Indie games stories
Independent studios in Auckland are gaining investor access and public exposure as the city works to grow New Zealand's games industry.
Wellington Games Week showcases New Zealand's booming game industry, spotlighting over 70 local titles and record job growth in the capital's sector.
The RIKI 8Bit Game Collection for Switch offers two brief games and three music albums for NZD $33, leaving gamers wanting more for their money.
The shortlist spotlights accessibility, mixed-reality and public-interest software that could gain more visibility on the App Store and beyond.
Government support and recent hit releases are helping Australian games studios add jobs, even as distance and skills shortages persist.
A relaxing but repetitive clean-up sim on Xbox Series X may appeal to players seeking a non-violent change of pace, despite its limited audience.
Touching the Sky VR wins Qld XR Festival's top prize, highlighting global brand backing and Australia's growing immersive media scene.
Goodnight Universe on Switch 2 offers a unique sci-fi tale as you play Isaac, a baby with mysterious powers, in a captivating 3.5-hour indie game.
Little Nightmares III offers disturbing design and fun platforming but lacks offline co-op; it's short and flawed, best bought on sale for PS5.
Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap offers thrilling third-person combat and trap-building action to halt waves of orcs from breaching the rift on Xbox Series X.
Anger Foot, a violent FPS from South African indie studio Free Lives, kicks off on PS5 with brutal humour and unique sneaker powers in crime-ridden Shit City.
Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo offers a stunning papercraft aesthetic and unique gameplay, exploring Latin American afterlife on Xbox Series X and other platforms.
South of Midnight offers a refreshing escape from typical gaming fare with its unique stop-motion graphics and engaging combat, despite some shortcomings.
In a nostalgic nod to the '90s, Omega 6 The Triangle Stars brings classic point-and-click adventure to Nintendo Switch, promising quirky aliens and intriguing quests.
Gimmick! 2 revives the charm of 2D platforming with stunning graphics and challenging gameplay, making it a treat for both old and new gamers.
Empire of the Ants offers a unique gaming experience on Xbox Series X, allowing players to explore a vivid world from an ant's perspective.
Stranded: Alien Dawn is a PC real-time strategy game from Haemimont Games, the developer of Surviving Mars. I checked it out, and here are my thoughts.
The Black Widow allows players to investigate the true case of Australia's first female serial killer, Louisa Collins.
ChatGPT has swept Apple's 2025 app charts in Australia, topping both free iPhone and iPad download lists as AI tools surge in popularity.
Australia's gaming sector thrives as user-generated content and platform games reshape the industry, boosted by AUD $1.4 million investment and global trends.