Indie Game: The Movie
1. What are some of the difference between "big games" and "independent games" in terms of style/concepts and how they are made?
Triple A or big game developers make games to make to money, while indie developers make games to express themselves and out of passion. Triple A developers tend to go for a ultra high definition and realistic styles, while indie developers tend to try a more stylised or abstract style. (eg: pixel art) While Triple A studios almost always tries to go for mass market appeal, which usually means uninspired game concepts and ideas. Indie studios tend to go for more niche audiences, which can lead to innovative and creative ideas that bring something new to the market.
3. What do you think you would like about working on an indie (independent) game? What do you think you might not like?
I would enjoy the freedom and control I would have over the destiny of my game. It would be amazing to not have to work underneath a faceless giant corporation and make something that is truly my own. It would be so much easier to have creative freedom in a indie studio. But I would not enjoy the stress, pressure, or lack of funding.
Haters and trolls online would also be more damaging as they wouldn't just be attacking the game or company, they would be attacking me personally and my creation, my expression of self. In general, making a game as a freelance developer would mean a more satisfying or more stressful outcome.
4. What is some advice you could offer to someone who is trying to create their own game, based on what you learned in the film?
I would try to spend as much time as possible with friends and family, maybe employ some friends to work on the game with so I wouldn't be alone when working. I would spend time outside, perhaps try to develop my game in a local coffee shop with a laptop. I would also give myself personal time to relieve stress, and just have fun.
5. For the developers, what is the best part of completing the creation of a game?
The satisfaction of completing and publishing something that is your own. Getting feedback, after years of uncertainty. Just knowing that you expressed yourself through a game, whether or not the reviews are positive or negative means a lot to these developers. Watching other people play and enjoy their game. Showcasing their own creation. Sometimes reading reviews is a pleasant experience too.
Triple A or big game developers make games to make to money, while indie developers make games to express themselves and out of passion. Triple A developers tend to go for a ultra high definition and realistic styles, while indie developers tend to try a more stylised or abstract style. (eg: pixel art) While Triple A studios almost always tries to go for mass market appeal, which usually means uninspired game concepts and ideas. Indie studios tend to go for more niche audiences, which can lead to innovative and creative ideas that bring something new to the market.
2. What are some of the difficulties the developers in the film had to overcome?
Since indie developers receive little to no funding especially when they aren't "discovered", they have to work long stressful hours with little time to spend with friends and family. They cannot afford to have a social life or spend time on leisure activities, as they usually make their game alone or with little company; meaning more work for themselves. This may lead to a unhealthy life style as they almost never go outside, exercise or spend time with other people as their life is a long routine of sleep, eat and work.
Since indie developers receive little to no funding especially when they aren't "discovered", they have to work long stressful hours with little time to spend with friends and family. They cannot afford to have a social life or spend time on leisure activities, as they usually make their game alone or with little company; meaning more work for themselves. This may lead to a unhealthy life style as they almost never go outside, exercise or spend time with other people as their life is a long routine of sleep, eat and work.
3. What do you think you would like about working on an indie (independent) game? What do you think you might not like?
I would enjoy the freedom and control I would have over the destiny of my game. It would be amazing to not have to work underneath a faceless giant corporation and make something that is truly my own. It would be so much easier to have creative freedom in a indie studio. But I would not enjoy the stress, pressure, or lack of funding.
Haters and trolls online would also be more damaging as they wouldn't just be attacking the game or company, they would be attacking me personally and my creation, my expression of self. In general, making a game as a freelance developer would mean a more satisfying or more stressful outcome.
4. What is some advice you could offer to someone who is trying to create their own game, based on what you learned in the film?
I would try to spend as much time as possible with friends and family, maybe employ some friends to work on the game with so I wouldn't be alone when working. I would spend time outside, perhaps try to develop my game in a local coffee shop with a laptop. I would also give myself personal time to relieve stress, and just have fun.
5. For the developers, what is the best part of completing the creation of a game?
The satisfaction of completing and publishing something that is your own. Getting feedback, after years of uncertainty. Just knowing that you expressed yourself through a game, whether or not the reviews are positive or negative means a lot to these developers. Watching other people play and enjoy their game. Showcasing their own creation. Sometimes reading reviews is a pleasant experience too.
Great insights. 10/10
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