Penny Arcade's Greenhouse

[Stephen Zepp]

It's also browser-based, while I don't believe the PA game is.

You mean "the browser-based GarageGames" is browser-based? 

Thanks Stephen. Good to know.

You're missing the point, smartarse. Digital delivery, whether cross-platform or not is a different beast to browser-based gaming.

He's exactly right by the way. While obviously digital delivery is an important aspect for the cost reduction and ease of use, comparing IA to Steam is a completely worthless act, since they have fundamentally different goals.

The best comparison you could probably do would be something like IA compared to XBoxLive, but with even greater focus on the concept of keeping groups of friends together to make their gaming experience smoother.

[Venkman]

It's also browser-based, while I don't believe the PA game is.

You mean "the browser-based GarageGames" is browser-based? 

Thanks Stephen. Good to know.

You're missing the point, smartarse. Digital delivery, whether cross-platform or not is a different beast to browser-based gaming.

Oh, hehe, seriously thought you didn't read it. Sorry 'bout that.

But for the record, I wasn't comparing InstantAction with Steam (think someone else did). Rather, I mentioned it in reference to schild's "A crossplatform delivery service basically requires all games on it be cross platform" comment from before the derail into iTunes land.

If you've got a browser-based delivery system that features entirely browser-based games, particularly in Flash, you're a heck of a lot closer to "cross platform" as a user experience than Steam. Because for the most part these games aren't "delivered" in the download/install/launch sense. I mentioned IA in the form of a question because I didn't know how cross-platform it was on a specific-game level. My reference set is something like Addictingames.com.

Steam meanwhile is pure digital storefront featuring client applications, so the games are mostly what you get after using a fairly traditional development process but before the act of pressing to a CD-ROM and throwing into a box.  That's the part of schild's comment that is correct. This is analogous to Real Networks RealArcade, or iWin's system, or even some of the web-based portals that feature download/install games.

IA seems like it's in the middle. A cross-platform based distribution system (because that is web-based) that doesn't feature cross-platform games (because those are not).

[Stephen Zepp]

[snipped]

If you've got a browser-based delivery system that features entirely browser-based games, particularly in Flash, you're a heck of a lot closer to "cross platform" as a user experience than Steam. Because for the most part these games aren't "delivered" in the download/install/launch sense. I mentioned IA in the form of a question because I didn't know how cross-platform it was on a specific-game level. My reference set is something like Addictingames.com.

Steam meanwhile is pure digital storefront featuring client applications, so the games are mostly what you get after using a fairly traditional development process but before the act of pressing to a CD-ROM and throwing into a box.  That's the part of schild's comment that is correct. This is analogous to Real Networks RealArcade, or iWin's system, or even some of the web-based portals that feature download/install games.

IA seems like it's in the middle. A cross-platform based distribution system (because that is web-based) that doesn't feature cross-platform games (because those are not).

Mostly correct-- in regards to IA--if the game itself cannot be played on a Mac (for example), then IA doesn't help--it could theoretically push the client down (we don't if the game client isn't compatible), but IA doesn't do anything that makes the game itself cross-platform.

This is where IA differs very much from Flash (although the IA api itself does -use- flash): it's not a "language" (I use that term loosely to describe a run time environment/virtual machine) at all--you could consider it an overlay in some ways that provides features on top of games, both input and output.

When you look at the pure technical details, games from IA don't run "in" IA like flash games would--they run through IA. We're struggling with the explanations ourselves, because there really isn't anything like what IA does anywhere in the market yet (although quite a few players have announced similar concepts recently).

[Venkman]

The running "through" parts makes a lot of sense. Games bought on Steam I think still all require Steam to run them, but the level of integration is a per-program thing. For example, Peggle is really probably just doing a DRM call and uploading player stats to the Steam service. Meanwhile, TF2 is wholly integrated with the Steam player-matching and account management system. In both cases the community overlay is still there. It's just that the programs themselves "require" more or less from the infrastructure.

IA sounds like it leans more on the latter.

[Bandit]

Anyone else pick up "On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness - Episode 1" which came out yesterday?  $20, about 230 meg download, and an activation code.  I only got about half-hour into it, but it actually seemed pretty solid .  Action timing bar RPG styles.  I am not a huge PA fan, but I think I may like this - but for fuck sakes, why didn't they go steam?

[Yoru]

I'm planning on checking it out tonight or tomorrow. I'd like to give the Mac demo a spin first though.

[Prospero]

I played the first hour last night and was pleased. It seems like a pretty solid adventure game, and there is plenty of fan service for the PA fans. I definitely wish it was on steam, but you can re-download it at anytime via the greenhouse, so it's not that big a deal.

[Yoru]

I played the first hour last night and was pleased. It seems like a pretty solid adventure game, and there is plenty of fan service for the PA fans. I definitely wish it was on steam, but you can re-download it at anytime via the greenhouse, so it's not that big a deal.

Ditto. I played the demo and immediately upgraded to the full version (it's one of those nice unlockable dealies - no double-downloading). Works great on my Mac, so I'll save further play for the long planeflight I've got next week.

The writing alone is worth it, but there's a lot of neat touches, such as the 2D cutscene/dialogue format, which matches surprisingly well with the 3D main game. The character creator is also pretty sweet. My dude wears a top hat. :)

[Prospero]

I was bummed I couldn't have long hair with my top hat. I went with a blue hobo motif. I was pretty darn happy with the way he turned out.

[Fordel]

My only real complaint so far is the camera angle. I haven't figured out how to change it, or if I even can. I can see that bothering me endlessly while I play.

[stray]

[edit] Fuck. Old thread. 

[Fabricated]

I just beat it. Not terribly long for even $20. It also crashed unexpectedly towards the end. It does look pretty good, and plays alright overall even if it's insanely simplistic. It's basically mediocre as a game, but entertaining due to the dialog/plot/characters. I imagine they kept it simple so they could avoid fucking it up, and they certainly avoided fucking it up. No reason to really play it again however.

What drives me fucking nuts is the dialog being like the bottom 1/5th of the screen. It disorients me looking down for the dialog for some reason.

[Phildo]

I don't know if I missed something or if it's just how the game is played, but I didn't like the point-and-click combat mechanic and couldn't get the special attacks to work.  Would be great if there were keyboard shortcuts for attacking.  Did rather enjoy the demo, though.

[Big Gulp]

Only $80 when all the episodes are complete?  What a bargain!

[Azazel]

Look at the bright side - with no boxes-sales distribution they don't have to worry about manufacturing, pressing discs, printing boxes or retailer cuts of the final price! Just bandwidth.

No wonder they can offer the software at such a good value price point! 

[squirrel]

Ah I dunno. I got to watch a giant Fruit Fucker squash my house in the first 2 minutes and wear a top-hat. The disembodied voice is witty as well. I admit to liking PA so perhaps I'm the target market but I quite like it.

[Quinton]

I'm also enjoying it so far.  Not a huge PA fan, but they manage to make me laugh often enough.  $20 for a few hours of solid entertainment is not unreasonable for me (balanced against what it costs to see a movie in a theater, an experience that keeps getting worse and more expensive over the years).

[Azazel]

I like PA too, but $80 in total for some reasonably short RPG-lite adventures seems a little... well...

So I might pick up the all-in-one version for $45 or $50 when the 4th episode comes out.

[Prospero]

I finished it yet yesterday, and overall I'm pretty happy. The gameplay was far from revolutionary, but the art direction, story, and world are all top notch. I actually enjoyed the combat.The whole overkill mechanic was a nice way of adding an extra dimension to the fights, although by the time I maxed out my weapons, I didn't have enough bad guys to smack to finish maxing out my damage bonus. The single buff/debuff slot also made the boss fights fairly interesting.

It was well worth the money for me, but I can totally see it is not for everyone. Unlike TF2, which you are a godless nematode if you don't like it. 

[caladein]

I definitely wish it was on steam

And now it is.