Indie Game Funding: A Shift in the Landscape
Making cool video games is awesome, but it takes money to turn those ideas into reality, especially for independent (indie) developers who don’t have giant companies backing them up. In the past few years, some indie devs found success with funding deals from services like Xbox Game Pass and exclusive deals with the Epic Games Store. But according to the creators of hit indie games like Slay the Spire and Darkest Dungeon, those days might be over.
Finding Funding: A Challenge for Indie Developers
At a recent gaming conference, Casey Yano, co-founder of Mega Crit (the studio behind Slay the Spire), spoke about the difficulties facing many small game development teams. He mentioned hearing stories of studios having funding cuts, deals falling through, and overall anxieties about securing the money needed to create their games.
“We’re lucky to be able to fund our own projects,” Yano admitted. “But for many other studios, things are tough right now.”
The Rise (and Fall?) of Big Deals for Indie Games
Both Slay the Spire and Darkest Dungeon were successful after launching on Steam Early Access, a program that allows players to buy and play games while they’re still under development. These games are also available with a PC Game Pass subscription. However, Chris Bourassa, director at Red Hook Studios (creators of Darkest Dungeon), says that the kind of deals Microsoft offers for Game Pass have gotten smaller since the service started.
“Epic Games deals are also not what they used to be,” Bourassa added. He compared the situation to a gold rush, where the initial excitement and big opportunities have faded.
While these changes might sound discouraging, Bourassa remains optimistic. He believes there might be a new way for indie devs to find success, just like how diamond discoveries shifted the focus away from gold mining in the past.
Epic Exclusives: A Double-Edged Sword
Red Hook Studios took a controversial approach with Darkest Dungeon 2, making it an exclusive title on the Epic Games Store when it launched in Early Access. While these exclusive deals can upset some players who prefer other platforms, they also offer a safety net for indie developers. The upfront payment from the deal can help cover development costs, giving the studio some breathing room before the game is even finished.
This financial security can be crucial for small teams, where a single unsuccessful game could mean the end of the studio.
The Indie Scene Unites: A Showcase for New Talent
Despite the challenges, the creative spirit of the indie game development world remains strong. To give smaller studios a boost, Red Hook Studios and Mega Crit have joined forces with Evil Empire (creators of Dead Cells DLC) to host a special online event called the “Triple-I” showcase. This event, happening on April 10th, will feature upcoming games from talented indie developers, including studios behind hits like Terraria (Re-Logic) and Vampire Survivors (poncle).
Showcases like these can help bring attention to promising new games and give indie developers a platform to connect with players.
The Future of Indie Games: Challenges and Opportunities
The landscape of indie game funding might be changing, but that doesn’t mean the dream of creating successful indie games is dead. There are still ways for passionate developers to get their projects off the ground. Here are some key takeaways:
- Indie game development can be tough, especially when it comes to funding.
- Big deals from services like Game Pass and the Epic Games Store might not be as common as they once were.
- Early Access can be a valuable tool for indie developers.
- Indie exclusives can offer financial security but might upset some players.
- Events like the “Triple-I” showcase can help promote new indie games.
Despite the current challenges, the creativity and dedication of indie developers is what keeps the gaming world exciting and diverse. By working together and finding new ways to connect with players, the future of indie games remains bright.
