Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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Steam Week in Review: Steam Next Fest has over 8,000 demos, as worthless vibe coded slop levels up
Steam Next Fest features over 8,000 game demos, a significant increase from previous years, with many criticized as low-effort "vibe coded" creations. The article argues that AI tools, particularly Anthropic's Claude Opus, are enabling rapid cloning and decompilation, leading to a proliferation of unoriginal games and concerns about intellectual property theft, potentially harming independent developers.
Evil Empire "will always miss Dead Cells," but it's already working on its dream collab
Evil Empire's CEO Thomas Pfeiffer and Head of Business Ben Laulan reflect on their studio's origins supporting Dead Cells and discuss future projects. While they express nostalgia for Dead Cells, they are excited about their current work on The Rogue Prince of Persia, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, and a secret dream collaboration they are already developing.
If this is the best year for Star Wars games it's not for the reason you think - Reader’s Feature
A reader's feature argues that 2026 is shaping up to be a standout year for Star Wars games, not due to big-budget titles, but because of a diverse range of smaller experiences and community-driven content. Games like Star Wars: Galactic Racer and PowerWash Simulator 2's expansion, alongside ongoing support for Star Wars: The Old Republic and community mods for Star Wars: Battlefront II, contribute to a feeling of a lived-in galaxy.
No Publisher Wanted Outlast. 60 Million Players Later, The Horror Juggernaut Is Doing Just Fine.
Red Barrels' horror series Outlast, which began as a debut effort from a 10-person team with no publisher interest, has now attracted over 60 million players. The studio's founders, who left AAA studios, self-funded the first game and learned publishing on the fly, eventually finding success with the signature night-vision camera and unflinching gore. The latest entry, The Outlast Trials, has become their most successful game, embracing live-service elements while staying true to the series' core horror identity.
"Thank you, Hades" - Evil Empire on indie game discovery, how Steam early access has changed, and the rise of AI tools
Evil Empire's CEO Thomas Pfeiffer and Head of Business Ben Laulan discuss the studio's growth from supporting Dead Cells to developing Castlevania: Belmont's Curse and The Rogue Prince of Persia. They highlight the success of their Triple-i Initiative for indie game discovery and share insights on collaborations with larger publishers. The pair also express concerns about the impact of AI on the creative process and the meaning of game development.
Super Smash Bros and Kirby creator Masahiro Sakurai says original games will be harder for AI to rip off, but…
Masahiro Sakurai, creator of Kirby and Super Smash Bros, expressed concerns about generative AI in game development, particularly its ability to replicate established game mechanics. He believes AI-generated games pose a significant threat to original titles, especially in the crowded indie market, and advises players to support human-made games.
11 games and announcements that got us excited in the latest Galaxies Showcase
The latest Galaxies Showcase highlighted several upcoming games, including the musical mystery "There are no Ghosts at the Grand" from Friday Sundae, the post-apocalyptic driving game "AfterZero: The Last Drive" by 3DClouds, and the psychological horror "Deperson" by Error Thing. Other notable announcements included the space job simulator "Contact Protocol," the anomaly horror "Late Shift," the true crime-styled "When Sirens Fall Silent," and the console release of the realistic shooter "Squad."
Humble’s Cozy After Dark Showcase Bundle Is Perfect for Halloween, With 10 Spooky Indie Games for $12
Humble Bundle is offering a 'Cozy After Dark Showcase' featuring 10 indie games for $12, perfect for Halloween. The bundle includes titles like Fear the Spotlight and Paradise Killer, with a focus on spooky themes.
Evening Reading - October 15, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including the first playable demo for El Paso, Elsewhere 2, the launch trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6, and an announcement for Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave Expansion Pass. Arc System Works has established a new Tokyo studio, and Sega has apologized for and delisted Total War: Shogun 2. The Long Dark: Iron Road DLC is set for release, and Activision Quality Assurance workers are voting to authorize a strike. The article also touches on gaming-related topics like Star Wars, reviews for Tales of Eternia Remastered and Tenebris Somnia, and early access for Poly Fighter.
ISK: Månadens Tshirt bär snyggt Toem 2-tryck!
This news roundup covers a variety of gaming topics, including reviews for Castlevania: Belmont's Revenge, Valor Mortis, and Gears of War: E-Day. It also features news on Grand Theft Auto VI's trailer release, S&box going free-to-play, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake.
Double Fine har nu släppt galna Thank You Bus Driver
Double Fine has released a new, smaller game titled Thank You Bus Driver under their Double Fine Action Labs label. The game puts players in the role of a bus driver in a black-and-white cartoon world, tasking them with reaching stops quickly while managing unruly passengers and adapting to changing rules. Creative driving is encouraged, with positive reviews noting its smaller scope.
ISK: Podd-dags med Toem 2 & Lucas och Niklas - "Skönt att kunna avsluta en upplevelse!"
Lucas Gullbo and Niklas Mikkelsen from Something We Made discuss their recently released game, Toem 2. The developers share insights into their creative process, inspirations drawn from Nordic landscapes and Swedish children's media like Mumin and Jan Lööf, and their experiences at game festivals.
The Treasure Chest Trick Behind Vampire Survivors
Vampire Survivors' success, including its BAFTA win over Elden Ring and God of War Ragnarok, is partly attributed to its engaging chest drop mechanic, inspired by slot machine design. Creator Luca Galante, who previously worked on gambling software, meticulously crafted the sound and visual feedback for these moments, demonstrating how detailed polish in small interactions can significantly enhance player experience and drive genre innovation.
A new Dressmaker update adds more skirts and materials to 2026's coziest success story
The indie game Dressmaker, praised for its creative experience and positive user reviews, has received a new update adding more skirts, fabrics, and accessories. Developer Cozy Lives has also implemented significant quality-of-life improvements to controls, menus, and accessibility based on player feedback.
"I wanted to make the show I wanted to watch": how Galaxies found a place in the crowded showcase landscape
Galaxies Showcase, founded by Chris Thomas, has carved a niche in the crowded digital showcase landscape by offering a tightly curated, hour-long program of game trailers. The "tapas-style" approach aims to respect viewer time and has seen significant audience growth. The venture, bootstrapped by Thomas, leverages his industry connections to secure game placements and co-streamers, balancing paid slots with free exposure for indie developers.
Your Raw Fury Backlog on XBOX Is About to Get a Lot Bigger
Raw Fury is bringing a variety of new games to Xbox platforms, including Deep Dish Dungeon, Cassette Beasts 2002, The Seance of Blake Manor, and My Cannibal Family. Additionally, Kingdom Two Crowns: Pharaoh Lands and the Tower-Survivor rogue-lite Monsters Are Coming! are also highlighted. Many of these titles are available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Xbox Game Pass.
State of Indie 2026 Part 4: Going International
The final installment of State of Indie 2026 examines the growing international landscape for game development and discovery. It highlights the significant, albeit insular, Chinese market and the challenges of piracy, while also noting the potential in emerging regions like India. The article also discusses the crucial role of content creators and evolving discovery methods for indie games.
RimWorld devs are "working on something new" after 13 years of the space construction sim, but "it may be a little while" before we hear more
Ludeon Studios, the developer behind the 13-year-old space construction sim RimWorld, has announced they are working on a new game. While details are scarce and it may be some time before more information is revealed, the studio confirmed the new project is using the same engine technology as RimWorld. This marks Ludeon Studios' second full game release.
Resident Evil inspired, cannibal dungeon crawler Medium Rare has a delightful art style trick up its sleeve: stock photos
Medium Rare, a Resident Evil-inspired dungeon crawler RPG, features a unique art style created by running stock photos through Photoshop and dithering them. The game involves rescuing a wife from a cannibalistic meat factory, with mechanics like tile-based inventory and grid-based combat. The developers highlight the importance of unique artistic choices to stand out in the indie market.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Oct. 9: The Triple-I Initiative Showcase
This article rounds up various PC game deals available over the weekend, including discounts on Steam, Humble Store, and other digital storefronts. It highlights free games, bundle offers, and specific title sales, with a focus on titles featured in the recent Triple-I Initiative Showcase.
