Jonah Patel
Indie games are generally considered to be those that are developed without the financial and technical support of a large publisher. Indie games are often innovative and experimental, taking risks that AAA games typically avoid. Indie games are usually created by individuals or small teams, sometimes formed specifically for the development of one game. Indie developers are often independent in terms of both finance and creative direction, allowing them to prioritise ideas over profit. Indie games are typically sold through digital distribution channels due to a lack of publisher support. While there is no standard definition, the term indie game generally refers to the conditions under which the game is created, rather than a specific genre or class.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team size | Small team or individuals |
| Budget | Low |
| Publisher | No large publisher involved |
| Funding | Self-funded or crowdfunded |
| Creative freedom | High |
| Innovation | High |
| Experimentation | High |
| Artistry | High |
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What You'll Learn
Small teams or individuals
Indie games are often the product of small teams or individuals. These small teams are usually made up of just a few people, with the number rarely exceeding 10. There are also indie developers who work alone.
Indie games are generally financially independent, meaning they are developed and published without the financial support of a large publisher. Indie developers usually have smaller budgets, often sourcing from personal funds or crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and CrowdFunder. They are free from the constraints and pressure to follow popular trends, allowing them to take risks and be innovative with their gameplay and narrative styles.
The development of indie games is often a labour of love, with developers motivated by their passion for gaming rather than solely by profit. This is reflected in the common saying within the indie community: "Indies make money so they can make games. Non-indies make games so they can make money."
Due to their smaller team sizes, indie game development fosters increased individual involvement and creative freedom. This independence allows developers to retain copyrights and explore their work further in the future, such as with sequels or remakes.
Indie game development has become more accessible in recent years due to the availability of training courses and the simplification of the development process. However, the majority of indie developers struggle to achieve financial success, facing challenges such as high competition and limited funding.
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Little to no budget
Indie games are generally created by individuals or small teams with little to no budget. They are often the result of personal passion projects, with developers working outside of their full-time jobs to bring their unique vision to life.
The lack of financial backing from large publishers or investors means that indie developers typically self-fund their projects or rely on crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Patreon. This financial independence allows them to retain creative control and explore innovative ideas without the pressure to follow popular trends or genres.
Due to limited resources, indie games often focus on experimental gameplay, unique narratives, and creative innovations to compensate for limited graphics or other production value elements. This freedom to develop without the constraints of a large publisher can lead to groundbreaking results, as seen in the success stories of indie games like "Superhot," "Undertale," and "Minecraft."
While the term "indie" is broadly used and can be subjective, it generally refers to the financial and creative independence of the developer. Indie developers make games out of a love for the medium, often prioritizing creative expression and innovation over financial gain. This distinction sets them apart from the larger studios and publishers, who typically prioritize profit and tend to play it safe with well-worn formulas.
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Financially and creatively independent
Indie games are generally financially and creatively independent. They are often developed by individuals or small teams without the financial support of large publishers or investors. Indie developers typically self-fund their projects or rely on alternative funding sources such as crowdfunding platforms. This financial independence allows them to retain creative control, explore innovative ideas, and take risks without the constraints imposed by external influences.
Financial independence in indie game development means that the developers bear the cost of development and publication themselves or through alternative funding sources like crowdfunding. They do not rely on the financial backing of large publishers or investors, who tend to be risk-averse and prefer big-budget games. Indie developers often have smaller budgets, which can lead to limitations in design decisions, but also fosters creativity and innovation.
Creative independence, or independence of thought, is another key aspect of indie games. Indie developers create their games without significant oversight or directional influence from third parties, such as publishers or investors. This freedom allows them to prioritize their artistic vision and explore unique gameplay mechanics, narratives, and experimental ideas. Indie games are known for pushing the boundaries of what games can be, often focusing on innovation and experimentation rather than purely commercial goals.
The size of the development team also plays a role in the financial and creative independence of indie games. Indie studios are typically made up of a small number of people, sometimes even a single individual. This small team size increases individual involvement and creativity, as each person takes on multiple roles and contributes unique skills to the project. However, it's important to note that the line between indie and non-indie can be blurry, and there is no standard definition or set of criteria for classifying a game as indie.
While financial and creative independence are key characteristics, the term "indie game" encompasses more than just these aspects. It represents a movement and a mindset within the gaming industry, challenging the norms and pushing the boundaries of what games can achieve. Indie developers often strive to create games that are innovative, experimental, and artistic, embracing risks and unique ideas that may not be feasible within the constraints of mainstream game development.
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Innovative and experimental
Indie games are often innovative and experimental. They are usually created by individuals or small teams without the financial support of large publishers, and this independence allows them to take risks and be highly creative.
The lack of financial backing from big publishers means that indie developers have more freedom to experiment and innovate. They are not bound by the same constraints and pressures to follow popular trends or genres, allowing them to focus on unique and artistic gameplay experiences. Indie developers are often motivated by their passion for gaming and the desire to create something new and exciting, rather than purely financial gain.
The indie game development process is typically more flexible and organic, with smaller team sizes increasing individual involvement and creativity. This can result in games that feel more personal and unique, as developers have the freedom to explore their ideas without the limitations imposed by a large publisher or studio.
Indie games often push the boundaries of what a game can be, both in terms of gameplay and narrative. They can take risks with unusual mechanics, art styles, and stories that might not be possible in a big-budget, publisher-backed game. This experimentation and innovation have helped to drive the gaming industry forward, offering players new and unexpected experiences.
While there is no standard definition of an indie game, and the term is broadly used, it is generally understood that these games are developed by small teams or individuals with limited budgets. This independence, both financial and creative, allows them to take risks and be innovative, experimental, and unique.
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Published without a publisher
Indie games are generally created by individuals or small development teams without the financial and technical support of a large game publisher. Indie developers usually have smaller budgets, sourcing funds from personal finances or crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and CrowdFunder. Self-publishing provides developers with total creative freedom, allowing them to experiment with ideas that established publishers might consider too risky.
However, self-publishing also means that developers must handle all aspects of game development, including funding, testing, marketing, and releasing the game. This can be challenging, especially for new developers who lack experience in these areas. Self-published indie developers must also navigate business procedures and rules, and the risk of financial loss is higher.
To mitigate these challenges, indie developers can explore cheap solutions, such as sponsorships, grants, and programs like Indie Fund or Indie Wolverine, which provide support and assistance with specific development elements like quality assurance and marketing. Additionally, developers can leverage their passion and creativity to build a community and gain an audience for their projects through social media platforms.
While self-publishing an indie game comes with its challenges, the rewards can be significant. Developers retain 100% ownership of their game and earnings, allowing them to reinvest profits into user acquisition or future projects. Ultimately, the decision to self-publish or work with a publisher depends on the developer's specific circumstances and goals.
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Frequently asked questions
Indie, short for independent, refers to a game created by individuals or smaller development teams without the financial and technical support of a large game publisher. Indie games are often innovative, experimental, and creative, exploring games as an art form.
Indie games are often characterised by their independence, both financial and creative. Indie games are typically developed by individuals or small teams, with funding coming from personal funds or crowdfunding. They are also noted for their innovation and willingness to take risks.
AAA games, or triple-A games, are developed by large teams with significant financial backing from game publishers. Indie games, on the other hand, are created by smaller teams or individuals without the same level of financial and technical support. Indie games often focus on innovation and experimental gameplay, taking risks that AAA games might not.
Indie games form the creative crux of the gaming industry, offering unique experiences that differ from mainstream titles. They provide an outlet for independent developers to express their creativity and explore new ideas without the constraints often present in AAA game development. Indie games have gained significant popularity in recent years, with dedicated tags on online stores and awards celebrating notable indie titles.
