Looking Back at 2024: Achievements and Progress

The 2025 started and it's time to reflect on the goals we set at the beginning of the 2024 and the incredible progress we've made together with our community. Our priority for 2024 was crystal clear: speed and operational excellence, and we're proud of what we’ve achieved so far.

Let’s break down how we delivered on our promises:

1. Speed as a Top Priority ⚡

Our commitment to making indiexpo faster and more responsive has paid off:

• Significant site speed improvements were implemented across key areas like Levels, User Pages, and through the use of advanced caching systems.
• Server upgrades further boosted performance, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
• Lazy loading for comments, news, and notifications was introduced to improve page loading times.

2. Enhanced Mobile Experience 📱

While the app is still under consideration, several updates have made the mobile experience much better:

• A revamped slideshow, fully optimized for mobile with modern animations and easy navigation.
• Online game sections optimized for mobile users, making it easier to enjoy games on the go.

3. New Ways to Reward Players and Developers 🏅

We introduced new user medals, encouraging participation and rewarding milestones. Players can also now track their progress through improved event leaderboards and access challenges directly from game pages. And new medals are coming!

4. Usability and Engagement Improvements 🌟

We rolled out several updates to make indiexpo more intuitive and engaging:

• An advanced search system now ranks games by ratings, helping users find top titles quickly.
• Improved language and content filters for personalized game discovery.
• Markdown enhancements made content sharing easier and more dynamic.
• ARIA attributes were introduced as part of our effort to make the platform more accessible.

Looking Ahead to 2025 🚀

We’re thrilled with the progress made during the 2024 but are already looking forward to what's next. Here's what we aim to achieve:

• More Blog Content: We want to share more articles to keep you informed about updates, trends, and community highlights.
• Increased Challenges for Players 🏆: With more games supporting leaderboards, we plan to launch many more Challenges to keep players engaged and competitive.
• New Features Finally Coming to Life: There are some features that have been in the works for a while, and we’re determined to introduce them this year.
• Enhanced Security and Performance: We’ll continue to improve the site’s stability and security.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we continue to make indiexpo a better platform for gaming, creativity, and community. Here's to an exciting year ahead!

Mobile Gaming: Is It Really the Future of Gaming Industry?

The mobile gaming industry represents an incredibly lucrative market, being the leading gaming platform in terms of both player numbers and revenue generated. However, on the other hand, it is also the most challenging area to invest in as either you can achieve great success or risk a rapid collapse. Nevertheless, the trend is clear: all major publishers want to try their luck and have moved accordingly in recent years.

It is important, therefore, to understand what the mobile market is today. According to the analysis company Newzoo, the mobile segment was worth $92.2 billion in 2022, which is 50% of the overall industry revenue. For comparison, the console market is worth $51.8 billion. Even a national perspective allows us to give more context when we talk about this vast market.

The reason is evident: almost everyone has a smartphone, while far fewer people have a console or a gaming PC. It is not surprising, therefore, that more and more companies are looking at mobile gaming in light of the incredible commercial opportunity. But it would be a serious mistake to believe that the mobile world is easy to explore. "For various reasons, mobile is probably one of the most expensive platforms to develop on today," says Mauro Fanelli, CEO of MixedBag, which has published Forma.8, Futuridium, and, exclusively for Apple Arcade, Secret Oops on Android and iOS. "The cost of mobile development and launch is different. Beyond the quality of the game, there is a matter of maintenance, user acquisition, and how a mobile game works. It requires constant investment."

The mobile market can be divided into two major categories. On one side, there are free-to-play games in constant update, the live services. Here, the difficulty is evident: an entire team of developers must constantly work to produce new content, engage users with events and novelties, and maintain the game's quality. "The whole free-to-play model is based on game-as-a-service: first, launch the game, and then the team must produce content weekly," explains Fanelli. "Constantly balancing, changing the meta to keep users engaged: the game never ends. On mobile, this is extreme, much more than on console. It is continuous development, and the team must always work on the same game. It's a constant investment."

Otherwise, especially for an independent developer, the mobile world is an endless sea but full of sharks. "The number one platform for indie games is still Steam, followed by Switch and other consoles," according to Fanelli. "Then, way down the list, there is mobile. There is always the illusion that it is easy, but then the market is complicated. Even games promoted by platforms may not succeed." This is where the consolidation that many major publishers are carrying out begins.

When entering a market like mobile, which has different dynamics from PC and console, there are two ways to engage: developing an internal specialized department over time or acquiring a consolidated entity with the competencies and technologies needed to create new mobile titles.

Latest Updates from Late 2024. Lazy Load, Advanced Search, Markdown & More!

We’ve been hard at work improving your experience on indiexpo, and we’re thrilled to share the latest features and updates we’ve recently launched:

Lazy Load for Comments, News & Notifications

Browsing has never been smoother! We’ve added a lazy load system for comments, news, and notifications. Now, when you click “Show More,” additional elements will load instantly. Plus, as you scroll down, more content will load automatically!

Advanced Search

We’ve optimized the Advanced Search! Results are now displayed ranked by game ratings, making it easier to find the top-rated titles.

indiexpo Music

A fun experiment! To explore new ways of promoting indie games, we selected a few titles, wrote some lyrics, generated music, and created videos. A creative test that may bring more surprises in the future!

Improved Markdown

The Markdown system has been improved for comments and news, especially for managing internal links. Sharing content on the platform has never been easier!

Visual Enhancements

• Optimized the 16:9 aspect ratio for game thumbnails.
• Improved Hindi translations to make the platform more inclusive.

Bug Fixes and Technical Updates

• Fixed a bug with notifications when posting news about your own games.
• Updated the site framework to boost security, performance, and speed.

What’s Next?
Stay tuned! We’ll soon publish a new post with our traditional 2023 vs 2024 comparison, followed by an article detailing the exciting features coming in 2025!

indiegames Rewind: The Best of 2024

 Rewind 2024 video with the Best Indie Games of this year!

Celebrating the games, developers, players and gamers that made 2024.

Discover the best indie games and free games uploaded during the 2024. 

>> Rewind 2024 Video <<

The games showed are ALL FREE on indiexpo website!

in order of appearance:

BROTHER

by itfunkylab

Bad Jack

by Mehrdad Rezaei

Snake Evo

by Autentica

The Book

by StephIndieGames

The Witch In The Woods

by Dream Nyght Studio

Mask Of Semblance

by Red Essence Games

Horn of Balance

by HornofBalance

Flingy Cat

by OverNuked

Trinity Blade

by Qb!k

Pizza Spy

by FootprintsGames 

Mayhem in Single Valley

by Fluxscopic

Telly The TV

by ExtraMustard

Alchemist of Pipi Forest

by kkangto

Bloodlust: SM Definitive

by Emanuel Montero

Through the Night

by Filthy Eden

The Edge of Allegoria

by Its_Avg_Joe

Unlighted

by ginuhgames

Thicket

by retrowillgames

Glixel

by Ecko

Stack Cat and the Cowboy Kid

by retrowillgames

Z Bird

by enotofil

JET Aicko

by mazzutakgame

Hollow Floor

by amidos2006

New Year Postcard

by e1e5en

Chicken Crush

by enotofil

Denizens of Darkwind

by Cosmic Wheels

New Updates to Boost Your Experience on indiexpo!

We’re excited to announce the latest improvements on indiexpo, designed to make your experience faster, smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new:

1. Improved Site Speed: Thanks to a server upgrade, the overall loading speed of the site has been significantly enhanced, ensuring a quicker and more responsive browsing experience.
2. Sleek New Slideshow: Our slideshow has been revamped with a modern, animated design. It features quick-slide indicators and is fully optimized for mobile. The games showcased in the slideshow will be updated, as always, weekly, keeping the content fresh and exciting!
   
   
   
   
   
3. In-Game Challenges Access: You can now view ongoing challenges directly within a game's page. This update makes it easier to participate in challenges without having to leave the game page you’re interested in.
4. Language and Content Filters: We’ve added a convenient feature in the game description area. By clicking on the language tags, you can instantly search for other games available in that language. The same applies to the “Adult Games” tag, making it simpler to find exactly what you’re looking for.
5. Updated News/Updates Section: The news area in the game pages has been overhauled with a window-style interface that’s faster and easier to scroll through. We’ve removed the old pagination system and introduced a “Show More” button for a smoother, infinite-scrolling experience.
6. Icon Updates: We’ve refreshed several icons across the site, giving them a more modern look and feel.
7. Email Change Bug Fixed: We’ve resolved the issue that was affecting email changes. Updating your contact information is now hassle-free.

In the coming months, we’ll be focusing on improving site security and we’re also planning to introduce a brand-new feature for both players and developers by the end of the year.

Thank you for being a part of the indiexpo community and happy gaming!  

Is it a good idea to start a game using Rpg Maker?

RPG Maker is a popular game development software that allows users to easily create their own role-playing games (RPGs). It is popular among game developers, particularly those who are new to game development or who want to create games without having to code. There are several reasons why you might want to use RPG Maker to make your own game.

1. Ease of use: One of the biggest benefits of RPG Maker is that it is very easy to use. The software includes a visual interface that allows you to drag and drop elements onto a grid to create maps and environments. This makes it simple to design levels and create custom assets, such as characters and items. The software also includes a variety of pre-made assets, such as characters, music, and sound effects, which can be used in your game.
2. Customization: While RPG Maker includes a variety of pre-made assets, it also allows you to create your own custom assets. This means you can create unique characters, items, and environments that fit the specific theme and style of your game.
3. Community support: RPG Maker has a large and active community of users who share resources and offer support to each other. This means you can find help and advice on how to use the software, as well as resources such as graphics and music to use in your game.
4. Cross-platform compatibility: RPG Maker allows you to create games that can be played on a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, and mobile devices. This means you can reach a wider audience with your game.

Overall, RPG Maker is a great tool for anyone looking to create their own RPG. It is user-friendly, customizable, and has a strong community of users who can offer support and resources.

There are several versions of Rpg Maker. It has a very long story! But we suggest to use the latest versions: MV and/or MZ.

Whether you are a seasoned game developer or just starting out, RPG Maker is a great tool to consider for creating your own game.

3 Suggested Games made using Rpg Maker:

Wild Rage New Generation

- Purgatory -

Pocket Quest!

The latest updates! Speed, Challenges, Medals and so on!

We are excited to announce a series of updates and improvements on indiexpo! These changes are designed to make the site experience even more enjoyable and functional for both players and game developers. Here are the latest updates:

1. Improved Event/Challenge Pages 🏆

   You can now view the player leaderboard. This allows participants to track their progress and compete to reach the top!

2. New Area for Upcoming Events/Challenges 📅

   We have created a dedicated section for future events and challenges, so you can plan your participation and never miss an opportunity to play.

3. Game Size Visible Before Download 📂

   Before downloading a game, you can now see its size. This helps better manage the available space on your device.

4.New User Medals 🥇

   New medals for users have been introduced. These recognitions make the gaming experience even more rewarding, encouraging participation and interaction.

5. Improved Notifications for Mentions in Comments 🔔

   Notifications when you are mentioned in a comment have been improved, making it easier to follow conversations and respond promptly.

6. Upload Images in WEBP Format 🖼️

   Developers can now upload images in WEBP format for their games. This format offers better compression without losing quality, optimizing site performance.

7. Introduction of ARIA Attributes for Accessibility 🌐

   We are beginning to implement ARIA attributes to improve site accessibility.

8. Improved Site Speed ⚡

   We have worked to improve the site speed, especially in the Levels area, User Pages, and with the use of Caches. Browsing indiexpo is now faster and smoother. There will be future updates to further enhance loading times.

9. Increased Social Media Activity 📱

   Our activity on social media is increasing, with new videos in a new format to engage young gamers more effectively. Don't miss our updates and exclusive content!

These updates are designed to improve the usability and functionality of the site, offering a better experience for everyone. Stay tuned for more news and, as always, enjoy indiexpo! 🌟