indie developers Archives

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Getting banned by Steam and Epic has made HORSES a best-seller — but this censorship bodes ill for creativity

Indie developer Santa Ragione's horror game HORSES has been banned from Steam without a clear explanation, leading to frustration from the developers and a lack of communication regarding the ban. Despite this setback, interest in the game has increased, resulting in strong sales on alternative platforms like GOG and itch.io, where it is currently a best-seller. The ban has made it difficult for Santa Ragione to secure external publishing deals, forcing them to seek private funding. Steam cited concerns over depictions of sexual conduct involving minors, while Epic referenced explicit sexual behavior and animal abuse, claims that Santa Ragione disputes. The game is available for purchase on GOG for .99 and on itch.io. GOG has expressed support for the game, emphasizing player choice in gaming experiences.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

CD Projekt’s PC Game Storefront GOG Gets Behind Horses After Valve Steam Ban: ‘Players Should Be Able to Choose the Experiences That Speak to Them’

CD Projekt’s GOG is supporting the indie horror game Horses after it was banned from Steam. The game is set to launch on December 2 across multiple platforms, including Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch.io, and Humble Store, but not on Steam due to Valve's decision. Valve reviewed the game earlier in 2023 and cited concerns regarding its content as the reason for the ban. GOG has launched pre-orders for Horses and is actively promoting it, emphasizing player choice and creativity. Santa Ragione, the game's developer, has called for greater transparency from Steam and improved conditions for developers in the industry.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

Epic Games Store opens December 2025 PC free games lineup with two acclaimed hits

The Epic Games Store has announced updates to enhance user experience and expand its offerings, including a revamped user interface, enhanced search functionality, and improved social features. Additionally, Epic is supporting developers through a competitive revenue sharing model, funding for indie developers via the Epic MegaGrants program, and access to Unreal Engine technology. These initiatives aim to create a user-friendly platform and nurture a thriving developer community.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

The Steam Machine may have a higher price than consoles, but PC games are getting cheaper

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter discusses the evolving gaming industry, highlighting key themes such as emerging platforms for indie developers, strategies for enhancing user engagement, and innovative monetization trends like subscription services and in-game purchases. It includes interviews with industry leaders expressing optimism about future creativity and innovation. Additionally, it features grassroots initiatives that promote collaboration and creativity among aspiring developers.

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Epic Games Store lines up multi-award-winning title as final PC free game of November 2025

The Epic Games Store offers exclusive titles and frequent promotions, including free games and discounts, to attract and retain users. It provides developers with an 88% revenue share, which is higher than the industry standard, and actively supports indie developers by promoting their titles. The store engages with the gaming community through forums and social media to gather feedback and improve the platform. Epic Games Store aims for future growth by investing in technology and user experience.

AppWizard

November 13, 2025

You can grab a stunning fantasy game, an intense tactical FPS, and a high-speed roguelike all for free if you’re fast

2025 has seen significant growth in the indie gaming sector, highlighted by standout titles such as Sandfall's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, vedinad's Megabonk, and Dogubomb's Blue Prince. Players can claim three indie games for free from the Epic Games Store from November 13 to November 20, including Songs of Silence, a fantasy game with 4X strategy and autobattler mechanics; Zero Hour, a tactical first-person shooter set in Bangladesh; and Scourgebringer, an action roguelike featuring dynamic dungeon environments and platforming combat.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

12 indie games we saw at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki that you’ve got to check out

The Very Big Indie Pitch at PG Connects Helsinki 2025 featured a variety of PC and console games presented by indie developers in a speed-dating format, allowing five minutes for each presentation to a panel of industry experts. The event provided valuable feedback and networking opportunities for developers at different stages of their projects. It highlighted a mix of genres and themes, serving as a platform for work-in-progress titles and fostering connections within the gaming industry. The pitching sessions are a staple of PG Connects conferences and similar events worldwide. A curated list of featured games was presented, each with a brief description.

AppWizard

October 21, 2025

“1 week ago we had 3 players”: Steam notifies surprised dev their demo was one of the most-played during Steam Next Fest

An indie developer, Conradical Games, transitioned from having three players for their game Desktop Defender to being recognized as one of the most-played demos during the Steam Next Fest. The demo attracted nearly 1,000 concurrent players and ranked as the 1,375th most wishlisted game on Steam.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

The Need for Speed Underground 2 Unreal Engine 5 Fan Remake Looks Better Than Ever

In January 2025, a demo for a fan remake of Need for Speed Underground 2 using Unreal Engine 5 was unveiled. The project, developed by apfelbaum, features a fully playable Career Mode, although it currently lacks AI opponents, traffic, and destructible environments. Future updates are expected to improve driving mechanics, introduce a new weather system, and update the car paint model. A new launcher will be introduced to streamline user experience, allowing easy downloads, updates, and integrity checks of game files. The previous demo is accessible through RPGGameplay’s Discord server. Additionally, various other fan-made demos are available, including remakes of popular games like Superman, Halo 3: ODST, and more.

AppWizard

October 8, 2025

Elon Musk reveals launch window for his “great” AI game in a post featuring Grok-made garbage

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in game development is causing mixed reactions among gamers and industry professionals. While some are excited about the potential for AI-generated games, others express skepticism, particularly regarding AI's ability to replace traditional roles in game development. Elon Musk's xAI aims to create a fully AI-generated game by the end of 2026, and has posted a job listing for a 'videogames tutor' to train its AI, Grok, in game design. Musk has claimed that the inaugural game will be released next year, but details about its content remain unclear. Recent controversies, including backlash against AI-generated content in games, reflect ongoing concerns about AI's role in the industry.