The moustachioed man has returned once again to grace the asphalt with his crew of dinosaurs and princesses, so I feel it’s only natural that this week we dedicate some time towards the brave explorers of a severely under-rated genre – the multiplayer driving combat ‘em up.

Mario Kart is all about high speed multiplayer carnage, be it local or online. Everything is to play for, and the games provide a great ‘proving ground’ for friends and foes alike to compete for that first place position. You can expect great local and online multiplayer gameplay with plenty of power-ups and whacky courses in these unsung titles.

Krautscape – PC

What it is – Krautscape takes the manic action of a multiplayer driving game and gives it wings. Each track is procedurally generated, meaning no two races will be the same. What’s more, players can simply take a leap of faith off of the track and soar across huge distances in an effort to steal first place.

Why you might like it – There’s a great opportunity for some fantastic victory stealing to happen in Krautscape. The ability to soar across the game world means that even when you’re leagues ahead of the competition, you can never be too sure if someone isn’t about to sneak in ahead of you. Because of the way the track is generated, there are times where even the person in first place doesn’t know where they are going as the track is only generated when someone passed through each checkpoint gate.

You can buy Krautscape on Steam Early Access, and follow development on the official site.

Bears Can’t Drift – OUYA

What it is – Bears Can’t Drift is appropriately named for what lies within. You play as a bear strapped to a go-kart, seemingly hellbent on defeating all of the other bears to the finish line of a race through the woods. Featuring 2-4 player local split-screen multiplayer, Bears Can’t Drift offers some enjoyable competitive party racing on the OUYA.

Why you might like it – You mean other than that there are bears racing each other in go-karts? Okay, how about using giant bazookas to fire fish at each other? The track is littered with pick-ups and speed boosts, giving you that Mario Kart vibe from start to finish. It’s worth noting that the current iteration of the game only supports either solo play – for those who just hate everyone around them – or local split-screen multiplayer with the possibility of AI in future versions.

You can download Bears Can’t Drift for the OUYA here, and keep tabs on development via the developer’s Twitter account here.

Silas – PC

What it is – Silas combines the manic fervor of kart racing with a hearty dose of FPS shooting and destructive power-ups. The game supports both online and LAN multiplayer, and also includes a sizable amount of single player content.

Why you might like it – If you’re in the market for a game that requires precision at the drop of a hat, Silas is definitely up your alley. Most of your arsenal has to be manually aimed, and when you’re traveling at breakneck speed that isn’t always as easy as you’d think. Combine that with flying cars and level specific hazards that can wipe you out without a moment’s notice and the end result is a great entry to the ‘multiplayer kart racing whilst shooting your friends’ genre.

You can pick up Silas on Desura here.

Skydrift – PC, XBLA, PSN

What it is – Skydrift is what happens when you combine airborne dog fighting with the desire to be in first place. Soar across canyons, glaciers, and volcanoes as you shoot down your friends and strive to be the top gun.

Why you might like it – Okay so it isn’t a kart racer, but I’d argue that it shares more with Mario Kart than you’d think. There are a dozen manic pick-up weapons, speed boosting rings, whacky levels to race across and a number of different planes to choose from. If you were a fan of Diddy Kong Racing, this will probably appeal to you more, but I’d urge you not to dismiss it just because your vehicle doesn’t have any wheels.

You can pick up Skydrift on Steam, Xbox Live Arcade (Xbox 360), and Playstation Network (PS3)

Distance – PC

What it is – Distance is a self-proclaimed “experimental survival racing” game, which will see you dodging hazards and rival players as your progress through the vibrant neon cityscape laid out before you. Utilize a futuristic car to navigate across the dangerous terrain with the ability to boost your speed, jump across gaps, rotate your vehicle at will, and glide across chasms as you race towards the finish line.

Why you might like it – Probably the most removed from the original Mario Kart concept, Distance takes a more serious stance on the racing genre. The graphics alone are enough to make you want to drool, with cascading bright neon lights strewn across the world like it was taken straight out of a Tron film. That doesn’t mean this is a no-nonsense racer though, as there’s enough whacky antics for you to crash into, including buzz-saws that can split your car into pieces. If you’re after something less cartoon-like but with the same level of frantic mayhem, Distance is one for you.

Distance is currently in beta and you can pre-purchase the game on the official site here.

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Aliens getting all up in your grill? As every XCOM fan knows, the best solution to that would be a tactical deployment of well trained soldiers ready to die for the sake of the mission, whether they like it or not. Building up your team, fighting against insurmountable odds, and turn based combat are the hallmarks of a great XCOM game, and if you’re in the market for some more tactical goodness, look no further than the picks below.

Games You Can Play Now

Xenonauts – PC

What is it – Xenonauts is the self proclaimed ‘spiritual successor’ to the classic XCOM games of yesteryear. The year is 1979, and nasty alien folk have decided it’s high time to invade earth. Being pre-disposed towards wanting to continue breathing, the citizens of planet earth decide to form a coalition to fight back.

Why you might like it – Xenonauts boasts all the trappings of its inspiration. The combat stays true to its roots with turn based gameplay, along with its fully destructible environments and a dynamic mission creation system that varies each battlefield deployment. There’s also plenty of research and tactical team building to go alongside your xenomorphic slaying too, with combat equipment, vehicles, aircraft, and even alien tech to unlock and upgrade.

You can follow development and purchase early access to Xenonauts here.

Invisible Inc. – PC

What is it – Invisible Inc. Is a shot at the turn-based tactical genre by the folks that brought you Don’t Starve and Mark of the Ninja. In this espionage focused title, players will assume control of a nest of spies (This is actually the correct term; I looked it up and everything). Get in, steal the valuable assets, and get out without leaving so much as a speck of evidence that you were ever there.

Why you might like it – Okay so it might have 100% less aliens in it, but the gameplay should still offer some appeal. You will have to use your units as one collective force, utilising their special abilities in unison if you want to make it out alive with your pilfered goods. While it is worth noting that the game is still in an early stage of development, there’s a huge amount of scope for the title, and if you enjoy the strategic elements of the combat scenes in XCOM, there should be something here for you.

You can keep track of development and purchase early access here.

Isomer – PC

What is it – Isomer is the illicit love child of an affair between turn based strategy games and open world sandbox titles. This time around you play as the invading alien menace, on a quest to exterminate all of the meatbags inhabiting your new home. Construct and maintain a central base of operations, and send out your drones on raiding parties to help keep the human scum at bay.

Why you might like it – You’d be forgiven in saying that Isomer is somewhat far removed from the traditional XCOM formula. The game plays out in real time, the world is open and free to explore, and the addition of base building adds a whole new element to think about when playing. However, what the game does offer is a similar mantra. You must stop the enemy by hindering their strength, whilst you gather yours. Those looking to see the ‘spirit’ of XCOM from the other side of the fence should definitely check this one out.

You can track development of the game via the official site, or its Greenlight page.

Star Command – iOS, Android

What is it – This charming little mobile title asks you to take control of your own spaceship, sailing across the stars as you right wrongs and teach alien folk that when it comes to being a captain, there is no equal. Upgrade your ship, fight off boarding parties of savage ant men, and generally just have a good time in space.

Why you might like it – Think Faster Than Light meets XCOM and you’re close to hitting the nail on the head with this one. It’s a solid tactical game that merges micromanagement and squad based combat together well. There’s plenty of technological advancement and progression open for your squad members, accompanied by an interesting story and sometimes funny dialogue. Plus, it’s a mobile game, so if you’re in need for some XCOM goodness on the move, you should definitely give this one a once over.

You can purchase the game from the official site.

Games To Watch Out For

Halfway

What is it – You emerge from a stasis pod, only to find that your ship has become infested with a swarm of nasty aliens and your former crew have long since become lunch. It’s time to gather the last of the survivors and blast your way through the hordes as you attempt to uncover just what has happened to your ship.

Why you might like it – Halfway is what happens when you take the tactical turn-based combat found in XCOM, and douse it in a lavish helping of gloomy lighting and atmospheric Alien-esque atmosphere. The focus here lies on the combat, allowing for a deeper sense of tactical options to help you mow down the Xenomorph menace. Only by exploring the ship can you hope to improve the skills and equipment of your squad and live to find out what happened to the former crew.

You can follow development here.

Confederate Express

What is it – The world has gone to crap. Zombies, savage bandits, and malfunctioning robots stand between you and your goal. What is your goal? Well, you’re a delivery driver and, come rain or shine, gosh darn it you’re just not going to stop in getting that package to where it needs to be.

Why you might like it – This is probably the most far removed from what I would consider an XCOM-like, and whilst you may be preparing to throw something heavy at me, just hear me out first. The game is all about weighing up the cost of risk versus the benefit of what you might gain. Those willing to front the risk of failure will gain more money for completing a successful delivery, and in turn they will have more to spend on better equipment and crew members. If that isn’t enough to even pique some slight curiosity, then please by all means, commence the barrage.

Development updates for the game are pretty rare, but for those wanting to track it anyway, your best bet would be to follow their IndieDB page. You can also try out a short tech demo here.

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Dark Souls, the game that most people ‘fear’. It’s become a huge success over the past few years, and the experience of playing it can mean a bunch of different things to different players. Some love to explore the desolate atmosphere of its setting, plundering the unknown world to explore what secrets lay down the beaten path. Others prefer the challenge of fighting hulking monstrosities, overcoming the insurmountable odds in an effort to prove that there is no obstacle too large or deadly that cannot be bested.

Whatever your passion, a love of the series can only be sated for so long; the game will eventually come to an end and you may be left wanting more. But worry not adventurer, for all hope is not lost. I have traversed the murky woods, plundered the haunted castles, and emerged with a bountiful haul of indie games that resemble some of the best aspects of the Dark Souls series. If you still need your masochistic fix, here’s a handy list of games that might scratch your Dark Souls itch, along with a bunch of titles currently in development to watch out for.

Games You Can Play Now

Volgarr The Viking – PC

What is it – Volgarr the Viking has you don the glorious mane of a Nordic warrior as he rampages through a mystical land of deadly enemies, traps, and satisfyingly sizable boss monsters. This 2D side-scroller will have you spilling blood over 30+ levels, with a keen focus on simple controls that are quick to learn but difficult to master.

Why you would like it – Aside from the repeated dying that you’ll no doubt endure from Volgarr’s high difficulty threshold, both games share a solid control scheme. Dodge rolls, careful timing, and knowledge of your enemy go a long way to surviving the trials ahead, and once you get into the groove of foe-slaying a sense of familiar satisfaction will remind you of the litres of tears you’ve cried traversing the kingdom of Drangleic.

Available on Steam or through the Humble Widget for $11.99/£9.99

Titan Souls – PC

What is it – Titan Souls is the final product of a three man Ludum Dare endeavour. In keeping with the theme – You only get one – the game tasks you with slaying four epic boss monsters with only one arrow. Once you fire off your arrow you are forced to remain motionless and vulnerable as you recall it back from its flight, and if you take any form of damage from the big bad boss folk then its game over.

Why you would like it – It’s freaking called “Titan Souls”. The game is heavily inspired by the series, and by opting for a more minimalist approach to the combat, those of you in need of a quick fix are sure to find worth in playing it. If that’s not enough to entice you, each boss can only be slain by finding and exploiting its one weak spot. Trial and error will have you returning multiple times as you try to discover just how each boss is slain.

The Ludum Dare game is free to play here.

La Mulana – PC/Wii

What is it – In short, the side scrolling open world Indiana Jones game you never knew you wanted. La Mulana gives you a whip and sends you on your merry way into the dangerous tombs below as you search for untold treasure. Easily described as a Metroidvania, the game boasts a massively open map, complete with angry boss monsters and powerful relics to pilfer.

Why you might like it – La Mulana encompasses one of the more unique qualities of the Souls series. It drops you into the world with a quick pep talk, then slams the door shut and lets you figure everything else out by yourself. It’s a journey of discovery at your own pace, with every path open to you from the start, enabling that sense of exploration we’ve come to find endearing of Dark Souls games.

La Mulana can be downloaded from Steam for $14.99/£11.99

Games To Watch Out For

Malebolgia

What is it – Malebolgia is a trip through the dark corridors of the Devil’s fortress. You will take the reins of a fallen general as he searches the darkness for the beast himself, though how and why you came to be in this situation is largely unknown.

Why you might like it – The game screams doom from the very start. Everything is lathered in a healthy dose of darkness, and when you throw in the narrative of traversing the afterlife into the mix, it’s easy to draw comparisons to the Dark Souls series. To add to the proceedings, the beast isn’t going to be found at the top of the fortress. Instead he will actively hunt you down as you explore the world, and it’s up to you to make sure you remain undetected until you’re ready to take him down.

You can follow the development team on Greenlight and Twitter.

Caravan

What is it – Caravan is a game about being stranded in the desert. Water has become invaluable, and you’ll have to brave the dangers of the harsh land if you want to continue living. As far as deserts go this one is pretty desolate, aside from the hulking monsters that also inhabit it, of course.

Why you might like it – Caravan is boasting a similar connective concept to that of Dark Souls. The idea is that dying in the world can actually have an impact on another player’s experience. When you die, your location is sent to a synchronised server, and a gravestone is left behind containing your last precious drops of water. If another player happens upon your fateful grave, there’s a good chance your ill fate might just save their life.

You can keep tabs on the development here.

Oblitus

What is it – Oblitus has you take control of a peculiar creature named Parvus. Wielding only a spear and the ability to perform well timed dodge rolls, your task is to discover what you are as you travel across a land full of giant angry boss type folks.

Why you might like it – A key development point for Oblitus has been about rewarding patience and strategy over aggressive spamming of the attack button. Those who enjoy the tense timing and combat aspects of the Dark Souls series will find something to enjoy here. The big boss monsters and creepy aesthetic will probably help capturing that sense of desolation we seem to yearn for too.

Keep up to date with the development on the official site or via Twitter.

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

We’ve entered the new year, so it’s high time we started to look at the cool, creepy, and downright strange games hoping to find success in 2014. So, we gathered together around the Indie Mine table, and came up with a list of our most anticipated releases this year.

Spy Party

Ever wanted to shoot someone at a fancy soiree? Well Spy Party offers the ability to do just that with two players assuming two very different roles. The first is an assassin with a single bullet on a mission to murder an unsuspecting party-goer. The second role is occupied by the spy who must complete a series of challenges whilst mingling amongst a sea of NPC’s and remaining anonymous to the ever-watching scope of their would-be killer. The game’s focus on keen observation, perception, and crafty use of psychology helps create this ‘battle of wits’ atmosphere, making each round as tense as the last

Spy Party is currently in open beta, and available to buy now for $15

Magecite

2D side-scrolling RPG platforming is the name of the game in Magicite from student developer Sean Young. You assume the role of a beleaguered human, removed from your home and forced underground by an evil scourge. Whilst taking refuge in the tunnels below the surface, you discover an ancient system of caves filled with magical creatures and ancient gods. You and a group of friends can gather together and plunder the depths, fighting baddies and looting treasure on the way. Expect procedurally generated caves, boss battles, character progression and perma-death in this neat looking action RPG.

Assault Android Cactus

Arcade games were awesome back in the day, and the developers of Assault Android Cactus know this. So much so that they’re making their own bullet hell title… with 100% more robots. Assume command of a number of unique characters, each equipped with different weapons and tactics to take on the hordes. Paired with an addictive rank system and leaderboards, AAC is great fun even in its current state and will be one to watch for when it’s finished.

Assault Android Cactus is currently available on Steam Early Access for $14.99

Chroma Squad

Chroma Squad is a unique spin on the tactical ‘XCOM’ turn-based combat game genre. In essence, you assume control of a TV studio, and you must manage its production of a Sentai TV series (think Power Rangers). Buy new equipment for the shows production, ‘fight’ over-the-top menaces of the galaxy, and even square off against other ‘shows’ in multiplayer ‘episodes’.

No Man’s Sky

No Man’s Sky was revealed to the world during last year’s controversial VGX awards and whilst most of the show will fade into a distant memory, this game definitely left a lasting impression. With promises of an ever expanding universe, No Man’s Sky is set to be a big deal. Details are sketchy at best right now, but we do know that this is a space/planet exploration game in which everything is procedurally generated. Everyone will start their adventure on the outskirts of the universe, with the goal of making it to the centre for reasons unknown.

Volume

Volume is pegged as a retelling of the Robin Hood legend set in the near future, so expect more robots and neon glow to go along with your ‘steal from the rich’ narrative. As hero Locksley, you’ll be sneaking through each level avoiding crossbow wielding robot patrols and stealing everything on your path to the exit. Those familiar with the Metal Gear Solid series will feel noticeable similarities with the gameplay in Volume, as the game draws influences from Kojima’s earlier releases. Bundle all this with some great voice talent (Danny Wallace, Charlie McDonnell) and it’s easy to see why you should be watching this one.

Starbound

There’s a good chance you’ve already played this game considering the pre-orders alone breached the $1 million mark. Now currently available in a beta state on Steam’s Early Access, Starbound is set to make waves in 2014. The game is akin to Terraria in that it’s cast in a side-scrolling 2D view and shares a heavy focus on exploration and resource gathering. You’ll also find yourself sailing across the stars in a huge procedurally generated universe. Jump from planet to planet as you search for new equipment, new species and a new home. The game includes both single and multiplayer modes, allowing a number of friends to explore the universe together in what has so far been an enjoyable experience.

Starbound is available on Steam Early Access for $14.99 and is currently in its beta phase.

Son of Nor

If you’ve ever wanted to set giant rocks on fire and throw them at lizard men in the desert, Son of Nor is the game for you. Featuring a unique telekinesis and element manipulation mechanic, you’ll be expected to utilize every aspect of your surroundings to fight off your reptilian overlords and solve a variety of physics based puzzles. Multiplayer will also feature in the game and will include a number of extra abilities to make it more interesting like the newly introduced spell fusions. These allow you to combine the elements into bigger and better spells.

Son of Nor is still being developed and planned for release in Q2 this year, but you can purchase a $5 ‘Sandbox demo’ if you can’t wait that long.

The Witness

The latest project from fan favourite ‘Indie Darling’ Jonathan Blow, The Witness is an homage to the older days of exploration and discovery. Drawing from the MYST series, the game aims to allow the player to advance at their own pace, progressing as they solve puzzles and venture deeper into the island. Little more is known about The Witness other than we’ll be seeing it launch on PC and PS4 simultaneously, with an IOS version planned afterwards.

The Forest

As if getting lost in a forest wasn’t bad enough, The Forest introduces a bunch of genetically mutated wood-folk into the mix to add that extra ‘Oh crap!’ factor. Explore the lush undergrowth during the day as you scavenge for food and supplies. Once night falls you can expect your jolly through the woods to take a much more sinister turn. With full Oculus Rift support, The Forest is sure to have us on the edge of our seats.

Transistor

Creators of the isometric narrative-action game Bastion are onto their second endeavour now with Transistor, a sci-fi action RPG focused on a mysterious weapon of great power. Framed in a similar style to Bastion, the game will showcase some of the most loved aspects of its predecessor as you seek out the mysteries behind the Transistor’s previous owners and unlock the secrets of its power.

Overgrowth

Rabbit ninjas fighting each other to the death? Yes please! Overgrowth is all about the fluidity of play, from its almost gesture based combat to its parkour platforming, there’s a ton of potential in this game. In its current state, the game is more of a sandbox than anything else, with a robust editor included to make your own fun happen. Eventually we’ll see an entire campaign spring out of Overgrowth, and judging by the content so far it’s going to be bloodier than a screening of Watership Down.

Overgrowth is currently available via Steam Early Access for $29.99

Paradise Lost: First Contact

Metroidvania fans take note as Paradise Lost is something you should already know about. If not, then allow me to implant some knowledge sacs into your body. You play as an unfortunate extraterrestrial, which crash landed onto earth straight into the arms of a shady government organization.  It’s up to you to sneak and slither your way to freedom, using a number of skills and tactics to evade the guards and scientists roaming the facility. Expect an expansive game world, with chambered rooms and loads of content to explore.

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is set to be a finely polished story driven adventure title from The Astronauts, a small team of ex AAA developers. The narrative centres on Paul Prospero, an occult detective with the ability to peer into the final moments of a murder victim’s life. You must use supernatural detective skills to investigate a series of murders in the picturesque setting of Red Creek Valley. There will be no combat in the game, so expect this to boast a strong focus of what the developers describe as ‘weird fiction’.

The Long Dark

Forged in the fires of post AAA development, a small team of developers hope to create this “first-person post-disaster survival simulation”. In The Long Dark you’ll have to combat the elements and inhabitants of the wild as you struggle to survive in the icy tundra. To go along with the challenges of surviving in the wild, you’ll have to make morally questionable choices as you encounter others in the fight for survival.

© 2014, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer: These words are solely mine alone and do not reflect in any way on those of the management team here at The Indie Mine. I would also like to note that our policy on the subject of paid reviews is straightforward. We never have and do not foresee a future where we ever will charge for reviews.

It’s a taboo that’s plagued the games media for longer than I’d care to imagine, be it in the passing whispers of game developers or the rather loud declarations of groups like AppyNation. The idea of paying for articles can throw the very substance and credibility of any piece out of the window and into the already oversized piles of advertising that creeps into our view each day. So why does anyone think that it’s the right way forward? What could drive an organization to risk their reputation as an impartial source of information for a few extra dollars?

If you haven’t yet seen, this discussion was first sparked when Twisty’s Asylum dev ‘Twisted Jenius’ posted this community blog over at Destructoid in which the author mentions receiving an email response from Indie game focused publication IndieGameMag.com. The email, sent by IGM publisher Chris Newton, mentions a few noteworthy points that have since been considered an issue for many developers, journalists and readers across the board, with claims of conflicts of interest and lack of integrity taking the forefront of many people’s concerns. In response to these issues, Chris has since released a statement on why they have decided to implement this new policy.

(Now before we continue, I want you to think of all this as one big issue to the industry, for all parties concerned. Forget about IGM and focus on the issue of this being considered as acceptable behaviour. They aren’t the first people to run with this plan, and they most certainly won’t be the last.)

By now some of you may be thinking “Hey, it’s only a few dollars and that helps the writer/site stay afloat” and in many ways you’d be correct in assuming the money gained does indeed go towards funding staff wages and site costs. Like most of the developers they report on, many sites that choose this option are independent and without much external funding, usually being run off of what little ad revenue banners can muster or from the wallets of management themselves. It can be pretty dire for lesser established sites and in many ways contributes to this ‘last resort’ of charging for coverage.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and without the allure of cash some sites will struggle to uphold a stable work environment. Whether it’s struggling to retain low paid/volunteer staff or fronting the costs of site maintenance, there will always be a possibility of making a loss. In an ideal world these costs would all be covered and those contributing their time and effort would receive a fair reward for their articles, but unfortunately that’s not how the cookie crumbles

It’s fair to say when people begun finding out about IGM’s policy change, a great deal of people weighed in with their own take on the subject, with most not only expressing disappointment with the new policies, but the overall idea of paying for coverage. From blogs like this, to tweets like these

Indie devs: Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, pay for reviews. Ever.

— Mike Rose (@RaveofRavendale) November 28, 2013

yeah, don’t pay for reviews – you don’t need to and it’s silly

— Mode 7 (@mode7games) November 28, 2013

I’d want a disclaimer on a review saying it wasn’t paid for. I can see that going down well.

— Byron Atkinson-Jones (@xiotex) November 28, 2013

What’s gotten everyone so riled up then? Well depending on which side of the gate you’re on – be it developer, journo or ‘consumer’ – this practise will have a different impact on you.

Developers

First time and lesser known developers are more at risk to engaging in these paywalls where the fear of their projects falling into obscurity clouds their judgement and desperation overrides common sense. This fear isn’t as foreign as some might think, with some devs spending hours reaching out to sites/podcasts/YouTubers in an effort to get their game seen, only for a crushing blow to be dealt as 90% of the people contacted don’t even bother replying. It’s truly soul crushing and can easily cause a spell of short-sighted desperation in the strongest person. However, as plainly put in the tweet below:

“No respectable site asks for money in exchange for a review. No site with any influence asks for money in exchange for a review.” bang on.

— Lewie Procter (@LewieP) November 28, 2013

Above all else, it looks shady from the outside. Developers should never risk their credibility or reputation on the off chance of coverage. But there’s something more troubling than credibility at stake here. If this was to become a widespread policy across the majority of media sites, you’re going to be looking at an empty wallet to go with those shredded reputations. If we let this become a precedent, it’s sure to spell more trouble for both yourselves and the developers of the future.

What you can do about it: Simple, they need your games to review. If you refuse to supply codes, their budgets will become much thinner. Don’t underestimate the power of pressure.

Journalists

We should be angry every time we see this. Pitchforks should be raised and torches lit, because it’s acts like this that have a negative impact on how we are perceived by everyone else.

“What? NEWS SITE X only gave this game a 7/10. What’s the matter, did publisher X not pay you enough money?!”

Let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t the first time anyone’s seen this post before. Sure, in most cases like this it will have more to do with the individual aimlessly ranting frustration from a low score, but the underlying message is one of distrust. A lack of faith in journalistic integrity and the belief that corruption exists within a medium that’s supposed to provide an impartial perspective for the consumer is something we should all concern ourselves with. It doesn’t take a genius to recognise that if you accept compensation for an article it looks dodgy as hell! You can scream and shout about how impartial and unbiased the published articles are, but at the end of it all the target audience will have a hard time believing that the piece was in no way influenced by payment.

What you can do about it: Call it out, wherever you see it. Don’t be afraid to speak up and name sites that do this. If we idle around while it goes on, who else will fight it?

[Side note to sites considering this] Seriously, don’t. There is no point throwing away your reputation. Your readers trust should always be at the forefront of everything you do, because without an audience your words mean nothing. Respect the time they dedicate towards reading your site.

‘Consumer’

You don’t read articles and watch videos to hear about some pre-paid advertisement, cleverly reworded to sound like an informed and independent assessment of the latest ‘must have’ shooter. You read them for an honest opinion of what the person writing/recording the review thinks about the game. Each review is subject to the author’s own personal preference, but as a member of the audience it shouldn’t be too much to ask for that content to be free from any hidden agendas, or at the very least if there is any compensation for the content, that it is clearly shown somewhere in the content. This isn’t rocket science, its common decency.

How to oppose it: Ultimately, without you they have no audience. If you want to see change, you can help simply by supporting those who don’t employ these policies.

Before this comes to an end, there’s just one point I’d like to cover. There will inevitably be those questioning my own agenda for this article, and while I would like to claim complete and total impartiality that would be incredibly hypocritical considering we are, for all intents and purposes, a competition site to the initial publication in question. I write this article not as a member of this site, but as a journalist. In an effort to reinforce this, here is a list of sites that cover a wide variety of indie games without charging them for any coverage, because it can be done:

• Rock, Paper, Shotgun
• Indiestatik
• Pocket Gamer
• IndieHaven
• Indiegames.com

[Update - December 1st, 2013] Indiestatik is reporting that Chris Newton has stepped down from his position at IGM, Director of Business Relations Chris Adkins is taking over, and that the pay-for-review policy is being abolished. You can find out more in Indiestatik’s editorial.

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Guilty Conscience

Guilty Conscience presents itself as just another platformer. You hop and jump from start to finish. Simple, right? Well progression through each level sometimes causes you to murder innocent little critters, and each life slain causes your guilt to become a literal burden, slowing you down incrementally. Slay too many and it’s game over.

Submission link

Office

This is better described as a 2D Portal, which isn’t a bad thing by any accounts. You’re tasked with going through the level collecting little coins whilst commanding two dimensional portals. Can you imagine how mind blowing this kind of premise would have been back in the old days?

Submission Link

Mini Invaders

Mini Invaders is a Space Invaders-style shooter which has you take on a swarm of aliens crashing down to earth. The soundtrack is perfect, the game is engaging and fast paced, but above all else it exudes the nostalgic charm of a retro GameBoy title. I can honestly see this being a worthwhile title in my old collection of 20 foot cartridges.

Submission Link

Thieves beneath the Face

Thieves beneath the Face is a homage to the initial Zelda games, where grid-based movement and zone exploration team up to provide a decent experience. You play as an orphan on a quest to steal a name for himself. The journey will take you through the sprawling city above ground as well as the dark dungeons underneath.

Submission Link 

Tetsujin

Tetsujin is a slick 2D action game involving cyborg ninjas and lots of stabbing. Of all the titles I played from this Jam, this is by far one of the tightest in terms of controls and visuals.

Submission Link

Jack B. Nimble

An endless runner that focuses on whipping, Lots of whipping. There’s a certain amount of familiarity here compared to the older GameBoy titles in which the game is simple yet challenging. No save points, no continues. If you’re dead you start again and do better.

Submission Link

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Game jams are wonderful. Some of these quick-fire projects have even gone on to become super popular indie games like the frantic Surgeon Simulator 2013. It’s no surprise then that there is currently one such event happening right now,

The Walking Dead: All Out War Game Jam is one such event, and hopeful candidates have spent the better part of this year building their entries for the occasion. Unlike the frantic 24 hour blitz some jams go for, this one has allowed the developers more time to flesh out their ideas before the final cut off date earlier this month.

So what was the theme? All out war of course! Games weren’t necessarily restricted to zombies either, despite the host’s main theme. 10 winners will be chosen in the coming days, each earning a full Unity Pro license (That’s $1500 by the way), a Steam Greenlight key, special The Walking Dead goodies and featured spots on both TheWalkingDead.com & Eurogamer. The number one pick will also receive the official endorsement of Robert Kirkman, creator of the The Walking Dead series.

In light of the event, I trawled through a number of entries to pick out my 5 favourite hopeful submissions, some were impressive displays of indie talent, and others were just so crazy I couldn’t stop myself from including them.

5.  The Narrow Path

I can’t quite make out what these things are, spewing from the camper van. If they’re zombies that learned to drive, then all hope is lost. The developer lists this as a roguelike, and the art style was just fancy enough to warrant a closer look. Plus, there’s a dog that goes around eating up all the corpses.

4. Remember The Fallen

Remember the Fallen has a slick minimalist aesthetic, and the subject matter takes a more serious and emotional look at ‘All out war’. The player must search the ruined homes in the area to find several flowers, which need to be placed on the graves of fallen soldiers.

3. Dog In A Mech

It’s a dog. It has to drive a mech. I don’t need to say anything else. Seriously.

2. Don’t Make Me Turn This Car Around

This is a genius take on ‘All out war’. Here you test your patience as you wage war on the increasingly aggravating children sitting in the backseat of your car. This seems to be a strange blend of Desert Bus and Oregon Trail, where staving off monotony meets micromanaging the resources (or in this case, snacks and bladder capacity of your passengers) play key elements in the gameplay.

1. Black Death

Sword, crossbows and the medieval time period combine to make this action packed zombie slasher catch my eye. There are even explosive barrels!

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Well, I thought a great way of completing this series of articles would be by sharing my views on publishing the app as that’s the final step in the entire process. Developing the game is only part of the process. Another aspect that most of us overlook is selecting which store to upload the game. How much thought do you put into deciding which app store we should publish our Android app in? If the answer is none, don’t panic; you are not alone.

Although many marketers are aware of alternative app stores, many don’t know the advantages of using all of these additional app stores. The vast amounts of app developers initially opt to publish their app in the largest and most popular app store, Google Play. Right now, though, there are 3 markets out there that are popular with developers.

1) Google Play

Well, I’m not going to talk much about it. Google Play is without a doubt the most popular market among Android users, with over 50 billion apps downloaded and more than 900,000 apps in the store. So, if you are running on a limited budget and can only upload your files to one store, then Google Play should be your first choice.

The flipside to this is that with so many games in the market, your game can easily get lost. Between February 1, 2013 and May 30, 2013 there were on average 957 apps released per day — these figures alone highlight the competition your app will face.

2) Amazon Store

Amazon not only regularly highlights games — which is a great free advertising tool for you to utilize — but it also has a review process that encourages apps to be of high quality, and that makes it a favourite of mine. They also recently launched a new section for indie developers which helps in further discovery of your game.

Another point to note is that Google Play does not allow Kindle users to download their store, whereas Amazon has no such restrictions.

3) GetJar

Did you know that Angry Birds did not debut on Google Play or Apple’s App Store? It was first released on a lesser known site called GetJar.

GetJar promotes free apps, potentially giving developers a wider audience. It was here that Angry Birds gained its reputation as a free app and then polished their app and released it on Google Play. Strategically, that was a smart move; it prolonged the entrance into the wider marketplace, allowing the folks at Rovio to perfect their product and build audience anticipation.

The downside to this Android app store is that the submission of apps is a long process and the site does have a lot of down time.

Other app stores that you should check out are: SlideMe, Mobango, and AppsFire.      

This was a really short article that I thought would be appropriate right around the release of our game. Let me know if this article was useful, or if you have discovered some really awesome app stores that everybody must know about, in the comments below. Also, let me know how you found the entire series. If there are topics that you would like me to write about, let me know that too in the comments.

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Gen Con started in 1968 as a small gathering of tabletop gamers. Like Dragon*Con in Atlanta, and the comic book conventions of San Diego and New York, Gen Con eventually presented a wide variety of media, including general fantasy and science fiction as well as television and video games. But primarily, the convention is associated with non-electronic wargaming and role-playing games, since the show was started by the late Gary Gygax, one of the creators of Dungeons and Dragons. It’s estimated that over 40,000 people visited Gen Con 2013.

Thousands of players gathered in Indianapolis, Indiana for Gen Con 2013 the weekend of August 17. This room is one of fifteen exhibition halls filled with tables for face-to-face gaming.

You can guess right away the question that we would raise at a show like Gen Con. Authors have always been independent, with an identity quite separate from their publishers. Likewise, every musician is considered independent until signed by a label. And with video games in particular, software development kits (SDKs) and Internet distribution make it possible for a solo programmer to reach a wide audience of gamers. How can this also be true of non-electronic games? Can a solo designer or a small team make a board game, or a card game, or an RPG that’s worthwhile?

Mark Diaz Truman, of Magpie Games and the Indie Game Developer Network, answers questions and represents game products at the IGDN booth at Gen Con 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mark Diaz Truman, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, thinks that the answer is a resounding yes. Truman and his merry band of independent game designers stood shoulder-to-shoulder with big, established game publishers at Gen Con. From their booth, the IGDN offered product demonstrations and sales in the same environment as Wizards of the Coast, Chaosium and Steve Jackson Games.

The IGDN was created by Truman, 31, and a number of like-minded designers who couldn’t bear reinventing the wheel over and over again. While it’s possible to do business outside of mainstream channels, these designers found it difficult to communicate productively, even with technology to connect people. In an effort to pool their knowledge and experience, they created a private e-mail distribution list to have honest exchanges away from the noise of the general Internet. Eventually the IGDN became more like a traditional trade and labor organization, with yearly dues and bylaws.

Truman’s organization is sensitive to the challenges that face independent game designers, which are also common to all indie media creators. “It’s hard to get people to try a new game,” said Truman. “Freelance and indie game design has never paid much, and folks have to work a long time to build a reputation. It’s easy to get in over your head with a print run that’s too large or a project that runs over budget while falling behind.”

In that light, the purpose of the IGDN is not just to share information, but to pool resources as well. Truman said their industry booth “was made possible by the joint efforts of our membership. Alone we would only be able to purchase small advertisements, but together we can actually put our books out in front of fans at Gen Con in a really exciting way.”

When pressed to explain how an indie game designer is different from a mainstream game company employee, Truman cited the example of his own recent work on a major RPG based on a television property. In Truman’s eyes, there is no conflict in accepting freelance or contract work from major companies while still producing your own material. “My independent impulse will always allow that I work on the projects that I am excited about,” said Truman. “The gaming industry doesn’t work like it used to. There’s no such thing as selling out in this business.”

Truman went on to describe the conflict between commerce and art that exists in independent games, and for all independent media. “It’s really a spectrum, not a chasm,” he said of the division between the two. “If a game is good on its own, then people will buy it. But some creators care less about sales than they do about making a point. An independent game creator has passion.”

So what is Mark Diaz Truman passionate about? As a graduate of the Harvard-Kennedy School of Government, with a Master’s degree in public policy, Truman cares a great deal about social inequality as it relates to issues of race and gender. This passion is reflected in his ambitious flagship game, the short-form RPG “Our Last Best Hope”. Truman said that he wanted to improve on the tropes of the disaster movie by making a game where many nations had to gather a diverse group of experts to avert some world-ending crisis.

“I think the most exciting part of the indie movement is the innovation, both in terms of setting and mechanics,” said Truman. He pointed out several tabletop games which addressed controversial or uncomfortable subjects meant to challenge players, and which wouldn’t necessarily be sold by any mainstream game company. Among them were Kagematsu, an RPG that encourages male gamers to think about medieval gender disparity, and Fiasco, about amateur crimes gone horribly wrong.

Have we answered the question of what makes a media creator independent?  Truman thinks it’s a question we’ll continue to debate for a while. “It’s really hard to define what makes someone ‘indie’ and it’s a topic that a lot of smarter folks than me have fought over for years before I even got into publishing,” he said. “For the IGDN, we really focus on looking for members who are maintaining as much creative ownership and control as possible. We care a lot less about where you work or if this is your full time job than we do if you are acting as a creative agent. ”

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.

Your icon is the first thing that users see in the market. It needs to represent your game creatively but effectively. In this case clarity is critical. Potential users will be using your icon to decide whether the game is worth downloading or not, so having an effective icon is very important.

You don’t need to be a professional artist (or hire one) to design an icon. It’s something you could do on your own by just keeping a few points in mind.

These are some thoughts that must go into designing a game icon whether you’re someone working for Rovio on their next game or an indie developer working on the next Super Meat Boy.

1. Make sure your icon ‘says’ what your game is about.
2. Sketch some ideas.
3. Use your main character.
4. Research and aim for better.
5. Don’t include words.
6. Keep it simple.
7. Graphical continuity is a must.

1)  Make sure your icon ‘says’ what your game is about

When we started working on the icon, we had not finalised the name for the game so that was the first thing we had to settle on. So, writing down all the key things that consist in our game really helped. Then we started eliminating words based on their priority. Once we were done with that, we came up with different combinations and finally finalized on Travelling Tribal as it was easy to remember and also conveyed what the game was actually about.

2)  Research and aim for better

Your aim must be that your icon must be better than the rest, so for this you need to be aware of what you are competing against. What we did was surf the category our game was to appear in and printed out a list of icons that we liked. The aim was to make sure our icons looked as professional and stood out more among them. We went through other categories and noted points that we liked about certain icons and the techniques they used to stand out from the crowd.

Research what the competition is doing.

The idea is not to copy the exact style but to use a few techniques. Have something you can compare against so that you know the context in which your icon will appear.

3)  Sketch some ideas

Keep that sketchbook handy.

Well, I’ve been saying this since my first article. You must always have a sketchbook and a pencil with you. So now you’ve checked out the competition, you have a list of words that the icon must ‘say’, so the best way to start designing is to sharpen that pencil and start sketching. Your aim must be to generate as many ideas as possible, and with plenty of variety.

Travelling Tribal is a 2D game in which players control a tribal character and help him travel around the world. This is done while avoiding all the obstacles that come along the way from evil tribal twins to giant bees! So with all these characters we weren’t sure which to include in the icon and which ones to not. This brings me to my next point.

4)  Use your Main Character

Let your protagonist be featured.

People instantly associate the game with the main character, so use it! There are exceptions like Temple Run which has an idol as its icon, but their aim was to convey the word ‘temple’ through the icon which was pretty clear. Also, there are cases where you have several main characters. If they use the same template but have different costumes, use the default one. If there are different characters, choose only one. Don’t include many and make the icon cluttered! While viewing on the phone/tablet the icon appears very small, so the components of the icon must be easily recognizable. If your character isn’t small and compact, try using just the character’s face rather than the whole body.

5)  Don’t include words

Well this is something very basic, but people tend to make this mistake pretty often. Using words in your app icon simply says that you were too lazy to come up with a cool graphic that would represent your game so you just wrote down the name. Text on the icon just looks cheap and boring. The name of the game is right next to the icon , and what it does is what you write in the description. Don’t try to cramp all that up in the icon. As a rule I never use words on the icon. It may look okay in a larger size, but once you scale it down it looks really ugly- don’t forget that you’re designing an icon (the word icon comes from the Greek word εἰκών eikōn meaning “image”).

6)  Keep it simple…but don’t forget to detail

Leaving off words is one way to keep it simple, but in general you ought to make sure your design isn’t too complicated. Icons are very small and if you try to fit too much into a small space you’ll end up with an icon that’s illegible and easy to ignore. Strong yet simple shapes and lines will do more for your icon than highly illustrative designs. There can be a few things that you can add to your icon. If you are trying to establish a brand, then including a logo on the icon would be a good idea. If it’s a free version, having “FREE” written would attract people. If your game has two versions – one normal and one HD – you could have a banner saying that too.  In case it’s a sequel, consider using the same icon with an additional “2” written on it. Whatever it may be, choose VERY CAREFULLY. Make sure it does not look cluttered with the logo, FREE sign, HD sign and “2” which can shift the focus from the main character.

In our case, since our main character was a Tribal, we avoided using all the power ups that he has, or the obstacles he faces along the way. We just included the main character. If he’s travelling, there is no need to include the flag of every country on the icon!

It might sound like a contradiction, but don’t forget to include some detail on your icon designs. Simplicity here doesn’t mean being plain. Add a little bit of shadow here and a highlight there. Spend time on your gradients, pick out a delicious texture for the background, and add some love and attention to the bevel or emboss. Don’t be afraid to zoom right in to the pixel level and make sure it looks perfect and well formed. No pixel should be out of place. At such a small size the difference between a beautiful icon and a crappy one can be one out of place pixel. Also, just because you’ve put in all this effort for the icon, don’t be afraid to scrap a few effects for the smaller icon size, because a few effects get pixelated. Have a detailed large icon that people would see when they come to your page, but also a simplified smaller version that looks crisp on the phone’s menu screen.

With Travelling Tribal, even when we’d decided on the basic approach, I spent a lot of time playing with the details. I made improvements like:

• Cleaning up the pixels from the background to make it sharper when it’s small.
• Playing with the character’s features.
• Choosing the right shade for the background so that the main character could be clearly defined.

7)  Graphical continuity is a must

Your icon is the first promise you make to the user. It says

• I am of “x” quality.
• You will do “this” in my game.

If people see a high-quality 3D character in the icon, but your game is actually a 2D game, people may get irritated. If the icon is a 2D character in HD but the game isn’t, that can irritate people too. Be honest. It’s better to have fewer downloads than have a huge number of downloads with people giving you 1-star and abusing you in the comments. The only way to ensure your users don’t feel cheated is to make sure the graphics within the game match the icon. Lying can make some really fun games unenjoyable.

Soon, I’m going to be sharing our first teaser trailer for the game along with a lot of wallpapers up for download. Here are a few screenshots of the teaser, so stay tuned.

Have you applied these tips to your icon design? Share your images in the comments below.

If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. –Vincent Van Gogh

© 2013, The Indie Mine. All rights reserved.