Been hearing a lot about "the future of games" and where the industry is going. I think the most underrated things to look for in 2025 are banger micro-studios: tiny teams with minimal funding that will put together some of the most creative and compelling player experiences we've seen in a while. There was a lot of great talent cut loose this year, and I don't think they're just going to go away. I think the passion for games will persist and we'll see an absolute home run from one or more of these folks. #gaming #future
I suspect that if a series of micro-studios emerge, a publisher will likely rise to the challenge of catering specifically to their needs.
Couldn’t agree more, Rudi. The indie & micro-studio scene has always been a breeding ground for innovation, & with the recent influx of seasoned talent, the stage is set for something truly remarkable in 2025. It’s worth remembering that creativity often thrives under constraints & progress rarely happens without challenges or change. As it’s in these moments of tension, uncertainty & doubt that breakthroughs emerge. Equally, smaller, agile teams are uniquely positioned to take risks that larger studios often shy away from, and that’s where the magic happens. There’s also a broader debate about short-term versus long-term thinking & the concept of post-traumatic growth. But I’ll save that for another day. Ultimately, what excites me most is how these creators will harness their passion & experience to redefine what’s possible in games. Hence, we owe it to ourselves and the industry to amplify the voices boldly pushing boundaries, challenging norms, & venturing into uncharted territories. Absurd Ventures intrigues me at mo and their collab with Smilegate 👌 yet there are a plethora of similarly great examples. 2025 feels like it’s going to be a pivotal year!
Already seeing a trend towards full-equity roles or other performance bonus-heavy comp structures, we’ll see if it’s the reset the industry needs.
$2-3mm and a few laptops, let's place those bets! Maybe stretch for a few $5mm + $10mm in the portfolio so we can get that palworld fidelity.
It feels like the hardware side of the industry is quite aligned with the growth of the indie game sector as all the gaming handhelds that are already on the market and soon to come in 2025 are a match made in indie game heaven.
Yes, stay tuned. 😊
You're right on with this. When I look at micro studios like Medallion Games, who most haven't heard of, you can see the gaming passion and success (Their game Grapple Dog). It doesn't all have to be teams of people VC funded in an office downtown.
Real Indie studios are the past, present and future.
I completely agree, Rudi! The micro-studios are definitely ones to watch in 2025. Exciting times ahead with so much talent and passion ready to shine! 🎮✨
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2wRudi Bonaparte 100% agree, most of the top developers I know are exclusively interested in building small teams, just posted a video echoing this prediction: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tom-hammer_unjustifiably-bold-prediction-for-2025-activity-7270115914358886400-GaR1