Indie Games
Indie games have long been an integral part of the gaming scene. You have probably already played one or the other. But what makes these game pearls so special?
Indie games often have their own charm and bring new ideas to the video game world. But what exactly are indie games? The question cannot be answered with 100 percent certainty, since there are different opinions on the definition. I also have an opinion on this: In order for an indie game to be called an indie game, two criteria must be met. For one thing, it must have been developed by an independent developer without financial support from a publisher, and it must bring fresh, new ideas to the video game market.
But generally, indie games are characterized by minimalistic graphics, often a pixel look, innovative gameplay and low prices. Then even games with these characteristics are called indie games that were funded by publishers. Definition or not, some of my favorite games are indie games because of their charm they can enchant players.
Example: Moonlighter
A good example of this is Moonlighter. In Moonlighter you play an adventurer named Will. This lives in a small village surrounded by mysterious caves full of monsters. So far, so normal. However, Will also inherited his father's shop by selling all sorts of items to traveling adventurers.
That's why Will is out and about in the deep dungeons at night, where he kills numerous monsters to collect their items and materials, which he then sells in the shop during the day. As a player, you have to think about what you want to sell and at what price. If the prices are too high, customers will not buy your items. If you set the price too low, you will lose cash. This combination - monster hunter at night, businessman during the day - brings with it a clever game element that has not yet existed in this form.
Early access is often a lifesaver
For developers who don't have a big budget for their game or who even work out of their own pockets, early access programs like Steam Early Access can be a lifesaver. These programs allow developers to market their game and earn money as soon as a first playable version has been created. This not only brings money into the coffers, but also valuable feedback from the players, which can help in the development process.
For this to work, the game must of course get some attention from the gaming community. And that's probably the most difficult step when it comes to marketing your game. This is also the reason why indie games often need a fresh, new game mechanic. In addition, a charming but simple graphic that enchants the player. Because when Indies look and play like all other games, they just go under in the crowd.
Example: Rimworld
An example of a successful game with little to no budget is Rimworld. It was developed by a single person, Tynan Sylvester, and is played by an average of 6000-8000 players a day. It has benefited greatly from the early access program. Rimworld went online with an alpha version on Steam in July 2016, with the 1.0 version expected shortly.
So before it is actually completed, it has more players than many indie titles will ever have. At Rimworld you experience a crash landing on an alien planet. With the surviving crew members, you must now build a colony with the goal of one day being able to flee from this planet. The trick is that you don't control the figures directly. You can distribute tasks such as: "This is to be built" or: "Please research this technology". The colonists then complete the tasks independently. The game is addicting and can last for several hundred hours.
Charm of the Indies: The passion of the developers
Since it's hard to develop a good indie game, and the developers often stand alone, they put all their heart and soul into the game. In addition, the game ideas are often their own, which strengthens the developer's bond with his game. For indie developers, it's often more than a job or project they're working on. That's why they are able to get the best out of their game and create the games that indie fans love so much.
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