IndieGameShop.com - What Do You Think?
by Alan James · 01/23/2009 (7:04 pm) · 12 comments
Hi Everyone!
Ok, so I've gotten a little sidetracked in the content development process and went ahead and registered another domain (I think someone else here referenced this as some sort of compulsive behavior disorder...hmmmm).
Anyway, I wanted to "test the waters" so to speak and see if anyone thought that this idea might have merit, and gauge the level of interest.
Since we first got involved with Indie game development back in very late 2004/early 2005 we have noted that over time and through changes, publishing opportunities seem to come and go.
I was thinking about this the other day when I thought to myself, why not establish a Indie game portal ourselves, focused first on Torque based games, but open to all Indies that have crossed that final hurdle and completed a title? We already have a strong working web based sales system on www.monsterpacks.com so why not expand it to those looking for a home for their completed indie game?
And so Indie Game Shop was conceived, intended to be and developed as a home for the little guy, the place that even if you only sell a unit now and again, we think the effort required to complete a title is enough to earn you a place to be promoted and recognized.
Let us know what you think and if you'd like to be involved. Right now the site is just a quick and dirty html job, but Kyle (before he leaves for SIX YEARS in the Navy) should have the code from www.monsterpacks.comported over and we can work through Plimus affiliates, host files and handle the whole thing if necessary.
Check out the site as is, since the code will be changing and the layout, but you'll get a gist of the theme style and let us know what you think of the idea. If there seems to be enough interest I'll make more info available as we go along.
IndieGameShop.Com
Thanks!
Alan & Kyle
Ok, so I've gotten a little sidetracked in the content development process and went ahead and registered another domain (I think someone else here referenced this as some sort of compulsive behavior disorder...hmmmm).
Anyway, I wanted to "test the waters" so to speak and see if anyone thought that this idea might have merit, and gauge the level of interest.
Since we first got involved with Indie game development back in very late 2004/early 2005 we have noted that over time and through changes, publishing opportunities seem to come and go.
I was thinking about this the other day when I thought to myself, why not establish a Indie game portal ourselves, focused first on Torque based games, but open to all Indies that have crossed that final hurdle and completed a title? We already have a strong working web based sales system on www.monsterpacks.com so why not expand it to those looking for a home for their completed indie game?
And so Indie Game Shop was conceived, intended to be and developed as a home for the little guy, the place that even if you only sell a unit now and again, we think the effort required to complete a title is enough to earn you a place to be promoted and recognized.
Let us know what you think and if you'd like to be involved. Right now the site is just a quick and dirty html job, but Kyle (before he leaves for SIX YEARS in the Navy) should have the code from www.monsterpacks.comported over and we can work through Plimus affiliates, host files and handle the whole thing if necessary.
Check out the site as is, since the code will be changing and the layout, but you'll get a gist of the theme style and let us know what you think of the idea. If there seems to be enough interest I'll make more info available as we go along.
IndieGameShop.Com
Thanks!
Alan & Kyle
About the author
#2
01/23/2009 (8:07 pm)
Looks good Alan. Are you thinking of a bigfish style site?
#3
We'll see what kind of interest there is out there and as we beef up the site, I'll post and update so that people can get a better sense of what it might be like.
It will probably end up being a some kind of blend between the current prototype style and our www.monsterpacks.com site. Monsterpacks is pretty utilitarian so we'll be going for a brighter and flashier style with maybe some other features.
01/23/2009 (8:15 pm)
Thanks Tom, definitely serious (although lighthearted in style!). We'll see what kind of interest there is out there and as we beef up the site, I'll post and update so that people can get a better sense of what it might be like.
It will probably end up being a some kind of blend between the current prototype style and our www.monsterpacks.com site. Monsterpacks is pretty utilitarian so we'll be going for a brighter and flashier style with maybe some other features.
#4
I just was thinking about the devs here that might not have a home that caters specifically to the really small teams and focuses on games that might not find a home with the some of the other portals.
01/23/2009 (8:28 pm)
Yes, Julian, but obviously on a bit smaller scale at first...but with a number of the features. Kyle has coded already from scratch our forums, account system, cart system and product pages/upload system for www.monsterpacks.com and migrating them to the new site should be pretty straight forward, then it's just a matter of cosmetics to shape it in the direction I'm imagining. I just was thinking about the devs here that might not have a home that caters specifically to the really small teams and focuses on games that might not find a home with the some of the other portals.
#5
01/23/2009 (8:32 pm)
Good idea Alan. Looks like you've got some steam behind this idea.. I'm sure those who have websites already would also be interested in another sales feed elsewhere. 
#6
I have been a customer of yours for a while, and I wish you luck in your new goals.
01/23/2009 (10:38 pm)
Good work Allan, you have been busy I see!I have been a customer of yours for a while, and I wish you luck in your new goals.
#7
01/23/2009 (10:50 pm)
This is a great idea, considering GG is so strict about what they'll distribute these days. 
#8
01/24/2009 (1:51 am)
Is it something like this but more Torque Centric? Oh, second question is Torque X welcome?
#9
Really at this point looking at most anything being welcome as long as it falls generally in line with the idea of an indie computer based game that is complete, playable, web distributable and looking for a home and/or another outlet to be promoted.
@All, again if there looks like there is sufficient interest, I'd be looking for folks willing to test basic functionality of non-Win based OS versions/games, i.e. Mac & Linux for example. Some of the details remain to be ironed out, but now primarily trying to see if there is a need at this point for a very indie focused distro site.
Thanks!
01/24/2009 (2:25 am)
@Brian, like that but not necessarily Torque Centric (although my personal familiarity with the Torque line of engines -- at least TGE,TGEA and to some degree TGB -- always gives me that kind of leaning). Really at this point looking at most anything being welcome as long as it falls generally in line with the idea of an indie computer based game that is complete, playable, web distributable and looking for a home and/or another outlet to be promoted.
@All, again if there looks like there is sufficient interest, I'd be looking for folks willing to test basic functionality of non-Win based OS versions/games, i.e. Mac & Linux for example. Some of the details remain to be ironed out, but now primarily trying to see if there is a need at this point for a very indie focused distro site.
Thanks!
#10
Feel free to contact me for tests with anything Mac related. ;-)
01/24/2009 (6:23 am)
Nice idea Alan.Feel free to contact me for tests with anything Mac related. ;-)
#11
01/24/2009 (12:48 pm)
I think this would be great for the indie community. Best of luck to you!
#12
@All, at least at this point it looks like it will *probably* be a go, I'm going to start working on a few more graphic aspects of the site and I've given Kyle the basic layout of the main page so I'll probably post an update in a few days. Now it's back to the SciFi Pack that's like an albatross around my neck...=P I've gotta get that thing finished!
Also, if you know of anyone who might be interested in eventually having their game distributed on the indiegameshop.com site, please have them post a comment here or email me at alanjamesATcharter.net (or through any of the email addresses on either of the sites listed above, it all ends up in my in box...or Kyles).
Thanks again!
01/24/2009 (4:48 pm)
@Stephan, all right, if it ends up being a go, then you've been drafted! =)@All, at least at this point it looks like it will *probably* be a go, I'm going to start working on a few more graphic aspects of the site and I've given Kyle the basic layout of the main page so I'll probably post an update in a few days. Now it's back to the SciFi Pack that's like an albatross around my neck...=P I've gotta get that thing finished!
Also, if you know of anyone who might be interested in eventually having their game distributed on the indiegameshop.com site, please have them post a comment here or email me at alanjamesATcharter.net (or through any of the email addresses on either of the sites listed above, it all ends up in my in box...or Kyles).
Thanks again!
Torque 3D Owner Tom Feni