Indie Game Development
Ongoing coverage on Indie Game Development.
Latest coverage
With Deltarune Chapter 5 upon us, Toby Fox says "enjoy this crazy thing I thought up 10 years ago" as the team…
Toby Fox announced that Deltarune Chapter 5 is releasing today, with the game automatically updating for those who have purchased it on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Fox also shared that the new chapter features a song he wrote 10 years ago and thanked fans for their patience, noting that Chapter 6 is already in development.
How Small Game Studios Are Bootstrapping in 2026
The article analyzes how small game studios can bootstrap their development in 2026 without external funding, highlighting platforms like Itch.io for concept validation, Steam Early Access for revenue generation, Kickstarter for community-funded projects, and Poki for publishing partnership and player data. It emphasizes that these methods are not mutually exclusive and depend on a studio's immediate needs.
Japan Becomes #1 Wishlist Country for 'Everything is Gun!', Followed by the United States, as Developers Share Emotional Full-Circle Story
Indie studio Incineration Productions announced that Japan has become the top country for Steam wishlists for their upcoming game, Everything is Gun!, surpassing the United States. The developers shared an emotional story about their first player being from Japan in 2020, highlighting a deep connection to the Japanese gaming community. The game is described as a brutal, high-stakes reality show where players are dropped into a prison planet and must survive by mastering movement and combat, with features like Isaac-style synergies, uncapped momentum, and asynchronous multiplayer revenge.
Kioku: Last Summer is out now - today - 28 May 2026
Kioku: Last Summer, a cozy adventure game from Assemble Entertainment and Lugn Games, is now available on PC for €14.99. Players explore the island of Kioku as Asti, making friends and uncovering secrets. The game features activities like fishing and collecting, inspired by 90s aesthetics and titles such as Boku no Natsuyasumi and Pokémon.
"Don't build a studio that requires a massive hit to survive" – Veteran BioWare devs form Studio Reset
Veteran developers from BioWare, Inflexion Games, and Timbre Games have formed a new studio called Studio Reset, focusing on sustainability and original intellectual property. The studio secured CAN$250,000 from the Canada Media Fund for its debut neon-noir supernatural mystery title, which emphasizes a perspective-led approach to gameplay design. Studio Reset aims to avoid the need for massive hits to survive by maintaining a smaller, intentional development model.
New Swedish Incubation Model Aims to Speed Up Indie Game Releases
The Arctic Game initiative in northern Sweden has launched a new six-month incubation model aimed at accelerating indie game development from prototype to release and investment readiness. This program addresses the financial gap faced by indie developers by focusing on faster, release-oriented development cycles and helping studios build sustainable companies rather than just games. The initiative is also exploring tailored support structures for premium PC and console game studios.
ChokoNana is winning players over with its relaxed RPG charm
Indie developer Asuka Watanabe is gaining recognition for her cozy RPG, ChokoNana, which was released on Steam and Nintendo Switch. The game has received positive feedback from experienced players, exceeding the developer's financial expectations for her debut title. Watanabe is also teasing her next project, RyneArca.
Why Every Indie Game Studio Needs a Strong Online Brand (Not Just a Great Game)
Independent game studios need a strong online brand and presence, not just a great game, to succeed in 2025. This includes having a professional website, consistent social media handles, and a studio email address. Services like Xbox Game Pass and the ID@Xbox program can help indies gain visibility, but a solid brand is crucial for building trust and credibility with players, publishers, and the press.
First demo release for Fleet Hunters - reimagined classic naval battles news
Fleet Hunters, a solo indie naval combat game inspired by classic battleship gameplay, has released its first demo. The game emphasizes simultaneous actions, prediction, and quick decision-making with a retro-modern visual style. Fleet Hunters will also be playable during Steam Next Fest, with a planned launch in Summer 2026.
Meet the Assassin's Creed dev who left Ubisoft to make the weirdest city-builder you need to play, which is quietly…
Darenn Keller, a former Ubisoft developer who worked on Assassin's Creed and Ghost Recon, discusses his transition to solo development and the creation of his indie hit Dawnfolk. The game, a blend of survival, puzzle, and city-builder elements, has achieved significant success on Steam and is also available on Nintendo Switch. Keller shares insights into the challenges and rewards of independent game development, including his motivation for his next project, B-Type: Space Builder.
Indie Dev Cranks Out Game Project in 30 Minutes - Because That's Just Saturday | HappyGamer
The article discusses the phenomenon of indie developers creating functional game projects in remarkably short timeframes, often showcased on platforms like Screenshot Saturday. It highlights the benefits of rapid prototyping for experimentation and iteration, while also acknowledging the potential downsides of hustle culture and the pressure to constantly produce content within the indie game development scene.
Side-Scrolling Action Game MELTMARE Announced by TOKOYO Developer //commentout
Indie developer TOKOYO has announced MELTMARE, a side-scrolling action-adventure game featuring a unique presentation style that blends Live2D and pixel art. The game is in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, with its in-game streaming element tied into gameplay mechanics.
Japanese Dev Creates Magic Action Game Wrispell in Just 5 Months | HappyGamer
Indie developer Hitox Game has announced their magic-themed side-scrolling action game, Wrispell, will launch on Steam on May 13th. The game was developed in an unusually short five-month period, from conception in September to near completion in January. This rapid development cycle highlights the increasing efficiency of indie game creation tools and methodologies.
Steam Game Allegedly Developed by Suspected Gunman at Trump White House Press Dinner Is Being Review-Bombed
A game allegedly developed by the suspect who attempted to storm the White House Correspondents' Dinner is reportedly being review-bombed on Steam. The individual reportedly identified himself as an indie game developer.
Moving Valheim away from being an MMO was "the best decision" the team made
Richard Svensson, CEO of Iron Gate Studio, stated that moving Valheim away from an MMO concept was the best design decision for the game. The studio focused on single-player and small group experiences, which allowed for a more manageable scope and unique gameplay for each biome. The article also highlights the book 'Indie Game Works' which features a chapter on Valheim's development.
Developers of Steam Next Fest's wildly popular robot wizard cowboy shooter say its cowboy robots are also wizards…
The co-op FPS Far Far West, a robot wizard cowboy shooter, achieved significant popularity during Steam Next Fest, becoming one of the top five most-played demos. Developer Evil Raptor, a small indie studio, expressed surprise at the overwhelming positive reception and is preparing for the game's early access launch on PC. The game's unique theme and mechanics were developed through a combination of market strategy and technical considerations.
Solo Dev Drops OMG! After Year-Long Indie Journey Into Steam’s Arena
Freddicus Game Studios has released OMG! - Overhead Micro Game on Steam after a year of solo development. The 2D pixel puzzle game, built using Unreal Engine 5 for cross-platform compatibility on PC, Mac, and Linux, has been extensively tested on the Steam Deck. The developer also highlighted the game's chiptune soundtrack, composed in FamiStudio.
Little Devil Inside: Last PS5 Reveal Game Still Missing After 6 Years
Little Devil Inside remains the only game from the June 2020 PlayStation 5 reveal showcase that has not yet been released, with its developer Neostream having last provided a substantial update two years ago. The game's development has faced significant challenges, including a shift to Unreal Engine 5 and a downsizing of the team, leading to a prolonged and mysterious delay. This situation highlights broader issues in indie game development timelines and raises questions about the game's eventual relevance upon release.
Screenshot Saturday Keeps Indie Developers in the Spotlight
Screenshot Saturday is a recurring social media event where indie game developers share progress on their projects, aiming to gain visibility in a crowded market. While it fosters community and offers a low-cost marketing avenue, its effectiveness in reaching new audiences beyond the existing developer circle is debated. The event highlights the ongoing challenges indie developers face in marketing their games against larger publishers.
Indie Developer Drops Free Card Game on Steam ‘Just for Fun’
Indie developer HAMBUƁGER has released a full card game on Steam for free, with no microtransactions or monetization. The developer stated the game was made purely for fun, featuring multiple classes, hundreds of cards, and multiple acts. This release highlights a passion project approach in contrast to typical industry monetization strategies.
