History of video games/Indie games

__NOTOC__ "Indie games" (a.k.a Independent games) are independently-produced video games that are made by very small independent game artists. Yep, this will be the final Indie Brawlers upload, at least for a while. I also plan on making one last DLC roster and maybe a journal adding some alt skins/characters to some characters before moving on to other things, this series was so fun to make but it had to end at some point. Maybe when I learn to draw or model though. In the reality, I'll will could make an Everyone Is Here style poster in the future. List Of All Characters: 1. Freddy (Five Nights At Freddy's, 2014) 2. Frisk (Undertale, 2015) 3. Cuphead (Cuphead, 2017) 4. Bendy (Bendy And The Ink Machine, 2017) 5. Peacock (Skullgirls, 2012) 6. Shantae (Shantae, 2010) 7. Shovel Knight (Shovel Knight, 2014) 8. Hat Kid (A Hat In Time, 2017) 9. Henry Stickmin (Henry Stickmin, 2007) 10. Crewmate (Among Us, 2018) 11. Steve (Minecraft, 2009) 12. Hollow Knight (Hollow Knight, 2017) 13. The Neighbor (Hello Neighbor, 2017) 14. Arthur (We Happy Few, 2016) 15. Baldi (Baldi's Basics, 2018) 16. Travis (Oddity, 2021) 17. Blixer (Just Shapes & Beats, 2018) 18. Limbo Kid (Limbo, 2010) 19. Wilson (Don't Starve, 2012) 20. Madotsuki (Yume Nikki, 2008) 21. Clawed Girl (They Bleed Pixels, 2012) 22. Kris (Deltarune, 2018) 23. Beheaded (Dead Cells, 2017) 24. Madeline (Celeste, 2018) 25. Spelunker (Spelunky, 2008) 26. Monika (Doki Doki Literature Club, 2017) 27. Goose (Untitled Goose Game, 2019) 28. Six (Little Nightmares, 2017) 29. Mama Tattletail (Tattletail, 2016) 30. Fall Guy (Fall Guys, 2020) 31. Meat Boy (Meat Boy, 2008) 32. Quote (Cave Story, 2004) 33. SCP-049 (SCP: Containment Breach, 2012) 34. Terrarian (Terraria, 2011) 35. Cadence (Crypt Of The NecroDancer, 2015) 36. Boxer Man (Punch Club, 2016) 37. Spooky (Spooky's Jumpscare Mansion, 2014) 38. Drifter (Hyper Light Drifter, 2016) 39. Otis (Owlboy, 2016) 40. Lilac (Freedom Planet, 2014) 41. Octodad (Octodad, 2010) 42. Slenderman (Slenderman, 2012) 43. Yooka-Laylee (Yooka-Laylee, 2017) 44. Ayano (Yandere Simulator, 2014) 45. Boyfriend (Friday Night Funkin, 2020) 46. Fancy Pants (Fancy Pants Adventures, 2006) 47. Gris (Gris, 2018) 48. Commander Video (Bit. Trip, 2009) 49. Gomez (Fez, 2012) 50. Isaac (The Binding Of Isaac, 2011) 51. Coffee (The Desolate Hope, 2012) 52. Chipper (Chipper And Sons Lumber Co., 2013) 53. Animdude (There Is No Pause Button, 2014) 54. Miriam (Bloodstained Ritual Of The Night, 2019) 55. Orcane (Rivals Of Aether, 2015) 56. Battle Cat (Battle Cats, 2012) 57. Tim (Braid, 2008) 58. Mr. Golfy (Gone Golfing, 2020) 59. Malak (Dark Deception, 2018) 60. The Traveler (Journey, 2012) 61. GingerBrave (Ovenbreak, 2009) 62. Zagreus (Hades, 2018) 63. Gunvolt (Azure Striker Gunvolt, 2014) 64. Bullet Kin (Enter The Gungeon, 2016) 65. Jacket (Hotline Miami, 2012) 66. The Watcher (Slay the Spire, 2017) 67. Diogenes (Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy, 2017) 68. Stardew Farmer (Stardew Valley, 2016) 69. Pumpkin Jack (Pumpkin Jack, 2020) 70. Irzyka (Aedemphia, 2008) 71. Follower (123 Slaughter Me Street, 2015) 72. Niko (OneShot, 2016) 73. Mae (Night In The Woods, 2017) 74. Beck (Mighty No. 9, 2016) 75. Patricia Wagon (Mighty Switch Force, 2011) 76. Ajna (Indivisible, 2019) 77. Juan (GuacaMelee, 2012) 78. Ryley Robinson (SubNautica, 2013) 79. Kanna (Blaster Master Zero, 2019) 80. Stardrop (Star Sprint, 2013) 81. Turnip Boy (Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evansion, 2020) 82. Bastion Kid (Bastion, 2011) 83. Brute (Monstrum, 2015) 84. Stella (Spiritfarer, 2020) 85. Kerbal (Kerbal Space Program, 2011) 86. Zero (Katana Zero, 2019) 87. Crusader (Darkest Dungeon, 2015) 88. Lea (CrossCode, 2018) 89. Viridian (VVVVVV, 2010) 90. Ori (Ori And The Blind Forest, 2015) 91. The Batter (OFF, 2008) 92. Max (Mutant Mudds, 2012) 93. Dust (Dust: An Elysian Tail, 2012) 94. Spark (Spark The Electric Jester, 2017) 95. Josef (Machinarium, 2009) 96. Castle Crasher (Castle Crashers, 2008) 97. Red (Transistor, 2014) 98. Kuro (EvoLand, 2013) 99. The Lamb (Cult Of The Lamb, 2022) 100. Daniel (Amnesia The Dark Descent, 2010) 101. Sunny (Omori, 2020) 102. Welltaro (Downwell, 2015) 103. Baba (Baba Is You, 2019) 104. Peppino (Pizza Tower, 2023) 105. Poppy Playtime (Poppy Playtime, 2021) Characters Through The Origin Years: (2004-2023) 2004 - Quote 2006 - Fancy Pants 2007 - Henry Stickmin 2008 - Madotsuki 2008 - The Batter 2008 - Tim 2008 - Castle Crasher 2008 - Meat Boy 2008 - Spelunker 2008 - Irzyka 2009 - CommanderVideo 2009 - GingerBrave 2009 - Steve 2009 - Josef 2010 - Viridian 2010 - Limbo Kid 2010 - Daniel 2010 - Shantae 2010 - Octodad 2011 - Terrarian 2011 - Kerbal 2011 - Bastion Kid 2011 - Isaac 2011 - Patricia Wagon 2012 - Max 2012 - The Traveler 2012 - Peacock 2012 - Gomez 2012 - The Traveler 2012 - SCP-049 2012 - Slenderman 2012 - Stardrop 2012 - Dust 2012 - Clawed Girl 2012 - Jacket 2012 - Battle Cat 2013 - Kuro 2013 - Juan 2013 - Wilson 2013 - Animdude 2013 - Mr. Chipper 2014 - Ayano 2014 - Coffee 2014 - Red 2014 - Shovel Knight 2014 - Freddy 2014 - Lilac 2014 - Gunvolt 2014 - Spooky 2014 - Ryley Robinson 2015 - Brute 2015 - Crusader 2015 - Ori 2015 - Orcane 2015 - Cadence 2015 - Frisk 2015 - Follower 2015 - Welltaro 2016 - Boxer Man 2016 - Stardew Farmer 2016 - Drifter 2016 - Beck 2016 - Arthur 2016 - Bullet Kin 2016 - Otus 2016 - Niko 2016 - Mama Tattletail 2017 - Mae 2017 - Bendy 2017 - Hollow Knight 2017 - Kanna 2017 - Spark 2017 - Yooka-Laylee 2017 - Six 2017 - Beheaded 2017 - Monika 2017 - Cuphead 2017 - Diogenes 2017 - Hat Kid 2017 - The Watcher 2017 - The Neighbor 2018 - Madeline 2018 - Baldi 2018 - The Boss 2018 - Crewmate 2018 - Lea 2018 - Malak 2018 - Kris 2018 - Zagreus 2018 - Gris 2019 - Baba 2019 - Katana Zero 2019 - Miriam 2019 - Goose 2019 - Ajna 2020 - Fall Guy 2020 - Stella 2020 - Mr. Golfy 2020 - Turnip Boy 2020 - Boyfriend 2020 - Sunny 2021 - Travis 2021 - Poppy Playtime 2022 - The Lamb 2023 - Peppino 1999 In 1999 the first version of the GameMaker engine is released, and later gains popularity among indie game developers.Ten Years of Game Maker 1999-2009 https://gamemakerblog.com/2009/11/15/ten-years-of-game-maker-1999-2009/ 27 December 2020 14 November 2009GameMaker Studio creators look back at 17 years of development https://venturebeat.com/2017/09/03/gamemaker-studio-creators-look-back-at-17-years-of-development/ 27 December 2020 VentureBeat 4 September 2017 Read more about GameMaker on Wikipedia. 2000 A pirated English translation of RPG Maker is released by Don Miguel, introducing many to game development.Zavarise Giada The secret history of underdog game engine RPG Maker and how it got its bad reputation https://www.pcgamer.com/the-secret-history-of-underdog-game-engine-rpg-maker-and-how-it-got-its-bad-reputation/ 27 December 2020 PC Gamer 11 October 2017 2002 RPG maker 2003 was a continuation of the RPG maker engine, and had surprising longevity, with commercial indie games still being released that were made the engine as of 2018.Zavarise Giada Are RPG Maker games as bad as people think? https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-09-01-are-rpg-maker-games-as-bad-as-people-think 27 December 2020 Eurogamer 1 September 2018 en Read more about RPG Maker 2003 on Wikipedia. 2004 2004 was a seminal year in Indie gaming history, with several high profile releases attracting attention. N was released as a browser game, and would see a number of notable followup games.Toronto developers create 2,360-level video game they hope will last a lifetime CBC News https://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/n-the-perfect-video-game-that-took-10-years-to-complete-1.3179232 27 December 2020 CBC Alien Hominid was a browser game that was ported to PlayStation 2 and Gamecube in 2004,“Alien Hominid” Invades Retail Stores; Critics Are Raving About This Bigger, Badder Console Version of the Cult Game Now Available from O-3 Entertainment and The Behemoth https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20041118005596/en/Alien-Hominid-Invades-Retail-Stores-Critics-Are-Raving-About-This-Bigger-Badder-Console-Version-of-the-Cult-Game-Now-Available-from-O-3-Entertainment-and-The-Behemoth 27 December 2020 www.businesswire.com 18 November 2004 en making it an early indie game to see a port from web to console. 2004 also saw the release of one notable game engines used by a number of games, including Source. Yume Nikki A horror surreal 2D RPG. Cave Story A retro-styled 2D platformer and shooter popular on PC at the time. 2005 La-Mulana A indie metroidvania game being as an throwback to the old-school MSX games, and later influencing Spelunky, which was heavily influenced by La-Mulana game. First release of the Unity game engine. 2006 Line Rider A unique flash platformer game of sorts that allowed players to draw lines which would then be traversed by a character using a physics engine. Players would often leverage Line Rider to create their own artwork,Crazy for Line Rider https://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/11/22/22pogues-posts-2/ 2 June 2021 Pogue’s Posts Blog 2006-11-22 some of which was enormously complex.11 years later, this gobsmacking Line Rider track is finally complete https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/11-years-later-this-gobsmacking-line-rider-track-is-finally-complete 2 June 2021 Rock Paper Shotgun 2020-11-28 en Read more about Line Rider on Wikipedia. DEFCON A real time simulation of Nuclear War. This game is known for its simple yet deep mechanics, as well as its retro vector graphics reminiscent of depictions of nuclear commands in Cold War era popular culture. Read more about DEFCON on Wikipedia. Dwarf Fortress thumb|A map in Dwarf Fortress. Loosing is Fun! Common phrase among Dwarf Fortress players The New York Times MagazineWeiner Jonah Where Do Dwarf-Eating Carp Come From? https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/magazine/the-brilliance-of-dwarf-fortress.html 2 June 2021 The New York Times 2011-07-21 A text based open world game known for it's extensive systems which lead to emergent gameplay. Read more about Dwarf Fortress on Wikipedia. 2007 I Wanna Be the Guy A freeware 2D Platformer known for it's notorious difficulty. This game artfully used level design to both increase the difficulty of the game, as well as to parody techniques commonly used by 2D platformer games in the 1980's and early 1990's. Read more about I Wanna Be the Guy on Wikipedia. Jazzuo & B-Games In 2007 Polish developer "Jazzuo" creates several so called "B-Games", influencing a number of notable indie developers.Macgregor Jody The creators of Spelunky and Getting Over It talk about Sexy Hiking and 'B-games' https://www.pcgamer.com/the-creators-of-spelunky-and-getting-over-it-with-bennett-foddy-on-sexy-hiking-and-b-games/ PC Gamer 10 November 2020 11 April 2018 2008 Spelunky Meat Boy OFF Braid Audiosurf Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden Castle Crashers World of Goo N+ You Have to Burn the Rope thumb|The title screen of You Have to Burn the Rope. A flash 2D platformer known for it's exceptional simplicity and briefness. Read more about You Have to Burn the Rope on Wikipedia. 2009 AaAaAA!!! – A Reckless Disregard for Gravity A base jumping game between high rise buildings. Read more about AaAaAA!!! – A Reckless Disregard for Gravity on Wikipedia. Canabalt Among the first popular endless runner games. It's aesthetic qualities were well received, leading to the game being featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Read more about Canabalt on Wikipedia. Bit.Trip Beat A Wii-ware arcade style music game that found widespread popularity, launching ports to other platforms and a series of successor games. Read more about Bit.Trip Beat on Wikipedia. I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1 An action shooter that proved to be among the most popular indie games available on the Xbox Live Arcade. Read more about I MAED A GAM3 W1TH Z0MBIES 1N IT!!!1 on Wikipedia. 2010 Unity Asset Store In 2010 Unity launches their asset store, making it easier for indie developers to find assets for use in their games.Unity: "Games wouldn't see the light of day" without asset stores https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-07-19-well-88-percent-of-what-asks-unitys-global-head-of-asset-store 21 January 2021 GamesIndustry.biz en As the decade progresses, other engines follow suit, such as the release of the Unreal Engine Marketplace in 2018.Epic Announces Unreal Engine Marketplace 88% / 12% Revenue Share https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/epic-announces-unreal-engine-marketplace-88-12-revenue-share 21 January 2021 Unreal Engine Amnesia: The Dark Descent A popular melding of adventure and survival horror game genres, and commonly considered among the best horror games of the era. Read more about Amnesia: The Dark Descent on Wikipedia. Fruit Ninja A mobile game focused on using a touch screen to cut fruit and build combos, while avoiding slicing bombs. Read more about Fruit Ninja on Wikipedia. Limbo A disturbing psychological horror game that involves an poor forgotten kid in an eerie disturbing forest awy. Read more about Limbo on Wikipedia. Octodad A freeware physics game focused on maneuvering an octopus man character through a 3D environment with unconventional controls. Read more about Octodad on Wikipedia. Super Meat Boy A 2D platformer known for both its difficulty, and its ability to quickly retry levels. Read more about Super Meat Boy on Wikipedia. VVVVVV A 2D platformer hallmarked by replacing jumping with inverting gravity and it's Atari 2600 style aesthetics. Read more about VVVVVV on Wikipedia. Cart Life A simulation game focused on the challenges of being a street vendor. Read more about Cart Life on Wikipedia. 2011 Minecraft Bastion The Binding of Isaac Dungeons of Dredmor The Stanley Parable Hatoful Boyfriend Jetpack Joyride Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP Terraria A crafting game similar to Minecraft, but taking place in a side scrolling 2D environment. Read more about Terraria on Wikipedia. To the Moon A 2D RPG without battle mechanics known for it's plot revolving around the concept of memory. Read more about To the Moon on Wikipedia. 2012 thumb|The 2012 Global Game Jam GameMaker Studio game engine released. thumb|The FEZ dev team at GDC 2012. Dust: An Elysian Tail Frog Fractions Fez FTL: Faster Than Light Hotline Miami Mark of the Ninja Plague Inc. Slender: The Eight Pages Skullgirls Thomas Was Alone Mari0 A notable fanmade mashup of Super Mario Bros and Portal. Read more about Mari0 on Wikipedia. 2013 thumb|Subset Games, creators of FTL, at IGF 2013 Antichamber BattleBlock Theater Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Don't Starve Cookie Clicker Gone Home Papers, Please Risk of Rain The Stanley Parable Bubsy 3D: Bubsy Visits the James Turrell Retrospective An unofficial fangame of Bubsy 3D, posted online when the domain name for the original game expired. The game was set in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art during an exhibition of the postmodern work of James Turrell. The game itself delves into strange scenes, perhaps in a postmodern exploration of its own. Read more about Bubsy 3D: Bubsy Visits the James Turrell Retrospective on Wikipedia. 2014 thumb|Lucas Pope, creator of Papers, Please, at IGF 2014. Five Nights at Freddy's Shovel Knight 2048 Lisa: The Painful Monument Valley Lethal League A 2D fighting game centered around successfully passing a ball back and forth between players. Read more about Lethal League on Wikipedia. Freedom Planet A 2D platformer made in the style of 2D Sonic the Hedgehog games. Read more about Freedom Planet on Wikipedia. Nidhogg A 2D sword fighting game known for it's balance and 1980's inspired visuals. Read more about Nidhogg on Wikipedia. Transistor Released in 2014, the game Transistor is known for many of its qualities, particularly its unique art direction. While working on Transistor, game artist Jen Zee took inspiration from the Art Nouveau style, as well as the work of 19th century Austrian artist Gustav Klimt.The Cyberpunk Art Nouveau Style of Transistor - The Phoenix https://swarthmorephoenix.com/2016/04/06/the-cyberpunk-art-nouveau-style-of-transistor/ 27 December 2020 6 April 2016The diverse artistic influences behind two of 2014’s prettiest games https://games.avclub.com/the-diverse-artistic-influences-behind-two-of-2014-s-pr-1798277930 27 December 2020 AV Club Games en-us The game is also well known for its less direct storytelling methods, as well as it's unique hybrid real time and turn based action system which leads to interesting strategic choices for the player.Hardcore Gamer’s Best Games of the Decade (2010-2019) https://hardcoregamer.com/2020/01/10/hardcore-gamers-best-games-of-the-decade-2010-2019/364857/ 27 December 2020 Hardcore Gamer Read more about Transistor on Wikipedia. Game Engines Unreal Engine 4 is released in 2014, offering a number of improvements. The Godot and Xenko (now Stride) game engines are open sourced. 2015 Unreal Engine 4 goes gratis Unreal Engine 4 eliminates subscription fees,Unreal Engine is Now Free! https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog/ue4-is-free Unreal Engine 18 October 2020 making it more accessible to indie developers. Games Undertale Axiom Verge 2064: Read Only Memories Crypt of the NecroDancer Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes Ori and the Blind Forest Soma Nuclear Throne thumb|A screenshot of Nuclear Throne, showing bullet hell, or danmaku, style gameplay. A top down 2D shooter known for it's difficult bullet-hell style gameplay. Read more about Nuclear Throne on Wikipedia. 2016 Furi Job Simulator No Man's Sky Owlboy Salt and Sanctuary The Witness Rec Room Stardew Valley Starbound Superhot Firewatch VA-11 Hall-A thumb|Christoper Ortiz, one of the developers of VA-11 Hall-A, showcases the game at a talk at the Universidad Simón Bolívar in Caracas, Venezuela. A mix of bartender simulation and visual novel created by a team in Venezuela. Read more about VA-11 Hall-A on Wikipedia. 2017 Cuphead Bendy and the Ink Machine Hollow Knight Doki Doki Literature Club! Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy A Hat in Time Night in the Woods Yooka-Laylee Hello Neighbor 2018 Celeste Baldi's Basics CrossCode Dead Cells Donut County Gris Into the Breach Iconoclasts Return of the Obra Dinn 2019 Baba Is You Ape Out Showdown Bandit Beat Saber Outer Wilds Untitled Goose Game Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night 2020 Omori Fall Guys Spiritfarer Carrion Ultrakill No Straight Roads Helltaker Friday Night Funkin' Friday Night Funkin' was developed for the Ludum Dare game jam.South Cariboo game designer reaps success https://www.100milefreepress.net/entertainment/south-cariboo-game-designer-reaps-success/ 7 February 2021 100 Mile House Free Press 21 November 2020 Some news outlets noted the similarities of Friday Night Funkin' to the sorts of games which were based on Adobe Flash.Friday Night Funkin' Fondly Recalls Flash Games https://techraptor.net/gaming/features/friday-night-funkin-flash-games 7 February 2021 TechRaptor en It's important to note that there was an increased interest in Adobe Flash games,If You Missed the Golden Age of Flash, You Should Try THESE Games https://www.cbr.com/flash-games/ 7 February 2021 CBR 1 February 2021 as the time of this game's launch corresponded with the discontinuation of Flash. Notably the game was open sourceTwitter @ninja_muffin99 https://twitter.com/ninja_muffin99/status/1320215862578606080 7 February 2021 which attracted modders to the game. At the time of release, it was somewhat unusual for original indie titles to launch under an open source license. 2021 Poppy Playtime is a survival horror video game developed and published by american independent developer MOB Games. The player takes the role of a former employee of toy-making company Playtime Co., who revisits its abandoned toy factory 10 years after its staff's disappearance. The player navigates through a first-person perspective and must solve puzzles, some requiring a gadget named the GrabPack, to progress while avoiding various enemies. first game chapter is released on October 2021, The second chapter is released on May 2022 and the third chapter will be soon released on 2024. Read more about Poppy Playtime on Wikipedia. 2022 Stray Choo Choo Charles Cult of the Lamb is a single-player construction and management simulation, rogue-like action-adventure game developed by indie developer Massive Monster and published by Devolver Digital. The game was released on 11 August 2022 for macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game follows a possessed lamb who is saved from death by a god-like stranger named "The One Who Waits", and must repay their debt by creating a loyal following in its name. Read more about Cult of the Lamb on Wikipedia. 2023 The Coffin of Andy and Leyley Pizza Tower Pizza Tower is a 2023 platform game created by the indie developer Tour De Pizza. It follows a pizza chef, Peppino Spaghetti, who must scale a tower to prevent the destruction of his pizzeria. Across 20 side-scrolling levels, the player increases their score by gathering collectibles and defeating enemies to build combos. At the end of each level, they activate an escape sequence and must return to the beginning within a time limit. Pizza Tower does not feature health or lives, and its difficulty depends on what the player chooses to achieve. 2025 Palworld 2026 Schedule I Miside 2027 References Indie game Microconsoles Open consoles 100%