Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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Indies and non-sequels have exploded in the last year, and it's not all friendslop
An analysis of industry trends reveals a significant surge in breakout indie games and non-sequels over the past year, with indie titles making up 43% of all breakout hits. While major AAA blockbusters have remained stable, the data suggests a strong performance for smaller, original titles, indicating a healthy and diverse market.
Katana Zero pulls a Hollow Knight: Silksong - the beloved action game's DLC is now "the size of a full…
Lead developer Justin Stander announced that the long-awaited DLC for the indie action game Katana Zero has ballooned in scope to become the size of a full sequel, including over 30 new songs. This mirrors the development trajectory of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which also started as DLC but grew significantly in size. While still considered DLC and not a standalone sequel, the project's scope has expanded multiple times since its initial announcement.
Abelina is a strange, platforming romp through a natural afterlife from a former League of Legends animator and the composer of Zach Cregger's Resident Evil
Abelina is a surreal platformer developed by Gabe Askew, a former League of Legends animator, and features a soundtrack by Ryan Holladay, composer for the recent Resident Evil movie. The game places players in the role of Vasily, who navigates a nature-filled afterlife, engaging in platforming challenges and uncovering truths with the guidance of a mysterious rabbit-cat. Abelina is slated for release in 2027 on PC.
The mouse P.I. for hire from Mouse: P.I. For Hire joins the meat boy from Super Meat Boy 3D in gaming's latest…
Super Meat Boy Forever and Mouse: P.I. For Hire are collaborating, with the titular mouse detective from Mouse: P.I. For Hire appearing as a playable character in Super Meat Boy Forever. This indie crossover is noted for its humorous incongruity and shared cartoony, gore-slick aesthetic.
Vi tar spelhelg med Next Fest, kolosser och androider
The editorial team is planning a diverse gaming weekend, with titles ranging from Shadow of the Colossus and Detroit: Become Human to indie horror Tenebris Somnia and retro PlayStation 1 games on the Analogue Pocket. Other plans include revisiting Kingdom Hearts, Call of Duty, and exploring demos from Steam Next Fest.
AI Slop Presents A Much Bigger Problem Than Just Flooding Steam Next Fest
The proliferation of AI-generated games, often referred to as 'AI slop,' is overwhelming Steam Next Fest and poses a significant threat to genuine indie developers. The ease with which AI can clone games discourages developers from releasing demos, fearing their work will be stolen and replicated before launch. This trend risks diminishing the value of demo events and potentially harming the broader indie game industry.
How Pantaloon is curating an "evolving library of bold and bizarre games" with its new subscription service
Pantaloon has launched the Playbill, a new subscription service offering an evolving library of bold and bizarre indie games, inspired by the Criterion Collection. Co-founder Jamin Smith aims to foster a curated community, differentiating it from larger services like Xbox Game Pass and Apple Arcade by maintaining a leaner selection. The service includes 14 launch titles, exclusive demos, and prototypes, with partner games rotating based on subscriber numbers.
Indies and original IP blew up in 2026
Research indicates a significant surge in indie games and original intellectual property (IP) success in 2026 compared to the previous year. Indie titles and new series comprised a larger portion of top-selling games, with some indie breakouts like Meccha Chameleon achieving massive sales figures. While AAA games maintained steady sales, the growth in the market is largely attributed to indie and AA studios experimenting with fresh ideas and franchises.
Här kommer samtliga trailers från ID@Xbox-showen
The ID@Xbox show, co-hosted by IGN, featured trailers for a variety of smaller indie games. The showcased titles spanned diverse genres, including a game about digging a hole, a paper shredding simulator, and a stealth game set in a post-apocalyptic city.
ID@Xbox Showcase October 2026: Everything Announced
The ID@Xbox Showcase, presented by IGN, featured announcements for several games including remasters of Shrek 2 and The Wolf Among Us, alongside new titles like Paper Shredder!, Croak, and A Game About Digging a Hole Together. The showcase highlighted a diverse range of upcoming indie titles for the Xbox platform.
‘AI slop fest’: PC gamers are annoyed with Steam Next Fest’s abundance of AI titles
PC gamers are expressing frustration with the prevalence of AI-generated titles during Steam Next Fest, labeling the event an 'AI slop fest.' This sentiment highlights concerns about the quality and authenticity of games developed using artificial intelligence.
ID@XBOX x IGN Showcase Recap: All the News and Announcements
The ID@XBOX x IGN Showcase revealed numerous indie titles coming to Xbox and PC, with many also heading to Game Pass. Highlights include the reveals of A Game About Digging a Hole Together, Magenta Down, and Chronoscript: The Endless End, alongside updates on games from Critical Reflex like Arctic Eggs, Mouthwashing, and No, I’m Not a Human. Several titles will also support Xbox Play Anywhere.
Three CRITICAL REFLEX Hits Are Coming to XBOX, And One Arrives Today
CRITICAL REFLEX is bringing three acclaimed indie titles to Xbox platforms, with two launching just in time for Halloween. Arctic Eggs is available now on Xbox Series X|S, while the psychological horror hit Mouthwashing arrives on October 29th, day one with Xbox Game Pass. The paranoia horror game No, I'm Not a Human is slated for a 2027 release on Xbox and Game Pass.
"It doesn’t have to always be triple-A": Galactic Racer and Zero Company’s success has Lucasfilms wanting more smaller-scale Star Wars games
Lucasfilm Games is looking to fund more smaller-scale Star Wars titles, following the success of games like Star Wars: Galactic Racer and Star Wars Zero Company. Vice president Douglas Reilly stated that good ideas can come from various places, not just major publishers, indicating a desire to explore more niche genres beyond blockbuster concepts.
Lucasfilm wants to do more Star Wars games like Zero Company and Galactic Racer: 'We’ve tried to be more flexible about who we’re willing to take pitches from'
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to Star Wars titles, seeking pitches from smaller studios for offbeat games like the tactics title Zero Company and arcade racer Galactic Racer. While large AAA games remain essential, Vice President Douglas Reilly stated the company is open to double-A experiences and prioritizing the fulfillment of player fantasies across various genres. This marks a shift from previous strategies, including the exclusive deal with Electronic Arts.
Star Wars Games Could Get More Interesting As Lucasfilm Looks Beyond The Big Studios
Lucasfilm Games is looking to partner with smaller, independent studios to create a wider variety of Star Wars titles beyond traditional AAA releases. VP Douglas Reilly stated that the strategy involves finding the best partners for specific experiences, not just major publishers, highlighting recent successes like Star Wars Zero Company and Star Wars Galactic Racer. This approach aims to explore diverse genres and fulfill various player fantasies within the Star Wars universe.
Roblox creator shares project with GTA 6 vibes that onlookers "can't believe" comes from Roblox:…
A Roblox developer's project, "Nightshift," is gaining attention for its high-fidelity graphics and gameplay that rivals AAA titles like Grand Theft Auto 6. The game, built entirely within Roblox, features stunning supercars, advanced lighting, and detailed textures, with a focus on mobile playability. Players have expressed disbelief at the quality achievable on the platform.
We've had two great Star Wars games this year, probably because Lucasfilm Games says it's now "more flexible" about who it takes pitches from
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to licensing Star Wars game development, moving away from exclusive deals with single publishers. This change allows independent studios like Fuse Games and Secret Mode to pitch ideas, leading to a more diverse range of games such as the recently released "Zero Company" and "Galactic Racer."
Zelda symphony, Street Fighter movie, Bluey’s Happy Snaps and more! Pure Nintendo Podcast E185
The Pure Nintendo Podcast E185 covers the latest Nintendo news, including a trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and discussions about orchestra events. The hosts also recap PAX Aus, discuss indie games like Tom the Postgirl, and highlight titles such as Metaphor: ReFantazio, Bluey's Happy Snaps, and Jackbox Party Pack.
New ‘more flexible’ Star Wars games to be released after Galactic Racer success
Lucasfilm Games is adopting a more flexible approach to partnerships, seeking out smaller studios for unique Star Wars titles alongside major AAA releases. Recent successes like Galactic Racer and Zero Company have validated this strategy, encouraging the company to explore diverse genres and pitches from a wider range of developers.
