indie publisher Archives

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

India’s Nazara has acquired Curve Games

Nazara Technologies has acquired UK-based indie publisher Curve for ₹2.47 billion (approximately million). Curve is known for titles like Human Fall Flat and For the King and will continue operations in London with its current management team. The acquisition includes Curve's first-party studios, such as Runner Duck and IronOak Games. This move follows Nazara's acquisition of Fusebox Games in 2024. Stuart Dinsey, executive chair of Curve Games, expressed enthusiasm about joining Nazara, emphasizing the potential for growth in mobile gaming while maintaining their indie spirit. Nitish Mittersain, CEO of Nazara Technologies, highlighted the alignment of Curve’s capabilities with Nazara’s vision for premium gaming and the acquisition's role in enhancing their portfolio and supporting indie creators.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Devolver lays off 40% of Nerial workforce

Indie publisher Devolver Digital has reduced its workforce at Nerial, the studio behind the Reigns series, by 40 percent as part of a strategic response to challenges with recent releases. Nerial currently has 13 employees listed on LinkedIn, though it is unclear if this reflects pre- or post-layoff numbers. The Reigns franchise has generated over a million in revenue. Additionally, Polish developer Artificer has seen a workforce reduction exceeding 50 percent, and other Devolver labels, such as Good Shepherd and Big Fan, have also experienced layoffs affecting more than half of their staff in 2024. Overall, Devolver has reduced its workforce by over 30 employees between 2023 and 2024. Cult of the Lamb has generated over a million in lifetime revenue, Astroneer has surpassed the million mark, and the Gungeon series has earned over a million and sold more than five million copies. Devolver's average expenditure on third-party titles is projected to decline from approximately .99 million in 2022 to .73 million in 2025 and further to .04 million in 2026.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Indie Game Festival to debut at Mumbai Comic Con: 40 Indian PC and console games at showcase – The Times of India

The inaugural Indie Game Utsav will take place at the Mumbai Comic Con on April 12-13, 2025, showcasing 40 homegrown PC and console games at the Jio World Convention Centre. Supported by Xbox, Xsolla, and Nodwin Gaming, the festival aims to help indie creators overcome challenges in the industry. PC gaming constitutes 22 percent of India's video game revenue, with a global Steam player base of 132 million. The event will facilitate interactions with international publishers like Krafton, Epic Games, and Devolver Digital, and will include networking events, pitch sessions, and skill-building workshops. Pre-event activities will feature a two-day session by RawFury, workshops by Epic Games, and a Game Maker Mixer. The festival's founder, Avichal Singh, aims to help quality indie games from India achieve success, reflecting the potential demonstrated by titles like Raji: An Ancient Epic.

AppWizard

March 7, 2025

Pantaloon rolls out publishing label

Pantaloon has launched a new publishing label that includes two titles: the narrative-driven game Sub-Verge and a Solitaire project named Occlude. The newsletter has nearly 30,000 subscribers and aims to support development partners by promoting unconventional and experimental games. The label's motto is “A home for misfits,” reflecting its commitment to nurturing creative minds in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

February 19, 2025

The Dirty Little Helper provides Free Steam Keys, Gaming News, Reviews and Cheats- Dlh.net

Indie publisher and developer Firenut Games has partnered with Digital Dream to release a psychological horror adventure game titled Baptiste, set to launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X later in 2025. The game follows Sara and her son Tom as they deal with a family tragedy and relocate to Jagged Shore Cliff, where they face their fears. A demo featuring the first 30 minutes of gameplay is available on Steam, introducing players to the storyline and mechanics, including a doll named Baptiste. Key features of the game include total immersion, a suffocating atmosphere, a tormented protagonist, bloodthirsty mysteries, a disturbing aesthetic, and a surrounding narrative that enhances the horror experience. Fans can add Baptiste to their Steam and PlayStation wishlists.

AppWizard

December 5, 2024

Reforged Studios snaps up Yellow Lab Games

Indie publisher Reforged Studios has acquired Yellow Lab Games, its third development acquisition of the year. Yellow Lab will maintain operational independence. The studio is currently developing a roguelite RPG titled Metavoidal, set to release on Steam in the first quarter of 2025. This acquisition follows Reforged's earlier purchases of Ground Shatter and Extra Mile Studios in August. CEO Peter Van Der Watt expressed admiration for South Africa's game development talent and emphasized the company's excitement about investing in Africa's gaming scene.

AppWizard

November 7, 2024

Curve Games expands China operation

Indie publisher Curve Games is expanding its presence in the Chinese market by establishing a dedicated business development unit, which will more than double its resources in the region. The company has partnered with Tencent's TiMi Studio Group to enhance its influence in the local gaming landscape. Curve's VP for Asia Publishing, Glenn Wang, noted the emergence of indie companies and the interest from various entertainment firms in content. Executive chair Stuart Dinsey highlighted the importance of the Asian market to Curve's strategy and announced the formation of a five-member team to secure new publishing deals. Curve's recent participation in Gamescom Asia in Singapore has increased confidence in the region's potential for indie publishers.