It's more dangerous than ever to go alone.
October 1, 2021 3:11 AM Subscribe
They call it the Indiepocalypse - the oversaturation of indie, outsider and hobbyist video games that results in poor sales for the vast majority of them. Strategies have been suggested, such as those from gamedev Jason Rohrer, but Andrew aka PIZZAPRANKS has another solution: convenient bundles of diverse, disparate games. Hence his $15 USD bundle-slash-zine series, INDIEPOCALYPSE (itch.io store - always updated first), which is literally hours away (if that) from posting Issue #21. All devs and zine writers are paid, both up front and per sale. At least ten games included with each issue. Stuff besides game info in the zine from #5 onwards. One exclusive game with each issue from #13 onwards. Anyone can submit games, comics, and mini-zines. More info and important tips after the jump.
INFO
Andrew also does a live weekly radio show on Twitch, also available as a podcast, where he talks to indie devs, mostly ones who have appeared in Indiepocalypse.
Whenever a new issue is posted, limited numbers of free copies of older issues are made available for those having trouble affording them. Be considerate!
To aid in the creation of mini-zine-within-the-zine submissions, issues from #5 onward include the gorgeous free mini-zine-making program Electric Zine Maker (previously). The version I linked to is guaranteed to be the latest.
If your game/s is/are accepted (see submissions page for info about multiple submissions), you will not be able to submit another for a roughly-defined number of months that's currently around six. This does not apply to comics or mini-zines.
TIPS
Each bundle comes with a convenient launcher program; however, its descriptions of which games will work on your OS may be out of date; they definitely are in Issue 1. Explore the folders!
Issue 1's excellent The Manse on Soracca has a couple of issues. The game includes Steam DRM that will direct you to its page on Steam (Andrew is aware of this problem and is trying to fix it - if you want to buy the game, it's also on itch.io). There is also another, more unusual problem being worked on by the game's developer; this currently has a simpler workaround.
INFO
Andrew also does a live weekly radio show on Twitch, also available as a podcast, where he talks to indie devs, mostly ones who have appeared in Indiepocalypse.
Whenever a new issue is posted, limited numbers of free copies of older issues are made available for those having trouble affording them. Be considerate!
To aid in the creation of mini-zine-within-the-zine submissions, issues from #5 onward include the gorgeous free mini-zine-making program Electric Zine Maker (previously). The version I linked to is guaranteed to be the latest.
If your game/s is/are accepted (see submissions page for info about multiple submissions), you will not be able to submit another for a roughly-defined number of months that's currently around six. This does not apply to comics or mini-zines.
TIPS
Each bundle comes with a convenient launcher program; however, its descriptions of which games will work on your OS may be out of date; they definitely are in Issue 1. Explore the folders!
Issue 1's excellent The Manse on Soracca has a couple of issues. The game includes Steam DRM that will direct you to its page on Steam (Andrew is aware of this problem and is trying to fix it - if you want to buy the game, it's also on itch.io). There is also another, more unusual problem being worked on by the game's developer; this currently has a simpler workaround.
wenestvedt: I forgot to mention it's monthly, with a currently planned end date of, and I quote, 'forever?????'.
posted by BiggerJ at 5:25 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by BiggerJ at 5:25 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
But how does this solve the market saturation problem?
posted by timdiggerm at 6:42 AM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by timdiggerm at 6:42 AM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
But how does this solve the market saturation problem?
It doesn't, not exactly. The thinking here, if I understand it correctly, is that the problem is essentially one of discovery: there aren't actually too many games out there, it's just really difficult pointing people to the games they would be really into. Bundles tend to be attractive in ways individual games aren't, and the hope is that getting included in a bundle leads to additional visibility for your game, especially from people who might not otherwise have even heard of it, let alone picked it up.
Bundles have been around for years, though, and it doesn't really seem to have solved this problem. INDIEPOCALYPSE (the zine) seems to be trying to primarily curate an audience for its games, rather than curate games for an audience (though of course it's doing both to some extent), which is probably a smart move if they can pull it off; better than attaching your game to random bundles in the hopes that one of them lights the match.
posted by chrominance at 7:24 AM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
It doesn't, not exactly. The thinking here, if I understand it correctly, is that the problem is essentially one of discovery: there aren't actually too many games out there, it's just really difficult pointing people to the games they would be really into. Bundles tend to be attractive in ways individual games aren't, and the hope is that getting included in a bundle leads to additional visibility for your game, especially from people who might not otherwise have even heard of it, let alone picked it up.
Bundles have been around for years, though, and it doesn't really seem to have solved this problem. INDIEPOCALYPSE (the zine) seems to be trying to primarily curate an audience for its games, rather than curate games for an audience (though of course it's doing both to some extent), which is probably a smart move if they can pull it off; better than attaching your game to random bundles in the hopes that one of them lights the match.
posted by chrominance at 7:24 AM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
An alternative is to have a really great community. The indie horror genre has a bunch of good-to-great streamers, a lot of wholesome and welcoming followers on twitch/discord/youtube/etc, dev-to-fan interactions, cross-promotions and support, etc.
posted by Godspeed.You!Black.Emperor.Penguin at 8:01 AM on October 1, 2021
posted by Godspeed.You!Black.Emperor.Penguin at 8:01 AM on October 1, 2021
The thinking here, if I understand it correctly, is that the problem is essentially one of discovery: there aren't actually too many games out there, it's just really difficult pointing people to the games they would be really into.
That depends. If you're into time-intensive genres (for me: JRPGs, roguelikes/lites, and city builders), then even just sticking to stuff from devs you like can be overwhelming. I have long games in my backlog that have been there for upwards of ten years simply because I haven't had the time for them. On the other hand, I'm also a fan of puzzle games and crank through them pretty fast; I typically load up on a bunch of them once or twice a year during big PC game sales.
The biggest trends in gaming right now, amongst players, are subscription services with featured games each month and massive libraries to tap into, and/or mainly sticking to one game, usually free-to-play. These approaches eases the discoverability problem for spoiled-for-choice gamers, but don't do much for devs outside of these systems.
I don't use a subscription service, but I do buy lots of individual games, and sometimes bundles, and the vast majority of that stuff is B-tier or indie. The recent events on Steam and elsewhere which throw a bunch of demos at you so that you can try games out without having to spend any money are great, and will hopefully continue (demos in general really ought to be more common). Even then, it's impossible to keep up with everything I'm even remotely interested in. I'm also a hobbydev, so this problem of "too many games" affects me from that end as well.
On the other hand, it's been like this for books, comics, and music for a very long time, so maybe games are just finally catching up.
posted by May Kasahara at 8:06 AM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
That depends. If you're into time-intensive genres (for me: JRPGs, roguelikes/lites, and city builders), then even just sticking to stuff from devs you like can be overwhelming. I have long games in my backlog that have been there for upwards of ten years simply because I haven't had the time for them. On the other hand, I'm also a fan of puzzle games and crank through them pretty fast; I typically load up on a bunch of them once or twice a year during big PC game sales.
The biggest trends in gaming right now, amongst players, are subscription services with featured games each month and massive libraries to tap into, and/or mainly sticking to one game, usually free-to-play. These approaches eases the discoverability problem for spoiled-for-choice gamers, but don't do much for devs outside of these systems.
I don't use a subscription service, but I do buy lots of individual games, and sometimes bundles, and the vast majority of that stuff is B-tier or indie. The recent events on Steam and elsewhere which throw a bunch of demos at you so that you can try games out without having to spend any money are great, and will hopefully continue (demos in general really ought to be more common). Even then, it's impossible to keep up with everything I'm even remotely interested in. I'm also a hobbydev, so this problem of "too many games" affects me from that end as well.
On the other hand, it's been like this for books, comics, and music for a very long time, so maybe games are just finally catching up.
posted by May Kasahara at 8:06 AM on October 1, 2021 [2 favorites]
The problem is essentially one of discovery: there aren't actually too many games out there, it's just really difficult pointing people to the games they would be really into.
There is a tension here: if there weren’t to many games out there, you wouldn’t need someone to curate them.
I’m waaay outside of any target demographic here, but it kind of seems like the goal of the blossoming of a million indie games was to eventually filter new concepts in play upward and cause the mainstream publishers to produce a broader array of content. I still feel like we’re on that road, here’s to getting there.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:59 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
There is a tension here: if there weren’t to many games out there, you wouldn’t need someone to curate them.
I’m waaay outside of any target demographic here, but it kind of seems like the goal of the blossoming of a million indie games was to eventually filter new concepts in play upward and cause the mainstream publishers to produce a broader array of content. I still feel like we’re on that road, here’s to getting there.
posted by Going To Maine at 8:59 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
Microsoft's Gamepass has put some fantastic little indies on there and I like to think that's a wonderful revenue stream for them.
They've also put some REALLY BAD or broken games on there.
Also, there are so, so many games being made now. There are far more great games than anyone can play.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 9:07 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
They've also put some REALLY BAD or broken games on there.
Also, there are so, so many games being made now. There are far more great games than anyone can play.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 9:07 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
It's a great idea, I just wish itch.io had regional pricing.
posted by simmering octagon at 9:25 AM on October 1, 2021
posted by simmering octagon at 9:25 AM on October 1, 2021
magazine (n.)Bundles are magazines.
The meaning "periodical journal containing miscellaneous writings" dates from the publication of the first one, Gentleman's Magazine, in 1731, which was so called from earlier use of the word for printed lists of military stores and information, or in a figurative sense, from the publication being a "storehouse" of information (originally of books, 1630s).
posted by migurski at 10:01 AM on October 1, 2021 [3 favorites]
I've just discovered a special Indiepocalypse project that's accepting submissions until the end of the year: The Book of Rejects, which requires that all entries must have A. been submitted to a major indie festival or award that charged money to do so and B. been rejected. Demos permitted.
posted by BiggerJ at 8:09 PM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by BiggerJ at 8:09 PM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]
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posted by wenestvedt at 5:12 AM on October 1, 2021 [1 favorite]