The hottest Indie games Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Video Game Thoughts Bonus Bag #3

The Bottom Feeder • 484 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Video Games Indie games Game design
  1. Steam Next Fest is a good opportunity for indie game developers to showcase their demos, despite the overcrowded market.
  2. Indie game developers often struggle to come up with completely new game ideas, leading to a trend of mixing and matching existing genres.
  3. The video game industry is facing challenges such as burnout, harsh recession period, and layoffs, impacting both developers and players.

Who's top of Steam Next Fest for October 2023?

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 255 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Games Indie games Game Development Acquisitions
  1. The top games at Steam Next Fest for October 2023 were a diverse mix of genres and styles, with a focus on deep building and crafting mechanics.
  2. There is a discussion about the existence of an 'indie games bubble,' highlighting challenges in funding new games and market saturation.
  3. Game discovery news includes updates on Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Sony testing PC trophies for PSN, and Epic Games Store's new features.

God of War Ragnarok: Five Game Systems In One Bag

The Bottom Feeder • 290 implied HN points • 22 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Systems Design Indie games
  1. The game design for God of War Ragnarok involved combining multiple game systems, resulting in a complex and overwhelming experience for players.
  2. Despite the extensive features and upgrades in the game, many of these elements were found to be unnecessary and not essential for effective gameplay.
  3. Feedback on game design suggests that prioritizing clear, substantive upgrades and reducing the number of systems could lead to a more enjoyable and balanced gaming experience.
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#11 - What's behind the interface of Lethal Company

A Good Interface • 2 HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Gaming UI/UX Design Video Games Art Indie games
  1. The user interface of Lethal Company is successful because it matches the game's genre and atmosphere with carefully chosen colors, shapes, and ornaments.
  2. A key aspect of the UI design is displaying the right amount of information, ensuring the player remains immersed without feeling overwhelmed.
  3. To make the UI easily understandable, leveraging common icons, patterns, and familiar elements is crucial. It helps simplify the learning curve for players.