Mystic Ages -- Indie Issue

[Nathan]

At least once a month, I hope to do an "indie issue" for Mystic Ages Online (http://www.mysticages.com/) - focusing on indie games, reviews, and the like. The first one is going to be next week.

First off, I want feedback - what would you like to see out of an indie issue?

Secondly, I need your stuff. Do you have excerpts, game notes, sample art, adventures, or anything you would like to get posted? While Mystic Ages does not have a large viewing base just yet, we are steadily growing (heck, we are two weeks old!). Your material will be seen by the people who will be most interested.

If you would like, send the material to nathan@mysticages.com -> text, rtf form best.

Thanx,
Nathan

[ This Message was edited by: Nathan on 2001-06-28 23:59 ]

[Misguided Games]

Well in response, I'm going to revisit an old question.  What's your definition of "indie", Nathan?  Misguided Games is incorporated, but the two shareholders are myself (system designer) and Dan Ross (setting designer).  Do we still count?  We have some sketches of a few of our races online.  I do have a set of sketches that might be interesting for people to look at showing the evolution of the appearance of one of the races as we try to get it how we want it.  Does that sound interesting?

[Nathan]

I am not sure how to define "indie", but in general, if your game is not going to get major press by itself, you qualify. :smile: I want to support - not classify.

[Dav]

Nathan:

Sounds like a great idea!  Is this going to be subscription or free?  Also, do you have relative lengths (or file sizes) to cap us out at.  I know a few of us who can be downright wordy bastards when we get going.

Dav

[Nathan]

FREE - of course.

Word length - let's try to keep it from going over 2000, but if it is extremely good, I will consider something over that length. It would be best to keep it in the 800-1200 range.

BTW, is there an OFFICIAL definition on what constitutes an indie rpg? Are we still going with - "owned by the creator"?

Thanx,
Nathan

[Misguided Games]

Well, as long as dreaming of getting press all by itself doesn't disqualify me, sounds like I'm in.

[xiombarg]

Well, how about defining "indie" as "not owned by Wizards of the Coast"? ;-)

[Ron Edwards]

The front page of the Forge says the official line for the website. It also admits that it's a real stinky definition, but I think we'll stick with it.

Best,
Ron

[kwill]

perhaps this could be discussed in greater depth in another thread, but I don't think that "author-owned" is that stinky a definition for indie games -- I mean, what are your other options?

would you consider Delta Green to be indie? -- "our creators own what they create" according to the Pagan Publishing website

what definitely isn't indie?

==

nathan (briefly back on topic ,

I'd appreciate full stories (whether article or interview based) of HOW indie publishers got from point A to point B, what they feel seperates them from That Guy Working On His Not-Quite-D&D System That He Never Shows Anyone Anyway Before Growing Up And Becoming An Accountant

hmmm... perhaps this is the point, to a degree someone is indie if they feel they are -- variations on the theme rather than a by-the-book definition?

I still don't think "author-owned" is stinky