Two indie game developers, Alex May and Rudolf Kremers, entered their game Freeman Dyson into the Independent Games Festival competition. Though they did not win any awards, being nominated provided valuable exposure and experience. They met many other indie developers, learned about the industry, and were able to launch their game on platforms like Steam. The developers concluded that entering competitions has many benefits beyond just winning, such as focusing development, networking, and learning valuable lessons to help their careers.

1. In the Beginning....
There were two guys...

2. Alex May & Rudolf Kremers

3. And a Competition

4. Mix Some Elements
Freeman Dyson Deadrock Procedural Generation
• A bit of this: • A bit of that:

5. And Dyson is Born
• Very Early Screenshot

6. And Starts to Grow

7. Second Place
• But Loads of Nice Press!

8. Sony Fail
• Too much like Pixeljunk Eden? WTF?

9. Entering the IGF
• We may have a shot of going through
• Free GDC Pass
• It’s a Laugh

10. Great Games Have Gone Before
•World of Goo – 2d Boy
•Braid – Jonathan Blow
•Crayon Physics – Petri Purho

11. Entering Really Focused our Efforts
• Before • After

12. OMG WE GOT NOMINATED!
• Seumas McNally Grand Prize!
• Direct2Drive Vison Award Thingee!
• Audience Award (Ahem, all nominees get this)

13. • Direct2Drive
Things Go a
• Steam
Bit Nuts..
•Loads of Downloads
•Loads of Interviews
•Loads of Congratulations
•Loads of Beer

14. The Festival/Conference
• GDC, IGF, IGS

15. Sessions
Session were fantastic
and worth going to
in their own right.

16. Award Ceremony
• Was a Scary Affair • And...

17. We Didn’t Win ANYTHING
• Boohoo

18. The Rest was Great
There Was a Special Mood San Francisco was ACE
• The IGF Stand was Mega
Busy
• Finally met Brian

19. We met Tons of Great People
• Derek Yu (Aquaria) • Dan Tabar (Cortex Command)

20. And Others

21. Of All Sorts

22. Socialising is HELPFUL!

23. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is CHEAP to Enter ($95)

24. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is Cheap To Enter
• 2: It Really Focuses your Efforts

25. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is Cheap To Enter
• 2: It Really Focuses your Efforts
• 3: A Nomination is as Good as an Award

26. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is Cheap To Enter
• 2: It Really Focuses your Efforts
• 3: A Nomination is as Good as an Award
• 4: Meet Great People/Make Super Contacts

27. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is Cheap To Enter
• 2: It Really Focuses your Efforts
• 3: A Nomination is as Good as an Award
• 4: Meet Great People/Make Super Contacts
• 5: Indies Are FRIENDS not Competitors

28. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is Cheap To Enter
• 2: It Really Focuses your Efforts
• 3: A Nomination is as Good as an Award
• 4: Meet Great People/Make Super Contacts
• 5: Indies Are FRIENDS not Competitors
• 6: You Actually Learn Loads

29. Lessons Learned
• 1: It is Cheap To Enter
• 2: It Really Focuses your Efforts
• 3: A Nomination is as Good as an Award
• 4: Meet Great People/Make Super Contacts
• 5: Indies Are FRIENDS not Competitors
• 6: You Actually Learn Loads
• 7: You Can Make Great Deals

30. Independent Deals
• Steam, Direct2Drive

31. Big Boys
• NOA • MicroB0rG

32. But Ultimately
• The Game Comes First