September 2025 Update
Hello Indies!
We hope you have recovered from all the conferencing shenanigans! This has been a big month for us, with both the annual SIX event, as well as the brand new SLICE conference!
This update is coming in a little late after a wild week of events that started with the inaugural SLICE conference, had the Conspire after-after party sponsored by Unity, and then the 15th annual edition of SIX grew to new proportions, taking over not one but two floors of the Hilton Motif Seattle and showcasing nearly 50 games, with 40 selected by our panel of judges, 7 from students from local schools AIE, DigiPen, Lake Washington Institute of Technology and Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, and three more from Ukrainian developers who are still making games despite the challenges their country is facing.
SLICE was a dream come true for Seattle Indies, something we talked about for nearly a decade and spent the last year planning with our advisory board who helped us ensure that the content and presenters would be relevant to indie developers and small game studios. So far the feedback we received from nearly all of the 850 people in attendance is that we hit the mark and then some. Seattle is home to more than 30,000 people who work in the games industry but was lacking an event dedicated to them requiring expensive travel to other cities to meet the same people that we are fortunate enough to have right here as part of our own community. A huge impetus in creating SLICE was bringing an affordable industry event to our thriving community of game developers and games industry professionals to provide opportunities to learn, share, connect, and celebrate the work we all do. We’re still buzzing from the event and already talking about ideas for next year. If all goes to plan we’ll be back at McCaw Hall on September 2, 2026 so mark that on your calendars now and we hope to see you there. Photos from the event can be found here, thanks to Alabastro Photography for the gorgeous shots. And special thanks to Emmy Toyonaga for this year’s SLICE artwork that was present around the event and on the stickers and t-shirts. We’ll be posting videos of the talks from SLICE in the coming weeks, keep an eye on our website and Discord for updates on how to access the videos. You can get a sneak peek at some of the content with this Spotlight Interview we conducted with Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley and the focus of the fireside chat that kicked off SLICE.
Next up was the Conspire SLICE after-after party sponsored by Unity. Over 100 of us gathered on the beautiful rooftop terrace of the Washington 1000 building across the street from the Summit building of the Seattle Convention Center to reconnect after SLICE, enjoy some pizza, drinks, and great views of the city. The event was co-sponsored by Perfect Day Games and Dark Arts Software. Conspire is a networking event meant to Connect and inspire! Conspire typically meets every other month, keep an eye on Discord for news of the next event.
Sunday saw the 15th annual edition of Seattle Indies Expo where we welcomed close to 5,000 guests to play close to 50 games from our community, students, and Ukrainian indie game developers. SIX 2024 was such a runaway success we decided we needed more space to accommodate the number of indie game enthusiasts and games industry professionals who turn up for SIX so we expanded to the 4th floor of Motif and grew from 32 to 50 games. The extra space gave us room to debut the Student Showcase section where we had games from students at AIE, DigiPen, Lake Washington Institute of Technology, and Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center, which all received positive feedback from our attendees. We plan to bring this back next year and expand it to include more schools from around the Puget Sound.
This year at SIX we also integrated SIX Online into the live programming at Motif and interviewed developers from just about all of the games featured at SIX this year. Watch or re-watch the entire stream to get a bit more in-depth information about your favorite games from SIX or to learn more about the games you didn’t get a chance to play. Thanks to our friends at SOBA for providing some amazing hosts for the event and to our technical team behind the camera for making it all run smoothly.
You can also get a look at this year’s 40 nominees in our SIX Direct video, thanks to community manager Angel Mero for the VO work and to Rando Bando for creating the video.
A huge thank you to our sponsors of both events for making them possible, thanks to our army of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make sure that the events ran smoothly and everyone had a great time, and to our venues McCaw Hall, Washington 1000, and Hilton Motif Seattle and all of the staff that put in a lot of hours to help make these events as successful as they were. Thanks to all of the speakers and presenters who generously gave their time and shared their knowledge with us at SLICE. The week was really a testament to and celebration of the amazing community we have here in Seattle and all of the feedback and outpouring of excitement and enthusiasm really makes us grateful for all of you who helped make it such a memorable week of events. Thanks to AMD for providing us with 40 PCs for our devs to use to demo their games at SIX and the amazing team who spent long hours on Saturday getting them set up and ready for Sunday and to RE-PC for providing monitors and keyboards.
IndieCade Festival is coming in September. “Horizons connects diverse and highly qualified students with one another, industry representatives, and to a worldwide community. These future industry leaders are the pipeline to change, diversity, and to the future for the industry. Through our first-of-its-kind conference and showcase, Horizons amplifies new student work and emerging talent from games programs to industry, one another, and the broader public.”
The 10th annual Game Devs of Color Expo takes place online September 16-19, 2025! Submissions are also now open for speakers, panels, and game devs interviews. The organizers were kind enough to share a 10% discount code with our community: gdocSI.
Here is a link with the code pre-applied: https://ti.to/GDoCExpo/2025/discount/gdocSI
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Tokyo Game Show is coming back later this year, and game signups are unfortunately closed, but you can still attend. Read More Here!
The leading games industry conference is back in Helsinki for two action-packed days of networking, learning, and deal-making. Pocket Gamer Connects will unite over 1,500 professionals—including a high concentration of developers and decision-makers—for expert talks, matchmaking, and unique networking events.
Connect in advance with key players via the MeetToMatch platform and gain insights from 150+ speakers covering mobile, PC, console, XR, web3, and AI in games. Plus, take part in standout events like Investor Connector, Publisher SpeedMatch, and the legendary Global Connects Party.
Part of Finnish Games Week 2025, this unmissable event sits alongside the AI Gamechangers Summit, Big Screen Gaming Summit, Beyond Games: Transmedia Summit, Leadership Day, and W Love Games.
Book your tickets now: https://www.pgconnects.com/helsinki/registration/
Learn more about Finnish Games Week: https://www.pgconnects.com/helsinki/finnish-games-week/
Use the code SLICE20 for 20% off of passes to PGC Helsinki: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1137675360629/?discount=SLICE20
If you want to get a list of all upcoming game event shows and get ready early, The Indie House has published this fantastic list of upcoming festival that’s exactly that. Well worth a bookmark!
This month’s feature is John Bond, developer of Rogue Labyrinth by Tea Witch Games.
John is a queer Taiwanese-American independent Game Developer who has worked in the field for the last 7 years. John focuses mainly on meshing the retro aesthetic with new mediums and techniques. John has worked as a tech artist, sound designer, programmer, and director while in game development. John is the Co-Founder of Tea Witch Games, an independent games studio, and teaches at the Games Program at Cornish College of the Arts/Seattle University.
What inspired you to become a game developer?
I didn’t play a ton of games growing up, but was always obsessed with them. I would read instruction manuals at stores and pretend like I was experiencing the game. Games were this magical thing that felt beyond any other experience. Video Games are one of the most interactive ways to give an experience and tell a story. As a medium, it currently has the most creative and technical aspects to it, combining the creativity and discipline of so many talents, including the ability of the gamer themselves.
What is one important lesson you have learned in your time as a game developer?
Realizing scope. Nothing has taught me more about the value of understanding limits than working in games. I think people, especially starting to work in an interesting field, want to take on everything, but then very little comes out “good” or effective. This goes way beyond just games. Having the realization when something – a project, a responsibility, a relationship, an outing – just has become too large to take on and to figure out how to solve that improves every aspect of what time is spent on and what product, be it tangible or not, comes out of that effort.
What is the one piece of advice you would share today with your younger self before you started your career as a game developer?
I think the biggest thing for me would have been to just try and explore doing what I love a little more. To do it without fear of regret and to spend time on myself and my own journey with a bit more confidence. I’ve had a lot of different jobs. A lot of the time I worked, I did the work because I thought it was the only thing I really had the chance or opportunity to do. I had the chance to do some neat gigs, but nothing felt like it fully connected or panned out. I understood things like game developers existed as a job, but would never bother trying to get that job in any way because it was so out there. It wasn’t until someone cold contacted me to do some art for a little flash game that I even considered approaching this as a career.
How has the game developer community had an impact on your career?
From casually joining game jams to attending the local Seattle Indies Events (especially SIX) and then promoting my most recent game, being part of these communities has been integral to my life as a game developer. I would never have even considered making Rogue Labyrinth if I did not go to indie game events and become inspired. Before that, I would never have tried programming if I did not go to game jam meetups and feel the drive to make something – anything no matter how small. Game Development is in many ways a very social thing, no matter how antisocial I may want to be, and the safety and resources of good communities are so essential to a developer’s good growth and sanity.
What is something interesting and unexpected that people would be surprised to learn about you?
I was a music teacher for 7 years. I taught at private schools, lead classes, gave lessons, all the stuff. The discipline of learning and teaching music has more overlaps with game development than I expected. I almost feel all designers should get some basic training in teaching and communication, as I feel it helps tutorializing concepts in games a lot.
How can people follow you and your work?
I am @Kaimatten on most everything, otherwise my studio is Tea Witch Games, found with @TeaWitchGames on most everything!
Here’s our Meetup Page with all future upcoming events.
The Pierce Country Social took place on Sept. 1, 5:30pm-8:00pm at 7 Seas Brewery and Taproom on 2101 Jefferson Ave · Tacoma, WA. Kids are welcome until 8pm as long as they are within arm’s length. Main tap room is first come, first served!
Feedback Circle is back on Sept 2, 7pm right on our discord. It’s time to stop coding, animating, making art or audio or adding that amazing new feature you thought of while you were falling asleep last night and come to Feedback Circle to get some real responses to what you have been working on from game creators in our community like yourself.
The Seattle Blender User Group is happening on Sept 6, 10am to 1pm at Academy of Interactive Entertainment – Seattle Center Armory – Suite 405 (305 Harrison St, Suite 405 · Seattle, WA). Seabug’s goals are to help beginners learn Blender, create Blender opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, showcase advanced Blender tools and projects, and celebrate open source graphics in all forms.
Seattle Indies Board Game Meetup is on Sept 7, this month, but at 5pm at at Phoenix Comics and Games. Come play board games with Indie Game Developers!
The Eastside Meet & Drink is taking place on September 9, 6:30pm at Northwest Brewing Pint & Pie Public House. It’s time to get together and swap stories. Put down your keyboards and brave the outside world. Let’s meet for a drink, a bite to eat, and some good conversation! Note this meetup has been permanently moved to the 2nd Tuesday of the month, previously it was on the first Tuesday, same times and venue though.
An In-Person Writer’s Group will take place at Hugo House on Sept 10, 6:30 PM. For anyone interested or working on projects in game writing, narrative design, voice acting or more– swing by Seattle Indies’ In-Person Writer’s Group! Bring your narrative games, scripts, flowcharts, character bibles or any other story materials for sharing and feedback.
Seattle Indies Social takes place at Stoup Brewing (formerly Optimism) on Sept. 16, 7pm. Join us for some well-deserved mingling, drinks, and socialization! Make some new friends, catch up with old ones, and find out what the community’s up to.
The Game Club is happening on Sept 17 at 7pm right on our Discord, focusing on Drop Duchy. What a book club is to a discussion of literature, this event is to a discussion of game design. Every month, we agree to play a game, then meet to discuss and analyze its design and presentation.
The SnoCo Social is happening on Sept 19, 6pm at Zulu’s Board Game Cafe located on 5116 196th St SW Suite 203, Lynnwood, WA 98036 · Lynnwood, WA. Hang out at a local game store with fellow Snohomish Co and adjacent folks over food, drinks, engaging conversations, and maybe some board gaming! If you want to demo/playtest your game, let me know and I’ll make sure there table space + open outlet for your setup.
Southside Social is taking place on Sept 29, 5:30pm at Logan Brewing Company, 510 SW 151st Street, · Burien, WA. It’s time to get together and swap stories. Put down your keyboards and brave the outdoors. Let’s meet for some food and friendly discussion!
Kitsap Social (Bremerton) Join us every last Tuesday of the month (Sept 30) at Ashely’s Pub at 6:30pm to meet for a drink and some great conversation! Feel free to bring what you’re working on. We may have a room reserved for the public event. Dogs allowed. Outside food allowed.
Indie Co-working Support Group in-person will take place every Saturday, from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM PST, at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment. Seattle Center wifi will be available for use. Please bring everything you need to be productive. We will be meeting every Saturday of the month at AIE going forward. We have also added a Co-working voice channel in Discord for people to use any time they want a quiet space to work alongside their peers.
Seabug Study Hall is a new series of events taking place every week on Thursday, 9pm to 11pm, right on our Discord! Join others from the Seattle Blender User Group for a lo-fi chill out online study hall. Bring a project, just chat, and have a good time with some unstructured project sharing and Q&A.
Vangi (Mateusz) just pushed the demo for Bookie out, please share and play if you’d like!
KobeyMyhre released a new Mobile Game Bonecharms out now on IOS and Android!
Jakub K (cloud & headliner guy) announced a new game “Cleaning Up!” Turn huge messes into sparkling spaces! Feel the satisfaction of restoring them to order with your super-powered cleaning tools. The quick, cozy joy of tidying up! Go check it out and play the demo!
Max’s studios’ game, The Bazaar, released on Steam on August 13th! If you like rogue-likes, deckbuilders, or autobattle games, this is probably up your alley. Check it out!
dstoen made a game called NieroNet which is a remake of Nier Automatas hacking game. Go play it!
Kodybod Studios shared their first ever game Zomvac a top down 2D horror game is 2 months away from releasing as a free public prototype demo. Go take a look!
Keegan O’Rourke just released the demo and trailer for their game VEX MAGE, coming to steam and meta quest in October! It’s a spellcasting movement shooter inspired by arty minimalist shooters like Hyper Demon– but their game is less minimalist and will have more levels and weapons, and 1-3 player co-op! Take a peek!
ZachmLIVE shared that, during SIX 2024, they showcased Astrohaulers “A sci-fi package management game that challenges you to build and expand your delivery network across the galaxy!” It is NOW COMING SOON TO STEAM!!! Wishlist here!
David@GalaxForm Games shared their Solo Dev Project in UE5 – they’ve been building a speed-based puzzle-platformer where you play as a Sphere trapped in a Cube-controlled world. Take a look!
Carlos C. shared that their Welcome to Night Vale copy is here! They designed all of the physical stretch goals and ordered the art they made into prints in the white envelope, got to decide what the dice looked like, and developed and co-wrote the rest of the project with my team. Including our digital-only content we totaled 42 pdfs! Pre-orders and retail hit Sep 9th.
Xileh shared a game they made for a game jam. Take a look!
Harassment Policy, AAPI, Black Lives Matter, and Resources
Seattle Indies stands with the AAPI community. We are here for our members who have been affected by the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes both locally and nationally. For further resources to educate yourself on the issue and how to take action, here is a useful link: https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/
Seattle Indies believes the stories of the victims of sexual harassment and assault in the games industry that have been shared. We strongly condemn the actions by people in power preying on the dreams of vulnerable people trying to make their way in the industry. We strive to build an inclusive community that welcomes all minorities to provide a safe environment and a better vision for the game industry.
While our code of conduct states a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind, we are especially sensitive to the daily challenges faced by womxn due to the ingrained sexism that has existed in the structure of the games industry for far too long. We are actively working to build a better community of game developers, and we all need to do better.
Additionally, Board Member Angel Mero has offered to be a personal resource for anyone who needs help, someone to talk to or some guidance on next steps if you have experienced harassment in the industry either at our events or elsewhere. She can be reached at angel@seattleindies.org.
Our friends at Take This Org have compiled valuable resources for anyone in immediate need of professional help for their situation.
Lastly, Seattle Indies and Diversity Collective+ support Black Lives Matter. Here are some resources compiled by Diversity Collective+ for how you can offer support, whether this is financial, contributing to petitions, preparing for protests, or getting informed. If you have additional resources, comment below and we will add them.
As always, keep an eye on our Discord for any last-minute news and discussion, and let us know about any projects you’re working on that you’d like shared on our Steam or Itch collections or follow us on all of our social media platforms.
If you want to join our mailing list to get this update sent to your inbox monthly you can Subscribe on LinkedIn.