Intro to the Incubator

[mariodonick]

A very simple launcher (a window with links or buttons that start the games) can be nice to have, but is clearly secondary.

A launcher in Steam style ... with online features? Way too much compatibility and security issues you have to care about, esp. if you want to integrate game features, such as achievements and highscore system.

I say focus on the games instead. On Windows, deploy them using an installer with a nice logo, on Linux in an archive, on MacOS in a nicely designed .dmg.

What each game could do: On its title screen, display an unobstrusive  logo or a text hint that it is part of the bundle.

[Alex E]

I think that a Steam-like service only for roguelikes is an interesting idea, but doesn't RogueBasin already do sort of do that with it's "Games" section? There's also a featured roguelike on the main page. It's not as easy to find for the average passer-byer, and there isn't a launcher, which is always a nice thing to have. However, a service like that could reveal roguelikes to the public more, which is good. If the launcher was only for these "Incubator" roguelikes, then I think it would be a great way to bundle them up .

[Z]

I don't think it is really that difficult to have such online features (create a website which can display the data, register users, and accept submissions, and make the launcher communicate with it via HTTP; this does not solve the problem of potential cheating, but probably we don't have to care), but I agree that it is better to concentrate on the games themselves.

NotEye wants to evolve into a server on which you can play and watch many roguelikes... but it would be console/libtcod only.

[mariodonick]

I think one my greatest fears (and the reason why am so reluctant towards everything that goes beyond the initial incubator ideas discussed) is that too much unification could occur. I fear a roguelike world where everybody uses the same engine, the same interface, the same online features (if any) etc.

I also clearly want the incubator bundle feature DIFFERENT types of roguelikes, not only to honor the individual developers efforts, but also to give the audience a broad impression how huge this genre indeed is.

[Darren Grey]

Yeah, I agree.  Unified branding is the limit really.  Diversity is important.

[Ancient]

So right now we have:
 - LambdaRogue (post-apocalyptic fantasy)
 - Hydra Slayer (fantasy)
 - PRIME (science fiction, thread will be up tomorrow)
 - Something by XLambda. Is it that the dwarven concept roguelike?

[Darren Grey]

 - Rogue Rage (pseudo Greek fantasy theme)
 - Whatever Todd is making (RoboCaptain developed more?)
 - Whatever Eliot Glarion is making

I need some free time to get together a build of Rogue Rage with tooltips before I start a thread, otherwise it's pretty hard to play.

Don't forget to add your name and game title to the spreadsheet:

http://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ai4woBhgpQ7hdEd3d0JGM3AtdDQ0Nk9vZEJMYnR5LVE

[deepshock]

I'm going to try to get in on this. It'd give me a reason to push through 0.6 and prevent a lengthy hiatus like there was between 0.52 and the 0.6 peer review candidate.

[Darren Grey]

Cool Will you be able to meet the open platform requirement?

[deepshock]

I'll work toward making it ready for that throughout this month and July. Will that be enough time?

[XLambda]

- Something by XLambda. Is it that the dwarven concept roguelike?

Indeed. I've planned this for a long time, and most of the code has already been written, I just need to do a bit of balancing. Possibly optimize the UI a little before I put it out there. It's pure ASCII, but I try to make it as accessible and beautiful as possible. At the moment it's pretty coffeebreakish, but I will expand it a bit in the following months.

Roguelikes for the Roguelike God!

[Darren Grey]

I'll work toward making it ready for that throughout this month and July. Will that be enough time?

Sure, just be aware that this might not be a minor task with your current interface.  Obviously the cabal will provide help wherever possible 

[Pueo]

Great, a spam-bot made its way into the Incubator, too.

[Darren Grey]

It just wants some love!

[JoshuaSmyth]

I would very much like to join the bundle, I have a new rogue-like game that I am working on.

Unfortunately, I have to eat - and the non-commercialization thing really prevents me from entering. I am looking at hiring artists for this project and investing a lot of my own money and personal time.

I wouldn't mind something like 50% goes to charity, or if the bundle was a limited time thing i.e available for 7 days which could then be used to promote the iPhone / Android / Win7 builds of the game.

Anyway, just some initial feedback from someone who would rather make games for a living than a hobby.