people were used to compose the shots, which were then scored by the app. The closest to the target won.

Depict was just the first of several intriguing concepts which we'll tell you more about after the break.

Continue reading GDC09: IGF showcases 'the next great mobile game' concepts

JoystiqGDC09: IGF showcases 'the next great mobile game' concepts originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc-2009igfigf-2009mobileTue, 24 Mar 2009 17:52:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC09: IGF Mobile Award winners announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-igf-mobile-award-winners-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-igf-mobile-award-winners-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/24/gdc09-igf-mobile-award-winners-announced/#comments
Several games took home honors at this morning's Independent Games Festival's Mobile awards ceremony, but the event's true winner was apparent: the iPhone. While the awards were geared towards -- and open to -- titles for all wireless / mobile devices, every game that won is available exclusively on Apple's telephonic wunderkind (and, of course, the iPod touch).

Subatomic Studios' tower defense favorite, Fieldrunners, won for Best Art and Best Mobile Game (overall). Sergei Gourski and Jamie Gotch (above), the two developers responsible for the game, have been viewed as rising stars in the indie mobile gaming scene since Fieldrunners' release; today's wins cemented their star status. We spoke with the duo about their award-winning creation -- look for the full interview soon on the 'Stiq.

Two awards also went to Secret Exit for its sublime Zen Bound. The part game, part relaxation exercise was named Best iPhone Game and earned a Mobile Audio Achievement award. The Best Innovation award went to the simplistic, yet infinitely replayable 4x4 space strategy title, Galcon. The only unreleased game to win was Firemint's Real Racing, which earned Best Technical honors. We'll have a hands-on with the impressive looking (hey, it won the tech award for a reason) racer soon.

JoystiqGDC09: IGF Mobile Award winners announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fieldrunnersgdc-2009igfigf-2009mobilesecret-exitsubatomic-studioszen-boundTue, 24 Mar 2009 17:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival audience award polls now open]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/independent-games-festival-audience-award-polls-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/independent-games-festival-audience-award-polls-now-open/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/02/independent-games-festival-audience-award-polls-now-open/#commentsFiled under:


Were you completely enraptured by a number of 2008's independent gaming offerings? Perhaps you were infatuated with Q-Games' PixelJunk Eden, or bowled over by the bizarre meiosis exhibited in Coil, or, much like us, you were strangely obsessed with the brilliantly minimalistic You Have to Burn the Rope. If you want to show that appreciation in a worthwhile manner, you might want to cast your vote in the recently opened polls of the Audience Award category for the 2009 Independent Games Festival, which will be held in conjunction with the Game Developers Conference later this month.

Even if your favorite independent titles didn't make the list (or if your gaming habits stuck explicitly to big-budget blockbusters), most of the 15 finalists in the category are accompanied by their download links. Come for the exercise in democracy, stay for the free games!

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival audience award polls now open originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>awardscoiligfindependent-games-festivalpixeljunk-edenyhtbtrMon, 02 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Indie PSP game, Rhythm of War, nominated for IGF award]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/indie-psp-game-rhythm-of-war-nominated-for-igf-award/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/indie-psp-game-rhythm-of-war-nominated-for-igf-award/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/12/indie-psp-game-rhythm-of-war-nominated-for-igf-award/#comments
Here's a game you haven't played before -- and it's already nominated for an award! The IGF Mobile Award nominees were revealed and the sole PSP candidate is this game: Rhythm of War. This "rhythm action strategy game" has players traveling through different time epochs to fight against aliens. Battles take place on four tracks, and players must follow the musical rhythm of each track in order to come out victorious.

Alexey Menshikov (the game producer) told us that this game couldn't find a publisher due to rather lackluster support for the PSP platform However, with the PlayStation Store on PSP, there's new hope that the team will be able to find a publisher and distribute the game to the masses.

We're big fans of music games, especially when they're created by indie teams. Hopefully, this newfound attention will give Rhythm of War the chance at life it deserves.

[Thanks, David B.!]

JoystiqIndie PSP game, Rhythm of War, nominated for IGF award originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatshapersdynamic-systemsigfigf-mobilekranx-productionsrhythm-of-warThu, 12 Feb 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[iPhone dominates list of IGF Mobile 2009 finalists]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/iphone-dominates-list-of-igf-mobile-2009-finalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/iphone-dominates-list-of-igf-mobile-2009-finalists/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/26/iphone-dominates-list-of-igf-mobile-2009-finalists/#commentsFiled under: ,

Whereas last year's entries seemed more diverse (with a heavy Java slant), the 2009 Independent Games Festival Mobile finalists are almost entirely composed of iPhone / iPod touch games -- 11 of the 14 contestants, to be exact. The remaining three entries are represented by a Nintendo DS, Java and Flash game.

A trio of games lead the pack with three nominations apiece: Wardive, Edge and Fieldrunners (pictured). We're not anywhere close to calling it "the future of gameplay," but the iPhone's App Store -- not to mention massive install base -- has proven to be a viable and tempting business model for aspiring developers.

JoystiqiPhone dominates list of IGF Mobile 2009 finalists originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleDSigfigf-2009igf-mobileigf-mobile-2009independent-games-festivaliphoneipod-touchMobileMon, 26 Jan 2009 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[PixelJunk Eden nominated for three Independent Game Awards]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/pixeljunk-eden-nominated-for-three-independant-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/pixeljunk-eden-nominated-for-three-independant-game-awards/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/pixeljunk-eden-nominated-for-three-independant-game-awards/#commentsFiled under:

Nominations for the Independent Games Festival Awards 2009 have been announced today and one of our favorite PSN titles, PixelJunk Eden, has been nominated for three categories. The categories are: Excellence in Visual Art, Excellence in Audio and Technical Excellence. Eden is one of few console games to be nominated in this year's awards, and the only PlayStation Network title to get recognition.

The winners will be revealed at the Independent Games Festival which takes place in San Francisco between March 23rd and 27th. If you want to learn more about all the games on the list be sure to check out Joystiq's IGF nominee run-down. Good luck to PixelJunk Eden, there's some strong competition there.

JoystiqPixelJunk Eden nominated for three Independent Game Awards originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>IGFigf-2009independent-games-festivalpixeljunkpixeljunk-monstersq-gamesWed, 07 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Independent Games Festival announces 2009 award nominees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/independent-games-festival-announces-2009-award-nominees/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/independent-games-festival-announces-2009-award-nominees/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/01/07/independent-games-festival-announces-2009-award-nominees/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click me to see this year's IGF nominees.

With consoles opening their doors to digital distribution, indie gaming has exploded in recent years. One look at 2008's IGF winners shows a number of highly recognizable, widely available titles: Crayon Physics Deluxe, World of Goo, Audiosurf, and Desktop Tower Defense. Publishers are always on the lookout for the "next big thing." They'll be keeping an eye out on this year's IGF nominees.

There are many categories to compete in, but only one game can be crowned with the ultimate prize -- the Seumas McNally Grand Prize. Find out more about the candidates here.

Continue reading Independent Games Festival announces 2009 award nominees

JoystiqIndependent Games Festival announces 2009 award nominees originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gdc09igfigf-2009PCWiiXbox-360Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Audiosurf becomes Steam's top seller for February]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/audiosurf-becomes-steams-top-seller-for-february/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/audiosurf-becomes-steams-top-seller-for-february/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/03/05/audiosurf-becomes-steams-top-seller-for-february/#commentsFiled under: ,


Indie title Audiosurf had a very good February, indeed. After getting released on Valve's Steam distribution system, and winning the Independent Games Festival Award for best audio, the procedurally-generated music racing game has just been announced as the top-selling title on Steam for the month of February.

Though no sales numbers have been given, a press release from Valve reveals the results of February's Steam sales, with Audiosurf beating out titles like Portal, Team Fortress 2, and Counter-Strike. Not bad for a one-man, indie operation.

If you have yet to experience Audiosurf's transcendental gameplay, it's only $9.95 USD; go get it already. A video of David Bowie's "Space Oddity" in Audiosurf after the break.

Continue reading Audiosurf becomes Steam's top seller for February

JoystiqAudiosurf becomes Steam's top seller for February originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiosurfigfPCsteamvalveWed, 05 Mar 2008 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Developers Choice Awards on G4 tonight]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/game-developers-choice-awards-on-g4-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/game-developers-choice-awards-on-g4-tonight/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/29/game-developers-choice-awards-on-g4-tonight/#commentsFiled under:


In case our live coverage of the Game Developer Choice Awards and Independent Games Festival Awards wasn't enough to sate your appetite for GDC's prestigious ceremony, G4TV will be showing coverage of the event tonight.

A 30-minute recap of the two-hour event will air tonight at 8:00 PM EST (5:00 PM PST), as part of a special episode of G4's X-Play program. If you miss it, the episode will re-air several times on Saturday, March 1, Sunday, March 2 and Monday, March 3. Check out the episode guide for the full list of times.

For those with a distaste for digests, the award shows' organizers will be hosting full-length streaming video coverage of both events on their respective websites sometime in the next week. We'll keep an eye out for when those streams become available.

JoystiqGame Developers Choice Awards on G4 tonight originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>g4GDCgdc08gdcaigfFri, 29 Feb 2008 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC08 Highlights: Baldur, Big Daddy and cake]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-highlights-baldur-big-daddy-and-cake/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-highlights-baldur-big-daddy-and-cake/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/26/gdc08-highlights-baldur-big-daddy-and-cake/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Playing (and being) Too Human

Elsewhere that day, Silicon Knights' boastful Denis Dyack held a press conference showing off the latest build of Too Human (photos) and, lo and behold, the framerate was consistent and the game looked much improved from previous demonstrations. Our hands-on impressions were decidedly mixed, however; as one commenter aptly put it, "the controls hindered Baldur's gait."

Besides Microsoft, the other keynote of the conference was futurist Ray Kurzweil who, among other mind-blowing points, confirmed that by 2023 we will be injecting ourselves with plasmids. Speaking of which ...

BioShockTacular!

One of the Big Daddies of the conference (yes folks, plenty more puns to come!) was BioShock, with total rock star Ken Levine drawing quite a crowd. Levine et al. showed off early footage of the game, advised to keep story simple, talked Steamworks and even sent a splicer to check up on us.

GDCA and IGF Awards

BioShock was a major winner at the Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA), walking away with honors for audio, visuals and writing (Ayn Rand woke from the dead to claim the writing award). Also announced that night were the Independent Games Festival awards, with World of Goo winning three nods and Crayon Physics Deluxe earning the Seamus McNally award. Cheer up, World of Goo fans, they already have a distribution deal for the Nintendo Wii. The best part of the award presentations were probably Mega64 and Zero Punctuation's hilarious videos.

Despite three accolades, BioShock didn't win Best Game. That award went to Portal along with design and innovation nods.



Portal: This was a Triumph

Remember last year when Portal was just a bullet point during the Experimental Games session? A lot has changed since GDC 2007, with almost everyone singing the game's praises. The night of their GDCA win, Valve revealed that Jonathan Coulton's Portal song "Still Alive" would be featured in Rock Band. Though we missed that performance (Coulton only hit 95% on vocals), we did happen to catch his concert on Friday where he, along with Leo LaPorte and Mahalo Daily's Veronica Belmont, managed to fail the song live on stage (video).

As one of the last sessions of the conference, designer Kim Swift and writer Erik Wolpaw delivered a Portal post-mortem (photos) for an overpacked crowd (did you see the line to get in?). Among other little details, the duo talked about the origins of the Weighted Companion Cube and the various final levels they tested.

Next: Spore, Street Fighter and Nintendo

JoystiqGDC08 Highlights: Baldur, Big Daddy and cake originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bioshockgdcgdc08gdcaigfportaltoo-humanTue, 26 Feb 2008 07:57:00 EST