By SKOOTA: A First Encounter with Indie Games
In the spring of 2023, we launched “SKOOTA,” aiming to create a space where creators and fans can connect and nurture new content together while having fun. Over the past two years, we have been preparing for SKOOTA to evolve in line with its original vision and to advance to the next stage through various challenges.
Among the many surprises we encountered was the culture of the indie game community, which values interaction with fans and creating excitement together.
↑ The booth from our first game event, “TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT 2024.” There were no playable demos; instead, we continuously played a promotional video saying, “This is the kind of game we want to create!” and handed out flyers. The booth was crowded with visitors throughout the event.
Indie Game Creation Culture Grown Together with Fans
It’s been a little over a year since we began creating indie games. During this time, we haven’t just been holed up making games; in 2024, starting with the TIGS (TOKYO INDIE GAMES SUMMIT) in March, we participated in key indie game events such as BitSummit in July and the Tokyo Game Show in September. Even when we didn’t exhibit, we attended many other events. (In November, our staff even attended the Burning Beaver 2024, an indie game event in Korea!)
↑ Event reports from Burning Beaver 2024 are published in two parts! Be sure to check them out!
Through participating in these events, we were moved and surprised by the unique culture of indie games that emphasizes facing fans directly.
For instance, there were those who came up to us at the event, imagining the world and concept simply from a key art we published without any words to explain it.
Some visitors asked, “Don’t you have a playable demo? I love this world!” coming to the event to engage with an incomplete work.
Looking around at the other participants, many are sharing their progress from the early stages and seeking feedback as they create. It might be a bit premature to call them “fans,” but we can feel their warmth as they wait for the completion of our projects, offering their support. This continuous interaction has transformed game development into a special experience for us.
Since games are inherently an interactive form of expression, the culture of such exchanges may resonate more strongly than in static genres like manga or anime. While exceptions exist, it’s usual for manga, animation, or novels to be released only once they are “complete,” and showing the intermediate progress is not very common. Major game titles often follow the same suit, yet indie games seem to be different.
When we experienced this unique culture specific to indie games, we were convinced: “Everything we need to create original projects is right here!”
↑ “Yami Yuri Girl Academy” will continue to focus on communication with interested parties and will participate in events moving forward!
The Future of SKOOTA Built with Fans
This realization was something we had a faint premonition of, but we truly grasped it once we began creating indie games ourselves and exhibited at events. This experience solidified our foundational goal of SKOOTA: “A place where creators, producers, and fans connect and grow works together.”
We envision SKOOTA as a platform where such exchanges between fans, creators, and producers can happen regularly.
By alternating between online and real-world events, we aim to share the authentic voices of creators through SKOOTA, update on production progress, and convey fan feedback to producers. By exposing the creation process of new works, we weave a narrative together where creators, producers, and fans unite as one.
SKOOTA aims to create such a “place where creators and fans can enjoy together.”
↑ The scene from the September TOKYO GAME SHOW. The far left of the screen is the SKOOTA GAMES booth. We want to convey the excitement of the real event through SKOOTA!
SKOOTA’s Next Challenge is with You
SKOOTA is still a very small entity, but in this past year, we’ve encountered many new connections and learned a great deal.
Moving forward, we will continue to embark on new challenges centered around indie games alongside our fans.
The ideals we have set out are finally beginning to take shape thanks to our encounters with indie games. The year 2025 will be the year we realize those ideals on a new stage.
We invite you to join us on SKOOTA’s journey ahead!
There’s nothing more rewarding than creating a special story together with you.
Check Out the Mini Games Created in 2024 Here
SKOOTA GAMES’ First Half Achievements Here
And finally, the game is released!
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