Short for "independent development", the development of games outside of the corporate world. May be a single person or a team of friends/associates.
114
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18answers
18k views
What things should an indie game developer never do? [closed]
What are some of the biggest - and better yet: insidious and unexpected - mistakes that indie game developers make? Especially when making the transition from hobbyist to full-time indie?
44
votes
9answers
5k views
How does a one-man developer do its games' sounds?
Before anything, that's not a "oh, where can I find resources?" question.
Well, I've been curious about one thing in the indie games industry.
For the development of the game, such tasks like game ...
36
votes
10answers
8k views
Where to promote your indie game? [closed]
Possible Duplicate:
Where to advertise my game?
Let's say I have developed a game and I want to "get it out there". What I have in mind is open-source, non-commercial games.
What websites ...
31
votes
6answers
2k views
How can I promote my game? [closed]
I am a beginning indie developer, and I want to get the word out about my game. What sites can I go to to ask about reviews of my game, and where might I be able to talk about and get feedback on my ...
23
votes
6answers
3k views
What 3D level development tools are available to indie developers?
People who build in Unity or UDK have immediate access to a 3D level editor. People who build their games in XNA or from scratch have no such thing. I'm looking for 3D level development tools ...
17
votes
8answers
4k views
Is game development a no money field?
I'm about to graduate from high school and I've been thinking about the future. I'd really like to make videogames for a living, I have been playing with some tools (about to finally start a real ...
16
votes
3answers
2k views
Online leaderboard systems for (small/indie) PC games? [closed]
Are there any free/affordable systems/libraries out there for adding online features to a small PC game? (most likely, for a small primarily-Windows-based indie game)
I'm not concerned about ...
15
votes
4answers
3k views
Where can I publish my Windows Indie game?
I've just finished an XNA game for the Windows Phone 7 and XBLIG. At the moment, the game is a 'lite' version, so is free, but the next version will have a small price-tag.
I also did a Windows ...
14
votes
3answers
956 views
Set up indie game studio (UK) - how?
I am UK based and am looking to set up my own game studio - essentially, just myself working from home, looking to build casual game apps. I want to ask you guys what steps or process i need to go ...
12
votes
5answers
906 views
Independent game developer career advice [closed]
I recently left my full-time job for an independent game development career. So far things are going well: I've created two games for the iPhone (one has been in the app store for a month or so and ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
How much to pay for artwork in an indie game?
I am an indie developer and I need some detailed artwork. How much is reasonable to pay an artist for say 20 character designs? I know it depends on the artist's skills, etc, but I am wondering what ...
10
votes
5answers
1k views
How to protect a developed game?
I have developed some small games which are my own creation and each is having different gameplay. Now i want to showcase it using the internet. But I'am a bit worried about
the concept getting ...
10
votes
6answers
793 views
To sell or give for free
I am currently making a game that I was originally planning to sell. It is a simple 2D arcade style game for the PC. I've seen many indie games become popular and generate revenue from advertisements, ...
9
votes
4answers
3k views
What are some good resources for creating a game engine in XNA?
I'm currently a student game programmer working on an indie project. We have a team of eleven people (five programmers, four artists, and two audio designers) aboard, all working hard to help design ...
9
votes
3answers
506 views
From release to business
Let's say that I've finished programming an indie MMO game similiar to Tibia.
I've got a stable server application that is ready to launch, i've got a tested bug-free working client application that ...
9
votes
2answers
381 views
How to go from mainstream to indie development?
I'm currently working as a game programmer for a AAA-level developer and publisher - which falls into the 'nice problem to have' category, I know, except that I'm growing more and more disenchanted ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
Could I make a multiplayer fps on xbox live as an indie game?
I'm working on make a very basic first person shooter. At some point I would like to make into an indie game on xbox live but will I have access to parties (invite and chat)? Does Microsoft provide ...
8
votes
5answers
835 views
Should beginning/indie game developers target multiple platforms initially?
Partially as a response to How do game developers target multiple platforms (Xbox 360, PS3, PC and Linux)? but mainly because there are people on here with published games, should cross platform be ...
8
votes
1answer
270 views
What should I do about legal considerations for an indie game?
Apologies if there's a bit too much background information here, not sure what's relevant but figured I needed to outline the financial situation to differentiate this from other questions whose ...
8
votes
2answers
734 views
Should independent game developers outsource?
Simple question: What are the pros and cons, as well as overall opinions, of outsourcing work as an independent game developer? (For example: paying an artist to draw characters, or a composer to ...
8
votes
4answers
703 views
Die Roll Mechanics
I'm developing an RPG (goodness, I'm doing a lot actually.) and I'm trying to come up with a decent die roll mechanic for skills.
In d20 systems, it's usually
Die Roll + Skill + Bonuses - Penalties ...
8
votes
2answers
227 views
What type of legal entity do I need for my game company?
I'm the leader of a group of 4 of us that are contributing to a game and it has come to my attention that we will eventually need some kind of official title or something along those lines. We've ...
7
votes
3answers
3k views
How much is java used in 2d/3d indie games? (before/after Minecraft) [closed]
I wonder for my own use and curiosity, how popular is Java in indie game development ,
in 2d and 3d? Are there any good open/closed source games done in java?
7
votes
4answers
374 views
How can I test different TV display types for my XBLIG game?
The XBLIG submission check-list says to ensure that all important stuff critical to game-play be visible in the 'TitleSafeArea'.
I've received a bug report during play-test of my game (Crazy Balloon ...
7
votes
4answers
727 views
How to get a game popular without a publisher?
I have just finished a game I had been developing last month, but whilst making the game I was pestered by the fact that I had no way of getting it to the public eye. I didn't want to pitch it to a ...
6
votes
2answers
741 views
How to decide the budget as independent game developer?
I'm currently try to make a business plan and was just wondering, how you guys decide the budget for outsourcing tasks. Is there a kind of a reference point? Or does the client decide this mostly by ...
6
votes
4answers
372 views
How to separate production and test assets during development?
this is like a complement for Assets Management, database or versioning system?.
I am wondering about how to separate development, specially programmers assets from production assets?
For example, ...
6
votes
4answers
780 views
Requirements Analysis in Game Development?
I'm a software engineering student with a focus on game development and am wondering how big of a part does requirement analysis play a part in game development?
I'm asking because there is a class ...
6
votes
1answer
118 views
How can cooperation be encouraged in and after a game jam?
The trouble is that with game jams sometimes loads of people participate, but at the end they say "Right! Bye!" and you never hear from them again. If a cooperative element was introduced, the reward ...
5
votes
4answers
630 views
What is the breakdown of jobs in game development?
There's a project I'm trying to start for Indie Game Development; specifically, it's going to be a social networking website that lets developers meet through (It's a secret). One of the key ...
5
votes
4answers
320 views
How bad would be to focus on iOS/Android development for an indie developer? [closed]
After some time developing games for others I'm thinking of moving towards my own productions. My background is 10+ years of software development, with last 2 years spent on the iOS development ...
5
votes
3answers
232 views
Career in game development move: hone developper skills, go indie, or a mix? [closed]
Question
When you have a current stable job as a developer in another field, what is the best course of action to enter the game industry?
Wait (indefinitely?) for an opportunity to sell your ...
4
votes
4answers
618 views
Is ActionScript 3 used by Serious Indie Developers? [closed]
This question is for dedicated independent game developers:
My dream is to be a game developer. I am a senior in high school who has taken Computer Science for all four years. I have used Java the ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Is it illegal to use GarageBand or FL Studio music I make in a game I plan to sell?
I'm a beginning developer and I'd like to make music for my game. I've searched this question on the site, and when it comes to music in games, I see a lot of people suggesting programs like FL ...
4
votes
3answers
3k views
How to start development for PSN?
I'm interested in making a game that can be distributed on PSN. Any suggestions?
4
votes
3answers
381 views
Does PS3 have a program similar to the “Xbox 360 Creator Club”?
Wondering if the PS3 has a way for game developers to make free / affordable games available to their consumer base? Is the only way to get your game on the PS3 to go through an approval process ...
3
votes
3answers
410 views
Where can I find indie “teams”
I'm looking to work over the internet in a team of people to make a game. I'm not looking to make a profit, I just want the experiance. Where can I find similary minded persons?
3
votes
1answer
418 views
How should we approach publishing our game from India?
Me and my friends are developing a game using Java for Windows operating system. We have nearly completed our game. As we feel that the game can make money, we wish to sell it. But in India we don't ...
3
votes
3answers
249 views
How to license outsourced game-content?
Which license / type of contract is normally used by independent-developer, when they outsource something like graphics / sound work for their games? Is there something like an template floating ...
3
votes
1answer
265 views
It's possible to release a communist 1st person shooter in USA? [closed]
I would be interested if it's possible to release a 1st person shooter where a main character is a leader of revolution millitary army that is planning to invade USA and overthrown the capitalist ...
2
votes
1answer
275 views
What options do I have for a 3D game without graphics but yet maintaining physics for later?
I don't believe I expressed well the title for my question so if you believe you can change it for a more suitable title please do so or drop me a comment.
Currently I am starting a 3D game with C# ...
1
vote
2answers
418 views
Costs/profit of/when starting an indie company
In short, I want to start a game company. I do not have much coding experience (just basic understanding and ability to write basic programs), any graphics design experience, any audio mixing ...
1
vote
1answer
251 views
What sort of GDC pass is best for a cash-strapped indie, if any?
I'm doing a web game startup with one other person, and I'm considering attending GDC for the first time, but we're really tight for cash.
We support ourselves with contract programming. Any money we ...
1
vote
1answer
234 views
Setting up Payout on the Microsoft App Hub
I am a Windows Phone 7 developer from India. I want to set up the Payout option on the App Hub for the Paid apps I release.
What's the procedure? Do I have to physically mail the W-8 form to ...
1
vote
2answers
372 views
book that I could make an indie game [closed]
What kind of book I read, that should do a full indie game?
0
votes
0answers
80 views
New indie game devs on twitter [closed]
Not sure if this question is appropriate or not, i hope its ok... I would like to follow some like minded devs here on twitter, but am not looking for established or well known game devs but instead ...
-1
votes
2answers
197 views
Looking to create a game with a small indie team, where to start? [closed]
A group of friends and I would like to start developing a small indie game for fun. It's something to do over a period of time as a hobby. We're in school, so it's not like we can go to a college or ...
-2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a portal dedicated to HTML5 games? [closed]
Just to get something straight; by "portal", I mean a website that frequently publishes a certain type of games, has a blog, some articles, maybe some tutorials and so on. All of these things are not ...
-2
votes
1answer
783 views
C++ Valid for indie 2d games? [closed]
I am not currently developing any games, but am taking a C++ course. Will I actually be able to make any games with the knowledge I have from this course? I really just want to make a game with ...
-2
votes
0answers
50 views
Selection of a 2d physics library [closed]
I am a decent programmer with not so great artistic skills. I am creating a game involving some basic shapes and rudimentary artwork.
I wanted to select a decent 2d physics library with easy to use ...
