Why indie games matter? That is a good question. Triple AAA studios used to be the premier gaming option. If you want a cool game, you had to buy from them. Activision, Blizzard, UBISoft and many more were the go-to publishers. We all played Halo, Far-cry, World of Warcraft, Fable; these games transported us to a new world that gave us days of enjoyment. Now, in 2024, these same publishers no longer put their heart and soul into their games. You do not feel love when you play the game. Everything has become microtransactions where when you purchase the game, only 80% of it is complete and the rest must be purchased.
Indie games have entered the chat. Games like Outer Wilds, Stardew Valley, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, The Forest, and Limbo to name a few, are all made by indie developers. Indie games even bring back the nostalgia of old super NES games. Zelda and chrono trigger style games, such as Alterium Shift and Timothy and the Mysterious Forest DX, have emerged and are doing well with gamers.
Indie developers often experiment with unique gameplay mechanics, storytelling techniques, and art styles that larger studios might shy away from due to market pressures. This leads to fresh ideas and innovative games that can push the boundaries of the medium. The games often focus on niche genres and themes that may be overlooked by mainstream developers. This diversity helps to create a wider array of gaming experiences, catering to different audiences and interests, including marginalized voices and unconventional narratives.
Many indie developers foster close relationships with their communities, often involving players in the development process through early access and feedback loops. This engagement can lead to more refined products and a strong sense of community among players. When the gamer community feels like their concerns and ideas are being heard, it fosters better brand loyalty. Triple AAA studios lack this connection with their fan base. They continue to produce games that shy away from their core gamers to bring in younger players and money.
Indie game developers do the opposite, they want all gamers of every range to play their game and only produce 100% compete games. This does very well in the gaming community. Once a developer looses touch with their gamers and solely focuses on profits, is when the studio slowly dies. Gamers will move away and go to other studios who still care about them.
Overall, indie games and their developers are vital to the evolution of gaming as a medium, promoting creativity, diversity, and community engagement in ways that enrich the gaming experience for everyone. We at Old World Games Studio hope to make gamers of all ages proud and give them an experience they can enjoy. Our goal is for everyone to feel the love we put into our game and get that feeling we once had back in the early days of gaming.
OWGamesStudio Commentary
David
I think indie games are a blessing. The last few years, mainstream gaming has become stagnant, not evolving with the times and purely focused on money. I understand money pays the bills, but if you are going to make a game, make it right. Make it focused on gamers and their enjoyment instead of your pocket. This is what indie game developers succeed at. They create games with love and pour everything into them for the gamer. They talk to gamers, get their input, fix what they like and do not like and product content that is amazing. This is what is lacking with triple AAA studios now-a-days.
Daniel
Indie games and developers are vital to the gaming industry because they bring creativity, innovation, and diversity that larger studios might overlook or ignore. Free from the constraints of massive budgets and corporate agendas, indie devs can take risks, explore unique narratives, and experiment with unconventional game mechanics. This fosters fresh ideas and more niche, personal experiences for players. Indie games often reflect the passion and vision of small teams or individuals, making them more experimental and emotionally resonant. Additionally, indie devs contribute to a more inclusive gaming culture, supporting a wider variety of voices and styles that help push the industry forward. As my mom would say, “Food tastes better if it’s made with love,” and I’d like to think that also applies to making games.
Here’s where you can find us:
- Newsletter: Sign Up!
- X: @OWGamesStudio
- BlueSky – @OWGamesStudio
- Threads: @OWGamesStudio
- YouTube: @OWGamesStudio
- TikTok: @OWGamesStudio
- Instagram: @OWGamesStudio
- Facebook: @OWGamesStudio
- LinkedIn: @OWGamesStudio
