View Full Version : So should we submit to the IGF or not?
dislekcia
16-10-2008, 04:59 PM
The IGF (http://www.igf.com) submission deadline for 2009 is the 1st of November. I'm wrestling with the idea of submitting SpaceHack and seeing how we do (which might mean we need to make a PC version to go with the Xbox build by then) or should we wait and submit next year?
I'm in two minds about it because firstly it costs moolah and we're a bit broke right now and secondly I know SpaceHack has some innovative features, I just don't feel super stoked about the validity of said features in something as mind-blowingly indie as the IGF... I'm probably way too close to the project to see it as neat, because if you asked me if UQ should be entered, I'd say yes instantly.
Kensei
16-10-2008, 05:06 PM
I would gladly donate money to get SpaceHack (and UQ if they wanted) entered into the IGF :D
And I am being deadly serious, dislekcia, Space Hack looks awesome - I cannot give a complete view because I couldn't get a Premium license to play the game on the creator's club :(
How much time do you have? Do you have time to make a PC version?
Tr00jg
16-10-2008, 05:55 PM
If money isn't a problem I would definitely go for it.
(which might mean we need to make a PC version to go with the Xbox build by then).
Platform: Entered Games may run on any platform (PC, Mac, console, PDA, etc.). Any Entrant submitting an Entered Game that requires special hardware (e.g., uncommon PDAs or older consoles) may be contacted by Sponsor to obtain the hardware at the Entrant?s sole expense.
And:
A digital copy of the game being entered (an ?Entered Game?), submitted by uploading the title to the official IGF site
(or on 10 CDs? still have to try that out)
As for Game.Dev's games (spacehack and UQ2):
# Technical Achievement: Scores will be based on the technical mastery and innovation demonstrated by each Entered Game?s game engine and code base.
# Excellence in Visual Art: Scores will be based on the innovation, quality, and impressiveness of each Entered Game?s appearance and visual effects.
# Excellence in Design: Scores will be based on the quality and execution of each Entered Game's design, including game mechanic design, level design, and difficulty balancing.
# Innovation Award: Scores will be based on the overall innovation - in concept, abstract design focus, and message - of each Entered Game, particularly as an independent metric, irrespective of the other category scores.
# Audience Award: Public voters will download demonstrations of the games and vote for their favorite - the game with the most votes will win the award. Entered Games must have a playable public demo when asked by the Nominating Committee (likely to be around January 2009) to be considered for this category, but do not need to submit a public demo with initial entry
# Seumas McNally Grand Prize: This Category is open to all Entered Games. Scores will be based on the overall innovation, quality, impressiveness, and enjoyability of each Entered Game.
Also, what says "SOUTH AFRICAN GAME DEVELOPMENT" better than the chance to get the following (although even a mention because people were like "awesome, that rocks" is great):
Each Finalist will receive:
* Two (2) All Access passes to the Conference (approximate value of $3000.00);
* Mention in Game Developer magazine;
* Mention in Gamasutra.com;
* Coverage in a Sponsor-issued press release;
* A profile in the Conference?s official program; and
* A one (1) year limited use license to use a version of the official Contest name and finalist logo in promotional materials relating to the Finalist Game.
I can understand that the $95 entry is a bit steep, but if you can take a single category by storm it would rock for you as a developer and us as a community in the end. I'll see if I know anybody who is interested in sponsoring our entrants.
On another note, I dont see why a bunch of our community members who are students still shouldnt enter the student competition of IGF, its free:
Student Requirements: The spirit of the Contest is to showcase what students can do, unassisted by professionals. As a result, only games that have been developed entirely by full or part-time college or high school students are eligible for entry. If a game has been developed with any assistance from a professional, it is not eligible for entry.
To end of: Submission page link (http://www.igf.com/03submit.html)
Higushi
16-10-2008, 10:31 PM
Dis! Why wait another year!? You never know what could happen! The world might end or you might be abducted by terrorists! Who knows, these are uncertain times! GO FOR IT! LIVE FOR TODAY!!
But seriously, if money isn't a problem (which you kinda stated that it is, but sometimes magical things can happen when money is at a loss) then you must definitely go for it!
I would gladly donate money to get SpaceHack (and UQ if they wanted) entered into the IGF
Wow. You are too awesome! Game.dev soldier through and through.
I would also donate money to get them in...
Fengol
17-10-2008, 08:47 AM
I don't think you should wait; you could easily get yourself into a flat spin about adding new features for next year's submission (what with the way you've implemented updates) and who knows what might pop up next year in terms of opportunities or tragedies that could influence your submission (you might have another game to enter).
I also think the Game.Dev community would be VERY supportive in raising the cash for you to submit (although I know you don't like personal donations).
dammit
17-10-2008, 10:46 AM
Do it! Now! :D And if you're really that strapped for cash I'm betting the money could be raised through some generous forumites (ie: Kensei, edg3, myself :P )
Squid
17-10-2008, 11:11 AM
My vote is for wait. After then extensive discussion you, me and Chippit had in your hallway. I think it's clear that the potential of SpaceHack is largely untapped.
With the frameworks in place I think you could make it twice the entry it is now in a year.
As for UQ, I think it's all there. All the features are in place, it just needs more content (which you don't need for IGF). An extra layer of polish might help to.
FuzzYspo0N
17-10-2008, 11:51 AM
I half agree with squid. Why not enter both years. SH2 will own WAY more by then ,leveraging way more hardware and better possibilites.
To me, using "the same game" a year later ? thats ridiculous. It will look like a game from last year. Not saying you cant make it leeter, but you have a perfectly viable game now.
i think it fits perfeclty into the CURRENT scene of indie, the raw style and the rough technical approach makes it way more cool now, then next year when there is a new framework entirely and procedural stuff is old hat, and stuff is calculated a millions times faster etc.
You have it, its "ready" and its damn good. Submit it now i say.
Afflict
17-10-2008, 01:32 PM
Enter the compo what do you have to lose?
01DT!m3r
17-10-2008, 01:53 PM
I say go for it! it is a great oppertunity . If you enter at least you have a chance to win . I will see what i can organise in terms of sponsorship. :)
Tr00jg
17-10-2008, 05:45 PM
Like I said. You CAN enter again, so if money isn't an issue go for it...
Kensei
17-10-2008, 05:55 PM
My offer to pay for some (or all) of the entry fee is not one of charity - I think of it this way, I would gladly pay an amount to play Space Hack (and UQ) on my Xbox, why? because they look kickass.
I don't want a trivial thing like an entry fee stop you entering a potentially great game - come on, this is like your dream, isn't it?
So what if you lose, you've just lost some money (that can be recovered) and probably some hope - its not like they kill the losers... or do they.... >_> uh oh
dislekcia
17-10-2008, 06:25 PM
My offer to pay for some (or all) of the entry fee is not one of charity - I think of it this way, I would gladly pay an amount to play Space Hack (and UQ) on my Xbox, why? because they look kickass.
I don't want a trivial thing like an entry fee stop you entering a potentially great game - come on, this is like your dream, isn't it?
So what if you lose, you've just lost some money (that can be recovered) and probably some hope - its not like they kill the losers... or do they.... >_> uh oh
It's not that I don't want to enter in the IGF, I do. Yes, it's totally a dream ;)
But my main issue is that SpaceHack is still only a percent of what the full game wants to be. We've got an acceptable demo right now (admittedly one with a terrible intro sequence that we need to fix) but it's more a proof of concept than anything else at this stage. It's fun, it works and it's playable - but it's not right. Yet.
So the debate is pretty much "This year or next year?" I'm starting to lean towards next year. I'm also freaked out a little by the first time in years that I don't know where my rent is coming from for next month ;)
Higushi
18-10-2008, 07:06 PM
But my main issue is that SpaceHack is still only a percent of what the full game wants to be. We've got an acceptable demo right now (admittedly one with a terrible intro sequence that we need to fix) but it's more a proof of concept than anything else at this stage. It's fun, it works and it's playable - but it's not right. Yet.
Ok, I understand where you are coming from now. If you think that you'll manage to keep the inspiration going and get the game totally complete by this time next year. Then maybe you should wait. I'd recommend getting the game done within the next few months though, so then you'd have a lot of time to play-test, get all the bugs out, perhaps refine the story and such things, and still add on some extra features if you like. I think that polish is a big part of successful game design.
It's a pity though... I'd have really digged to see you ravage the contest this year. ;)
Cyberninja
18-10-2008, 10:56 PM
I personally think you should wait D. Rather spend the rest of the year really polishing the game. I think releasing a pc version of the game/demo would be a good start. At least that way, the community can provide feedback on what's already in the game. That way you start off with a solid foundation of what you/they think works and what doesn't. Then just build from there.
The IGF seems to be an important event*. I think Spacehack should show up to the party all dressed up and shiny. Super polished, and ready to kick some major ass.
Just my opinion. ;)
*From what I've read. <
dislekcia
28-10-2008, 03:15 PM
Bleh bleh bleh.... BLEH!
Going through what we need to do to SpaceHack to get it running on PC and OMFG do I suddenly hate PC development.
Just having to support different resolutions and graphics card capabilities is a horrid schlep. Plus I ran into a fun issue with DXT compressed non-power-of-two textures (which the 360 lets us do and some graphics cards don't, whee). So, this means another round of interface programming has just snuck up on on me, we all know how much fun that stuff is :(
At this rate it doesn't look like we'll be able to do much of the new intro sequence or gameplay additions we were hoping for. Great. The 360 is just so much nicer to develop for. You never have to go "Oh crap, this user has an Arcade, which means we have to halve our particle bucket space..."
Aequitas
28-10-2008, 08:45 PM
D's right you know .... i dread having to make a slider that allows people to change the max number of particles in the game. For one thing, none of the particle emitters care whether the particle cap is reached ... that's all up to the manager. This means that if you drop the particle max count too low, some emitters will hog all the emissions, and particles will die off super early as they get swapped to other buckets :/
sigh
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