Hello Indie Game Fan Reader!

Tom Warren @tomwarren "We Are Xbox": read the memo defining Microsoft’s gaming future. Microsoft’s new Xbox leader starts to talk strategy for the company’s gaming business 👇 https://www.theverge.com/news/917689/microsoft-xbox-gaming-future-memo-asha-sharma-matt-booty theverge.com ‘We Are Xbox’: read the memo defining Microso... Microsoft’s new Xbox leader starts to talk strategy for the company’s gaming bus... 2:59 AM • Apr 24, 2026 61 Retweets 668 Likes Read 11 replies

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There has been a major shift in Xbox's strategy after having put in place a new CEO replacing Phil Spencer, who has announced sweeping changes to Game Pass, their branding (away from Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox) and changes to their stance on platform exclusivity. More links in the news section below.

The vibes on the timeline? Almost universally positive. That's no small thing for a brand that's spent years on the back foot.

Yes, Xbox is still in a distinct third place behind Sony and Nintendo, and that's a tough hole to climb out of, but I've seen comments like "they might as well be releasing the Xbox 720 next", which is a callback to the 360 era when Xbox was firing on all cylinders

They might have lost the "console war" but are things about to heat up again?

​Upcoming Games of 2026

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Indie games of interest

1. ​Infamous Keepers - The follow up to Legend of Keepers is a rogue-lite Tower Defence title!
2. ​Guns 'n Goblins - Incremental Bullet Heaven FPS? Yes please!
3. ​Dodo Duckie - Release date confirmation for this puzzle platformer where you can swap between both 2D and 3D!
4. ​ShatterRush - Essentially indie Titanfall is open for a Pre-Alpha test!
5. ​Manafinder II - The sequel to a pretty pixel art JRPG
6. ​Crashout Crew - Release date announced for the next game from the developers of PEAK
7. ​Kalanoro - A cute 3D platformer drawing upon Madagascar's folklore!
8. ​Welcome to Elderfield - Demo launch for this creepy farming sim.

​God Tier Indie Games​

My videos this week

1. ​Indie Gaming This Week: 20 – 26 April 2026 - VAMPIRE CRAWLERS week

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Best Indie Games @clemmygames This indie developer is making a bullet heaven rogue-lite where Dante is an anime girl, on an adventure through hell searching for a second chance at salvation. It's called Hell Maiden, will you be playing this? 4:1 AM • Apr 23, 2026 137 Retweets 797 Likes Read 17 replies

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News & Articles

1. ​Xbox rebrands logo - New CEO, new direction
2. ​'The big things that we're thinking about' - An exclusive interview between Xbox leadership and Stephen Totilo (Game File)
3. ​Xbox is cutting Game Pass prices and removing launch-day Call of Duty games - Do you use Game Pass?
4. ​Xbox confirms it’s ‘reevaluating’ exclusivity as it shares future mission statement - Looks like the pivot away from the "Everything is an Xbox" messaging might lead back to console exclusives.
5. ​‘Their favourite games were already built with AI’: Google exec says almost every big studio uses AI, but not all disclose it - Capcom cited as one such company
6. ​Ecco the Dolphin Complete announced - Original creator Ed is leading the charge. I do have memories of playing this back in the day, and am curious what a modern version will look like.
7. ​The Vampire Survivors developer is opening studios and making over 15 projects - Insane
8. ​Shuhei Yoshida Says Jim Ryan Fired Him From PlayStation Studios "Because I Didn’t Listen to Him" - Shu is legend, interesting read.
9. ​Dead by Daylight studio Behaviour Interactive confirms layoffs - Numbers unknown
10. ​Garry's mod successor s&box's finances made public - Super transparent

Indie Game of the Week

​Hero's Hour - HoMM fans, if you have not played this, definitely get it at 55% off, since this takes the classic idea and adds an autobattler twist!

Do you have any feedback or comments? You can reply directly to this email and I'll see it! Let me know your thoughts on the news and games above, as well an anything you would like to see!

My name is Clement and I love indie games! As such, I make videos on indie games big and small, highlighting my favorites & supporting developers so that they can make more cool stuff.

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