The Day of the Devs Digital Showcase at The Game Awards 2025 featured 22 upcoming indie titles, including six world premieres and three release date announcements. Organized by Double Fine Productions and iam8bit, the hour-long stream celebrated independent developers from around the world. Highlights included atmospheric adventures, horror explorations, and quirky multiplayer experiences.
The Day of the Devs event, a staple for indie game showcases, returned for The Game Awards 2025 with a digital presentation that spotlighted creativity and innovation. Founded by Double Fine Productions and iam8bit, the organization provides platforms for global independent creators to share their projects. This year's stream lasted an hour and introduced 22 games, emphasizing diverse narratives and mechanics.
Among the six world premieres, Deconstructeam unveiled Virtue and a Sledgehammer, a 3D, cel-shaded third-person game set in a robot-infested ghost town. Players explore quiet moments with friends before using a sledgehammer to demolish structures and reveal memories for emotional catharsis. Published by Devolver Digital, it launches on Steam in 2026.
Shueisha Games and developer Historia presented UN:Me, a horror title where a young woman hosts four trapped souls battling for control amid sterile, illogical hallways and manifestations of fears like heights and confinement. Players select souls to eliminate, with the true identity revealed at the end. It's available for wishlisting on Steam now.
Funktronic Labs shifted from VR with Scramble Knights Royale, a 2026 PC and Xbox battle royale blending adventure elements. Up to 40 players start on a boat, land on a turtle's back, scavenge resources, fight creatures, and engage others optionally. It features deep combat, clay-like animations, and local split-screen support.
Mografi's Mirria, created by artist Carl Burton, offers atmospheric puzzles in mirror worlds, requiring precise adjustments to align realities in unsettling environments reminiscent of Kentucky Route Zero. It arrives on Steam in 2026.
Finji released CorgiSpace immediately, a collection of 8-bit games with unique premises like the dodge-only soulslike Rat Dreams, jump-less platformer Skeleton Jeleton, and Nazi-stabbing adventure Prince of Prussia. Available on Steam and Itch.io, Saltsman noted no secrets—hinting otherwise.
Panic Stations debuted Frog Sqwad, a co-op multiplayer where frogs navigate procedurally generated sewers to feed the swamp king. Mechanics include growing by eating, shrinking via vomiting, and tongue-based swinging. It heads to Steam in 2026 with a prior playtest.
Three games announced release dates: Dogpile by Studio Folly, Toot Games, and Foot launched today; Big Hops by Luckshot Games on January 12, 2026; and Demon Tides by Fabraz on February 19, 2026.
The stream also teased other projects like spooky Lucid Falls, rhythm game Rockbeasts, alien musical Soundgrass, sci-fi sequel Into the Fire, and eerie Unshine Arcade. It concluded with a partnership announcement: the Video Game History Foundation revived Xcavator 2025, a lost NES game by Chris Oberth, now available for pre-order via iam8bit, with proceeds supporting preservation efforts.
