In today’s gaming landscape, the fate of independent titles often rests in the hands of large corporations ready to acquire promising indie projects. These acquisitions can manifest in various ways, such as purchasing intellectual property rights or entirely acquiring the studio behind the game. While some indie games evolve into beloved franchises, the transition is not always seamless or beneficial for the original creators and their fans.
On the upside, players may witness their favorite indie titles a transition from humble beginnings into expansive brands with mass appeal. However, this transformation frequently brings growing pains, particularly regarding fan reception to changes made by new owners. For many, this can lead to vocal criticism when beloved games undergo significant alterations post-acquisition. This phenomenon raises an important question: what constitutes an indie game in this context?
For the purposes of this discussion, any title developed by small teams identifying as independent studios—regardless of publisher affiliations—will be categorized as an indie game. In an era where even self-published games like Among Us can achieve drastic popularity, the label of ‘indie’ increasingly centers on the developers themselves rather than the companies that publish their games.
8 Five Nights at Freddy’s
Scary Growth
The classification of Five Nights at Freddy’s as an indie game remains a topic of debate. While it undoubtedly began as an independent project, it has since evolved into a substantial franchise with multiple sequels and an intricate lore built around its premise. Initially created by Scott Cawthon, the series expanded rapidly in just six years.
Despite Cawthon’s announcement in 2021 regarding his decision to step back from game development, he retains ownership of the franchise’s rights. However, with licensing deals in place with non-independent game companies and film studios, many argue that the franchise no longer fits the indie label.
7 Palworld
Too Big To Fail
Development of Palworld has been anything but straightforward. Originating as a small-scale project called “Pokémon, but with guns,”the game’s developer, Pocketpair, faced significant hurdles during production including limited staff, engine switches, and budget constraints. However, these challenges yielded fruitful results, ultimately attracting over 2 million concurrent players on Steam.
The remarkable success of Palworld propelled Pocketpair’s workforce from 10 to over 50 employees, as they secured a partnership with Sony and brought millions into their coffers. However, this swift growth triggered a reaction from industry giant Nintendo, surfacing when they attempted to sue the development team over newly instituted patents.
6 Fall Guys
Not That Epic
The launch of Fall Guys in the summer of 2020 coincided with a surge in demand for engaging multiplayer experiences, bolstered by the global pandemic. Its unique blend of party game elements reinvigorated the battle royale scene, drawing significant player interest.
However, the acquisition by Epic Games—the powerhouse behind Fortnite—marked a turning point for the game’s future. Following the buyout, many community members expressed disillusionment as changes were implemented, including the introduction of a battle pass and the requirement of an Epic Games account. These alterations, coupled with the game’s removal from Steam, were met with backlash from players.
5 Tetris
Falling Into Place
The story of Tetris is steeped in rich history. Created by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union, the game initially emerged from basic code without graphical representation, utilizing only brackets to depict its iconic tetrominoes. From these humble beginnings, Tetris evolved, capturing the attention of gamers worldwide.
Over time, the game featured on various platforms, including the Game Boy and NES, cementing its legacy as one of the best-selling games of all time. Today, Pajitnov continues to receive royalties from the Tetris Company, illustrating the game’s enduring impact on both the industry and its creator.
4 Risk of Rain
More Bank Than Ghor’s Tome
Risk of Rain stands as a prime example of indie game success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of two friends and a talented composer who formed Hopoo Games. With minimal resources, they released the original game before transforming the genre landscape with its sequel.
However, the lack of console support for Risk of Rain 2 prompted Gearbox Software to step in and assist with console ports, but issues plagued these versions. As the relationship evolved, Gearbox acquired the game’s IP rights, while Hopoo gradually stepped back from direct involvement, leading to updates that disappointed many fans. Ironically, the core team of Hopoo eventually disbanded, finding new opportunities at Valve, a leading name in the gaming ecosystem.
3 Rocket League
Hit Their Goal
The journey of Rocket League closely mirrors that of Fall Guys. Initially developed by Psyonix, a small team grew significantly over the years, establishing the studio’s reputation through hit projects and collaborations, such as with the Unreal Tournament franchise.
When Rocket League hit the market, its unique gameplay captured the hearts of many players, leading to its acquisition by Epic Games in 2019, four years post-launch. Unfortunately, this led to a range of consequences for the game, notably the removal of Mac and Linux support and its transformation into a free-to-play title, which disappointed a section of its player base.
2 Crash Bandicoot
Surprisingly Small Mascot
Naughty Dog, now synonymous with blockbuster franchises like The Last of Us and Uncharted, began its journey with humble roots, developing the original Crash Bandicoot with a small team. Originally comprising just a handful of developers, this small studio produced a title that quickly garnered attention upon its release, eventually selling over 7 million copies and attracting the interest of Sony, prompting a buyout.
This acquisition allowed Naughty Dog to expand its creative horizons, leading to the development of subsequent iconic series. Today, what started as an indie title has transformed into a big-budget franchise, showcasing the dynamic nature of the gaming landscape.
1 Minecraft
From Dirt to Diamond
Perhaps the most discussed example of an indie buyout is Minecraft. Originally created by Markus “Notch”Persson as a passion project, it blossomed into a revolutionary title spawning a dedicated studio, Mojang. Over time, Minecraft achieved such immense success that it became a staple in gaming culture, even enabling financially lucrative ventures, such as paid server memberships.
In 2014, after stepping back from development, Notch sold Mojang to Microsoft for a staggering $2.5 billion. As the company distanced itself from the original founder following some controversial remarks on social media, Minecraft underwent numerous updates and changes, resulting in a product that continues to evolve under Microsoft’s stewardship.
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