Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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The Phasmophobia Team Has Five Very Different New Games On The Way
Kinetic Publishing, the publishing arm of the Phasmophobia team, has announced five new indie games set for release between 2027 and 2028. The diverse lineup includes Contact Protocol, Crescent County, Shellbound, Aether Wizard Life, and PRECOGNITION, all slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with specific release windows varying by title.
Despite releasing one of the best reviewed games of the year, Big Walk devs don't know what's next for the friendslop banger or the studio: "We need a good rest"
Developer House House, known for Untitled Goose Game, has released their new title Big Walk to critical acclaim. However, the studio is unsure about the future of the game and the studio itself, stating they need a significant rest before planning any new content or projects. They encourage players to create their own games and interactions within Big Walk's 'unrestricted' design.
Kinetic Publishing Showcase Recap: Every Reveal, Including the New Sam Barlow Game
Kinetic Publishing revealed five upcoming indie games at its first showcase, including Contact Protocol, Crescent County, Shellbound, Aether Wizard Life, and PRECOGNITION, the latest from Sam Barlow. The showcase also highlighted five development teams, with games slated for release between 2027 and 2028, primarily for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
How Planet of Lana became a hit through dogged determination after being rejected "hundreds" of times
Wishfully Studios' debut platformer, Planet of Lana, achieved success after hundreds of rejections by persevering through a naive development process. The team, with backgrounds in film, faced initial publisher skepticism due to an inadequate demo and unrealistic plans, but secured a deal with Xbox after a year of developing a vertical slice. This led to a partnership with Thunderful and a successful 2023 launch, with plans for a sequel and a Hollywood movie adaptation.
This week's most compelling new Steam game is Horse Magnifier, which is about magnifying horses
Horse Magnifier: The Full Horse, a puzzle game about magnifying horses, has launched on Steam to a "very positive" reception with over 250 reviews. Originally an Itch.io title, the premium Steam version features over 50 levels and Steam Workshop support, allowing for potentially endless gameplay.
Three indie horror publishers faced sexual harassment claims – what comes next?
Three indie horror publishers, Critical Reflex, Dread XP, and Black Lantern Collective, are facing scrutiny following sexual harassment allegations made by former employees and developers. Former Critical Reflex community manager Evelina Zemljic accused CEO Rita Lebedeva and Ted Hentschke, now a co-founder of Black Lantern Collective and formerly of Dread XP, of mistreatment and harassment. While Hentschke and Critical Reflex deny the bulk of the allegations, both companies state they have implemented significant changes to their workplace policies and culture in response to the complaints.
Former Ubisoft Barcelona devs launch Dark Ritual Studios
Former employees of Ubisoft Barcelona have launched a new independent studio called Dark Ritual Studios, aiming to create immersive indie games. The studio is led by Myles Kerwin, former expert level designer at Ubisoft, and has secured funding for its first title, Puzzle Mage, slated for release in 2027. This move follows proposed layoffs and restructuring at Ubisoft Barcelona.
"Just pirate it": Roguelike dev would rather you download its games illegally than buy from Steam code…
Indie developer Dicehit Games, creator of the roguelike Runeveil, has publicly stated they would rather players pirate their games than purchase them through unofficial key reseller websites. The studio explained that these sites often sell game keys that were initially provided for free to content creators, thus abusing developer goodwill and failing to generate revenue or content coverage.
Thief designer says that the immersive sim audience is too small for AAA games: 'There's quite a few of us who…
Designer Randy Smith Evergreen, known for his work on Thief and System Shock 2, argues that the immersive sim genre is too small for AAA development. He believes that the increasing budgets and scope required for AAA games are misaligned with the niche audience for immersive sims, leading to commercial disappointments like Arkane's Dishonored 2 and Prey. Evergreen suggests that a more viable path for immersive sims is through smaller, AA or indie budgets, citing the original Thief's modest budget as a successful model.
Knytt, one of 2006's most charming indie platformers, has a surprise Steam re-release - and it’s still free
The charming 2006 freeware platformer Knytt has received a surprise re-release on Steam as Knytt Classic. Developed by Bit Kid, Inc. with the original creator Nifflas' blessing, this version offers a pixel-perfect port with added controller support, optional time tracking, and new difficulty modes, including one by Baba Is You developer Arvi Teikari. Knytt Classic is available for free on PC and is compatible with handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
Highest rated game of 2026 sells 1,000,000 copies in six days
The co-op puzzle game Big Walk, developed by House House, has achieved over one million copies sold in just six days. The game, which received a 9/10 review and is currently the highest-rated game on Metacritic, is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5, with a significant portion of sales likely coming from PC and Switch platforms.
Big Walk has sold 1 million copies, making it a bigger hit than Untitled Goose Game
Big Walk has sold 1 million copies in its first week, significantly outpacing the sales milestone of House House's previous hit, Untitled Goose Game. Despite being a PlayStation Plus monthly free game for many, Big Walk has also seen success on PC and Nintendo Switch, with its co-op focus being highlighted as a key factor in its popularity.
Games Inbox: Is No Man’s Sky worth playing 10 years on?
This article discusses the 10th anniversary of No Man's Sky, praising Hello Games for its redemption and the new Cosmos update. It also touches on speculation about Grand Theft Auto 6's online mode, recommendations for indie games like Big Walk, and theories surrounding Silent Hill 2. Additionally, it includes commentary on industry practices, developer criticism of publishers, and anticipation for upcoming titles like A Plague Tale and The Legend of Zelda.
Chill shop sim about repairing off-brand PS1s makes its budget back "within 12 hours" and earns $3 million…
The indie game ReStory, a shop simulator about repairing off-brand electronics, has achieved significant commercial success shortly after its August 6 launch. Publisher tinyBuild announced that the game recouped its budget within 12 hours and has since grossed over $3 million in sales. The game has also received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Steam, with players praising its nostalgic premise and gameplay.
Indie Games Are Breaking Out–But It’s Still Tough Out There
Several indie games like Big Walk, Ball X Pit, and Mewgenics have achieved significant sales milestones, with Big Walk surpassing one million units and Ball X Pit reaching two million. Despite these successes, the article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by many independent developers who struggle for recognition and financial stability in a crowded market.
Former Ubisoft Barcelona workers launch Dark Ritual Studios, an indie developer focused on "craftsmanship over scale"
Former Ubisoft Barcelona employees have launched Dark Ritual Studios, an independent game development company focused on "craftsmanship over scale." Led by Myles Kerwin, the studio aims for agility and creative ownership, contrasting with large AAA productions. Their first game, the dark fantasy puzzle title Puzzle Mage, is set for a 2027 PC release and has already garnered over 1,000 Steam wishlists.
Don’t Miss Out On Grabbing This 97%-Rated Cozy Indie Game For Its Lowest Price Yet
The cozy indie simulation game ReStory: Chill Electronics Repair is currently available at its lowest price of $15.99, a 20% discount. The game, which has a 97% positive rating on Steam, tasks players with repairing electronics in a mid-2000s setting. It offers a satisfying challenge with a relaxing atmosphere and detailed recreations of retro devices.
Peak gets its final major update and a "new secret for you to discover" next week
Aggro Crab announced that its co-op climbing game, Peak, will receive its final major update on August 11th. This update will introduce new biomes, cycle out existing ones, and add a secret for players to discover. The game is available on PC via Steam and has been a success for publisher Landfall, leading to the creation of clones that the developers prefer players pirate over playing microtransaction-riddled versions.
Big Walk, retro electronic repairs and other new indie games worth checking out
This article highlights upcoming indie games including Big Walk, ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, and Pigeon: A Love Story. It suggests these titles are worth checking out for fans of independent game development.
These devs have been building the perfect platformer for 22 years, and the Steam apocalypse won't stop them now: "Video games have always been about a small team of sickos doing something"
Metanet Software, led by Mare Sheppard and Raigan Burns, is releasing N Plus Infinity Times Two, a new multiplayer-focused platformer, after 22 years of developing the N series. The developers discuss the challenges and evolution of the indie game scene, including the impact of digital distribution and the 'indiepocalypse,' while highlighting the enduring appeal of small teams creating unique experiences. They also touch upon the importance of government funding in Canada for supporting indie development.
