indie studio Archives

AppWizard

January 11, 2026

New Cyberpunk Game Available for Free for All Steam Users

Beat of Rebellion is a free-to-play isometric rhythm-based Hack & Slash game developed by the indie studio CyberRacoons and published by AIV. It has received an 86% approval rating on Steam, earning a “Very Positive” designation. Players control a character called a Pulsedrifter in the dystopian city of New Nexus, where music is used as a weapon against oppression. The game features a vibrant aesthetic, clever level designs, fluid mechanics, and an engaging soundtrack.

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Millennium Whisper and the case for ethical, on-device AI in games

A recent survey by Google Cloud found that 90% of game developers are exploring generative AI. Millennium Whisper, a dating sim by Parable Studios, is the first game on Steam to run a large language model entirely on-device, avoiding cloud-based inference. This approach allows for unique in-game conversations and addresses ethical data usage, as actors retain ownership of their data and receive royalties. The game uses actor-led role-play sessions for character behavior, ensuring high-quality data. Running AI locally enhances energy efficiency and sustainability, contrasting with traditional server-based models that incur ongoing costs. Millennium Whisper received grant funding from Innovate UK and is currently in Early Access. Ambrose Robinson, the founder of Parable Studios, emphasizes the importance of energy savings and the sustainability of their AI approach.

AppWizard

December 4, 2025

Getting banned by Steam and Epic has made HORSES a best-seller — but this censorship bodes ill for creativity

Indie developer Santa Ragione's horror game HORSES has been banned from Steam without a clear explanation, leading to frustration from the developers and a lack of communication regarding the ban. Despite this setback, interest in the game has increased, resulting in strong sales on alternative platforms like GOG and itch.io, where it is currently a best-seller. The ban has made it difficult for Santa Ragione to secure external publishing deals, forcing them to seek private funding. Steam cited concerns over depictions of sexual conduct involving minors, while Epic referenced explicit sexual behavior and animal abuse, claims that Santa Ragione disputes. The game is available for purchase on GOG for .99 and on itch.io. GOG has expressed support for the game, emphasizing player choice in gaming experiences.

AppWizard

November 27, 2025

An indie studio says it’s at risk of closure after Valve banned its game from Steam

Indie studio Santa Ragione is facing potential closure due to its game, Horses, being denied entry to Steam, which is a major sales platform for PC games. Horses is a first-person horror game featuring a college student on a farm where the "horses" are adults in horse masks, aimed at an adult audience. Valve blocked the game over concerns that it depicted sexual conduct involving a minor, a claim Santa Ragione disputes. The studio plans to release Horses on alternative platforms like the Epic Games Store, GOG, Itch, and the Humble Store on December 2. Santa Ragione invested approximately 0,000 in the game and struggles financially after their previous title, Saturnalia, underperformed. They believe a scene in the game may have triggered Valve's concerns despite the characters being adults. The studio has been unable to secure external publishing partnerships and is relying on the success of Horses on non-Steam platforms to survive. Co-founder Pietro Righi Riva acknowledged that the studio could close if the game does not perform well.

AppWizard

November 26, 2025

After 2 years and $100,000 invested, acclaimed indie studio is “likely closing” due to Steam ban, says it was “tricked and betrayed” by Valve: “A system that allows that is broken”

Santa Ragione, an indie studio based in Italy, is facing a ban from Steam for its upcoming experimental horror game, Horses, which co-founder Pietro Righi Riva has described as "extremely frustrating." The studio, known for its innovative titles like Mediterranea Inferno and Saturnalia, has invested approximately 0,000 into Horses and is struggling to secure additional funding after traditional investors withdrew support. The ban stems from a scene depicting a "horse" that visually represents a naked adult woman carrying a young female child, which the studio modified to feature an adult character. Despite these changes, Valve has maintained its ban, while other platforms like Epic Games Store, GOG, and Humble Store have no issues distributing the game. Santa Ragione claims that Horses is neither "pornographic" nor intended to arouse, but rather aims to provoke discussion through unconventional material. The studio's access to over 75 percent of the PC gaming market is blocked, significantly impacting its financial prospects and future.

AppWizard

November 9, 2025

New co-op FPS combines the open-world hordes of Dying Light and the style of Borderlands, with a demo you can try first

Skopje '83 is a first-person shooter developed by the indie studio Dark-1 over six years, inspired by cel shading and concept art. The game is set in Skopje, North Macedonia, where players navigate a hostile environment using a mobile base called DOM, an armored bus for storing gear, crafting weapons, and recuperating. It features an open-world design, encouraging exploration and experimentation, with a dynamic world where death alters the landscape. Players can team up to combat mutated creatures and gather blueprints. A demo update has been released, and the full version is available on Steam for .99, with a 10% discount until November 14.

AppWizard

October 5, 2025

The solo dev behind RPG Sword Hero is promising a ‘seamless open world’ with amazing combat, intricate simulation, and systemic dismemberment—the demo on Steam makes me think they can pull it off

Sword Hero is an open-world RPG developed by indie studio ForestWare, featuring a combat arena demo that highlights high-stakes battles and innovative injury mechanics. Players can engage in challenging arena battles, spending an average of 3.2 hours revisiting six battles. The gameplay trailer showcases various elements, including a warrior battling a giant moth, fluid melee combat, dramatic arm severing, a prosthetic arm system, and parkour mechanics. The game promises a seamless open world without invisible barriers, populated by formidable creatures like Greyskin, Giants, and Dragons. ForestWare has introduced a "Tragedy Events" system that influences NPC behavior based on player actions. A prototype for a robot prosthetic has been revealed, indicating a broader system of limb damage and augmentation. The combat system features taunting enemies, the importance of light sources, hostile reactions from shopkeepers, and interactive items, with losing a dominant hand significantly impacting gameplay. The city of Wesport is guarded by a three-headed dragon, enhancing the narrative's intrigue. Players can wishlist the game and experience the demo on Steam, with a Kickstarter campaign launching in January.

AppWizard

September 26, 2025

Tiny Metal 2 is the third game in the turn-based strategy series, and it just so happens to be taking after my favorite Advance Wars

In 2001, Advance Wars was released, known for its balance of compactness and tactical depth, featuring a variety of units and a unique mechanic involving commanding officers' slow-charging heroic powers. Advance Wars: Dual Strike for the Nintendo DS expanded on this concept with a larger roster of units and powers, leading to unpredictable gameplay. An upcoming game in the Tiny Metal series, inspired by Dual Strike, is set to be released on Steam next year.

AppWizard

September 10, 2025

The indie horror game that fought back against Monster Energy trademark trolling (and won) is now being made into a movie

Glowstick Entertainment has secured a deal with So It Goes Entertainment to adapt its survival horror game, Dark Deception, into a feature film. The game has sold over six-and-a-half million copies and has attracted 58 million players worldwide. The film adaptation will be written by Adrian Speckert and Cory Todd Hughes. Glowstick faced legal challenges from Monster Energy over the use of the term "monster" in their game title, but the US Patent and Trademark Office ruled in Glowstick's favor, allowing them to continue using "monster" in their titles.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

After a messy legal battle, these devs are back with a brutal roguelike I’m so glad survived

Immortal: And the Death that Follows is the first release from the independent studio Mishura Games, formed by former employees of Limestone Games. The developers left due to allegations of unfulfilled financial promises and intellectual property disputes. The game is described as a "Kung-Fu Noir prison escape" inspired by Buddhist mythology, featuring high-octane combat, dating sim mechanics, and platforming elements. Players will face 16 mob bosses and make choices that affect relationships. The game is set to launch on Kickstarter with a free demo on September 16, and a full release is anticipated in 2027.