Indie Fan Fest Aims to Boost Indie Games Ahead of Steam Next Fest

In July, indie publisher Digital Bandidos and event organizer The MIX announced the launch of Indie Fan Fest, a new showcase dedicated to promoting indie developers. The event, which premieres on September 24, will highlight upcoming indie titles that will debut playable demos during October's Steam Next Fest. GamesIndustry.biz spoke with Digital Bandidos CEO Steve Escalante and The MIX co-founder Justin Woodward about their partnership, the concept of Indie Fan Fest, and their goals for future showcases. The conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. Since Versus Evil shut down in 2023, Digital Bandidos has been working to help indies with discovery. The idea for Indie Fan Fest emerged as a way to give indie teams a boost before Steam Next Fest, allowing them to gain momentum and visibility. The event is financed through a small submission fee and sponsorships, aiming to provide a low barrier to entry for developers. The fee is $600, and the organizers work with Steam to drive thousands of wishlists to the featured games. The goal is to create a grassroots community around Indie Fan Fest, making it a sustainable platform for the future. Every time there's a Steam Next Fest, Indie Fan Fest will precede it, potentially growing larger and more prominent over time. The event's organizers believe that discoverability is a significant problem in the gaming industry, and they're working on a platform to address this issue. They're focused on helping teams pre-launch, find users, and create relationships with them, ultimately driving wishlists, purchases, and pre-orders. By providing a unique showcase for indie games, Indie Fan Fest aims to complement Steam Next Fest and offer developers a valuable opportunity to gain visibility and momentum in the competitive gaming landscape.