indie game development Archives

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

25 great Steam games you probably missed in 2025⁠—from freebies to $40

2025 has seen a variety of standout gaming titles, prompting PC Gamer to compile a list for Game of the Year discussions. Individual preferences among team members varied widely, leading to a focus on lesser-known games with modest Steam reviews. A selection of 25 exceptional games was curated, arranged from the most affordable to the pricier offerings. Notable free titles include "The Children of Clay," a chilling point-and-click adventure, and "funky one," a prequel to "Lunacid." An expansion for "Echo Point Nova" has doubled its content and enhanced gameplay. In the budget range, "Cultic" offers a 10-hour shooter campaign, while "Neverwinter Nights" has been revitalized by modder Luke "Alazander" Scull. "Bloodthief" provides a unique horror experience as players take on the role of a tabloid journalist. In the mid-range, "Keep Driving" is a turn-based road trip RPG, and "Labyrinth of the Demon King" blends horror with history. "Mohrta" combines classic action elements with modern twists. In the higher price range, "PPR" is an immersive RPG featuring mech combat, and "Sword of the Sea" offers a visually stunning experience with hoverboarding mechanics.

AppWizard

November 1, 2025

The Dwarf Fortress of survival gaming has been in continual development for 33 years, and its creator doesn’t think he’ll ever stop updating it: ‘When I accomplish one feature, I always have two more waiting’

UnReal World is a procedurally generated survival roguelike game set in Iron Age Finland, designed by Sami Maaranen since 1992. The game evolved from a traditional fantasy roguelike to incorporate survival elements like a dynamic weather system, hunger simulation, and shelter construction. It features complex systems such as crafting, intricate animal AI, and a combat system that simulates injuries to specific body parts, drawing inspiration from Finnish folklore. UnReal World debuted on Windows in 1999 and was released on Steam in 2016. Maaranen continues to work on the game part-time, focusing on enhancing clothmaking mechanics and introducing permanent NPC companions. He aspires to implement advanced artificial intelligence for NPCs to create richer interactions.

AppWizard

September 16, 2025

IGDA appoints Limpho Moeti as its chair

Limpho Moeti has been appointed as the chair of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), succeeding Zak Whaley. Moeti has nine years of experience in the gaming industry and is a co-founder of the indie festival Playtopia. Nazih Gares has been appointed as the new vice chair, and Mafalda Duarte as the secretary, while Tim Cullings continues as treasurer. Gares was previously the studio director of Telescope Game Studios and co-founded Game Dev Lison. Duarte has made significant contributions to the gaming landscape. Dr. Jakin Vela, the executive director of IGDA, expressed confidence in the new leadership team.

AppWizard

August 25, 2025

Five new Steam games you probably missed (August 25, 2025)

Steam releases approximately a dozen new games daily, creating a challenging environment for gamers to find hidden gems. Waterpark Simulator - Release Date: August 23 - Developer: CayPlay - Description: A game that captures the essence of fun and adventure in a vibrant aquatic environment. Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken - Release Date: August 22 - Developer: scriptwelder - Description: A horror-themed point-and-click game where players control Amy, who investigates her brother's death through puzzles and storytelling. Crescent Tower - Release Date: August 20 - Developer: Curry Croquette - Description: A classic dungeon crawler with 8-bit pixel art, featuring nine classes across three races and turn-based combat. HorrorToleranceTest - Release Date: August 20 - Developer: うさうさはっぴーげーむず - Description: A Japanese horror game with mini-games that challenge players' reactions to various horror scenarios.

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.

AppWizard

August 14, 2025

Coatsink’s founders are leaving the company

Coatsink, an indie game development studio, is undergoing a leadership change as its founding trio—CEO Tom Beardsmore, CDO Paul Crabb, and COO Eddie Beardsmore—will step down from their roles by the end of the year after 14 years. Richard Snowdon, who has been with Coatsink since 2015 and served as head of studio since 2022, will become the new CEO. Snowdon has prior experience at Eutechnyx, Double Eleven, and Accenture.

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

June 27, 2025

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

The Very Big Indie Pitch (VBIP) at PG Connects Barcelona 2025 showcased a variety of PC and console games, marking a significant milestone for the VBIP format and highlighting the indie game development scene in the city. Indie developers had five minutes to present their games to rotating panels of judges from publishing, development, and media sectors, receiving valuable feedback. The event featured dedicated pitches for PC, console, and mobile games, fostering networking opportunities among developers at different project stages. The pitching sessions are a key feature of PG Connects conferences, providing insights into global development scenes. A curated list of games presented during the event was available, with details for future participation on the Big Indie Pitch website.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Mobile firm Brightika to invest $3m in PC and console titles

Brightika is investing a substantial amount over the next two years to enter the PC and console gaming market, aiming to support indie game development with financial backing, marketing, and publishing assistance. The company has nearly 200 million installations of its mobile games and plans to replicate this success in the new markets. Discussions are ongoing with various development teams, and some titles may be showcased at the Steam Next Fest from June 9th to 16th. Founder Alexander Rodichev highlights the goal of providing marketing and distribution support to developers in these sectors.

Winsage

April 23, 2025

This cartridge lets you run a fake Windows 3.1 on your Game Boy, complete with Minesweeper

The GBS Windows cartridge, created by Rubenretro using GB Studio, allows users to experience a faux version of Windows 3.1 on the Game Boy. It includes applications like Minesweeper, a media player, and Paint, enabling creative expression with features such as printing via a Game Boy printer. The cartridges have sold out due to high demand, but customers can sign up on Etsy for restock notifications.