In a frank and candid interview in the latest Edge magazine (issue 223) indie developer Jonathan Blow (the man behind Braid) and Chris Hecker, a former member of the Spore development team talk independent gaming, its current status and the future. Blow is currently working on a 3D adventure game called The Witness, and Hecker’s new project, SpyParty, is a ‘hardcore’ game based on espionage and ‘people-watching’.
Again, as with the Uncharted 3 feature, we want you to buy Edge (seriously, it’s pretty much the only mag worth reading), not least because the interview is such a riveting read but also because these sorts of articles are much better digested in print form.
The interview first chats about this being a ‘golden age’ for indie development, with Hecker suggesting that he hopes it is – “the business end is clearly huge” he says, referencing Xbox Live, PSN, Steam and Facebook and Braid creator Blow adding that “there are definitely creative games happening” and that we’re currently in “boom time.”
With reference to Xbox Live (and there’s nothing to suggest he doesn’t have the same thoughts on other platforms), Blow thinks that while of the indie games struggle commercially, the big hitters – the titles like Trials HD and Shadow Complex – provide a great deal of optimism for the service. His game, The Witness, is still platform agnostic however as, like anyone else, he’s not aware of where the market’s going and doesn’t want to be tied down or have “anyone telling him what to do” when his game is ready in the next couple of years.
That’s the spirit of indie development that a lot of people seem to miss – it’s not about the money, and you certainly don’t need to get your games out on console. “Minecraft has made a crapload of money,” he says.
Jonathan then chats about whether he thinks Microsoft and Sony are doing enough to encourage developers like him. “Microsoft has provided the lowest barry to entry,” he says, referring to the remarkably open Xbox Live Indie Games service, which has seen some real gems. He suggests that Sony have “done more” because of the way they vet the games that go out, but that’s really a statement based on the rather more even level of games that hit PSN due to an absence of a similar outlet for indie developers.
“They’re actually looking for games that are artful or experimental,” he says of Sony in their defence. “XBLA is more conservative than PSN but it still has a larger audience so it’s much more commercially feasible, as long as you can get your game noticed.” Sentiments we’ve heard many other devs say over the years.
It’s a fascinating read – the latest issue is out today.
colossalblue
The only magazine worth reading?! Piffle! PSM3 had bits in 3D this month! Don’t you know 3D makes everything ten times more entertaining?!
Seriously, this sounds very interesting, I might nip out and grab a copy if any of them made it over the Irish Sea.
Oh, and your headline needs more sensationalism, don’t you know how we’re supposed to be doing this?
nofi
Apologies for the headline. Should have been ‘Braid dev says Xbox is shit’. Please resumbit and Digg. Love, ~n.
bunimomike
I have to say, I may well pick up a copy of Edge to read the Uncharted article. Last time I bought a magazine? *shrugs* Five years ago? Maybe more.
bunimomike
Sorry. I did read this article too! Strange that Sony aren’t making it easier for Indie devs to come to the PSN. The very thing Playstation has enjoyed is diversity in its games library.