What are Indie Games? Part 1: The indie Game
The term "indie game" is derived from "independent game" and refers to video games created by small, independent teams or even individual developers. In contrast to Triple-A games developed by large teams and backed by major publishers, indie games are characterized by their grassroots origins.
The roots of indie game development can be traced back to the concepts of amateur and hobbyist programming that emerged with the advent of personal computers and the BASIC programming language in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, "bedroom coders" in the United Kingdom and Europe crafted games, distributing them through mail orders and later adopting online methods like shareware in the 1990s. However, interest in hobbyist programming dwindled due to rising development costs and competition from established video game publishers and home consoles.
The early 2000s witnessed a resurgence of indie game development, driven by the growing popularity of the internet and the availability of affordable or free development tools such as Adventure Game Studio and GameMaker. This resurgence empowered independent developers, enabling them to create and distribute games without the need for substantial financial support from traditional publishers. Factors like digital distribution platforms (e.g., Steam) and crowdfunding options (e.g., Kickstarter) further contributed to the flourishing indie game scene.
Today, the indie game community has expanded significantly, yielding numerous successful and critically acclaimed titles known for their innovative gameplay mechanics and artistic creativity. The indie game landscape continues to thrive, offering players a diverse array of experiences beyond the confines of mainstream AAA titles.
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