Thomas Was Alone Creator Mike Bithell on Why Freemium Is Not for Everyone

NDTV Gadgets says: "Microsoft, however has gotten a lot of flak from indies for its policies on the Xbox One, in particular its parity clause, which states that developers can only release their titles on Xbox One if they haven't already been launched on other consoles. This clause is something Bithell is not too happy with."

[rdgneoz3]

Nice article, though the writer should do a little research first.

"Big games like Destiny and Rise of the Tomb Raider drew criticism for console exclusives"

TR is but Destiny only has a few items in the DLC that are timed exclusives, not the whole game itself...

[KwietStorm_BLM]

So what's the problem? Destiny did draw a lot of criticism for PlayStation exclusives.

[rdgneoz3]

So a whole game being exclusive is the same as a few armors, weapons, and a couple of dungeons that are only timed for 1 year?

[KwietStorm_BLM]

From the text you quoted yourself, I suppose it's up to the context you read it in, but you're the one saying they are the same thing, certainly not myself. It literally says the two games drew criticism for consoles exclusives, and that it is a true statement.

[NeoGamer232]

Thomas was Alone is a lame game. I finished it in 2.5 hours and it has no replayability.

If this guy is indicative to what indies have to offer, they can keep their games on other platforms. The cost of the game for time spent playing is next to zero value in this forgettable game. All it did was help my Gamerscore. And that's the only reason I played it for 2.5 hours rather than dropping it after the first few levels.

[iamnsuperman]

Thomas was Alone was by far one of the best story driven game ever created. Through a brilliantly written script and only, all be it a fantastic, narrator Mike Bithell gave personality and meaning/purpose to shapes. Most game struggle to even get one human character right let alone an inanimate object.

It is short and simple in places but indies are not all about creating 15 hour games. They aim to excel in areas and take risks that big games tend not to.

To say Thomas was Alone is a "lame game" shows your ignorance

[TearsOfARapper84]

Shots fired.

[NeoGamer232]

Brilliantly written story? OK... I will give him kudos for narration. But, the story wasn't exactly gripping.

And I wasn't expecting 15 hours from it, but only getting 2.5 was pathetic. Anybody can make a great story in a 2.5 hour game. Give me at least 4 hours and some challenge I probably would've been happier. But, in 2.5 hours I think I reset the levels about 5 times. Hardly challenging.

And it would've been nice to have some semblance of replayability. Hidden or challenge areas, More than just a few collectibles that amounted to a few circles giving you absolutely nothing in the game, etc.

Its bad when gamer's bars have been re-adjusted so low as to think that taking a "risk" is good enough to create a demo game for the masses. But, that's the problem with gaming this generation so far. The bar is incredibly low... So far, this generation has amounted to a bunch of re-hashed Indie games from the PC and remastered games from previous generations. And the scary part is gamers are bending over and letting the developers and publishers do it to them thinking it is good.

A game should have a great story, great gameplay, great environments, and a great atmosphere to it... Thomas Was Alone has an OK story, boring environments, boring atmosphere, and average gameplay. I am about as excited for Volume, as I would be to watch a turtle do a 100 meter dash.

[WizzroSupreme]

Mike Bithell is a really cool guy, I like hearing what he has to say most of the time. The freemium policies sure aren't great for Xbox One. It only hurts Microsoft by turning away indies and driving them towards PC and Sony. Throw indies a bone and they'll love you for life.