Tag Archives: Indie

Train2Game news: Dear Esther recoups Indie Fund investment in under 6 hours

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Train2Game students may be interested to hear that experimental indie title Dear Esther has recouped its Indie Fund investment just hours after being released.

The project which started life as a Half-Life mod sold 16,000 copies in its first 24 hours on Steam, making back its Indie Fund investment in just five and a half hours, meaning Dear Esther is now profitable.

Indie Fund was founded in 2010, with the aim of supporting the next generation of game developers.

More information about Dear Esther’s Indie Fund deal is available on the official website, while you can find out more about the experimental game right here on The Train2Game Blog. It’s available to download for £6.99 via Steam.

Dear Esther isn’t the first Indie Fund game to turn a profit, with puzzler Q.U.B.E returning its investment in four days.

Both titles show that creating an indie game could potentially provide Train2Game students with success.

So, what are your thoughts on Dear Esther becoming profitable so quickly?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game news: Meet independent developers at The Guardian Gamesblog Indie Social

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Frozen Synapse by Mode 7 Games is published through SteamTrain2Game students have the opportunity to meet some of the of the best, upcoming indie developers in the UK by attending The Guardian Gamesblog Indie Social.

The event in association with BAFTA, takes place on Saturday 11th February at BAFTA’s central London headquarters and developers who’ll be there include, Frozen Synapse developer Mode 7 Games, Hard Lines developer Spilt Milk Studios,  Size Five Games and many more!

Not only will Train2Game students who attend the Guardian Gamesblog Indie Social get the chance to speak to indie developers, but they’ll also be able to get their hands on the PlayStation Vita ahead of its UK launch.

More information about The Guardian Gamesblog Indie social is here, while Train2Game students who wish to attend can sign up for the free event here.

Train2Game has previously attended interview some of the industry’s most well known figures at BAFTA events. You can find them here on The Train2Game Blog.

So Train2Game, will you attend The Guardian Gamesblog Indie Social? What would you ask the indie developers?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

BAFTA’s public events and online resources bring you closer to the creative talent behind your favourite games, films, and TV shows. Find out more at www.bafta.org/newsletter,www.facebook.com/bafta or twitter.com/baftagames

[Source: Guardian]

Train2Game news: Notch: “It’s easier to be an indie game developer these days”

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Train2Game forum users are familiar with the success of Minecraft, the indie game that brought huge success for its creator Markus ‘Notch’ Persson and his studio Mojang.

And while it’s unlikely that all indie titles will match the huge success of Minecraft, Notch believes it’s easier to be an indie developer now than ever before, which is potentially good news for Train2Game students!

“I think it’s easier to be an indie game developer these days because back in the day it wasn’t called being an “indie developer” but a “garage programmer.” You weren’t expected to charge for your game so you couldn’t do it. People never charged. It was just a hobby.” he told PC Gamer.

“I think it’s much easier these days, but there’s still no guarantee you’ll make a profit. If you’re doing it out of passion and just want to get some money back it’s definitely doable.” the Minecraft creator added.

Notch also discussed whether after selling almost 5 million copies of Minecraft, Mojang still count as “indie” developers.

“I don’t think [Mojang] are indie in the sense of how I used to work anymore, because we have a payroll to worry about and we need to do stuff to ensure the company lasts,” he said.

“We have other stuff which influences what we do other than trying to focus on the games. We make sure me and Jacob are only focusing on game development so the founders are still developing” Notch continued.

“But as a company, I don’t think we are indie in the sense that I used to mean it. But in the other sense of indie – as in we make games we want to play without having any external dependencies – then yeah, we’re indie.” The Minecraft creator concluded.

As previously reported by The Train2Game Blog, Notch has stepped down as lead developer of Minecraft in order to concentrate on other projects.

Keep reading The Train2Game Blog for the latest Minecraft news.

So Train2Game, do you agree that it’s easier to be an indie developer nowadays? And  what’s your definition of an “indie” studio or game?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.

[Source: PC Gamer]

Train2Game news: Q.U.B.E makes enough to return Indie Fund investment in just four days

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Train2Game students who attended last last year’s Develop Conference may have seen the talk by Toxic Games Daniel Da Rocha about how their game Q.U.B.E went from a student project to an indie title.

Q.U.B.E was received sponsorship thanks to Indie Fund, which as reported by the Train2Game Blog all the way back in 2010, is a project that aims to encourage the next generation of independent game developers.

The good news is that Q.U.B.E was released via Steam on 6th January, and  Indie Fund has announced it only took Toxic Games four days to recoup the $90,000 of investment they received to fund their puzzler. 12,000 copies of Q.U.B.E. have been sold so far.

“Indie Fund recouped its investment in Q.U.B.E., and now we’re looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Toxic Games.” read the announcement on Indie Fund.

“Our goal is to help developers get and stay independent and it will take some time to see if we’ve achieved it. With the investment already paid off and discussions in progress about bringing Q.U.B.E beyond PC, we’re feeling pretty hopeful.”

“Our heartfelt congratulations to Toxic Games. We’re proud to have played a small role in what has already been a great success.” they added.

To find out more about Indie Fund, and even how to apply for funding, Train2Game students should see their official website.

The news of Q.U.B.E’s success can surely act as encouragement to Train2Game students looking to produce their own games.

So Train2Game, what are your thoughts on Q.U.B.E and Indie Fund? Does it give you confidence in your own future projects?

Leave your comments here on The Train2Game Blog, or on the Train2Game forum.