When the gaming industry was in its infancy, indie games were the norm. These games were developed by small teams, not yet backed by big publishers, and were passion projects. Since then, the world has come in leaps and bounds. There are a plethora of consoles to choose from, with newfangled gaming tech released year on year, and bigger, shinier games with them.
It may be tempting to think that the rise of AAA game publishers like Ubisoft (makers of Far Cry and Assassin’s Creed) and EA (Fifa, anyone?) would see indie falling by the wayside, but that’s simply not the case. There’s a whole world of it out there just begging to be played, and here’s why you should be choosing one for your next adventure.
1. You get more for your money
I hate to lead with this one, but it is an undeniable driving factor in why gamers turn to them. At present, one of the newest releases, such as the widely anticipated Hitman 2, will set you back ₱3300 (£49.99). In contrast, a top-rated indie game, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, will cost you ₱800 (£11.99), a fraction of the price.
So, if you’re looking for immersive, beautiful experiences that won’t break the bank, there’s a massive share of indie games that fit the bill nicely.
2. Innovation, innovation, innovation
Take a look at the AAA games market, and you will see a theme emerging. Red Dead Redemption 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Battlefield 5, Fallout 76…the list goes on. They’re all franchises, building on the success of their original games.
Indie developers offer innovative gameplay for gamers looking to play fresh, new games. While big budgets are all reasonable and well in creating the next big thing, it often means huge creative teams, budget allocations, and strict regulations – none of which indie developers have to contend with.
Many indie games out there on the market are developed by smaller teams with a passion for their craft. Yes, their budgets are smaller, but their creativity has no boundaries to hold it in. Often, the gameplay is more innovative, stories are more compelling, and experiences are unique.
3. A game for everyone
When we look at the hottest games on the AAA market, it’s not hard to see that publishers have dropped on to the genres that make people reach for their wallets.
MMOs, first-person shooters, sports simulators, and combat games dominate the market. But if you’re looking for something a little different, you’re more likely to find it coming from an indie developer than at your local game shop.
This is particularly great for those who dip in and out of gaming. If you don’t want to commit to a game that requires hours of play, these smaller ones offer a shot of gaming goodness without the commitment.
4. Small means personal
In some ways, indie games are becoming the future. More and more, consumers are becoming disillusioned with the mainstream and are spending our hard-earned cash supporting small businesses.
That’s generally because the service is better, and when it comes to games, you don’t have to contend with slow updates, glitches, and bugs that mar many big-name games.
When a small team of people are pouring their heart and soul into one project, the results can be excellent. The type of experience we have with them quickly surpasses anything the AAA publishers are capable of churning out. I’m not saying there aren’t sub-par indie games out there-there are. But equally, there’s a whole load of talent out there that you can experience, so why wouldn’t you want to try it out?
5. Balanced gaming
Graphics are lauded as the defining feature of new games. They’re rendered in 4K, and they look super realistic. But when the budget is poured into this, other areas begin to suffer – and it’s noticeable.
Storytelling, soundtracks, character development, and innovation are often sacrificed at the altar of graphics. Less and less thought is going into the game and more into its technology.
It’s no bad thing that we are pushing the boundaries by creating more realistic games, but at its core, gaming is about the experience. Much like reading a book or watching a film, it’s about becoming immersed in the story, which you are an integral part of.
Indie offerings tend to have less flashy graphics. Still, from the moment you begin playing, you’ll find that a lot of thought has been poured into creating challenging games with beautiful storylines and, often, mesmerizing soundtracks.
Who wouldn’t want that for themselves?
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