Introduction
The indie game industry has been growing at an incredible pace, with new games being released on a regular basis. Indie game developers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in gaming, and many of these developers rely on indie game websites to distribute and sell their games. While there are many indie game websites available, each of them offers unique advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will explore 15 of the best indie game websites similar to itch.io.
- Game Jolt
Game Jolt is a popular indie game website that has been around since 2004. It offers a wide range of indie games, including action, adventure, puzzle, and strategy games. One of the unique advantages of Game Jolt is its community features, which allow players to rate and review games, as well as share their own games with other players. However, one of the disadvantages of Game Jolt is that it does not offer a lot of curation, so it can be difficult to find quality games.
Indie DB is a community-driven indie game website that focuses on providing a platform for indie game developers to showcase their work. It offers a wide range of indie games, as well as tools and resources for indie game development. One of the unique advantages of Indie DB is its developer-centric focus, which allows indie game developers to connect with other developers and share resources. However, one of the disadvantages of Indie DB is that it can be difficult to navigate and find specific games.
- IndieGameStand
IndieGameStand is an indie game website that offers a unique pay-what-you-want model, where players can choose how much they want to pay for a game. It offers a wide range of indie games, including action, adventure, puzzle, and simulation games. One of the unique advantages of IndieGameStand is its focus on supporting indie game developers, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale going directly to the developer. However, one of the disadvantages of IndieGameStand is that it does not offer a lot of curation, so it can be difficult to find quality games.
- Humble Bundle
Humble Bundle is a popular indie game website that offers a unique pay-what-you-want model, where players can choose how much they want to pay for a game. It also offers a wide range of indie games, as well as books, comics, and other digital media. One of the unique advantages of Humble Bundle is its focus on supporting charity, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale going to a different charity each month. However, one of the disadvantages of Humble Bundle is that it can be difficult to navigate and find specific games.
- Newgrounds
Newgrounds is a popular indie game website that has been around since 1995. It offers a wide range of indie games, as well as animations, music, and art. One of the unique advantages of Newgrounds is its focus on user-generated content, with players able to create and share their own games, animations, music, and art. However, one of the disadvantages of Newgrounds is that it does not offer a lot of curation, so it can be difficult to find quality games.
- Kongregate
Kongregate is a popular indie game website that offers a wide range of indie games, including action, adventure, puzzle, and strategy games. One of the unique advantages of Kongregate is its community features, which allow players to rate and review games, as well as compete with other players for high scores. However, one of the disadvantages of Kongregate is that it can be difficult to navigate and find specific games.
- PixelProspector
PixelProspector is an indie game website that focuses on providing resources
and information for indie game developers. It offers a wide range of articles, tutorials, and videos on game development, as well as a directory of indie game engines and tools. One of the unique advantages of PixelProspector is its focus on education and resources, which can be incredibly helpful for indie game developers. However, one of the disadvantages of PixelProspector is that it does not offer a lot of curation or a large selection of games.
- TIGSource
TIGSource is an indie game website that has been around since 2005. It offers a wide range of indie games, as well as articles and resources on game development. One of the unique advantages of TIGSource is its focus on community, with a forum where indie game developers can connect with each other and share resources. However, one of the disadvantages of TIGSource is that it can be difficult to navigate and find specific games.
- The Indie Game Website
The Indie Game Website is an indie game website that offers a wide range of indie games, as well as articles and reviews on indie games. One of the unique advantages of The Indie Game Website is its focus on quality, with a team of writers who curate the games on the site and provide in-depth reviews. However, one of the disadvantages of The Indie Game Website is that it does not have a large selection of games.
- Gamepedia
Gamepedia is a popular gaming wiki that offers a wide range of information on games, including indie games. It allows users to create and edit articles on games, providing a valuable resource for players and developers alike. One of the unique advantages of Gamepedia is its extensive database of games, which can be helpful for discovering new indie games. However, one of the disadvantages of Gamepedia is that it does not offer a lot of curation or a way to purchase games directly.
- IndieCade
IndieCade is an organization that focuses on promoting and showcasing indie games. Its website offers a directory of indie games, as well as resources and information on indie game development. One of the unique advantages of IndieCade is its focus on community and events, with annual festivals and awards ceremonies that bring together indie game developers from around the world. However, one of the disadvantages of IndieCade is that it does not offer a lot of curation or a way to purchase games directly.
- IndieGames.com
IndieGames.com is an indie game website that offers a wide range of indie games, as well as articles and reviews on indie games. One of the unique advantages of IndieGames.com is its focus on curation, with a team of writers who curate the games on the site and provide in-depth reviews. However, one of the disadvantages of IndieGames.com is that it does not have a large selection of games.
- Rock Paper Shotgun
Rock Paper Shotgun is a popular gaming website that offers a wide range of articles and reviews on games, including indie games. It also has a directory of indie games, as well as resources and information on indie game development. One of the unique advantages of Rock Paper Shotgun is its focus on quality, with a team of writers who curate the games on the site and provide in-depth reviews. However, one of the disadvantages of Rock Paper Shotgun is that it does not have a large selection of games.
- Steam
Steam is a popular digital distribution platform for games, including indie games. It offers a wide range of indie games, as well as tools and resources for indie game development. One of the unique advantages of Steam is its massive user base, which can be incredibly helpful for indie game developers looking to reach a large audience. However, one of the disadvantages of Steam is its focus on larger game studios, which can make
it difficult for indie game developers to get noticed.
- GOG.com
GOG.com is a popular digital distribution platform for games that offers a wide range of indie games, as well as older games that may not be available on other platforms. One of the unique advantages of GOG.com is its focus on DRM-free games, which can be appealing to players who want to own their games outright. However, one of the disadvantages of GOG.com is that it does not have a large selection of games.
16. IndieGameCloud
IndieGameCloud is an information hub for indie games that makes indie games easy to find with daily news, trailers, reviews, game guides, devlogs and a wiki. For indie developers, there’s game development resources to help master your craft. What makes IndieGameCloud unique is its balance of created content and curated content which provides multiple ways to discover quality indie games. However, one of the disadvantages of IndieGameCloud is that some of its pages have links (due to its curated content) that takes you to other game websites.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Indie Game Websites
Each of the indie game websites listed above offers unique advantages and disadvantages. Some of the advantages of indie game websites include:
- A wide range of indie games to choose from, including games that may not be available on other platforms
- Tools and resources for indie game development
- Community features, such as user-generated content, forums, and social media integration
- Curation and in-depth reviews of games, which can be helpful for discovering quality indie games
- Pay-what-you-want models, which can be appealing to players who want to support indie game developers
However, there are also some disadvantages to indie game websites, such as:
- Limited curation, which can make it difficult to find quality games
- Difficult navigation and search functions, which can make it hard to find specific games
- A lack of marketing and promotion, which can make it difficult for indie game developers to get noticed
- Limited selection of games, especially on smaller indie game websites
Conclusion
Indie game websites are an important part of the indie game industry, providing a platform for indie game developers to showcase and sell their games. Each of the indie game websites listed above offers unique advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the right platform for your indie game can be a difficult decision. Ultimately, the best indie game website for you will depend on your goals as an indie game developer and the type of game you are creating. However, by exploring the options and considering the advantages and disadvantages of each platform, you can find the best indie game website for your needs.
