Wow—what an incredible two days at the London Games Festival / New Game Plus showcase, where Beyond The Pixels® had the chance to present Astro Burn as an Official Selection.
The Energy of Indie Games, Live
The atmosphere was electric. Indie developers supporting each other, players jumping in with curiosity, and creators capturing and sharing their experiences in real time. It’s one thing to release a game into the digital world—but seeing it played live, hearing reactions in the moment, and watching people connect with it face-to-face is something else entirely.
We had artists, developers, and content creators all showing genuine love for the cute-’em-up vibe. But what stood out the most were the players who had no industry background—just people walking in fresh, drawn in by the visuals, the energy… or simply a space cat on screen.
From “I Can’t Play SHMUPs” to “That Was So Much Fun”
Some of my favourite moments came from people standing at a distance, watching others play.
We’re terrible at shmups… we just like the cute cat.”
After a bit of encouragement—“what’s the worst that could happen?”—they gave it a go.
And that’s when the magic happened.
“Okay… that was WAY more fun than expected!”
“It’s actually really accessible compared to other shmups!”
Hearing that was everything. Those moments made all the late nights, all the iteration, all the tiny decisions along the way—completely worth it.
The Ripple Effect
When I got home and checked the numbers, I saw a noticeable spike in Steam wishlists.
No surprise.
Because those players didn’t just try the game—they connected with it.
Why In-Person Events Still Matter
In a world driven by digital distribution, algorithms, and online visibility, it’s easy to forget just how powerful real-world interaction is.
In-person events:
- Create genuine, human connections
- Allow immediate feedback and observation
- Turn curiosity into engagement
- Transform passive viewers into active players
You don’t just showcase a game—you share it.
Building a Stronger Indie Ecosystem
We need more spaces like this.
More events that champion indie developers.
More opportunities for players to meet the people behind the games.
Because at the end of the day, games are about connection—between players, creators, and ideas.