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50 Indie Games that Changed the World
Exploring the inception, development, and legacy of some of the most important titles of the digital download era, 50 Indie Games That Changed the World is the ultimate celebration of what it takes to get a video game made outside of the typical AAA studio system. Penned by experienced video game journalist Aaron Potter, this beautiful hardback book takes an analytical deep dive into each featured game’s production, speaking to the small teams and solo creators responsible for making them via original interviews that aim to bring a new perspective to the wider game development conversation across 50 insightful chapters.
With an opening guest foreword by an indie game veteran in Thomas Was Alone’s Mike Bithell, you’ll discover the stories behind 50 of the most influential indie games released in the past two decades – from pixelated classics like Shovel Knight and Dead Cells to early masterpieces like Super Meat Boy and Limbo. Each game’s chapter is also accompanied by a raft of behind-the-scenes concept art and high-quality screenshots that further showcase the level of variety only possible in indie games that are able to span a wide range of excitingly fresh genres and unique art styles.
If ever you’ve wondered how hard it is to develop a video game and bring it to market without the support of a major publisher in the era of easy-to-access game engines and flooded digital storefronts, 50 Indie Games That Changed the World will provide an illuminating journey throughout all 450+ of its pages. This isn’t a classification of the ‘best’ indie games of all time, but rather a fascinating look into the ways that 50 boundary-pushing indie games (plus 16 honourable mentions) changed the world in ways both big and small by believing in their own.
50 Indie Games That Changed the World is printed lithographically on premium paper stock in line with the typical high standards Bitmap Books is known for. This ensures a seamless and satisfying reading experience that aims to match the quality of every indie game discussed. The cover features text embossed in gold and a gorgeous original design by artist Roberto Zurdo.
With an opening guest foreword by an indie game veteran in Thomas Was Alone’s Mike Bithell, you’ll discover the stories behind 50 of the most influential indie games released in the past two decades – from pixelated classics like Shovel Knight and Dead Cells to early masterpieces like Super Meat Boy and Limbo. Each game’s chapter is also accompanied by a raft of behind-the-scenes concept art and high-quality screenshots that further showcase the level of variety only possible in indie games that are able to span a wide range of excitingly fresh genres and unique art styles.
If ever you’ve wondered how hard it is to develop a video game and bring it to market without the support of a major publisher in the era of easy-to-access game engines and flooded digital storefronts, 50 Indie Games That Changed the World will provide an illuminating journey throughout all 450+ of its pages. This isn’t a classification of the ‘best’ indie games of all time, but rather a fascinating look into the ways that 50 boundary-pushing indie games (plus 16 honourable mentions) changed the world in ways both big and small by believing in their own.
50 Indie Games That Changed the World is printed lithographically on premium paper stock in line with the typical high standards Bitmap Books is known for. This ensures a seamless and satisfying reading experience that aims to match the quality of every indie game discussed. The cover features text embossed in gold and a gorgeous original design by artist Roberto Zurdo.
- GenresGaming
452 pages, Hardcover
Published August 1, 2025
4 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 2, 2025
Aaron Potter’s "50 Indie Games that Changed the World" is an absolute delight from cover to cover. The layout is stunning, with a design that feels as thoughtful and creative as the games it celebrates. Each page bursts with gorgeous full-colour images that do justice to the artistry of the indie scene, and the developer insights sprinkled throughout are nothing short of fascinating. Reading about how these games were made, often against the odds, gave me a whole new appreciation for the passion and ingenuity behind them.
I've played a good chunk of the titles featured, but the book also pointed me toward several gems that I've never tried. Now I cannot wait to dive in. It's rare that a book both celebrates the familiar and expands your horizons at the same time, but this one pulls it off brilliantly.
Special praise goes to the publisher (Bitmap Books) for including a full-colour PDF with the book purchase. It makes the content even more accessible and adds tremendous value. The overall quality of the book, from design to content, is outstanding and well worth the price.
I've played a good chunk of the titles featured, but the book also pointed me toward several gems that I've never tried. Now I cannot wait to dive in. It's rare that a book both celebrates the familiar and expands your horizons at the same time, but this one pulls it off brilliantly.
Special praise goes to the publisher (Bitmap Books) for including a full-colour PDF with the book purchase. It makes the content even more accessible and adds tremendous value. The overall quality of the book, from design to content, is outstanding and well worth the price.
Displaying 1 of 1 review