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 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The price of independence: What it really costs to be an indie developer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/the-price-of-independence-what-it-really-costs-to-be-an-indie-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/the-price-of-independence-what-it-really-costs-to-be-an-indie-d/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/the-price-of-independence-what-it-really-costs-to-be-an-indie-d/#comments Will Stallwood is a gambler. He's had the same addiction for years, yet he's never stepped foot inside a casino.

He's never found himself hunched over a table fitted with worn green felt, sliding his last two chips between sweaty, shaking palms. He's never felt the sick dread as a slot machine whirs through its final frame; he doesn't know if he prefers red or black. Stallwood has been addicted to gambling on the success of his indie studio, Cipher Prime, since its triumphant launch of Auditorium in 2008. But this year feels different. This year Stallwood feels as if his lucky streak may finally be running out.

Cipher Prime isn't an unknown team of novice developers working out of a garage, but that doesn't mean they're rolling in dough either. Its previous titles were successful, but after a deal went raw with Fractal's publisher, Zoo Games, Cipher Prime was stuck with a rushed title and more debt than it ever expected.

Stallwood and Cipher Prime co-founder Dain Saint had to legally fight for the rights to their own game, eventually getting them back more than 200 days after Fractal launched on the App Store. Saint and Stallwood were understandably turned off of the old-school publishing route.

"We were not a fan of the publisher model before, because it just covers development and we never see royalties no matter how good the game goes," Stallwood said. "Now, we're just completely sour to the whole thing. We're not completely opposed if it means the difference between making games or not, but if there is any way we can avoid it and still make games, we're certainly going to try."

Cipher Prime has found another way -- it hopes -- with Kickstarter.

Gallery: Auditorium 2: Duet - Multiplayer Design Concept

Continue reading The price of independence: What it really costs to be an indie developer

JoystiqThe price of independence: What it really costs to be an indie developer originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auditorium-2-duetauditorium-duetcipher-primeDain-SaintIndieiosipadiphonekickstarterlifestylemicrosoftmobilemoneypcphillyplaystationps3PublisherWill-StallwoodxboxWed, 29 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Make Philadelphia in LittleBigPlanet, win a PSP Go]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/make-philadelphia-in-littlebigplanet-win-a-psp-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/make-philadelphia-in-littlebigplanet-win-a-psp-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/23/make-philadelphia-in-littlebigplanet-win-a-psp-go/#comments Geekadelphia, arguably the best Philadelphia-centric tech and entertainment blog around, is hosting a pretty clever contest. The site is giving away a PSP Go and a $50 PSN card to the amateur engineer who can create the best representation of the City of Brotherly Love in LittleBigPlanet. Geekadelphia is accepting entries (limit one per person) until March 10 -- three days later, the site will reveal the winner at a chiptunes dance party at Philly's Studio 34.

Check out Geek's announcement for more information about the contest. Get a move on, though -- we've already started crafting our auto-play music level of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air intro.

JoystiqMake Philadelphia in LittleBigPlanet, win a PSP Go originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestGeekadelphialittlebigplanetmedia-moleculephiladelphiaphillypsp-gosonyTue, 23 Feb 2010 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Games Live seats in Indy up for sale]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/video-games-live-seats-in-indy-up-for-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/video-games-live-seats-in-indy-up-for-sale/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/16/video-games-live-seats-in-indy-up-for-sale/#commentsFiled under: ,

Video Games Live at Gen Con IndyTickets are now on sale for the two Video Games Live shows planned in conjunction with Gen Con Indy Friday & Saturday, August 11-12.

After a stop in Philly earlier this month, the VGL tour is moving on to Houston July 14th, Chicago August 5th, and then Indianapolis the weekend after that. More on reserving seats for the Hilbert Circle Theatre can be found on the official announcement page (via the pic to the right or the Read link below).

Judging by the reviews of the Philly show so far, Video Games Live sounds like it could be a lot of fun. If they keep providing public access to Guitar Hero II, they may have sold this blogger on going already. We hope Midwestern gamers not attending the Chicago show can make a pitstop in Indy to keep Tommy's show on the road. So, yeah ... rock on.

See also:

JoystiqVideo Games Live seats in Indy up for sale originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jun 2006 00:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attendattendingChicagoconcertgame musicGameMusicGen ConGen Con IndyGenConGenConIndyGuitar HeroGuitar Hero IIGuitarHeroGuitarHeroIiHoustonIllinoisINIndianaIndianapolisIndyMidwestMidwesternmusicPhiladelphiaPhillyrockshowTexasticketticketsTommytourVGLvgmvideo game musicVideo Games Livevideo-game musicVideo-gameMusicVideoGameMusicVideoGamesLiveFri, 16 Jun 2006 00:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Games Live starts ... damn, in 3 hours! [update 1]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/03/video-games-live-starts-damn-in-3-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/03/video-games-live-starts-damn-in-3-hours/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/03/video-games-live-starts-damn-in-3-hours/#commentsFiled under:

I'm walking out the door now, but wanted to remind any Philadelphians that Video Games Live is going down at the Merriam Theater (on Broad St., just south of City Hall) at 8pm. There will be stuff going on before and after the show, in addition to the show itself, so if you feel like making a night of it, tickets should still be available at the door.

As promised, I'll* be meeting up with a couple readers at dive bar extraordinaire, McGlinchey's, just around the corner at 259 S. 15th Street around 6PM. If you're looking for a cheap beer, a round or two of Metroid Prime: Hunters, and a whooping smoke-induced cough before the big show, this is the place to be. Look forward to meeting anyone attending!

*I'll be the tall dork with a Joystiq shirt on and a now super-lame DS Phat.

[Update: Chris will be meeting peeps at 6PM, not 7PM as previously stated. The time of this update is 6:15PM, so you're already 15 minutes late dammit! -Conrad]

JoystiqVideo Games Live starts ... damn, in 3 hours! [update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Jun 2006 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>PhiladelphiaPhillyVideo Games LiveVideoGamesLiveSat, 03 Jun 2006 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Video Games Live hits Philly tomorrow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/video-games-live-hits-philly-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/video-games-live-hits-philly-tomorrow/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/06/02/video-games-live-hits-philly-tomorrow/#commentsFiled under:


The previously canceled but now resuscitated Video Games Live show is ready to play its third show to date at Philadelphia's Merriam Theater in Center City tomorrow night. Like their show at GDC in March, this one is tied to a popular event -- namely Wizard World Philadelphia -- giving them a built-in audience who've already traveled to the city.

The GDC show in San Jose sold out, no doubt as a result of the hoards of gaming geeks and industry insiders around, but there are still tickets available in Philadelphia (comic book geeks, what's up?). In addition to the great music, the pre-show festival includes a costume event and a special meet and greet. Philadelphia attendees include Marty O'Donell (Halo), Jason Hayes (World of Warcraft), Martin Leung (Video Game Pianist) and me!

Alright, maybe I'm not a celebrity, but I'll be there with a handful of Joystiq t-shirts so if you see me*, ask for one. If there's enough Philly readers going (c'mon guys!) it might even be fun to meet up before hand, play some Metroid Prime: Hunters, you know the deal.

*I'll be the tall guy with a Joystiq shirt on!

JoystiqVideo Games Live hits Philly tomorrow originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Jun 2006 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ConcertJack WallJackWallMeetupMusicPhiladelphiaPhillyTommy TallaricoTommyTallaricoVideo Games LiveVideoGamesLiveFri, 02 Jun 2006 11:55:00 EST