🦉 Leveling Up

Welcome to the Collective. We hope everyone is awake from their naps (remember, don’t take too many if you have insomnia) because we’re back with a topic that should yield the blinding light of nostalgia: indie gaming. However, this field is about way more than a dream to return to the time of playing Addicting Games as soon as you get home from school. 

Today, indie games are as abundant and influential as ever. From the Among Us era of the pandemic to the early adopters of blockchain and VR, indie games are responsible for shifting the culture. And now, they’re taking the entire world of entertainment by storm.

Tomorrow, we launch our podcast with Michael Sacco, founder of OccaSoftware, a digital asset marketplace for indie game developers that scaled to 40,000 developers in four months. Michael’s got a ton of insights to share, so read this first to prepare for the episode. Here we go!

— Antonio DiMeglio & Leon Li

Seeking impartial news? Meet 1440.

Every day, 3.5 million readers turn to 1440 for their factual news. We sift through 100+ sources to bring you a complete summary of politics, global events, business, and culture, all in a brief 5-minute email. Enjoy an impartial news experience.

Join for free today!

In the last decade, the entertainment landscape has undergone a monumental shift. Hollywood, once the undisputed king of cultural influence, is no longer the apex of pop culture. Instead, a new contender has risen to the top: gaming.

Today, the global gaming industry generates more revenue than the film and music industries combined, with blockbuster video games outselling Hollywood's biggest hits.

But this revolution isn't just being led by massive “AAA” game studios. In many ways, the true pioneers are indie game developers—small teams with big visions, creating experiences that are just as impactful as any major film release.

But why are these smaller, sometimes scrappy productions so culturally relevant?

It’s simple: indie developers have the freedom to experiment, tell unconventional stories, and take risks that larger studios often shy away from.

This has led to some of the past decade's most innovative and emotionally resonant games. 

In this piece, we’ll explore:

• How indie games are built;

• What tools and technologies are pushing the boundaries; and

• Why their ability to stay true to original creative visions makes them the future of the gaming industry.

If you think indie games are just for niche audiences, think again.

The next wave of cultural icons will come from the indie scene, not just for the gaming industry but for all of entertainment.

At first glance, indie games seem like underdogs in a world dominated by billion-dollar franchises like Call of Duty and Fortnite.