AAA vs Indie Games — Scale, Funding, and Creative Approach
How do AAA and indie games differ? We compare team size, funding, creative approach, and distribution, plus indie hits and the AA games in between.
Tag
#indie games
9 articles
Hollow Knight – A Bug Kingdom That Became a Metroidvania Classic
How Team Cherry made Hollow Knight, its Metroidvania exploration of Hallownest, why it's a classic, the sequel Silksong, and how to play it today.
The History of Indie Games and the Formula for Success
From bedroom coders and shareware to Steam, console stores, and crowdfunding: a history of indie games and what successful indie hits have in common.
History of the Metroidvania: From Metroid to Hollow Knight
What "Metroidvania" means, how Metroid, Super Metroid, and Symphony of the Night built the formula, and how indies like Hollow Knight revived the genre.
Minecraft: The History of the Block-by-Block Sandbox Game
How Minecraft, started solo by Markus Persson, came to be, how it's played, and why it's still loved today, from its alpha to the best-selling game ever.
Monument Valley: A Beautiful Optical Illusion Puzzle Game
How ustwo games made Monument Valley, its optical illusion and impossible-geometry puzzles, why it's a classic, its sequels and influence, and how to play.
History of Roguelikes and Roguelites: From Rogue (1980) to Hades
What roguelikes and roguelites are, how they differ, and how the genre grew from 1980's Rogue to NetHack, Mystery Dungeon, Spelunky and Hades.
Stardew Valley: The Farming Life Classic Made by One Person
How Eric Barone made Stardew Valley alone, how its seasons, farming, and town life play, its sales and genre impact, and how to enjoy it today.
What Is a Survivors-like? Vampire Survivors and Bullet Heaven
Auto-attacks, swarming enemies, and upgrades at every level-up. The origins, key games, addictive appeal, and design of the Vampire Survivors-like genre.