Indie games are like hidden treasure—except instead of gold, you get pixel art, existential dread, and at least one rogue-lite that steals 200 hours of your life. But how do you find these gems before they blow up and your favorite obscure title becomes “that game your aunt plays on her phone”?
Fear not, oh discerning gamer. Here’s how to scout the best indie games before they go viral—so you can brag about liking them before they were cool.
1. Follow Indie Devs & Publishers on Social Media
Before a game goes viral, it’s usually being hyped by its creators in obscurity. Follow indie devs on:
- Twitter/X (RIP, but it’s still where devs scream into the void)
- Mastodon/Bluesky (The “I’m too cool for Twitter” alternatives)
- Reddit (r/IndieDev, r/IndieGames) – Where dreams and unfinished prototypes collide
Pro tip: If a dev posts “Almost done!” for the 47th time, maybe temper your expectations.
2. Dive Into Indie Showcases & Festivals
Forget E3 (unless you enjoy corporate buzzword bingo). Instead, watch:
- Day of the Devs – Like a cool indie film festival, but with more coding jokes
- Indie World (Nintendo Direct’s hipster cousin)
- Steam Next Fest – Hundreds of demos, and at least three will ruin your productivity
Bonus: If a game wins an award at a tiny festival nobody’s heard of, it’s either genius or very niche.
3. Lurk in Indie Game Forums & Discord Servers
Want insider info? Join Discord servers and forums where indie gamers gather:
- ResetEra’s Indie Games Thread – Where hype and skepticism battle eternally
- TIGSource – A relic of the past, but still a goldmine
- Game Jolt & Itch.io – Where experimental games thrive (and occasionally traumatize)
Warning: You may stumble upon a game about sentient potatoes. Play at your own risk.
4. Check Out Curators & YouTubers Who Actually Play Indies
Skip the mainstream gaming channels (unless you want the 50th “Is Hollow Knight Silksong Out Yet?” video). Instead, follow:
- Alpha Beta Gamer (Demos, demos, demos)
- IronPineapple (For all your “weird Steam game” needs)
- GMTK (Game Maker’s Toolkit) – If you want to understand why that indie game hurt your feelings
Hot take: If a YouTuber says “This game is a hidden gem,” it’s already halfway to viral.
5. Wishlist & Follow Upcoming Games on Steam
Steam’s algorithm is mysterious, but you can game it:
- Wishlist promising indies – The more you add, the more Steam recommends obscure stuff
- Check the “Upcoming” tab – Where future cult classics are born
- Follow devs on Steam – So you get updates before the masses arrive
Fun fact: If a game has a “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating with 12 reviews, you’ve found either a masterpiece or a dev’s alt accounts.
6. Play Demos (Yes, Really)
Many indie games drop free demos during:
- Steam Next Fest
- itch.io’s Demo Weeks
- Random Twitter giveaways
If a demo sticks with you, chances are the full game will too. Unless it’s one of those “artsy” walking sims where nothing happens.
7. Trust Your Gut (And Maybe a Little Paranoia)
Sometimes, a game just feels like it’s going to blow up. Maybe it’s the art style, the dev’s previous work, or just the fact that the trailer has a suspicious amount of frogs.
When in doubt:
✅ Buy it early (support indies!)
✅ Tell your friends (but not too many)
✅ Enjoy it before the discourse ruins it
Final Thought: Be the Hipster Gamer You Were Meant to Be
Finding indie games before they go viral is part skill, part luck, and part refusing to play anything once it gets popular. But hey, at least you’ll have bragging rights when Hollow Knight: Silksong finally releases in 2045.
Now go forth, dig through those Steam tags, and may your next favorite game still be obscure enough that nobody’s made lore analysis videos about it yet.
(Too late? Dang.)