Great Games Youve Never Played

Do you know what you're missing?

Some of the best computer games ever made are likely games you've never heard of. Created by individuals and small companies working in relative obscurity. They don't have million dollar budgets, some don't even have hundred dollar budgets. They don't have dedicated marketing departments, research analysts, sales teams, fancy offices, and cutting edge tools. They scrape together whatever tools they can, often discarded by the ultra rich game designers of big shiny game studios.

Making Miracles.

In spite of these deplorable working conditions, they create some of the most amazing games around. How do these game gems get created, and who are the miracle workers creating them. They're independent game designers. Sometimes called Indies for short. Working out of their bedrooms, garages, spare offices, and basements. They have a passion for what they do. They love games, they love the act of creation, and are relentlessly committed to their vision of what a game should be. They often build games they themselves would love to play. Simply because no one else will. These kind of games you won't find at the big box electronics store casting it's shadow over your end of town. These passionate Indies could care less what the marketing boys up on the 26th floor have to say about the latest game trends. Probably because their garages don't have 26 floors. They just know their love of games, and how much they enjoy playing.

Where do Indies come from?

Indie game developers come from all different areas. They're often former artists, programmers, or designers of some big name software companies. Maybe that quiet little programmer in that tiny corner cubicle dreams of being an Indie one day. Tired of the corporate rat race, and looking to express themselves creatively they become Indies. Some of been lucky enough to avoid the corporate avenue altogether and make a living doing what they love from the beginning. Regardless of their origins, they all have the passion and desire to create. To be able to put their name on something really great. They want to be recognized for their abilities and worth. But more than that, they want you to play their games, and have fun doing so.

Why are Indie games so good?

Indie games are good first and foremost, because they're fun. It's a game after all, and if it's not fun from the get go, then what's the point. They're also highly original, sometimes mainstream funny, sometimes just weird funny, sometimes morbid, sometimes creepy, and sometimes just downright gross. But, thats OK. Games should be a departure from the everyday. They should make you think in different, fantastic ways. So many big name games are just rehashed ideas done a thousand times before. Another sequel of the same old games from last year. Indie games are adventurous and risky. Indies take chances and devote their time to making something unique. So, take a look around, and try a few, till you discover the one that matches your own bizarre and fantastic interests.

About the author
Chris Campbell, is that quiet little programmer in the tiny corner cubicle harbouring dreams of an Indie life. He likes to surround himself with his gaming masterpiece and those of other Indies at his website http://www.SunAndGames.com

In The News:


Canada.com

Microsoft Drops Player Fees On Games For Windows Live
InformationWeek, NY - 10 hours ago
Microsoft said late Tuesday that it will no longer charge a fee for PC game players who wish to connect with each other over the company's Games For Windows ...
Free As a Bird: The PC World Games For Windows Live Interview ... PC World
Microsoft woos amateur games developers VNUNet.com
XNA Creators Club games coming to your 360 this holiday season SlashGear
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ABC News

Games to be a great success: Survey
China Daily, China - 10 hours ago
By Li Xiang Most Chinese are confident the Olympic Games will be a great success and help improve China's image across the world despite disruptions in the ...
Olympics: Chinese think Games will help image San Francisco Chronicle
When Will the Olympics End? ABC News
Chinese try "contraception" to avoid Olympics guardian.co.uk
Chicago Tribune - The Associated Pressall 402 news articles

Amputee athletes ready for Extremity Games
The Associated Press - 11 hours ago
Then she'll try to defend her first-place finishes in the past two Extremity Games. Ho, who was born with a congenital deficiency that stopped her right leg ...

PR Web (press release)

King Reveals the Games Women Play During First Consumer Industry Panel
MarketWatch - 12 hours ago
King invited five women gamers from 34 to 71 years old to address leaders from the $2.5 billion+ casual games industry and provide insight to the 150 ...
Casual gamers connect at Seattle conference Seattle Post Intelligencer
‘One size fits all’ approach to casual is wrong, says Big Fish boss CasualGaming.biz
Conference Blog: Is the Game Console Dead and Will The iPhone Take ... Digital Media Wire
Gamasutra - MarketWatchall 31 news articles

Xinhua

China security forces vow to thwart Games threats
guardian.co.uk, UK - 5 hours ago
The People's Armed Police (PAP) is a key force China has deployed to maintain control during the next month's Games, and at a rally on Wednesday its troops ...
President Hu boosts morale of country's Olympians as Games near Xinhua
BOC well prepared for Games China Daily
Beijing sweeps out migrants in pre-Games clean-up AFP
Science Daily (press release) - AHNall 324 news articles

Telegraph.co.uk

China sets up 'protest pens' for Games
Globe and Mail, Canada - 2 hours ago
With barely two weeks remaining until the Games, the rules for protests are still unclear. Mr. Liu was unable to give any information on who will be allowed ...
Picket spots created for Games China Daily
Beijing sets up 'protest pens' for demonstrators at Olympic Games Times Online
Beijing to open protest parks during Games Daily Times
guardian.co.uk - guardian.co.ukall 643 news articles

BC athletes lead the charge at Beijing Games
Vancouver Sun,  Canada - 58 minutes ago
The fact that BC is hosting the 2010 Winter Games is also a major factor, said Mary Polak, the minister for healthy living and sport. ...
Kayaker will be Canada's flag-bearer at Beijing Games The Gazette (Montreal)
Canadian flag-bearer for Beijing Games to be introduced Wednesday The Canadian Press
Johns needs 'race of his life' at Games Sportsnet.ca
CJAD - Globe and Mailall 313 news articles

Canada.com

NY State To Restrict Video Games, Consoles
InformationWeek, NY - 11 hours ago
New York State will prohibit sales and rentals of video games without ratings prominently displayed on their covers and it will ban the sale of consoles ...
Gov. Paterson vs. violent video games New York Daily News
Civil Rights Groups Criticize The New York Video Game Labeling Bill eFluxMedia
all 11 news articles

Veterans get 'back into life' at annual Wheelchair Games
Arizona Republic, AZ - 2 hours ago
But things changed after the quadriplegic discovered the National Veterans Wheelchair Games a decade ago. "I didn't even know they had wheelchair sports" ...
Paraplegic competes in veterans games Tucson Citizen
all 2 news articles

Indoor ceremonies don't put damper on Games
Newsday, NY - 1 hour ago
Long Island heads into this year's Games with plenty of titles and a few streaks to defend. Scholastic boys lacrosse and girls fencing have won three ...
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