Hi!

I am not sure whether this has been discussed before or is blatantly obvious. Regardless, I still find it very interesting and feel compelled to post about it. :)

I came to think of the good old days. I mean the days when your only worries included home-work, that stunning brunette down the road you wanted to take to the movies, and getting that latest casette of computer games. I am sure most of you can relate to this? :)

Sure, I pirated games when I was 10-12 years old - we just didn't know anything else. Me and all my pals had C64s and a friend of a friend of a friend always knew someone who had gotten their hands on a new 90-minute tape of "turboed" games.
I know, wrong, illegal etc. However, we were young and didn't take it seriously (which by the way is what encourages me to spend at least some time on copy protection measures).

Anyway, I am rambling. So allow me to continue to do so.:)

My point is that these tapes we got every other week or so contained a gazillion of games. Most were poor and held the interest for a few minutes. However, some were an absolute blast and are still remembered with respect (heck, some are even played today through emulators).

I came to think of this while brewing my morning capuccino just now. What is really the difference between then now?
I would say not much.

- Massive ammount of games competing for attention. Check.
- Extremely varying quality. check.
- Most are discarded after a minute of play. check.
- Some are memorable and will earn heaps of cash. check.

Sure, I realize there are major differences too, like the "real", "mature" games industry competing with our efforts. A very real fact. Still, the internet IS leveling the playing field. The majority of people out there WILL continue to behave like we did, browsing the internet equivalent of our game-filled tapes (albeit in a legal manner I sincerely hope).
So, again, a few good and memorable games will earn heaps of money, and most average ones won't.

The situation really hasn't changed, has it? A few guys in a cellar writing a mediocre game in the 80s couldn't count on the income to sustain them. Same thing applies today.
So why is it that many "indies" think that creating a few "quick" games, or even slightly modified copies of existing games, will earn them money? It amazes me. Innovation was the key then , and still is. Yes, it is hard - but when was the last time someone handed you something for free?

Now, bring on the flames - especially as I have NO real experience to back up my views. ;)
Also, you will get a perfect chance to scold me when I release my first game later this year. :)

Have a great day!
Daniel

(edited due to sloppy early-morning spelling)

One reason that indies can expect to make more sales nowadays is because of the internet. In the early 90s I had to buy a lot of games by mail order, and they'd take weeks to arrive. Impulse purchases just weren't possible. Now with online credit card ordering, and the massive online audience, you've got a much better chance of being able to make decent sales. Easier distribution, easier to purchase.

Oh yeah, and that makes self-publishing a lot easier. That means you don't have to worry about attracting publishers, and you get a much larger cut of the profits.

As for the few quick games issue - I have been impressed by the LD48 entries (made in 48 hours). As I keep reminding everyone here, I'm not much of a gamer, but I'm really enjoying InfeXion, Commies and ZombiePox. I appreciate the small downloads, easy installation... and the games seem to have a great passion and spirit to them that reminds me of the Commodore 64 days. Commies has really won my heart.

Your points are valid though. It's still a lot of hard work involved, but I think things are easier now than they were in the 80s & early 90s.