The onward march of the bundles of March

[alms]

IIRC the PvZ OST is by Laura Shigihara who is regarded as a member of the indie scene..?

BiaB has cut the unlock level by 80% and is about to give Gemini Rue OST to everyone.

[deano2099]

Not entirely sure what the problem is with having non-indie games in the bundles? I actually think including a hugely under-appreciated big studio release is kinda more worthy that including the indie darling from the previous year that's already sold sod-loads.

[Rauten]

IIRC the PvZ OST is by Laura Shigihara who is regarded as a member of the indie scene..?

Honestly, I have no idea, but even if the composer is an indie, the game for which she worked is most certainly not, and I doubt they're selling the OST without Popcap's blessing.

Not entirely sure what the problem is with having non-indie games in the bundles? I actually think including a hugely under-appreciated big studio release is kinda more worthy that including the indie darling from the previous year that's already sold sod-loads.

To me, it's not the inclusion of non-indie games, it's the abuse of the word "indie" in the current market in which it seems like being indie means you're instantly attractive and successful and everyone should adore you (which is obviously not the case for most of them, but whatev.) and these companies are just trying to "ride the wave", a wave to which they don't belong, trying to make a quick buck out of people's misconceptions.
If the bundles weren't "indie" but just random bundles of games, I wouldn't give a flying freck what games are included (aside from possible purchases). It's the abuse of the term that irks me.

[alms]

Honestly, I have no idea, but even if the composer is an indie, the game for which she worked is most certainly not, and I doubt they're selling the OST without Popcap's blessing.

She's selling the OST on bandcamp so I guess they signed a contract that gives her the right to do so.

This is one of the more popular models for musicians in the indie business: they accept a lesser payment upfront but retain the rights to the OST - the indie dev doesn't have to pay as much money for the music, gets quality work and musicians have an incentive to work on making it more memorable. In theory, everybody wins.

edit: damn my memory, I forgot!

BiaB has also slashed the minimum price, it's under 2$ now! Gemini Rue alone is worth much more than that, but The Sea Will Claim Everything has been praised a lot and got a buy recommendation from Anna Anthropy, among the others.

[deano2099]

To me, it's not the inclusion of non-indie games, it's the abuse of the word "indie" in the current market in which it seems like being indie means you're instantly attractive and successful and everyone should adore you (which is obviously not the case for most of them, but whatev.) and these companies are just trying to "ride the wave", a wave to which they don't belong, trying to make a quick buck out of people's misconceptions.
If the bundles weren't "indie" but just random bundles of games, I wouldn't give a flying freck what games are included (aside from possible purchases). It's the abuse of the term that irks me.

But PopCap self-publish don't they so, much like Valve, they're technically indie?

At which point you end up trying to define 'indie' some other way and it never works.

[Klikchips]

And once again, the meaning of the word "indie" is twisted turned and abused, by adding the OST for Plants Vs Zombies. Bloody Popcap hope they die in a fire.

Prior to today I was just a lurker here, but after reading this comment I felt obligated to register just to respond to it. Laura Shigihara did not work for PopCap when she created the Plants vs. Zombies soundtrack; she's both an independent video game composer as well as an indie dev. She did everything on her own, from her home studio, entirely separate from PopCap.

On top of that, I've heard that PopCap didn't treat her that well as an indie composer. Even after she made the theme song that got PvZ tons of press, PopCap didn't even give her a work contract until right before the game came out so she ended up basically being forced to sign something that didn't have the best terms. That's also why the soundtrack came out like 2 years after the game did; she fought hard to get the legal department to let her release one (I followed updates about it over at the Steam forums a while back).

So yeah, while I share your sentiment about PopCap to some extent, Laura is about as awesome as they come. And the reason the music was included in this bundle (besides the fact that it rocks) was because it was made by an indie who worked hard to create it, and fought hard for the rights to release it.

[Battle Programmer Spike]

But PopCap self-publish don't they so, much like Valve, they're technically indie?

At which point you end up trying to define 'indie' some other way and it never works.

They WERE indie until the acquirement by EA. Plants vs Zombies was one of the games produced and developed back then. So I really see no issues with Plants Vs Zombies (or the OST) being categorized as indie/former indie. It's pretty much the same as Shank and those titles from XBLA, they were indie as well when launched.

[alms]

Today there's been another earthquake in Italy with a life toll heavier than the previous one. So even if I wasn't planning to get IGV, I'll be making an exception and donate everything to Help Emilia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18247659

[alms]

Latest news from bundle land:

• IG adds Steam keys for Beat Hazard, announces secret bonuses to unlock next week for buyers of the full pack.
• Bundle in a Box price keeps dropping into cheap as dirt territory, average falling as well.
• Groupees' Build a Bundle unlocked first bonus, second bonus will be a game and an OST.

[alms]

IndieRoyal Graduation is live: The Void, Dead Pixels, The Ship, 1000 Amps, Lasercat, Bonus: Airmech Beta Key

http://www.indieroyale.com

[Rauten]

The Void

The Ship

[alms]

Yeah this one was a no brainer.

Updated top post

[allanschnorr]

IndieRoyal Graduation is live: The Void, Dead Pixels, The Ship, 1000 Amps, Lasercat, Bonus: Airmech Beta Key

http://www.indieroyale.com

I was waiting for the summer sale to buy The Void and 1000 Amps, so good bundle for me.

[alms]

Anyone managed to download the Airmech bonus material package?

[RobF]

Lasercat! LaserCat is ace. It's the worlds only pub quiz platform game. It's off its nut but ace.

Nice to see it freed from its silly client-nobody-wants or 360 shackles and let loose unto the world proper.

[Winged Nazgul]

[edit] Got key, thanks. [/edit]

[baby snot]

You get two gift activations of The Ship and each of those gifts includes another gift activation. So five copies... is that right?

[Rauten]

Anyone managed to download the Airmech bonus material package?

If you mean the graduation cap, it's an ingame item you redeem with a code, not a download.

[alms]

You get two gift activations of The Ship and each of those gifts includes another gift activation. So five copies... is that right?

Yes.

If you mean the graduation cap, it's an ingame item you redeem with a code, not a download.

There was an additional button labeled "Bonus Material", a 25 MB archive. Actually, it's back.

BiaB's published a list of nominees for their Indie Fund: http://www.bundle-in-a-box.com/page/11

[alms]

The Sea Will Claim Everything has a freshly published RPS WIT:

http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012...me-everything/

also linked in the top post