How to Increase Player Engagement on itch.io, indiexpo & GameJolt

When it comes to showcasing your work in the vast world of indie games, platforms like itch.io, indiexpo and GameJolt offer fertile ground to do so. However, gaining visibility and engaging a wider audience can be challenging. In this article, we will explore effective strategies to increase player engagement on these platforms, taking into account the peculiarities of each.

There are common Strategies for all those platforms:

• Eye-catching Presentation: Regardless of the platform, ensure that your game page is eye-catching and well-curated. Use high-quality previews, engaging descriptions, and meaningful screenshots to capture the attention of potential players. Showcase different gameplay stages, exciting moments, and unique features of your game.
• Engage with the Community: Actively participate in the platforms' communities. Comment on other games, join forums, and share your work in a genuine and non-intrusive way. Building relationships with other developers and players can lead to increased visibility for your game.
• Update and Interact: Keep your game updated and respond promptly to player feedback. Demonstrating a continuous commitment to improving your game and engaging with the community can help build trust and interest around your work.

Now, let's explore some specific strategies for each platform:

Strategies for itch.io:

• Utilize Versatility: On itch.io, you can publish both paid and free games. Take advantage of this flexibility to reach a broader audience and test different monetization strategies for your game.
• Diversify Screenshots: In addition to showcasing exciting gameplay moments, include screenshots that also highlight the aesthetics, atmosphere, and design of your game. On itch.io you can upload more screenshots. Diversifying screenshots can capture the attention of players with diverse interests.
• Jams. On itch.io there are a lot of Jams. What is a Jam? A game jam is a collaborative event where game developers come together to create games within a specified timeframe, usually ranging from a few days to a couple of weeks. These events often focus on a common theme or set of constraints, encouraging participants to explore new ideas, experiment with game mechanics, and produce innovative games within the given constraints. Jams foster creativity, teamwork, and rapid game development, leading to a diverse range of game prototypes and experiences.

Strategies for indiexpo:

• Engage the Community through Feedback: Seek feedback from the indiexpo community and use this information to improve your game. Demonstrating a commitment to responding to comments and working with the community can lead to increased visibility and appreciation for your work.
• Socials. indiexpo is very active on the Social Media. You can tag the main page to be shared or you can contact the Staff to have feedbacks.
• Harness Player Challenges: On indiexpo, player challenges are a great way to engage the community and generate interest around your game. Organize special events or encourage players to compete with each other for prizes or recognition.

You can check also this link to see... what is differece between indiexpo and other platfroms

Strategies for GameJolt:

• Build an Active Community: GameJolt has shifted its focus to communities, so focus on building and interacting with a dedicated fan base. Provide regular updates, post in the forum, and engage your players to keep interest alive in your game.
• Collaborate with Other Developers: GameJolt offers many opportunities for developer collaboration. Partner with other creators to organize events, cross-promotions, or even collaborative projects to increase your visibility on the platform.

Increasing player engagement on itch.io, indiexpo & GameJolt requires a mix of eye-catching presentation, community engagement, and platform-specific strategies. Make the most of the resources offered by these platforms and commit to interacting with the community to maximize the success of your indie game.

Good luck and happy developing!

Top 2 Best Indie Games – May 2025

 

Discover May 2025’s top indiegames!

Discover the Top 2 Best Indie Games of May 2025 on indiexpo! Watch gameplay from Droptic 2, a clever puzzle challenge, and Norfengul, a stunning Norse-inspired RPG Metroidvania. Dive into strategy, action, and epic adventures in this monthly showcase!

0:00 Norfengul developed by SapaStudio

In the frozen lands of Norfengul, where gods walk among mortals and the jarldoms wage war for survival, a young adventurer rises in search of a greater destiny. Guided by Gordalf, an eccentric, grumpy, and wise druid, he must journey through a vast and perilous world, facing mythical creatures, rival tribes, and the whims of ancient deities. With no unified rule, Norfengul is a land of chaos, where every choice can tip the balance toward glory or destruction. Will you be able to defeat the wrongdoers and forge a new future?

0:45 Droptic 2 developed by enotofil

Flood fill game revisited. Select column, drop block and see what happen. Fill bars on the left to explode bombs. Get the highest score you can.

Drag & Drop system to upload the screenshots!

 

News for the game devs! We just tested and added a new way to upload your screenshots! A drag & drop system! Now to replace the images will be easier and faster!

And not only! Now you can also select the Cover that you want to use for your game, pinning on "set as cover"! 

You will be able to upload images in png, jpg, jpeg, bmp and webp!

Veiled Edge combines action, platforming & hacking elements in a stylish Cyberpunk aesthetic!

After spending several immersive hours in Veiled Edge, we can confidently say that this title offers an experience that resonates deeply with fans of indie games. Set in the year 2099, Veiled Edge masterfully combines action, platforming, and hacking elements, all wrapped in a stylish cyberpunk aesthetic that’s both nostalgic and innovative.

An Evolving Journey Through Virtual Realms

From the moment you jump into Veiled Edge, you’re greeted by a narrative that’s as layered as it is engaging. You follow Rapid, a former special forces mercenary turned investigator for mega-corporation Citadel, and his brilliant partner Lena, a rookie hacker with a knack for breaching even the most secure systems.

Their mission? Investigate the disappearance of a child. But what seems like a routine case soon spirals into a multi-layered cyber-conspiracy.

Indie Charm and Developer Passion

Indie gamers will appreciate the beating heart behind Veiled Edge: iteration, feedback, and passion. The early demo showed promise but suffered from clunky controls and unpolished combat. Since then, the devs have actively listened to the community, fine-tuning everything from movement mechanics to level design.

Stunning Pixel Art and Cyberpunk Atmosphere

Let’s talk visuals. The pixel art is gorgeous—each frame looks like it was drawn with care. The cyberpunk aesthetic drenches every level in vibrant neon, glitch effects, and urban decay. Think Katana ZERO meets Flashback, with a touch of Blade Runner attitude.

Every chapter offers a new visual and gameplay theme, making each feel like a distinct indie short film.

Engaging Gameplay and Narrative Depth

The gameplay shines through its mix of platforming, combat, and hacking. Rapid handles the physical action, while Lena brings the brains with hacking minigames that alter maps and unlock new routes.

Combat is satisfying, hacking is smart, and puzzles never feel like filler. Together, they make for a gameplay loop that’s consistently fun and layered.

Story-wise, Veiled Edge tackles themes like AI, digital identity, and memory manipulation. There’s depth here, and it’s delivered through dialogue, exploration, and set-piece moments.

Few Questions with the OnwStudio inc. team!

Each chapter of Veiled Edge feels like it belongs to a different genre—was this a narrative decision or a way to explore varied gameplay styles?

Our goal was to deliver a variety of gameplay experiences within a single game. With the rising popularity of short-form content like YouTube Shorts and TikTok, we thought it would be interesting to reflect that kind of fast-paced, diverse fun in a game format.

Were there any specific inspirations (from games, films, or literature) that influenced the aesthetic and storytelling of the game?

We drew a lot of inspiration from cyberpunk titles like Edgerunners and Katana ZERO. In terms of gameplay, It Takes Two was a major influence, while the story was partly inspired by Inception.

How did the dynamic between Rapid and Lena come about? Was their complementary gameplay planned from the beginning or did it evolve during development?

Lena and Rapid were initially designed based on classic male/female character archetypes. Our goal was to give players the feeling that they were playing in completely different worlds depending on the character. (We still have a long way to go, but that’s the vision.)

What are your main priorities for the next phases of development? Will you focus on refining existing chapters or expanding the story with new content first?

For now, our main focus is completing the remaining, unreleased chapters. That said, we're also working little by little to improve the quality of presentation in the existing content. :)

Strengths

• Genre-blending gameplay that keeps every chapter fresh and surprising
• Beautiful pixel art full of personality and attention to detail
• Strong community interaction and active development
• A gripping mystery story that deepens with each new chapter

Areas for Improvement

• Early chapters still feel a bit clunky compared to Chapter 2
• No full localization yet—especially disappointing for non-English speakers
• Some levels feel too short; more content would be welcome

Why You Should Play Veiled Edge

Veiled Edge isn’t just a game—it’s a promise. A promise of what happens when passion meets persistence. If you’re a fan of indie games with heart, depth, and stunning retro visuals, this title deserves a place on your radar.

It’s a reminder that not all games need to be AAA to be ambitious, emotional, and exciting. Jump in now, follow its development, and you might just witness something special take shape.

And devs, if you're reading this: we’d love a co-op mode!  Imagine Rapid and Lena playable together in split-screen—chef’s kiss.

You can see Veiled Edge also in the video about the Top 4 Best Indie Games – March 2025

New Features, New Speed, New Quests!

Finally, a new post to show you the latest updates on indiexpo!

So many things to say — I’ll try to keep it short!

For the Gamers:

• The website is faster!
• New design for User Pages, with your ranking shown bigger in the top-right corner!
• New language added: Czech
• New events and quests every month to earn more Gems
• On the blog, you can find more posts about the latest games uploaded to the site

For the Developers:

• On the home page (if no followed games have been recently uploaded), you’ll now see your own games! It’s incredible how many developers are using it in so few time!
• If your game supports the leaderboard, you can now click on "Create a new Quest" to make a quest linked to it
• In the stats area on your game page, you can now see the global ranking of your game, along with the games ranked directly above and below it

Coming soon...

For the gamers:

• a new area to continue to play your favourite games

For the developers:

• a new way to upload the screenshots and select the cover of your game

Top 2 Best Indie Games – April 2025

 

Discover April 2025’s top indiegames!

In Marked Outsider, escape a boring life into a strange new world filled with magic, monsters, and tough decisions and in Secret of Havendor, follow Mark’s dark journey through a mysterious town where every choice tests his humanity!

Two powerful indie adventures you don’t want to miss!

0:00 Marked Outsider developed by FellowPlayer

On my way home after work I felt someone was following me. I heard noises in an alley so I went to take a look then suddenly a flash of light and now I am here. But where is here?

0:45 Secret of Havendor developed by Nastalgist

Secret of Havendor - is an exciting game about a guy named Mark, who was subjected to humiliation and troubles until a friend invited him to Havendor. In this town, he encounters targets, friendships, and the dark side of what the guy thought he knew well. Will Mark be able to preserve his humanity in a world where only sacrifices are valued?

Why Is indiexpo Down Today?

If you tried to visit indiexpo today, April 23rd, 2025, you may have been surprised to find the site temporarily offline. Don’t worry—this isn’t due to a cyber attack or any critical system failure. It’s actually a controlled downtime.

We’re currently performing a series of important backend updates and running an additional full-site backup. These technical improvements are crucial to ensure the platform continues to run smoothly, securely, and efficiently. To avoid any potential data loss or instability during these operations, we’ve decided to temporarily take indiexpo offline.

When Will indiexpo Be Back?

Our goal is to have everything back online by the end of this week. We’re working hard behind the scenes to complete the updates as quickly and safely as possible. Once we’re done, you can expect a more stable and responsive platform—stronger than ever before.

Supporting Indie Developers Since Day One

Since its launch, indiexpo has been dedicated to supporting indie game developers from all over the world. The platform provides a space where creators can upload and share their games with a global audience, receive feedback, and build their communities.

indiexpo is more than just a platform—it's a hub for discovery. Thousands of players visit indiexpo daily to explore a curated selection of the best indie games available online. From pixel art adventures and retro-style shooters to deeply emotional narratives and experimental gameplay experiences, the site is home to a diverse and vibrant collection of content.

What You Can Expect After the Downtime

Once the maintenance is complete, you’ll notice improvements not just in performance but also in reliability. These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to creating a better experience for both developers and gamers.

We appreciate your patience and continued support during this brief interruption. The indie game community is at the heart of everything we do, and we can’t wait to welcome you back to Indiexpo very soon!

Stay tuned—and get ready for what's next!