ESA and IGDA to Band Together to Offer Indie Devs Support in Attending E3 2021
After what seems like an eternity of cancellations and disappointment spurred by the fallout of COVID-19, it’s positively surreal to think that our old friend E3 is on the horizon. Remember him, folks? A relic from the age where the world extended beyond our porches? Poor old E3.
While last year developers opted, quite rightly, to stick to digital showcases – leading some to believe the traditional format was deader than Mario on a Bouldergeist run – things look a bit more familiar this time around. Nintendo, Microsoft, SEGA, and a bunch of other prominent gaming juggernauts are participating, although there are some holdouts; Sony skipping out on events is getting to become a habit of theirs. Or maybe they just know nobody has actually been able to get hold of a PS5. Why advertise games to people who can’t play them, right? Sound business decision when you think about it.
A more promising trend that’s emerged of late, however, is a gradual increasing focus on independent developers. What with such cult smashes, and simply great games, as Shovel Knight, Freedom Planet, and Yooka-Laylee (yeah, that’s right, what are you going to do, naysayers? Wait for a new Conker?) hitting the market, these deceptively talented folks have more than proven their worth, oftentimes beating out AAA titles in terms of creative wit and gameplay tightness on shoestring budgets. It ain’t the size of the budget, it’s how you swing it, after all.
It’s plain to see the frankly prejudicial attitudes some corners of the web have harboured towards indies are waning over time (“it doesn’t have a company name I recognise on it, therefore it is bad,” being a popular old chestnut) and this reporter couldn’t be happier. We’re seeing projects like Playtonic Friends, a new publishing arm from the Yooka fellows that’s allowing them to break into the mainstream, and devs making it to the big time thanks to the roaring success of their humble basement-developed titles. How’s the view from atop that obscene pile of cash, Scott? Toby?
The trend continues, then, as GamesPress reports that the ESA has partnered with the International Game Developers Association (or IGDA, to the acronymically inclined) to offer independent devs a range of incentives and care packages to help them in participating at E3 and its ilk. Exciting stuff. Here’s what Renee Gittins, Executive Director of IGDA, had to say in the press release:
“The IGDA is thrilled to partner with the ESA to uplift indies during this year’s E3 and beyond,” she stated. “Indies provide heartfelt stories and groundbreaking creativity that lead progress of our industry. It is an honor to help indies onto this grand stage for the first time so they can share their efforts and inspiration worldwide.” It’s evident she has an affection for indies, as should we all, and is seeking to promote them on her platforms, understanding their value to the industry.
She was joined by Stanley Pierre-Louis, President of the ESA, who reiterated the general vibe of her statement: “We are reimaging E3 in a variety of ways, and part of that is engaging with indie developers by offering opportunities to help highlight them and their work on a global stage.” This is also pretty much in line with the mission statement of IGDA itself, which seeks to unite developers from all genres and walks of life under a common banner, giving them opportunities otherwise denied to them in a cutthroat studio-eat-studio world.
Pierre-Louis went on: “Indie developers are a critical part of the video game industry, and we’re thrilled to expand our offerings to create opportunities to showcase their work worldwide.” And how.
E3 2021 will span four days, from June 12th to the 15th, and you can of course stay tuned to all our usual channels for regular updates as things are revealed – this year, though, there’s even a fancy new E3 app available, in a (concerning) concession to digitization, if you want even more hot-off-the-press notifications. Looking for more news about Breath of the Wild 2? Eagerly anticipating a single scrap of information about Sonic’s anniversary, or that alleged new Metroid? Or, of course, the inevitable slew of enticing original indies? It’s your best bet.
As for me? Roll on, Twoka-Laylee. Then Yooka-Laythree. I’m right here, Playtonic.
Are you looking forward to E3 this year? Will you be attending, or just watching digitally? Do you agree with their increased emphasis on indies? Let us know below!
