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Introversion On Staying An Independent Games Studio
Dr. Eggman writes "bit-tech.net has up an interview with Introversion Games, creators of Uplink, Darwinia, and Defcon, on the hard work it takes to make games independently. They discuss the challenges and rewards, ranging from developing new technologies for their upcoming game, Subversion, to defining their own style in Darwinia — and nearly bankrupting themselves in the process. 'When we first set out to write video games we knew the damage that publishers could do both to games themselves, and the people writing them, and we were not willing to let that happen to us. In order to ensure our creative freedom, we had to be independent from publishers and license holders, and that independence has become a guiding mantra for us.'"
If you've played their other games, you'll know that this is a distinct possibility.
Steam is used as the distribution method. The game was already out for a few months before Steam even became an option. It does not make them any less independent, as Valve were not controlling the development.
NeoThermic
Use my link above, or to view my server, NeoThermic.com
Well, I also use that definition, and yeah, id Software are n the same boat, they simply wrestle out publishing deals on every new title they develop, Activision just always won out so far. And yes, that also makes both Valve and id independent developers, as they are both self-funded. Just because they developed AAA titles doesn't mean they cannot be independent from a big publisher as a money sorce, now can it?