Indie Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Indie Game Development.
Latest coverage
James Pond 2 (Recompile) - A platforming classic from the 90's goes ultrawide
Gary Riches has released a native C++ recompile of the 1991 Amiga game James Pond 2: Codename RoboCod, available for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Steam Deck. This modern overhaul introduces widescreen support, smooth performance, controller rumble, and a save system, preserving the classic's legacy for contemporary hardware.
How to run an indie game studio: Part 5, Better meetings
This guide, the final part of a five-part series on indie management by Martijn van Zwieten, focuses on improving studio meetings. It outlines a structured approach to weekly, quarterly, and yearly meetings, emphasizing clear agendas, time allocations, and specific goals like check-ins, to-do reviews, rock status checks, and problem-solving (IDS) to ensure progress and decision-making. The article introduces the FIRM framework for studio management, covering vision, goals, issue resolution, and quarterly traction.
Jeff Kaplan Was An Industry Icon, Now Peers Ignore His Emails: Ex-Overwatch Director Talks “Humbling” Reality Of Indie Dev
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan discusses the humbling transition from AAA development at Blizzard to leading his independent studio, Kintsugiyama, and its debut title, The Legend of California. He reflects on the challenges of indie development, including industry contacts ignoring his emails, and emphasizes the importance of a developer-run studio focused on creative integrity over corporate mandates. Kaplan also shares personal inspirations for The Legend of California, drawing from his upbringing in California and his father's love for Westerns.
How to run an indie game studio: Part 1, What is a studio?
This guide, the first in a five-part series by business coach Martijn van Zwieten, focuses on the fundamental aspects of running an indie game studio. It emphasizes the importance of building the studio itself alongside the game, defining what a studio is, and establishing a clear purpose based on passion, excellence, and economic drivers. The article introduces the FIRM framework (Future, Issues, Rocks, Meetings) as a tool for studio management.
A Game About Digging A Hole Together announced for Nintendo Switch 2
Rokaplay and Mipumi Games have announced A Game About Digging A Hole Together for the Nintendo Switch 2, set to release in 2026. This sequel builds upon the viral success of the original by adding multiplayer functionality, deeper gameplay mechanics, and expanded content. Mipumi Games, which has experience with titles like Alan Wake 2 and Control, has rebuilt the game's code for smoother performance.
Foxy's Run - A family friendly platformer in dev for the Amiga by Vairn
Foxy's Run is a family-friendly platformer in development for the Amiga by Vairn, featuring a fox navigating vibrant forest environments. An early playable version is available, requiring 1MB of chip RAM, and showcases traditional platforming mechanics across five maps with unique enemies and hidden gems.
Creative Artists Agency spins up indie funding venture Frame1Games
Creative Artists Agency has launched Frame1Games, a new venture aimed at supporting independent game developers. The program will provide multi-million dollar investments, mentorship from industry leaders, and access to strategic partners. Frame1Games will be led by veteran indie funding partner Jared Yeager and spearheaded by CAA head of games Derek Douglas.
How Forbidden Solitaire brought solitaire games to the forefront
Forbidden Solitaire, developed by Gray Alien Games and Night Signal Entertainment, has achieved significant commercial success on Steam, selling 10,000 copies in 48 hours and reaching 880 concurrent players. This success is attributed to its unique analog horror presentation and engaging solitaire gameplay, which has revitalized interest in the genre among PC gamers. The developers discuss their approach to innovating within the solitaire genre and the impact of this success on their future projects.
The Elder Scrolls 6 finally showing signs of life won't deter the Bethesda fan who is 132 days into making their…
Despite the long wait for The Elder Scrolls 6, an independent developer is 132 days into creating their own Daggerfall-style RPG inspired by the series. This news comes as Xbox CEO Asha Sharma mentioned a 'live playthrough' of The Elder Scrolls 6, sparking renewed discussion about the game's development status.
I'm enjoying leaving my body behind in Project Looking Glass, an astral horror game in which you telewarp around a map of your terrible memories
Project Looking Glass is an indie astral horror game where players embody a grieving woman participating in secret Cold War astral projection experiments. The game features telewarping mechanics around memories, with puzzles involving audiologs and deductions. The solo developer, MORPH, aims to create a unique and heartfelt experience, though the demo includes potentially bleak themes like death by hanging.
Hard Work Pays off as Shard Squad Comes to XBOX
Shard Squad, a bullet heaven roguelite developed by Brazilian studio The Root Studios and published by Nuntius Games, is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support. The game features adorable pixel art monsters called Shards that players recruit and evolve to create powerful synergies against enemy hordes. Director Rennan Costa expressed that the Xbox release fulfills a lifelong dream for the studio, which is releasing its first game.
Dev says selling 300,000 copies of his dwarf RPG meant "completely changing my life" and watching tax, Steam, and publisher cuts stop him from becoming a millionaire
The solo developer behind the RPG Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot has sold over 300,000 copies across Steam, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS, significantly changing their life and career. While not a millionaire due to various cuts and taxes, the developer can now work full-time on games, highlighting a success story in the challenging indie game industry.
Meet the story behind Shard Squad
Shard Squad is set to launch on July 30, 2026, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Creator Rennan Costa discussed the game's origins as a Unity learning project and the challenges of developing it without funding. The game features unique characters and a blend of intense action with progression systems.
Build a Game That Fits on a Single Floppy Disk: The 1.44MB Game Development Contest Opens
The 1.44MB Game Development Contest, organized by 2P GAME ARCADE, is now accepting entries until September 4. This contest challenges developers to create complete, standalone games that fit within the 1.44MB capacity of a single floppy disk, encouraging creativity through extreme constraints. The event offers KRW 1.14 million in total prizes and is supported by partners like Minimap and IndieGame.com.
Absolution - The Sequel To Alida is coming
Absolution, the sequel to the 2004 game Alida, is set to release on PC via Steam on September 1, 2026. Developed over seven years by an indie developer, this 3D first-person adventure game utilizes Unreal Engine and features non-linear gameplay, captivating environments, and an original musical score.
Meet the HEJ Collective - Hungary's New Indie Game Label Launching Its First Season
The Hungarian game development collective Havi Egy Játék (HEJ) has launched its first publishing season, supporting indie developers by bringing select games from their monthly challenges to commercial release on Steam. Season 1 features the competitive platformer Grapple Bear and the strategy simulation game Weather Dragger, with participating teams receiving mentorship over a 4-6 month development period.
"Det blev en väldigt personlig berättelse" – Elden Pixels-medgrundaren om A Void Hope
Mikael Forslind, co-founder of Elden Pixels, discusses the development journey of their atmospheric puzzle adventure game, A Void Hope. Initially a technical prototype inspired by The Lost Vikings and Braid, the game evolved significantly with the addition of music by Waveshaper and a deeply personal narrative co-written with Frida Windelhed, drawing inspiration from horror films and personal experiences of loss and grief.
Meccha Chameleon celebrates 15 million sales by teasing a 'collaboration with a famous Japanese star'
Indie game Meccha Chameleon has surpassed 15 million sales in under a month, prompting developer lemorion_1224 to tease an upcoming collaboration with a famous Japanese star. The game, praised for its satisfying gameplay and low price point, was developed in just two months.
50 Ways to Ruin Your Indie Game — Avoid These Mistakes
This article outlines 50 common mistakes that can lead to the failure of an indie game before or during its release. It covers pitfalls in marketing, game design, development planning, team organization, and publishing strategies, emphasizing the importance of avoiding common errors to ensure a successful launch.
A Webbing Journey: +5 million downloads & Major Living Room Update out now
Fire Totem Games has released a major 'Living Room' update for its physics-based sandbox game, A Webbing Journey, adding a fourth level with new quests on Android and iOS. The game has also surpassed 5 million downloads on mobile platforms. The update introduces new creatures and interactive elements within a household environment.