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Small but mighty, indie games have become a hot point of interest for players, publishers and platform holders alike in the last few years. So much so, some even have merchandise. MCV takes a look
Indie games are big news.
Once moderately prosperous passion projects, independently-developed titles have been brought into the limelight by financial success stories such as Braid, fl0w, Super Meat Boy and the biggest indie game of all
time, Minecraft, which was purchased by Microsoft last year for $2.5 billion.
Indie games have been consistently popular on PC, bolstered by the ease of digital distribution.
Digital distribution platform Steam has nurtured the PC sector via the introduction of its Steam Greenlight service, which gives up-and-coming titles the chance to score a spot on its storefront by attracting consumers’ votes.
Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter have also helped to boost interest in indies, with donators pledging money for projects that often wouldn’t have achieved funding otherwise.
Crowdfunded indie titles can also snowball – upcoming space simulation Star Citizen has raised more than $72,700,000 to date.
One need only look at the marketing approach of Microsoft and Sony surrounding the launch of Xbox One and PS4 to see how smaller titles are now often attracting as much – if not more – attention as established triple-A franchises on console, too.
Microsoft introduced the ID@Xbox programme to encourage developers to create and self-publish on the console.
Games to have emerged from the campaign to date include SUPERHOT, SMITE, Goat Simulator, Below and #IDARB.
Sony has similarly invested heavily in bringing indie developers to PlayStation through its PS3 and PS4 home consoles, as well as the Vita handheld.
The efforts have resulted in updated versions of games like The Binding of Isaac, Fez and Hotline Miami, plus deals for new titles such as OlliOlli and sci-fi epic No Man’s Sky.
Shovel Knight Foam Shovel
This full-size replica of the ShovelBlade weapon from Yacht Club Games’ retro throwback title is crafted from EVA foam. This makes it an ideal cosplay or toy accessory for those wishing to take up the chivalrous life of a Shovel Knight.
SRP: $19.99 (13)
Manufacturer: ThinkGeek
Distributor: ThinkGeek
Contact: www.thinkgeek.com
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number – Collector’s Edition
This special edition of visceral top-down title Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number includes both a code for the game and its soundtrack on three vivid vinyl discs. The 180-gram discs contain 28 selected tracks from the title’s intense soundtrack. The download code provides a Steam version of the game, and is printed on a custom phone card design. A digital version of the soundtrack is also included.
SRP: $60 (39)
Manufacturer: iam8bit
Distributor: Devolver Digital
Contact: fork@devolverdigital.com
Transistor 8 GB USB Flash Drive
Modelled on the in-game weapon from indie title Transistor, this USB key features a removable ‘blade’ and up to 8GB of storage.
SRP: $19.99 (13)
Manufacturer: Supergiant Games
Distributor: Supergiant Games
Contact: www.supergiantgames.com
Luftrasers T-Shirt
Aircraft from Vlambeer’s fast-paced dogfighting title Luftrasers adorn the front of this minimalist shirt.
SRP: From $17.99 (12)
Manufacturer: Level Up Studios
Distributor: Vlambeer
Contact: info@vlambeer.com
Velocity2X CertifiedBadass Poster
This 60x90cm poster featuring Lt. Kai Tana from FuturLab’s acclaimed PlayStation title Velocity2X is printed on 170gsm silk-finish roll.
SRP: From 12.99
Manufacturer: FuturLab
Distributor: FuturLab
Contact: +44 (0) 1273 747 534
Shovel KnightAllstars Mousepad
Measuring 16×21-inch, this mousemat features the entire cast and crew of retro-styled side-scroller Shovel Knight.
SRP: $32 (21)
Manufacturer: welovefine
Distributor: welovefine
Contact: wlfcs@mightyfineinc.com
Goat Simulator Dovahgoat T-Shirt
This top features the titular hero of the cult zoological title, fully equipped with a jetpack and skull helmet. Like every goat.
SRP: €19.85 (15)
Manufacturer: Spreadshirt
Distributor: Coffee Stain Studios
Contact: contact@coffeestainstudios.com
Bastion CaelondiaMasons T-Shirt
This shirt proudly displays the logo of the mythical Masons society from Supergiant Games’ acclaimed action RPG Bastion.
SRP: $19.99 (13)
Manufacturer: Next Level Apparel
Distributor: Supergiant Games
Contact: www.supergiantgames.com
