Hey Folks 👋
At SK NEXUS, we cover the things most people ignore or explain poorly.
Topics that usually leave you more confused than informed.
We’re not reinventing the wheel , you can find similar perspectives online - but we break them down so they actually make sense (and maybe even make you smile along the way : )
That being said, let’s get into it.
Delays, layoffs, disappointment - That’s gaming in 2025.
Every major release feels like déjà vu. And just when things couldn’t get worse, AI started blowing up - cutting jobs in the name of “innovation.” Developers, artists, and writers are being replaced or pushed out. And the ironic part is - those same laid-off developers are now fueling the indie scene, building games on their own terms.
Talented people who once got kicked out from the companies are now truly building something different. These small teams are making the kinds of games big studios can’t ever make.
If you look close enough, you would notice that, Indie uprising is already happening.
And today, my goal is to cover the following:
Why game delays are more common than ever.
The role of AI in layoffs across major studios.
Why Senior developers are leaving big studios to build indie projects.
The how small teams are rewriting the rules of gaming.
What Are Indie Games?
Before I started diving into the details, I thought it’s better to explain what Indie games are because some people might not know about it.
Indie stands for “independent.” In gaming, it means titles made by small teams or sometimes even solo developers - without the backing of a giant publisher like EA, Ubisoft, or Activision.
Some of the most beloved titles today started as indies:
Hollow Knight - Built by just two people, yet rivaled the best AAA games.
Silksong - The awaited sequel, proving indie hype can match blockbuster levels.
Dave the Diver - A fishing-adventure-restaurant sim that blew up worldwide.
Undertale - Made by one person (Toby Fox) and became a cult classic almost overnight.
Why Delays Are Everywhere
The bigger the game, the bigger the problems. Massive worlds, and millions of players mean a single bug can break everything. And unlike a movie or a book, games are more than just the director calling cut - Games are Art.
A game has to respond to every input, and every choice that means people don’t just watch, they play. Due to this developers have to make sure the game works for as many people as possible.
So, delays? They’re less about laziness and more about survival.
Let’s break down the main reasons behind this trend.
The Human Side of Delays
Not every delay is a marketing stunt. I know studios occasionally delay games to stretch hype. But sometimes… It's just life.
Developers aren’t machines - they get sick, they also need to deal with family problems and other personal issues - all of these things when combined can be a contributing factor in games being delayed.
And that’s not just it - If you throw in larger shocks like pandemics or global shortages, then you start to understand the core reason for this problem.
Corporate Promises vs. Reality
Unrealistic promises are baked into corporate marketing. Publishers want to sell preorders, so they announce bold release dates and features before the game is even stable. But when real-world challenges hit - those deadlines collapse.
Think about it - all it takes is one unforeseen problem and the whole plan collapses, it puts developers in panic mode and fans get disappointed.
The result? Broken promises and frustrated players.
AI’s Shadow Over Big Studios
AI was supposed to make things faster, cheaper, easier. Instead, it’s being used as a weapon by studios against their own teams.
In 2024, nearly 14,600 people in gaming were laid off.
Surveys show 41% of devs felt the hit - either directly or through studio shutdowns.
And yes, a big reason is automation. Generative tools are being used for graphics, QA testing and even art.
Efficiency vs. Authenticity
And this is where the debate gets heavier.
If AI is “creating” art, is it really creating or just remixing the past in clever ways?
Think back to the controversy around Studio Ghibli’s style being mimicked by AI tools.
It was beautiful, but was it authentic?
Was it AI creating art or just high-quality copy-paste?
If you want to go deeper into that rabbit hole, I’ve already broken it down in detail, check out here - AI-Generated Ghibli Art: Innovation or Infringement?
Creativity vs. Cost-Cutting
Sure, there are plenty of tasks AI can automate and in those areas, it’s a blessing.
But here’s the problem: studios aren’t just automating repetitive work. They’re also creeping AI into the creative side. Dialogue, story beats, concept art - all being handed over to algorithms. Less creativity, more cost-cutting.
At this point, studios are risking their souls. Games used to resonate with people. Players would carry them for years, sometimes even say a game changed their life.
But everything has changed now…
Whatever game you touch, it has the same damn pattern - predictable, safe, and soulless.
So let me ask you: if you’re a gamer, do you feel the same way?
The Endless Cycle
Since we are talking about automation, I had to cover this part.
Here’s the thing - Automation seems like cost-saving at first. But it plays out differently:
Companies automate everything they can to cut costs.
Mistakes and bugs creep in because AI isn’t perfect.
Then, they go back to doing the same old thing - automation.
It’s a cycle of “replace, regret, repeat.”
And this cycle never ends.
The Great Exodus
What happens when the people who built your favorite games stop believing in the system? They leave.
Senior developers, writers, designers and programmers are abandoning AAA giants.
They are tired of being treated like disposable parts in a corporate machine. They’ve realized that there is no value for creativity.
But here’s the twist:
They aren’t disappearing - They’re regrouping.
Small, independent teams are grouping up everywhere. Some studios are literally being rebuilt from the ashes of layoffs. What’s driving them isn’t money, it’s purpose. It’s freedom.
Their motto goes by - “freedom over stability.” Because they care much more about being in control and being free.
Freedom is becoming the new currency.
The Indie Uprising
You’ve probably noticed it too - some of the most exciting games lately aren’t coming from massive studios with billion-dollar budgets. They’re coming from tiny teams, sometimes just two or three people, who walked away from the corporate grind.
And the unique factor about their games is - they don’t follow the “safe” formulas,
and that’s exactly why players are paying attention. Let’s unpack what’s really going on.
Case Studies
Helldivers 2 - A Co-op War Against Bugs and Bots
In this game, players squad up against alien bugs and robots in hilarious firefights.
But the reason for its success wasn’t just the gameplay - it was how the developers made community feedback of importance. Helldivers 2 became proof that listening beats marketing hype.
Dave the Diver - Fishing by Day, Sushi by Night
By day you’re fishing, by night you’re running a sushi restaurant. Sounds weird? It is.
And yet, it became one of the most talked-about indies worldwide, proving originality still wins.
The lesson? Creativity > corporate templates.
Expedition 33 - New Studio, Big Statement
A bold Role-playing-game (RPG) project blending story, exploration, and style from a small studio.
It’s the kind of ambition you’d expect from a major publisher. This game is proof that small teams can dream big and actually deliver experiences that look AAA-level without the corporate machine.
Silksong - The Most Anticipated Sequel in Indie History
Silksong finally launched recently and it met expectations in many ways. Developed by Team Cherry as the sequel to Hollow Knight (one of the greatest indies ever made.)
On the first day it launched - Over 500,000 players bought the game - stores were bursting under demand. And the reviews for this game are also “very positive.” Players really loved the game.
The first Hollow Knight was great. But Silksong didn’t just meet the hype - it exceeded it. That’s a win for - born from passion, not profit.
Why Indies Resonate More
Here’s the thing: indie games hit harder because they’re made by people who actually care. They’re not factories pushing out sequels to make money. They’re labors of love. And it’s wild to see small teams take on giants - and win.
At this point, it’s undeniable: Passion > Corporate Bloat.
Anyway….I need to show you something.
Yes I am a cat & here’s my confession: I’ve been writing about indies shaking the industry….but I haven’t played one myself. Not yet.
But Hollow Knight is on my list, and the hype around it is impossible to ignore. What about you? Are you into indies, or just gaming in general? Drop your favorite game of all time in the comments - I wanna know.
What’s Next for Indie Gaming?
Big studios are using AI for cutting costs. But here’s the twist - small teams can use the same tools to shatter their limits. With AI handling repetitive tasks, indies get to focus on creativity and community, the very things AAA often struggle with.
The truth is - AI will only grow more important. Developers who ignore it will fall behind. But those who embrace it smartly can turn it into a force multiplier. Like just think about it… a two-person team competing with the scope of a thirty-person studio.
But there’s no fairy tale ending here. Discoverability remains the real boss fight.
As more games flood the market, standing out gets harder. Weak marketing or poor visibility can sink even brilliant titles. Great games will literally die if they don’t master marketing.
Other than that, Small teams will need to realize that; Community building, early access, and transparency are no longer “nice to haves”, they’re survival strategies.
I’m not Doctor Strange; I can’t see every possible timeline. But I can tell you this:
AI can be the great equalizer, but it won’t be a magic fix.
Execution matters.
Strategy matters.
Passion matters most.
But still….from what I’ve seen so far, indie gaming’s future looks brighter than ever.
Honestly, this topic deserves its own deep dive. The future of indie gaming in the AI era is a story in itself - and one I might explore in detail soon.
Holding Onto the Spark
If you’ve stuck with me till here, congrats - you’re not just a reader anymore, you’re part of this conversation. You now know why games keep getting delayed, why AI is reshaping the industry, and why indies are rewriting the rules.
For me, this wasn’t an ordinary research. I grew up gaming. I remember playing Assassin’s Creed - those moments weren’t just gameplay. They were memories. They made me feel something I can’t even fully explain. And watching the industry hollow itself out, sequel after sequel, hurts.
But here’s what keeps me hopeful:
Passion hasn’t disappeared, it’s in small studios and inside Indie developers who are chasing ideas, not profits.
So when a game gets delayed, don’t get frustrated. Sometimes, delay is the price of something real. And I bet - the next revolution in gaming isn’t coming from billion-dollar giants. It’s being quietly built right now - by people who love games as much as we do.
Your Turn
Lol, I even got a bit emotional writing this. Memories flashing back of late nights, loading screens, and games that defined my childhood.
But now, I want to hear from you:
Were you (or are you) a gamer?
What’s that one game that made you rethink everything?
The title that stuck with you long after you put the controller down?
Drop it in the comments - let’s see what worlds shaped you.
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