PERSPECTIVE - Interview with Joshua E (Software Developer)

I sat down to chat with Joshua E, a software developer and self-proclaimed video game enthusiast, about some differences between indie and AAA games.

Josh is my significant other, and someone that since I've known... LOVES videogames. What is the deal with indie games? Are they easier? More accessible. I pick his brain to see if he has any insight, having been in the community for so long.

*For reference, I will refer to myself as TAG and Joshua as JE.

TAG: So Josh, thanks for agreeing to meet with me and sit down to discuss videogames!

JE: Sure! Haha (visibly awkward because we live together)

TAG: So let's jump in and get some background here... When did you play your very first videogame? Do you remember the first one?

JE: I've been playing video games since I can remember. I don't remember specifically the very first time or moment I played my first videogame, but I know it was in a basement, probably at my Grandma's house.

TAG: Why were the videogames always in the basement at someone's house? What is that? It seems like that's where mine were too.

JE: Yeah, I think maybe my mom didn't want to see it out all the time, so she put it down there!

TAG: It makes sense; they can be unsightly.

TAG: What are your favorite kinds of games?

JE: When I was growing up, my favorite game was Pokemon. I really like RPGs.

TAG: And for those of us who may have heard "RPG" before but still don't know what it stands for or means...?

JE: RPG stands for "role-playing game". So, you have your own character that you allocate a set number of abilities, like strengths and weaknesses, and then you level up those abilities and gain experience so you can fight tougher and tougher enemies.

TAG: Okay, I've definitely played games like that!

TAG: So switching gears a bit, what would you say is the difference between Big-Box games and indie games?

JE: Really it's just the budget and the number of people working on the game.

"A lot of indie games are just as fun as AAA (Big Box) games." -Joshua E.

TAG: So there's a perception that indie games won't be up to snuff in the gaming community?

JE: Not as much lately, but yes, there used to be.

JE: Sometimes you'll hear about a game on a podcast that'll make you want to play it because "if it's fun, it's fun"!

TAG: So not just hearing about a game via traditional marketing, but through some people whose opinion you trust?

JE: Yeah!

TAG: Do you think that indie games or Big Box games are more accessible?

JE: It really depends on the game honestly. Animal Crossing is a Big Box game made by Nintendo, but anyone could really pick it up and figure it out without knowing much about it in advance.

JE: Adversely, some indie games can be really inaccessible because they assume you have prior knowledge of how to play FPS (first-person shooters), or other formats.

TAG: Interesting. So it can really go both ways? (Really turning into Michael Barbaro for this).

JE: For sure, but no matter the size of the studio, most developers want to make their games able to be enjoyed by any and all people, so they'll work hard on accessibility.

TAG: Do you think if someone chooses the wrong game for them, one they end up not liking, as their first-ever game to try, that could give them a bad impression of videogames?

JE: Yeah. For a lot of games, there's a learning curve, and in gaming overall. As I said, FPS can assume your comfortable with certain techniques and maneuvers and make you feel way in over your head if you're a novice.

JE: But games are getting better at tutorials and walk-throughs that help you get comfortable with the moves used in the game.

TAG: Well that's promising!

TAG: So do you have any advice for people who may want to dip their toes into gaming who haven't before because they're intimidated?

JE: My advice would be to try a game people you know like your friends are playing. Play with them so they can show you the ropes like co-op or multiplayer games. That way even if you end up not liking the game, you got to spend some quality time with a friend!

TAG: That's great advice, thanks again for letting me ask you about games.

JE: Anytime!

Josh really had some good advice and insight into indie v. big box gaming. There are big box games that you can just pick up, and there are indie games that are so niche they're hard to navigate! As always, a little research goes a long way before picking up a new game.

See you next time!