Indie Representation
E3 2019 vs E3 2021
Indies have grown to become an integral part of every platform’s library, so it’s only fitting that they’ve gained a more sizable presence at E3.
Both through major publishers’ pressers and specialized events dedicated to the genre, indies fill a special niche in the giant gaming event that are hard to emulate. The games shown regularly push the boundaries of what video games can offer to players, and can lend some much-needed variety to the list of upcoming titles gamers can look forward to.
Looking back, E3 2019 certainly had some exceptional indie presence and representation. In addition to games that would go on to be big hits like Sayonara Wild Hearts, Spiritfarer, and Fall Guys, there were also plenty of titles which offered their own spin on current trends like the cell-shaded Way to the Woods and 12 Minutes’ claustrophobic murder mystery scenario.
Toss in the more creative experiences on display like No Straight Roads and Cat Lady, and you had an indie presence that’d normally be pretty hard to beat.
Compared to E3 2021 though, this strong display seems almost lacking. This year’s show saw an exceptionally large indie presence, to the point that some of the best press conferences were those that focused solely on indie titles. Showcases like the Tribeca Games Spotlight and Guerilla Collective Livestream brought some heavy hitters to viewers’ attention and said heavy hitters remained some of the most exciting games shown during all of E3.
The sheer volume of interesting indie games shown off was also cause for celebration. The creepy and atmospheric Somerville; the enigmatic and mind-bending Replaced; the deceptively dark Planet of Lana; and the gorgeous Sable were only a small sliver of all the indie games that made an appearance.
With all that in mind, it’s hard not to give it to E3 2021 in this category. The show put a larger emphasis on indie games, and it helped the event as a whole maintain some much needed excitement and momentum.
Winner: E3 2021 brought its A-game in terms of indie presence, and it paid off in a big way.
