indie studio

AppWizard
July 17, 2025
The number of games on Steam disclosing the use of Generative AI has surged by nearly 800% over the past year, with just under 8,000 titles currently utilizing this technology, representing approximately 7% of the total Steam library. A year ago, around 1,000 games were reported to disclose the use of Generative AI. The influx of low-effort, AI-generated content has raised concerns among developers and players, particularly regarding quality dilution in gaming storefronts like the Nintendo eShop. Some developers have faced imitation of their popular titles, leading to frustration over misleading consumers. While some developers have stopped using AI due to backlash, others have adopted defensive language about their practices. The reported figures reflect only those developers who voluntarily disclose their use of Generative AI, suggesting the actual prevalence may be higher. Generative AI is being used in various ways, including for content moderation in games like Comedy Night, which filters offensive user-uploaded content. An artist known for contributions to Persona and Shin Megami Tensei attempted to train an AI model to replicate their style but found the results unsatisfactory, illustrating the challenges of AI in creative fields.
AppWizard
June 30, 2025
We Love Every Game is a platform created by Boston-based Totally Human Media to help players discover quality PC games on Steam, which sees nearly 20,000 new titles each year. The initiative is led by Ichiro Lambe, a game developer with 30 years of experience, including founding Sony Online Entertainment Denver and Dejobaan Games. The platform recommends games that have at least an 80% positive review rating on Steam with a minimum of 30 reviews. It aims to connect gamers with titles that match their preferences and is exploring the use of generative AI to summarize game content. The founders plan to expand the platform to include other forms of entertainment media and are seeking a sustainable business model that respects user experience.
AppWizard
June 18, 2025
MoteMancer is an automation game developed by indie studio CyanAvatar, where players act as an alchemical apprentice managing a magical factory across six elemental planes. Players extract elemental motes from magical energy veins, which can be mixed to create various materials and devices. The game features a non-linear research system that allows multitasking and unexpected discoveries. Each of the six interconnected worlds presents unique puzzles and challenges, requiring players to adapt their strategies as they transition between planes. The game utilizes a hexagonal layout for factory design, enhancing complexity. A demo is available on Steam, with progress potentially carrying over to the full game.
AppWizard
May 29, 2025
Developer Amplitude Studios has secured €12 million (.6 million) in funding from a Series A round led by Griffin Gaming Partners, which contributed €10 million. The funds will be used for developing projects like Endless Legend 2 and expanding the studio's capabilities. This funding follows Amplitude's management buyout from Sega. Amplitude CEO Romain de Waubert de Genlis emphasized the studio's commitment to its indie identity and creative vision, while Griffin partner Frankie Zhu highlighted the studio's success in creating strategy-based franchises.
AppWizard
May 21, 2025
Indian independent game developer UnderDogs Studio has unveiled the gameplay for its upcoming PS5 and PC title, Mukti, through a new gameplay trailer. Mukti is a first-person narrative adventure set in mid-2000s India, where players control Arya, a young woman searching for her grandfather in a museum while uncovering mysteries related to human trafficking. The game is part of Sony’s India Hero Project, with UnderDogs Studio collaborating with Sony for over a year. Players can wishlist Mukti on the PS Store for PS5 and on Steam for PC. The game is designed to utilize PS5 capabilities, offering immersive environments and 4K resolution, with optimized haptics and adaptive triggers for the DualSense controller. The tentative PC specifications include minimum requirements of Windows 10, Intel Core i5-9400F or AMD Ryzen 5 3500, 8 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 570, while recommended requirements include Windows 11, Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 7700, 16 GB RAM, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT. The Steam version will feature achievements, family sharing, and full controller support. UnderDogs Studio was founded in 2011 by Vaibhav Chavan and has developed over 250 games across various platforms.
AppWizard
May 12, 2025
A Minecraft Movie has surpassed 0 million at the box office. Jill Messick, a producer, sought film rights from Mojang Studios in 2011 after observing her son Jackson's enthusiasm for the game. She successfully pitched the concept to Mojang's founder, Markus Persson, and later collaborated with CAA to secure the rights. Producer Roy Lee and Warner Bros. also pursued the rights, leading to a partnership with Messick. The deal was finalized in February 2014, and Mojang was sold to Microsoft for .5 billion shortly after. The film's development involved various writers and filmmakers over a decade. Jill Messick passed away in February 2018, and her contributions were honored at the film's premiere on March 30, coinciding with Mother’s Day in the U.K.
AppWizard
March 17, 2025
SPINA Studio and SUPERHOT PRESENTS are developing a retro-style survival horror game titled PHASE ZERO, set to launch on PC via Steam, with a demo expected soon. The game features episodic chapters focusing on two protagonists, set in the fictional town of Flint Peak in 1994 during a snowstorm. A mysterious illness transforms the town's inhabitants into grotesque creatures. Players will navigate the environment using fixed camera angles and prerendered backgrounds, reminiscent of 90s horror games. Key features include confronting mutated monsters, exploring a 3D pre-rendered environment, and experiencing a chilling soundtrack.
AppWizard
December 6, 2024
The recent PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted showcased several upcoming indie games. 1. Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault - A sequel to Moonlighter, blending action RPG elements with shopkeeping, set for release in 2025 on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. 2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tactical Takedown - A turn-based strategy game from Strange Scaffold, launching on PC in 2025. 3. Cairn - A rock-climbing adventure and survival game with a free demo available on Steam, focusing on co-op gameplay, with early access expected next year. 4. The Legend of Baboo - An adventure game inspired by Middle Eastern fables, releasing in 2025 on PC and Xbox. 5. Abyssus - A co-op shooter set in a "brinepunk" world, entering alpha on December 6th, with a full release planned for next year. 6. MainFrames - A platformer set within a desktop PC interface, launching on PC and Nintendo Switch on March 6th. 7. Deepest Fear - A sci-fi horror game combining Metroidvania and FPS elements, with a release date yet to be announced for PC. 8. Blue Prince - A reimagining of Myst, inviting players to explore Mt. Holly manor, with a potential launch in the upcoming spring.
AppWizard
December 5, 2024
Safety Stoat Studios, known for creating games for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, discovered that their title Mythdragon was being sold on eBay for [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In a landscape where the gaming industry often grapples with piracy, the small yet spirited Safety Stoat Studios has found itself in an unexpected spotlight. Known for its innovative creations designed to run on retro hardware, the studio has recently encountered a rather unusual situation that highlights both the challenges and the quirks of the gaming world. Unexpected Recognition in the Gaming Community Safety Stoat Studios, which specializes in crafting games for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, discovered that one of its titles, Mythdragon, was being sold on eBay for an astonishing 0. This unauthorized reproduction, packaged in what appeared to be authentic Japanese Sega artwork, caught the studio's attention not just for the price tag, but for the sheer audacity of the endeavor. “After 12 games, 2 albums, and a lot of elbow grease, prayers, tears, adrenaline, and cortisol, we have arrived in the space traditionally occupied by industry giants,” the studio remarked, humorously acknowledging the irony of having their intellectual property misrepresented in Asia. While the team is understandably concerned about the implications of such piracy, they also see a silver lining in the situation. “We could not, in a million years, convince somebody that our game had a rare, Japan-only cartridge release and was somehow worth 0. But, here it is! Free marketing!” they quipped, emphasizing their hope that potential buyers would seek out the genuine article online. While the studio expresses concern over anyone paying for a game that is freely available, they can't help but appreciate the creativity behind the counterfeit. The packaging, which borrows heavily from the box art of the classic game Dragonfire, showcases the effort put into creating a convincing product. “The title does look badass, and we like the hiragana below, although we have no idea what it says,” the team noted, with a touch of admiration for the counterfeiters' work. In a delightful twist, a community member pointed out that the katakana used in the packaging is a transliteration of Mythdragon: “ミmi スsu ドdo ラra ゴgo ンn.” This revelation only added to the studio's excitement, as they celebrated their newfound status as a recognized developer in the gaming community. “Boo-ya! We win! We're a real developer now!” they exclaimed, alluding to their recent rejection from a homebrew games convention. Yet, amidst the celebration, they reiterated their core mission: “When we release games for free, it's because the games are supposed to be for everybody. Download our games! Enjoy them! Share them! We hope they make your life a little bit brighter!” This charming perspective from Safety Stoat Studios invites gamers to engage with their work authentically, while also serving as a reminder of the vibrant and sometimes unpredictable nature of the gaming industry. With a spirit of creativity and community at its heart, the studio continues to encourage players to experience their games as intended—without the price tag." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] as an unauthorized reproduction. The studio humorously acknowledged the irony of their intellectual property being misrepresented and viewed the situation as free marketing. They expressed concern over piracy but appreciated the creativity behind the counterfeit packaging, which borrowed from classic game art. A community member pointed out that the katakana on the packaging transliterated Mythdragon, which excited the studio and reinforced their status as a recognized developer. They reiterated their mission to provide free games for everyone to enjoy and share.
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