Ugly in the sense that an Aphex Twin track isn't a beautiful violin concerto... they were clearly going for "crazy-ass digital noise" aesthetic and I think it looks cool.
Not that impressive, but personally I don't think we should make entries just to make fun of particular games, since it might come off as discouraging the person to make more games.
Paul, Tim's not making fun of anyone. Cactus himself described it as the ugliest shmup ever. I agree with your sentiment, everyone should be encouraged, but this is just friendly joking amongst some friends.
The post was made by Cactus, not Tim. But, I agree -- I'm not saying it's a bad thing to make fun of games. It's definitely appropriate between friends or on forums or whatever. I've made fun of hundreds of games to people in my life.
It's just that, thousands of people read this. I've told people directly that their graphics suck, but I wouldn't go around telling thousands of people that, holding them up as an object of ridicule.
I don't have a huge problem with it and don't want to make it an issue or anything, I was basically saying I think that anyone who makes a game should be applauded, regardless of how ugly it looks. Maybe it's his first game. My first game was far uglier.
Haha, I was thinking that might be possible after I wrote that last comment. After I watched the video again it seemed like your style of game too. Never mind then.
It will take a couple of goes to get the idea behind Dwarf Fortress. Also check out the Wiki (here) and read the article "surviving your first winter".
As for this post... as graham says, a bit of joking between friends is ok, but as paul says it does give a bad example (one I often reproduce myself, sadly). Personally I don't even think it's a particularly ugly game, but it looks far too easy :)
I've made far uglier games. They were also seriously lacking in the effects\animation department compared to this game. At least it isn't visually boring.
I like the look of this game,I think it has potential, reminds me of the old effects of Jeff Minter games, like Llamatron on the Amiga. Possibly needs something interesting at the background like a wireframe grid.
Its nice to see an abstract shoot 'em up done in another style other than homage'ing Kenta Cho!