indie developers Archives

AppWizard

August 24, 2025

It’s shaping up to be a crazy month for new games, with Indiana Jones’ beefy-looking story DLC finally arriving on September 4

The DLC "Order of the Giants" for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is set to be released on September 4. It will take players back to Rome, where Indiana Jones will explore the legend of a medieval crusader believed to be buried beneath the city, with connections to biblical giants. The DLC is priced at and is only available through the game's premium edition or as an upgrade from the base game.

AppWizard

August 23, 2025

Even more games are moving out of Silksong’s way: ‘I feel like a little krill trying not to get eaten by a blue whale’

In 2024, nearly 19,000 new games were launched on Steam, intensifying competition in the gaming industry. Team Cherry announced that Hollow Knight: Silksong will debut on September 4, prompting other developers to adjust their release schedules. CloverPit delayed its launch from September 3 to September 26 due to Silksong's release. Frogteam Games expressed challenges in gaining visibility in the crowded market, comparing their situation to "a little krill trying to not get eaten by a blue whale." Faeland postponed its full release from September 9 to an unspecified future date, and Aeterna Lucis shifted its release from September to 2026, citing Silksong as a factor. Demonschool plans to release on September 3 despite Silksong's presence. Some developers, like those behind Stomp and the Sword of Miracles, have seen increased interest after postponing their launches. Simon Carless suggested that developers may be overly cautious in adjusting timelines, as the impact on sales may not be as significant unless there is a substantial audience overlap with Silksong.

BetaBeacon

August 15, 2025

I hid corpses in VR and no one could stop me

Hide the Corpse is a puzzle game where players have to hide the corpse of a man named Gus in various locations within a time limit. The game is family-friendly and involves physics-based gameplay. Players must also hide Gus's belongings and erase any fingerprints they leave behind. The game can be played alone or with friends, providing a unique and entertaining experience reminiscent of older eras of gaming.

AppWizard

August 13, 2025

Influencer marketing agency Instinct3 opens new publishing arm

German influencer marketing agency Instinct3 has launched a new games publishing division called Sidekick, aimed at supporting indie and mid-tier gaming projects. The division is led by co-founders Jasmin Oestreicher and Melvin Frank. Oestreicher has been managing director since 2024 and emphasizes the need to stay relevant in the gaming industry. The first title published under Sidekick is Deadly Days: Roadtrip. Instinct3 has previously contributed to titles such as 9 Kings, Asgard’s Fall - Viking Survivors, and TerraScape. The goals of Sidekick include championing games that align with their vision and improving the quality and impact of each launch.

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

A veteran Final Fantasy programmer hates how indie games deliberately recreate PS1 visual bugs he made ‘many futile efforts’ to fix: ‘I just don’t get what’s so interesting about trying to replicate that’

Veteran programmer Koji Sugimoto criticized the trend of emulating retro visual glitches in modern games, particularly the revival of the affine texture warping effect from the original PlayStation. He expressed his discontent on August 5, lamenting that what was once a frustrating limitation is now celebrated as a charming quirk. Sugimoto previously described the deliberate use of warped textures as “detestable” and highlighted the challenges developers faced in overcoming these visual distortions. He noted a disconnect between the nostalgia some players feel and the difficulties encountered by developers.

AppWizard

August 11, 2025

id Software co-founder John Romero was apparently one week removed from co-founding a completely different icon of PC gaming, but he’d already made plans

John Romero revealed on Nightdive Studios' Deep Dive podcast that Paul Neurath, founder of Looking Glass Studios, invited him to co-found the company, but he declined due to a prior commitment. Romero began his career at Origin Systems in 1987, where he initially worked on porting 2400 AD from the Apple 2 to the Commodore 64, but the project was canceled, leading him to collaborate with Neurath on Space Rogue.

BetaBeacon

August 7, 2025

Epic Games Store reveals new free mobile game for Android and iOS gamers to keep forever

Epic Games Store offers a curated selection of PC and Mac games, with a revenue sharing model that only takes a 12% cut of sales compared to the industry standard of 30%. The store has attracted indie developers and smaller studios, leading to a diverse library of games. Epic Games Store also releases exclusive games for a limited time, attracting players and generating both praise and criticism. Despite controversy, the store continues to grow in popularity with a user-friendly interface, regular sales, and a commitment to supporting developers.

AppWizard

August 4, 2025

FPS legend John Romero says Wolfenstein 3D was the first game id Software took its time with⁠—a luxurious 4-month development instead of just 2

John Romero discussed the early 1990s transformation of PC gaming during a Nightdive Studios podcast, highlighting id Software's rapid development cycles and innovative technology. He noted that John Carmack's programming breakthroughs in September 1990 were pivotal, and that id Software's initial pitch to Nintendo for a Super Mario 3 port was rejected, leading to the creation of Commander Keen. In 1991, id released three Commander Keen sequels and Catacomb 3D. Romero emphasized a shift in development practices with Wolfenstein 3D, allowing for a four-month development period focused on quality. He contrasted the simpler processes of that time with today's complex game development landscape. Additionally, he mentioned the rise of the hunting game genre and the potential of indie developers, while noting that Romero Games is seeking a new publisher after Microsoft withdrew funding for a triple-A shooter project.

AppWizard

August 3, 2025

PC game releases I’m most excited about this August

Steam is a key platform in digital gaming, offering a vast library and user-friendly interface. Recent innovations include a revamped recommendation algorithm using machine learning to personalize game suggestions, enhancing user experience and visibility for indie developers. Community features have been upgraded with new discussion forums and user-generated content options, fostering collaboration among players. For developers, Steam provides tools like a comprehensive analytics dashboard, flexible pricing models, and programs such as Steam Direct to simplify title submissions. The platform has adapted to market trends, expanding its catalog to include virtual reality and cross-platform gaming. Enhanced moderation tools promote a safe and inclusive environment for users. Steam's future looks promising with ongoing investments in technology and community engagement.

AppWizard

July 31, 2025

Where Eric Barone used his indie bucks to buy a proper PC, creator of Stardew Valley-inspired hit Rusty’s Retirement says he’s got the same $1,000 rig after selling half a million copies: “We’ve literally done nothing else differently”

Many indie game developers experience financial success but often reinvest their earnings into their work rather than indulging in leisure. Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley, upgraded his PC after the game's success instead of making extravagant purchases. Jordan Morris, who sold around 550,000 copies of his game, expressed admiration for other indie titles like Hollow Knight, feeling it was underpriced and purchasing it multiple times. These examples highlight the dedication and continuous drive of indie developers to create new projects.