8Bit/Digi

A Gathering of the Indie Game Community

It has been a long time since the indie dev community was able to congregate. While 2022 has presented numerous opportunities, Day of the Devs has always been a special event for so many. That is why Day of the Devs 10th Anniversary was an emotional reunion for so many in the game dev community (be it those in the indie space or those with a major studio).

Organized by Double Fines Productions and iam8bit, Day of the Devs brought together indie game developers from all over the country to showcase their work. This was an opportunity to check out some of the latest indie game titles while also a chance for developers to mingle amongst each other. This was a one day event hosted at The Midway in San Francisco. 

The Games I Played 

You can’t talk about Day of the Devs without mentioning all the amazing games that were available to play. Here is a breakdown of some of the titles and projects I got to try out during the event: 

WrestleQuest takes everything you love about wrestling and incorporates it into a retro-style JRPG. Players take on the role of a pro-wrestler as they set out to make a name for themselves out in the world. At the same time, they seek the guidance of the legends like Macho Man Randy Savage and André the Giant. 

AK-xolotl is a game about an axolotl with an AK-47. Basically; the story follows a cute little critter as it blasts its way to the top of the food chain. The gameplay is a top-down shooter with rougelite elements and a few unexpected curveballs. It’s less about the challenge and more about just having some mindless fun.  

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is a follow-up to the much beloved interactive experience. Players once again take on the role of a barista as they prepare coffee for their customers while also taking the time to hear their stories. 

Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is the story of an industry pioneer told through the works that defined a generation.

8-Bit Adventures 2 is a homage to the classic JRPGs that defined the early 90’s. Players will once again embark on a quest to save the world while encountering a plethora of notable friends and foes. Gamers could expect to see this game available in early 2023. 

Gameheads Stations

Gameheads is a non-profit that uses the medium of video games to prepare disenfranchised groups in the Bay Area for a career in tech. They had several stations set up during Day of the Devs 10th Anniversary. This allowed guests the chance to check out some of the titles their students have been working on.

Final Thoughts

Day of the Devs has always been an opportunity for many in the indie game community to showcase their work to a greater audience. It has also been one of the best events to learn from and to network with other developers. It also allows gamers the chance to find the hidden gems in the indie community.  

Did you get a chance to check out Day of the Devs 10th Anniversary? If so then share your story in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: This was a free event open to the public. 

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides an insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.