Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
Latest coverage
Wholesome Games Celebration 2026
The Wholesome Games Celebration 2026 event is currently live on Steam. This third-party festival is sponsored by Wholesome Games and showcases a variety of titles on PC.
Tiny Teams Steam Fest
Steam is hosting a Tiny Teams Fest, an unofficial event sponsored by Yogscast that celebrates games developed by solo developers and small teams. The festival features a week-long sale on participating indie titles.
Iron Man to Ark 2: 15 announced games which have disappeared into the ether
This article highlights 15 announced video games that have seemingly disappeared into development hell, with no substantial news or release dates for years. Titles like Star Wars Eclipse, Little Devil Inside, and Beyond Good & Evil 2 are discussed as examples of games stuck in limbo, some technically not cancelled but facing significant development challenges or prolonged silence, raising concerns about their eventual release.
BioWare vets' new X Files-like mystery game could "not exist in the AAA space" that would rather "throw money at a problem" than experiment
Studio Reset, an indie developer comprised of BioWare veterans, is creating a supernatural mystery game called The Eventide. The developers believe that AAA studios are too risk-averse to create games with the unique "neon-noir" aesthetic and investigative gameplay that The Eventide offers. The game, built in Unreal Engine 5, focuses on creative freedom and mature narrative themes, distinguishing itself from the larger, more experimental-averse AAA space.
Getting Ill: Understanding the grossest horror game in development and how it takes more than a few cues from Valve's seminal shooter Half-Life 2
Ill is a highly anticipated horror game developed by Team Clout and published by Mundfish, noted for its extreme gore and detailed visuals. Director Maxim Verehin draws inspiration from Half-Life 2 for its physics-based combat and immersive storytelling, aiming to create a visceral and interactive experience. Despite its shocking content, the game also incorporates crafting and exploration elements, with a planned release for PC, Xbox Series, and PlayStation consoles around 2027.
10 amazing indies to get into in August 2026
This article highlights several indie games scheduled for release in August 2026, including Big Walk, Gunstoppable, Pigeon: A Love Story, Echobreaker, Cult of PiN, Ledgerbound, Pro Jank Footy, Servant of the Lake, Memoirium, and how to kill a fly [H2KAF]. The games span various genres and platforms such as PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5.
The Friendslop Genre Needs A New Name
The article argues that the term "friendslop" is reductive and inaccurate for games like Big Walk, which offer thoughtful, calming experiences rather than chaotic, low-effort gameplay. It suggests alternative names like "bro-ops" and discusses how the "friendslop" label can unfairly pigeonhole and misrepresent well-designed indie co-op titles.
Indie Selects for August 2026: Adventure is Calling This Summer
Microsoft's ID@Xbox team has highlighted six indie games available in August, including "Deer & Boy," "Hell Clock," "D-topia," "Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit," "Backrooms: Escape Together," and "Moss: The Forgotten Relic." These titles span various genres from narrative adventures and roguelites to puzzle games and co-op horror, offering diverse experiences for players on Xbox platforms.
Phasmophobia developer's indie label Kinetic Publishing to reveal debut slate at showcase later this month
Kinetic Publishing, the indie label founded by Phasmophobia developer Kinetic Games, will reveal its debut slate of games at a showcase on August 12. The event will feature narration by Ben Starr and will confirm release windows and platform details for titles planned for 2027 and 2028. Founded by Daniel Knight, the label aims to support two to three indie projects annually with funding ranging from hundreds of thousands to £1 million.
Silver Lining Interactive launches first title from its development label Silver Bullet
Silver Lining Interactive has launched its first game, Mr Trippy, from its internal IP development label, Silver Bullet. Mr Trippy is described as a darkly comedic management simulator. Silver Bullet, initially an indie incubator, has evolved into a full-fledged IP development label dedicated to creating original and unconventional gaming experiences.
Evening Reading - August 4, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various gaming news, including earnings reports from companies like Snapchat, SpaceX, and AMD. It also touches on updates for games such as Dead by Daylight, Marvel Rivals, and Destiny, alongside mentions of indie titles like Ugoku Sushi Bar and the Fire Emblem franchise. The article also highlights industry figures and business developments.
'I was this close': Teenage dev's $200 joke game made nearly $1.4 million on Steam before the refunds…
An 18-year-old developer, Michael Major, made nearly $1.4 million on Steam with his joke game, 'This Game Costs 200 Dollars.' However, most sales were immediately refunded, particularly from China, leaving Major with a net profit of just over $2,000. The game, described as a low-effort RPG, was intentionally priced high as a commentary on Steam's pricing policies.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 208 - Ugoku Sushi Bar
Shacknews is previewing Ugoku Sushi Bar, a simulation game from Rogue Duck Interactive where players manage a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in a small town. The game, released on July 29 and available on Steam, involves gathering ingredients, customizing the restaurant, learning recipes, and serving customers. The preview was streamed live on Shacknews's various platforms.
After earning $1 million on Steam from a game that took 4 months to make, stunned devs end up in Valve's coveted…
The indie game Sir, We Have an Orc Problem, developed by Mumpitz Games, has achieved over $1 million in gross revenue on Steam within its first week. The physics-based tower defense game, which took four months to develop, has sold over 128,000 copies and maintained a positive review score of 86%.
Sick of rage quitters? This indie dev has created a very funny answer to those inclined to tilt (and turn)
Indie developer Khao Mortadios of Astroboard Games is developing Generic Fighter Maybe, an upcoming title that humorously addresses the issue of rage quitting. Instead of a standard disconnect, losing players in this game will have their characters comically leap through a window. This approach offers a lighthearted alternative to the often punitive or gory rage quit consequences seen in other games like Mortal Kombat.
'Wait for me, my Czech friend': Japanese dev adds Czech localization just for the one Steam user who…
Solo developer Eba Game is adding Czech localization to his upcoming Steam game, Ball Boy Simulator, specifically for a single user from the Czech Republic who wishlisted the game. This gesture is inspired by the international goodwill shown between Japan and the Czech Republic during the World Baseball Classic. Ball Boy Simulator is described as a psychological horror game depicting the negative experiences within high school baseball clubs, with the developer also noting the use of AI-generated content in its development.
Indie game bundle saving buyers over $1,000 in support of laid off developers has raised over $100,000 in three days
An indie game bundle on itch.io, created to support developers affected by recent layoffs, has raised over $100,000 in three days. The bundle offers 127 games valued at over $1,000 for a minimum price of $10, with proceeds going to the CWA's Game Industry hardship fund for North American developers.
Viral Steam Game Made $1.3 Million But Creator Only Got $2,000 After Mass Refunds
An 18-year-old developer named Michael Major generated $1.38 million in gross revenue for his joke game 'This Game Costs $200' on Steam. However, due to an overwhelming 99.9% refund rate, Major only received approximately $2,000. The game, which was priced at the maximum allowed on Steam, saw most of its sales originate from China, leading the developer to speculate about potential money laundering.
etc.
A Japanese developer has created an "apology game" where players can spank their character's butt as a form of atonement. The article also mentions a free game related to The Lord of the Rings with a long history that can run on basic hardware.
FZ Play spelar Sulfur med Indiespelklubben
The Indiespelklubben (ISK) is featuring the indie game Sulfur in its August stream schedule. Host Wakkaah will play the game, and Anton Albiin from developer Perfect Random will join to discuss its creation. The stream will be available on YouTube and Twitch.