Humble THQ bundle

[SirPrimalform]

or how about you let go of all this negativity and think that you may be getting DRM Free Cross-Platform content AAAAAND Windows only steam keys?


glass half full type of guy over here.

Some DRM-free cross platform games, but not as many as we would have. There were doubtless some developers that wouldn't have gone DRM-free if it hadn't been for the Humble Bundle. Now they have the option of waiting for a Steam/Windows only bundle, they have no reason to provide a DRM-free version. It's pretty simple.

[SamW]

You give too much credit to the Humble Indie Bundle. Also, it isn't an option to wait for something that may happen but probably won't.

The humble bundle is not a platform to coerce developers into doing thing they way you want to do them. You have to remember, that for all games and computer programs alike, the ability to go cross platform can, and often is, be destroyed from the very start of production. Using a marketing tool like the Humble Bundle (which, honestly ,is a place for games nearing the end of their marketability) to make developers re-think their pre-production decisions is pointless at the point it is considered for a bundle.

But doesn't the THQ bundle allow people, who are now in pre-production, to reconsider how they will proceeded in order to get on a future Humble Bundle? NO. One does not make design decisions based on the Humble Bundle. People decide to use windows, or cross platform libraries simply because they are comfortable with them, or because one library allows them to do x,y, and z whereas the other only allows x. One can make decisions that negatively affect comparability because they know that it helps streamline their schedule, or maybe they choose it because simply PERCEIVE that decision to be better. In any case, people don't do these things because they are thinking about the Humble Bundle, and a Humble Bundle offer, in and of itself, is not a tool to help people correct misconceptions when planning a game. And it is not a carrot on a stick to lure developers away from evil.

The fact that some games have made a cross platform debut on Humble Bundle shouldn't be viewed as some sort of testament to the platform's ability to influence developers. It is true, that it can have that power, but that is besides the point of the bundle, I don't believe it, and it's organizers, intend to have that power. It is called the Humble Bundle. I'd like to think that it is called that because it includes developers that want to be cross platform. They want to be cross platform because they concede the fact that not all of their fans want to run Windows, not all want to run Mac, AND not all want to run Linux. Some game players even want to play on their tablet and smartphone. I like to believe it is called the humble bundle because it's participating developers know that DRM is a form of obtrusive control. They understand that by letting go of control, the game can become greater. I'd like to think that the Humble Bundle is humble, because the developers putting forth a bundle volunteered to become cross platform and DRM free, and that they didn't do it simply because they saw $$ from previous bundles.

Some may say that THQ doesn't belong in a Humble Bundle because the DRM and Windows only disqualifies them from being humble enough. Perhaps it is true, but it is also true that they are selling multiple big budget games at pay what you want, even if you want to give it all to charity. Even then, it is clear that THQ is more concerned about cash flow, and is humbled by it's empty pockets more than a real introspection of industry pricing standards. But you know, being humbled by your pocket books is still legitimate humbleness... I guess.

[SirPrimalform]

It doesn't change the fact that some of the games gained Linux ports when they appeared in the bundle. Now the option not to be cross platform exists, some developers might not* consent to this.

It is also a fact that the bundle was the DRM-free debut of some games. Would those games have gone DRM-free had the option to just bung Steam keys in and be done with it existed? We can't be sure.

Yes I'm being pessimistic, but the point is that being in a Humble Bundle seems to be desirable for a lot of devs. That used to mean they had to go DRM-free and cross platform, it no longer means that.


*note: I didn't say "no developers will ever again". Some responses to my arguments and the arguments of those with similar views to mine seem to have been written as if that is what was being said.

[Korban3]

Exactly and the same of course applies for cross platform gaming: "But THQ just had a Windows version, I want to do that too!" and when developers say that Humble Bundle Inc will be completely disarmed they won't have any response. Also the huge success of this bundle all but guarantees future Windows only bundles, so even if Humble Bundle Inc will say they require DRM free, cross-platform games for their so called "Indie" bundles, the developers will just wait for the next Windows only, Steam only bundle. Something that was not possible until Humble Bundle did this. So in the long run we will get fewer DRM free, cross-platform games than we would have gotten otherwise.

wat
Not even remotely true.
John has already stated that this was mostly an experiment to see what would happen. Many games that get put on the bundles ARE NOT FOR LINUX AT FIRST. Humble Bundle employs people who port those games themselves.
This is not the end of DRM-freem, cross platform indie bundles. Everyone needs to stop being raging little balls of derpy idiocy and instead be rging little balls of gratitude.
I'm glad I'm going to miss the rest of this retarded shit storm while I'm in bootcamp.

[Kristian]

To those saying that Humble Bundle has no pull to get games ported, they certainly USE to have that, but this bundle significantly reduced that, from Wikipedia(bolded bits are mine):

The third Bundle based on Android games launched on August 15, 2012, and included Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and Android-based versions of Fieldrunners (debuting on Linux), Bit.Trip Beat (debuting on Linux and Android), SpaceChem, and Uplink (debuting on Android), and their respective soundtracks.

and from the Humble Mundle blog about Humble Indie Bundle 6:

All six of these great games are having their Linux debut right here with us!

and about Humble Indie Bundle V:

All of these games have received accolades for pushing the envelope in their respective genres and delivering incredible storytelling and gameplay. All Most of the games are new on Linux, and Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP is new on Mac.

(There is a strike through the word "All" in the original)

This is what will be greatly reduced as a consequence of the THQ bundle. Why? Because some hesistant developers will wait for the NEXT Windows only bundle, that is all but guaranteed to happen with the huge success of the THQ bundle.

The Linux world has lost a driving force for DRM free, cross-platform gaming.

[Zantalos]

The past indie bundles raked in millions of dollars with substantial amounts pooling from the mac/linux operating systems, so obviously it's going to continue. But as David said, you can't port these AAA titles, there's simply too much middle ware that they don't have the source code for.

[zzwerty]

Helps fund the Humble Store and other indie services (The millions of dollars they've gotten from their other bundles wasn't enough for that?)

Well, seeing as only a very small portion of the money actually went to Humble Bundle, your argument is kind of invalid.

Pros:
Helps charity
Helps people with less money afford a bunch of big games for the holidays
Helps fund the Humble Store and other indie services
Expands the audience for future indie bundles
Could help THQ out of a rough spot
Helps prove that pay-what-you-want can work with big-budget games

How did I not notice that David posted in the thread I started. Wow. Awesome.
I can sort of see these people's points, but I still think it didn't really qualify to be under the 'Humble' name. No matter how broke a huge company is, they are still a huge company. THQ are a good company, and the bundle seems to have saved them from bankruptcy, which is a good thing. It's also good to hear that future bundles will be lovely warm cozy indieness again.

[underthedeep]

here you go, babies.

[Kristian]

I gave $35 to HIB7, with $0.00 of that being a Humble tip. Around $7 for each of the two charities and the rest to the developers.

[underthedeep]

boy, you sure showed them.


just kidding, i usually split it equal unless i have some other reason to sway it more one way.

[SirPrimalform]

here you go, babies.

Honestly, I'm not going to be convinced* unless all the bundles for the next two years are DRM-free and cross platform.

*that is to say that I won't be convinced that the THQ bundle wasn't a bad thing for those liked the Humble Bundle for the DRM-free/cross plaform thing rather than "lol, cheap games!".

[underthedeep]

you are just a negative nancy, really.

my initial comment of "you're all just assholes" wasn't even intended towards you but somehow you seem to GO OUT OF YOUR WAY to fill the shoes of that role.

why can't HIB help out those other than indie gamers?
why can't they do both?

why does your penis tilt to the left so much?

[SirPrimalform]

you are just a negative nancy, really.

my initial comment of "you're all just assholes" wasn't even intended towards you but somehow you seem to GO OUT OF YOUR WAY to fill the shoes of that role.

why can't HIB help out those other than indie gamers?
why can't they do both?

why does your penis tilt to the left so much?

So "all" doesn't include me? Good to know.

Why are you under the mistaken impression that my problems with the THQ bundle have anything to do with indie games?

As I have explained before, I believe it has diminished the persuasive power of HB Inc in getting games to be DRM-free and cross platform. I'm not boycotting Humble Bundles, just pessimistic about how they might be less awesome now. This one was in the planning before the THQ one launched so it's not a great indicator, but it is a great bundle.

Perhaps it's just your head that's tilted.

[adwuga]

My penis kind of goes in circles.

[SirPrimalform]

My penis kind of goes in circles.

Do you put a tassel on the end of it?