Going Rogue

"Harris is one of an increasing number of mainstream video game veterans who have abandoned big-budget, big-business game development and 'gone rogue' as small, self-funded, often self-published independent game developers, or 'indies.' Some see indie development as an entry point into a career in the majors. But for some jaded professionals who love gaming but are dissatisfied with the mainstream industry, indie development offers an escape - and a unique opportunity."

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Great Article. Absolutely great. I think that indies are awesome and lead to some of the most interesting titles and premises. I like the point that was made with Pirates. You give them everything they could ever want, but if it isn't free, they take it. It's travesty in the highest order. There isn't much you can do as an indie, though. Well, I will tell you that I learned quite a bit from this article about my upcoming profession.

I tried to freelance back in the days. Being my own boss was great but being my own accounts receivable, or worse, accounts payable, was horrific. I guess I'm just cut out to be a wage-slave.

(Just supplementing the "did I mention taxes?" bit, because it really is true.)

-- Steve

Gaming industry needs something like the digital camera. You need to make it so that "anyone" can make a game, easy and effectively. Only then can a truly great game be made by an "indie".

We don't need burned out vets making SNES ports with some twists, we need new blood. Oldies had their chance and look what they did, they turned the gaming industry into Gamingwood, something interesting every few years and then back to tried and true, many times even less than that.

Awesome article! I totally agree with all the stuff said.

In before some dumbass pirate comes in attempting to justify how stealing actually helps indie developers out.

SonofSeth:
Gaming industry needs something like the digital camera. You need to make it so that "anyone" can make a game, easy and effectively. Only then can a truly great game be made by an "indie".

We don't need burned out vets making SNES ports with some twists, we need new blood. Oldies had their chance and look what they did, they turned the gaming industry into Gamingwood, something interesting every few years and then back to tried and true, many times even less than that.

Such tools exist to some degree, but they'll always be complex. You cannot make a game by pressing a button.