The Game Developers Conference, an annual gathering that brings thousands of game developers to San Francisco, has just wrapped up. While most of the event is about networking and interesting talks about game design and technology, there were also a bunch of unreleased indie games that we got to check out. Yes, much of video games in 2025 will probably be defined by the Nintendo Switch 2 and Grand Theft Auto VI. But based on the games we played, there might be some really fun smaller titles that could be huge hits this year, too.
Technology
7 cool indie games from GDC 2025
Here are a few of our favorites that we’re looking forward to.
Dreams of Another is a shooter, but you use your gun to create the world around you instead of destroying it. The game’s graphics have a dreamy, deconstructed quality to them, and when you shoot things, the colorful, unfocused scenes you see will solidify into things like buildings and people. Unexpectedly, my brief demo ended with a more traditional shootout against a sentient manhole cover. (I even lobbed a couple grenades to try and destroy it.) But I’m intrigued by the overall concept, and I look forward to seeing what developer Q-Games does with it in the final version of the game.—JP
In Faraway, you play as a shooting star and try to make constellations. The game requires just pressing and holding one button to spin around other stars, create a trail, and essentially play a celestial game of connect the dots. It’s a simple concept, but I was impressed by it immediately. In just a 10-minute demo, I was really starting to get the hang of using my shooting star’s momentum to perfectly swing around a star to make elaborate and high-scoring constellations. That’s all the time it took to make Faraway far and away my favorite game of the show.—JP
Haste: Broken Worlds is kind of like a 3D version of the classic mobile game Tiny Wings. You play as Zoe, a girl who runs forward at blinding speed through procedurally generated levels. Like with Tiny Wings, there are rolling hills you can launch from for added height, and if you time your fall right into the curve of another hill, you’ll get a satisfying “perfect” message and a boost to a meter that lets you pull out a hoverboard. The game has a roguelike structure, so you’ll get to pick and choose different types of levels to tackle as you make your way through a run. On the show floor, I was awful, dying within the first few levels before I had to hand the controller to the next person in line. But as soon as I got back to my hotel room, I downloaded the game’s free demo on Steam.—JP
Herdling tasks you with herding mysterious, fluffy beasts. In my demo, the character starts in a dark city before quickly coming upon three adorable beasts that reminded me of a big goat mixed with Sesame Street’s Mr. Snuffleupagus. Your goal is to get them out of the city and out to wilder pastures. You coax the animals forward from behind with a magic stick, and while they generally follow your directions, they are sometimes difficult to direct. More than once, my herd of three walked right into a wall. By the end of the demo, however, I really started to care for my fluffy friends, especially since you can name them — though I can only imagine the cruel ways the developers will pull on my heartstrings over the course of the full adventure.—JP
This is sort of the video game equivalent of a supergroup. Goichi “Suda51” Suda (best known for off-kilter games like Killer 7 and No More Heroes) has teamed up with Hidetaka “Swery65” Suehiro (the writer and director behind Deadly Premonition and, more recently, The Good Life) on an extremely challenging and roguelike game set in a world inspired by slasher movies. In the short time I had with the game, I died multiple times, but the twitchy action felt very satisfying, especially once I got the hang of the controls. There’s a neat feature where you can fight alongside a ghost image of your previous run, which seems like it will come in handy. What I didn’t get to experience was the inevitable surreal twist the two creators have put on the horror setting, but the core is solid.—AW
Slapstick comedy games are really coming into their own of late. And if you loved Untitled Goose Game or Thank Goodness You’re Here, this is definitely one to keep an eye on. The name really says it all: you control an unseemly long and stretchy arm and attempt to… do things, most of which are illegal. The level I played took place on a moving train, and you were tasked with stealing items from passengers while remaining undetected (probably because of how terrifying the arm is). There’s a puzzle element to it; at one point, I needed to take a briefcase from a sleeping businessman, only to find it was chained to his wrist. It’s absurd, of course, but that’s exactly the appeal.—AW
To a T is a delightful game about a teenager permanently stuck in a T pose. The game is from Katamari series creator Keita Takahashi, so, of course, it’s wacky and silly. My demo featured an elaborate tooth-brushing sequence, musical numbers, and a talking giraffe. But the demo also hinted at the character’s fear of school and bullying over their T-pose condition. I was surprised how much that made me care for the character, and if the story sticks the landing, it could make a game that might have been pure silliness something more thoughtful. It’s out on May 28th.—JP
OpenAI is set to receive $10 billion up front (SoftBank will invest $7.5 billion along with $2.5 billion “from an investor syndicate,“ according to Bloomberg). The remaining $30 billion is slated to arrive by year’s end, CNBC reported — but only if it officially converts into a for-profit company by then. If not, it reportedly stands to lose a quarter of the deal.
The funding comes just a few months after OpenAI announced Stargate, a $500 billion joint venture with backing from SoftBank, Oracle, and the Abu Dhabi fund MGX to build out massive AI datacenters over the next four years. The company has been in a full sprint lately: On Monday, CEO Sam Altman posted that OpenAI gained 1 million users in a single hour in large part thanks to a new feature called Images in ChatGPT that went viral due to its ability to produce Studio Ghibli inspired AI art. Altman also announced on Wednesday that the company would “release a powerful new open-weight language model with reasoning in the coming months.” The funding announcement claims that ChatGPT serves 500 million people every week.
Despite the explosive growth the startup has seen thanks to ChatGPT, it’s still burning a ton of cash. Bloomberg recently reported that the startup is expecting to earn $12.7 billion in revenue this year alone, which is a massive jump from the $3.7 billion it earned in annualized recurring revenue last year. Still, the report claims OpenAI doesn’t expect to be cash flow positive until 2029, when its projections predict a whopping $125 billion in revenue.
OpenAI’s funding announcement emphasized the startup’s goal of building “AGI that benefits all of humanity.” Altman has been clear that it’ll take a lot to pull this all off—compute, energy, global infrastructure, and yes, a staggering amount of cash. This round, the startup claims, brings it one step closer.
Imagine skipping the gridlock and soaring over the English countryside, arriving at your destination in a fraction of the time. What sounds like a scene from a futuristic movie is about to become a reality in the U.K., thanks to a partnership between Joby Aviation, a California-based company, and Virgin Atlantic. They’re teaming up to introduce electric air taxis to the U.K., revolutionizing how people travel between airports and nearby cities. Let’s take a closer look at this development that could foreshadow the future of transportation here in the U.S.
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Electric air taxi (Joby Aviation) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Joby’s electric air taxi: A game changer for short flights
Joby Aviation’s innovative aircraft are at the heart of this transportation revolution. This electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft is designed for quick, efficient travel. The air taxi comfortably seats five, including the pilot, making it perfect for small groups or business travelers. It can reach impressive speeds of up to 200 mph, significantly reducing travel times. The aircraft features a range of 100 emissions-free miles on a single charge, which is a huge win for sustainability. Another key feature is its quiet operation, especially during takeoff and landing, making it much less disruptive than traditional helicopters.
Electric air taxi (Joby Aviation) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
HOP IN, NO DRIVER NEEDED FOR THIS FUTURE RIDE-HAILING ROBOTAXI
Virgin Atlantic joins the party
Virgin Atlantic’s involvement isn’t just about adding its name to the project; it’s a strategic move to enhance the entire customer experience. The airline will play a vital role in marketing the service to its customers, making it a seamless addition to their travel plans. Virgin Atlantic will also work closely with U.K. regulators to ensure the service meets all necessary safety standards. Furthermore, the airline will assist in developing the infrastructure needed for these air taxis to operate efficiently at major airports.
Electric air taxi (Joby Aviation) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
ELON MUSK UNVEILS TESLA’S ROBOVAN, ROBOTAXIS AND HUMANOID ROBOTS
What this means for travelers (and eventually, maybe us)
If this takes off as planned, it could change the way people travel in the U.K., offering a glimpse of what might be possible stateside. Imagine drastically reducing travel times between airports and city centers, potentially saving hours on your journey. Booking a ride will be easy, likely through Virgin Atlantic’s app and website, integrating air taxi travel into existing travel arrangements. While the initial pricing is expected to be comparable to premium ground ridesharing options, the time saved could be well worth the cost.
Electric air taxi (Joby Aviation) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
ORLANDO’S PLAN FOR FLYING CARS TAKES OFF
The path to UK skies
While the vision is clear, there are still a few steps to take before these air taxis become a common sight. Joby needs to obtain validation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring the aircraft meets the highest safety standards. A network of convenient landing locations needs to be established in major cities to make the service truly accessible. The exact launch date for the U.K. service is still under wraps, but the anticipation is definitely building.
Electric air taxi (Joby Aviation) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Kurt’s key takeaways
The partnership between Joby Aviation and Virgin Atlantic is a bold step towards a future where air travel is more accessible, sustainable and efficient. As this innovative service takes shape in the U.K., it sparks the imagination and raises the question: when will we see air taxis transforming the way we travel in the U.S.? It’s an exciting prospect and one that could reshape our cities and redefine the meaning of a quick commute.
Beyond the convenience, does the idea of flying in an air taxi make you excited, nervous or a little bit of both? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Warner Bros. Discovery introduced new branding for its Max streaming service yesterday, alongside announcing availability in Australia. Although still simply called Max, the service has traded its bright blue appearance for a monochromatic black-and-white color palette that’s more reminiscent of the iconic HBO logo. The new look has already been introduced on the streaming service’s user interface and social media channels, and will “continue to be rolled out on marketing material over the next few months,” according to Variety.
Max’s previously colorful branding was originally chosen to help promote the new service’s broader programming and make it appear more kid-friendly. “We all love HBO. And it’s a brand that has been built over five decades to be the edgy, groundbreaking trendsetter in entertainment for adults. But it’s not exactly where parents would most eagerly drop off their kids,” JB Perrette, president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery’s global streaming and games, said during a Max launch event in 2023.
Yesterday’s rebrand, which appears to realign the streaming service with HBO, which is known for its more mature programming, “may help consumers associate the two brands with one another,” Variety speculates.
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