What is an Indie game?

_LS_ · July 16, 2015 at 7:19 PM Official Post

@Pekachew and I disagree on the definition of "Indie Game." And, while I maintain that the actual definition is difficult to pin down exactly, I contest that her definition is incorrect. So as to avoid misrepresenting her position, I won't present it here.

I'll open my argument with a logical fallacy. I'm going to appeal to the authority of Wikipedia:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indie_game

Quote

Independent video games (commonly referred to as indie games) are video games created by individuals or small teams generally without video game publisher financial support.

Pekachew · July 16, 2015 at 7:27 PM

Well, Wikiapedia isn't a really reliable source... but anyways! I sorta basically said what is above. Indie games are basically games that are created through Kickstarter similar to Shovel Knight, or someone who has enough money to generate a video game using their own basis program, similar to Marc (Notch) creating Mojang and MineCraft as a whole.

As far as Indie titles, they're usually games that do not progress into several titles after it, for instance, Bravely Default was originally a indie game until Nintendo helped them publish on the Nintendo 3DS. As far as I'm concerned actually, Independent games are usually PC titles.

_LS_ · July 16, 2015 at 7:35 PM Official Post

So what did you mean when you said that an Indie game is a game that doesn't have any successors or predecessors?

Pekachew · July 16, 2015 at 7:37 PM

Quote from LinkSkywalker

So what did you mean when you said that an Indie game is a game that doesn't have any successors or predecessors?

Successors and presuccessors are prequels and sequels.

Similar how Zelda titles have a Successor and the presuccessor.

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
Presuccessor: The Legend of Zelda: Adventure of Link
Successor: The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

Lexatom · July 16, 2015 at 7:39 PM

Sorry to say this Pekachew, but I completely agree with LinkSkywalker's defenition of an indie game I see it as a game or series that has been made by one person or a small group of people. For example, the series Five Nights at Freddy's created by Scott Cawthon is still an indie series despite having sequels/prequels.

Pekachew · July 16, 2015 at 7:41 PM

Quote from The Inhaling One

Sorry to say this Pekachew, but I completely agree with LinkSkywalker's defenition of an indie game I see it as a game or series that has been made by one person or a small group of people. For example, the series Five Nights at Freddy's created by Scott Cawthon is still an indie series despite having sequels/prequels.

OHHHHHHH, NOW I GET IT.

*uber face desk*

Screw my english phrases and problems. UGH.

_LS_ · July 16, 2015 at 7:45 PM Official Post

Yeah, I was about to ask about Hotline Miami 2.

I guess we got that all cleared up then. Our Internet argument has reached an amicable conclusion.

Pekachew · July 16, 2015 at 7:47 PM

Quote from LinkSkywalker

Yeah, I was about to ask about Hotline Miami 2.

I guess we got that all cleared up then. Our Internet argument has reached an amicable conclusion.

I'd call it a disagreement not an argument mi grand garçon xD

_LS_ · July 16, 2015 at 7:51 PM Official Post

Potato, potato. I come from a philosophical background, so any statement used to persuade someone of something is an argument to me.

Sardonic Pickle · July 17, 2015 at 7:01 AM

Me reckons indie games are pretty much what that wikipedia definition said. Games made by an individual or small team with no publisher backing. I basically just paraphrased the original quote.

So nothing more to add to this thread I have.

**Kaynil** · July 18, 2015 at 8:22 AM Official Post

When does a game stops being "indie" for you, guys?

Is it like with Indie music, once they get too popular or get a publisher house, do they lose their indie status? :???:

Pekachew · July 18, 2015 at 8:58 AM

Quote from Kaynil

When does a game stops being "indie" for you, guys?

Is it like with Indie music, once they get too popular or get a publisher house, do they lose their indie status? :???:

If an Indie title is published through a company and all then it really isn't an Indie game. Pretty much, Shove Knight is moving to the Xbox, so.. it won't be an Indie title anymore.

_LS_ · July 18, 2015 at 9:00 AM Official Post

I think this is where the definition of Indie starts to become really confusing. It's kind of easy to decide what is an Indie game. It's more difficult to decide what is not an Indie game.

For myself, I would say that as soon as the creative team becomes answerable to a higher, non-creative authority, it's no longer an Indie game.

If you sit down and make a game all by yourself, it's Indie.
If you have a manager, who isn't working on the game, and they tell you to sit down and make the game for them, then it's not Indie.

So Minecraft, for example, is not Indie anymore.

Pekachew · July 18, 2015 at 9:02 AM

Quote from LinkSkywalker

-snip-

Basically, if you wanna see an example. Rose Thief is an indie title. Because I am not letting other people ruin it xD Especialllllyyyy with the way Nintendo is right now.

_LS_ · July 18, 2015 at 9:13 AM Official Post

I'd contest that Shovel Knight would still be an Indie title when it's released on the DS,as Nintendo doesn't really gain control over the game in any creatively meaningful way.

In general, I think it's difficult for a game to be finished, and be indie; then become not-indie because of a business deal that happens later. The only reason I would say that Minecraft is an exception is because

1. It's now wholely owned by Microsoft outright. The original devs don't really have any role in producing it anymore.
2. It's still being updated constantly.

So while Shovel Knight does have DLC coming out, that's not the same thing as still being a work in progress the way Minecraft is.

Pekachew · July 18, 2015 at 9:14 AM

Quote from LinkSkywalker

So while Shovel Knight does have DLC coming out

WOW.WOW.WOW. Shovel Knight DLC!? SMASH 4!? WHAT.

_LS_ · July 18, 2015 at 9:18 AM Official Post

Yeah, the Plague Knight campaign is coming out right around the same time as the DLC launch.

Sardonic Pickle · July 18, 2015 at 5:42 PM

Can't wait for the Plague Knight DLC.

**Kaynil** · July 18, 2015 at 6:14 PM Official Post

Oooh, interesting. Will the DLC come for all versions?

Also I think your definition makes sense, LS. If they're still being directed without the big corporation tweaking it is Indie no matter how many games are in the franchise and for what consoles it is released.

Lexatom · July 18, 2015 at 11:21 PM

Plague Knight DLC? But...I already beat him like 2 weeks ago...