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Indie Developers

All articles tagged with #indie developers

Roblox Unveils 2026 Incubator Cohort, Highlighting Six Novel Projects
gaming11 days ago

Roblox Unveils 2026 Incubator Cohort, Highlighting Six Novel Projects

Roblox revealed its 2026 Incubator cohort of 26 teams, aiming to push novel games with new genres, mechanics, and visuals. Six projects previewed include Octane (open-world driving), Sky Pixel (2D farming/RPG on floating islands), Cosmic Carnage (car combat), Fossil Force (dinosaur-themed extraction shooter), Drifters (extraction shooter), and Aetherfall (open-world elemental RPG). The six-month program provides mentorship and milestone-based support, with an increased DevEx rate for eligible 18+ US players; incubator applications are closed while Jumpstart applications remain open.

via Roblox|
#game-development#gaming#incubator
WASD Expo Cancellation Shocks UK Gaming Scene
gaming1 year ago

WASD Expo Cancellation Shocks UK Gaming Scene

The WASD expo, a key event for showcasing UK gaming talent, particularly independent developers, has been cancelled due to financial difficulties faced by its organizer, who has gone into liquidation. This cancellation reflects broader challenges in the gaming industry, including job cuts and studio closures. The expo, which began in 2022, was an important platform for indie developers to present their work and connect with the community. The decision comes amid a shift towards digital events by larger gaming companies, reducing the demand for in-person showcases.

via BBC.com|
#event-cancellation#gaming#gaming-industry-challenges
"Summer Game Fest Charges $250K for 1-Minute Trailers"
video-games2 years ago

"Summer Game Fest Charges $250K for 1-Minute Trailers"

A report reveals that showcasing a 1-minute trailer at Summer Game Fest costs $250,000, with prices increasing for longer trailers. The event, which has gained prominence after the decline of E3, offers significant exposure but is financially challenging for indie developers. The high costs also include social media promotion and are similar to those at The Game Awards.

via Kotaku|
#event-costs#geoff-keighley#indie-developers
"Playdate: A Two-Year Success Story with 150K Games Sold and $1M in Developer Payouts"
gaming2 years ago

"Playdate: A Two-Year Success Story with 150K Games Sold and $1M in Developer Payouts"

Panic's Playdate handheld has sold over 150,000 games through its curated game shop, Catalog, in the last year, with more than half of its 70,000 users purchasing games. The store currently offers 181 titles, grossing over $544,000 in sales. While these numbers may not be enough for a full-time career, they have rekindled excitement for indie developers, with notable recent titles including Mars After Midnight from Papers, Please developer Lucas Pope.

via The Verge|
#game-sales#gaming#handheld-gaming
"Triple-i Game Showcase: Slay the Spire 2 Ditches Unity for 2025 Release"
gamingtech2 years ago

"Triple-i Game Showcase: Slay the Spire 2 Ditches Unity for 2025 Release"

Developer Mega Crit has confirmed that the upcoming Slay the Spire II will not be using Unity, opting instead for the open-source engine Godot. This decision follows controversy surrounding Unity's Runtime Fee policy changes, which led to backlash from indie developers. Despite Unity's subsequent policy adjustments, Mega Crit's move to Godot reflects a fractured relationship between developers and engine-makers, positioning Godot as a viable alternative for other developers.

via Game Developer|
#game-development#gamingtech#godot
Indie Game Devs Face Funding Drought as Game Pass and Epic Deals Dry Up
gamingindie-game-development2 years ago

Indie Game Devs Face Funding Drought as Game Pass and Epic Deals Dry Up

Indie developers at GDC 2024 have reported significant decreases in funding offers from Microsoft and Epic Games, impacting their ability to secure financial support for their games. The reduced offers come amidst economic challenges in the video game market and industry-wide cost-cutting measures. While exclusive deals with Epic Games Store can provide financial stability for some developers, the overall trend suggests a challenging landscape for indie studios reliant on these platforms. Despite ongoing challenges, both Game Pass and the Epic Games Store are making strides, with the latter preparing to launch on iOS in Europe and the former adding Diablo IV following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

via TechSpot|
#epic-games-store#funding-cuts#game-pass
"Indie Devs Face Funding Challenges as Game Pass and Epic Deals Dry Up"
gaming2 years ago

"Indie Devs Face Funding Challenges as Game Pass and Epic Deals Dry Up"

Indie developers claim that the "gold rush is over" for major funding deals from services like Xbox Game Pass and Epic Games, with offers reportedly "coming down in scope." Developers express concerns about diminished opportunities and funding cuts, highlighting a challenging period for the industry, despite Xbox's continued support through programs like ID@Xbox and upcoming Game Pass additions.

via Pure Xbox|
#funding-deals#game-developer-conference#gaming
"Preview: 12 Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games for February 2024"
gaming2 years ago

"Preview: 12 Upcoming Nintendo Switch Games for February 2024"

February 2024 brings a slew of new games to the Nintendo Switch, including remakes, indie titles, and DLC, such as "Tomb Raider I-III Remastered," "Mario vs. Donkey Kong," and "Splatoon 3: Side Order." Indie developers are also contributing with titles like "Project Downfall" and "Torn Away," while a surprise Nintendo Direct could bring even more releases.

via Nintendo Life|
#february-2024#gaming#indie-developers
gaming2 years ago

The Rise of Bespoke Publishing in Indie Games

The landscape for indie game developers has shifted from a self-publishing-first model to one that prioritizes deal-making and acquisitions with publishers. Prominent publishers like Annapurna Interactive, Devolver Digital, and Netflix have been actively supporting indie projects, providing financial support, marketing, and resources to help these developers bring their visions to life. This shift has created a boom in the world of indie games, but it also raises concerns about potential exploitation and the consolidation of power in the hands of publishers. Nonetheless, many indie developers see the current system of bespoke publishing as a functional and stable way to bring their games to a wider audience.

via Engadget|
#bespoke-publishing#gaming#indie-developers
Battle Bit Remastered dominates Steam sales and gameplay.
gaming3 years ago

Battle Bit Remastered dominates Steam sales and gameplay.

Battle Bit Remastered, an online FPS game developed by a team of just three indie developers, has become the number-one-selling game globally on Steam, with a peak player count of over 31,000 players and supporting 254-player servers. The game's unique feature of chaos with 254 players on one battlefield has drawn the attention of the FPS community, and content creators have praised the game.

via Dexerto|
#battle-bit-remastered#fps#gaming
McDonald's surprises with new Game Boy Color game featuring Grimace.
gaming3 years ago

McDonald's surprises with new Game Boy Color game featuring Grimace.

McDonald's has released a new retro-style Game Boy Color game called Grimace's Birthday, featuring the purple milkshake blob Grimace. Developed by Brooklyn-based indie game studio Krool Toys, the game involves simple 2D platforming and skateboarding, and is short with only four levels and one bonus round. The pixel art is great, and the levels are cleverly designed. The game is meant to be played in a browser on a phone or computer, but it's also a fully working Game Boy Color game that can be downloaded and played on the original hardware.

via Ars Technica|
#game-boy-color#gaming#grimace