IndieCade is a showcase of independent video games from across the world.  The quickest way to digest IndieCade is by calling it ‘the Sundance for video games’.  The video game festival is still only a few years old and sneaking its way into the hearts of Culver City and gaming journalists in Los Angeles.  We had the pleasure of attending last year’s IndieCade Awards Gala, which was quaint yet festive.  In 2010, the team behind the event really put a foot forward by having celebrity presenters in the form of Levar Burton, Isaiah Mustafa (aka ‘the Old Spice guy’), G4tv hosts Adam Sessler and Alison Haislip and there was also a ‘Trailblazer’ Award presented to seasoned video game creator Tim Schafer.

IndieCade is spread out across some of the local art galleries in downtown Culver City and is free to attend.  Gaming kiosks are setup to demo a variety of games – mostly on PC but some where console based.  Some of our favorites that we got to experience were ‘Solace‘ (a moody vertical shooter), ‘VVVVV‘ (a Zero G take on Adventure from Atari 2600) and the lavish looking ‘Retro/Grade‘ in which you play the game in ‘reverse time’.  A handful of games participating in this year’s IndieCade have made it to the XBL or PSN including Limbo and Bit Trip Runner but for most this may be the only chance to experience a different side of gaming.

For a recap on IndieCade 2010 visit:
http://www.indiecade.com/index.php/events/levar_burton