IGF Entries Out
by Andy Schatz · 10/09/2007 (2:39 pm) · 9 comments
The 2008 IGF Entries have been announced. Here's my take on some of the ones that stood out to me:
Another year, another group of stellar IGF entrants. Unlike two years ago, where Darwinia seemed to be the clear favorite going into the competition, I don't see an immediate front-runner. On the other hand, there seems to be more innovation this year than any previous year. It feels like indie game developers are gaining some confidence in their wacky designs: while there are plenty of traditional strategy, SHMUP, and platformer style games, there are also quite a number of truly unique games as well.
Another thing to note is that every year I seem to know less and less about the entrants. Partly this is because there are many MORE entrants (173 this year) but also because there doesn't seem to be a centralized place where I can follow indie games anymore. TIGSource is starting to be my primary reading these days, though their coverage (like GameTunnel's) tends to be a mite skewed towards a particular style of game.
Anyways, in my cursory glance through the entries, these are the ones that stood out to me. It's heavy on titles that aren't out -- it's easier to see potential in something you haven't actually experienced.
Gish 2
gish2.com/
Hard to ignore this one, but my prediction is that if it's an evolution of the original concept rather than a revolution it will be rewarded by customers but not the IGF.
World of Goo
2dboy.com/
Another game about sticky balls. Based on a much smaller experimental title that got huge critical acclaim. My guess is World of Goo FTW.
The Path
www.tale-of-tales.com/ThePath/
Horror and Little Red Riding Hood. Production values look stellar. One to watch.
Schizoid
www.torpexgames.com/
A coop gauntlet style shooter. Looks like a ton of fun.
Threadspace: Hyperbol
www.hyperbol.com/
An impressive and unique strategy hybrid. Multiplayer focused games haven't fared that well in the IGF in the past, but this one certainly makes an argument for its inclusion.
Tree of Life + Axiom Overdrive
www.reflexive.com
Reflexive has been known to put out some real pablum, but they also poured their hearts into the unique Wik & the Fable of Souls. These two titles could have promise, though to be honest, I have no idea what they are.
Masq
www.alteraction.com
A text adventure that has a unique feel to it.
Fret Nice
www.fretnice.com/
Control a platformer with a Guitar Hero controller. Somewhere in the cobwebbed portions of my brain I remember several people speaking highly of this. Sounds interesting.
Soup du Jour
www.digital-eel.com/soup/
From Digital Eel, the makers of IGF-nom Weird Worlds. Is this something interesting or a casual-friendly portal sell-out?
Polychromatic Funk Monkey
www.farbs.org/games.html
A fun, simple puzzle game. Would be nice to see the concept expanded upon.
Immortal Defense
immortaldefense.com/
The best tower-defense game ever created. Probably not different enough from other titles of the same genre to pick up awards, but certainly notable.
Venture Arctic
www.venturearctic.com
Yes this is my game. I like it a lot. Unique gameplay, interesting topic.
Phew... what a great group of games.
Another year, another group of stellar IGF entrants. Unlike two years ago, where Darwinia seemed to be the clear favorite going into the competition, I don't see an immediate front-runner. On the other hand, there seems to be more innovation this year than any previous year. It feels like indie game developers are gaining some confidence in their wacky designs: while there are plenty of traditional strategy, SHMUP, and platformer style games, there are also quite a number of truly unique games as well.
Another thing to note is that every year I seem to know less and less about the entrants. Partly this is because there are many MORE entrants (173 this year) but also because there doesn't seem to be a centralized place where I can follow indie games anymore. TIGSource is starting to be my primary reading these days, though their coverage (like GameTunnel's) tends to be a mite skewed towards a particular style of game.
Anyways, in my cursory glance through the entries, these are the ones that stood out to me. It's heavy on titles that aren't out -- it's easier to see potential in something you haven't actually experienced.
Gish 2
gish2.com/
Hard to ignore this one, but my prediction is that if it's an evolution of the original concept rather than a revolution it will be rewarded by customers but not the IGF.
World of Goo
2dboy.com/
Another game about sticky balls. Based on a much smaller experimental title that got huge critical acclaim. My guess is World of Goo FTW.
The Path
www.tale-of-tales.com/ThePath/
Horror and Little Red Riding Hood. Production values look stellar. One to watch.
Schizoid
www.torpexgames.com/
A coop gauntlet style shooter. Looks like a ton of fun.
Threadspace: Hyperbol
www.hyperbol.com/
An impressive and unique strategy hybrid. Multiplayer focused games haven't fared that well in the IGF in the past, but this one certainly makes an argument for its inclusion.
Tree of Life + Axiom Overdrive
www.reflexive.com
Reflexive has been known to put out some real pablum, but they also poured their hearts into the unique Wik & the Fable of Souls. These two titles could have promise, though to be honest, I have no idea what they are.
Masq
www.alteraction.com
A text adventure that has a unique feel to it.
Fret Nice
www.fretnice.com/
Control a platformer with a Guitar Hero controller. Somewhere in the cobwebbed portions of my brain I remember several people speaking highly of this. Sounds interesting.
Soup du Jour
www.digital-eel.com/soup/
From Digital Eel, the makers of IGF-nom Weird Worlds. Is this something interesting or a casual-friendly portal sell-out?
Polychromatic Funk Monkey
www.farbs.org/games.html
A fun, simple puzzle game. Would be nice to see the concept expanded upon.
Immortal Defense
immortaldefense.com/
The best tower-defense game ever created. Probably not different enough from other titles of the same genre to pick up awards, but certainly notable.
Venture Arctic
www.venturearctic.com
Yes this is my game. I like it a lot. Unique gameplay, interesting topic.
Phew... what a great group of games.
About the author
#2
10/09/2007 (3:21 pm)
Fixed, thanks :) 
#3
10/09/2007 (3:47 pm)
cool, thanks for sharing these. 
#4
10/09/2007 (4:29 pm)
Hyperbol was actually in the IGF finals 3 years ago... I believe...
#5
10/09/2007 (4:35 pm)
It was in the student competition I think. I don't think it was actually released until this year, though. 
#6
I could be wrong but I remember Hyperbol being a 2004 IGF entry. It was a couple of booths down from Lore at the time and I remember thinking that it was a pretty cool looking game, was honestly surprised that Hominid and Gish beat it to be honest because it certainly had a style all its own (as did the moo cow game)
Best of luck with Venture Artic, hopefully they dont Susan Lucci another great GG community team like they have in past years.
10/09/2007 (6:48 pm)
@AndyI could be wrong but I remember Hyperbol being a 2004 IGF entry. It was a couple of booths down from Lore at the time and I remember thinking that it was a pretty cool looking game, was honestly surprised that Hominid and Gish beat it to be honest because it certainly had a style all its own (as did the moo cow game)
Best of luck with Venture Artic, hopefully they dont Susan Lucci another great GG community team like they have in past years.
#7
Penguins Arena is on the list too:
http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2008.php?id=95
Anyway, this time it will be a lot more difficult too win than for the Intel contest. :)
Good luck Andy !
10/10/2007 (12:53 am)
Here we go!Penguins Arena is on the list too:
http://www.igf.com/php-bin/entry2008.php?id=95
Anyway, this time it will be a lot more difficult too win than for the Intel contest. :)
Good luck Andy !
#8
Would you mind including the name of our game, Masq, and change the name of the company that is misspelled? The link is fine and you already brought us some additional players. Thanks Again.
Javier Maldonado
Masq's designer
10/12/2007 (9:50 am)
Thanks for mentioning AlterAction Andy. Would you mind including the name of our game, Masq, and change the name of the company that is misspelled? The link is fine and you already brought us some additional players. Thanks Again.
Javier Maldonado
Masq's designer
#9
10/12/2007 (12:56 pm)
Fixed, glad I could help send players to it. You've done a great job getting the feel of an interactive graphic novel. 
Torque Owner Stephan - viKKing - Bondier
Venture Artic? never heard of it... ;)