Indie - Softonic English

The creator of Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn does not want to share anything about his new game because of AI

Lucas Pope, the creator of acclaimed titles like Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, has shared his thoughts on video game development and the growing concern about artificial intelligence in the industry. In a recent interview on the podcast Mike & Rami Are Still Here, Pope expressed his unease about the lack of communication regarding his upcoming projects, citing the fear that his ideas might be absorbed by AI or could be replicated before their release. “I don’t feel as comfortable talking about what I’m working on again,” he commented. AI is […]

AI is ruining everything

Despite his reputation and the success of his previous works, Pope was reluctant to share details about his upcoming project, suggesting an internal pressure to match the high standards he has set. “Maybe I can’t do it again,” he reflected. With two titles that have been considered classics in the industry, the developer feels fortunate and has indicated that he prefers to leave a positive legacy rather than risk disappointing his fans with a new project.

However, Pope emphasized that he enjoys the creative process and prioritizes fun over financial pressures, a luxury that many developers do not have. “I’m finding the fun here,” he explained, referring to his recent years in development, which included innovative projects like Mars After Midnight.

With the industry constantly evolving and new technologies emerging, Pope is just a reflection of the concerns that many developers face today. As the specter of artificial intelligence looms over creatives, the future of video game development could be conditioned by a delicate balance between innovation and creative protection.

Steam DOWNLOAD

The video game that doesn't want to be 'Balatro' and asks to be allowed to do weird things

Players now have the opportunity to subscribe to a variety of newsletters covering updates on video games, technology, movies, and TV, as well as content from related communities. This initiative is presented as a valuable resource to stay updated on the latest news and developments in their favorite interests. We are not Balatro In the world of video games, Rami Ismail, known for his work on titles like Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne, is developing a new game titled Australia Did It. This title combines RPG strategy mechanics and tower defense in a dynamic environment where curiosity and […]

In the world of video games, Rami Ismail, known for his work on titles like Luftrausers and Nuclear Throne, is developing a new game titled Australia Did It.

This title combines RPG strategy mechanics and tower defense in a dynamic environment where curiosity and experimentation are key. Ismail aims to break established molds and create unique experiences, challenging the conventions of the genre.

We are not Balatro

Australia Did It gives players the opportunity to combine and merge units to create more powerful combinations. This approach allows each game to feel distinct, as player decisions directly influence the game’s development.

The game’s concept revolves around a train station where players must defend their locomotive while facing waves of enemies, with each station presenting unique rules and challenges.

Despite incorporating elements inspired by roguelikes, Ismail clarifies that Australia Did It is not a roguelike in the strict sense, as each gaming session is self-contained and does not rely on permanent upgrades that facilitate progress in the games. Instead, the fun lies in experimenting with unit combinations and finding the ideal strategy to overcome each level.

Ismail emphasizes the importance of creating something different, saying: “Let’s do weird things”. Meanwhile, interest in the game continues to grow, and his innovative approach to the strategy genre is expected to resonate with players in the future.

Riot Games congratulates Hypixel Studios on the successful launch of Hytale

Hytale, the ambitious voxel RPG from Hypixel Studios, has made its debut in early access and quickly catapulted to the top of streaming platforms, attracting millions of players in just a few hours. With this impressive launch, the game has achieved what many considered unlikely after years of uncertainty and delays in its development. A game that has taken the world by storm at its launch The purchase of Hypixel Studios by Riot Games in 2020 generated high expectations for Hytale. However, the project faced multiple obstacles, including development issues and significant revisions in its […]

Hytale, the ambitious voxel RPG from Hypixel Studios, has made its debut in early access and quickly skyrocketed to the top of streaming platforms, attracting millions of players in just a few hours. With this impressive launch, the game has achieved what many considered unlikely after years of uncertainty and delays in its development.

A game that has taken the world by storm at its launch

The purchase of Hypixel Studios by Riot Games in 2020 generated high expectations for Hytale. However, the project faced multiple obstacles, including development issues and significant revisions to its graphics engine, which led to a prolonged silence from the studio. During this time, updates on the progress of Hytale were limited to sporadic communications, mostly during the holiday season.

Recently, in an unexpected turn of events, Riot Games cut off financial support to the studio, forcing it to buy back its shares to ensure the continuity of development. Despite the challenges, the Hypixel team, made up of just 50 developers, has self-funded and has made progress in creating Hytale. This context highlights the resource differences between a small developer and a giant like Riot Games.

Riot’s response has been swift; through a message on their social media, the company congratulated Hypixel on the launch of early access, reflecting a recognition of the game’s success, despite the internal challenges the company faces. This recognition suggests that if Hytale had been released under the Riot Games label, it would likely have received harsher criticism given the high expectations associated with it. In this sense, Hytale’s success highlights the ability of a smaller team to create a product that resonates with the gaming community, even in the face of adversity.

Steam DOWNLOAD

Hytale has shown an advantage of not being released on Steam: it is much easier to refund the game

Many players have expressed their preference for Steam as the main platform for gaming, highlighting the inconvenience of having to resort to other launchers that require downloads, updates, and authentications. This is the case with the recent release of Hytale, a sandbox adventure game that is not available on Steam, forcing players to register and download a new launcher. Do you have any issues with the game? They don’t give you any trouble Despite the hassle of having to manage a new platform, Hytale offers an appealing compensation: its refund policy. While Steam allows returns of games only if […]

Many players have expressed their preference for Steam as the main platform for gaming, highlighting the inconvenience of having to resort to other launchers that require downloads, updates, and authentications. This is the case with the recent release of Hytale, a sandbox adventure game that is not available on Steam, forcing players to register and download a new launcher.

Do you have any issues with the game? They won’t give you a hard time

Despite the hassle of having to manage a new platform, Hytale offers an appealing compensation: its refund policy. While Steam allows returns only if games have been played for less than two hours within a two-week period from purchase, Hypixel Studios’ policy is more generous. Players can request a refund after playing up to four hours in Hytale, thus providing extra time to explore its vast worlds and systems.

This more flexible approach is especially beneficial in open-world games, where the first few minutes of gameplay often do not represent the full experience. Steam’s policy has been criticized for its rigidity, making players feel that they do not have enough time to truly evaluate a game.

It is important, however, that users carefully review the list of payment methods accepted by Hypixel Studios. Some of these methods do not allow for refunds, which could limit the options for those interested when purchasing Hytale. Although registering for a new service may be frustrating, the benefits of a more generous refund policy may outweigh the initial inconvenience of having to create a new account.

Steam DOWNLOAD

A modder has already managed to run Doom in Hytale… even though it hasn't been released yet

Hytale, the highly anticipated open-world adventure and role-playing game, has been developed by a team made up of modders and members of the Minecraft community, which gives it a deep modding capability. This approach has allowed some fans to explore the possibilities that the game has to offer before its official release, scheduled for 2024. A game so customizable that it runs Doom One of the most surprising achievements comes from the modder known as ‘tr7zw’, who has managed to get Doom to run inside Hytale before access to the game is available for the […]

A game so customizable that it runs Doom

One of the most surprising achievements comes from the modder known as ‘tr7zw’, who has managed to make Doom run inside Hytale before the game is available to the public. Using a mod called Landmark, which facilitates fast travel within Hytale, tr7zw has adapted a complete port in Java of the classic from 1993, allowing the legendary shooter to operate within the new environment.

The mod, although innovative, has certain limitations. Tr7zw has commented that the experience is somewhat rudimentary, with a rate of 20 frames per second and a noticeable input lag. “It feels a bit like a broken keyboard,” explained the modder, reflecting the challenges of running such an iconic game on an unconventional platform.

This phenomenon is not new within the gamer community, which has documented countless attempts to run Doom on various and strange platforms, from the BIOS of a motherboard to Lego toys. Hytale, with its modular design, has proven to be an addition to this long list of successes in the field of modification.

With each new achievement in the modification of Hytale, the anticipation for its release grows. Many wonder what else the modders will be able to achieve once the game is in the hands of the public. In the meantime, the curious can follow the community updates and eagerly await the arrival of this innovative title.

Steam DOWNLOAD

'Mindwave' is the game I'm most looking forward to in 2026, and for good reason: it's an indie 'WarioWare'

The world of independent video games is buzzing with the arrival of Mindwave, a mini-game game in the style of WarioWare that promises to challenge players through a frantic and fun experience. Although a release date has not yet been announced, the developers have shared new updates through Kickstarter, which has fueled excitement around the project. On December 28, a new trailer was released that captivated fans from the very first seconds, highlighting the catchy song that accompanies the ‘game over’ screen. Pure fun! This melody, characterized by […]

The world of independent video games is buzzing with the arrival of Mindwave, a mini-game game in the style of WarioWare that promises to challenge players through a frantic and fun experience. Although a release date has not yet been announced, the developers have shared new updates through Kickstarter, which has fueled excitement around the project. On December 28, a new trailer was released that captivated fans from the very first seconds, highlighting the catchy song that accompanies the ‘game over’ screen.

Pure fun!

This melody, characterized by a funky rhythm and distorted samples, elevates the gaming experience, turning even defeats into enjoyable moments. The combination of synthetic bass with hip hop rhythms creates an atmosphere that invites dancing, which is particularly notable for a screen that traditionally does not receive much attention.

For those who want to try the game, the Mindwave demo is available on Steam and has received positive reviews, highlighting its chaotic and fast-paced gameplay, where players must complete micro-games in fractions of a second. PC Gamer and other outlets have praised the demo, further increasing anticipation for the full release, which is described as “cerebral and narrative-focused”.

The recent Kickstarter update not only provided a glimpse into the game’s music but also revealed details about the story development. The writers are working on specific aspects of the plot, suggesting that the game may still be in its final stages of development. Although there is no formal confirmation of a release date, the reported progress and positive feedback from players mark a hopeful path for Mindwave.

Megabonk rejected its nomination for the Game Awards, but now its honesty offers it an even greater reward

In one of the most surprising news stories leading up to the Game Awards, the indie game Megabonk is in the spotlight due to its controversial nomination in the Player’s Voice category. Its creator, an anonymous developer, previously requested that their game be withdrawn from the nomination for “best indie debut,” arguing that they had already released other titles under different pseudonyms. This request was accepted and marked the first time a nominee disappeared from the list of potential awardees in the event’s history, an exercise in honesty that was very well received by the community. Nominated […]

In one of the most surprising news stories leading up to the Game Awards, the indie game Megabonk is in the spotlight for its controversial nomination in the Player’s Voice category. Its creator, an anonymous developer, previously requested that their game be withdrawn from the nomination for “best indie debut,” arguing that they had already released other titles under different pseudonyms. This request was accepted and marked the first time a nominee disappeared from the list of potential awardees in the history of the event, an exercise in honesty that was very well received by the community.

Nominated in another category at the Game Awards

However, the story doesn’t end there. Megabonk has been reinstated as a candidate for the prestigious Player’s Voice award, where players have the opportunity to vote for their favorite game of the year. Despite facing tough competition that includes renowned titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Battlefield 6, the developer’s passion and the community’s support could help the small indie work achieve a prominent position in this category.

The development budget of Megabonk is considerably lower than that of its larger competitors, which further highlights the surprising nomination. The game’s creator has expressed his enthusiasm through social media, asking players to vote in support of his title: “We are back in full swing. Please vote,” he stated.

Fans who wish to participate in the voting can do so through the official Game Awards page. They will need to register, but the process is simple. It is important to mention that the voting will take place in three different phases and is not limited to games released this year, which broadens the range of options for voters.

Steam DOWNLOAD

Hytale, the indie Minecraft, has returned with a very interesting business strategy: to claim that it will be released "incomplete and broken"

Hytale, the ambitious open-world game that promises a Minecraft-like experience, has changed hands once again. Simon Collins-Laflamme, the original owner, has reacquired the rights to the project after its cancellation by Riot Games, giving new hope to a community that has been eagerly awaiting the game’s release since its viral trailer in 2018. They confirm that the first impression is not going to be the best. The latest news indicates that Hytale will launch in Early Access on January 13, 2026, for PC. However, Collins-Laflamme has been honest […]

Hytale, the ambitious open-world game that promises a Minecraft-like experience, has changed hands once again. Simon Collins-Laflamme, the original owner, has reacquired the rights to the project after its cancellation by Riot Games, giving new hope to a community that has been eagerly awaiting the game’s release since its viral trailer in 2018.

They confirm that the first impression is not going to be the best

The latest news indicates that Hytale will launch in Early Access on January 13, 2026, for PC. However, Collins-Laflamme has been honest about the state of the game, warning that it is still “incomplete and broken.” In a communication to players, he emphasized that “the first impression will be difficult” and that the current elements of the game are outdated, as the team has decided to revert to a version from four years ago to continue development. Collins-Laflamme stressed that the game “is not good” in its current state, but promised a commitment to turn it into the experience they always wanted to offer.

The developer’s marketing approach has been considered unusual. Instead of encouraging players to pre-order the game, it has emphasized that those who do not feel comfortable doing so should refrain. This honest and transparent approach has been well received, especially since 60 playtesters have given their approval, indicating that while there is progress, there is still a long way to go.

The Collins-Laflamme strategy of keeping expectations low could prove beneficial. By openly acknowledging the current imperfections of the game, an atmosphere of understanding is created among the players. If the initial launch turns out better than expected, the community could welcome it positively. However, time will tell if this bold communication strategy pays off once Hytale is finally available in Early Access.

Steam DOWNLOAD

The new game from the creators of Palworld is a clone of Hollow Knight with adorable little witches

The arrival of Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse on the gaming horizon has been marked by controversy, especially due to accusations that it is a copy of Hollow Knight. This new title, developed by a subsidiary of Pocketpair, has been criticized in a context where Palworld also faces plagiarism suspicions. However, many players have discovered that, despite its aesthetic similarities, the gameplay experience is completely different, according to what was observed in the recently presented demo. The allegations are not dismissed. The game is scheduled to be released on the 5th […]

The arrival of Never Grave: The Witch and the Curse on the video game horizon has been marked by controversy, especially due to accusations that it is a copy of Hollow Knight. This new title, developed by a subsidiary of Pocketpair, has been criticized in a context where Palworld also faces plagiarism suspicions. However, many players have discovered that, despite its aesthetic similarities, the gameplay experience is completely different, as evidenced by the recently presented demo.

They can’t shake off the allegations

The game is scheduled to be released on March 5, 2026, for both PC and consoles. Never Grave combines elements of roguelike and metroidvania through an original creature possession system that plays a crucial role in combat and puzzle-solving. Additionally, the title includes persistent progression that will allow players to customize their “builds,” as well as a cooperative mode that supports up to four players. The inclusion of a village that users will need to build, using materials obtained during their ‘runs,’ is also noteworthy.

The development of the game has been extensive, starting in January 2024 and experiencing several delays before finally announcing its full release. Initially, an early access was being considered, but the decision to focus their efforts on a version 1.0 seems to have met the expectations of the players, who have been waiting since its first showcase.

Despite the initial criticism, many defend the uniqueness of Never Grave, which, although it is evident that it draws inspiration from other indie titles, brings a mix of ideas that give it its own identity. With its release on the horizon, this work seems ready to surprise both its player base and those who were skeptical about its originality.

Steam DOWNLOAD

Without Sony, this indie from the creators of Journey would never have seen the light

In the world of indie video games, Sword of the Sea has emerged as an unexpected gem, surprising many with its engaging dune surfing gameplay mechanics. Developed by Giant Squid, the title offers a unique experience by combining a captivating artistic aesthetic with an evocative soundtrack, reminiscent of the acclaimed Journey. Although the game has received praise, with a score of 88 on Metacritic and ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam, its marketing visibility has been limited, which has restricted its initial reach. A game that has existed thanks to the support of PlayStation […]

In the world of indie video games, Sword of the Sea has emerged as an unexpected gem, surprising many with its engaging dune surfing gameplay mechanics. Developed by Giant Squid, the title offers a unique experience by combining a captivating artistic aesthetic with an evocative soundtrack, reminiscent of the acclaimed Journey. Although the game has received praise, with a score of 88 on Metacritic and ‘Very Positive’ reviews on Steam, its marketing visibility has been limited, which has restricted its initial reach.

A game that has existed thanks to the support of PlayStation

The co-founder of Giant Squid, Matt Nava, commented on the challenges they faced during development, noting that halfway through the process they needed extra funding. This support came through PlayStation Indies, Sony’s program that fosters creativity in video games. Thanks to this agreement, Sword of the Sea was included from day one in the PS Plus Extra catalog, allowing many players to discover it without having to purchase it. Nava emphasized that, although this might seem like they were giving the game away, it also offered the advantage of more people being able to experience their artistic work.

The collaboration with Sony gave the studio more control during the final development phase, allowing them to make last-minute adjustments and polish crucial details before the launch. This opportunity to refine the product proved invaluable, with Nava expressing that, to a large extent, “saved the game.” Sword of the Sea is currently available for 28.99 euros, or as part of PS Plus Extra, which could broaden its audience and recognition, despite the initial challenges in its promotion.

PlayStation App DOWNLOAD