[v21]

I'm glad this is the case. A common trap for indie developers is to make one game, have it be at least partially successful, and then to continue to make that game - making DLC, expansions, porting it to other platforms, making a multiplayer version etc. It makes me sad as a player, because it's done instead of developing something new. It's far better to pass on these porting efforts to other developers and to get to work creating new IP, as Notch is doing.

I'm more familiar with games than with startup culture - does the same thing apply there?

[Klinky]

It makes me sad as a player, because it's done instead of developing something new.

I think this is a problem of attitude. If you are so desperate for something new, why not create it yourself? The indie has every right to do what they feel like with their content, time, energy & money. They're not your monkey to dance & sing whenever you please. If you disagree with how they're spending their time, then spend your time making something you'd rather see.

[v21]

I am an indie dev, and I do make things myself. But that in no way diminishes the pleasure I get at seeing other people's works, being delighted and surprised by a novel or well-executed bit of game. It's difficult to be delighted and surprised by your own works.

And yeah, they of course have the right to make what they want and I can in no way take that away from them. Remaking the same game might even be worth it, financially. But it doesn't build value like getting going making new IP can, and it doesn't give me something exciting and new to play. I'm allowed to ask, they don't have to give it to me.

[Klinky]

Everyone likes new shiny things true, but the effort required to create new & shiny things consistently is extremely high, especially for a one man band. You probably know the effort required.

I get the idea that you like to see new concepts, but I don't get why you'd complain about people polishing old ideas. You suggest that it's keeping them from working on new ideas but just because something is new, doesn't mean it's good. Not every new thing someone puts out is gold. If they have a proven winner, then they should push & see how far they can take it.

[ori_b]

Because they're better at it than me. My interests are in the playing and not in the creation.

And as a customer, I'm more interested in new awesomeness than addaddons.

[kiba]

Don't really care, as there are too many video games in the world that I never played before. Polish existing ones, instead.

[windsurfer]

Too many food; make existing ones better

Too many websites; make existing ones better

Too many songs; make existing ones better

[bct]

There's a place for both approaches. I agree with kiba that with video games (and websites, and lots of other software for that matter), novelty is weighted much too heavily.

[sukuriant]

Companies don't tend to polish them, though. Sure we have a few polished/polishing games for their genres: Half Life, Team Fortress, League of Legends, WoW; but, many companies just rehash sequels to make more and more of the same game.