Short answer: An indie game developer is not simply someone without a publisher or big budget—it’s a creator who chooses independence of thought, vision, and execution.
Why Go Indie? The Big Question
When we hear the term indie game developer, the first image is usually a small team—or even one person—working without the backing of a large studio.
But the real question is: why does someone decide to go indie?
Is it only about money, or is there something deeper?
Common Assumptions About Indie Developers
Lack of Budget
Many believe developers go indie because they can’t secure funding. It’s true that indie teams often have smaller budgets and fewer resources. But does low budget automatically equal independence? Not really.
The Generalist Path
Indie developers often wear many hats—coding, art, design, audio. Being a generalist helps survive without a large team. But having multiple skills doesn’t automatically make someone indie—it only makes them resourceful.
Rejecting Publishers
Some developers choose indie because they don’t want publishers forcing changes onto their vision. It’s true—publishers can demand design changes, monetization strategies, or content cuts. Going indie avoids these constraints. But again, this alone doesn’t define indie.
Creative Freedom
Another belief: indie developers simply want artistic freedom. This is closer to the truth, but freedom is only valuable if guided by independent thinking.
The Core Answer: Independent Thinking
Amirhossein Fasihi, a respected Iranian game developer, framed it beautifully:
“An indie game developer is, above all else, someone who thinks independently.”
This is the essence.
- Indie doesn’t just mean low budget.
- Indie doesn’t just mean small team.
- Indie doesn’t just mean no publisher.
It means the developer follows a vision that might not fit mainstream expectations—but is authentic, personal, and self-driven.
Case Studies: Independence in Action
Undertale (Toby Fox)
One developer, who wrote, coded, and composed the entire game. Not because he lacked options, but because he wanted his vision untouched. The result: a global phenomenon.
Papers, Please (Lucas Pope)
A game about border control and bureaucracy—an idea no publisher would greenlight. Independent thought turned it into one of the most iconic indies of all time.
Stardew Valley (ConcernedApe)
Eric Barone worked solo for years, doing art, code, and music himself. Independence here meant patience and commitment, not just lack of funding.
Why It Matters
The industry needs indie developers.
- They push boundaries.
- They explore topics AAA studios avoid.
- They remind us games can be deeply personal, experimental, or niche.
Independent thought = independent creation.
Conclusion
An indie developer isn’t defined by budget, team size, or lack of a publisher. These are circumstances, not identity.
The true mark of independence is thinking differently, bravely, and authentically.
“Perhaps anyone can work independently. But not everyone can think independently.”
Author: Pouria Mojdeh
References:
- Mike Rose – Indie Games: The Complete Introduction to Indie Gaming (CRC Press, 2016)
- Jason Schreier – Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry (Grand Central, 2021)
- Anna Anthropy – Rise of the Videogame Zinesters (Seven Stories Press, 2012)
- Jesse Schell – The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses (CRC Press, 2019)
- Game Developer (formerly Gamasutra) – www.gamedeveloper.com