Rob Manuel
@robmanuel.bsky.social
Indie Game Person of Interest.
Strategy / Marketing / Biz Dev / Events
(Prev: IGN, Indie MEGABOOTH, Geek & Sundry, Gametrailers, X-Play)
I talk about indie games, board games, tRPGs, and other assorted experiences. (He/Him)
Strategy / Marketing / Biz Dev / Events
(Prev: IGN, Indie MEGABOOTH, Geek & Sundry, Gametrailers, X-Play)
I talk about indie games, board games, tRPGs, and other assorted experiences. (He/Him)
Pinned
Rob Manuel
@robmanuel.bsky.social
· Sep 19
Indie Game Discovery
docs.google.com
The Game Discovery Spreadsheet for this year has been (mostly) finished with games you need to be at least familiar with coming out.
Let me know if there's anything missing or if you have any questions.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Let me know if there's anything missing or if you have any questions.
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Hi new followers! If you don't already know I have a new game coming out on January 22nd! It's a narrative adventure set in the year 2003 where you are a young writer trying to make sense of the world:
store.steampowered.com/app/2088810/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2088810/...
Perfect Tides: Station to Station on Steam
A point n' click sequel to Perfect Tides about the momentum and whiplash of young adulthood. Explore the big city through 18-year-old Mara's eyes. Collect items, nurture ideas, and experience complex ...
store.steampowered.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Hi new followers! If you don't already know I have a new game coming out on January 22nd! It's a narrative adventure set in the year 2003 where you are a young writer trying to make sense of the world:
store.steampowered.com/app/2088810/...
store.steampowered.com/app/2088810/...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Three weeks since HORSES launched. Thank you to everyone who played and shared the news! To celebrate we've put together an accolades trailer with some of our favorite quotes www.youtube.com/watch?v=siQW...
HORSES Accolades Trailer
YouTube video by Santa Ragione
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Three weeks since HORSES launched. Thank you to everyone who played and shared the news! To celebrate we've put together an accolades trailer with some of our favorite quotes www.youtube.com/watch?v=siQW...
Just to round everything out -- here are the games from November and December you should check out.
Hypogea a big platformer in an even bigger world filled with rust and worn-out robots.
store.steampowered.com/app/2980260/...
Hypogea a big platformer in an even bigger world filled with rust and worn-out robots.
store.steampowered.com/app/2980260/...
Save 25% on Hypogea on Steam
Escape from a mysterious underground megastructure in this short atmospheric 3d-platformer.
store.steampowered.com
December 24, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Just to round everything out -- here are the games from November and December you should check out.
Hypogea a big platformer in an even bigger world filled with rust and worn-out robots.
store.steampowered.com/app/2980260/...
Hypogea a big platformer in an even bigger world filled with rust and worn-out robots.
store.steampowered.com/app/2980260/...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
🐙 Meet the Deep Terror boss: The Vorlusk
A chill run can turn into a chaotic one very fast when it appears.
#gamedev #indiedev #mmo #roguelike
A chill run can turn into a chaotic one very fast when it appears.
#gamedev #indiedev #mmo #roguelike
December 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
🐙 Meet the Deep Terror boss: The Vorlusk
A chill run can turn into a chaotic one very fast when it appears.
#gamedev #indiedev #mmo #roguelike
A chill run can turn into a chaotic one very fast when it appears.
#gamedev #indiedev #mmo #roguelike
Hey, puzzle sickos. I love the idea of a choose your own adventure hiding in a book. You can die by having the book absorb your soul and then you have to pass it to someone else.
youtu.be/N3yvyUmQ2B4?...
youtu.be/N3yvyUmQ2B4?...
SPINE | A TTRPG (?) Review
YouTube video by Cozy RPG Reviews
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Hey, puzzle sickos. I love the idea of a choose your own adventure hiding in a book. You can die by having the book absorb your soul and then you have to pass it to someone else.
youtu.be/N3yvyUmQ2B4?...
youtu.be/N3yvyUmQ2B4?...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Do you like roguelike games? Do you like Puzzle Quest? Do you wish both of those were in the same place? You're in luck: kfsoftware.itch.io/puzzlerogue
Puzzle Rogue is early access, playable in-browser! It's fully featured and you can play through the first area. Let us know if you slay the Wyvern!
Puzzle Rogue is early access, playable in-browser! It's fully featured and you can play through the first area. Let us know if you slay the Wyvern!
Puzzle Rogue by Kittehface Software
A roguelike inspired by the original Puzzle Quest!
kfsoftware.itch.io
December 23, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Do you like roguelike games? Do you like Puzzle Quest? Do you wish both of those were in the same place? You're in luck: kfsoftware.itch.io/puzzlerogue
Puzzle Rogue is early access, playable in-browser! It's fully featured and you can play through the first area. Let us know if you slay the Wyvern!
Puzzle Rogue is early access, playable in-browser! It's fully featured and you can play through the first area. Let us know if you slay the Wyvern!
You’re going to buy this and play it. This will be one of the best/weirdest games you play all year.
The Void Rains Upon Her Heart is 35% off right now! This game now has 107 unique boss battles with even more on the way!
store.steampowered.com/app/790060/T...
store.steampowered.com/app/790060/T...
December 24, 2025 at 3:02 AM
You’re going to buy this and play it. This will be one of the best/weirdest games you play all year.
I like secrets in games. I like it when those secrets have secrets. @furyforged.bsky.social has a great video out now about games coming out built on secrets of secrets. Get your wishlists ready.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-c...
these upcoming games are packed with hidden secrets
YouTube video by FuryForged
www.youtube.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I like secrets in games. I like it when those secrets have secrets. @furyforged.bsky.social has a great video out now about games coming out built on secrets of secrets. Get your wishlists ready.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-c...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG-c...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
I don't need ChatGPT, I can just type any prompts to these two and I can rely on them to kick me out regardless
December 21, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I don't need ChatGPT, I can just type any prompts to these two and I can rely on them to kick me out regardless
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Reconnect Recommends:
The Co-Creator Of Fable & Dungeon Keeper Is Working On A Sequel To Their Ultima-Inspired RPG 'Moonring'
#gaming #videogames
The Co-Creator Of Fable & Dungeon Keeper Is Working On A Sequel To Their Ultima-Inspired RPG 'Moonring'
#gaming #videogames
The Co-Creator Of Fable & Dungeon Keeper Is Working On A Sequel To Their Ultima-Inspired RPG 'Moonring'
This article has been curated by Reconnect, the games writing discovery platform.
www.timeextension.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Reconnect Recommends:
The Co-Creator Of Fable & Dungeon Keeper Is Working On A Sequel To Their Ultima-Inspired RPG 'Moonring'
#gaming #videogames
The Co-Creator Of Fable & Dungeon Keeper Is Working On A Sequel To Their Ultima-Inspired RPG 'Moonring'
#gaming #videogames
Welcome to Derry Girls
Is that a thing yet?
Is that a thing yet?
December 22, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Welcome to Derry Girls
Is that a thing yet?
Is that a thing yet?
Reposted by Rob Manuel
I love how much happier he is doing these silly mystery movies and seeing himself as a muppet than he was being James Bond
Daniel Craig's reaction to Sesame Street's Beignet Blanc 🥲
YouTube video by Still Watching Netflix
youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I love how much happier he is doing these silly mystery movies and seeing himself as a muppet than he was being James Bond
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Pirate the series. Make your own physical media. That's the only answer when this happens and they haven't put it out any other way.
‘She-Ra and the Princesses of Power’ is scheduled to leave Netflix on February 21, 2026.
(source: www.whats-on-netflix.com/leaving-soon...)
(source: www.whats-on-netflix.com/leaving-soon...)
December 16, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Pirate the series. Make your own physical media. That's the only answer when this happens and they haven't put it out any other way.
Reposted by Rob Manuel
I don't know that I can do 50 but I for sure can come up with 30 to 40 games from this year that you should check out. A lot of these are student games, and most of them are short and free and experimental. Hit me up if you've got one I should add to the list.
This has been a long week but I will make a list of 50 indie games that are:
From this awards voting year (Nov 2024 - Nov 2025)
Not covered by the awards show
Deserve your attention
From this awards voting year (Nov 2024 - Nov 2025)
Not covered by the awards show
Deserve your attention
New rule this year: If you post "Play more indie games" during the game awards, you are required to make a thread recommending 50 of them.
December 14, 2025 at 1:47 AM
I don't know that I can do 50 but I for sure can come up with 30 to 40 games from this year that you should check out. A lot of these are student games, and most of them are short and free and experimental. Hit me up if you've got one I should add to the list.
Reposted by Rob Manuel
I've been working on a game pitch and story dear to me, "ENGINE ANGEL", with the team at Ivy Road!
We're still seeking funding, but in the meantime I wanted everyone to still be able to share the work they've done. I'll be sharing more as well as reposting any of the team's posts so stay tuned!
We're still seeking funding, but in the meantime I wanted everyone to still be able to share the work they've done. I'll be sharing more as well as reposting any of the team's posts so stay tuned!
December 20, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I've been working on a game pitch and story dear to me, "ENGINE ANGEL", with the team at Ivy Road!
We're still seeking funding, but in the meantime I wanted everyone to still be able to share the work they've done. I'll be sharing more as well as reposting any of the team's posts so stay tuned!
We're still seeking funding, but in the meantime I wanted everyone to still be able to share the work they've done. I'll be sharing more as well as reposting any of the team's posts so stay tuned!
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Okay, I'll make a thread of 50 indie games which I'll add to over the week, staring with.
1. Carimara
Play as a little goblin creature summoned by a witch to investigate what's haunting her cottage, it's a creepy bite-size mystery akin to the Frog Detective games, and has gorgeous visuals.
1. Carimara
Play as a little goblin creature summoned by a witch to investigate what's haunting her cottage, it's a creepy bite-size mystery akin to the Frog Detective games, and has gorgeous visuals.
December 10, 2025 at 5:34 AM
Okay, I'll make a thread of 50 indie games which I'll add to over the week, staring with.
1. Carimara
Play as a little goblin creature summoned by a witch to investigate what's haunting her cottage, it's a creepy bite-size mystery akin to the Frog Detective games, and has gorgeous visuals.
1. Carimara
Play as a little goblin creature summoned by a witch to investigate what's haunting her cottage, it's a creepy bite-size mystery akin to the Frog Detective games, and has gorgeous visuals.
Reposted by Rob Manuel
The IGAs Nomination Committee is officially retracting Debut Game and Game of the Year, awarding both categories to new recipients. Additionally, we are retracting one of the Indie Vanguard recipients.
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
December 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The IGAs Nomination Committee is officially retracting Debut Game and Game of the Year, awarding both categories to new recipients. Additionally, we are retracting one of the Indie Vanguard recipients.
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Full details can be found in our FAQ under Game Eligibility: www.indiegameawards.gg/faq
Reposted by Rob Manuel
With all the great releases in 2025, Rosewater may have flown under your radar.
Now’s the perfect chance to catch up on the critically acclaimed IndieCade nominated adventure!
Get Rosewater for 20% off during the Steam Winter Sale: store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
Now’s the perfect chance to catch up on the critically acclaimed IndieCade nominated adventure!
Get Rosewater for 20% off during the Steam Winter Sale: store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
December 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
With all the great releases in 2025, Rosewater may have flown under your radar.
Now’s the perfect chance to catch up on the critically acclaimed IndieCade nominated adventure!
Get Rosewater for 20% off during the Steam Winter Sale: store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
Now’s the perfect chance to catch up on the critically acclaimed IndieCade nominated adventure!
Get Rosewater for 20% off during the Steam Winter Sale: store.steampowered.com/app/1226670/...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
With Critical Reflex being such a major player in the indie space, these accusations of covered up sexual harassment and unfair labour practices are all deeply disappointing and distressing. I hope this all gets tackled quickly and decisively.
noisypixel.net/critical-ref...
noisypixel.net/critical-ref...
Former Critical Reflex Employee Alleges Harassment And Unfair Labor Practices
Ex-employee Evelina Zemljic accuses Critical Reflex of sexual harassment, unpaid labor, and poor working conditions in a revealing YouTube exposé.
noisypixel.net
December 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
With Critical Reflex being such a major player in the indie space, these accusations of covered up sexual harassment and unfair labour practices are all deeply disappointing and distressing. I hope this all gets tackled quickly and decisively.
noisypixel.net/critical-ref...
noisypixel.net/critical-ref...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Another longtime site friend, @oronalex.bsky.social, then joined us to for his bi-yearly round of demos and betas.
bsky.app/profile/star...
bsky.app/profile/star...
We welcome back @oronalex.bsky.social and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
Alex Orona And Super GG Radio's Best Betas And Early Access Games Of 2025 | Winter Spectacular 2025 — startmenu
We welcome back Alex Orona and Super GG Radio to run down the best betas and demo of games coming in 2026.
www.startmenu.co.uk
December 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Another longtime site friend, @oronalex.bsky.social, then joined us to for his bi-yearly round of demos and betas.
bsky.app/profile/star...
bsky.app/profile/star...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Games industry experts: What are the games of the last three years that have been the most enlightening for your craft? The games that showed you something new or helped give you an insight you’d not had before?
I need to build up my backlog, give me your recs!
I need to build up my backlog, give me your recs!
December 19, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Games industry experts: What are the games of the last three years that have been the most enlightening for your craft? The games that showed you something new or helped give you an insight you’d not had before?
I need to build up my backlog, give me your recs!
I need to build up my backlog, give me your recs!
Reposted by Rob Manuel
The Seance of Blake Manor featured: “A massive breakthrough hit, The Séance of Blake Manor is a 19th-century supernatural detective game in which you investigate the spooky disappearance of Evelyn Deane. Is it 2025’s The Case of the Golden Idol? Yeah, that sounds about right.”
2025's Best Indie Games Are Discounted In Steam's Winter Sale
We've picked out 11 games that are well worth your time, each cheaper than before
kotaku.com
December 20, 2025 at 1:02 PM
The Seance of Blake Manor featured: “A massive breakthrough hit, The Séance of Blake Manor is a 19th-century supernatural detective game in which you investigate the spooky disappearance of Evelyn Deane. Is it 2025’s The Case of the Golden Idol? Yeah, that sounds about right.”
Idea:
Would anyone be interested in a once a week news letter covering indie games and indie articles from indie outlets?
All free. All to promote indie outlets trying to reach more people?
Yea? Nah? Maybe But?
Would anyone be interested in a once a week news letter covering indie games and indie articles from indie outlets?
All free. All to promote indie outlets trying to reach more people?
Yea? Nah? Maybe But?
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Idea:
Would anyone be interested in a once a week news letter covering indie games and indie articles from indie outlets?
All free. All to promote indie outlets trying to reach more people?
Yea? Nah? Maybe But?
Would anyone be interested in a once a week news letter covering indie games and indie articles from indie outlets?
All free. All to promote indie outlets trying to reach more people?
Yea? Nah? Maybe But?
Reposted by Rob Manuel
here from the flavor foley video? wondering who tf the artist is?
its me. i make video games
i made timeloop RPG In Stars and Time and apparently it makes people cry, and it's like 13$ Right Now
✨ store.steampowered.com/app/1677310/...
its me. i make video games
i made timeloop RPG In Stars and Time and apparently it makes people cry, and it's like 13$ Right Now
✨ store.steampowered.com/app/1677310/...
December 19, 2025 at 11:37 PM
here from the flavor foley video? wondering who tf the artist is?
its me. i make video games
i made timeloop RPG In Stars and Time and apparently it makes people cry, and it's like 13$ Right Now
✨ store.steampowered.com/app/1677310/...
its me. i make video games
i made timeloop RPG In Stars and Time and apparently it makes people cry, and it's like 13$ Right Now
✨ store.steampowered.com/app/1677310/...
Reposted by Rob Manuel
Alright, it's time to ruin your holiday budget! It's big sales recommendation thread time! I'll be updating intermittently, so check back.
This year has had some ups and downs. Income isn't awful, but less stable. If you want to support my work, tips always go to buying more indie games to research
This year has had some ups and downs. Income isn't awful, but less stable. If you want to support my work, tips always go to buying more indie games to research
Buy Dominic Tarason a Coffee
Become a supporter of Dominic Tarason today!
ko-fi.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Alright, it's time to ruin your holiday budget! It's big sales recommendation thread time! I'll be updating intermittently, so check back.
This year has had some ups and downs. Income isn't awful, but less stable. If you want to support my work, tips always go to buying more indie games to research
This year has had some ups and downs. Income isn't awful, but less stable. If you want to support my work, tips always go to buying more indie games to research