Publication
IGROPROM: my unfiltered impressions
Indie games, pitching, cosplay and candid conversations with developers about support, Steam wishlists and getting to market.
IGROPROM: my unfiltered impressions
The most striking thing at IGROPROM was seeing games about Russia's “special military operation” in Ukraine take off, despite the subject seeming difficult or taboo. Projects like these shouldn't be written off in advance for fear of being blocked or finding no audience. I'm glad there's still room in PC games for sincere creative work on difficult subjects, despite all the censorship and agendas around us.
The festival itself felt welcoming. I liked the spacious, attractive and comfortable stands. Indie teams were treated like people ❤️
The game selection was good too: a lovely showcase.
I barely had time to play anything, buried as I was in work, sessions and the pitch event. Besides the games I've already covered, I'll single out Project Sever. I got to play a little, then quickly crashed my submarine.
Festivals like this let you try games before release and immerse yourself in fan and geek culture. That's a pleasure in itself.
You can also watch cosplay and even a lightsaber duel. Middle-aged blokes dress as Genshin Impact girls, monkeys enjoy a symphony — everyone has their own cultural programme.
For developers, IGROPROM is also a chance to compare notes: where other teams find support, how much it costs them to build Steam wishlists, and how they deal with cross-border payments. In a market this difficult, it helps to know what has worked for others and what you might try on your own project.
So that was IGROPROM... 🐯 And if you'd like to invite a great expert to your event, give me a shout!