c64anabaltpromo.pngToday's collection of independent game links includes news, interviews, and developer announcements from around the 'net. (image source)

Joystiq: Shoot Many Robots gets M rating, peek behind the developer's curtain
"Demiurge's still dateless Shoot Many Robots may be closer to release than it seems, as the Metal Slug-esque shooter has been granted an "M" rating by the ESRB for sexual themes, strong language and the use of alcohol."

Sophie Houlden's blog: SWIFT*STITCH post-mortem
"I needed to work on a game that had some commercial appeal, I have games that could have fit that bill and been fun to work on, but I didn't make them, I made Swift*Stitch. and that choice, even though it resulted in a cool game I'm happy with, was a mistake. because it puts my chances of making other complete games in jeopardy."

Pippin Barr: One Way of Making a Game
"So first of all I have an idea. It's usually in the form of some kind of one-liner, either like a joke or an elevator pitch to myself. 'A game about how God's job of judging humanity is a drag.'" [ed note: this is great for press pitches, too!]

Distractionware (guest post by Souleye): ADVVVVVVENTURE
"The release timing of 22:22:22 is a reference to... Well I think I'll leave that one to your imagination, but why did I call it Adventure? Because for me, my life has really turned into one, so far! And hopefully it'll continue to be one into the future."

Joystiq: Zombies, vikings, murder: Ska Studios on WP7 and the future of XBLIG gore
"Turns out melting skin off isn't just entertaining, but adds a whole new dimension of gameplay [in Charlie Murder]!"

Indie Games Channel: Free Nitronic Rush updates add six new tracks
"Six new tracks, including two designed by fan Pixelmann and a Christmas-themed stunt level-along with some minor tweaks and bug-fixes-make the updates well worth downloading."

DIY Gamer: Cursed Loot Developer Shows Off Cursed Cosmos Gameplay
"The game is a step in another direction genre-wise for the developer, who promises a randomly generated galactic trading game with a real-time dynamic economy, real-time space battles, customizable ships, asteroid mining, and more."