Holiday Humble Bundle

December 13, 2011 7:50 PM

Just in time for the gift-giving season, Humble Indie Bundle 4 has been released. Available for MacOS, Windows, and Linux on a pay-what-you-want scheme, this release (currently) includes Jamestown, Bit.Trip Runner, Super Meat Boy, Shank, and Nightsky HD. Pay more than the average donation and get Gratuitous Space Battles and Cave Story+ included in your Bundle. When purchasing, you can choose how your money will be allocated between developers, charities (Child's Play Charity and American Red Cross), and a tip to the Humble team.

If the past is any indicator of how this sale will run, more programs may be added to the Bundle (and available for download for current purchasers) during the course of its run. Also, they have added in past Bundles with current Bundle purchases as the sale progresses.

Of course, no idea if any of this will happen THIS time around.

Previously, previously-er, still even previously-er

posted by hippybear (43 comments total)

I buy these bundles faster than I play these bundles, but I love that they keep doing this.
posted by Songdog at 7:54 PM on December 13, 2011 [3 favorites]

This is a fantastic bundle. I've spent more time playing Bit.Trip Runner than I've spent playing most blockbuster games for $60. Super Meat Boy and Cave Story+ are also very good.
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:14 PM on December 13, 2011

I've been digging into these all evening. Cave Story is lovely as always, the updated graphics are nice although I prefer the original music. I'd never played Super Meat Boy before and it's fun, although I quickly get tired of having to start each level from the start if I mess up (Bit.Trip Runner works like that, too). Gratuitous Space Battles looks like it could be interesting but I found it a little overwhelming at first go.

Jamestown, however, was a fantastic surprise. I've never heard of it before and I don't particularly like shooters, but it is a BLAST, with fantastic artwork and a great setting. I can tell I'll be playing a lot of this one.

One issue I have with these bundles is that all the games work on a Mac, and all the games work on Steam, but that doesn't mean that all of the games work on Steam on a Mac. In this bundle, NightSky and Shank won't work in Steam on a Mac. You can still install them outside of Steam.
posted by oulipian at 8:20 PM on December 13, 2011

It doesn't seem like Cave Story+ is any different from the WiiWare version. Anyone know if this is the case?
posted by ignignokt at 8:22 PM on December 13, 2011

Also of note is the minor controversy over the replacement of the EFF as a charity recipient in this bundle. The humble team took a vote of the developers and decided to swap it out for the red cross this time but with the recent SOPA and related efforts some internet citizens are crying censorship at EFF leaving instead of Child's Play while others argue about misreported wrongdoings of the red cross.

I already played Cave Story when it was free (and the original version still is), and I bought Super Meat Boy during an earlier steam sale, but the upgrades to my favorite 2D platformer of all time and a handful of other highly reviewed titles made this the fourth bundle I've bought before I get the email announcing it. So many great games, so little time.
posted by sandswipe at 8:22 PM on December 13, 2011

Did someone say Shank?
posted by Hoopo at 8:23 PM on December 13, 2011

It doesn't seem like Cave Story+ is any different from the WiiWare version. Anyone know if this is the case?

Wikipedia has details about the various releases of Cave Story.
posted by hippybear at 8:27 PM on December 13, 2011

Have to say that I'd never gotten around to playing Cave Story until today and I was really surprised at how good it was. Shank and Jamestown are also a lot of fun also.
posted by eyeballkid at 8:28 PM on December 13, 2011

Cave Story is killing my final-paper-writing motivation...
posted by Zephyrial at 8:29 PM on December 13, 2011

Pay more than the average donation and get Gratuitous Space Battles and Cave Story+ included in your Bundle.

From a game theory standpoint, this is an excellent idea. I'd love to see this model take off.
posted by qxntpqbbbqxl at 8:36 PM on December 13, 2011

I've been paying for these bundles but hardly playing many of the games. Mouse and keyboard controls aren't the best for platformers. Can someone suggest a good USB gamepad to shock these old thumbs into action?
posted by Nomyte at 8:40 PM on December 13, 2011

Have to say that I'd never gotten around to playing Cave Story until today and I was really surprised at how good it was.

What blew my mind was when I leraned that the original PC version was entirely created, including all programming and art assets, by one guy.
posted by SpacemanStix at 8:48 PM on December 13, 2011

Pay more than the average donation and get Gratuitous Space Battles and Cave Story+ included in your Bundle.

From a game theory standpoint, this is an excellent idea. I'd love to see this model take off.

They've been doing it for most of the six(?) bundles so far, not including the first one. The usual prize is the previous bundle and a new game or two. IF they've kept it up this long it's apparently working pretty well.
posted by sandswipe at 9:00 PM on December 13, 2011

It continues to raise the standard donation slowly over time in theory, so yeah, smart. Who doesn't love the humble indie bundle.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 9:02 PM on December 13, 2011

I still haven't finished the last Bundle... but I buy them all anyway because I'm a Linux user, and Linux users are just so pathetically grateful to developers who make releases for us. Whenever anyone bothers, we turn into Sally Field.
posted by Mary Ellen Carter at 9:03 PM on December 13, 2011 [2 favorites]

Damn these guys and my grown-up responsibilities.
posted by pashdown at 9:04 PM on December 13, 2011

I really wish it was Child's Play getting the boot instead of EFF.
posted by codacorolla at 9:08 PM on December 13, 2011

Yay for people with net-friendly payment methods. I would so buy in if I had a way to pay them. Sounds awesome.

Must admit though, the change in EFF status leaves me a little conflicted. I really, REALLY don't like the Red Cross.

Why, you ask?

Well, when an ex-girlfriend manage to gut our apartment in a fire while I was at work, the Red Cross was willing to dash to our side...oh, wait... We got a plastic baggie with toiletries and a booklet of smoke related cleaning tips. That so made being homeless, clothesless and all so much easy to deal with.

I will still donate blood to them, even the "double reds", but I will not fiscally support them. (The blood donations are, in my mind, a good thing AND a testiment to my stepfather, deceased from hairy cell leukemia treatment related issues (aka multiple respiratory issues due to continued immune suppression).)

I shan't argue about Child's Play, but I do feel now (pending COPA) that people like the EFF are becoming ever more important all the time.
posted by Samizdata at 9:11 PM on December 13, 2011 [1 favorite]

(Oh, yeah, AND YAY! for Linux gaming support. Another step closer to making Windows unnecessary for me!)
posted by Samizdata at 9:12 PM on December 13, 2011

Well, when an ex-girlfriend manage to gut our apartment in a fire while I was at work, the Red Cross was willing to dash to our side...oh, wait... We got a plastic baggie with toiletries and a booklet of smoke related cleaning tips. That so made being homeless, clothesless and all so much easy to deal with.

Huh. When the triplex I lived in burned (my apartment was the only one undamaged, the other two were total losses), the other two occupants got clothes and beds and other things required for basic living from the Red Cross basically without asking.

I wonder why your situation was different from theirs.
posted by hippybear at 9:27 PM on December 13, 2011

Dunno. It is partially my fault, as I was still rather in shock to follow up with them after the fact, but that experience pretty much set my template for the Red Cross for then on. I had donated money and blood to them previously (was one of the gold donor cards, in fact, and willingly did plasma donation), so it wasn't as if I was a cold call in right off the street. (An awkward turn of phrase, I know, but I think it works.)

I spent over two years volunteering at a local historic theatre project, doing all sort of gnarly and sometimes dangerous things for no pay at all, just to bail when Johnny-come-latelys starts driving out the old, dedicated, hard working, and unfashionable staff, so I suppose what I see as inadequate appreciation of volunteers is a bit of a hot button topic for me.

And, so much easy SHOULD read so much EASIER, even. Bugger me for not using preview properly.
posted by Samizdata at 9:37 PM on December 13, 2011

Eeeeee I can't wait to play all of these.
posted by Evernix at 10:29 PM on December 13, 2011

Gratuitous Space Battles segfaults on start for me :( Apparently the Linux builds for some of them are still being refined...

Jamestown is great but it keeps going "To progress, please beat all the previous levels at higher difficulties!" which gets repetitive.
posted by BungaDunga at 11:47 PM on December 13, 2011

From a game theory standpoint, this is an excellent idea. I'd love to see this model take off.

I'm curious about this variation on it. Previously, the Bundle has waited a few days before announcing the "beat the average price to get some bonus games" deal, and making it retroactive to people who'd already bought the bundle regardless of what they'd paid.

This practice seems like it would eventually have the effect of encouraging some people to rush in and buy bundle early, hoping to be grandfathered in for the additional games, and while those people would be the cheapskates wanting to pay less than the average price, it's still better to get those people early -- lock the sale in before they get distracted, and because lots of early sales helps to boost the profile and build momentum for the Bundle.
posted by straight at 12:20 AM on December 14, 2011

Worth it for Meat Boy alone.
posted by robcorr at 12:27 AM on December 14, 2011

Guess I'll be buying Super Meat Boy for the third time. Still feel good about it too.
posted by slimepuppy at 1:19 AM on December 14, 2011

hoping to be grandfathered in for the additional games

That's precisely the problem with this bundle waiting to release additional games. They have profile and clearly haven't had any problem with momentum in the least. Cave Story is a Big Deal amongst certain circles of gaming. More than ever, there are people spending over the average solely to get that one game. Sure, plenty of people would be spending more than average anyway, but this opens cheapskate wallets a bit faster. They have something very high profile this time around, and they're just making the most of it.

Personally, I'm more worried about removing the EFF. It's not that I oppose adding the Red Cross, I'm just very displeased by the removal of a worthy charity. I still bought it, but I spent less than I usually do and donated the difference to the EFF on my own. Don't let my grumbling deter anyone though. Humble Bundle is a worthy cause all around. It's just that this was a very bad time to pull a very good part of it. I really have to wonder why they couldn't just have all three.
posted by Saydur at 2:07 AM on December 14, 2011

Can someone suggest a good USB gamepad to shock these old thumbs into action?

A wired XBOX 360 controller. You could get a wireless one if you can find their special dongle. Lots of games will instantly recognize it, and change button prompts to match.
posted by graventy at 4:50 AM on December 14, 2011

I just bought the Introversion bundle because I wanted Defcon and now... Gratuitous Space Battles and Meat Boy... where's my wallet?
posted by backseatpilot at 5:29 AM on December 14, 2011

I'm pleased to see that the Humble Bronies are again at the top of the contributors.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 7:14 AM on December 14, 2011

This is a good time to evangelize about Cave Story . . . if you haven't ever played the original, dl it and play it. It is free, and it is one of the best games EVER. Seriously. It's so weird, and so perfect. Save the Mimigas!
posted by exlotuseater at 7:22 AM on December 14, 2011

It seems like this model is really taking off for indie PC games; besides the Humble Bundle there is also Indie Royale (which skips the charity component, but you can reduce the price others pay by paying more), Indie Gala, and as of this morning, the Little Big Bunch. There's also a freeware bundle marketed along similar lines, the 99% Bundle, though I don't know much about it.
posted by whir at 8:03 AM on December 14, 2011 [2 favorites]

Yep, I've bought the last 3 and have felt I got my money's worth for every one. And it's more dollars I'd never have sent the devs or charities' way.

The only thing I find odd is the "Oh we added X, Y, and Z to the bundle you already bought"!

That logic just blows my mind since I can't help but think more people would opt in if the whole full disclosure thing was enacted from the beginning. But what do I know....
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:12 AM on December 14, 2011

That logic just blows my mind since I can't help but think more people would opt in if the whole full disclosure thing was enacted from the beginning.

I think the late roll-outs keeps the project in the public eye. "Hey, there's a new Humble Bundle!" (days later) "Hey, they added X to the Humble Bundle!"
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:15 AM on December 14, 2011

Sure sure, I'd make an awful political candidate too, I'm just more for clarity and full disclosure than marketing gimmicks, but hey, whatever pays their bills.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:20 AM on December 14, 2011

It also does incredible things for loyalty, in my own personal experience. "Hey, I just got a great deal on these games, and now you're giving me an even better deal even though I already bought the bundle? You guys are awesome!" On the other hand, it also got me to buy the previous bundle, when they added a game I had more interest in than the starting ones.
posted by NMcCoy at 8:28 AM on December 14, 2011

Must admit though, the change in EFF status leaves me a little conflicted. I really, REALLY don't like the Red Cross.

There are sliders that let you decide on your donation level to the charities and developers, so you can just turn the Red Cross slider down to 0.

The more you know!
posted by Peevish at 9:11 AM on December 14, 2011

Nomyte, I highly recommend the Logitech series because they're easily customizable via Logitech's SetPoint utility. We got two F710s (on sale a couple weeks ago) and they feel great both in my tiny hands and my husband's much larger ones; buttons are well-placed and it feels solid.
posted by bookdragoness at 9:55 AM on December 14, 2011 [1 favorite]

OMG, just downloaded the 99% bundle that whir mentioned because of the tower defense game referenced. I'm a sucker for a good tower defense game.

Spoliers ahead, trust me: you won't care.

I load it up and, after a moderately lengthy install process I must say, it presents a scrolling star wars style intro with decently cool background information, then cuts to a image of a castle in what looks to be some European country. Two pictures of, I'm guessing, the developers come on stage and begin arguing. One is critiquing the tower, the other is defending it. You get to pick from three dialogue options for the person defending the tower to say. Then the game ends. Wow.... how awful. Avoid.
posted by RolandOfEld at 8:54 PM on December 14, 2011

Yikes! That sounds pretty bad, sorry I inadvertently contributed to you going through it. (I haven't checked out any of the games in there myself.)
posted by whir at 9:00 PM on December 14, 2011

Nah, the other links you posted make up for it completely, just shows that sometimes 'pay what you think it's worth' is maybe more risky than it seems.
posted by RolandOfEld at 9:03 PM on December 14, 2011

Peevish: "Must admit though, the change in EFF status leaves me a little conflicted. I really, REALLY don't like the Red Cross.

There are sliders that let you decide on your donation level to the charities and developers, so you can just turn the Red Cross slider down to 0.

The more you know!"

Well, as I mentioned previously, I don't have any way unfortunately to pay for said bundle, as much as I might wish otherwise. More to the point, I find the removal of EFF as an option to be replaced by the Red Cross the disturbing thing.
posted by Samizdata at 2:38 AM on December 15, 2011

I'm a sucker for a good tower defense game.

Have you tried Defense Grid? It's incredibly fun.

Also, Gratuitous Space Battles is fucking amazing. Might be months before I make it to another title.

Damn you Humble Bundle.
posted by chronkite at 2:02 PM on December 20, 2011