Video Games Aren’t Boring, You’re Not Playing the Right Ones
Do you ever find yourself missing the joy and excitement you once felt playing video games?
What if the thrill you’ve been chasing in gaming isn’t hidden in the latest big-budget AAA title — a formula you’ve probably been trapped in for the last 15 years — but tucked away in those ‘weird-ass’ indie games you’ve overlooked?
Sometimes, the most unexpected rough diamonds provide the richest experiences. Open your mind to the mind-bending possibilities that indie games offer. Read on and I’ll show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.
The Evolution and Impact of Indie Games versus AAA Stagnation
Recall the Golden Age of gaming from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s, defined by iconic, innovative titles. Today, however, many AAA games are crafted for profit-driven strategies, leading to endless remakes and a deluge of microtransactions. Even worse, the “Day One Patch” culture highlights a trend of releasing unfinished games — a stark contrast to the days when a shipped game’s bugs were permanent.
Indie games like “Hollow Knight” and “Stardew Valley” have risen as beacons of creativity, developed by small teams with limited budgets yet achieving significant financial and critical success. For instance, “Hollow Knight” sold over 2.8 million copies, far exceeding its initial funding goals on Kickstarter.
Quality Over Quantity and Developer Well-being
The industry’s prioritization of quantity over quality is a pressing concern. In the rush to exploit popular trends, companies churn out games rapidly, often releasing them before they’re fully polished, resulting in technical issues and a lack of innovation.
These tight schedules and immense workloads contribute to high burnout rates, stifling creativity and affecting game quality.
What is that one big AAA game that disappointed you the most? Tell me in the comments.
Bridging Generations and Evoking Nostalgia
Indie games resonate across different generations. Older gamers find comfort in the nostalgia offered by titles like “Undertale,” while younger audiences appreciate the innovative storytelling. And yes… even your cool uncle might find them rad.
Phil Spencer of Xbox and indie advocate Rami Ismail have both highlighted indie games as vital to the industry’s creative spirit, often exploring themes and employing mechanics that larger studios won’t touch.
“Indie games are the heart and soul of the creative forces in the gaming industry.” -Phil Spencer
Key Achievements in the Indie Game Scene Cultural Impact
Indie games are often celebrated for their artistic expression and innovative narratives. Games like “Gris,” “Hi-Fi Rush,” and “Planet of Lana” provide not just gameplay but a visual and auditory escape, showcasing the potential of gaming as an art form.
This emphasis on creative freedom allows indie developers to explore themes rarely touched by AAA games, like mental health in “Celeste” and philosophical quandaries in “The Stanley Parable.”
“Undertale”, created by indie developer Toby Fox, has left a significant mark on gaming culture with its unique mechanics that allow players to complete the game without killing any enemies.
This innovation has sparked discussions about moral choices in gaming and has influenced other game designs.
Case Study in Indie Innovation: ‘Lethal Company’ and Other Successes
“Lethal Company,” is a rogue-lite action game sold for $10 where players navigate through procedurally generated levels, using a mix of strategy and quick reflexes to survive the monstrous enemies while relying on realistic proximity chat. It’s believed to have sold 10 million copies with an estimated revenue of $113.9 million! (Justin Carter Contributing Editor, GameDeveloper.com)
Developed single-handedly by an indie developer, this game has outperformed major titles like “Resident Evil 4” remake in Steam ratings and sales. How many times has it been remade now I lost track. Speaking of which, what has been your experience with game remakes?
The Indie scene has also received considerable critical acclaim and media attention.
Indie such as “Hades” and “Celeste” have received critical acclaim, including nominations and wins at prestigious awards like The Game Awards and the BAFTAs, highlighting their quality and impact on the industry.
“Disco Elysium,” has been lauded for its narrative depth and innovative role-playing elements, sweeping major awards including four BAFTAs for Debut Game, Music, Narrative, and Game Design.
“Tunic,” an action-adventure game starring a small fox, received widespread acclaim and multiple awards for its intricate puzzles and beautifully detailed world at various indie game festivals.
“Stray,” is a game where players navigate a dystopian city as a cat, highlights the use of detailed environments and narrative-driven gameplay, pushing the envelope on what indie games can achieve visually and emotionally.
“Signalis,” is a classic survival horror game with a fresh sci-fi twist, praised for its atmospheric storytelling and retro-inspired graphics, showing how indie games can revive classic genres with modern sensibilities.
“Cult of the Lamb,” this game merges action, management, and roguelike elements, as players lead and grow a congregation of woodland worshippers.
“Sea of Stars,” is a turn-based RPG that modernizes classic genre elements with a dynamic, encounter-free combat system and strategic mechanics based on light and lunar phases, gaining acclaim for its engaging story, retro visuals, and innovative gameplay.
“Katana ZERO,” is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.
“Blasphemous,” is a brutal action-platformer with skilled hack’n slash combat set in the nightmare world of Cvstodia. Explore, upgrade your abilities, and perform savage executions on the hordes of enemies that stand between you and your quest to break eternal damnation.
“Horizon’s Gate,” is a Voyage into the wide world of Eral as an explorer, trader, or privateer. Defeat your enemies on land or at sea in deep but straightforward tactical combat. Unravel the secrets behind Dominio’s betrayal — or sail off in search of your own adventure.
“Darkest Dungeon,” is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. Recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark.
“Crypt of the NecroDancer,” is an award-winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat!
The development cycle of indie games allows for rapid adaptation to market changes and player feedback, unlike the often rigid structures of AAA game development. This adaptability can lead to highly refined games that are deeply aligned with player preferences and trends.
A notable example is “Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout” by Mediatonic, which adapted and iterated quickly based on player feedback to become one of the most streamed games.
The Big Guy Learning from the Little Guy
“Helldivers 2,” a standout AA title, successfully integrates indie game traits, such as originality, creative freedom, and community engagement, enhancing its popularity and fostering player loyalty. Its emphasis on a comedic tone of extremist patriotism, influenced by Starship Troopers, adds a unique flair.
The game stands out by offering fair reward and loot systems, allowing everything to be unlockable through in-game credits, which avoids exploiting the fans. Moreover, it prioritizes quality in its narrative and design, setting new benchmarks for AA games and demonstrating that adopting indie qualities can thrive in an AAA-dominated market.
A quirky favorite feature of mine is the hug emote, adding a wholesome option to interact in-game beyond combat. It’s nice to have the option to hug your online peers or homies instead of shooting them, right?
The Future of Gaming: Led by Indies
Indie games frequently have robust communities that contribute to the game’s development through feedback, modding, and fan-made content.
“Kerbal Space Program,” started as an indie project and grew through community involvement into a highly educational and entertaining game that NASA and SpaceX engineers have reportedly played. This community engagement not only extends the game’s life but also enhances its features and educational value.
In a time dominated by corporate giants more interested in profit margins than player experience, indie developers stand out as beacons of innovation and passion. They’ve not only filled the void left by AAA disappointments but have also begun to redefine our expectations for what video games can be.
As the industry stands at a crossroads, it’s the indie creators who are drawing the map for the future, inviting us all to join them in not just playing games but experiencing them. Do you agree with my ideas? Do you have an indie game you love? Tell me in the comments!
