5 ms·

Humble Indie Bundle back with Humble Frozen Synapse Bundle

117 points by jolan 15y ago

masterzora 15y ago
I like the new twist where you only get the extra games if you beat the average. It's always pained me a little bit to see how low the averages have been on these things for some quality games. I understand that the participants in these bundles are willing to accept those prices or they wouldn't do this so it's not as if they're unfair or anything, but I'd hope that people would have given better value judgments. I hope this new twist helps!
- baddox 15y ago
  While the average price may seem low, I was under the impression that everyone involved with these bundles considered them wildly successful.
  - masterzora 15y ago
    Of course they're wildly successful: they're selling a number of copies they otherwise wouldn't and make a good chunk of change for the devs and for charity. But that doesn't mean I can't be sad at the low averages as well.
- floriancargoet 15y ago
  It's a great incentive to pay more than average but it's nothing new. The 2nd bundle already included the 1st one if you paid more than average. Source: http://blog.wolfire.com/2010/12/Your-Humble-Bundle-just-doubled http://blog.wolfire.com/2010/12/Your-Humble-Bundle-just-doub...
  - masterzora 15y ago
    It's kind of new. The second bundle included the first one by default for a while and eventually the added the "pay more than average" trick. It's an entirely different game to start it that way from minute one.
    - floriancargoet 15y ago
      I don't remember that it was included by default. When they decided to add it, they offered it to existing customers and made it available for new customers if they paid more than the average price. They made it clear: "For all ~180,000 customers, this is complimentary." and "For new customers, we're trying an experiment: to unlock the Humble Bundle #1 inside of your bundle, just choose a price that is above average" But I agree, it wasn't from minute one.
      - StavrosK 15y ago
        From what I remember, what I got (I think it was the second bundle) was only the second bundle. Then, after a few days, they emailed me to say "since you paid more than average, here's the first bundle as well, free of charge!". I might be mistaken, though.
- scotty79 15y ago
  I have bought all humble indie bundles so far. I was always paying below average. I didn't have time to play any of the games though so I have probably not exploited anyone's hard work (yet).
  - masterzora 15y ago
    May I ask why you were paying below average? The average has always been what I would call "ridiculously low" and, except for some form of financial hardship, I don't understand what good reason there is for not ponying up a more respectable amount.
    - scotty79 15y ago
      This will probably offend some people but I grew up in a culture of not paying for information. Piracy was for long time the only way to obtain interesting software in my country. If I'm hitting some paywall while searching for something crucial for me I always go extra mile to find the thing I need (or equivalent) without paying. I sometimes pay when acquiring software but I don't view it as paying for but rather as voluntarily supporting a cause. That's the case with Humble Indie Bundle. I think the idea of "pay what you want" is worth the support.
cookiecaper 15y ago
Not really a "bundle" when you just have one game. I hope that the Humble Bundle people don't make a habit of this, the inconsistency will diminish their brand significantly imo.
- reidrac 15y ago
  Besides... "All of the games work great on Mac, Windows, and Linux." Not completely true in my experience (Fedora 64bits) with previous bundle. I guess Linux support it's less important, and 3D makes everything more complicated :(
  - Inufu 15y ago
    Could you detail the problems you had? IIRC everything worked for my on Ubuntu 64bit.
    - reidrac 15y ago
      No docs at all; some of the games refused to start and after some research playing with ldd and some guessing I found I had to install 32bits libraries (the 64bits version -when available- didn't work either, I don't remember why). After that, it looked like my graphics card wasn't properly supported and I didn't know it before buying the bundle (again: no docs at all!). I've played some OpenGL games without problems, but I know that kind of thing sometimes happens. I was happy to contribute, but after all the efforts I couldn't enjoy the games and I got the feeling that Linux support was really bad :(
      - cookiecaper 15y ago
        Yeah, the Linux ports often are written specifically so that the game can participate in the bundle and have not been widely tested prior to release. Most of the developers do not appear intimately familiar with *nix convention and create confusing launch processes, etc. Crayon Physics Deluxe, for instance, had binaries crayon and launcher, and if you tried to launch crayon directly you'd get many more complaints than otherwise (since supposedly launcher tested for various libs and then called crayon with the right options to work with the installed envrionment). Ryan Gordon is contracted to port several of the games and has bug trackers on his site icculus.org. Most of the problems with Linux versions get worked out in the first few weeks, though, it just requires a bit of patience, and the HIB is one of the best points of reference Linux gamers have to demonstrate that they're willing to pay for commercial games in order to encourage further development.
chaostheory 15y ago
For those who haven't played Frozen Synapse yet, to me it feels like 21st century chess.
doomlaser 15y ago
Don't forget that the Humble Bundle guys are also backed by a $4.7 million venture capital investment by Sequoia: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34255/Humble_Bundle_Backed_By_47_Million_In_Venture_Capital.php http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34255/Humble_Bundle_Backe... Puts an interesting spin on the whole situation. The sliders are set to give the organizers 15% of the gross, and they claim that when all is said and done, that's approximately the rate that they actually get. How many more bundles until Sequoia turns a profit? What's been the total gross so far? Anyway, an interesting business / promotional model.
- reitzensteinm 15y ago
  I assume (with zero inside knowledge) that the Humble Bundle guys have big(ger) things planned in the future - otherwise what's the point of taking that much funding in the first place?
darklajid 15y ago
Don't get the negative vibes here (complaining about the number of games included, for example). I watched the trailers and videos for that game [1] and _wow_, this will be the 3rd? 4th? (got every one so far, I guess) bundle I'll purchase. It's quite on topic as well, in my opinion: The idea is so frikkin' simple. Well executed (didn't play yet, but the videos and reviews so far are promising), this is a well played "launch". I'm impressed. 1: http://www.frozensynapse.com/media.html http://www.frozensynapse.com/media.html
huhtenberg 15y ago
I don't know. The bundle with Machinarium and Auditorium - that was truly awesome with original games that were one of a kind. but this one... it is a bundle of, essentially, the same run-and-shoot game. Maybe it's me getting old, but this is just not interesting.
- mrud 15y ago
  And World of Goo (and VVVVVV). But after watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJrUY27O0Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJrUY27O0Y i really think this is also a very cool and interesting game.
- dorian-graph 15y ago
  That's what I thought too. I've always been interested in Frozen Synapse because of the strategy part (Which reminds me of the old Rainbow Six games) so this is a chance for me to get it cheaper than normal.
- 7rurl 15y ago
  Frozen Synapse is not a run and shoot game. Instead it is a turn based tactics game.
  - judgardner 15y ago
    Description of Frozen Synapse reminds me of RoboSport, glad to see games like this are still being created.
hennypenny 15y ago
Not a big Frozen Synapse fan here but I like donating to the EFF through these things. Since they have Amazon payments it is dead simple and it helps me expand my Steam library. In the past they have added more games later in the offer, hopefully the trend continues.
RobLach 15y ago
I understand having too many games and having to cut some out. I don't understand having too little games. There's dozens of indies who would love to have their game in one of these bundles.
sbochins 15y ago
They really shouldn't release these bundles that often. Last bundle had some really great games. And they included an earlier bundle. It was around 10 games. For this one all you get is Frozen Synapse. Personally, I was never really interested in that game. Maybe if they released a proper bundle with a lot of variety, I'd be willing to put down some money. I only played 3 or so games from the last bundle even though I had access to 10. I wasn't interested in the other 7.
ddw 15y ago
Ha Linux customers (including myself) pay twice the amount as Windows customers! To the people complaining here - seriously? Are we so used to just torrenting everything that you can't throw a few bucks at this? The average purchase to get all of the games is currently $4.53.
Angostura 15y ago
I play games, I buy games. I looked at this Web site and didn't have a clue what it was all about. Either I'm irredemably dim, or their front page could do with some work.
- wingerlang 15y ago
  Try reading the text. I mean, the tagline is: "pay what you want ... get games" and this is repeated like everywhere.

117 points by jolan 15y ago

I like the new twist where you only get the extra games if you beat the average. It's always pained me a little bit to see how low the averages have been on these things for some quality games. I understand that the participants in these bundles are willing to accept those prices or they wouldn't do this so it's not as if they're unfair or anything, but I'd hope that people would have given better value judgments. I hope this new twist helps!

baddox 15y ago
While the average price may seem low, I was under the impression that everyone involved with these bundles considered them wildly successful.
- masterzora 15y ago
  Of course they're wildly successful: they're selling a number of copies they otherwise wouldn't and make a good chunk of change for the devs and for charity. But that doesn't mean I can't be sad at the low averages as well.
floriancargoet 15y ago
It's a great incentive to pay more than average but it's nothing new. The 2nd bundle already included the 1st one if you paid more than average. Source: http://blog.wolfire.com/2010/12/Your-Humble-Bundle-just-doubled http://blog.wolfire.com/2010/12/Your-Humble-Bundle-just-doub...
- masterzora 15y ago
  It's kind of new. The second bundle included the first one by default for a while and eventually the added the "pay more than average" trick. It's an entirely different game to start it that way from minute one.
  - floriancargoet 15y ago
    I don't remember that it was included by default. When they decided to add it, they offered it to existing customers and made it available for new customers if they paid more than the average price. They made it clear: "For all ~180,000 customers, this is complimentary." and "For new customers, we're trying an experiment: to unlock the Humble Bundle #1 inside of your bundle, just choose a price that is above average" But I agree, it wasn't from minute one.
    - StavrosK 15y ago
      From what I remember, what I got (I think it was the second bundle) was only the second bundle. Then, after a few days, they emailed me to say "since you paid more than average, here's the first bundle as well, free of charge!". I might be mistaken, though.
scotty79 15y ago
I have bought all humble indie bundles so far. I was always paying below average. I didn't have time to play any of the games though so I have probably not exploited anyone's hard work (yet).
- masterzora 15y ago
  May I ask why you were paying below average? The average has always been what I would call "ridiculously low" and, except for some form of financial hardship, I don't understand what good reason there is for not ponying up a more respectable amount.
  - scotty79 15y ago
    This will probably offend some people but I grew up in a culture of not paying for information. Piracy was for long time the only way to obtain interesting software in my country. If I'm hitting some paywall while searching for something crucial for me I always go extra mile to find the thing I need (or equivalent) without paying. I sometimes pay when acquiring software but I don't view it as paying for but rather as voluntarily supporting a cause. That's the case with Humble Indie Bundle. I think the idea of "pay what you want" is worth the support.

cookiecaper 15y ago

Not really a "bundle" when you just have one game. I hope that the Humble Bundle people don't make a habit of this, the inconsistency will diminish their brand significantly imo.

reidrac 15y ago
Besides... "All of the games work great on Mac, Windows, and Linux." Not completely true in my experience (Fedora 64bits) with previous bundle. I guess Linux support it's less important, and 3D makes everything more complicated :(
- Inufu 15y ago
  Could you detail the problems you had? IIRC everything worked for my on Ubuntu 64bit.
  - reidrac 15y ago
    No docs at all; some of the games refused to start and after some research playing with ldd and some guessing I found I had to install 32bits libraries (the 64bits version -when available- didn't work either, I don't remember why). After that, it looked like my graphics card wasn't properly supported and I didn't know it before buying the bundle (again: no docs at all!). I've played some OpenGL games without problems, but I know that kind of thing sometimes happens. I was happy to contribute, but after all the efforts I couldn't enjoy the games and I got the feeling that Linux support was really bad :(
    - cookiecaper 15y ago
      Yeah, the Linux ports often are written specifically so that the game can participate in the bundle and have not been widely tested prior to release. Most of the developers do not appear intimately familiar with *nix convention and create confusing launch processes, etc. Crayon Physics Deluxe, for instance, had binaries crayon and launcher, and if you tried to launch crayon directly you'd get many more complaints than otherwise (since supposedly launcher tested for various libs and then called crayon with the right options to work with the installed envrionment). Ryan Gordon is contracted to port several of the games and has bug trackers on his site icculus.org. Most of the problems with Linux versions get worked out in the first few weeks, though, it just requires a bit of patience, and the HIB is one of the best points of reference Linux gamers have to demonstrate that they're willing to pay for commercial games in order to encourage further development.

chaostheory 15y ago

For those who haven't played Frozen Synapse yet, to me it feels like 21st century chess.

doomlaser 15y ago

Don't forget that the Humble Bundle guys are also backed by a $4.7 million venture capital investment by Sequoia: http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34255/Humble_Bundle_Backed_By_47_Million_In_Venture_Capital.php http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/34255/Humble_Bundle_Backe... Puts an interesting spin on the whole situation. The sliders are set to give the organizers 15% of the gross, and they claim that when all is said and done, that's approximately the rate that they actually get. How many more bundles until Sequoia turns a profit? What's been the total gross so far? Anyway, an interesting business / promotional model.

reitzensteinm 15y ago
I assume (with zero inside knowledge) that the Humble Bundle guys have big(ger) things planned in the future - otherwise what's the point of taking that much funding in the first place?

darklajid 15y ago

Don't get the negative vibes here (complaining about the number of games included, for example). I watched the trailers and videos for that game [1] and _wow_, this will be the 3rd? 4th? (got every one so far, I guess) bundle I'll purchase. It's quite on topic as well, in my opinion: The idea is so frikkin' simple. Well executed (didn't play yet, but the videos and reviews so far are promising), this is a well played "launch". I'm impressed. 1: http://www.frozensynapse.com/media.html http://www.frozensynapse.com/media.html

huhtenberg 15y ago

I don't know. The bundle with Machinarium and Auditorium - that was truly awesome with original games that were one of a kind. but this one... it is a bundle of, essentially, the same run-and-shoot game. Maybe it's me getting old, but this is just not interesting.

mrud 15y ago
And World of Goo (and VVVVVV). But after watching http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJrUY27O0Y http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJrUY27O0Y i really think this is also a very cool and interesting game.
dorian-graph 15y ago
That's what I thought too. I've always been interested in Frozen Synapse because of the strategy part (Which reminds me of the old Rainbow Six games) so this is a chance for me to get it cheaper than normal.
7rurl 15y ago
Frozen Synapse is not a run and shoot game. Instead it is a turn based tactics game.
- judgardner 15y ago
  Description of Frozen Synapse reminds me of RoboSport, glad to see games like this are still being created.

hennypenny 15y ago

Not a big Frozen Synapse fan here but I like donating to the EFF through these things. Since they have Amazon payments it is dead simple and it helps me expand my Steam library. In the past they have added more games later in the offer, hopefully the trend continues.

RobLach 15y ago

I understand having too many games and having to cut some out. I don't understand having too little games. There's dozens of indies who would love to have their game in one of these bundles.

sbochins 15y ago

They really shouldn't release these bundles that often. Last bundle had some really great games. And they included an earlier bundle. It was around 10 games. For this one all you get is Frozen Synapse. Personally, I was never really interested in that game. Maybe if they released a proper bundle with a lot of variety, I'd be willing to put down some money. I only played 3 or so games from the last bundle even though I had access to 10. I wasn't interested in the other 7.

ddw 15y ago

Ha Linux customers (including myself) pay twice the amount as Windows customers! To the people complaining here - seriously? Are we so used to just torrenting everything that you can't throw a few bucks at this? The average purchase to get all of the games is currently $4.53.

Angostura 15y ago

I play games, I buy games. I looked at this Web site and didn't have a clue what it was all about. Either I'm irredemably dim, or their front page could do with some work.

wingerlang 15y ago
Try reading the text. I mean, the tagline is: "pay what you want ... get games" and this is repeated like everywhere.