For years, indie games were treated as alternatives to the mainstream. But more recently, that narrative started to fall apart. The games shaping player expectations and influencing industry direction aren't just succeeding, they're forcing the rest of the market to respond. In this episode, we explore why indie games are driving the industry forward. We reflect on what made 2025 a turning point, how player expectations around scope and ambition have shifted, and how publishing models are evolving in response. So rather than chasing hype, we're going to focus on the forces behind this change and where the industry is headed next. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/437