I don't think it gets talked about quite enough, but there's a lot of gamers who are actively hostile to indie games, who'll say it's all artsy-fartsy "pixelshit indieslop" and won't even entertain the idea that they might be good games, and they're quite unshakable in this mindset.
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A lot of people think it's all just ripoff shovelware.
That whole "with advertising" and tacit permission of the "zeitgeist" thing nails it down pretty well imo
Its a shame they can't enjoy something unless they are told it's ok to by the "authorities" of the industry
Lunacid wouldn't look better if it looked realistic, it would lose its own style and feeling entirely
Do remember that obnoxious TikTok trend where people were parodying their idea of film snobs? It's like that, but with gaming.
A huge part of the problem is that so many (most?) people are into art purely as a social tool. They don't care if different art is "better", they just want to experience the art their friends are into for a shared sense of community.
Sans was added to Smash Bros. Balatro topped the charts of the app store. Hades was nominated for several awards at The Game Advertisements. And as much as I'm loathe to admit this, FNAF became a whole-ass multimedia franchise.
Here, play Hob's Barrow: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1182310/The_Excavation_of_Hobs_Barrow/
Indie games are a lot more diverse than recommendation algos
Steam: This doesn't seem like other titles you have played.
Devs like @sodaraptor.bsky.social or @modusinteractive.bsky.social release so many great experiences.
Just making up shit to get mad add "a four hour movie about paint drying, you wouldn't get it!"
I’ve seen people wince at spending $15 on something like Hollow Knight ! So they “wait for a sale”
Leaving their taste and bank accounts to rot under a layer of micro transaction lootboxes is the fate they *deserve*. Let them wallow on filth until they acquire taste.
That’s the impression you may get if you get your indie info from the top 10 influencers, but if you take the time to wander out of the beaten path, there are tons of treasures!