Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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A REVOLUTIONARY MODEL IN THE GAMING WORLD, JOYGAME SELECT STEAM PUBLISHING OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED
Joygame and Gaming in Türkiye have launched Joygame Select, a new co-publishing initiative focused on Steam. This model prioritizes developers by giving them the first $50,000 in gross revenue. Backed by Netmarble Korea, Joygame Select offers publishing, marketing, and growth support for independent studios and PC game developers across various global regions.
Artificial Detective: Breaking Down the Gameplay Behind This Incredible Xbox Partner Preview Reveal
Artificial Detective, the debut title from indie studio Vivix, was revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview event. The studio is composed of artists who have previously worked on games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Control, and Dead Space, as well as the Netflix series Love, Death & Robots.
Artificial Detective: Breaking Down the Gameplay Behind This Incredible Xbox Partner Preview Reveal
Artificial Detective, the debut title from indie studio Vivix, was revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview with a new trailer. The studio's team includes artists who have previously worked on games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Control, and Dead Space, as well as the Netflix series "Love, Death & Robots." The game is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X.
Day of the Devs X Summer Game Fest Digital Showcase Submissions Open Through April 6
Submissions for the Day of the Devs: Summer Game Fest Digital Showcase are open until April 6, seeking diverse indie games for a livestream presentation on June 5. Selected titles may also be featured in Play Days. The article also briefly mentions upcoming tie-ins and releases for LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Cinderia, Puzzle & Dragons, Warframe, Invincible VS, and Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
More Industry Concerns as Indie Dev Forced to Close Over Lack of Funding
Indie developer Ivy Road, known for its game Wanderstop, will close its doors on March 31, 2026, due to a failure to secure funding for its next project, Engine Angel. The studio cited the current industry climate as a difficult environment for raising game funds. Wanderstop will remain available on all platforms, with publisher Annapurna Interactive expected to share further news.
Indie studio co-founder believes 'nobody cares about' huge open worlds anymore instead devs should pick just one thing and do it 'exceptionally well'
Indie studio co-founder Nick Lives believes players are growing tired of massive open-world games, preferring shorter, self-contained experiences that are exceptionally well-crafted. He argues that game length should not dictate price, and that developers should focus on making every moment count. Yura Zhdanovich of Sad Cat Studios agrees, stating that simply having a large open world is no longer enticing and developers must excel in specific areas to capture player attention.
Det här är Indiespelklubben!
FZ is launching a new "Indiespelklubben" (Indie Game Club) starting April 1st, focusing on Swedish indie developers. Members who join by March 31st will receive the first secret PC game. The club will offer exclusive articles, quizzes, podcasts, and community features on Discord and forums.
PANTALOON ANNOUNCES BOXROOM - A GAME ALLOWING PLAYERS TO ARRANGE & DISPLAY THEIR STEAM LIBRARY
Pantaloon and Nested Loop Studios have announced BOXROOM, a new game that allows players to design and display their Steam game library in a virtual room. A demo is available now on Steam as part of the House and Home Fest, with an Early Access release planned for Spring. The game aims to appeal to players who enjoy organizing their collections and offers features like decorating the room and launching games directly from the library.
10 Year Retrospective
This article reflects on ten years of writing for Gnome Stew, detailing the author's initial struggles with article length and feedback, and their subsequent growth in breaking down complex topics into series. The author also discusses the evolution of the TTRPG landscape, noting the rise of indie publishers and encouraging readers to explore games beyond Dungeons & Dragons.
Biggest Gaming Trend 2026: The Hidden Games Everyone Is Missing | Invision Game Community
The biggest gaming trend for 2026 is the rise of smaller, unique games gaining traction through community discovery rather than traditional AAA hype cycles. Platforms like Steam, TikTok, and Reddit are crucial for visibility, with games like Slay the Spire 2, Witchbrook, REPLACED, Cairn, and Grave Seasons gaining significant word-of-mouth. This trend, while fostering creativity, also presents challenges for developers due to increased competition and unpredictable funding.
‘Destroy the Wall’ 1.0 Finally Arrives with Three Endings on Steam
Indie game Destroy the Wall has officially launched its 1.0 version on Steam after an early access period. The full release includes three new story areas, multiple endings, significant graphical improvements with full illustrations for flashback scenes, and various gameplay and technical enhancements. The developers emphasized their commitment to a polished launch, incorporating player feedback and adding features like Steam Achievements and more frequent saves.
Two-Person Indie Team Launches ‘Beneath the Quiet’ After 1.5-Year Grind
A two-person indie team has launched their first published game, 'Beneath the Quiet: Where It Ends,' on Steam after 18 months of dedicated development. The team worked 8-10 hours daily, seven days a week, and completely overhauled the game's story, mechanics, and visuals multiple times. This launch highlights the persistence and passion required in the challenging indie game development space.
The director of Tales of Kenzera: Zau learned his most important game development lesson while working with Ridley Scott: 'That's why we're able to make games faster'
Surgent Studios, facing financial difficulties after its debut game Tales of Kenzera: Zau underperformed, has pivoted to a faster development model. Inspired by conversations with Pocketpair and the work ethic of Ridley Scott, director Abubakar Salim led the studio to release two distinct games, Dead Take and FixForce, focusing on sustainability and iterative learning.
"As one guy at Ubisoft, I had no impact": Assassin's Creed dev turned indie says he was "miserable" as "one cog" in the massive AAA machine
Former Ubisoft developer Darenn Keller, who worked on Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Mirage, discusses his transition to indie game development with his successful city builder Dawnfolk. Keller expresses dissatisfaction with the creative restrictions and hierarchical processes at Ubisoft, finding more fulfillment and happiness in the freedom and direct impact of solo development.
Forget Bloodborne Kart, R.E.P.O. is getting its own horror racing game
The indie horror game R.E.P.O. is introducing a kart racing mini-game mode as part of its upcoming "King of the Losers" update. This new mode allows players who fail their main R.E.P.O. runs to compete in challenging kart races with boosters and traps. The update also includes new cosmetics and other features.
‘Super Meat Boy 3D’ is coming physically to the PS5 and Switch 2 on June 30th
A physical release of 'Super Meat Boy 3D' is coming to PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch on June 30th. The article also mentions a sale on indie game soundtracks, including titles like Minecraft and Super Meat Boy.
Cat at Home Purrs onto Steam with a Heartfelt Indie Launch Story
Liquid Meow Games has launched their cat-themed puzzle game, Cat at Home, on Steam with a 10% launch discount and a bundle offer. The game is rated 'Playable' on Steam Deck, and the developers are emphasizing the importance of player reviews for supporting future titles. This launch highlights authentic indie marketing strategies and community building in a crowded marketplace.
Wanderstop developer Ivy Road is shutting down
Indie game developer Ivy Road, known for the cozy game Wanderstop, is shutting down on March 31 due to a failure to secure funding for its next project, Engine Angel. Despite the closure, Wanderstop will remain available, and Annapurna Interactive plans to release a surprise to reach new players.
Beat-based dungeon crawlers, card-battling soccer sims and other new indie games worth checking out
This roundup highlights several new and upcoming indie games, including the multiplayer shooter Terminal War inspired by The Last of Us Factions, the rhythm-based dungeon crawler GridBeat, and the card-battling soccer sim Nutmeg. Other featured titles include the metal-themed roguelite Devil Jam, the stock market simulator Space Warlord Baby Trading Simulator, and the co-op tower defense game Salvation Denied.
What are we all playing this weekend?
Several gaming journalists share their weekend plans, which include playing games like Pokopia on Nintendo Switch, Elden Ring on Steam Deck, and Screamer. Other titles mentioned are Tokyo Extreme Racer, Atomfall, Legend of Khiimori, Sable, Animal Crossing, Good Pizza Great Pizza, Prince of Persia, and Minos. The article humorously contrasts the difficulty of small-town social interactions with challenging video games.
