Two console generations ago, the very concept of the indie video game left the siloed corners of the internet and flash sites like Newgrounds to join major platforms. Places like WiiWare, Xbox Live Arcade, Steam, and PlayStation Network re-introduced players to smaller experiences, many of which were a far cry from the blockbuster ambitions of big publishers with dreams of emulating Hollywood. In this new space, fresh ideas flourished, inspiring new creatives to get the attention of players who wouldn't have otherwise paid them any mind.
This was a golden age for indies, as every year provided multiple standout examples of how smaller, even one-man teams, were just as capable of making memorable experiences as the year’s biggest releases. World of Goo on the Wii arguably applied Nintendo’s vision for motion controls better than any other third-party that year. 2008 gave us Castle Crashers and Braid, two very different visions displaying what this new scene was capable of. In 2009, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons marked an impressive debut from a team that is now one of the industry’s most celebrated.
