Digital Dave

Musings on projects, business and life.

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Jan 12, 2009

IGF Finalist… Burn the Rope?

I understand a joke when I see one.

This was a game that targeted the length of games today. You don’t need to spend 8 to 30 hours on a game to have fun. But, then again, you probably need to spend more than 2 minutes.  I played the thing when it first came out and forgot about it until now.

You Have To Burn The Rope is a short game that your eyes may have come across over the past year. It’s a simple game, as the title in itself is a spoiler:  you burn the rope,  your weapon is useless,  you can’t die.

Is this really innovative? Absolutely not. World of Goo is innovative.  Everyday Shooter is innovative.   We are saying that if this game wins, that it is at the caliber of World of Goo, Everyday Shooter, Braid?  Well, that’s what it implies.

This year the IGF saw a 30% increase in those who thought their game could make the cake.

I don’t fathom a perfect judging system.  But the way these were judged this year needs to be seriously looked at.

This is time for independent games to shine.  This is for independent gamers.  Troll around on the other independent gaming websites and you’ll find VERY few that think this game should be in it’s position.

Category: Independent

Tagged:

  • http://www.trazoi.net David Shaw

    Yes, I noticed (and just participated) in the discussion on this over on the Indiegamer Developer boards. It’s a weird choice for Innovation finalist, and that’s putting it lightly. Don’t get me wrong, I liked You Have To Burn The Rope for what it is – a short fun joke – but one of the five most innovative indie games of the year? That’s a slap in the face of indie game developers.

    The bit that has many people incensed is that you actually hae to *pay* to put your game into consideration. So there’s a bunch of indie game developers down a hundred bucks who did not get nominated for anything, who have had the IGF professional judges say a joke game is more innovative than them. It’s a real kick in the pants.

  • http://www.trazoi.net David Shaw

    Yes, I noticed (and just participated) in the discussion on this over on the Indiegamer Developer boards. It’s a weird choice for Innovation finalist, and that’s putting it lightly. Don’t get me wrong, I liked You Have To Burn The Rope for what it is – a short fun joke – but one of the five most innovative indie games of the year? That’s a slap in the face of indie game developers.

    The bit that has many people incensed is that you actually hae to *pay* to put your game into consideration. So there’s a bunch of indie game developers down a hundred bucks who did not get nominated for anything, who have had the IGF professional judges say a joke game is more innovative than them. It’s a real kick in the pants.

  • http://www.jeffongames.com Jeff Ward

    I absolutely have to agree with David on this one. I honestly didn’t believe that You Have To Burn The Rope was nominated at all. That’s a huge hit and all developers have a right to be angry about this one.

  • http://www.jeffongames.com Jeff Ward

    I absolutely have to agree with David on this one. I honestly didn’t believe that You Have To Burn The Rope was nominated at all. That’s a huge hit and all developers have a right to be angry about this one.

  • Simon Carless

    I’m not going to go around justifying this to everyone individually, obviously, but here’s what I just replied in a similar thread on TIGSource – and bear in mind that the judges _are_ a lot of leading indies:

    “Here is Kian’s commentary on being nominated:

    http://www.mazapan.se/news/2009/01/07/independent-games-festival/

    I think it’s an interesting response.

    As for why it was nominated – hey, it was empirically voted one of the most innovative titles by the judges. It’s as simple as that.

    But it’s a cheeky innovation of concept, rather than gameplay innovation, and I can understand why that rubs some people the wrong way.

    I stand by it, just as we and the other organizers stand by the IGF. It’s what the judges thought, after all.”

    Thanks,
    Simon.
    [IGF Chairman.]

  • Simon Carless

    I’m not going to go around justifying this to everyone individually, obviously, but here’s what I just replied in a similar thread on TIGSource – and bear in mind that the judges _are_ a lot of leading indies:

    “Here is Kian’s commentary on being nominated:

    http://www.mazapan.se/news/2009/01/07/independent-games-festival/

    I think it’s an interesting response.

    As for why it was nominated – hey, it was empirically voted one of the most innovative titles by the judges. It’s as simple as that.

    But it’s a cheeky innovation of concept, rather than gameplay innovation, and I can understand why that rubs some people the wrong way.

    I stand by it, just as we and the other organizers stand by the IGF. It’s what the judges thought, after all.”

    Thanks,
    Simon.
    [IGF Chairman.]

  • http://www.david-mcgraw.com david.mcgraw

    I understand. I appreciate the voice because I never read that.

    Those leading indies should fully understand the implications of choosing something like this. I’m not sure if they realize the statement that they are passing, especially if this takes the cake.

    If we want “cheeky innovation,” to be a standard, create a “cheeky”-esque category. There is a place for that sort of thing. Even the post that is linked offers curiosity to where the browser-based category went.

    There is just no way to justify the inclusion into this category.

  • http://www.david-mcgraw.com david.mcgraw

    I understand. I appreciate the voice because I never read that.

    Those leading indies should fully understand the implications of choosing something like this. I’m not sure if they realize the statement that they are passing, especially if this takes the cake.

    If we want “cheeky innovation,” to be a standard, create a “cheeky”-esque category. There is a place for that sort of thing. Even the post that is linked offers curiosity to where the browser-based category went.

    There is just no way to justify the inclusion into this category.

David McGraw

Founder of iGotIt Games. Trader. Runner. Warrior. Motivator.