indie development Archives

AppWizard

July 14, 2026

‘I’m in this whole new world’: Here’s what Eric Barone had to say about the life-changing Stardew Valley 10 years ago this month

Eric Barone, the developer of Stardew Valley, faced significant challenges during the game's development, including multiple reworks and a near cancellation due to a catastrophic computer crash. Despite these obstacles, he completed the game over four years, driven by a desire to be a game developer and the absence of similar titles on PC. Stardew Valley was inspired by Barone's childhood memories and aimed to fill a gap in the market for PC players. The game's release exceeded Barone's expectations, receiving overwhelming positive feedback and transforming his life and career. He plans to introduce multiplayer support, console ports, and attend gaming expos, marking a new phase in his journey as a game developer.

AppWizard

April 25, 2026

PS5 Games on PC Don’t Hurt PlayStation Sales, Finance More Projects, Says Shuhei Yoshida

Sony is considering a strategy shift regarding the release of its first-party single-player games on PC alongside the PlayStation 5. Former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida stated that PC ports have not negatively impacted PS5 sales and could help recoup development costs for high-budget titles. He noted that releasing games on PC after a period of exclusivity allows for additional revenue that can be reinvested into future projects. Yoshida also mentioned his departure from the role of president of Worldwide Studios was due to a lack of alignment with then-CEO Jim Ryan. Currently, Sony has not officially announced its future plans for PC releases, and there is uncertainty regarding upcoming titles like Saros and Marvel’s Wolverine.

AppWizard

April 16, 2026

While I go stir crazy waiting for another FromSoft game, I’m counting on these 4 indie Armored Core-likes to satisfy my mecha cravings when they hit Steam

2023 has seen a resurgence in mecha games, particularly with the release of Armored Core 6, leading fans to look for new titles from indie developers. Notable upcoming projects include: - Ironwing Valiant: Record of Astera by Tiger Team, featuring vibrant landscapes and party customization, with no announced release date but available for wishlisting on Steam. - Code Rapid by Hitbreak Games, showcasing dynamic combat inspired by PlatinumGames, with a demo expected in the coming months and no specific release date yet. - Rig Riot, which blends Armored Core aesthetics with a roguelike format, currently has a demo available on Steam. - Omega Phenex Commenced Project Six by Surumemanzyu, aiming for high-speed mecha combat, set for release in 2027, with players able to wishlist it on Steam.

AppWizard

April 2, 2026

‘What’s your salary? I told him, and he said no problem, we’ll double. And those days are gone:’ Listening to game dev legends reminiscing in 1989 about the ‘golden days of computer games’ already being over is a trip

Cassette tape recordings from the 1989 Computer Game Developers Conference reveal insights into the gaming industry's evolution. Robert Garriott of Origin Systems expressed concerns about an oversaturated PC gaming market, reflecting ongoing industry anxieties. A panel titled "The Golden Days of Computer Games" highlighted nostalgia for gaming history. Steve Cartwright credited Activision co-founder David Crane for his entry into game design, while M.U.L.E. designer Danielle Bunten Berry lamented the shift from a product-oriented mindset to one influenced by market demands. Garriott noted the decline of the "one programmer, one product" model, emphasizing the need for specialization and the importance of marketing in contemporary game development. Despite these challenges, indie development continues to thrive, with small teams creating celebrated titles. The complete panel recording is available from the Video Game History Foundation.

AppWizard

March 24, 2026

I crashed out reading layoff condolence letters in this shop sim about a laid-off adventurer made by a laid-off Xbox developer

In Dungeon Bodega Simulator, players are greeted with a message reflecting on job loss and resilience. Solo developer Alien Fruit, previously at Turn 10 Studios, experienced layoffs and the emotional toll that comes with it. Harrison, the creator of the game, struggles with imposter syndrome after being laid off and acknowledges the impact of job loss on identity. He is currently working on Dungeon Bodega Simulator as a way to navigate the indie market while also holding an entry-level QA position to manage finances. Harrison expresses a desire to find another role in systems or gameplay design, valuing teamwork and collaboration in his career.

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 15, 2026

‘We lost things such as physics in games:’ The dev behind my most anticipated RPG thinks players are craving more interactive games, not just ‘moving around in a static 3D environment’

Csaba "ForestWare" Székely's upcoming RPG, Sword Hero, is generating buzz for its intricate NPC behaviors, dynamic physics interactions, and unique emergent gameplay. Székely describes it as a "eurojank" game, reflecting the ambitious efforts of European developers. The game is currently in crowdfunding, having met its initial Kickstarter goals and seeking additional funding. Early impressions of the combat mechanics are positive, and a playable demo is available for players, who can also wishlist the game on Steam.

AppWizard

November 30, 2025

Palworld publishing boss says ‘I haven’t really touched so-called AAA titles’, adding that they tend to be ‘overwhelmingly about graphic quality and fidelity’

Pocketpair, the studio behind Palworld, focuses on indie games, including projects like Normal Fishing and Never Grave. John Buckley, the publishing manager, expresses a passion for indie games, highlighting their innovative mechanics and diverse gameplay compared to AAA titles, which he finds less interesting in terms of gameplay. He notes that the indie scene offers more creative freedom and unique concepts that diverge from mainstream offerings. The definition of "indie" is evolving, with titles like Clair Obscur receiving nominations for indie of the year, expanding the conversation about what constitutes a good game.

AppWizard

August 7, 2025

From Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Minecraft to Roguelite Raids: Everbloom Games Unveils Nullpoint Protocol

Everbloom Games is transitioning from creating content for Minecraft to indie game development with their first title, Nullpoint Protocol, a co-op roguelite set for release in 2026. The game focuses on MMO-style boss encounters without the grind of traditional RPGs and will feature a playable demo at PAX West 2025, Booth #648. Everbloom's origins trace back to a 2016 PlanetMinecraft competition, leading to successful collaborations with major franchises. Co-founder Tom van Berkel emphasizes the need for creative freedom as a driving force behind their shift to indie development, reflecting on the potential for growth in the industry through user-generated content platforms.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

ID@Xbox has paid out $5bn to indie devs so far

Microsoft's indie support initiative, ID@Xbox, has distributed over a billion dollars to independent developers since its launch in 2013. In the past year, more than 1,000 titles were released through the program, which has collaborated with over 5,000 developers worldwide and involved approximately 6,000 titles. The program aims to empower developers to reach audiences across multiple platforms, including console, PC, and cloud.