Indie Games
Ongoing coverage on Indie Games.
Latest coverage
Games industry analyst says Meccha Chameleon's June revenue on PC was second only to Fortnite
The hide-and-seek game Meccha Chameleon achieved significant revenue on PC in June, ranking second only to Fortnite in several western countries according to Newzoo. This success highlights the commercial viability of lower-budget, socially driven multiplayer experiences. The game's low entry cost, viral popularity on social media, and upcoming collaborations contribute to its broad appeal.
An animator at Ghost of Yotei studio Sucker Punch just released his own action RPG on Steam, and he can't believe its success: "36,000 COPIES SOLD IN 24 HOURS"
Dinoblade, an action RPG developed by Jean Nguyen of Team Spino and a senior gameplay animator at Sucker Punch Productions, has achieved significant success on Steam, selling 36,000 copies within its first 24 hours. The game, which allows players to control a Spinosaurus wielding a greatsword in a prehistoric world, also garnered over 600,000 wishlists prior to launch and maintains a 'Very Positive' rating.
Dinos with swords, making music with gnomes and other new indie games worth checking out
This article highlights several new indie games, including one that features dinosaurs with swords and another that incorporates music with gnomes. It also mentions a game that uses email as a form of turn-based combat.
Game Demos
A demo for the renovation simulation game Low-Budget Repairs is now available on PC via Steam. The game challenges players to take on renovation jobs in a 1990s Polish apartment block, requiring them to cut costs and improvise to succeed.
We need games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as a cure for the "fear" in the industry,…
Industry professionals are calling for more creative courage in game development, citing titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as examples of innovation. They argue that an excessive focus on de-risking and market research leads to homogenous, uninspiring games, and that the industry's fear of risk is its greatest threat. This discussion highlights the contrast between mid-sized AA budgets and the escalating costs of AAA development.
I enjoy Fallgrade's grainy physics-defying city almost as much as I fear its foggy giant spider
Fallgrade is an upcoming indie game from developer vladkudas that features physics-defying gameplay and a unique visual style. Players collect orbs in a desolate city by manipulating gravity, while avoiding a giant spider named Karl. The game also includes a forest area where players can control the sun. A demo is currently in development, and the developer is embracing the game's distinctive grainy filter.
The Best Underrated Indie Games on Xbox You May Have Missed
This article highlights several underrated indie games available on Xbox that players may have missed, emphasizing their unique mechanics, art styles, and storytelling. It discusses why indie games thrive on Xbox, mentioning factors like creative freedom and support from platforms like Game Pass. Featured titles include Tunic, Signalis, Death's Door, Planet of Lana, and Nobody Saves the World, each offering distinct experiences.
Roll Mad Rolls Onto Xbox For Less Than The Price Of A Chocolate Bar
Roll Mad, a physics-based platformer developed and published by Entity3, is now available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC for just 99 pence. The game features over 50 handcrafted stages with optional challenges and cosmetic unlocks, aiming to offer an old-school platforming experience.
One of the best modern platformers is back from the dead after being delisted on its only platform, escaping Netflix…
The critically acclaimed platformer Poinpy, previously exclusive to Netflix Games, has been released for free on iOS and Android mobile devices. Developed by Moppin (Ojiro Fumoto) and published by Devolver Digital, the game was delisted from Netflix a year ago due to an expired licensing deal. The new mobile versions are completely free with no ads or in-app purchases required, though optional tips are accepted.
Indie game contest tasks devs with fitting their entire game on to a 1.44 MB floppy disk
A Korean indie game site, 2P Game Arcade, is hosting a contest that challenges developers to create a complete, playable game that fits within the 1.44 MB storage limit of a floppy disk. Submissions are due by September 4, with prizes described as 'a small souvenir'.
Inaugural Asymptotes event puts spotlight on abandoned games
The inaugural Asymptotes event in Melbourne celebrated abandoned and unfinished game projects, focusing on imperfection and non-commercial game development. Organized by Swinburne University students, the event showcased six games and featured panels discussing game design as an artistic practice, contrasting with the industry's commercial focus.
Annapurna Interactive looks to continue its publishing hot-streak
Annapurna Interactive continues to impress with its lineup of upcoming indie titles, showcasing Silent Hill: Townfall, Forever Ago, and The Lost Wild at Summer Game Fest. Silent Hill: Townfall offers a first-person survival horror experience in Scotland, while Forever Ago is a narrative-driven road trip adventure. The Lost Wild presents an evasion-based survival horror against dinosaurs, highlighting Annapurna's diverse publishing strategy.
Indie game gets last minute Steam delay while Valve reviews its 'dozens of untextured polygons depicting ass and…
The indie political satire game Future? No Thanks! has been delayed on Steam due to an extended review process by Valve concerning its depiction of nudity. Developer Molleindustria, also known as Paolo Pedercini, stated the game's launch was pushed back from July 22nd as Valve assesses the content, which consists of 'dozens of untextured polygons depicting ass and boobs.' This delay highlights ongoing ambiguities in Steam's content moderation policies, particularly regarding adult content.
'Human Fall Flat 2 is cancelled. We are making Human Fall Flat 3:' No Brakes Games founder looks back on a defining decade
No Brakes Games founder Tomas Sakalauskas announced that Human Fall Flat 2 has been cancelled and is being replaced by Human Fall Flat 3. The studio decided to restart development on the sequel after realizing the initial direction lost the core clumsiness that defined the original game. Sakalauskas also reflected on the decade-long success of Human Fall Flat, attributing its growth to experimentation and the support of publisher Curve Digital.
Podd-dags! Vi snackar A Void Hope
Jesper Norrwie and Fredrik Rosenvik discuss the indie game A Void Hope in the fourth spoiler-filled podcast episode of Indiespelklubben. They explore what captivated them about the game and why its grounded story is more appealing than bombastic superhero adventures.
"I was told you couldn't do 3D on the Playdate, so I did it" - Gamedev creates a 3D renderer for Panic's tiny monochrome handheld that makes even Mirror's Edge inspired levels possible
Developer Cristina Ramos has created a 3D renderer for the Panic Playdate handheld, enabling games like her first-person Metroidvania, Katavatis, to run on the monochrome device. Despite the Playdate's limited hardware, Ramos's renderer achieves visuals comparable to the 3DO or Sega Saturn, and has even been used to run DOOM. Katavatis will also be available on Steam and Itchio.
Release Dates/Windows
Polylithic has announced the 1.0 release date for their game with a new trailer. The announcement was made via indie.io.
Game and Mod Development
The article discusses emerging trends in indie game development, suggesting that significant innovation is originating from outside of traditional Western markets. It highlights the growing influence of developers from other regions in shaping the future of the indie gaming landscape.
Morning Gatherings and Events
Gamescom 2026 has reportedly sold out all its exhibitor space, with companies like Konami and Tencent Games confirmed to attend. Separately, INDIE Live Expo is returning on December 1st to showcase the latest in indie game development.
The Best Indie Of 2026 Blends Deep Rock Galactic And Red Dead Redemption For A Chaotic Co-Op Experience
Far Far West blends the co-op gameplay of Deep Rock Galactic with a supernatural Wild West theme, offering chaotic bounty-hunting expeditions. Players earn gold and souls to strengthen characters and unlock new weapons and abilities, with magic combos adding depth to the gunplay. The game captures the spirit of Deep Rock Galactic while offering a distinct action-focused experience, making it a standout indie title even in early access.