What's behind the prevalence of horror games in the indie market?

I’ve recently started exploring indie games after switching from console to PC gaming. I’ve noticed that horror games seem to be everywhere in the indie scene especially on popular indie platforms. This got me thinking why horror is so common among indie developers.

Is it because horror games are easier to create? Or do indie gamers just really love spooky stuff? It’s interesting that this trend doesn’t seem to carry over to mainstream game stores.

I’m curious to hear thoughts from both players and developers about this. Why do you think horror is such a big deal in the indie world? Have you noticed this trend too? What makes horror games appealing for indie creators and players?

Any insights would be great. I’m trying to understand the indie game landscape better and this seems like a really interesting aspect of it.

Horror games are great for indie devs. They can do a lot with limited resources and still make something really scary. I’ve played some indie horror games that freaked me out way more than big-budget titles. It’s cool to see what small teams come up with.

Indie horror games have this unique charm. They nail the atmosphere without fancy graphics, which makes them memorable. I think it’s about creative freedom too. Indie devs can explore niche ideas that big studios might avoid, allowing them to push boundaries and find new ways to scare. Plus, when a good indie horror game drops, word spreads quickly, encouraging even more devs to experiment in this space.

Indie horror games often tap into niche fears and experimental ideas. Bigger studios usually play it safe, but indie devs can get really creative with scares. Plus, a small team can make a spooky game without needing massive resources.

Horror games work well for indie devs cause they can focus on atmosphere and tension without needing huge budgets. Dark settings and limited areas can hide graphical limitations too. It’s easier to scare players with less, which is perfect for smaller teams.

Horror games can be more budget-friendly to make. Smaller teams can create tense atmospheres and scares without needing AAA-level graphics or huge open worlds. Plus, indie horror often tries new ideas that big studios might shy away from.