A Call for Authenticity and Support
Indie game showcases can be valuable discovery spaces, but in August 2024 I started questioning what happens when the games become secondary to the size of the list.
Indie game showcases are pivotal platforms for unveiling emerging talent within the gaming community. However, my recent attendance at a showcase that merely listed games and outlets without deeper engagement revealed a concerning trend. This experience compelled me to reassess and redefine how Fix Gaming Channel would participate in and promote such events.
For more games from smaller teams, browse our Indie section.
Want more gaming coverage like this?
Get more game features, reviews, interviews, indie coverage, and gaming news from Fix Gaming Channel.
Join Our Newsletter
Stay updated with the latest interviews, previews, and indie gaming news.
Observations at the Showcase
At the event, the rapid-fire listing of games and media partners, with little to no exploration of each game’s unique artistic or narrative elements, overshadowed the potential for genuine discovery. Such presentations can dilute the impact of each game and shift the focus from celebrating creativity to ticking off names.
The Decision to Withdraw
Faced with a choice between participating in a superficial showcase or withdrawing to uphold our values, I chose to step away. The decision came from a commitment to give indie games more thoughtful and engaged promotion instead of treating them as entries on a list.
Extended Conversation With George Tavoularis
George Tavoularis, alongside other developers I spoke with, expressed frustration over showcases that prioritize quantity over quality. The argument was not that large showcases are automatically bad, but that creative vision and narrative depth can disappear when the format becomes too compressed.
A Focus on Indie Talent
At the time, Fix Gaming Channel was preparing a showcase devoted to a smaller selection of indie games, with more emphasis on the people, creativity, and work behind each project. The idea was deliberately different from a strategy built around collecting as many partners and backlinks as possible.
Game of the Year Showcase
Later this year, Fix Gaming Channel will host our Game of the Year Showcase, focusing on indie games that exemplify true talent and creativity. This showcase will feature games developed by remarkable minds, those that deserve global recognition not just for their impact but for their innovation and artistic expression. We aim to provide a platform that respects and highlights the artistry of indie game development, celebrating games that stand out for their unique qualities and contributions to the gaming world.
Conclusion
By redefining our participation in indie game showcases, Fix Gaming Channel wanted to foster a community that genuinely valued and supported indie developers.
If you are a developer, have a game in progress, or know of an indie game that deserves more attention, that basic invitation still reflects what we were trying to build: coverage that treats games as creative work rather than entries on a spreadsheet.
Related Reading
Written by Ronny Fiksdahl, Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Fix Gaming Channel.
Send interview pitches, corrections, tips, or developer stories to contact@fixgamingchannel.com.
Support independent games coverage on Ko-fi.
