Topia Online

Topia Online Kickstarter

I am really disappointed this game didn't get funded.  Topia onine looked like a superb game.  It did seem pretty confusing, but it had great potential.  I believe that the game is still coming out, but obviously not as soon.  You use basic programming to create objects, manipulate the environment, and sell your designs.  Even if you don't know programming (like me) you can find codes on the forums to help you.  The more people use the objects you created, the more "money" you get.  Makes you want to learn programming!  So it's a MMORPG/building/awesome/difficult genre game?  Multi-genre games are fantastic!

So what does this have to do with anything?

I think that the developer didn't expound on the awesome indie game community.  I think if he would've participated more in threads and discussions, he could've landed his goal on kickstarter.  The guy is really nice, and I got the opportunity to talk with him through kickstarter.  I truly hope the game succeeds.

Kickstarter

 I try to keep up with kickstarter since it's the epitome of what I love.  People getting together and helping each other succeed, especially with games.  Superb games like FTL and Elite Dangerous are huge (or going to be) and they owe it all to the donators.  I think that it's awesome that a complete stranger would help someone just because they like the potential.
Let me know of any cool games coming through kickstarter.  I try to keep up, but I may miss one or two great games.

Side Note

Thanks to everyone who watched my review!  Psychoticpsoftware especially helped bring attention to my first review.  Many thanks!  Check out his twitter here.  Thanks indie community.

Final Product

The Time has Arrived

Whew!  After many hours of work, I finally got my first YouTube video finished.  Here is the final product.

If you have any questions or concerns please comment!

Today is the Day!

Review Tuesday

I will be posting the review in a little bit.  After I tweak some last minute issues, it will be up on the blog and YouTube.  Can't wait!

Dungeon Defenders

First Review

Ok, so my first indie game review is officially Dungeon Defenders + DLC.  I will be posting on Tuesday, and I hope to get some constructive feedback for my video.  I've had lots of support through twitter and other social media, and I am ready to get the ball rolling.  Thanks to those who visit this site, and if you visit but don't like it, please feel free to leave a comment on what was wrong.  Something was glitchy with the comments and no one could post anything, but I have fixed it and it runs smoothly.

Bring it on indie games!

The Problem with Multiplayer Teamwork

The Dream

Ok here's the scenario: You're at a...

A) Castle
B) Battleship
C) Terrorist Hideout
D) Steampunk Blimp

Playing as a...

A) Sword-wielding knight that can fly
B) New Recruit
C) Navy Seal
D) Be-goggled man with swag

Oh no the...

A) North wall has fallen!
B) Kraken has been released!
C) Hideout was a trap!
D) Water coolant system is busted!

In each of these scenarios it would be extremely useful to have a buddy around to help you, or an engineer to fix... something.  It seems to me that a lot of multiplayer games try and rope you together and get everyone to work together.   In my experience it never turns out how it should.

Uh oh the/players...

A) Guys at the North wall didn't tell anyone
B) New guy at the port-side cannon isn't shooting
C) Everyone splits off on their own, and fights one on one!
D) Engineer is AFK... >:(

The way that most games try to have you communicate is via chat or voice.  Chat is pretty useful and I do it just as much as the next guy.  In the heat of the moment, however, you can't really type: "Hey I need some help at the North wall, a level (input ridiculous number) goblin just came through!  Bring some (weapons that kill goblins) with you!" Because if you do, that ridiculous goblin will kill you.  Now I know CoD and Halo have some voice options, but half the time it's pretty annoying to talk to the other players.  Some of the indie games I play like Dungeon Defenders and Guns of Icarus have the "press-to-talk" option, but EVERYONE always turns it off.  Me included.

The Point to this Tirade

I was talking with my friend the other day and we were discussing what games should support multiplayer, but every indie game we came up with wouldn't work with the current communication setup.  The good multiplayer games that work well are ones that you don't truly need to work together on.  So the present term "teamwork" really means the rogues go solo it, new players run around, and no one is a healer.  I feel like there should be some other way of communication, but I can't think of a way that doesn't already not work. (Did that make sense?)

This is completely open.  If you totally disagree with what I said, then post in the comments!  Tell me if the CoD voice talking is the best!  I want to know!

Starting out

Critisism Criticism
Seeing as how I'm in the middle of my first indie review, I'm seeing the difficulties and troubles that come along with it.  Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying it to the extreme.  I'm really excited for next Tuesday when I upload it, and I am ready to get some good criticism.  This also ties into the indie game community.  The groupies help the game move along, and give it feedback.  I think that some pretty big titles owe some of their success to their followers. Without the community, there would be no Minecraft mods, no Legend of Grimrock maps, and no awesome "Let's Play" videos. (just to name a few).  I realize that I am new to this, and it's a whole new adventure I'm ready to commence.

Humble Bundle
One of the beauties of Humble Bundles, is that not only do you get great games, help charity, and have a blast, but you also get the complete soundtracks for the titles.  Since my first couple of reviews will be humble bundles, that will be extremely useful for adding background music.  I plan on buying the future bundles, and reviewing/showing gameplay for them.

Supporters
Twitter has been awesome in helping me.  I've been asking people to check out my blog, and they've been a huge help.  Just a couple of my advisors have been Psychoticpsoftware and Jeff Swift.  They've been really helpful and it just goes to show you how awesome the community is.

Game review update

Confusion

I just wanted to clear up any confusion on when I will be posting my first review. When I said next Tuesday I meant January 15.  I apologize if there was anyone expecting a video today. This actually is a pretty big discussion in my family. If today is Tuesday and I say next Wednesday, am I talking about a week from tomorrow, or tomorrow? We still haven't figured it out, but when we do I'll let you know.

First Post

Hey there.  I've been playing indie games for a while now, and I've decided that I should probably start documenting my many adventures.  I've seen a lot of reviews and played plenty of hours, and I really need an outlet for my opinions.

One of my favorite things about independently developed games is the community.  Most of the time they stick together and don't mind helping newcomers out.  So as I was watching and playing my indie games, I really wanted a way for others to be able to share their perspective and reviews about games.  I'm going to be posting a video once a week centered on an indie game.  Most likely a review, or maybe a gameplay video.  Don't worry, I get sick of just watching guys jump around for ten minutes, so there will be serious editing.  I especially want others to participate and share their thoughts.  In all of my reviews there will be a rubric that others can make their videos around.  If you make a video and use my general rubric I will post your video to my blog/vlog.  If you don't want to use my methods, that is completely fine.  I will try and link other reviews, tutorials and gameplay videos on my website that are related to that week's game.

I'm just starting at this, so any comments and tips are welcome.  Any grammar corrections, suggestions, or funny jokes are appreciated.  I will try and have my first indie game review up next Tuesday.  I do, however, sometimes do borderline indie games.  It may not be well known, or I like it so much that I write a review.  All of my reviews and posts won't be just videos.  I will also open discussions and talk about certain aspects of indie games.  Well, off I go!