Before I push out the next build I wanted to give you a heads-up “new” content, and to also say thank you for following Frog Force!

Right before the current version of Frog Force was put onto GameJolt (v2.7), all of the “controversial” materials was taken out for a number of reasons. One big reason was that I wanted to have players just judge the gameplay, and not be distracted by the content. Another was something I think most indie-devs struggle with; marketability. One example was that the original title was “Frog Force - Zero Fucks Given” was changed to just “Frog Force”. There are many, many, other changes that took place in the name of making the game have “more broad appeal”.

Frog Force was originally conceived as sort of a protest against the fakeness and superficiality of consumer culture. Frog Force is my idea of what a focus-group and corporate businessmen would create in the late 90s. A totally rad game with lots of crazy colors, whacky characters, and rude in-your-face attitude! The irony is that in spite of this, the frogs swear, and start to say very depressing and philosophical things that aren’t marketable such as “Love is a bourgeois construct” or “Free will is an illusion”. Very heavy-hitting truths that have no place in such a happy game! The juxtaposition is something I really love and find hilarious. One great example of this type of contrast would be Happy Tree Friends; something that on the surface looks fun and marketable, but in fact has a very sinister intent.

I’m sure some people won’t see the humor or value to it, but not enough indie devs are taking chances these days! Far too many are focused on broad appeal, market-share, and other things that should be left to our AAA counterparts. So, brace yourself for this new build of Frog Force that has all of it’s swearing and irreverence intact as it was originally intended! The new build should be arriving within a week or so.

-John Bell

P.S.

If you have any questions or thoughts about how indie games are marketed, or what your thoughts are about consumer culture speak up in the comments! I’m very interested to hear about what you think man. Some of your comments might help even help steer the direction of what the frogs say in-game!