A lot of gamers nowadays use the Steam platform, and for good reasons. There are plenty of games out there that won’t even start if you don’t have the Steam app installed on your computer, and it’s also the case for Counter-Strike 2, a highly popular first-person shooter game.
Let’s also not forget about the fact that Steam is also a big gaming community that allows you to get in contact with other gamers with similar tastes as you from various parts of the world. You can use Steam to make friends and find new players to play against in your favorite games online.
But guess what? People are different, and not all of them are happy with what Steam has to offer, even though they’re gamers. They claim that Steam is not necessary and that it could even get its hands on some of their personal data. After all, why would you install a third-party app if you just want to play a video game?
Can indie games represent a good choice?
Independent developers are coming up with their own niche, as they offer unique and innovative experiences that challenge the status quo. What’s for sure is that the indie games scene continues to flourish.
Even though Steam offers numerous advantages to gamers, there are still plenty of concerns and criticisms regarding the dominance of Valve’s platform.
One of the main issues facing indie developers on Steam has to do with discoverability. Thousands of games come out every year, and smaller titles often face difficulties when it comes to standing out amidst the flood of new releases. As a result, it becomes challenging for indie devs to have enough visibility and attract players to their games.
Plenty of alternative platforms
More and more alternative platforms have come out for gamers, giving indie developers new opportunities to reach audiences and thrive in the competitive gaming market. Such platforms won’t hesitate to offer impressive features and advantages tailored to the needs of indie developers, as they foster a supportive environment when it comes to creativity and innovation.
We can mention, for instance, the platform known as itch.io. It was founded over a decade ago by Leaf Corcoran, and it qualifies easily as a haven for indie developers who seek freedom and flexibility for publishing their games. Itch.io has a strong focus on community-driven curation and a commitment to fostering diverse voices in gaming. We’re talking about a platform that offers developers the chance to showcase their work without the barriers that are often encountered on larger storefronts.
We also need to mention GOG.com, which has been formerly known as Good Old Games. This platform is known for its dedication to preserving gaming history and offering DRM-free titles. GOG.com was originally focused on classic games, as you’ve probably already guessed, but it has expanded its catalog to include a wide range of indie games.
The future looks pretty bright when it comes to the new era of indie gaming. There’s a wealth of alternative platforms to choose from, and indie devs have more options than ever to share their passion projects with the world and connect with gamers who appreciate them.
Tim M. Hill helped bring Digital-Overload from a weekly newsletter to a full-fledged news site by creating a new website and branding. He continues to assist in keeping the site responsive and well organized for the readers. As a writer to Digital-Overload, Tim mainly covers mobile news and gadgets.
