indie developers Archives

AppWizard

June 22, 2026

Steam finally found a way to recommend new games that doesn’t feel like I’m getting KO’d by a fire hose

Steam has introduced a "personal calendar" feature that highlights upcoming game releases for the next five days based on individual wishlists and preferred game tags. The calendar shows games released in the past month and previews up to six games per day for the next two months. Users can filter by specific game tags and hide games already on their wishlist. Notable upcoming releases include "Beast of Reincarnation" on August 3, "Big Walk" on August 4, and "Fields of Mistria" on August 5. The feature aims to enhance game discovery without overwhelming users, allowing them to find smaller indie games like "Cat Isle." Feedback indicates that the calendar effectively showcases a variety of titles tailored to user preferences.

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Finding a great new Discord hangout game that’s not a roguelike still feels like striking gold

The gaming landscape is shifting with a rise in 'friendslop' games following Peak's success, while indie developers are creating small, affordable co-op games that emphasize camaraderie. The market is crowded with various co-op experiences on platforms like Steam, including lo-fi 3D games, survival crafting adventures, and roguelikes. Traditional co-op first-person shooters, characterized by a certain charm, offer a refreshing alternative. Turok: Origins exemplifies this by providing a satisfying gameplay experience without complex narratives or pressure for endless playthroughs. Games like Space Marine 2 and Turok: Origins allow for casual interaction among players, balancing intensity with light-hearted conversation.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Nintendo’s legal battle with Palworld looks shakier than ever: It may only get ‘$30,000 chump change’ if it wins at all

Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, faced a lawsuit from Nintendo in 2024 over alleged infringements on Pokémon patents, with an initial claim for around ,000 in damages. As of nearly two years later, Palworld remains popular on Steam, and legal insights suggest that Nintendo may receive less than half of its original demand if it prevails in court. Pocketpair continues to develop Palworld despite the lawsuit, highlighting its commitment to innovation in the gaming industry. The case may influence the balance of power between indie developers and large corporations regarding intellectual property rights in video games.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

Indie Game Festival ‘BIC 2026’ Signs MOU with RedForce PC Arena

On June 12, the Busan Indie Connect Festival Organizing Committee and RedForce PC Arena signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026 (BIC 2026). The partnership includes the creation of a dedicated 'FGT (Focus Group Test) Zone' at the festival, allowing gamers to provide feedback on exhibition titles. RedForce PC Arena will supply high-performance PCs and monitors and manage technical support for the testing environment. The organization will also promote BIC 2026 through its network of PC cafes. BIC 2026 will take place as a hybrid festival from August 7 to 28 online and from August 14 to 16 offline at BEXCO Exhibition Center 1, Hall 2, in Busan.

AppWizard

June 12, 2026

After playing the new remake of Tomb Raider, I’m convinced you can’t actually remake Tomb Raider

The original Tomb Raider experience captivated players in the late 1990s with memorable moments such as discovering a trapezoid box, switching to high-resolution graphics, experiencing the eerie stillness of caves, diving into pools while counting seconds for air, learning the importance of quick saves, falling from a waterfall, exploring Croft Manor, encountering a T-Rex, and flipping through menus showcasing 3D models. The legacy of Tomb Raider continues with titles like Tomb Raider Anniversary and Tomb Raider Remastered, while the new game, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, invites contemplation about the essence of the original 1996 game. The gaming landscape in 2026 features near-photorealistic visuals, but the charm of the original lies in its unrefined elements, which large-scale game development struggles to replicate. There is potential for capturing the original magic if Amazon collaborates with indie developers, rather than merely following current trends.

AppWizard

June 8, 2026

This RTS is one of “history’s most beloved PC games” – now only $5 on Steam

Steam, developed by Valve Corporation, is a digital distribution platform that offers a vast library of games and user-friendly features. It fosters a vibrant community through forums, reviews, and user-generated content, supported by regular updates and seasonal sales. Recent enhancements include Steam Deck compatibility for portable gaming, improved social features for easier connection among users, and personalized game recommendations based on user preferences. Additionally, Steam supports indie developers with tools and resources to reach a global audience, diversifying the gaming landscape.

AppWizard

June 2, 2026

Gabe Newell on Steam monopoly accusations: Gamers have ‘enormous choice’ about where to buy games

Gabe Newell, co-founder of Valve, testified in an antitrust lawsuit by Wolfire Games, asserting that Steam does not operate as a monopoly in the PC gaming market and highlighting the variety of purchasing options available to consumers. He stated that he would remove Overgrowth from Steam if it were sold at a lower price elsewhere, indicating Valve's commitment to its pricing structure. Despite rising video game prices, Steam remains popular for discounted titles and has reduced the retail dominance of major publishers, benefiting indie developers. Newell's testimony comes amid ongoing legal challenges, including a million lawsuit in the UK accusing Valve of inflating game prices and suppressing competition.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Epic reveals first Unreal Engine 6 game, and it’s not Fortnite

Epic Games has announced Unreal Engine 6 during the Paris Major of the Rocket League Championship Series, showcasing enhanced vehicles and cinematic gameplay in a brief clip. The engine has gained popularity among developers, including CD Projekt and indie creators, and is also used in the film industry by studios like Disney. Unreal Engine 5 has seen significant adoption but faced criticism for performance issues, particularly on PC, despite Fortnite running smoothly on it. The reveal of Unreal Engine 6 is more subdued than the announcement of Unreal Engine 5. The trailer hints at Epic's broader metaverse ambitions, featuring other Epic titles and suggesting a vision for interconnected experiences. Tim Sweeney has indicated that Fortnite will evolve into a platform for independent developers and interoperable games in 2024.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

This Android gaming app might kill handheld PCs

GameNative allows users to play PC games on Android devices without an internet connection, supporting Steam titles, Epic Games Store, Good Old Games (GOG), and standalone game files. It features a known configs capability that optimizes game settings for better performance. The app's creator, Utkarsh Dalal, aims for GameNative to replace handheld PCs within two years, despite challenges related to compatibility with ARM-based chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Elite Gen 5 processors promise significant enhancements, and the release of Turnip drivers in early 2026 has improved gaming experiences on these devices. GameNative is free and open-source, with a monetization strategy focused on partnerships with game stores. It has recently added support for the Pixel 10 family, which uses an Imagination PowerVR GPU. The app collects user feedback to refine game configurations and plans to improve compatibility and support for third-party launchers.

AppWizard

May 5, 2026

PC gamers buy way more games that cost less than $30 at launch compared to PlayStation and Xbox players, analysts say, and it’s “reshaping the PC market”

PC gamers are increasingly favoring budget-friendly titles, with a significant portion of the market consisting of full-price games priced under a certain threshold. This trend is driven by the success of indie games, such as "Gamble With Your Friends," which sold 500,000 copies in three days. The demand for affordable gaming options is rising, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior towards valuing quality without high costs. The sub-category of games priced below a specific amount is thriving on PC, contrasting with the console gaming experience.