why do indie game developers refer to themselves as 'we'?

How do I know what, that they're really alone?
Well you don't always know, but there are times when it's clear that there is most likely just one person despite that they say "we" and "us" - based on what they say, how they say it, and the quality of work. Example: a bunch of the people that replied to this thread said they use "we" when their alone. So I know lots of people do it...

 

The quality is a bad criterium if you ask me.

Spoiler: How many people have worked on these then?

Judging by the quality I'd say between 0 and -1 people.

Anyway, we ( ) are a team of three. Although I still say 'I' sometimes when referring to tasks I did alone.

 

I'm not sure how I'd feel if I found out Unity was a satanist. I'd probably still use their software.

 

I already said I typically use "we" but after reading more replies realized I also often use "I" -- the difference seems to be whether I'm broadcasting vs talking to someone. So if I put out a press release, or do an update on the blog or a forum, it's we time. But when someone sends me an email asking about when they might see a feature, or they're having a problem, it's usually I time.

Jay

 

So, what should you use then if you really are the only single person working on your project. BUT, you purchased a lot of addons from the asset store made by other people, you hired 4 or 5 other people to make custom models for you, you hired a programmer to write a small feature into your game, etc etc etc......

So ya, technically, it's just you. But not everything in the game was created by you or comes from you. So should you still use "I"? "I created this game....but with the help of 20 other people I don't personally know".

 

I use we so the rest of the team get some credit (even though I do most of the work)..

If you're reading this, I love you guys ..

 

Sure, that's an "I made this" kind of thing unless you have a team that should be credited. My first game used artwork from Daniel Cook but it's still an "I made this" game (even though he gets a mention on the credit screen).

 

Aw, don’t make fun of those people. I mean, they can’t help that they suffer from the early stages of this affliction. I bet that in ten years time, you’re going to feel bad about yourself when you meet one of them in your office landscape and they start to use words about “going forward” to “positively leverage market synergies” if they can “move the needle”. With “actionables” they can “present positive deliverables” and all that. You should help these people, by gently reminding them that one of the first symptoms of this disease is the pluralization of “I” into “We”. Like all management speak it is designed to “deleverage the pressure space” and “broaden the synergistic targeting” in marketing.

 

Gollum - "We wants it, we needs it. Must have the precious. They stole it from us. Sneaky little hobbitses. Wicked, tricksy, false!"

In our team: Me (I am the one you see most on our live stream), My better 1/2 (In charge of keeping me working, our social portal sites, and filling in all the gaps as needed, Jimmy (Web design, coding help when I get stuck, MIA a lot but still is needed). and last but most important our players/community (They inspire, provide a lot of in-site and work on Tectuma.com)...

So saying I sorta leaves everyone else out... Besides Tectuma.com would not be alive today if it was not for everyone working together.

 

We = Me and my computer.

A computer's a person too you know.

 

nice!

me and my computer = we

i am no longer alone

 

when I make a game, I make games with an artist, we may sit on google hangouts sharing desktops for 18 hours a day, 7 days a week for months on end. I have never, in my life, made a game solo. When I refer to my own games, i cannot possibly use the term me, because I'm always referring to 'our' game. The game would not be possible without a kick ass artist, as I'm just that lonely programmer guy. But, "WE" are still an Indie Studio in Los Angeles.

I'm not sure why an Indie studio with 1 dev/artist would refer to themselves as we. Maybe that's better suited for a psychological or marketing forum. However, I'm leaning towards the latter..... I'm pretty sure it has to do with marketing, and not their own brains.

 

Computers are not entities... unless you have watched Star Trek TNG Season 6, Episode 12 (Ship in a Bottle)

 

I'm one of the noob developers who doesn't know how to program and whatnot but I don't call myself we.

 

Kudos to you then.