With the rise of platforms like Steam, mobile games, and VR, it's never been easier to make and publish your own indie game. In this article, we'll explore trends in-game mechanics, genres, and platforms that could shape the industry over the next few years.

The Future of Indie Game Development: Trends and Opportunities

Indie games are becoming more mainstream and the indie game landscape is changing as new technologies emerge, business models are explored, and genres and game mechanics evolve.

We can expect to see more innovation in areas such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). These technologies have had a huge impact on the gaming industry over the last few years but there's still so much potential for them in the future - especially when combined with other emerging trends such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain technology, and cloud computing.

Indie Games in the World of Cross-Platform Play

Cross-platform play is a new trend that's gaining traction in the video game industry. It allows players to play with each other regardless of platform, meaning you can play Fortnite on a PlayStation 4 and your friend can join the match from their PC. This feature has been available for some time now, but it's only recently started to gain traction as more developers embrace it.

While this may seem like an obvious step for big companies like Epic Games (which owns Fortnite), any other developer wondering how to make an indie game should also consider building it as a cross-platform multiplayer game from the start. There are already dozens of games that support this feature - and more are being added every day!

One reason why we think this trend is so important is that it gives indie developers access to an entirely new audience by allowing them to reach gamers across multiple platforms at once instead of just one single platform like Steam or PS4/Xbox One alone.

Sustainable Business Models for Indie Developers

As you can see, there are many trends in indie game development that you should be aware of. You may have noticed that this list is not exhaustive and that some of the areas listed above would require more research to fully understand. If you're interested in learning more about these topics, we recommend checking out our blog and other resources online (like Gamasutra).

In addition to exploring new genres and mechanics, there are also a variety of technologies that might help you build better games or make them easier for players to access. For example:

• Unity3D is one of the most popular game engines available today because it gives developers access to an intuitive visual editor which makes building games easier than ever before! It also includes built-in support for VR/AR devices like Oculus Rift or Samsung GearVR (if those interest you). It even supports ARKit & ARCore so iOS users can play too!
• Unreal Engine 4 also offers similar features but tends toward simpler interfaces when compared against Unity3D's "drag & drop" style approach. However, if this sounds intimidating then UE4 might be better suited because it has fewer options available at any given time which means less confusion when trying something out for yourself."

Exploring New Genres and Game Mechanics

For a game development company, there is no better time to explore new genres and game mechanics. Game developers are experimenting with all sorts of different ideas - some successful, some not so much - but what they're doing is pushing the boundaries of what games can be.

When it comes to monetizing your game (i.e., how you make money off it), there are many options available nowadays that didn't exist before microtransactions, crowdfunding campaigns on Kickstarter/Indiegogo/etc., selling merchandise like T-shirts or plushies related to your IPs (intellectual properties), etc. Indie devs need to consider all these possibilities when planning out their business model from day one rather than adding them later when it becomes necessary because all these things take time and effort!

The same goes for marketing; there are many ways nowadays besides email blasts about new updates coming out soon which include social media posts across various platforms such as Facebook & Twitter along with YouTube videos showcasing gameplay footage from previous updates leading up until launch day so people know exactly what they're getting themselves into before diving headfirst into something they might not enjoy playing anymore once they start playing through multiple hours worth of content instead just jumping right into action without knowing anything beforehand which could lead towards losing interest after awhile due out lack knowledge needed beforehand."

Conclusion

As we've seen, the indie game scene is thriving and growing in ways that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. With new opportunities for developers to reach their audiences and make money, we can expect this trend to continue for some time. However, there are still some challenges ahead as well - the shifting landscape of what makes an "indie game" may leave some developers behind if they're not careful!