The gaming industry in 2024 was a rollercoaster of innovation, challenges, and unexpected twists, offering valuable lessons for aspiring game developers. Despite facing economic headwinds and a shifting market landscape, the industry demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity.

The year also marked a significant turning point in the integration of AI in game development, with generative AI tools revolutionising storytelling and world-building. For upcoming game developers, 2024 provided a wealth of insights into adapting to market changes, leveraging new technologies, and creating engaging experiences in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Many of 2024’s releases blurred the lines between indie and AAA, with breakout titles from previously unknown studios like Black Myth: Wukong delivering a AAA experience at the same time as being considered an indie by some.

Using Data Explorer, we’ve pulled together a comprehensive report of the games released in 2024 that are available on Steam. We use a combination of Peer Rank and Steam DB Score to determine our top games as opposed to revenue because success is defined by more than just overall monetary gain, especially when it comes to free-to-play titles.

Using Steam DB Score and Peer Rank combines the sentiment of reviews, how many reviews they received and how this compares to the 100 most similar games surrounding a title. The result is a list of the most-loved, best selling games on Steam for each category.

2024 Releases Overall

In 2024, 38% more games were released than in 2023 with only a small shift in Average Steam DB Score, Saturation and Peer Rank. The biggest increase was seen among indie titles which saw a stratospheric 44% increase in releases compared to only a 3% increase in AAA titles. The average estimated revenue, which is $1000 less than the Steam average ($2,400), is heavily skewed by low-performing indie titles; AAA releases alone averaged $2.1 million in estimated revenue.

The reduction in average Peer Rank and Saturation score suggests that games released in 2024 did not perform as well as those released in previous years; releases might have been slotted into corners of Steam that were already saturated, thus saturating them more. This highlights the need for developers to set their games apart from the crowd in some way if they are to succeed, whether that’s mechanics, graphics, narrative, or UI.

Marketing also plays a large part in performance; if nobody knows about a game, it’s impossible for it to perform well. The results from 2024 suggests that developers need to double down on their efforts and be bold when spreading the word about their release both during development and after launch.

Popular Release Times in 2024

In 2024, games were most often released on Fridays and Saturdays, with October being a popular month for game launches, due to several strategic factors.

Friday and Saturday releases capitalise on weekend gaming habit where players typically have more free time on weekends, leading to higher engagement and potential sales. Releasing on Friday allows games to secure a spot on Steam’s “New & Trending” tab for the entire weekend, potentially increasing visibility.

October is a prime month for game releases for several reasons:

• October releases allow games to build momentum before the holiday shopping season.
• Launching in October helps avoid the crowded marketing messages across all industries in November-December while still benefiting from increased gaming activity.
• It’s far enough from summer holidays and the start of the school year, when people’s schedules are more settled.
• In many regions, cooler weather in October encourages indoor activities like gaming.

The gaming industry’s release patterns are evolving, and continued high release volumes underscores the importance of strategic timing for game launches. There might be an argument to launch your game on a different day of the week, especially if similar games in your niche are scheduled for a weekend launch. This could avoid competing for players attention and give your launch a better boost.

The Top 10 Releases of 2024:

1. Balatro
2. Webfishing
3. The WereCleaner
4. Sheepy: A Short Adventure
5. Black Myth: Wukong
6. Satisfactory
7. 20 Small Mazes
8. TCG Card Shop Simulator
9. Crime Scene Cleaner
10. Tiny Glade

These titles show that there is an audience for almost any type of game. From indie gems to highly anticipated AAA titles, Steam continues to cater to various player interests and preferences as well as allowing upcoming game developers to succeed in a variety of genres.

From epic action-adventures to niche simulations and casual puzzlers, the 2024 releases indicate that player interests remain broad and varied. The success of both complex, high-budget titles like Black Myth: Wukong and smaller, concept-driven indie games suggests that Steam users value both production quality and innovative gameplay ideas, regardless of a game’s scale or origin.

Black Myth: Wukong stood out as a major action RPG release, offering players a rich, Chinese mythology-inspired world with complex combat mechanics. The game features a unique staff-based combat system, transformations, and a variety of spells, appealing to fans of challenging, Soulslike experiences. Its success highlights players’ continued interest in deep, narrative-driven action games with cultural depth.

In contrast, games like Balatro, Webfishing, and 20 Small Mazes represent the indie side of Steam, likely offering more casual, pick-up-and-play experiences. These titles suggests there is a market for simple yet engaging game play concepts that can be enjoyed in short sessions.

The WereCleaner and Crime Scene Cleaner share a thematic link of cleaning or tidying, albeit in vastly different contexts. This unusual theme indicates players’ appetite for unique game play concepts and simulations of unconventional professions.

Sheepy: A Short Adventure and Tiny Glade likely cater to players seeking brief, possibly relaxing experiences. These games may appeal to those with limited gaming time or who enjoy atmospheric, low-stress game play.

Satisfactory, as a factory-building simulation game, represents the enduring popularity of management and construction genres on Steam. Its inclusion in this Top 10 suggests that players continue to enjoy games that offer long-term engagement and creative problem-solving.

TCG Card Shop Simulator taps into the popularity of both trading card games and simulation genres, potentially attracting fans of both niches.

The Performance of AAA Titles in 2024

AAAs have improved their overall performance in 2024 compared to 2023 with a 5.3% increase in Steam DB score and a 26% increase in Peer Rank. While several AAA titles achieved significant success in 2024, the industry faced increasing pressure from indie developers and free-to-play games. The ability to create unique, engaging experiences and effectively monetise games remained crucial factors in determining the success of AAA releases and resulted in a top 3 with more similarities than differences.

Top 3 AAA Titles from 2024

1. Sonic X Shadow Generations
2. Persona 3 Reload
3. Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT

These games, while diverse in their approaches, collectively illuminated key trends in player preferences for high-budget experiences.

Sonic X Shadow Generations successfully merged nostalgia with innovation, offering a hybrid of 2D and 3D gameplay alongside time manipulation mechanics. Persona 3 Reload delivered a deep narrative experience, balancing social simulation with strategic RPG combat, while implementing quality-of-life improvements for players. Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT provided an immersive open-world experience set in feudal Japan, featuring a nuanced combat system and stealth mechanics.

Analysis of these titles reveals three critical factors in AAA game appeal:

• Narrative depth and visual fidelity: All three games prioritise compelling storytelling and character development along with high-quality graphics, cinematic elements and rich, detailed environments that encourage exploration and immersion.
• Game play variety with mechanical depth: Each title offers multiple playstyles, complex systems that reward mastery while remaining accessible to new players.
• Being considerate of the player while allowing them agency: Each game contains features that respect player time and enhance overall user experience as well customisation options that bring meaning to a player’s choices.

These elements underscore a player base that values multifaceted, polished experiences combining depth and accessibility. The success of these titles indicates that AAA games continue to evolve, meeting sophisticated player expectations while pushing the boundaries of technical and narrative achievement in the medium.

Sonic x Shadow Generations

Top 5 Most Similar Games:

1. Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure
2. Keyborad Sports - Saving QWERTY
3. Gelly Break Deluxe
4. All Hands on Deck
5. MOCHI A GIRL

This AAA game stands out as one of the most successful titles in this niche, achieving above average scores when compared to its 100 nearest neighbours on our Steam Map. While many of its similar games, such as Sourmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure and On A Roll 3D, have broken the barrier of 1,000 sales, the majority of games have only managed one or two sales. This may be down to the lack of awareness around these titles, as many appear to be high quality, but fall short when competing with such a well-known franchise for players’ attention.

The similar games share commonalities such as platforming elements, innovative mechanics, and nostalgic touches while differing significantly in gameplay focus and target audience. For instance, while Sonic X Shadow Generations emphasises high-speed action with transformative abilities, Keyboard Sports stands out with its typing-centric gameplay.

Gameplay Mechanics

All six games emphasise innovative mechanics to differentiate themselves. Sonic X Shadow Generations incorporates high-speed platforming with time manipulation (Chaos Control) and transformations. Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure centres on physics-based climbing, requiring precision and strategy. Keyboard Sports: Saving QWERTY uses the entire keyboard as a control mechanism, making typing integral to gameplay. Gelly Break Deluxe emphasises cooperative platforming with dual-character mechanics.

This suggests that players are increasingly drawn to games with unique mechanics that stand out from mainstream titles. The variety in these games—from typing-based controls (Keyboard Sports) to physics-based challenges (Surmount)—reflects a desire for fresh gameplay experiences.

Casual Appeal with Accessibility

These games are designed to be approachable for a broad audience, often featuring easy-to-learn controls and colourful aesthetics. For instance, MOCHI A GIRL and All Hands on Deck likely target younger or casual players with simple mechanics and whimsical visuals. Games like Gelly Break Deluxe and All Hands on Deck highlight the growing interest in cooperative or multiplayer experiences, particularly among families or groups of friends.

Indie Game Characteristics

As indie titles, the games prioritise creativity, stylised art, and unique experiences over hyper-realistic graphics or large-scale production. This aligns with broader trends in indie gaming that attract players seeking novelty and artistic expression. The emphasis on stylised art across these games suggests that many players value creativity and visual charm over realism, a hallmark of indie gaming.

Targeting Niche Audiences

Each game appeals to specific player interests:

• Nostalgia-driven players may gravitate toward Sonic X Shadow Generations for its homage to classic Sonic gameplay.
• Cooperative gaming enthusiasts might enjoy Gelly Break Deluxe for its teamwork-oriented design.
• Players interested in unconventional mechanics could find Keyboard Sports or Surmount appealing.

The diversity in these games’ features and mechanics indicates that players in 2025 have varied interests, from nostalgic platformers to innovative indie titles. The inclusion of cooperative play, unique control schemes, and replayability across several titles suggests a trend towards social gaming experiences and games that offer long-term engagement.

Persona 3 Reload

Top 5 Most Similar Games:

1. Mugen Souls Z
2. Dark Rose Valkyrie
3. Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten
4. Agarest: Generations of War Zero
5. Path of the Midnight Sun

The marketplace surrounding Persona 3 Reload is relatively unsaturated and the games found in this niche are loved by players. Similar to Sonic x Shadow Generations, this title performs way above average compared to its 100 most similar games, which may be down to its AAA roots as well as the gameplay execution.

Persona 3 Reload and it’s five nearest neighbours share some similarities, but also have distinct differences that cater to various player interests:

Gameplay Mechanics

Persona 3 Reload features a unique blend of social simulation and turn-based RPG combat. It introduces new mechanics like Shift (similar to Baton Pass) and Theurgy attacks, which allow for more strategic and dynamic battles. This modernised system contrasts with games like Mugen Souls Z and Agarest: Generations of War Zero, which likely focus more on traditional JRPG combat systems without the social simulation aspect.

Story and Character Development

Persona 3 Reload emphasises character development through its Social Link system, which is now fully voiced. This deep character interaction is similar to Path of the Midnight Sun, which also focuses on character relationships. In contrast, games like Dark Rose Valkyrie and Monochrome Mobius: Rights and Wrongs Forgotten have more linear storytelling approaches.

Visual Style, Content, Setting and Replayability

Persona 3 Reload features a significant visual overhaul with modern graphics and a stylish UI and offers high replayability through its day-night cycle, social interactions, and dungeon exploration. This modern aesthetic might differ from the potentially more traditional JRPG visuals of Agarest: Generations of War Zero and the unique art styles of Mugen Souls Z and Dark Rose Valkyrie.

Games like Agarest: Generations of War Zero might offer replayability through multiple generations of characters, while Path of the Midnight Sun focuses on branching storylines for replay value.

Player Interests

The diversity in these games suggests varied interests amongst:

• Those who enjoy Persona 3 Reload likely appreciate games that blend life simulation with RPG elements and have a strong emphasis on character development.
• Fans of Mugen Souls Z and Agarest: Generations of War Zero might prefer more traditional JRPG experiences with complex systems and potentially fan-service elements.
• Players of Dark Rose Valkyrie and Monochrome Mobius might be interested in unique storytelling approaches and possibly more niche JRPG experiences.
• Path of the Midnight Sun players could be drawn to games with strong narrative focus and character interactions, similar to Persona 3 Reload.

The popularity of Persona 3 Reload, with its modernised features and blend of social simulation and RPG elements, suggests a growing interest in games that offer both depth in character interactions and engaging combat systems. The continued presence of more traditional JRPGs in the market indicates that there’s still a dedicated fanbase for classic RPG experiences as well.

Ghost of Tsushima DIRECTOR’S CUT

Top 5 Most Similar Games:

1. Prince of Persia: Warrior Within
2. Assasin’s Creed Mirage
3. Assasin’s Creed III
4. Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones
5. Assasin’s Creed III Remastered

This AAA title is flanked on all sides by hugely successful titles, but this niche is split in two. On one side, AAA titles push up the average estimated revenue with 29% achieving almost 1million copies sold. In contrast, 30% of Ghost of Tsushima’s 100 nearest neighbours have less than 1 review in total. This suggests that there is a largely uninhabited middle ground and a potential gap for developers to fill with non-AAA titles that offer an alternative to popular franchises.

The five most similar games to this title have the following similarities and differences.

Gameplay Mechanics

Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin’s Creed Mirage both emphasise stealth and combat, with a focus on fluid, engaging gameplay. Ghost of Tsushima features a unique combat system with four stances, each offering advantages against different enemy types. Assassin’s Creed Mirage returns to the series’ roots, emphasising stealth and assassination over RPG elements.

The Prince of Persia games likely feature more platforming and puzzle-solving elements, differentiating them from the open-world structure of Ghost of Tsushima and Assassin’s Creed titles.

Open World vs. Linear Design

Ghost of Tsushima and the Assassin’s Creed games offer open-world experiences, allowing players to explore vast landscapes and engage in side quests. In contrast, the Prince of Persia titles likely have more linear level designs focused on platforming and puzzle-solving.

Historical Settings

All these games are set in historical periods, suggesting a continued player interest in exploring different eras through gameplay. Ghost of Tsushima is set in feudal Japan, while Assassin’s Creed games span various historical periods.

Graphical Enhancements

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and Assassin’s Creed III Remastered offer improved graphics and performance on modern systems. This suggests player interest in revisiting older titles with enhanced visuals and gameplay improvements.

In conclusion, these games cater to players who enjoy historical settings, stealth mechanics, and engaging combat systems. The mix of new titles and remasters suggests a market for both innovative gameplay and refined classic experiences. The trend towards open-world design in newer titles indicates a preference for games that offer extensive exploration and content beyond the main storyline.

The Performance of Indie Titles in 2024

44% more indie titles were released in 2024 compared to 2023, but average saturation scores stayed steady which shows indie developers maintain their ability to find and cater to specific niches of the market. 2024 saw only a minor improvement in average Steam DB score, and average Peer Rank dropped 2 places compared to 2023 which may indicate a high volume of developers making their debut on Steam and perhaps not quite finding their audience.

Despite this, 2024 was a landmark year for indie games, with several titles achieving AAA-level sales figures and critical acclaim. The success of diverse genres and gameplay styles demonstrated the indie market’s ability to cater to a wide range of player preferences, solidifying its position as a major force in the gaming industry.

The indie game landscape on Steam in 2024 was characterised by a diverse array of innovative titles, each carving out its own niche in the market. Three games in particular—Webfishing, Sheepy: A Short Adventure, and 20 Small Mazes—exemplified the trends shaping player preferences in the indie space.

Top 3 Indie Titles from 2024

1. Webfishing
2. Sheepy: A Short Adventure
3. 20 Small Mazes

Webfishing immersed players in a serene, multiplayer fishing experience, emphasising social interaction and relaxation. Its simple yet engaging mechanics, coupled with a microtransaction-free progression system, resonated with players seeking community-driven, low-pressure gaming experiences.

Sheepy: A Short Adventure offered a concise yet visually striking journey, blending 2D platforming with light combat elements. Its brief playtime, coupled with stunning pixel art and an evocative electronica soundtrack, appealed to players valuing aesthetic experiences and efficient storytelling.

20 Small Mazes distilled puzzle-solving into its purest form, presenting players with a series of compact, creatively designed challenges. Its minimalist approach and varied interaction methods showcased the appeal of focused, innovative game design in the indie market.

These titles collectively highlighted several key trends:

1. The growing demand for accessible, time-respectful gaming experiences
2. The importance of unique mechanics and creative twists on familiar concepts
3. The appeal of aesthetically pleasing and atmospherically rich environments
4. The value of targeted experiences catering to specific player interests
5. The ongoing popularity of relaxing, low-stress “cosy” games

The success of these diverse offerings underscores the indie market’s ability to cater to a wide range of player preferences, often outmanoeuvring larger studios in terms of creativity and niche appeal. This trend suggests a maturing indie ecosystem where focused, innovative experiences can thrive alongside more traditional gaming.

Webfishing

Top 5 Most Similar Games:

1. Rock Snake
2. Bird Watching Simulator
3. Gummy Dummy Battles
4. Seashell
5. Pocket Plants

Webfishing achieves one of the lowest saturation scores featured in this report meaning that there are very few games that are anything like it. Although not always high performers, the games surrounding this title are also very unique. Webfishing, Bird Watching Simulator, and the other listed games share some similarities while also having distinct differences that reflect diverse player interests:

Gameplay Focus

Webfishing is a multiplayer casual fishing game that emphasises relaxation, social interaction, and collecting various aquatic creatures. Seashell and Pocket Plants are also collection games featuring elements of exploration. Bird Watching Simulator, also focuses on exploring different habitats, but with the goal to observe and collect photographs rather than collecting the birds themselves. These 4 games cater to players interested in nature-themed, laid-back experiences. In contrast, Rock Snake and Gummy Dummy Battles are more action-oriented.

Multiplayer vs. Single-Player

Webfishing offers both multiplayer and single-player modes, allowing players to socialise or enjoy solo gameplay. Bird Watching Simulator appears to be primarily a single-player experience. This difference suggests that some players prefer social gaming experiences, while others enjoy solitary, focused gameplay.

Customisation and Progression

Webfishing features extensive customisation options, including character cosmetics, campsite decorations, and fishing gear upgrades. Bird Watching Simulator includes a stats tracking system for bird sightings. These elements appeal to players who enjoy personalisation and progression systems in their games.

Realism vs. Stylisation

Bird Watching Simulator aims for more realistic bird behaviours and habitats, while Webfishing offers a more stylised, casual approach to its aquatic life. This difference caters to players who prefer either more authentic simulations or more relaxed, fantastical experiences.

Additional Features and Environmental Themes

Webfishing includes extra activities like playing musical instruments and using toys, creating a sandbox-like environment. Bird Watching Simulator focuses more strictly on its core bird-watching mechanics. This suggests that some players enjoy games with diverse activities, while others prefer more focused experiences.

Both Webfishing and Bird Watching Simulator have strong environmental themes, potentially appealing to players with an interest in nature and conservation. This trend might extend to games like Seashell and Pocket Plants, suggesting a growing player interest in games that connect with nature.

The diversity in these games suggests there are markets for a variety of themes within indie game, from social multiplayer experiences to focused simulations. The popularity of nature-themed games like Webfishing and Bird Watching Simulator indicates a growing trend towards games that offer relaxing, environmentally conscious experiences. The inclusion of customisation and progression systems in these games also suggests that players value personalisation and long-term engagement in their gaming experiences.

Sheepy: A Short Adventure

Top 5 Most Similar Games:

1. A Tale of Synapse: The Chaos Theories,
2. Soulchild
3. Super Dyno Story
4. Ageless
5. Duped

Sheepy: A Short Adventure is a high performing game, loved by players and some intriguing similarities and differences with its most similar games.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Sheepy: A Short Adventure is a short platformer with puzzle elements, featuring a plushie sheep that gains abilities like double-jumping and brief flying. The game focuses on exploration and platforming, with occasional “combat” against a possessed teddy bear. This blend of platforming and light puzzle-solving is shared with games like A Tale of Synapse: The Chaos Theories and Ageless, which also feature unique movement mechanics.

Art Style and Aesthetics

Sheepy stands out with its stunning pixel art and incredible lighting. This attention to visual detail suggests a trend towards games that prioritise aesthetic appeal. Other games in the list might have different art styles, from more minimalist designs to potentially 3D graphics, catering to varied visual preferences among players.

Narrative and Themes

Sheepy offers an emotional narrative, exploring themes of abandonment and the journey between dreams and reality. This focus on storytelling within a short game format indicates player interest in concise yet impactful narratives. Games like Soulchild and Super Dyno Story may similarly emphasise storytelling, albeit with different themes or approaches.

Game Length and Replayability

Sheepy is designed as a short experience, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour for a single playthrough. However, it encourages multiple playthroughs with hidden secrets and speed-running achievements. This trend towards shorter, replayable games suggests players value experiences that respect their time while offering depth through repeated play.

Player Interests

The popularity of these games indicates several trends in player interests:

• Desire for visually striking experiences, as evidenced by Sheepy’s praised pixel art and lighting.
• Appreciation for concise yet emotionally resonant narratives.
• Interest in games that offer replay value through hidden content and achievements.
• Continued support for indie developers and their often innovative approaches to game design.
• Preference for games that blend familiar mechanics (like platforming) with unique twists or abilities.

In conclusion, these games, with Sheepy: A Short Adventure as a prime example, suggest that players value artistic expression, emotional storytelling, and innovative gameplay within concise packages. The indie game scene continues to thrive by offering these experiences, catering to players who seek alternatives to larger, more time-consuming AAA titles.

20 Small Mazes

Top 5 Most Similar Games:

1. Sokosignal
2. Unblock The Block
3. PortalSnake
4. From Eva with Green
5. Yugo Puzzle

20 Small Mazes uses simplicity and a core focus on one thing to product above average performance compared to its 100 nearest neighbours. Although it doesn’t rank 1st amongst its peers, achieving an almost 100% Steam DB score shows that delivering quality gameplay that adheres to what your game promises is a recipe for success. Like Sheepy: A Short Adventure, 20 Small Mazes shows the potential of free-to-play games on Steam, but it’s likely that both could have been equally successful if they had charged even a small fee to players.

The games that are similar to 20 Small Mazes do have distinct similarities, but they also cater to multiple different audiences with varying gameplay elements:

Gameplay Mechanics

20 Small Mazes offers 20 unique puzzle mazes, each with different “gimmicks” and challenges. This variety in puzzle design is similar to Sokosignal, which features puzzles where players send signals with each move, affecting objects in the game world. Both games emphasise creative problem-solving and thinking outside the box.

In contrast, games like Unblock The Block and PortalSnake likely focus on more specific mechanics; sliding block puzzles and combining well-known elements of the classic Snake game with portal mechanics.

Puzzle Complexity and Design Innovation

20 Small Mazes presents a range of puzzle difficulties, with some mazes feeling easy while others are quite challenging. This variability in difficulty is a common trend among puzzle games, catering to players who enjoy a mix of casual and brain-teasing experiences.

Each game in the list likely brings its own innovative elements to the puzzle genre. For example, Sokosignal’s mechanics add a unique twist to traditional puzzle gameplay. This diversity in puzzle mechanics suggests that players are drawn to games that offer fresh takes on familiar concepts.

Art Style and Presentation

20 Small Mazes features a clean, minimalist art style with a unique card-based presentation for its puzzles. This approach to visual design suggests a trend towards games that prioritise clear, focused gameplay over elaborate graphics. The other games in the list have their own distinct visual styles, appealing to different aesthetic preferences among players.

Game Length and Replayability

20 Small Mazes offers a relatively short playtime of 1-2 hours, which is becoming increasingly common in puzzle games. This trend suggests that players value concise, well-crafted experiences that respect their time. The game encourages replayability through hidden secrets and speedrunning achievements, indicating player interest in games that offer additional challenges beyond the main puzzles.

Player Interests

These games indicate several trends in player interests:

• Appreciation for creative and diverse puzzle mechanics that challenge players to think in new ways.
• Preference for games that offer a balance of accessibility and challenge, catering to both casual and hardcore puzzle enthusiasts.
• Interest in visually clean and focused game designs that prioritise gameplay over complex graphics.
• Desire for concise gaming experiences that offer depth through replayability and additional challenges.
• Continued support for indie developers who bring innovative ideas to the puzzle genre.

In conclusion, these puzzle games suggest that players in value creativity, innovation, and thoughtful design in their puzzle experiences. The puzzle game market continues to thrive by offering a wide range of experiences that challenge players’ minds in new and engaging ways.

How Will 2024 Shape the Game Industry in 2025?

The year highlighted the stark contrast between AAA and indie game development approaches. AAA studios, with their large teams and budgets often exceeding $100 million, focused on creating blockbuster titles with mass-market appeal and high production values. These games typically had longer development cycles, extensive market research, and relied on established franchises or genres to minimise risk.

In contrast, indie developers embraced a more agile and innovative approach. With smaller teams and limited budgets, they prioritised creative freedom, unique concepts, and niche markets. In 2024, indie games often featured distinctive art styles and gameplay mechanics, challenging traditional norms and offering fresh experiences to players.

The democratisation of game development tools and platforms played a crucial role in levelling the playing field between AAA and indie developers. Engines like Unity and Unreal, along with distribution platforms like Steam, allowed indie developers to focus more on creativity and less on technical infrastructure.

The inclusion of many indie titles on our Top 10 shows that indie games were able to compete effectively with AAA title in terms of player satisfaction. It also highlights the importance of innovation, creative freedom, and player engagement over sheer production scale and budget. As the industry continues to evolve, the distinction between AAA and indie games may become less about resources and more about creative approaches and player experiences.