Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
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Developer of cozy tea shop adventure Wanderstop is shutting down: 'It's a particularly tough time for raising…
Developer Ivy Road, known for the cozy adventure game Wanderstop, announced it will be shutting down its operations on March 31. The studio expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work together and create Wanderstop, highlighting the talent within the team.
Ivy Road Is Closing After Failing To Secure Funding For Next Project | Console Creatures
Independent studio Ivy Road will close its doors on March 31, 2026, due to a failure to secure funding for its next project, Engine Angel. Their debut title, Wanderstop, will be taken over by producer Annapurna Interactive for ongoing support. The studio expressed gratitude to players and encouraged them to create their own art.
Mining Wizards Launches on Steam as Indie Dev Makes Heartfelt Appeal for Reviews
Solo indie developer TMA has launched their game, Mining Wizards, on Steam, making a heartfelt appeal for player reviews to support its continued development. The game combines mining mechanics with a wizard theme, launching amidst a crowded March release schedule. The article emphasizes the critical role of early player reviews in the success and discoverability of indie games on the Steam platform.
Mining Wizards Launches on Steam with 300+ Skill Nodes for $4.99
Indie developer TMA has launched Mining Wizards on Steam for $4.99, featuring over 300 skill tree nodes and 90+ artifacts. The game offers significant content depth for its price, with additional discounts available for existing owners of TMA's previous title, Orbcraft Survivors. The developer is also offering a 14-day launch discount and utilizes Steam regional pricing for global accessibility.
DAMON and BABY Devs Show How Indie Support Should Work
The developers of DAMON and BABY promptly resolved an issue where players could not access the Deluxe Edition's digital artworks and soundtrack on Steam. They provided clear instructions for players to enable the DLC download, demonstrating strong customer support crucial for indie developers. This incident highlights the importance of responsive communication and thorough testing for independent studios.
In its first major visual overhaul ever, RPG Maker will soon let you make games in the style of Octopath Traveler
RPG Maker is receiving its first major visual overhaul, introducing a new style inspired by Octopath Traveler. While specific release details are unknown, the update aims to enhance the visual capabilities of games created with the tool. This change is expected to allow developers to create more detailed and visually appealing projects without significantly altering the asset creation process.
IndieGameJoe Is Back and Ready to Put Indie Games on the Map
Content creator IndieGameJoe, known for highlighting hidden gems, has announced their return and commitment to showcasing more indie games. This news has generated significant excitement within the indie gaming community, emphasizing the crucial role such creators play in providing visibility for smaller developers in a crowded market. The announcement comes at a time when independent games are pushing creative boundaries, but often struggle with discoverability.
Grave Seasons Launches August 14 as Blumhouse’s Cozy Horror Farming Sim Heads to Game Pass
Grave Seasons, a narrative-driven farming simulation horror game from Blumhouse Games and Perfect Garbage, is set to launch on August 14, 2026, for PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch, and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. The game blends cozy farming mechanics with a murder mystery in the town of Ashenridge. A playable demo will be available at PAX East.
Steam's new "golden age" is special because so many genres are popping off at once, indie expert says: "It's almost like the player base was drinking and their inhibitions lowered"
Indie game advisor Chris Zukowski believes Steam is experiencing a "golden age" due to a simultaneous boom across multiple genres, including idle games, friendslop, horror, and Survivors-likes. This trend reduces the barrier to entry for developers and caters to PC gamers' appetite for new experiences, contrasting with the stricter console market. Zukowski emphasizes that while not a "gold rush," specific genres offer opportunities for developers willing to target them.
Xbox Partner Preview highlights – Alien Deathstorm, Bluey's Happy Snaps and more
The Xbox Partner Preview showcase highlighted several upcoming games, including Hunter: The Reckoning – Deathwish, The Expanse: Osiris Reborn, Stranger Than Heaven, Alien Deathstorm, Bluey’s Happy Snaps, Stalker 2: Cost Of Hope, Hades 2, Dispatch, and Artificial Detective. The event also confirmed ports for Hades 2 and Dispatch on Xbox and PlayStation 5.
How Super Meat Boy 3D captures the series’ identity, out May 31
Super Meat Boy 3D aims to capture the identity of the original 2D platformer by focusing on core movement mechanics, camera control, and preserving the series' personality. Development involved extensive iteration on camera systems and level design to translate the fast-paced gameplay into a 3D environment, with input from Team Meat's Tommy Refenes. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 on March 31.
MULLET MADJACK Será lançado para Nintendo Switch no dia 30 de abril
The Brazilian first-person shooter Mullet MadJack will launch on Nintendo Switch on April 30th, following its success on PC and Xbox where it garnered over 1.8 million players. Developed by Hammer95 Studios and published by Epopeia Games, the game features a unique neon aesthetic inspired by 80s and 90s anime and fast-paced roguelite gameplay.
Why Microsoft's PC-focused Project Helix could offer a level playing field for indies | Opinion
Microsoft's Project Helix initiative aims to create a unified ecosystem for PC and Xbox games, potentially leveling the playing field for indie developers by reducing porting costs and development complexity. This move signals a strong focus on PC as a primary development target, allowing studios to build once and deploy across multiple platforms including desktops, handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, and Xbox hardware. While offering significant opportunities for smaller teams, the convergence also intensifies competition within the broader PC market.
Det här är Indiespeklubben!
FZ is launching a new 'Indie Game Club' that will feature a new PC indie game each month, with a focus on Swedish developers. Members who join by March 31st will receive the first game for the initial play period starting April 1st. The club also offers exclusive articles, quizzes, podcasts, and a dedicated forum and Discord channel for discussions.
Morning Interviews
Nordic Game is embracing smaller developers and games with soul, suggesting that major industry players have negatively impacted the gaming landscape. The event highlights a shift towards independent game development.
'TetherGeist' Featured at The MIX Spring Showcase and Named Finalist in Four Categories at the Upcoming BIG Festival
The precision platformer TetherGeist by O. and Co. Games was featured at The MIX Spring Showcase during GDC. The game has also been named a finalist in four categories at the upcoming BIG Festival at gamescom LATAM, including Best Game, Best Impact, Best Art, and Best Sound.
Slay the Spire 2 has already earned more than Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2 on Steam, apparently
Slay the Spire 2 has reportedly generated over $92 million in revenue on Steam within its first two weeks of early access, surpassing the lifetime earnings of Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades 2 on the platform. Developed by a small team at Mega Crit, the game has maintained strong player numbers and sales, with further growth expected upon its full release and multi-platform launch. The article also notes the successful Kickstarter campaign for a Slay the Spire 2 board game expansion.
Mewgenics Switch 2 and PS5 ports seemingly confirmed by developers, currently in development
Mewgenics is reportedly being developed for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5, with co-creator Edmund McMillen sharing in-development footage. While not officially announced, videos show the game running on both platforms. The PC version has achieved significant success since its launch.
Bag of Dreams Brings Cozy Roguelike Magic to Steam Today
Bag of Dreams, a cozy roguelike dreambuilder, has launched on Steam today with a 15% discount. Developed by an indie team led by Mysta Lee, the game focuses on crafting dreams and combining synergies while fending off nightmares. The developers are actively seeking player feedback and localization support, aiming to create a unique and comforting gaming experience.
Explore A Colourful World In Bravion
Bravion is a 3D platformer developed and published by Cloud5 Studios, available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows PC for £4.19. The game features a colorful world, tight movement, light combat, and a progression system based on collecting stars to unlock new stages. It offers a familiar yet charming experience rooted in traditional platformer mechanics.
