Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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Make Songs From 8-Second Cards: LASSEN’S LOOP Launches Free Demo at Steam Next Fest Ahead of July 1 Release
TNB Games has announced that Lassen's Loop, a music-making game, will have a free demo available during Steam Next Fest from June 15-22. The full game, which allows players to create songs using 8-second clip cards composed by real musicians, is set to launch on July 1, 2026, for PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. The game is a tribute to the late composer Justin Lassen.
Evening Reading - June 16, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers various internet happenings, including a review of UFC 6 and mentions of indie games like Tanuki: Pon's Summer and Mina the Hollower. It also touches on AI developments such as the Pokemon TCG AI Battle Challenge and SpaceX's acquisition of Cursor AI.
TooManyGames Announces Nominees for the 2026 Indie Game Showcase Awards
TooManyGames has announced the nominees for its 2026 Indie Game Showcase Awards, featuring 150 juried indie games across 15 categories. The awards ceremony will be hosted by Celia Schilling and will include presenters like John Riggs, Failboat, and Scott The Woz. The event will be streamed live on Steam and YouTube on Friday, June 26, 2026.
ShackStream: Indie-licious Episode 205 - Tanuki: Pon's Summer Steam Next Fest Demo
This article previews the demo for Tanuki: Pon's Summer, an indie game available during Steam Next Fest. Players control Pon, a tanuki who takes a job as a postal worker to fund the restoration of his shrine. The demo allows players to experience BMXing around town and the countryside to help NPCs.
Engagement Ring
The indie game 'Engagement Ring,' developed by a single person in two months, has achieved significant commercial success, earning $10 million within days of its release on PC. This rapid financial achievement highlights the potential for independent game development.
Bebolicious vinner PaperKlays-speedrun
Bebolicious has won the PaperKlay speedrun, completing the game's first world in 6 minutes and 11 seconds. The article also touches on other gaming news including a potential Witcher game, updates for Assassin's Creed Shadows, and rumors about Ninja Theory's future.
Pixel Arcadia - A Brand New Digital Showcase Dedicated Exclusively to Retro Gaming to Debut Summer 2026
Pixel Helix has announced Pixel Arcadia, a new digital showcase dedicated to retro gaming, set to debut on August 24, 2026. The event will highlight independent retro projects, classic game preservation, and new announcements, positioning itself before gamescom 2026. Al Hibberd, CEO of Pixel Helix, stated the showcase aims to provide editorial value and connect developers with their audience.
‘Thumps & Blows’ is a Wild Fighting Game About Wacky Stick Men
Thumps & Blows is a quirky fighting game featuring stick figures using unconventional weapons like towels and sunscreen. The game draws inspiration from classic flash-era stick man games and offers a wacky combat experience with unique character moves. While a story involving a mayor and the Stick City Council is mentioned, the demo focused on the one-on-one combat. The game is currently in development with a demo available on Steam.
Game and Mod Development
A Sonic lead suggests that major AAA studios could learn from independent developers, drawing a parallel to how the film industry might benefit from observing trends seen in projects like 'Backrooms' and 'Obsession'.
Sonic Team boss says AAA studios can learn a lot from indies
SEGA has announced Sonic Pico Park, a new indie-style Sonic game developed by Tecopark, inspired by their game Pico Park. Sonic Team boss Takashi Iizuka stated that AAA studios can learn valuable lessons from independent developers, particularly regarding the challenges of large budgets in game development.
"Like Prop Hunt, but chameleons": Viral new hide-and-seek game celebrates 2 million Steam sales after just 5 days as fans dub it the next "friendslop" banger
The indie hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon has achieved over two million sales on Steam within five days of its release. Developed and published by lemorion_1224, the game has garnered a 'Very Positive' rating and is being praised for its unique take on the genre, drawing comparisons to Prop Hunt.
Sonic producer says AAA studios need to learn from indie developers
Sonic the Hedgehog producer Takashi Iizuka believes AAA studios can learn from the agility and creativity of indie developers. He notes that the high cost and long development times for major titles force publishers like Sega to focus on massive sales, contrasting with the faster iteration cycles of smaller studios. Iizuka suggests that the industry is seeing a shift where unique experiences, regardless of budget, are increasingly embraced by players.
Space Tail: Definitive Edition Steam Next Fest Demo Available Now
A playable demo for Space Tail: Definitive Edition is now available on Steam as part of the Next Fest event. This upgraded version of the 2022 puzzle-platformer includes previously released DLC and improved narrative flow, developed by Enjoy Studio and supported by Bohemia Interactive's Incubator program.
Steam Next Fest Demos That Might Hook You! - June 2026
This article highlights several indie game demos available during the Steam Next Fest, featuring a variety of genres including Roguelike Deckbuilder, Psychological Thriller, Puzzle Adventure, and more. It provides release windows and brief descriptions for each game, encouraging players to try the demos and support independent developers.
Sonic lead says AAA developers have much to learn from indie studios
Takashi Iizuka, producer for Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, believes that AAA developers can learn valuable lessons from the operational and economic models of indie studios. He highlighted how indie developers can quickly iterate on ideas and bring them to market, contrasting this with the significant time and financial investment required for large-scale AAA titles. Iizuka also drew parallels between the games industry and the film industry, noting how smaller creative projects can achieve significant success.
How Long Can You Last In Jungle Shoot?
Jungle Shoot, a fast-paced action platformer developed by Well Andrade and published by Well Game Studio, is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC for £4.19. The game challenges players to survive increasingly chaotic encounters in a dangerous forest, emphasizing quick movement, accurate jumps, and strategic upgrades. A bundle including Alex the Rabbit is also available for £20.99.
Budget Renovation Simulator Demo is coming today! 🔨
The free playable demo for Budget Renovation Simulator is now available as part of Steam Next Fest. Players can experience the core renovation and management mechanics of transforming neglected properties into profitable investments. The demo will be available until June 22, and the game can be wishlisted on Steam.
Hide-and-seek game where you paint your body to blend in sells a million copies in four days
The hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon, where players paint their bodies to blend into surroundings, has sold one million copies in just four days. The game, available on Steam for under $5, has gained popularity through streamers and YouTubers, and supports public matches and streaming features.
Sonic lead says AAA studios can learn from indies in the same way the movie industry should take notes from Backrooms…
Takashi Iizuka, producer for Sonic the Hedgehog, believes that major AAA studios can learn valuable lessons from indie developers, drawing a parallel to how the film industry could benefit from studying the success of smaller, independent productions. He highlights the speed and agility of indie development as a key area where larger companies could improve, citing the upcoming Sonic Pico Park as an example of AAA collaboration with indie teams.
NBA streetball, crafting with renewable energy and other new indie games worth checking out
This article highlights several new indie games, including one with NBA streetball elements and another that incorporates crafting with renewable energy. It also mentions upcoming titles from the developers of Mouthwashing and a game where players control a sentient guitar.