IGI Contest #1: Help Us Name These Things, Get $10 for Games!

We love you.

Yes, you, esteemed reader. Your attention is what keeps Indie Games Ichiban World going, and we'd like to thank you for that, every single week. How? With $10!

No, we're not sending you money just for partaking in this World. That is not a sustainable business model. But this week, we are introducing a new feature deemed the Indie Game Ichiban Mental Challenge. Here's how it works:

Each week a new question will go live on Monday, and you will have until 6:00 PM PST Friday to post your answer to the World's forum. I will select and announce a winner each Saturday based on the quality of writing and thoughtfulness. The winner will receive a $10 gift certificate to whatever digital download service they prefer (Steam, XBLA etc.). It's our little way of saying thanks and promoting affordable downloadable games.

Without further ado, here's the inaugural question:

Indie is a slippery term to define in any context. As we struggle here at Indie Games Ichiban to determine what is and is not an indie game, it has become clear that we need a new word in the games lexicon. There are hundred of games available on PSN, XBLA, Steam, and other platforms that are not AAA games, nor are they necessarily indie. It might be the most exciting space in all of games, but it lacks a proper name.

Two defining characteristics:

• Costs between $5 and $25
• Digital distribution only via PSN, XBLA, Steam, or another DD platform.

And that's it. These are made by developers ranging from single-digit teams to major studios. Some have publishers throughout, some sign on with them once the game is done for distribution, some have none at all. Some use Unreal Engine 3, some cheap sprites. While many of them are indie, many are not, and I think we need a new term to describe this segment of the marketplace that is not "indie" but does not preclude it either.

Have an idea? Is it neither "budget" nor "small"? Post it on the forum by 6:00 PM PST on Friday, September 16th with a shortish justification. May the best submission win and become the next hot industry buzzword.