You know, some people believe that indie gamers are not sexy.

I know - you're looking at your reflection in your computer screen and thinking, "Wait a minute - I'm an indie gamer, and I'm sexier than pretty much everyone I know!"

Trust me, friend. I'm doing the exact same thing.

We're indie gamers, and we're sexy. Now what? Well, it's time to show the world that indie gaming is all about being sexy. It's about knowing that your paying less money for great games that are made by people who love gaming. Wow, that is so incredibly SEXY. It's mind-blowing!

We're out to prove that somewhere out there, born under the good Grace of God or Gish or whatever you want to call 'er, is an indie gamer who is so sexy that he or she is fit to wear the title of "The Sexiest Indie Gamer of All Time". And hoo boy, if that isn't sexy, by anyone's standards.

This is a contest. If you know you that you are "The Sexiest Indie Gamer of All Time", then you know what you must do. You must enter this contest and claim your place in history. Only then can we teach the world the truth about indie gaming!

(Plus, there are, like, a lot of cool prizes for the winner, like free games and swag from Moonpod and The Behemoth. Read on for details!)

For Those New to Indie Gaming

Indie gaming refers to games that are, to put it simply, not made by big companies. Indie games are developed by small, focused teams, and are usually sold for less than the price of a commercial game (they may even be free!). You won't see the majority of indie games on store shelves, because so many of them are self-published and distributed.

Because they usually don't have the big bucks behind them, indie games may rely on creative or innovative game design to sell. Or they may be very retro, providing the kind of old-school gameplay that you can't find commercially. They may also cater to casual gamers who want quick doses of gaming rather than a prolonged epic.

Indie gaming provides an alternative to the increasingly eye candy-obsessed, corporate machine that is the game industry. It survives because its fans enjoy the innovation, the classic gameplay, and the cheap prices. Indie developers make games that THEY want to make.

An indie gamer is someone who plays indie games and appreciates what they stand for.

The Sponsors

Moonpod has quickly become synonymous with great indie gaming. Their stunning debut came in 2003 with the game Starscape, a brilliant 2D shooter that combined the best elements of arcade and strategy games. Starscape was an overnight success with gamers and critics alike, and went on to win the coveted title of Game of the Year from GameTunnel, one of the premiere independent gaming sites. Currently, they are working on Mr. Robot, an isometric action and adventure game that's inspired by old Spectrum classics like Knightlore and Head Over Heels. Mr. Robot is due out sometime this year.

A true indie success story, The Behemoth's first title - Alien Hominid - began as a single-level flash game and ended up one of the most highly anticipated games for the Gamecube and PS2 in 2004. The Behemoth sold custom t-shirts, skateboards, and figurines to fund the development of their dream game, an old-school 2D platform shooter with blistering gameplay and a wonderfully unique graphical style. Released last November to critical acclaim, Alien Hominid was touted by The Official Playstation Magazine as representing "everything that is good about the gaming industry". We're waiting expectantly to see what these guys will come up with next!

As a Mac software company, Panic proves that exceptional applications can be built by a small number of people who are devoted to what they do. Probably most well known for Transmit, the premiere FTP client for the Mac, the guys at Panic consistently prove that they know good design. Their current product, a Usenet browser named Unison, has already won two Apple Design Awards in 2004, one for "Runner-Up, Best Mac OSX Product" and another for "Winner, Best Mac OSX Experience". Although not game developers (yet), Panic definitely embodies the indie spirit and we're grateful to have them here!

Also, check out the newly-opened Panic Goods online store for more cool stuff!

The Prizes

As the winner:

(1) You will be crowned "The Sexiest Indie Gamer of All Time", a title which no one can take away from you until the end of time. You will receive a custom digital trophy (the one shown is just a placeholder) that you may display proudly anywhere on the web.

(2) You will receive a free copy of Moonpod's award-winning computer game, Starscape.

(3) You will receive a free copy of The Behemoth's critically-acclaimed Alien Hominid, for either the Gamecube or PS2.

(4) You will receive a free set of the ultra-groovy Alien Hominid urban vinyl figurines.

(5) You will receive a free, limited-edition mousepad featuring Mr. Robot, the lovable protagonist from Moonpod's upcoming game.

(6) You will receive two free t-shirts (of any size you choose) from Panic, featuring characters from Adventure, the classic Atari game.

Our prizes clearly rock, 'nuff said!

How to Enter

To enter your sexy self into this contest, you must submit the following by e-mail:

1. Anywhere from one to three photos. The photo(s) must be attached as a jpeg, and they must be under 200 kb in size each. No links - just attach the photo to your e-mail.

2. Your FULL name, first and last.

3. Where you're from. At least a country!

4. Your favorite indie game or games.

5. A 500-word-or-less essay explaining why YOU are "The Sexiest Indie Gamer of All Time".

Any submissions that don't contain ALL of the above-mentioned will be blasted into orbit around Saturn's moon so that the geeks at NASA can make fun of you... but I'll probably give you a gentle warning first.

Rules

This contest is open to men and women 18 and over.

Submissions MUST be received by 11:59pm on March 16th to be eligible for the prizes.

NO PORNOGRAPHY. We demand the subtle sexiness that is genital-free.

Attached photos that appear to be fakes (i.e. you sent me a picture of Tim Schafer you got off the 'net and you're NOT Tim Schafer) or are altered digitally will be disqualified.

One submission per person (that means one e-mail). No exceptions.

Once the winner is chosen, he/she will be e-mailed and given a week to reply (with the appropriate information so that prizes can be sent out). If by the end of a week, a reply isn't given, then the finalist with the second-highest score will be e-mailed. And so on and so forth.

Judging

Judging will take place starting on March 17th, wherein I will give myself a week to narrow the entries down to 12 finalists. The finalists will be posted on this website, along with their pictures. Then, my esteemed panel of judges (to be named later on this site), will critique and score each of the 12 finalists (this may take a little longer). Their critiques will be displayed on the site. Once that is done, a winner will be chosen and announced and prizes will be given out.

The submissions will be judged by the following criteria:

1. Sexiness (60%) - This is open to interpretation. Whatever is sexy to you!

2. Indie Gamerness (30%) - What will you do to prove that you're an indie gaming fan?

3. Creativity and Humor (10%) - You know, it's, like, what the game industry doesn't have.

Your photos and essay will be judged together by these three criteria, but more emphasis will be placed on the photos. Keep in mind that it's a very subjective process - so just do what comes natural to you!

We are allowing up to THREE photos, because we felt that it would give you a better chance to prove yourself in each of these categories. However, keep in mind that the photos will be graded as a whole - if you happen to look really un-sexy in one of the photos, that could hurt you! Make each photo count!

Legal Mumbo Jumbo

I reserve the right to disqualify any of the entrants for ANY reason.

I reserve the right to change the rules at any time if I see fit. (I wouldn't do this unless there was a really good reason, however.)

By entering, you are releasing me, the other judges, the sponsors, and anyone else affiliated with the contest from any kind of liabilities or damages that may result from participating in the contest.

Nor are we liable should any of the prizes get stolen, damaged, or tampered with after they've left our hands.

We're reasonable people, so please be reasonable as well!

Now Finally...

Did you read all that? Good! I leave you with a quote:

"I think the quality of sexiness comes from within. It is something that is in you or it isn't and it really doesn't have much to do with breasts or thighs or the pout of your lips." -Sophia Loren

Submit your contest entry here. Good luck! Keep checking this page and The Independent Gaming Source front page for updates!

Site Design + Contest (c)2005 Derek Yu and The Independent Gaming Source