Key findings

• Indie developers put their heart, time and money into games, offering unique experiences full of personality despite the challenges they face due to tight budgets and lack of discoverability.
• There is a great deal of creative freedom in indie game development, allowing for risks to be taken that result in unique gameplay mechanics and storytelling techniques that are often missing in mainstream titles.
• Despite challenges such as limited resources and visibility, indie developers continue to create innovative and entertaining games for players.

Indie games like Stardew Valley And Hades have become some of the biggest hits in gaming, but the world of indie development is very different from that of big-budget triple-A releases. Here’s what smaller indie developers want to tell their fans about the current state of the industry.

The driving force behind the development of a game

I’m a solo indie developer and have already completed a few games (most recently I applied to the GMTK Game Jam 2024). My insights come from personal experience talking to gamers and from discussions with other indie game developers in my professional circle.

Because of my position, I have a lot of respect for indie game developers. But there are a lot of things that indie developers don’t usually tell their audience. Sometimes it’s because they think the audience already knows, but sometimes it’s because they’re too busy trying to make things work.

A labor of love

Indie developers put their heart, soul, and time, and often their own money, into making games. Unlike large studios with significant financial resources, these developers have to work on tight budgets and sometimes juggle other jobs to bring their visions to life. This personal commitment results in games that are deeply personal and made with tremendous passion.

For gamers, this means that every indie game is a labor of love. Developers aren’t just concerned with profit, they’re also giving away a piece of their soul. When you pick up an indie game, you’re experiencing something unique that often reflects the developer’s personal experiences, dreams, and creative expression.

No studio restrictions

One of the most exciting aspects of indie game development is the creative freedom it allows. Unlike larger studios that shy away from more experimental ideas for financial reasons, indie developers have fewer restrictions. This freedom leads to unique game mechanics, unconventional storytelling, and stylized graphics that stand out in the gaming landscape. Sometimes, lack of support from a major studio leads to disastrous launches, but a game can recover from that.

For gamers, indie games can offer a variety of experiences that may not be possible with mainstream titles. Indie games offer new perspectives and gameplay hooks that challenge traditional gaming norms and give players something new and exciting.

The path as an indie developer is hard

When developing a game, you have to wear many different hats. Sometimes you have to be a game designer, sometimes a 3D modeler, and sometimes a programmer. Aside from these challenges, there are a few other things in the world of indie game development that most gamers never notice.

Game development is quite expensive

Triple-A studios invest millions of dollars in a new title. Indie developers often have to make do with a small salary and the fluff they’ve accumulated in their jeans pockets. Without the huge budgets of the big studios, indie developers have to maximize every dollar and hour they invest.

Players may not realize that every aspect of an indie game, from the graphics and music to the programming and marketing, is often handled by a small team or even a single person. This limitation can lead to longer development times and the need for careful resource management. The next time you see an indie game, think of all the resources that go into developing such a game.

Draw attention to your product

One of the biggest problems for indie developers is getting gamers’ attention to their product. Thousands of games are developed and released every year. Many of them are shovelware like asset flips from well-known game engines, but there are also a few diamonds that really deserve recognition. Even the most innovative and well-made indie games can go unnoticed without effective marketing and community support.

For gamers, this means that discovering hidden gems may require a little more effort. Word of mouth, reviews, and recommendations play a crucial role in getting these games to a wider audience. By actively supporting and promoting indie titles, gamers can help their favorite games get the recognition they need to succeed.

Some developers have built a community on social media that helps them promote their game, but the reach is still very limited.

Social media is a huge boon for game developers. Screenshots, gameplay videos, and other things help to attract attention and get people involved in development. Some developers create and manage a Discord server to get updates to their followers faster. There are a few reasons why community is so important to an indie developer.

Player Feedback

Early access and beta testing are common practices in indie game development. They allow players to provide feedback that helps shape the final product. This interaction is crucial for developers, as they rely on player input to identify bugs, balance gameplay, and improve overall quality. For this reason, some developers release early access games on Steam to generate a community’s interest in their development.

For players, participating in Early Access and providing constructive feedback is a way to directly influence the development process. It creates a sense of collaboration between developers and players, resulting in games that better meet players’ expectations and desires. Imagine being able to say you helped develop a great game!

Have you ever seen a game and then told all your friends about it? This is the kind of energy that indie developers value in their communities. Positive reviews, social media shares and personal recommendations can significantly increase a game’s visibility and success. Unlike large studios with significant marketing budgets, indie developers rely on the natural spread of information to reach new players.

As a gamer, sharing your favorite indie games with friends and on social media can have a huge impact. Every mention, review, or recommendation helps build momentum and can be the difference between an indie game succeeding or fading into obscurity.

Common misunderstandings in the industry

Developing an indie game is not an easy task. Aside from the uphill battle for discoverability, many developers also face the problem of misunderstandings clouding the atmosphere around their projects.

Some gamers have the preconceived notion that most indie games are of low quality. However, games like Sky blue, Hollow KnightAnd Stardew Valley prove that indie titles can be just as fun as big-budget games. Gamers should approach indie games with an open mind and appreciate the unique qualities and innovations they bring.

Another common misconception is that indie developers make tons of money from their product. There have been some very successful indie titles over the years, but most indie developers rarely make back the money they put into a project. Many game developers have to find alternative ways to make money to stay afloat. Even if their game is successful, it won’t necessarily pay for itself unless it gets massive traction.

It is a lot of work, but we do it anyway

Indie game developers put passion, creativity, and tremendous effort into their projects. Despite significant challenges, their dedication results in some of the most innovative and unique gaming experiences on the market.

We spend so many hours fixing bugs or figuring out if a certain game mechanic is fun because we love making things that people can play. We love it when people come up to us and tell us they played our game and enjoyed it. For many indie developers in the industry, game development isn’t about the money. It’s about making more things that people enjoy and pursuing a passion for creating.