Indie developers often bring freshness and originality to the gaming industry, and this year's Infogamer Reboot in Zagreb was the real stage for their creativity. Numerous domestic and regional studios presented themselves at the festival, bringing their unique projects, ambitions and stories about game development that leave an impression.
Indie teams like these have a daily task to prove that the power of an idea can handle the biggest budgets. Their enthusiasm, dedication and ingenuity provide the audience with a glimpse into the future of the gaming industry that is not tied exclusively to large corporations.
Below we present the indie studios and their games that marked this year's Infogamer Reboot festival with their vision and effort.
A Byte War - Stellar Studio
Stellar Studio je hrvatski razvojni tim specijaliziran za razvoj igara i web application. Njihova misija je stvaranje proizvoda koji life čine jednostavnijim i zabavnijim, a through svoje projekte uvijek dodaju dozu kreativnosti i razgamenosti. WITH focusom na kvalitetu, pružaju cjehuntingite usluge razvoja - od ideis and dizajna do implementaciis and podrške. Uz to, nude i pomoć na postojećim projekteam, omogućujući klijenteam da svois anddeje podignu na višu razinu.
The studio stands out for its holistic approach to development, where each project is treated with great attention to detail and innovation. Their philosophy is based on a combination of professionalism and fun, believing that client satisfaction is as important as the team's creativity. Whether creating brand new solutions or optimizing existing ones, Stellar Studio demonstrates impressive adaptability and expertise.
Their latest game, A Byte War, is an innovative approach to the real-time strategy genre. Players take control of blocky machines in a battle against a threat from another dimension, and the key to success lies in building blocky bases and strategically using unique buildings like harvesters, unit generators, and influence spreaders.
Poseban naglasak stavljen is on mehaniku "utjecaja" who gamečthere is omogućuje dominaciju područjem, pružajući prednosti like popravljanja jedinica, heemogućavanja neprijateljskih građevina i generiranja resursa. WITHvaka misija nudi različite stwaregiis and završetke, from osvajanja neprijatelja do obrane vlastite baze. Game svojim dizajnom i inovativnim sustavthere is potiče kreativnost i nudi bogato taktičko iskustvo, what je čini pravim jewelsm u indie gaming svijetu.
And Byte War is slated for late 2024, and you can find the game at link.
Curvelicious - Forp Strelec
Curvelicious je brza, dinamična game who brings new zaokret klasičnim gamema "zmije" i "krivulja". Fokusirana na lokalni multiplayer, igra omogućuje do eight gameča da ontječu u intenzivnim i astičnim mečevthere is. INz prilagodljive modes, raznovrsne power-upove i opcije za personalizaciju, Curvelicious provides unlimited fun and strategic depth for all fans of competitive gaming.
The game offers three main game modes. Arcade Mode introduces a variety of power-ups that add unpredictability and excitement to every game. Custom Mode allows players to customize almost every aspect of the game, from the width of the curve to the speed and selection of available power-ups, making each game unique. For purists, there's Classic Mode, which takes things back to basics, sans power-ups, focusing solely on player skill.
While it doesn't currently have a singleplayer option, plans for a future dynamic singleplayer mode are already underway, with the promise of a free upgrade. With support for Steam Remote Play Together, even those who are not in the same room can enjoy playing with friends online. Curvelicious is the perfect combination of reflexes, strategy and adaptive fun that will satisfy even the most demanding players.
Curvelicious is already available via Steam on the following link.
Sigma Centauri - Pannonian Studio
Sigma Centauri is a semi-realistic sci-fi MOBA game that combines fast-paced action, strategic team gameplay and unique dynamic events. Players take on the role of pilots of spaceships that they can customize to their needs, participating in battles that take place in a dark universe full of cosmic horrors. The focus on the community is manifested through the clan system, which further deepens the tactical elements of the game.
The game is set in sustav Sigma Centauri, where čovječanstvo, after katastrofe na Zemlji, bori za opstanak. Dva suprotstavljena tabora, autoritarni "Lojalisti" i demokwarski "Slobodoumni," sukobljavaju se za kontrolu nad rijewhom supstancom poznatom as "Stellara". Story i atmosferu dodatno pojačava distopijski glazbeni kparadiseolik s teškim sintesajzerthere is i glitch elementeam, inspiriran worksma umjetnika like Jameza Dahla i Bena Frosta.
Uz moderan pristup fizici, Sigma Centauri nudi raznolike brodove, svaki s jedinstvenim sposobnostthere is, omogućujući gamečthere is da biparadiseu between savezničke strane "Carstva" or pobunjeničkih "Piwara." Intenzivni okršaji, taktička dubina i nevjerojatna audiovizualna presentation čine ovu igru uzbudljivim iskustvom za sve ljubitelje MOBA i sci-fi žanra.
Chaos On Wheels - Accordion
Acodeon Studio, a young indie team from Croatia, has been combining passions for programming, art and gaming since 2020 to create unforgettable games. Founded by two friends who dropped out of college to follow their dreams, the studio gradually grew to become a small but passionate team dedicated to developing innovative and exciting games. Their vision is based on creating games that provide players with fun and exciting experiences, and Chaos on Wheels is a perfect example of that philosophy.
Chaos on Wheels brings destructive and chaotic action to vehicle combat, with a focus on customization, strategy and fast-paced action. Players can choose drivers and vehicles, customize them with armor, colors and various gadgets and engage in explosive battles against other cars. The game offers a tense campaign of 10 chapters, where players destroy enemies, turrets and traps to win new upgrades, vehicles and weapons.
A special feature of the game is splitscreen multiplayer, ideal for fun with friends and family. With missiles, rockets and traps galore, Chaos on Wheels pruža intense action i mogućnost vođenja vlastite "garaže assa" gdis andgrači mogu upravljati upgradema i prilagodbama. Ova game savršena je za sve ljubitelje brzih, destruktivnih izazova prepunih eksplozija i adrenalinea.
Chaos On Wheels is planned for full release at the end of 2025, and you can follow all updates, news and announcements at link.
Don't Look Back - Damage Control
Damage Control Studio, a three-man team specializing in horror game development and film production, brings a new dimension to the world of fear and suspense. Their games and films combine eerie atmosphere, psychological tension and innovative storytelling techniques to provide players and viewers with unforgettable experiences. The key to the team's success are members Mattman, Mattimoo and Flodoor, who create unique horror projects through collaboration and diverse skills. The studio actively encourages interaction with the audience, seeking feedback to make their future projects even better.
Their latest title, Don't Look Back, puts players at the heart of a creepy and suspenseful story. The task seems simple - to find six keys that unlock a door full of secrets, but the dangers lurking in the darkness are far from ordinary. As you explore dark rooms, collect hidden notes and connect clues, you uncover the dark story that lies at the foundation of the house.
Najalreadyi izazov comes to obliku tajanstvenog "Crooked Mana". Soundovi koje proizvodi i njegova prisutnost stvaparadiseu neprekidnu napetost, a jedno pravilo je ključno – niwhen ga ne gledajte! Don’t Look Back savršeno kombinira research, slaganje tragova i psihološku napetost, pružajući gamečthere is iskustvo kois andm neće dopustiti da se opuste ni na trenutak.
Don't Look Back it already is dostupan na Steam as an Early Access release, while the full release is planned for the beginning of 2025.
Swords and Hexes - Studio Bedem
Dobrodošli u Polygoniu, svijet šarmantne apsurdnosti i epskih adventure, where priča Swords and Hexes odvija u jedinstvenom RPG okruženju. Action games vrti se oko "Jednog pravog heksa," ulteamtivnog artefakta moći koji se razlomio na six dijehuntinga i razasuo po poznatim kraljevstvthere is. Kako bi sdogio svijet od sila zla koje žele ponovno sastaviti heks u njegov izvorni oblik, glavni junak mora pobijediti nemilosrdne protivnike, sklopiti neočekivana prijateljstva i preživjeti niz duhovitih i apsurdnih izazova.
Swords and Hexes is characterized by a unique combination of adventure, humor and strategic thinking. Along with a richly elaborated campaign, players will encounter interesting characters and unpredictable tasks, which further enriches the experience. Special emphasis is placed on the game world, which is filled with colorful details and creative elements, creating a space where every decision can mean the difference between defeat and victory.
In addition to the solo adventure, Swords and Hexes also offers an innovative multiplayer game mode. In this mode, players engage in board game-like strategic combat, gathering resources and building armies to defeat their opponents. This combination of classic RPG elements and board games makes Swords and Hexes a real refresher on the indie gaming scene.
Swords and Hexes is planned for release at the end of 2024, and follow everything on the next one link.
Project AionIX - Aionblaze Studio
Studio AionBlaze, which is backed by two passionate gamers and creatives, presents its first project, Project AionIX. The idea for the game came about during a spontaneous conversation over coffee, when the founders realized that their complementary skills in programming, drawing, writing and music could create something special. After several months of work, the studio has developed a functional game demo, which is also the first step towards realizing their ambition – to create a fun game that will provide players with an unforgettable experience.
In Project AionIX, players take control of a space fighter, facing continuous waves of hostile aliens. This adrenaline-pumping space shooter adventure tests your piloting skills as you dodge enemy missiles, aim accurately and try to survive as long as possible. Currently, the game offers two modes of play:
- Timed Survival: Fight endless hordes of enemies and try to reach level 12 in the shortest time.
- Endless Survival: Test your limits by facing ever-growing challenges.
The development team plans to expand the game and introduce a branching campaign, where players' decisions will shape the story and lead them through diverse destinies. Project AionIX is a promising start for AionBlaze studio and is sure to attract the attention of fans of the genre.
Project AionIX is planned for release in the summer of 2025, and you can follow everything on link.
Tea for Sana - Pillowsoup
Tea for Sana is a warm and emotional adventure developed by Pillow Soup, a solo indie developer based in Zagreb. Behind the project stands a Canadian author who found inspiration in his research into Croatian roots and love for the country he decided to call home. The game is a tribute to his grandmother, who lovingly cooked traditional Slavic dishes while watching her grandson play Nintendo 64 games.
In Tea for Sana, you take on the role of Vesna, a kind of witch who communicates with the spirits of the mountain. Vesna cooks dishes to heal the villagers in the valley, while through the story you explore the mountain, meet new characters, collect ingredients and learn recipes. The game is primarily narrative driven, and its core lies in the healing power of cooking and empathy.
The story deals with difficult themes such as loss and adaptation in a new environment, but has an optimistic note as Vesna, facing her own internal struggles, helps others. Sana, the titular friend, hides a secret that you will discover by remembering the recipe for her favorite tea - which is the key to her and your healing.
The game demo serves as a prologue, providing a glimpse into the world of Tea for Sana, while the full version will bring more recipes, characters, new areas to explore, and a 2-3 hour story. This unique game promises a moving experience, filled with love for culture, cooking and healing through community.
The full release is planned for the beginning of 2025, and you can find everything at link.
Fishermans Palace - Superuser Games Studio
Fisherman's Palace is the first commercial project of the Superuser Games studio, which consists of Damir and Ivana, a couple who combined their love for creativity and games to create this unique adventure. They both turned to video game development after leaving college to follow their passions – Damir to programming and making games and Ivana to design and painting, which fit perfectly with the visual identity of this game.
In Fisherman's Palace, you come to a quiet village to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, but you soon face a challenge: to catch the legendary mysterious fish that everyone is talking about. This game combines a relaxed fishing experience with a tense competitive atmosphere, offering over 90 species of fish and dynamic seasonal tournaments. Collect points, climb the leaderboard and win prestige, wealth and the title of the best fisherman in the village.
But fishing is not the only activity – you can choose one of the factions that reflect the different personalities and lifestyles of the locals. Each faction offers unique experiences and challenges, allowing players to explore a rich community and its stories. Additionally, the game offers farming elements – grow crops to use as bait or sell them to finance your fishing ventures.
Expand your holdings, build farms and upgrade equipment. With better rods and more inventory space, each catch becomes one step closer to creating your own fishing empire. Fisherman’s Palace is not just a game about fishing; it's a story about building, exploring and connecting with diverse characters in a magical world full of challenges and rewards.
Fishermans palace will be available in spring 2025, and all relevant information can be found at Steam.
Bullets & Brains - Ajvar Studio
Bullets & Brains is an action-packed post-apocalyptic top-down shooter in which surviving fighters try to withstand the merciless attacks of zombies. Set in a ruined world, the game takes you through abandoned cities, forest paths, sewer systems, and even snowy mountains, where you'll fight endless waves of the undead.
Besides fighting for survival, your character's main strength comes from collecting brains and energy. These resources allow you to improve your abilities, allowing you to perform devastating attacks and turn battles in your favor. Each playable character has unique traits and starting weapons, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your playstyle.
Bullets & Brains also offers a cooperative game mode, where you can join forces with other survivors and fight hordes of zombies together. You can adapt the team game to your strategy, as the game supports various control options, including keyboard and mouse or gamepad, to make the experience as comfortable and precise as possible.
Through the game you will explore diverse environments, discover hidden secrets, collect resources and fight different types of enemies. With fast-paced action, strategy and precision combat, Bullets & Brains offers a dynamic and exciting experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Bullets & Brains will be available for all platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch) in the first quarter of 2025. At this time, players can try demo version i free mini version games.
Dark Queen - Downtown Game Studio
Dark Queen is a 2.5D action-adventure game inspired by Slavic mythology and Croatian folklore. Set in a fantasy world, the game puts you in the role of a medieval knight who returns home after the bloody battles of the Crusades, but soon discovers that his homeland is infected by a dark spell cast by an evil queen.
Kroz igru ćete se boriti protiv brojnih čudovišta i epskih bossova, istražujući raznolike kparadiseolike - od začaranih šuma do pustošnih pustinja. WITHvaka nova lokacija brings new ones izazove i odognosti, a ni krvoproliće križarskih warova nije vas pripremilo za strašna stvorenja who se skrivaju iza svakog ugla.
The game is inspired by classics like Song of Iron, Prince of Persia, Inside and Limbo, with an emphasis on combat mechanics and exploration. In order to survive and defeat the evil queen, you will have to perfect your skills, because only then can you defeat the threats that come from the darkness.
Dark Queen brings a nostalgic experience, reminding you of children's stories about brave heroes, but in a dark, dangerous world full of mysteries.
Dark Queen will be released in mid-2026, until and you can find the game on Steam at link.
Cave Hikers - Porcupine Parkour
Porcupine Parkour studio predstavlja Cave Hikers, opuštajuću i humorističnu 2D interaktivnu crtanu igru u mockumentary style. Game follows tri lika koji they start na uzbudljivu avanturu through svijet pećina, nastojeći pronaći mističnu "pećinu s beskonačnim stropom". Početak games odvija se u njihovom rodnom mjestu, fromakle they start u research, grade katapult i popunjavaju papirologiju in order to se lansirali u nepoznate dijehuntinge podzemnog svijeta.
Porcupine Parkour je mladi studio osnovan od strane Zvonimira Baraća, koji iza sebe there is bogato iskustvo u industriji video igara. Zvonimir je ranije radio na nagrađivanoj igri "Viktor, a Steampunk Adventure" i brojnim drugim projekteam, ago nego what je 2019. year odlučio pokrenuti vlastiti studio. WITHa Cave Hikers, studio wants ponuditi igru who će zabaviti i opustiti, and injedno ponuditi inovativne elemente, like alkemiis and dokumentarnog stylea games, which is prepoznat as karakterističan za njihov rad.
Characteristics:
- Documentary style: The story is told as if the characters were in a natural documentary, creating a unique atmosphere.
- Book of Caves: The game comes with a book that is available both in-game and as a printable PDF. The book is wordless and contains sketches of flora and fauna, as well as recipes for magical potions that the player mixes during the game.
- Alchemy: Players can gather ingredients, mix potions and shake test tubes to create various magical substances.
- Imaginary Greetings: Each character you hover over will greet you with a wave, a new element that has been raved about by everyone who's tried it.
Cave Hikers offers a relaxing experience with an emphasis on creative play and humor, ideal for fans of non-violent mystery adventures.
Cave Hikers offers a free demo at Steam, and if you like it, you can also buy the full game.
From Basement With Love - BIG small Games
BIG SMALL GAMES is a young company specializing in the development of video games, with a mission to inspire and entertain people around the world. Their development efforts are focused on creating experiences that are intuitive and easy to consume, inspiring, and above all – fun.
From Basement with Love is a 2D puzzle-adventure set in the tense era of the Cold War. As a secret agent, your task is to intercept and decipher enemy communications to prevent a military threat. The game combines elements of point-and-click puzzles with a visual novel, immersing players in a narrative-driven experience.
The game takes place in a small basement room that is both your living room and the center of your covert operations. Your desk is equipped with the necessary devices to intercept and decipher enemy transmissions. Stay alert to track and intercept hidden messages, use specialized code-breaking devices, and engage in social engineering to extract important information from the target.
As Cold War tensions rise, the fate of national security is in your hands. Will you discover the truth before it's too late? From Basement with Love challenges your resourcefulness and strategic thinking as you dive into the world of espionage.
The full release of the game is planned for the beginning of 2025, and you can find the game at link.
B-Root Force - Jayus Studio
Jayus Studio je tim iz Niša koji on Reboot Infogameru 2024 u Zagrebu presented with igrom B-root Force, namijenjenom za PC platformu. Team čine four člana: dva programera (Nikola Ljupković, Marko Krivokapić) and dva dizajnera (Matija Krivokapić, Nemanja Vuksanewć). First prototip games razvor su na Global Game Jam-u 2023 year, where it is tema bila "Koren". Inspiraciju for the game pronašli su u popularnim franšizama like Wormwith i Plants vs. Zombies. After početnog testiranja i pozitivnih reaction, fromlučor su nastaviti razvoj, poboljšati gameplay, todati new ones likove i mape, you unaagoditi visual identitet games. Goal im je da B-root Force ponudi jedinstveno iskustvo i izdvaja on tržištu svojim svježim pristupom.
B-root Force is a 1v1 fighting game inspired by games like Worms and Plants vs. Zombies. The goal of the game is to destroy the pot the opponent is in, while at the same time you have to maintain the health of your pot using herbal powers and constant movement. Movement is done by firing your root at other pots, which instantly teleports you to them and gives you that pot's health.
The game rewards dynamic movement, and each move fills your herb bar while making sure you stay healthy. Be careful though – avoid damaged pots or you'll fall into a trap!
The current characters in the game are:
- Cactimothy – Cactus, a sniper with a plant-based ability to shoot needles around him.
- Sonne – Sunflower, a fighting type with a slow charging sunbeam ability.
- Sheriff Star – A purple star flower, which increases attack speed with each use of the ability.
- Lyon – Dandelion, which grows from a small dandelion into a mature white and fluffy flower that fires shot-like bullets.
- Rosemary – Rose, who has the ability to heal her pot.
The demo version of the game is already available at itch.io platforms, and the full release is planned for spring 2025.
Shellers.io - Fearem Studio
Fearem Studio is the team behind Shellers.io, a fast-paced and exciting instagib game set in a futuristic sci-fi universe. The game features machine learning based bots, random map generation and dynamic matches where you fight to win.
U Shellers.io game, players are equipped with energy shields on their backs that provide protection from enemy fire. These shields can be strengthened by getting kills, but will also weaken when you are hit by an enemy. Dynamically generated maps add an extra dose of challenge, as each game takes place on a completely new terrain.
In this game of quick reflexes and strategic thinking, you have to use all your skills to outsmart your opponents, avoid being hit and dispatch as many enemies as possible. Each victory takes you closer to dominance in this intense deathmatch environment.
The game was created as part of the 7dfps game jam and, although it is still in the prototype stage, the future will tell what will become of it.
The game is available for download and can be played via the browser on the following link.
Zerospace - Ironward
Ironward is a studio based in Croatia, founded in 2013, specializing in the development of innovative real-time strategies (RTS). Our mission is to create playable, exciting and tactically deep worlds, while working closely with players through active feedback that shapes our work. Our philosophy is to jointly create experiences with our gaming community, as well as to enable open communication and accessibility at all stages of development.
ZeroSpace is the first RTS in which all game modes (single-player, co-op, PvE, PvP) are played within a common MMO galaxy. Participate in the war effort, conquer planets and strengthen allied fortifications as you fight in a dynamic environment with thousands of real players. Planets, battles and allies change by the minute, and you are at the heart of those changes, deciding the fate of the galaxy.
Lead a vast armada of troops, aliens, vehicles and powerful weapons through interactive combat and strategic missions. Conquer territories, protect your civilization and adapt your strategy to the challenges each planet and new battle brings.
The game offers a variety of options, including battles against other players (PvP), PvE scenarios, cooperative missions and a special campaign mode. Choose heroes, each with their own unique fighting style and skills, and customize your tactics for each mission. With more than 80 units and numerous heroes, your strategy will be the key to victory.
Tell your own galactic story through RPG elements and moral decisions that shape the game world. Will you save the planet from destruction or will you leave it in the hands of the enemy? The choices you make will affect the entire galaxy and the development of your allies as well as your character.
Features:
- MMO galaxy map with different game modes (Co-op, Single-player, PvE, 2vAI, 2v2, Scenarios, 1v1).
- Single player campaign with 13 main missions, 14 hero loyalty missions and 20 side stories.
- Interactive dialogues and cinematic sequences that shape the outcome of the game.
- 4 main factions with 10 units and 9 buildings.
- 6 mercenary factions with 4-5 units.
- 14 heroes that you can use in campaign or multiplayer.
Ironward release is planned sometime during the next year, and you can find the game's Steam page at link.
