Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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Slime Jumper Launches On Xbox And PC – Just Jump
Slime Jumper, a minimalist precision platformer developed and published by Harold Villacorte, has launched on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game features a jump-only control system, emphasizing precise timing and obstacle navigation over combat or complex mechanics. It is available for £8.39 and supports Play Anywhere functionality.
Drecom establishes indie game studio Drecom Creators Studio
Drecom has announced the establishment of Drecom Creators Studio, a new indie game studio. This initiative aims to foster the development of independent game titles.
How Mixtape became the biggest video game controversy of 2026
The indie game Mixtape has become the subject of a significant online controversy, with accusations of bribery and a general backlash against its narrative-focused, low-interactivity design. This backlash echoes past industry issues like Gamergate, highlighting ongoing tensions regarding diverse game design and representation in the industry.
Night Street Games cuts jobs after Last Flag fails to "achieve the financial success we anticipated"
Night Street Games has conducted layoffs due to the underperformance of its recently released game, Last Flag. Executive producer Jonathan Jelinek confirmed the reduction in team size, stating the game did not meet anticipated financial success. Despite the layoffs, the studio intends to continue supporting Last Flag with upcoming patches and new content.
"The old school publishing model is dead" – Silver Lining Interactive joins the new wave of pick and mix publishers
Silver Lining Interactive founder Luke Keighran believes the traditional game publishing model is obsolete, advocating for a 'pick and mix' approach where developers choose specific services. The company, formed from the assets of the defunct Merge Games, focuses on supporting indie developers and championing original voices through initiatives like Silver Bullet. Keighran also highlights the continued profitability of physical game releases and the importance of finding niche markets.
Kassle Games LLC Announces the Launch of Gravity’s Edge, a Physics-Driven Sci-Fi Adventure from Developer Kamau Vassall
Kassle Games LLC has launched Gravity's Edge, a 2D physics-driven sci-fi adventure game created by Kamau Vassall, now available on PC via Steam. The game blends space exploration, puzzle-solving, and Caribbean-inspired storytelling with unique gameplay mechanics. A free demo is also available.
ROCKBEASTS – an ambitious RPG about managing a rock band – has been nominated at the Tribeca Festival
The rock 'n' roll management RPG ROCKBEASTS has been nominated for an award at the Tribeca Festival. Developed by independent studio LICHTHUND, the game features striking visuals, an original soundtrack, and a unique blend of gameplay and narrative. ROCKBEASTS is scheduled for release in 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Haunted Chocolatier is "way bigger than Stardew Valley," says ConcernedApe: "Everything is cranked…
Eric Barone, the creator behind Stardew Valley, stated that his new game, Haunted Chocolatier, will be significantly larger than its predecessor in terms of maps, monsters, and item systems. Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, is currently "knee deep" in development and acknowledges the increased pressure and business demands compared to his previous work. Despite the long development time and early announcement, he assures that Haunted Chocolatier will not be abandoned.
Haunted Chocolatier Won't Just Be Bigger Than Stardew Valley, It'll Also Be Creepier
Eric Barone, the creator of Stardew Valley, stated that his upcoming game, Haunted Chocolatier, will be larger in scope and feature a darker, more unsettling atmosphere than its predecessor. While not a horror game, it will incorporate creepy elements related to its haunted theme. Development is ongoing with no release date announced.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 201 - Goblin Vyke: The Thief Tycoon
This week's Indie-licious episode features Goblin Vyke: The Thief Tycoon, an indie game that combines stealth thieving with shop simulation elements. The game encourages players to embrace a greedy, goblin-like playstyle.
Games Inbox: What Sega game deserves a remake the most?
Readers discuss which Sega franchises deserve a remake, with concerns about the company's neglect of its classic IPs and the challenges of remaking Saturn-era 3D games. Other topics include potential Star Fox game ideas, worries about Rocksteady's future, a bafflingly long Forza Horizon ban, Katsuhiro Harada's new studio, and the debate around using game guides and the definition of 'indie' games.
One of the best rated games on Steam this week is an action platformer where you can parry a giant industrial digger…
The action platformer Motorslice, developed by Top Hat Studios, has received a very positive reception on Steam since its release last week, earning a 'Very Positive' rating with over 2,200 reviews. The game features parrying giant industrial machinery with a chainsaw and has already received a patch to address initial bugs.
ConcernedApe spends 5 days a week on Haunted Chocolatier and 2 on Stardew Valley, says the new game is "a lot…
Developer Eric Barone, also known as ConcernedApe, is dedicating five days a week to 'Haunted Chocolatier' and two days to 'Stardew Valley'. He notes that developing the new game is more challenging due to the success and scrutiny following 'Stardew Valley', which has added significant overhead to his development process.
Sony: PS Plus Gets 'Four to Six' Day One Games Per Year - And the Focus Is on Indies
Sony's Chris Svensson stated that PlayStation Plus will feature between four to six day-one game releases annually, primarily focusing on indie titles. This strategy differs from competitors like Xbox Game Pass, which offers more day-one releases. Sony curates its PS Plus offerings, emphasizing exposure for developers.
Ashley Nichols (Digital Circus, Far-Fetched) voices new hero in Gold Gold Adventure Gold
Voice actor Ashley Nichols will lend her voice to the Beast Archer character in Gold Gold Adventure Gold, which is set to launch its full 1.0 release on May 15th. The game, developed by CanCanCanAMan, entered Early Access in July 2025 after being revealed at the 2024 PC Gamer Showcase. Nichols is also known for her work on Digital Circus and Far-Fetched.
Mixtape is at the center of another tedious culture war discourse, and I think I know why
The game Mixtape has become a focal point for online discourse and culture war debates, despite receiving widespread critical acclaim. The author argues that the game's focus on nostalgia and its publisher's ties to tech billionaire Larry Ellison have fueled these discussions, rather than any perceived insincerity in reviews or developer intent. The article suggests that the varied reception of Mixtape is a natural consequence of its nostalgic themes, which can resonate differently with players based on their own experiences.
INDIKA Developer Raises $5M from GEM Capital and Autotelic Ventures to Fund Its Next Game
Independent game studio Odd Meter, known for its narrative adventure game INDIKA, has secured $5 million in funding from GEM Capital and Autotelic Ventures. This investment will support the development of the studio's next unannounced project, allowing them to expand their team and scale production while maintaining creative independence.
Podd-dags – Core Keeper-regissören om jättesuccén
Fredrik Präntare, game director at Pugstorm, discusses the massive success of their indie game Core Keeper, which has sold over 4 million copies. The interview covers the game's origins, the challenges of success, and what's next for the studio. Core Keeper is described as the second game from Indiespelklubben.
PS Store Drops Free Intense PS5 Game Out of Nowhere
The PlayStation Store has released a free PlayStation 5 game titled 'Schizophrenia', developed by TheCourget. This short, linear psychological horror experience features a dark narrative and is available without a PlayStation Plus subscription. The game also offers quick trophy opportunities for players.
Xbox weighs into Mixtape controversy in comment over ‘bad’ video games
Xbox commented on the controversy surrounding the indie game Mixtape, stating that a game not being personally enjoyable does not make it a bad game. The statement came after toxic discussions online about Mixtape, which is available on Game Pass. Despite some negative user reviews and attempts at review bombing, the game has received positive feedback on platforms like Metacritic and Steam.
