At the London Games Festival's New Game Plus event, Devolver Digital executives Bridie Roman and Robbie Paterson shared cautious optimism about the indie sector. They emphasized sticking to core philosophies amid market unpredictability and highlighted both successes and flops. The discussion took place at the Wood Lane Generating Station amid indie developers seeking publishers and feedback.
Devolver Digital maintained a prominent presence at the New Game Plus event during the London Games Festival, held at the historic Wood Lane Generating Station near White City tube station. The publisher featured demos of Heave Ho 2, a collaborative puzzle game, and Dark Scrolls 2, a retro-style side-scroller, drawing steady crowds. Mascots from Cult of the Lamb and Hotline Miami interacted with attendees, underscoring Devolver's personality-driven branding. Robbie Paterson, communications director, and Bridie Roman, senior business development manager, spoke on the indie landscape's volatility. Paterson dismissed predictions of an indie bubble burst, recalling similar warnings during Steam's early days. He noted shifting trends like streaming and subscriptions but advocated focusing on original visions. Roman urged developers to follow their passions despite financial risks, warning against social media doomsaying. Recent hits like Slay the Spire 2, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Peak, and Content Warning show smaller projects can succeed, though Steam's flood of releases and competition from gambling complicate matters. Paterson called success prediction a 'neverending conundrum,' citing Devolver's own Forestrike as a recent underperformer despite marketing efforts. The executives described their publishing criteria as games that excite them, often with long-term creator partnerships. Paterson highlighted past successes like Fall Guys while stressing variety. Roman quoted founder Nigel Lowrie on seeking titles that 'make us piss our pants with excitement.' Both acknowledged industry growth fueling competition but viewed it positively for future opportunities.
