The future for the indie side of the industry

[Pete Dero]

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/the-state-of-games-publishing-the-era-of-the-generalist-indie-publisher-is-over?mc_cid=2d5511bbdd&mc_eid=8dd0eed9b2
https://www.gamesindustry.biz/humble-games-devs-told-company-is-shutting-down

The closure (or near closure) of Humble Games was yet another brutal headline in what has been a bleak 18 months for indie games publishers.

We've seen collapsing share prices, redundancies, a reduction in games being signed and entire company closures. Of course, publishers are caught up in the same nightmare that the entire games industry has been dealing with – a drop in game revenue mixed with over-investment and rapidly rising costs. However, there are also some fundamental (and potentially permanent) shifts in the marketplace that are making it harder for publishers to compete.

"Those that are willing to experiment and remain agile will find their hits and build an engaged audience," he says. "Playing it safe isn't going to be very safe at all."

Ultimately, the market has shifted to a point where some of the old ways adopted by the more established publishers simply don't work, and that favours some of the specialists that have recently emerged on the scene.

"Relatively new publishers such as Kepler and Hooded Horse are making a strong impact, it's refreshing to see," Clark says. "They seem to be well structured, with smaller teams, close to the games and developers, with a very clear understanding of their niche.

[ArizonaTank]

"Relatively new publishers such as Kepler and Hooded Horse are making a strong impact, it's refreshing to see," Clark says. "They seem to be well structured, with smaller teams, close to the games and developers, with a very clear understanding of their niche.

Hooded Horse has been very good for our niche.