Fantasy indie stuff

[emoller]

Hi guys,

I spoke to one of the admins here and he encouraged me to pop my head in and make a post about a game I've just completed with some friends as like he put it "our readership loves indie games and many are fans of good platformers as much as RPGs".

So, if you're into indie- and/or platform-games, check out our launchtrailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hZeTKaHsC8

If it looks like something you'd wanna check out go to our site and download the demo (PC/Mac). It's got unlimited play of the first couple of stages of the game.
http://www.timetrap.se/emberwind/

I hope you enjoy it.. and being an old pen and paper nut myself I'm hoping 2010 will be the year when TimeTrap takes on making an RPG, so maybe I'll get back soon and make some more relevant posts here :)

Regards,
Erik

[Dincrest]

I had a chance to try this baby out.  First impression is that the game is pretty fun, seems like a robust adventure with lots of stages, and I like the music and playful visual style (the goblins kinda look like Toadie from Disney's Gummi Bears.)  The jumping's a little floaty, but I got used to it and have seen far far worse in mainstream platformers.  Right now, I'd easily put Ember Wind up there with other sweet indie platforming adventures I've played like Aquaria or Eternal Daughter. 

When TimeTrap creates its debut RPG, I know I'll want to try it. 

[Sagacious-T]

How come these sidescrolling games never get a Digital Download release? I mean on a proper service like Steam. Wouldn't that help exposure much more?

[Fei]

I'm now convinced that I am dead, for the indie love in the last few days has been ... lovely.

[emoller]

How come these sidescrolling games never get a Digital Download release? I mean on a proper service like Steam. Wouldn't that help exposure much more?

Absolutely, but just as MS, Sony and Nintendo are controlling their channels rigorously so does Valve.
Emberwind was always meant to be released via Steam and it sure looked like it would be but then suddenly Valve decided there were one too many platformers on there and cancelled.
It's a shame really, when we did Emberwind we made sure to always have it compiling on PC, Mac, X360 and Wii. I knew there were going to be politics involved in getting it out but I never imagined it'd be that much. I've never been very good at or cared for politics, I just like to make fun games...

[hanako]

I adore Emberwind and everyone should play it. :)

And yeah, it frustrates me too when people say "Why don't you put it on Steam?" as if we the developers could just make that choice...

If you the players would really like to see a game on Steam, you're better off nagging Valve about it than nagging the developer. I don't know of any developers who've intentionally *turned down* Steam. Most would probably jump at the chance if they could get Valve to talk to them!

[Sagacious-T]

Ah

What about Microsoft Indie games? They seem to let anyone on there, and the good ones really shine.

[emoller]

Thanks for the positive remarks on Emberwind.

I wouldn't say I get frustrated by people asking why it's not on Steam... It's a perfectly valid question since unless you've tried your hand at game publishing you probably wouldn't know it's rarely up to the developer where the game gets released or not.

I'm just glad people enjoy the games we make, and even more glad for the small group of people that realize they support the creation of even better indie games by buying the full game. There are no share holders, investors, exec bonuses or even wages in the "true" indie game dev.. the $10 each copy of Emberwind brings in will be reincarnated in the next game as a monster, menu button or squishy sound effect :)  That I think is part of the beauty of indie games as opposed to "real" games whose reason for being is just to generate revenue, but maybe I'm getting a bit philosophical :)

[Kaspian]

I'll be sure to check this out.  I'm especially pleased to see that I can play it on my macbook.  Certainly looks fun judging by the trailer. =)