What are indie games?
If you're a gamer, you're aware of the continued rising popularity of indie games.
In 2024, five of the top ten highest-grossing games on Steam will be from indie publishers, according to VG Insights.
But what are they?
Indie games are video games made by individuals or small teams that operate financially and creatively independently of major studios.
Unique and unforgettable gaming experiences like Stardew Valley and Undertale are born from this independence.
However, defining indie games based only on self-funding neglects other elements, such as unconventional narratives, aesthetics, and game mechanics.
Yes, some indie games are totally independent, while others have million-dollar budgets and are distributed by big studios.
For example, Minecraft started as an indie project but was later acquired by Microsoft.
The history of indie games
Indie games have been around since the beginning of video games.
One of the first indie games, Spacewar!, was released in 1963.
In the 1980s and 1990s, developers started making indie games for personal computers.
During this time, David Braben and Ian Bell created the space combat game Elite, which was a big success for gamers.
However, it was hard to sell indie games without help from big studios.
Then, in the 2000s, things changed.
Independent developers could reach more players through digital platforms like Steam and GOG.com.
Game creators could now release their games directly to players.
For players, this was exciting because it opened up a whole new world of games online.For players, this was exciting because it opened up a whole new world of games online.
Tools like Unreal Engine and Unity also became available, helping many make their indie games.
Since then, popular indie games like Braid, RuneScape, Counter-Strike, and Cave Story have been released.
Gradually, more people came together to form an indie gaming community.
In recent years, indie gaming has grown a lot.
Games like Minecraft, Undertale, Hollow Knight, and Celeste have made millions and gained many fans.
You’ve probably played one or more of these games!
And what is happening now? Well, we are in the era of the indie games.
Why are indie games so popular
Indie games are known for their unique art, design, and storytelling.
They are made by people who want to follow their own ideas without pressure from big studios, resulting in fresh stories and gameplay.
Indie studios create games for PCs, consoles, and mobile devices.
Unlike big game studios, they mostly release games online and don’t need physical copies.
They promote their games on platforms like Xbox, PS4, Steam, and the Windows Store, which helps them reach more players.
This digital method allows them to connect with a wide audience without the costs of making and distributing physical copies.
Back in the 90s, having a physical copy was a big part of gaming.
Today, players care more about the gaming experience itself, and indie games do a great job of providing that.
Top 5 best indie games
In the history of gaming, big game companies have mostly been the most influential.
Before digital gaming, indie games didn't really exist.
But now, with digital platforms like Steam, smaller developers are getting more attention and users are ready to try new concepts.
These games offer new and creative gaming mechanics, great stories, and features.
They also compete directly with the big game studios!
Below, we have the best 5 indie games ever produced.
1. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a funny and clever farm simulation game. It can be slow and has lots of daily tasks.
At first, it might seem like a simple copy of Harvest Moon, but it's much more than that.
Stardew Valley has dark and emotional stories and offers gameplay that keeps players wanting more.
Created by Eric Barone, this game has been successful on all gaming platforms and has fans all over the world.
Stardew Valley succeeds because it provides a strong experience beyond just watching numbers go up.
It shares a message while still keeping the gameplay that attracted players in the first place.
Stardew Valley is comforting, fun, and rewarding, all thanks to the amazing work of one person who never gave up. Thank you, Eric!
2. Undertale
Undertale is a fun and unique RPG game inspired by the Earthbound series.
It has a fresh story that makes fun of gaming and encourages players to think differently.
In this game, you can befriend your enemies instead of fighting them.
Even with a small budget of $40,000, Undertale has a great soundtrack and creative gameplay that stands out among the best games.
To really enjoy this quirky game, you need to play it yourself. Give it a try and use a controller!
3. First Cut
First Cut is an arcade sword-fighting game with intense action and realistic gameplay.
It features retro pixel art styling and Japanese-themed one-on-one duels, where players control a samurai.
The game offers solo or local multiplayer modes and provides deceptively simple but flexible combat.
While still a prototype, First Cut is surprisingly polished in both design and gameplay, making it a must-play for fans of samurai games.
4. UFO 50
UFO 50 is a set of 50 games made by a really passionate group of developers.
The games have a fun 80s style and use a limited color scheme, they feel nostalgic but are also fresh and fun to play.
This collection is filled with humor, featuring jokes and tricks that surprise players.
In one adventure game, tiles might suddenly fall on you as soon as you start.
In a puzzle game with a chameleon, birds will catch you hiding in logs just when you think you're blending in.
Many of the games don’t give instructions; they just drop you right in.
It’s great to have 50 games that let players "figure it out" on their own.
Many people think this is one of the most creative indie games ever made.
5. To the Moon
To The Moon is a game about two doctors, Dr. Watts and Dr. Rosalene, who help people fulfill their last wishes by changing their memories.
In the game, they are helping a man named John, who wants to go to the moon, but he doesn’t know why.
The game involves finding connections between memories to go back in time and make John's wish come true in a believable way.
To The Moon tells a touching story about everyday challenges and human dreams.
Even though the graphics and gameplay aren't the best, the story is still fantastic.
The emotional story of To The Moon makes it a powerful and unforgettable experience, even if you're not a gamer.
About indie game development
Indie game development is a creative process that requires technical skill and perseverance.
Unlike larger studios, indie game development often involves small teams or individuals taking on multiple roles.
Let’s look at the key aspects and stages of making an indie game.
How to make indie games?
Creating a game requires creativity, technical skills, and careful planning to turn an idea into a real game.
It also involves a small team of skilled people working together.
Here are the main steps in developing indie games:
- Coming Up with Ideas
Every indie game starts with an idea, like a fun gameplay feature, an interesting story, or a unique art style.
You need a game design document (GDD) to describe the game's concept, including how it plays, the story, characters, and visuals.
- Development Phases
- Pre-production: This stage involves refining the GDD, making prototypes, and planning the development.
- Production: This is when most of the work happens, like coding, creating art, and putting game mechanics in place.
- Post-production: This phase focuses on polishing the game, fixing bugs, testing, and getting ready for launch.
- Budgeting and Funding
Developers can fund their projects through personal savings, crowdfunding, grants, or early access sales.
- Time Considerations
Developing an indie game can take anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the game's size, team, and experience.
- Technical Development
Choosing the right game engine, like Unity, Unreal Engine, or Godot, is very important for building the game.
Programming and creating visuals and sounds are key parts of technical work.
- Marketing and Distribution
Building an audience and marketing the game is as important as making it. This can include using social media, going to gaming events, and connecting with game communities.
Games can be distributed on platforms like Steam, Itch.io, and consoles.
- Post-launch
After the game is released, indie developers often keep supporting it with updates, bug fixes, and sometimes new content.
How long does it take to make an indie game?
The time and cost to make an indie game can be very different depending on how complex the game is, the size of the team, and the resources available.
Simple games can take a few months and cost little money, while complex games might take several years and need a lot of funding.
Here’s a rough timeline for each stage:
- Conceptualization: 1 to 3 months.
- Pre-production: 2 to 6 months.
- Production: 6 to 24 months.
- Post-production: 3 to 6 months.
- Marketing: Ongoing.
- Post-launch: Ongoing.
How much does it cost to create an indie game?
The cost of making indie games can be quite different. Smaller projects usually cost between $10,000 and $200,000, which includes development and marketing expenses.
Bigger projects, made by larger teams, can cost from $200,000 to $750,000.
Developing mobile games often costs up to $200,000.
Here are some real examples:
- Undertale: This indie RPG, made mostly by Toby Fox, cost about $50,000 to develop.
- Among Us: This multiplayer game was created by a small team of three in about 7 months. Its development cost was between $10,000 and $50,000, depending on factors like the platform and features.
- Five Nights at Freddy's: This popular horror game was made by one person, Scott Cawthon, in just six months on a very small budget of around $100. He started a Kickstarter campaign looking for $10,000 but did not receive any funding.
The future of indie games: Trends and predictions
The indie game scene is getting more popular because platforms like Steam, mobile games, and VR make it easier for independent developers to create and share their games.
In 2024, new technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing will likely change indie game development, leading to more exciting games. The indie game market is expected to grow, especially in the Asia Pacific region, giving developers great opportunities.
It's important for indie developers to keep up with any changes to the rules for popular game engines like Unity when picking one for their projects.
Conclusions
Indie games are getting more popular because they offer new stories and unique gameplay that often stand out from big-name games.
These games target specific audiences, creating a vibrant space for creativity.
As indie developers keep exploring new ideas and stories, the future of indie gaming looks promising.
Even though making an indie game can be tough and challenging, it gives creators a great chance to share their ideas and connect with players on a personal level.
