By Editorial Staff December 20, 2021 In a move that marks a significant shift in the landscape of independent games journalism, The Indie Game Website (TIGW) announced today that it will be entering a state of "indefinite hibernation." Managing Director Lewis Denby confirmed that the publication, which has served as a vital lighthouse for developers often overlooked by mainstream outlets, will cease active operations by the end of the week. The decision arrives as a poignant conclusion to a four-year tenure that saw the platform evolve from a niche passion project into a respected bastion of thoughtful, diverse, and independent critique. While the site’s digital archives will remain accessible indefinitely, the shuttering of its editorial operations represents a major turning point for the agency behind it, Game If You Are. The Genesis of an Indie Champion When The Indie Game Website launched in 2017, the media landscape for indie titles was markedly different. Despite the burgeoning success of the indie scene, many developers—particularly those working in isolation, outside of major development hubs, or lacking the capital for aggressive marketing—struggled to gain traction. According to Denby, the site was conceived not as a traditional profit-driven media outlet, but as a corrective measure against an industry trend that often favored AAA spectacles over innovative, smaller-scale projects. "As indie game fanatics, we were frustrated by what we perceived as an increasing dearth of opportunities for indie developers of all walks of life to gain visibility within the media landscape," Denby wrote in his announcement. The platform was intentionally built to operate independently of the pressures that often dictate content on larger gaming sites. By decoupling the editorial process from the agency’s primary marketing revenue, TIGW was able to curate a library of coverage that emphasized artistic merit and developer background over commercial reach. A Chronology of Editorial Stewardship The strength of The Indie Game Website lay in its commitment to diverse editorial voices. Over the course of its existence, the site was guided by a series of editors who each left their mark on the publication’s identity. 2017 – The Launch Era: The site debuted with a clear mandate: to democratize exposure for indie developers. The Middle Years: Under the successive leadership of Neil, Jon, and Jason, the site solidified its reputation as a haven for deep-dive journalism and feature-length interviews. The Recent Era: Under the guidance of Khee Hoon and the return of Jason to the helm, the site further pivoted toward amplifying marginalized voices and highlighting international titles that frequently slipped through the cracks of Western-centric gaming news. This revolving door of leadership, rather than fracturing the site, served to broaden its horizons. Each editor brought a distinct perspective, ensuring that the site’s coverage remained vibrant and unpredictable. For many readers and industry observers, TIGW became a reliable source for discovering gems that were absent from the front pages of major gaming news aggregates. The Economics of Advocacy: Why the Site is Closing One of the most transparent aspects of today’s announcement is the financial reality of running a specialized publication. Denby confirmed that The Indie Game Website has operated at a loss since its inception. While this deficit was initially viewed as an acceptable trade-off for the value the site provided to the indie community, the shifting priorities of 2021 forced a difficult reassessment. "The Indie Game Website has always run at a loss—but we were okay with that, because it has always been very important to us," Denby explained. However, as the organization looked toward the future, the leadership team faced a critical dilemma: How could they maximize their impact for the developers who need it most? This led to the conclusion that the resources currently sustaining the website could be better utilized in a new direction. While the site itself is being shelved, the intent is not to abandon the mission of supporting indie developers, but rather to pivot toward more targeted, high-impact initiatives. Official Response: The Future of Game If You Are The news of the hiatus was met with a mix of sadness and curiosity, as Denby alluded to "plans in place for 2022" that promise a new chapter for the agency. The official statement from the Managing Director emphasizes that the closure is not a retreat from the indie space, but a tactical redirection of energy. "The reality is that we needed to make a decision on where our investment was best spent in order to achieve this goal, and that means The Indie Game Website—for now, at least—needs to be put on the back-burner," Denby stated. The forthcoming initiatives, which are expected to be announced in the early months of 2022, are reportedly centered on supporting marginalized and minoritised developers. By reallocating the funds and human capital previously dedicated to daily editorial content, Game If You Are aims to create more direct, tangible support systems for the developers who historically struggle the most with the "noise" of the modern market. The Implications for Games Journalism The departure of TIGW from the active news cycle leaves a notable gap in the gaming media ecosystem. In an era of click-driven headlines and algorithm-focused SEO, the loss of an outlet dedicated to long-form, thoughtful, and niche indie coverage is a blow to the industry’s diversity. However, the legacy of the site remains significant. Through its years of operation, it fostered a community of writers who prioritized the stories of the creators behind the code. The site proved that there is an audience—and a necessity—for journalism that values the human element of development above the "hype cycle." Lessons Learned Visibility is Currency: The site demonstrated that simply existing is not enough for indie games; dedicated platforms are required to translate "indie" into "accessible." Editorial Integrity vs. Profit: The admission that the site was subsidized by its parent agency highlights the precarious nature of independent journalism. It serves as a reminder that truly independent critique is rarely self-sustaining in a digital economy dominated by advertising giants. The Pivot as Necessity: The move suggests that organizations must be willing to dismantle their own successful projects if they believe their mission can be better served through different, more modern channels. A Legacy of Amplification As the site prepares to go dormant, the sentiment from its leadership is one of immense pride. The editorial team succeeded in moving the needle for countless developers, giving them a platform to explain their creative process, their struggles, and their triumphs. The decision to keep the archives live is a testament to the site’s desire to preserve the historical record of the indie scene from 2017 to 2021. For researchers, gamers, and future developers, these pages remain a searchable, permanent record of a golden age of indie growth. In his final address to the readers, Denby offered a note of optimism: "Even though it will enter hibernation this week, it is our absolute aim to ensure TIGW’s ethos continues into 2022 and beyond. Who knows, maybe one day it’ll be the right time to resurrect it!" For now, the indie community says goodbye to a trusted voice, but keeps a watchful eye on what Game If You Are has planned for the new year. If the passion that drove The Indie Game Website is any indicator, the next chapter in their mission to support marginalized creators may be their most influential yet. As the industry reflects on this closure, it serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between passion projects and financial viability. The "heroes"—as Denby calls the writers and readers who made the site what it was—will surely be watching to see how these new initiatives reshape the landscape in the months to come. Post navigation The Indie Game Website Enters Hiatus: Reflecting on a Pillar of Independent Journalism
