You can stay independent even with publisher. If you are paying the development costs and keep the rights on it then you are independent Being independent gives more freedom on what stuff you are working on.
What about trying out our game, Libra balance. It has a full-blown LITE version also, with online highscores.
I'd say they count... looking at their games list they seem to do a bit of both, but they definitely make their own games free of interference from publishers and outside sources.
I'm updating my list, based on Developers that actually frequent this board. Charmed Tap-Fu Flickitty Doodle Defender, Swingaling, Finger Sling Cheese Collect 9000 BC Pentanimals Super Juicy Libra Balance Bombardiers Guild Imp or Oaf Nijo, you should put your game(s) in your sig. I didn't realize you were a developer.
mini squadron 9000bc spider: secret of bryce manor play marbles flickitty ravensword .. apart from spider, which has a few vetrans from the console world, these are developed by very small teams and blow many mega buck titles into the water.
on my iPod: john kooistra's games spider ynth pathpix subway shuffle galcon? does that count? harbor master ishoot eliss edge tanzen trism space ninja
ahem! "him" doesn't apply to me, I'm a woman. I didn't realize that most of the games were independent. Most of the games I seem to play are from ngmoco. generally I like puzzle games, match-three games, the music making apps by Brian Eno, and fun things that are orginal. And, generally, things that lack blood, killing or things that are violent. I have a two year old and really she doesn't need to accidentally start playing a super gory game. So, I have to keep that in mind when I am downloading games. She likes to play touchpets, tickletap apps and things like the zimmer twins games. Thanks for the lists. and I will check out that Libra Balance one, though it looks like it might be too gory for my iPhone (in case the little one gets hold of it).
Narrowing it down to puzzle games, I'd say the best ones are Cross Fingers, Labyrinth 2 (includes an online level editor, it'd be really easy to make some simple levels for your kid), PathPix, iBlast Moki, Toki Tori and the Perfect Balance games.
Wow, with that description I can almost *guarantee* you that you will love Super Juicy! I made it just for you basically Here are some other games you might try: 31 (card game) Alien Glyphs Doodle Jump Flickitty Wriggle (though the worms gross my wife out a bit)
