Fellow Traveller Founder Discusses Indie Publishing and LudoNarraCon 2024

The LudoNarraCon event, organized by Fellow Traveller, is set to return in 2024 from May 9 to 13. Founder Chris Wright reflects on the event's fifth anniversary, citing a significant increase in traffic and support from Steam. Wright emphasizes the importance of maintaining a curated selection of developers to ensure each participant receives adequate attention. For the 2024 edition, the team aims to create a richer experience for attendees, differentiating between those who engage with the panels and those who focus on demos and game sales. Wright also discusses Fellow Traveller's current release slate, which is lighter than usual due to delays and a strategic decision not to replace games at short notice. The label has signed nine games for the next couple of years, focusing on narrative-driven titles that can thrive with lower budgets. Wright highlights the company's mission to support new voices in the gaming industry, citing the recent signing of Sunset Visitor, a group of Asian-Canadian developers. He notes that the indie publishing landscape has become increasingly crowded, but welcomes the growth, believing it brings more funding and opportunities for developers. Wright acknowledges the challenges faced by indie publishers, particularly in terms of sustaining themselves in a competitive market. Despite these challenges, Fellow Traveller remains committed to its art-house approach, focusing on narrative-driven games and collaborating with other indie publishers. Wright also touches on the state of the Australian gaming industry, citing government support and public funding as key factors in its growth and optimism.