Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

GameTap's New Indie Games Label, IGF Award

Posted by Zonk on from the power-to-the-people dept.

nz17 writes "Gamasutra is carrying the story about GameTap's new indie games program. 'By enlisting in the program, GameTap assumes non-exclusive responsibility for the digital distribution of each selected game. In addition to being promoted alongside GameTap titles, GameTap Indies will be showcased in a special Independent Games content area within the service.' GameTap also plans to give out its own award at the Independent Games Festival to three recipients. These selected three will receive $5000 — $10000 for a non-exclusive five-year distribution contract through the GameTap service."

4 of 8 comments (clear)

  1. Money for Independent Game Makers == Good by GetSource · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Seems to me that any money for independent game makers is good.

    What's particularly interesting to me about this is that they're offering a "non-exclusive" distribution deal.

    Perhaps this is similar to what they're doing with Sam & Max?

    1. Re:Money for Independent Game Makers == Good by cliffski · · Score: 2, Insightful

      possibly, but a 'five year deal' on what terms? a ten thousand dollar advance might sound a lot to someone who makes games as a hobby, but to serious independent developers, it's pocketchange, especially when talking about five year deals.
      Sadly i can't find any information on the details on this at their website. anyone know more?

      --
      DRM-free indie games for the PC and Mac: Positech Games
    2. Re:Money for Independent Game Makers == Good by usrusr · · Score: 3, Insightful

      nonexclusive distribution should be the norm for all IP. The world would a better place by a very noticable margin.

      --
      [i have an opinion and i am not afraid to use it]
    3. Re:Money for Independent Game Makers == Good by Dachannien · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think both Sam & Max and Uru Live were specially negotiated deals. Gametap gets their producers' names in the credits and such. There's another episodic game they're producing whose name I can't remember.

      Most likely, what they're talking about here is similar to how a lot of indie games get released on multiple online stores, each of which slaps its own DRM on the front to let you try the game for an hour or so. In this case, instead of getting an hour to try a game and then having to buy it, the game would be available to play as much as you want as long as you're subscribing to Gametap.

      In any case, much as it's fun to bash behemoth media megacorps like Time Warner (Gametap's parent), I'm glad that Gametap is giving these games a chance to shine.