01-20-10 Discussion: Wilson

"Though many video games scholars and journalists tend to train their sights on `big gaming', there is a vibrant and varied sector of independent game design, production and distribution. Indie gaming is not a unitary field and, as well as producing a diverse range of games, indie designers occupy a range of positions vis-à-vis mainstream video gaming."

I think that this quote raises a valid point. Even though professional game programmers and indie programmers are no longer working with the same technology (as they were in the days when text-based adventure games were the pinnacle of cutting-edge gaming experiences). This can be seen on networks like XboxLive that sell indie games developed by smaller studios or even individuals that can be downloaded to an Xbox 360 console.

Have you ever played any indie games? What are your favorites? Have you ever made your own game? Do you think that the video game industry is better or worse off now that the techonology to create cutting-edge gaming experiences isn't available to everyone anymore?