๐Ÿ’ฅEA, ํด๋ž˜์‹ PC ๊ฒŒ์ž„์„ ์ŠคํŒ€์— ๋‚ด๋†“๊ณ  ์ธ๋”” ๊ฐœ๋ฐœ์ž๋“ค์ด ํ”ผํ•ด๋ฅผ ์ž…๋‹ค!๐Ÿ’ฅ

๋ชจ๋“  ๋ˆ„์ ๋œ ๋งˆ์ผ€ํŒ… ๋…ธ๋ ฅ๊ณผ ๊ธฐ์„ธ๊ฐ€ ์ˆœ๊ฐ„์ ์œผ๋กœ ๋ฌด๋„ˆ์กŒ๋‹ค

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Indie developers shocked as EA’s Command & Conquer release overshadows their long-awaited passion projects. I must be cursed, they lament.

๐ŸŽฎ On March 7, EA made a surprise move by dropping a treasure trove of classic PC games on Steam. While this news was greeted with excitement by nostalgic gamers, it left indie developers scrambling to maintain visibility amidst the flurry of nostalgia-driven downloads and the unpredictable algorithm of Steam.

How EAโ€™s Shadow Drop Crushed Indie Dreams

One of the unfortunate victims was the indie game, Potions: A Curious Tale, a delightful adventure and crafting experience centering around a witch and her potions. Developer Renee Gittens, who had poured ten years of her life into the game, expressed her dismay on Twitter, โ€œMy indie game I worked on for 10 years was immediately bumped off of New and Trending by EA spam releasing 11 titles at once. All of the built-up marketing and momentum squashed in an instant.โ€

๐Ÿš€ The New and Trending tab on Steam is a coveted spot for indie developers. It provides much-needed visibility for new releases and filters out the subpar games that populate the depths of Steamโ€™s vast library. Getting shoved out of that tab can be a death sentence for an indie gameโ€™s chances of finding an audience in the crucial early days after launch.

๐Ÿ˜ฑ Gittens confessed that she would have avoided the ill-fated release date if she had known about the impending storm caused by EAโ€™s releases. โ€œThe game took ten years of dev because I had to work full-time jobs during development,โ€ she explained. โ€œThis is my dream game, and I didnโ€™t cut any corners.โ€

Crushing Dreams on International Womenโ€™s Day

The bitter irony of the situation was not lost on Gittens. She had aimed to empower young girls with her game, showcasing their strengths and encouraging them to follow their dreams. Thatโ€™s why she chose to release Potions on the eve of International Womenโ€™s Day. But instead of celebrating, she faced the crushing blow of competing with EAโ€™s gaming legacy. โ€œI donโ€™t think I deserve special treatment for being a woman,โ€ Gittens lamented. โ€œI just had a wonderful, joyful day turned sour due to forces outside of my control. Iโ€™m sorry if my strong emotions came off as self-righteous or anything other than what I was feeling: blindsided and devastated.โ€

๐Ÿ”ฅ Potions: A Curious Tale was not the only innocent victim of EAโ€™s shadow drop. Berserk Boy, a throwback action-platformer that aimed to breathe new life into the likes of Mega Man and Sonic, suffered the same fate. After five years of development, the game finally launched, only to be swiftly overshadowed by the EA onslaught. The Twitter account for Berserk Boy acknowledged the rough start, stating, โ€œBerserk Boy was knocked off the New and Trending with EAโ€™s game dump.โ€ The pain was palpable, with tweets expressing heartbreak and despondency.

The Role of Timing and Luck

Gittens, ever gracious, did not attribute ill intentions to EAโ€™s actions. She recognized that it was simply unfortunate timing and bad luck. For those of us who enjoy indie games rather than create them, this serves as a reminder of the crucial role that timing and luck play in determining the success of any given title.

๐Ÿ’ก So, letโ€™s not forget to support indie developers and help them navigate the rough waters of the gaming industry. Take a moment to add upcoming indie games to your wishlist and pay it forward!

๐ŸŒŸ Remember, gaming is more than just a hobby, itโ€™s a community. Share this article and letโ€™s spread awareness for the struggles faced by indie developers. Together, we can make a difference!


๐Ÿค” Q&A: Your Burning Questions Answered!

๐Ÿ“Œ Q: How can indie developers compete with established gaming giants like EA?

โœจ Itโ€™s no easy feat, but indie developers have a few tricks up their sleeves. They can focus on creating unique experiences that resonate with players, build a devoted community, and leverage social media to their advantage. In addition, collaborating with other indie developers and participating in events like gaming conventions can help increase visibility and attract attention.

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๐Ÿ“Œ Q: Is there any way for indie games to stand out on platforms like Steam?

๐Ÿ’ฅ Absolutely! While it may seem daunting to compete against a sea of games, indie developers can focus on developing a strong brand and creating eye-catching visuals. Utilizing unique mechanics, crafting engaging narratives, and actively engaging with the gaming community can also make a significant difference. Remember, word-of-mouth goes a long way, so donโ€™t underestimate the power of positive reviews and player recommendations.

๐Ÿ“Œ Q: How do game developers deal with the emotional toll of unexpected challenges?

๐ŸŒˆ The emotional journey of a game developer is undoubtedly challenging. Itโ€™s crucial to find a support system, whether itโ€™s a team of like-minded developers, friends, or online communities. Taking breaks, practicing self-care, and reminding themselves of their passion for game development can help them push through difficult times. Remember, youโ€™re not alone in this journey!


๐Ÿ“š References:

  1. Potions: A Curious Tale on Steam
  2. Renee Gittensโ€™ Twitter thread
  3. Berserk Boy on Steam
  4. Five years of development for Berserk Boy
  5. Berserk Boy Twitter accountโ€™s choice quotes

๐Ÿ’ก Recommended Indie Games:

  1. Among Us teases upcoming animated series: Bloodsplattered Pizza Party!
  2. Check out this insightful guide on game development
  3. Explore the problematic trends in gaming with Sonic Dream Team and Superstars in this article

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