Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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DreamHack 2026 – Indie Playground Highlights
DreamHack 2026 in the UK featured an "Indie Playground" showcasing numerous independently developed games. Highlights included "The Drifting Crown" by Sponge Hammer Games, a roguelike action-adventure; "Character Limit," a fast-paced word game from Hotel Outlaw; and "Chronicles Reborn," an open-world survival adventure by Brightwyn Games. Other featured titles were D’Avekki Studios' full-motion video murder mystery "The Infectious Madness of Doctor Dekker 2," Galatico Studios' retro shooter "Galatico," and "Everything is Crab," an animal evolution roguelite published by Secret Mode.
ICYMI: Next Triple-i Initiative Showcase Promises Reveals For Castlevania: Belmont's Curse & More
Evil Empire's third annual Triple-i Initiative Showcase will feature 45 minutes of game trailers, including eight world premieres. The event, scheduled for April 9th, will highlight titles such as Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, Risk of Rain 2, and new games from the developers of 1000xRESIST and Buckshot Roulette. The showcase will be available to watch on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.
Peak co-dev turned indie investor says "too many developers develop their game secretly for several years," and it's putting its friendslop fortune into helping devs find a better way
Evil Landfall CEO Kirsten-Lee Naidoo advocates for shorter game development cycles, criticizing the trend of developers working in secret for years. The company, an investment arm of Peak co-dev Landfall, aims to fund and advise studios making smaller, focused games with clear fun factors, citing their own success with the 'friendslop' genre and the risks associated with long development times.
Peak co-developer Landfall might finance your next indie game
Landfall, the developer behind games like Content Warning and Peak, has launched a new publishing offshoot called Evil Landfall to finance external indie projects. Led by CEO Kirsten-Lee Naidoo, the label aims to provide project-based investment and advice, potentially investing up to $1 million in a few games per year. Evil Landfall has already quietly invested in titles such as REPO, How To Fish, and Voidigo.
Finding inspiration and a bit of hope in CorgiSpace
Finji's Adam Saltsman presented his 'CorgiSpace' manifesto at GDC, advocating for making small, joyful games with short development cycles. The philosophy emphasizes separating core ideas from rigid formulas and working with the natural flow of tools to create experiences that are 'easy, but not obvious.' This approach has proven rejuvenating for developers, offering a sustainable way to create meaningful work amidst industry challenges.
Evil Landfall is the latest publishing label from an indie developer
Landfall has launched a new publishing label called Evil Landfall, headed by former head of publishing Kirsten-Lee Naidoo. This new entity will provide funding and publishing services for external indie developers, in addition to Landfall's own titles. Evil Landfall aims to support games with shorter development cycles and a focus on cooperative, physics-based gameplay, drawing inspiration from Landfall's successful titles like Peak and Content Warning.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 196 - Last Man Sitting
This week's Indie-licious episode features the game Last Man Sitting, where players fight back from their chairs. The stream highlights various indie titles with a focus on unique gameplay mechanics.
Last Shift Brings Cozy Night Shift Vibes (With a Terrifying Twist) to Steam
The indie horror game Last Shift has launched on Steam, developed by Homem Segredo. The game tasks players with managing a gas station during the night shift while uncovering secrets and dealing with 10 unique creatures. It features multiple endings and emphasizes player choice, aiming to evoke nostalgia for classic survival games.
More Game Releases
The indie game Deep Sea Claustrophobia has become available for free. The article includes a postmortem analysis of the game's development and release.
Deep Sea Claustrophobia goes free (postmortem?) news
The Early Access game Deep Sea Claustrophobia has been made completely free to download. The developer also shared a postmortem, explaining that development ceased in June due to a lack of publisher support and zero revenue. The game will no longer be available on Steam, and the demo has been removed.
How to Watch Triple-i Initiative Showcase on April 9 | Console Creatures
Evil Empire's third annual Triple-i Initiative Showcase will take place on April 9th, featuring 40 indie games over 45 minutes. The presentation will include deep dives into titles like Risk of Rain 2 and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, alongside new announcements from developers of 1000xRESIST and Buckshot Roulette. The showcase will be streamed in 4K/60FPS on platforms including YouTube, Twitch, and Steam.
Indie Dev’s Heartfelt Steam Launch Shows Why Small Studios Need Our Support
This article highlights the importance of supporting indie game developers through user reviews on platforms like Steam. It emphasizes the direct communication from small studios and how their success relies heavily on community engagement and honest feedback, contrasting it with the marketing strategies of larger corporations. The piece argues that supporting indie developers is crucial for the continued creativity and diversity of the gaming industry.
How To Watch The Third Triple-i Initiative Showcase On Thursday, April 9
Evil Empire will host the third annual Triple-i Initiative Showcase on April 9, featuring 45 minutes of game announcements and world premieres. The event will include updates on titles like Risk of Rain 2 and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, alongside new reveals from various indie developers. A post-show segment will offer deeper dives and interviews with participating studios.
Solo Dev’s Mega Bunny Blast 3D Hops onto Steam with Quirky Charm
Mega Bunny Blast 3D, a new indie game developed by solo developer FortressSoft, has launched on Steam. The game features a collection of bunny-themed mini-games, including Bunny Gliding and Bunny Boxing, with online multiplayer support for up to four players. The developer's honest marketing and a cosmetic gacha system for bunny hats are highlighted as unique aspects of the release.
The Dragon and the Sword Publishers Make Bold Play for Steam Reviews
Indie publishers Shiravune and Co-FUN Games have adopted a direct strategy for their Steam launch of The Dragon and the Sword, explicitly asking players for positive reviews on launch day. This bold move aims to gain visibility in Steam's crowded marketplace, highlighting the challenges and evolving marketing tactics within the indie game sector.
GameSpain Direct Returns with Its Second Edition: The Spring Edition Showcases 25 Spanish Indie Gems
The Spanish Videogame Developers Association (DEV) will host the second edition of GameSpain Direct, the Spring Edition, on April 15th. The event will showcase over 25 Spanish indie games across various genres, including horror, FPS, and retro platformers, on the ClemmyGames YouTube channel. DEV also announced that submissions for a future summer showcase are now open.
Indie Horror Game ‘Idols of Ash’ Has You Grappling Down a Dark Abyss
Idols of Ash is an indie horror game that has gained attention for its premise of descending into a dark abyss with only a grappling hook while being hunted by a giant centipede. The game focuses on minimalist mechanics and player-driven fear, drawing comparisons to Dante's Inferno and Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. Its success could inspire a trend of similar single-mechanic horror experiences.
The rise, fall, and resurgence of Australian game development
The Australian game development industry has experienced a significant resurgence, transitioning from major studio closures after the 2008 financial crisis to a thriving indie scene supported by government tax incentives and funding. Despite challenges like a smaller talent pool, government initiatives like the Digital Games Tax Offset have made Australia an attractive investment destination, fostering growth for both indie and larger studios.
After making 2 of the best indie games of all time, Lucas Pope won't even talk about his third because "it's getting slurped up by AI or people are gonna copy it"
Indie developer Lucas Pope, known for Return of the Obra Dinn and Papers, Please, is hesitant to discuss his upcoming project due to concerns about AI data scraping and idea theft. He also expresses self-doubt about replicating the success of his previous acclaimed titles.
New Cozy Game Hidden Around the World Drops on Steam Today
Ogre Pixel has released their new cozy hidden object game, Hidden around the World, on Steam today. The game encourages players to explore cities and find hidden items, offering a relaxing experience. The developers have emphasized genuine community communication and are offering a 15% launch discount.
