Indie Games: The Future of MMOs

Hades. Stardew Valley. Vampire Survivors. Balatro. Hollow Knight. Celeste. Undertale. Terraria. Cuphead. Slay the Spire. Phasmophobia.

Indie games represent the future of gaming. Small teams — often just individual developers — are continuously demonstrating that creating something players cherish doesn’t require an enormous budget or a renowned publisher. I hope to see this indie ethos transform one of the industry’s largest and most ambitious genres: MMOs.

Let’s face it — the MMO landscape has stagnated for years. Major studios relentlessly pursue the legacies of World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV, churning out formulaic games that prioritize monetization and player retention over genuine innovation. Sure, the launches are impressive, but the excitement dissipates quickly. This is why indie developers play a crucial role.

I’m not suggesting indie MMOs are perfect. In fact, there aren’t many of them available yet. Off the top of my head, I can only mention BitCraft Online, Palia, and Temtem. These titles appear to be crafted with passion, emphasizing player creativity, emergent gameplay, and a true sense of community.

If indie gaming is the future, then indie MMOs must also be part of that future.