indie Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

XCOM’s creator wants to know where XCOM 3 is just as badly as you do: ‘I’m sure there’s an audience for it’

XCOM 2 was released nearly a decade ago, and anticipation for a sequel, XCOM 3, has grown, but its release remains uncertain. Julian Gollop, the creator of the original XCOM, acknowledges that strategy games are still a niche market, which poses challenges for new titles like XCOM 3. He notes the mixed reception of Civilization VII as an example of how established franchises can struggle. Gollop highlights innovation in the indie game scene with titles like Factorio, Tactical Breach Wizards, and The Last Spell. Other games, such as Jagged Alliance 3 and Warhammer 40k: Rogue Trader, incorporate elements reminiscent of XCOM, reflecting its tactical depth and strategic gameplay. The future of XCOM 3 remains uncertain as the strategy gaming landscape evolves.

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Ex-PlayStation Indie Boss Says Bringing PlayStation Games To PC Is ‘Almost Like Printing Money’

Shuhei Yoshida, the former head of PlayStation’s indie division, discussed Sony's strategy to release major first-party titles on PC, highlighting the benefits of reaching a broader audience, especially in regions where console gaming is less popular. He noted that releasing games on PC can attract new fans who may later purchase PlayStation consoles. Yoshida emphasized the financial advantages of porting games to PC, stating it is more cost-effective than developing new titles, generating additional revenue to support new projects. He also pointed out the potential of the Chinese market, which is primarily PC-based, and mentioned the importance of PC releases to access that audience. Additionally, he suggested that a launch for the anticipated PS6 in 2028 seems plausible.

AppWizard

February 20, 2025

New PC Game Sale Includes Hundreds Of AAA Hits For Low Prices

Fanatical has launched the Gaming Legends Sale, offering discounts of up to 90% on a wide range of PC games, including AAA titles and indie games. Customers spending over a certain amount will receive a bonus game or coupon code. Featured discounts include: - Control Ultimate Edition for .19 (originally .99) - Lies of P for .99 (down from .99) - System Shock Remake for .99 (previously .99) - Frostpunk for .44 (was .99) - Frostpunk 2 for .99 (originally .99) Major publishers like Capcom, Sega, and Bethesda are also participating, with discounts on titles such as: - Skyrim Anniversary Edition for .49 (down from .99) - Dragon's Dogma 2 for .39 (originally .99) - Metaphor: Refantazio for .99 (was .99) Preorders are available for upcoming titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, Doom: The Dark Ages, and Lika A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, along with additional preorder discounts on games such as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Elden Ring: Nightreign. Bundle deals also qualify for the bonus promotion on orders exceeding a certain amount.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

The Dirty Little Helper provides Free Steam Keys, Gaming News, Reviews and Cheats- Dlh.net

Indie publisher and developer Firenut Games has partnered with Digital Dream to release a psychological horror adventure game titled Baptiste, set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X later in 2025. The game follows Sara and her son Tom as they deal with a family tragedy and relocate to Jagged Shore Cliff, where they face their fears. A demo featuring the first 30 minutes of gameplay is available on Steam, introducing players to the storyline and mechanics, including a doll named Baptiste. Key features of the game include total immersion, a suffocating atmosphere, a tormented protagonist, bloodthirsty mysteries, a disturbing aesthetic, and a surrounding narrative that enhances the horror experience. Fans can add Baptiste to their Steam and PlayStation wishlists.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

Relic’s new project is a ‘smaller indie-style’ game about a martian invasion of Earth

Relic Entertainment is developing a new real-time strategy game titled Earth vs Mars under its Relic Labs label, moving away from its larger franchises like Company of Heroes and Dawn of War. The game features a narrative where Martians invade Earth using flying saucers and hover-tanks, and introduces a technology called "Splice-O-Tron" that merges volunteers with animals to create supersoldiers. Notable units include the "cheetah-fly" and "squirrel-cow infantry." The studio has undergone significant changes, including layoffs of over 150 employees and a transition in ownership to Emona Capital LLC in March 2024. Earth vs Mars is expected to launch this summer exclusively for PC, with possible plans for other platforms depending on its reception.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Relic Entertainment announces turn-based strategy game Earth vs Mars for PC

Relic Entertainment has announced a new turn-based strategy game titled Earth vs Mars, set for release in summer 2025 on PC via Steam. The game features a narrative where Martians abduct Earth's inhabitants and aim to conquer the planet. Players will lead a group of commanders in battles against Martian forces using unique mechanics like the "Splice-O-Tron," which allows the creation of hybrid supersoldiers. Key features include a single-player campaign with over 30 missions, online multiplayer, a VS mode against AI, a map editor, unique unit abilities, and multiple commanders with distinct abilities. The game will initially launch on Steam, with potential future platform expansions. Pricing and language support details are yet to be finalized, and compatibility with Steam Deck is not planned at launch. Regular updates will be provided leading up to the release.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

Toby Fox is still working on more Deltarune, folks, game development is just complicated

Tony Fox is developing Deltarune, a follow-up to Undertale, with Chapters 3 and 4 currently in the final stages of quality assurance testing. The chapters are nearly complete, but the release date is flexible based on final touches. The team is working on integrating save data from the demo version for console players. Comprehensive testing is being conducted across multiple platforms, including PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5. Translations for the game are completed and mostly implemented. Feedback from testers has led to adjustments, including the addition of save points in Chapter 4. Fox will not send newsletter updates until there is significant news, but fans can follow him on social media for real-time updates.

BetaBeacon

February 16, 2025

This $80 Game Boy clone is my perfect everyday carry handheld console for retro gaming goodness

The TrimUI Brick is a small, light, and affordable gaming handheld ideal for classic retro gaming on the go.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Indie FPS developer targets content creators who take undisclosed payments from rival developers and then dunk on his game: ‘You and I will have legal problems’

Connor Drake, the lead developer of Operation: Harsh Doorstop, expressed concerns about financial arrangements between content creators and game developers, particularly regarding undisclosed payments for favorable reviews. He warned creators that if they received over ,000 from competing studios in the past year and did not disclose this in their reviews, they could face legal repercussions. Drake clarified that he does not oppose negative reviews as long as they are transparent about financial ties. He accused some content creators of being compensated by Delta Force for positive coverage without following FTC guidelines, leading to backlash and admissions of undisclosed sponsorships. Drake highlighted a case where YouTuber Actman apologized for not disclosing a ,000 sponsorship for Delta Force coverage. He outlined potential legal actions against creators who fail to disclose financial relationships while producing negative comparisons to other titles. Operation: Harsh Doorstop, released in early access on Steam in 2023, has a 'Mostly Positive' rating from over 17,000 reviews but competes with established titles like Squad and Battlefield.

AppWizard

February 15, 2025

Keep Driving review

Keep Driving is a turn-based road trip RPG priced at .99/£15.00 from YCJY Games, designed for single-player experiences and compatible with the Steam Deck. Players embark on a journey to a music festival, gathering supplies and selecting routes while managing a car that serves as both vehicle and inventory. The game features road events that affect attributes like gasoline, cash, car durability, and energy levels, requiring strategic use of skill cards and items. Players can pick up hitchhikers, each with unique skills and backstories, adding depth to the gameplay. The game includes humorous crime elements and an indie soundtrack, with multiple endings possible. Some interactions may be challenging on the Steam Deck due to item management intricacies.