Have you been wondering whether or not to get a publisher for your indie game? It’s not always obvious whether it’s best to seek a publisher or to go it alone, but if you are looking then there certainly are many options open to you. You don’t need to decide now whether or not you want to publish your game yourself or not, but it’s always useful I think, to explore the possibilities.
Unfortunately, I don’t have any direct experience with any of these companies, however, I’ve worked with many indie game developers supporting them with the music to their games (I’m an indie game music composer, find out more about me if you want to), and I run this game dev blog with the aim of hopefully offering some useful resources, tips and advice that can help the indie developer community along what is often a very challenging journey!
Here's my article on 11 Places to Publish and Release Your Indie Game, for those of you wanting to publish your game yourself.
Otherwise, here are 16 indie game publishing companies which I think could be useful to be aware of:
Curve Digital was set up in 2013 and now claims to be one of the leading publishers of games on PC and consoles. They offer development funding, internal production, PR and marketing support. In 2017 they were the ‘Publishing Hero’ at the Develop Industry Excellence Awards.
2. Ukuza
Ukuza is a publisher focused on bringing the best indie games to market. They’re a team of creative and marketers who are ex-Microsoft & ex-Amazon and they’re ready to hear all about your game!
3. Team 17
Team 17 publishes games for PC, console, mobile and handheld devices. They have over 25 years of experience in the games industry and so are probably one of the longest running independent publishers out there. They’re headquarters are in West Yorkshire (UK)
Devolver Digital offers digital distribution and marketing support for indie videogames and films. It’s a fairly well known indie game publisher and so it’s definitely one to take a look at.
5. Indie Fund
Indie Fund is a funding source for indie developers. It’s an alternative to the standard publisher funding model and has been designed to support indie developers to create amazing games and to grow financially independent.
Midnight City provides promotional, production and business services and support for independent game developers.
Serenity Forge is a game development studio with a publishing arm and wealth of other services dedicated to supporting indie developers with their game projects.
Noodlecake Studios is a small indie game studio founded in 2011 and based in Saskatoon, Canada. They make their own games but have also expanded into publishing and help to bring other developers’ games to market. They’re best known for iOS & Android games but are also interested in releasing games across all other platforms too.
9. Versus Evil
Versus Evil is a video game publisher focusing purely on publishing indie games. They publish across all major mobile, PC and next generation consoles and have worked with indie studios around the world. They offer a suite of services to support the indie games they publish, from marketing, PR, influencer outreach, social media, community, QA, localisation and development services to reach other platforms.
10. Mode 7 Games
Mode 7 was founded in 2005 and is an indie game development and publishing company based in Oxford, UK. They’ve been a publisher since 2016 and can offer support across a range of different areas including funding, PR and marketing, production / scheduling, game design, community management, business development, platform holder relationships, tech, porting and more.
Humble Bundle has a publishing arm, which can help you with indie game. You can connect with their 12 million customers, own your IP, get help with marketing and PR, leverage the Humble Bundle brand, get help with financing and more.
12. Surprise Attack
Surprise Attack Games is an independent games label focusing on games that bring something new or different to the table. They’re based in Australia and were created in 2013. They offer a full publishing team providing expertise and resources to the games they develop. They don’t own any share of the IP and state that the game developer always has the final say.
13. Headup Games
Headup Games has released over 100 titles since being established in 2009. They’re a hybrid games publishing and development company, always on the look out for new games to get involved with.
14. tinyBuild Games
tinyBuild helps indie developers to publish their games across a multitude of platforms, releasing games onto Steam, Xbox One, PS4, 3DS, VR, iOS and Google Play. They’ve been doing this since 2013 and offer support with funding, knowledge, production, artwork, guidance and more.
15. Steak Steak
Steak Steak is a full service indie game publishing company offering support at all stages of your game development. Whether you need help with trailers, PR, branding, development or anything else, they can help.
16. Whippering
Whippering offers marketing support and partnering relationship opportunities to indie game developers. They publish independent games and can help with the creation and execution of your marketing strategy from positioning, pitching, PR, social media and more. They can also initiate and manage platform relationships with the likes of Sony, Oculus, Valve, Nintendo, MSFT.
I hope this resource list has been useful to you. Do browse my blog for other interesting articles that may help you with various aspects of your game development. Feel free to use the search bar (on the blog homepage and on the bottom of every page) to help explore specific subject areas. A few articles that may be useful to be aware of include:
ABOUT NINICHI
Ninichi is a London-based freelance composer with extensive experience creating music for games, films, animation, podcasts, TV, and commercials.
She enjoys helping creators craft the perfect soundtrack for their stories, and her royalty-free music library provides ready-to-use tracks for indie teams and developers.
🎧 Discover her work or get in touch at ninichimusic.com/game-music — follow @ninichimusic.
Chiptune Pack – is a collection of 5 great 8-bit style game music tracks perfect for video games. This is my royalty free chiptunes music pack created with arcade style video games in mind. It is the ideal music pack for indie developers wanting that classic 8-bit feel but with a modern twist.
The tracks in this collection are uplifting, fun and chiptune-inspired. They’re all designed to loop easily and to be easy to listen to.
There are also 3 bonus mini-tracks/stings included which can be used as opening themes or for shorter game levels or other key moments in the gameplay.
Create that nostalgic and retro video game vibe with this ready-to-use game music pack now!
Music tracks:
Tropics (1:36)
Chip Heaven (0:40)
8bit Sea Breezing (1:18)
8bit Flowers (0:56)
8bit Innocence (1:12)
Bonus tracks:
Chippytune (0:25)
Outer Space (0:30)
Happy Chippy (0:24)
Format: mp3 and wav
All tracks loop easily and are royalty free. So, if you’re looking for a set of chiptune / 8-bit / 16-bit style video game music loops for your game or project, this is the pack for you!
Puzzle Pack – is a collection of 5 different video game music tracks perfect for puzzle games. All tracks loop seamlessly and are designed to enhance gameplay. The tracks are of varying intensities and lengths to ensure that you have a great fit across easier and harder game levels.
This is my royalty free puzzle game music pack designed with casual puzzle games in mind. The tracks support concentration, are fun and easy to listen to in the background and are motivating yet not overwhelming. This electronic soundtrack supports casual gameplay perfectly.
A bonus track and stings are also included and can be used for shorter game scenes, levels or during key moments in the game.
Music Tracks:
Enigmaze (1:14)
Datadot (1:13)
Chilled Creativity (0:32)
Jelly Hop (0:38)
Happy Bubbles (0:44)
Bonus Track & Stings:
Number One (0:14)
Match Win (0:11)
Out and About (0:31)
Format: mp3 and wav
All tracks loop easily and are royalty free. So, if you’re looking for some great music for your puzzle game, this is the pack for you!
This royalty free casual puzzle game music pack is a stand-alone music pack, however, can also be combined with Retro Rush Game Music Pack.
FANTASY ATMOSPHERES 1 – is a collection of 4 ethereal game music tracks perfect for creating a calming and magical atmosphere in your game.
This royalty free fantasy game music pack offers relaxing background music designed to whisk you away and support immersion into another world.
All tracks loop and are of varying lengths to offer variety of use across your game. A shorter bonus track (0:40) is included and can be used for shorter game scenes or levels.
This set of game music tracks also work well with Fantasy Atmospheres 2 Game Music Pack.
Music Tracks:
Air (2:36)
Eternal Star (0:58)
Frosty (2:11)
Lullalume (2:29)
Bonus Track:
Fairies (0:40)
Format: mp3
All tracks loop easily and are royalty free. So, if you’re looking for atmospheric music to suit your fantasy video game, this is the pack for you!
FANTASY ATMOSPHERES 2 – is a collection of 4 ambient and ethereal game music tracks perfect for creating a calming and magical atmosphere in your game.
All tracks loop and are of varying lengths to offer variety of use across your game. A shorter bonus track (0:37) is included and can be used for shorter game scenes or levels.
This set of game music tracks also work well with Fantasy Atmospheres 1 Game Music Pack.
Music Tracks:
Flowers in Spring (0:58)
Transient (2:49)
Whisperine (1:26)
Wonderous (3:30)
Bonus Track:
Twilight Expression (0:37)
Format: mp3
Saloon Music Pack – is a set of 5 uplifting western saloon-style tracks. Great for casual games set in the wild west or featuring cowboys, a saloon or bandits! These 5 tracks include the distinctive honkytonky piano sounds found in western saloons, along with some jazzy, ragtime inspired and other wild west saloon vibes.
All tracks loop and come in both easy-to-use mp3 and WAV formats.
Music Tracks:
At the Saloon (4:09)
Cracking On (3:59)
HonkyTonky (3:34)
Jazzi Mayhem (2:40)
Mellow Cowboys (6:05)
Format: mp3 and WAV
All tracks loop easily, are royalty free and ready-to-use. So, if you’re looking for an enjoyable soundtrack for your western-themed casual game, this is the right music pack for you!
Town Music Pack – is a set of 5 relaxing and uplifting tracks, great for casual games. Perfect for background music and setting a calming and laid back, positive tone whilst also keeping listeners engaged and happy all at the same time!
This royalty free casual games music pack is designed to support casual gameplay and fun simulation games. The tracks are all happy, cheerful, light-hearted and fun.
The tracks are also all loopable and come in both easy-to-use mp3 and WAV formats.
Track List:
Blossoming City (2:35)
Choo choo chill (3:50)
Taking it Slow (2:10)
Transport Delight (3:31)
Transport Town (3:26)
Format: mp3 and WAV
All tracks loop easily, are royalty free and ready-to-use. So, if you’re looking for a calming, happy and fun soundtrack for your casual video or mobile game, this is the right music pack for you!
Pleasantville Music Pack – is a set of 6 easy-to-listen-to tracks, great for casual games. All the tracks are designed to be uplifting and to work well as background music that creates a calming, light-touch, relaxing vibe! They’re a set of pleasant tunes that encourage concentration and a sense of fun whilst remaining subtly in the background supporting casual gameplay.
This royalty free casual game music pack is a stand-alone music pack, however, also works well with the Town Music Game Music Pack and Cute and Casual Game Music Pack.
All tracks loop and come in both easy-to-use mp3 and WAV formats.
Music Track List:
Clear Skies (4:10)
Criss Cross (4:36)
Feather Light (4:48)
Humble Beginnings (3:31)
New Fortunes (3:21)
On the Train Tracks (5:46)
Format: mp3 and WAV
All tracks loop easily, are royalty free and ready-to-use. So, if you’re looking for a calming, happy soundtrack for your casual game, this is the right music pack for you!
CUTE & CASUAL – is a collection of 5 uplifting, easy-to-listen to game music tracks perfect for visual novels, anime games or any casual game.
This royalty free casual game music pack is a stand-alone music pack offering a set of cheerful and happy tunes, however, can also be combined well with Pleasantville Game Music Pack and Town Music Game Music Pack.
All tracks loop and the pack includes a special bonus track which can be used as an opening menu track, end credits or in shorter game levels & scenes.
Track List:
At the Fair (3:54)
Dilly Dally Day (4:08)
Roses in Paris (1:29)
Summer City (3:34)
Summer Twinkle (1:34)
Bonus Track:
Summer Flowers (1:03)
Format: mp3 and WAV
All tracks loop easily, are royalty free and ready-to-use. So, if you’re looking for a cute and positive soundtrack for your casual video or mobile game, this is the right music pack for you!
When you decide to work with your friends, it can be hugely exciting. However, it’s also important to establish some clear boundaries if and where you can in order to prevent potential conflicts arising during your project.
When you decide to work with your friends, it can be hugely exciting. However, it’s also important to establish some clear boundaries if and where you can in order to prevent potential conflicts arising during your project.
Music is a powerful tool in all games. It is used to help set the tone of the game, develop an atmosphere, support key storylines and characters and to create an immersive experience.
Interview By Ninichi | Contact | Follow
Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog! If this is your first time, I’m Ninichi and I’m a game music composer. I make music for video games as well as for film, TV, commercials etc. I also run this blog which has a host of information, articles and resources for indie game developers, filmmakers and anyone else interested in the world of games, film, music & media!
This week, I’m excited to share my interview with Darlene Barker (@darlenebarker) - an indie game developer, wife, mother and much much more!…
If you’re hoping to develop your own game, you may be thinking about which game engine to use and if you’ve chosen which one, you’re probably wondering where to start!
Unity is one of the most popular game engines around and as a game music composer (see more about me and my musicif you wish!) I’ve worked with many super talented indie game developers who I know would swear by it! I must confess, I’m not a programmer and so I can’t give you first hand advice or suggestions on how to go about creating your exciting game, but I have supported enough indie game developers to know that the road ahead may be quite a challenging one!
Are you a game designer, game artist or indie game developer? If so, welcome to my blog! I’m Ninichi and I’m a game music composer. I make music for indie games, films, shows and anything that needs music really! I also run this blog on my website, which tries to offer a place for people to learn, get inspired, share experiences, get tips and much much more.
I’m delighted to be sharing with you some thoughtful tips and insights today, from Lucy Jamie - a super friendly game artist and designer based in Melbourne. She has over 5 years of professional experience in the field and is currently
Interview By Ninichi | Contact | Follow
Hello I’m Ninichi, a game music composer, and I run this blog (check out the blog homepage to browse more articles)!
I have a real treat for you today, which is an amazing set of tips from the talented Dan Wakefield who in my interview with him, tells us a bit more about himself, the many many games he’s worked on and what to look out for and do in order to be successful as a game developer! Let’s check it out now…
If you’re developing a game, at some point you may be wondering whether or not to invest in a custom game music soundtrack and whether to hire a game music composer to work with or not. One big question that I’m sure is on your mind, is how much will it all cost? How much do indie game music composers charge typically?
Unfortunately this isn’t a simple question to answer since every composer is different. However, as a freelance indie game music composer myself (learn more about me!), I can try to give you an overview of what sort of rates you may come across and to help you understand where some of the pricing structures and costs may come from.
It is very easy as a keen indie game developer, to spend more and more time on your game and to overwork yourself into the ground. You have a vision for your game, you have an impossible number of things to do, there’s lots to learn and to try out and to fix and to design, code, get modelled, integrated and so on. The list is endless but your energy is not. As an indie game music composer (see my stuff!) working alongside many game developers, I've seen this happen many times.
It is so easy for anyone keen to succeed in any industry and/or in any job, or working on any project of significance, to burn out – but we must do all that we can to prevent this. If you burn out, your energy levels deplete, your enthusiasm and positivity vanishes, your work becomes suboptimal and ultimately even if you finish the project, it won’t be your best work.It is so easy for anyone keen to succeed in any industry and/or in any job, or working on any project of significance, to burn out – but we must do all that we can to prevent this.
After having connected with various indie game developers (often supporting them with their game music), I’ve discovered that there are many challenges that one faces in the game development journey.
It can be a tricky road to travel and it’s always good to know what to avoid if you can and so I’ve tried here to highlight some common issues and mistakes that I’ve heard/seen/witnessed people going through. I hope that you will be able to take something away from this and that you find these useful. So here are some key mistakes to note and avoid as you develop your game…After having connected with various indie game developers (often supporting them with their game music), I’ve discovered that there are many challenges that one faces in the game development journey.
Who are you and what is your game, A Robot Named Fight about?
'I'm Matt Bitner (@ARobotNamedFight), a 32 year old game dev from Bowling Green, Kentucky. I've worked on a few games for mobile like Draw A Stickman Epic and Battlepillars, but now I've set out on my own to make a PC game called A Robot Named Fight.
Introduce yourself and your game...
'I'm Brannan Vitek, I'm a Game Design and Development college student in Atlanta, Georgia. As a side project after classes, I'm creating an arcade platform fighting game, at the moment titled Ninja Couch Party! '
This week's featured game is Crash Course - by indie game developer Sam Troth who has kindly agreed to talk us through his game and his experiences in developing it to date...
To me, given that I am a game music composer (learn more about me!)– the music within games plays a crucial role in enhancing a gamer’s experience and appreciation for a particular game. Without music that really suits a game, the experience for a player can be significantly diminished. However, don’t just take my word for it!
If you enjoy playing military games and games on your mobile, Tank Tank Rush is definitely a great game to try out! I was honoured to connect with Antonin Duboc (@PutschMobi), the maker and indie games developer of this fun mobile app. Learn more about Tank Tank Rush in this interview:
This week I'm really pleased to be introducing everyone to wonderful game O-R-B. I am grateful to have connected with Robert Anderson - a talented game developer and game studio owner and have the pleasure of sharing this interview with you all...
As a big supporter of indie game developers and someone who is working with many within the game community (usually supporting them with their game music and/or marketing), I am frequently asked to share more marketing tips on my blog. So, here are 5 top tips that I hope will be useful to you, whether you are a solo indie developer, a small team of game developers or a larger game studio...
Discover the exciting new game Lullaby Gardens, recently on Kickstarter! I'm happy to share my exclusive interview with the makers of this beautifully crafted game at Dadai Studios...
I'm excited to have connected with Chris Cunningham - an enthusiastic game developer (also known as @KreeDiddy) with many games now to his name but today we're focusing getting to know Chris a little bit better and asking him to tell us about one particular game Quick Cube...
RETRO RUSH – is a collection of 5 amazing retro and arcade-style game music tracks perfect for puzzle, brick and paddle, and/or racing games.
This is my royalty free retro music pack created with arcade, retro games in mind. It is the ideal music pack for indie developers wanting an upbeat and motivating electronic soundtrack.
These tracks are uplifting, fun, retro-synth in style and are all designed to be looped easily.
A bonus intro sting with 3 different variations is also included and is perfect for menus, ending credits, shorter/transition levels.
Create a retro arcade video game vibe with this ready-to-use game music pack now!
Track List:
Kinetica (1:01)
Mr Wobble (0:55)
Ascension (1:17)
Crystique (0:48)
Zetra (0:58)
Bonus stings – 3 versions:
Retro Intro (long version) 0.27
Retromania (short version 1) 0.16
Retromania (short version 2) 0.13
Format: mp3 and wav
All tracks loop easily and are royalty free. So, if you’re looking for a set of retro / arcade style video game music loops for your game or project, this is the pack for you!
This royalty free retro game music pack is a stand-alone music pack, however, can also be combined with Chiptune Game Music Pack and/or Puzzle Game Music Pack.