indie developer Archives

AppWizard

April 6, 2026

Veteran indie developer scared to reveal new game in case it gets “slurped up by AI”

Lucas Pope is a notable game developer known for creating "Papers, Please" and "The Return of the Obra Dinn." He has since worked on smaller projects, including Mars After Midnight, but has not released anything on Steam recently. During a podcast, Pope expressed concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on game development, particularly regarding idea theft and the potential for his work to be copied or imitated. He feels uneasy discussing ongoing projects due to these risks and reflects on the pressure of following up his previous successes. Despite these worries, Pope's reputation allows him to avoid some challenges faced by less-known developers, and his next project is expected to generate significant interest.

AppWizard

March 28, 2026

“We’ll keep making Warframe if there’s one player count,” Digital Extremes’ Megan Everett asserts. “I don’t care what SteamDB says”

The gaming industry has seen a shift in how success is measured, particularly focusing on initial player counts since the launch of games like Marathon and Highguard in 2026. Warframe, which launched in 2024 with a peak player count of 22,000, has grown to reach 175,546 players on PC after the release of The Old Peace in December 2025. Community director Megan Everett noted that the game has achieved new internal records despite not hitting its all-time high. Creative director Rebecca Ford humorously suggested a new release titled 'Player Count' to address the ongoing debate about player metrics. She highlighted the competitive landscape, noting that Warframe launched amidst 435 titles, compared to 20,014 games released in the same year today. Everett emphasized the importance of ongoing growth and player engagement over mere numbers, stating that a poor launch does not equate to a dead game. The success of The Old Peace was attributed to the introduction of content skips, which allowed players to bypass extensive story content. The team is committed to community engagement and innovation, with new characters and mechanics being introduced to keep the game fresh.

AppWizard

March 5, 2026

Indie dev says ‘best I can do is sentient tofu’ after fans demand a male protagonist—they respond oh yeah, actually Mr Tofu works fine, thanks

A user on the Steam forums for the upcoming game Honcho expressed a preference for playing as a male character, stating that playing female characters disrupts their immersion. The indie developer, Pryjmachuk, humorously suggested a sentient block of tofu as an alternative, acknowledging the limitations of indie game development. Players will be able to embody Mr. Tofu by entering their name at the game's start. Despite the initial request for a male character, the user responded positively to the tofu option, expressing support for the developer's work. This exchange highlights the diverse preferences players have regarding character choices in gaming.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Steam’s Latest Free Game Is a 10/10 Adventure That Won’t Hurt Your Backlog

DJ Bunny is a free game developed by Alison Loke Mern Nyee, available on Steam. Players assume the role of a DJ navigating Kelody Lane and the Hippity Hop Music Festival, solving musical puzzles to fulfill song requests from townsfolk. The game features a vibrant art style and combines point-and-click elements with grid-based challenges. It can be completed in under an hour and has received a 100% user score on Steam. Player reviews highlight its engaging puzzles, art, and soundtrack.

AppWizard

February 21, 2026

Cozy-punk record shop sim Wax Heads is spinning onto PC and consoles on May 5, 2026

Indie developer Patattie Games, in collaboration with publisher Curve Games, will launch the game Wax Heads on May 5, 2026, available on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. Players will take on the role of a team member at Repeater Records, a vinyl shop, engaging with customers and making choices that affect their experience. A playable demo will be available during Steam Next Fest from February 23 to March 3. The game features over 80 in-game records, more than 60 hand-drawn characters, and over 30 original songs. Key features include a handcrafted musical world, an emotional narrative, puzzle designs, and a comic book art style. Patattie Games is co-founded by Murray Somerwolff and Rothio Tome, while Curve Games is an award-winning publisher based in London.

BetaBeacon

February 20, 2026

New game digest: Marvel Mystic Mayhem and Warzone Mobile close, Warframe hits Android, new Cookie Run, more

- Marvel Mystic Mayhem will end new content updates on April 1 and servers will go offline - Warzone Mobile servers will go offline on April 17 - Warframe is now available on Android with cross platform play - CookieRun: OvenSmash is a real time battle action game with pre-registration available - The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin is coming to iOS and Android on March 23 - Horse Racing Solitaire has launched worldwide on iOS and Android - STPPL, a minimalist color puzzle game, will launch on Google Play next week - Hatch Dragons, a dragon nurturing game, launches worldwide on March 4 - Takeoff: Unlimited, a 2D arcade dogfighter game, is available on the App Store

AppWizard

February 13, 2026

Every Xbox and PC game shown during Sony’s PlayStation State of Play February 2026

Sony's PlayStation State of Play event in February 2026 showcased several upcoming titles for multiple platforms. - Kena: Scars of Kosmora, a sequel to the 2021 game, will be available on PC and PS5, with no release date announced. - Death Stranding 2: On the Beach will launch on PC via Steam on March 19, featuring PC-specific enhancements. - 4:LOOP, a sci-fi co-op shooter, will be available on PS5 and PC, with playtest sign-ups available. - Resident Evil Requiem will launch on February 27 for Xbox Series X|S, Steam PC, and PS5. - The sequel to Control will arrive on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and PS5 later in 2026. - Beast of Reincarnation will release on August 4, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PS5, and Xbox Game Pass. - Star Wars: Galactic Racer will be released later in 2026 for Xbox Series X|S, Steam PC, and PS5. - Bungie's Marathon will have a Server Slam beta from February 26 to March 2, with a full launch on March 5 for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. - 007 First Light, a reimagined origin story for James Bond, will release in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2. - Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls will be available on August 6, 2026, for Steam PC and PS5. - Legacy of Kain: Ascendance (March 31) and Defiance Remastered (March 3) will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, PS5, and Switch. - An untitled John Wick game will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and PS5. - Yakoh Shinobi Ops, a 4-player co-op ninja stealth game, is expected on PS5 and PC in 2027. - Crimson Moon, a gothic action RPG, will release on PS5 and PC, with Xbox availability uncertain. - Neva will receive a "Prologue" DLC on February 19 for multiple platforms. - Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a sequel to Castlevania 3: Dracula's Curse, is set for release in 2026 on PS5 and PC, with Xbox availability unconfirmed.

BetaBeacon

January 30, 2026

10 Games To Play On Your Phone Instead Of Doomscrolling

- Slay the Spire is a popular roguelite deckbuilder game that was released on PC and console in 2019 and later brought to iOS and Android. - The game offers quick plays on mobile devices and allows players to pick up where they left off. - It is considered one of the best games ever made and offers infinite play time. - The mobile version of Slay the Spire is properly priced. - The game Balatro, a poker-ish game, became popular on PC and console before being released on iOS and Android in 2024. - Like Slay the Spire, Balatro is worth the price and offers a unique experience with each run. - Polimines Deluxe is a puzzle game that combines elements of Picross, Hexcells, and Minesweeper. - The mobile version includes both Polimines 1 and 2, offering a challenging and clever gameplay experience. - The game makes players feel like geniuses when solving puzzles and is reasonably priced.

AppWizard

January 12, 2026

GTA 6’s ten-year development cycle would be a “very bad bet” for anyone but Rockstar, says former Bethesda dev

Concerns are rising about the release of GTA 6, with speculation that it may not launch until 2027 due to delays, ongoing leaks, and legal challenges faced by Rockstar. Former Bethesda lead artist Nate Purkeypile warns that the project's scale could be risky for any studio other than Rockstar, which has a track record of successfully managing large-scale games. The anticipated budget for GTA 6 is rumored to be around a billion dollars, with a development cycle exceeding a decade. Purkeypile emphasizes the importance of experience in handling ambitious projects, citing the troubled launch of Cyberpunk 2077 as a cautionary example. He suggests that Rockstar's experience allows them to take their time, but warns that many studios fail when attempting similar large projects without the necessary background. Purkeypile also expressed a desire for a potential GTA 7 set in Texas, incorporating immersive sim elements, but noted that the current development pace might delay its arrival until the 2040s.

AppWizard

December 7, 2025

Despite a disaster launch, Blair Witch inspired horror game sells over 100,000 copies as dev commits “to face everything head on”

Multiplayer horror games have gained popularity due to platforms like YouTube and Twitch. Recent successful titles include R.E.P.O, Phasmophobia, and Lethal Company, inspiring indie developers to create multiplayer experiences. Digital Cybercherries is developing a game called Don't Scream Together, which combines cooperative gameplay with a found footage horror aesthetic. The game faced challenges at launch, receiving negative reviews primarily due to microphone calibration issues and player confusion about mechanics. Despite this, it sold 100,000 copies within days, with 60,000 on the first day. The developers engaged with the community and addressed feedback, leading to updated reviews from some players. They released a patch to fix audio problems linked to Windows 11 Audio Enhancements and committed to improving microphone calibration. Don't Scream Together is currently available at a 38% discount on Steam until December 10.