An indie game is a video game developed by a small team (often 1–10 people) or an individual, typically outside AAA (major studio) systems. Indie games prioritize creative vision over mass-market appeal and profit maximization.
Why It Matters for Digital Independence
Indie games represent creative independence. They're made by individuals reclaiming game creation from corporate gatekeepers. Indie developers run Itch.io communities, sell DRM-free, and experiment with gameplay nobody else would fund. Indie gaming is resistance to AAA homogenization.
Example
"Celeste" (2018) was made by 3 people, published independently, at a $20 price. The AAA alternative: a $70 game with a battle pass, cosmetics, an always-online requirement, and corporate IP. "Celeste" is complete, owned by its creators, and yours forever — no servers to shut down, no licensing drama.
Related Terms
- Godot Engine - a tool many indie developers use to build these games
- Anti-AAA Gaming - the philosophy behind indie
- DRM-Free Gaming - how indie games are typically sold
- Itch.io - an indie game platform