Day of the Devs has announced that they’ll be highlighting indie games in Day of the Devs: Game Awards Edition. This will put smaller developers in the spotlight on December 6th in a livestream as part of the weeklong Game Awards celebration.
Ugh, I hate to be reminded of the Game Awards. Part of my distaste for them is because they make such a token effort to recognize smaller developers who make contributions to the industry. The difference between a AAA game and everything else isn’t quality; it’s budget. The Game Awards feels like an extension of the corporate side of gaming, where indies are seen more as a crucible for ideas that might be profitable on a larger level.
Day of the Devs, on the other hand, is a bit easier to appreciate. It’s helmed by Double Fine and iam8bit, who at least have an appreciation for the artistry in gaming. The Day of the Devs: Game Awards Edition also allows anyone to submit their games for consideration (before September 20th) without a financial barrier for entry.
The form doesn’t really define what they consider “indie,” which is a bit concerning since people apply the label pretty widely these days. Dave the Diver, for example, is often described as indie production. But the developer, Mintrocket, is a division of Nexon Korea Corporation, which has a net income in the billions.
So, here’s hoping that Day of the Devs: Game Awards Edition recognizes some hot indie games that actually need it. As a note, the usual Day of the Devs show that normally takes place in San Francisco in November is being pushed back a few months to early 2024.
Day of the Devs: Game Awards Edition will livestream on December 6th, 2023. The Game Awards proper follows after on December 7, 2023.
