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[Dwight Schrute]

I sometimes visit Sony's PS blog to see what is coming in SEN store updates.

I remember that some GAFfers noted that there was a lot of Indie "backslash" for Sony, people complaining (on IGN notably) that ps+ free games were "indie garbage", even a thread where Yoshida (?) said he didn't understand why people only wanted to play AAA+ games.

And there, with the Velocity 2x update, we got this :

"Hi folks,
I’m just gonna put this out there: Velocity 2X is a game-of-the-year winner.
“WUT?!” “This?…no way” “…looks indie man”… “NO WAY!”…"

"When you get your hands on Velocity 2X, I know you’ll agree: with layers of depth and complexity of the gameplay features, the ambition is vast even compared to AAA titles. "

Source: http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/08/05/velocity-2x-launches-on-ps4-ps-vita-september-2nd/

It's even worse on the French blog :

"Velocity 2X est un jeu AAA sur PS4 et PS Vita "

Tanslation :

"Velocity is a AAA game for PS4 and Vita"

or

"Salut à tous. Je suis ici aujourd’hui pour faire une déclaration audacieuse : Velocity 2X est un jeu AAA. "

Tanslation :

"Hi all. I am here today to make a bold statement: Velocity 2X is a AAA game."

and

"D’ailleurs, que signifie AAA ? En général, c’est le nom que l’on donne aux jeux considérés comme les meilleurs de leur genre pour la partie audiovisuelle, la qualité de la jouabilité et l’échelle/valeur de production.

Vous seriez bien entendu tout excusé si vous pensiez que Velocity 2X échoue au niveau de l’échelle/valeur de production, mais nous penserions honnêtement que vous vous trompez."

Translation :

"Besides, what does AAA? In general, this is the name we give to the games considered the best of their kind for the audiovisual part, the quality of the gameplay and the scale / production value.

You would of course excused if you thought Velocity 2X fails at the scale / production value, but we honestly would think that you are mistaken."

There's more on the links, but what's your opinion on this ?

 

[Corpekata]

Isn't that Velocity post made by someone that works at Futurlab?

 

[Ouren]

back slash?

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Isn't that Velocity post made by someone that works at Futurlab?

It's quite different on the US and the French blog, but this is possible. I just found strange that it was in both cases he underlying idea.

 

[WinFonda]

More like a developer fighting a misconception.

Game looks pretty awesome, I see why he'd get defensive/annoyed at people dismissing it.

 

[Deft Beck]

I think it's healthy to have a balance between indies and AAA titles on PS+, and in general.

People who complain need to be quiet and actually try the games before they make a quick judgement

 

[Sendou]

Isn't that Velocity post made by someone that works at Futurlab?

I think everything that gets posted on PS Blog goes through Sony in one way or another.

That said I think it's not what OP thinks it is.

 

[HORRORSHØW]

backslash (\) or backlash?

 

[Ouren]

More like a developer fighting a misconception.

THIS

 

[nelchaar]

I'm pretty sure the PR statements concerning Velocity 2X came directly from Futurlab (the developers of Velocity) themselves. I think this in a non-issue, particularly for Sony. If anyone is annoyed by the "indie backlash", it's the indie developers themselves.

 

[Moobabe]

Just looks like an awkward translation to me.

And no - I think that indie developers are starting to take exception with some of the anti-indie sentiment that goes around. Probably because it's tiresome, narrow minded and adds nothing to conversations.

Maybe.

 

[Ashtar]

Yes it is made by one of the developers (mark seething) velocity 2x is looking really sweet though
As far as this post goes I'd guess it's be more of this developers community manager browsing forums and seeing the hate that indie games get.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Yes it is made by one of the developers (mark seething) velocity 2x is looking really sweet though
As far as this post goes I'd guess it's be more of this developers community manager browsing forums and seeing the hate that indie games get.

I still think that anything posted on the PS blog goes though some Sony validation anyway. But I get your point.

 

[nelchaar]

I still think that anything posted on the PS blog goes though some Sony validation anyway. But I get your point.

Pretty sure Sony wouldn't tell an indie what they can or cannot say about their own game. Who is Sony to judge a game on whether or not its an AAA or GOTY? It's just the opinion of the developer. They're not saying anything wrong.

 

[AmaterasuOni]

Who cares? Play the games, don't let the games play you!

 

[coolasj19]

1. I think you're reaching.
2. I think it's really obvious they have changed strategies after looking at how they announce indie games now. At events instead of 3 blog post a day for a few weeks (good times).
3. Post was made by Futurlab.

 

[majik13]

what is Indie game Backslash " \ "?

Spoiler

I know, I know...

 

[playXray]

I don't really see that much of a backlash - just a vocal minority who are getting impatient waiting for this gen to really take off. Sony (as well as MS) suffered from the usual early gen drought, but have managed to plug the gap somewhat by promoting all the new indie games. As the generation matures I imagine this will die down naturally, as AAA games gain traction, and only the most successful indie games will be featured prominently.

 

[GeoramA]

I hope not. A backlash by a small group of whiny, entitled man-children should have no effect on what Sony does.

 

[Cartman86]

Video games are just going through the same natural progression as all entertainment. The same old comfortable mainstream shit will rise to the top and most people will find indie or different games threatening or boring.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Hopefully not everyone will be a damp squid about this backslash to Sony putting some games on a peddle-stool

 

[Philippo]

Well while i loved some indies and are eagerly waiting for some new ones, i hope Sony goes back to the typical "AAA Marketing" for Ps4, if only because i find it more exiting

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Well while i loved some indies and are eagerly waiting for some new ones, i hope Sony goes back to the typical "AAA Marketing" for Ps4, if only because i find it more exiting

We can have both.
But I am more interested in indie these days.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

A backlash by a small group of whiny, entitled man-children should have no effect on what Sony does.

Take that, low-hanging fruit!

 

[funkystudent]

Market is flooded with samey 2D indie games and the developer wants to try and break through the noise.

Its no different then a real AAA developer going "Call of Brothers of Honour is not just another military shooter" when the market was flooded with games riffing COD4.

 

[BibiMaghoo]

I don't know how to make this indie.

 

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

I think they are having a backslash to seperate the indie games from AAA games...

IndieAAA

 

[Jimmyfenix]

I don't know how to make this indie.

Think outside the box breh

 

[StuBurns]

I think there's a difference between 'indie games' and 'garbage indie games'. PS+ has been utterly shit on PS4, if that's because we now need PS+ for online so Sony doesn't have to try anymore, or because of a limited library, who knows, but I think people aren't wrong to be irritated by what Sony have put out so far.

I don't think it's really about them being indie games, just not good games generally. If every month we got a game the quality of Journey, there would be no complaints about 'indies'.

 

[Piston Hyundai]

I think there's a difference between 'indie games' and 'garbage indie games'. PS+ has been utterly shit on PS4, if that's because we now need PS+ for online so Sony doesn't have to try anymore, or because of a limited library, who knows, but I think people aren't wrong to be irritated by what Sony have put out so far.

I don't think it's really about them being indie games, just not good games generally. If every month we got a game the quality of Journey, there would be no complaints about 'indies'.

Eh, I wouldn't say it's utterly shit, but it's definitely a mixed bag. More stuff like Strider and Trine 2 and less like Contrast and Mercenary Kings, please.

Unless you compare it to the PS3 and Vita. In that case, hell yeah, it's a fucking mess.

 

[The Cartographer]

Besides, what does AAA? In general, this is the name we give to the games considered the best of their kind for the audiovisual part, the quality of the gameplay and the scale / production value.

But that's not true.

Edit: Oh wait, I'm an idiot, I missed the ''scale / production value'' part.

 

[Shaanyboi]

I hope not. A backlash by a small group of whiny, entitled man-children should have no effect on what Sony does.

Pretty much. I find nothing of value to be gained from the concerns or tastes of the "EWWW INDIE GAMES" crowd.

 

[Kinyou]

Those people probably just want to see fancy graphics. Which I guess is partially understandable because that's one of the main reasons they bought the console. As soon as the launch drought is over this should go away.

 

[FryHole]

Hopefully not everyone will be a damp squid about this backslash to Sony putting some games on a peddle-stool

Anyone who does should be made a social piranha.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

I think there's a difference between 'indie games' and 'garbage indie games'. PS+ has been utterly shit on PS4, if that's because we now need PS+ for online so Sony doesn't have to try anymore, or because of a limited library, who knows, but I think people aren't wrong to be irritated by what Sony have put out so far.

I don't think it's really about them being indie games, just not good games generally. If every month we got a game the quality of Journey, there would be no complaints about 'indies'.

I would take mercenary kings rather than crysis 3 thank you very much.

 

[IAmRandom31]

Fantastic problem to have if you ask me.

Best games being made out there right now are coming from the indie development crowd. Get them all onboard. Flood the system with indie goodness.

I'll take a dozen Don't Starve's over a dozen Assassin Creeds anyday

 

[Piston Hyundai]

Those people probably just want to see fancy graphics. Which I guess is partially understandable because that's one of the main reasons they bought the console. As soon as the launch drought is over this should go away.

Yeah, this is what I attribute to the recent increase of dismissive attitudes towards indies. If you prefer AAA games, the PS4 (and especially PS+) hasn't exactly been living up to its price point. I could say the same thing about the Xbox One, but Microsoft hasn't really been going after indies on the same level that Sony has been.

I would take mercenary kings rather than crysis 3 thank you very much.

I dunno, man. They're both pretty dull games.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Fantastic problem to have if you ask me.

Best games being made out there right now are coming from the indie development crowd. Get them all onboard. Flood the system with indie goodness.

I'll take a dozen Don't Starve's over a dozen Assassin Creeds anyday

Damn straight.

 

[StuBurns]

I would take mercenary kings rather than crysis 3 thank you very much.

I haven't played Crysis 3, but Mercenary Kings is a terrible game.

 

[Kinyou]

I don't know how to make this indie.

Here you go:

 

[Tamanon]

I was hoping there was a game called "Backslash" I just hadn't heard of yet. Dangit.

 

[Hot Coldman]

I don't think anyone takes any of the "fuck indie games" crowd seriously. Because why would you.

 

[Jimmyfenix]

I haven't played Crysis 3, but Mercenary Kings is a terrible game.

Crysis 3 was a terrible game. It is a shame that game is on plus.

 

[kinoki]

Lol. Apart from a few console warriors everyone is happy that diversity is coming to consoles. The people trolling are a minority but have no sway on the market. It's not like it's going to last. After Destiny it's packed until a foreseeable future with AAA games and there'll be no way this can be used as fodder.

 

[DryvBy]

I think there's a difference between 'indie games' and 'garbage indie games'. PS+ has been utterly shit on PS4, if that's because we now need PS+ for online so Sony doesn't have to try anymore, or because of a limited library, who knows, but I think people aren't wrong to be irritated by what Sony have put out so far.

I don't think it's really about them being indie games, just not good games generally. If every month we got a game the quality of Journey, there would be no complaints about 'indies'.

Outlast, PixelJunk Shooter, Strider, Don't Starve, Resogun have been the best indies so far. But they need to support the system a bit more. I'd like to see more of my PS3 indies hit PS4. PixelJunk Monsters, where are you?

 

[jackal27]

I've seen this backlash myself and it's duuuuuumb. Sony is smart to use language that combat those ideas.

 

[SerTapTap]

The "AAA" remark seems like a poor translation, I at least assume the Futurlab guy didn't write all those non-English ones.

Indies saying "um bro we're not all artsy 2D pixel platformers" is hardly anything new.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

Lol. Apart from a few console warriors everyone is happy that diversity is coming to consoles. The people trolling are a minority but have no sway on the market. It's not like it's going to last. After Destiny it's packed until a foreseeable future with AAA games and there'll be no way this can be used as fodder.

The contradiction in this post in intense.

 

[bryehn]

Outlast, PixelJunk Shooter, Strider, Don't Starve, Resogun have been the best indies so far.

Capcpom...the extra P is for indie.

 

[SerTapTap]

I'd like to see more of my PS3 indies hit PS4. PixelJunk Monsters, where are you?

Agreed, but hell I think we're getting better support than I ever would have expected before last year's E3. If you told me I'd boot up my PS4 to higher res copies of Flow and Flower for no added cost and that a large deal of indies would be making PS4/PS Vita cross buy games I wouldn't have believed you.