In the diverse universe of video games, the term “indie” has become a fluid and often contentious designation. Many enthusiasts and industry insiders wrestle over its meaning, debating whether a self-published title qualifies or if the size of the development team is the real litmus test. At its core, the phrase should evoke a sense of creative freedom, innovation, and a departure from mainstream corporate influence. Still, in contemporary gaming culture, these boundaries blur almost as quickly as new titles are released, making the label increasingly unreliable as a clear-cut badge of authenticity.
The common assumption is that indie games are those developed by small teams or independent publishers without significant corporate backing. But does a game lose its indie credibility if it is backed by a giant publisher or a well-funded studio? The narrative becomes muddier with games like Dave The Diver, which, despite being supported by Nexon—one of the industry’s large players—exudes the charm and innovation usually associated with indie titles. This challenges the traditional binary view that indie equals small, self-funded, or obscure. Instead, it suggests that the spirit of independence lies more in creative autonomy and originality than in financial or organizational structure.
Institutional Recognition and the Danger of Arbitrary Categorization
The controversy surrounding Dave The Diver’s nomination for the “Best Independent Game” award at the 2023 Geoffrey H. Video Game Awards underscores the absurdity of rigid labels. Critics and fans alike argued that its association with Nexon disqualified it from the indie category, highlighting how awards and industry recognition often hinge on preconceived notions rather than on the actual qualities of a game. Award nominations, as explained by event organizers, are determined by a panel of over 100 international media outlets—an opaque process that leaves room for interpretation and controversy.
This incident exposes a troubling trend: the tendency to reduce creative work to categories that may not reflect the game’s essence. When a game like Dave The Diver, which boasts an art style and gameplay that ooze ingenuity, gets caught in the crossfire of industry politics and branding, it diminishes the very spirit that makes such titles compelling. Labeling a game as “independent” or “not indie” can serve to gatekeep, marginalize, or inflate perceived value, stripping away the nuance that makes each project unique.
Challenging the Concept of Independence
Jaeho Hwang’s clarification that Dave The Diver was not trying to mimic or emulate the indie aesthetic is revealing. It points to a broader issue: the misconception that development scale or funding sources define a game’s creative DNA. Hwang emphasizes that their connection to Nexon is transparent and that their artistic and design choices emerge from a desire to create something distinctive, not from a need to align with a specific indie ethos.
The broader industry discourse often equates independence with authenticity, but this is overly simplistic. Artistic innovation, risk-taking, and passion do not necessarily stem from financial independence. Many reputed indie developers operate under corporate umbrellas or receive external funding and still pursue bold, unconventional ideas. Conversely, some self-published titles lack true creative independence if constrained by commercial interests or market pressures.
The problem lies in the overuse and misapplication of the term “indie” as a marketing tool or a badge of credibility. Labeling a game as indie because of its size or style, regardless of its funding or corporate ties, diminishes the meaning of true independence. What we should celebrate is a game’s ability to push boundaries creatively—regardless of its origins or funding model.
Rethinking Our Relationship with Gaming Labels
Ultimately, the conversation around what makes a game indie reveals more about industry culture than about the games themselves. It’s a reflection of our obsession with categorization, often at the expense of appreciating a game’s unique qualities. When a game like Dave The Diver provides a fresh, entertaining experience—filled with monsters, humor, and moments of awe—it shouldn’t matter if it’s labeled “indie” or not.
The industry and fans alike should focus less on fitting games into predefined boxes and more on evaluating their artistic merit and impact. Labels are useful for marketing, but they should never define the value or authenticity of a game. The real innovation lies in the courage to create unconstrained by industry gatekeepers, corporate agendas, or label hags.
In a world hungry for fresh experiences, the true indie spirit resides in fearless creativity and genuine expression—qualities that are unmistakably present in titles like Dave The Diver, regardless of their industry classifications. We might do well to remember that sometimes, the most compelling stories and games are those unbound by traditional labels, and their independence is best judged by their ability to surprise and inspire us.
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