SXSW Sydney returned for its third year this October, bringing the vibrant intersection of technology, film, music, and gaming to Australia once more. The festival, known for spotlighting innovative independent video game developers, showcased a diverse array of creative projects. This year’s event was no exception, offering a glimpse into the future of indie gaming.
October is a significant month for the Australian video game industry, with events like Melbourne International Games Week and PAX Aus occurring immediately before SXSW Sydney. Despite the packed schedule, numerous indie developers made their way to Sydney, eager to present their latest creations.
Highlights from SXSW Sydney 2025 Indie Games Showcase
In no particular order, here are some of the most intriguing indie games featured at SXSW Sydney 2025. While many are still in development, a few are already available to play.
Mixtape: A Nostalgic Journey
From Melbourne-based studio Beethoven & Dinosaur comes Mixtape, a game that captures the essence of an ’80s John Hughes movie. As the second title from the creators of The Artful Escape, Mixtape is a narrative adventure that follows three friends on the cusp of adulthood, heading to one last party and reminiscing about their high school years.
The demo’s cinematic gameplay evokes the nostalgia of ’80s teen films, complete with skateboards, teenage antics, and a stellar soundtrack featuring bands like DEVO, Roxy Music, and The Cure. Mixtape is slated for release in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
REAPRIEVE: A Digital Dilemma
Developed by the five-person Melbourne studio 10PM Club, REAPRIEVE offers a unique twist on the concept of a grim reaper. Players follow Milo, a reaper tasked with deleting a soul’s “unnecessary” memories, a process digitized into a mundane desk job. The game’s art direction and themes initially bring to mind the Persona series, but its true inspiration lies in the corporate setting of Severance and the moral challenges of Papers, Please.
Althea Francisco, the creative director of 10PM Club, explains, “It may be your job to delete all of a soul’s happy memories, but is it right?” REAPRIEVE is expected to release in early 2027 on PC.
Psychotic Bathtub: An Exploration of Mental Health
Psychotic Bathtub is a point-and-click game from Switzerland-based developer natsha that delves into heavy themes such as suicide, death, and self-destruction. The game follows a woman experiencing a psychotic episode during a bath, engaging players in her dark thoughts and decisions.
Natsha has committed to donating 50% of the game’s profits to mental health projects.
While the game aims to raise awareness of mental health issues, it is not therapeutic. Psychotic Bathtub is set for release in 2026 on PC.
Way To The Woods: A Long-Awaited Adventure
Way To The Woods first caught attention in 2015 when 16-year-old Melbourne student Anthony Tan shared screenshots online. The enchanting images of a deer and fawn navigating a humanless world captivated audiences. Despite several missed release dates, Tan, now operating under the studio name onepixel.dog, is optimistic about a launch soon, though no official date has been announced.
A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe: Social Anxiety as a Puzzle
Developed by Los Angeles-based Quail Button, A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe transforms social anxiety into a point-and-click puzzle game. Players guide the titular giraffe through everyday tasks while avoiding chatty citizens in Friendly City. The game cleverly captures the challenges of social anxiety, offering a unique and relatable experience.
A Week in the Life of Asocial Giraffe is scheduled for release in early 2026 on PC.
Kabuto Park: A Bug’s Summer Adventure
Released in May, Kabuto Park is a charming game about catching and battling bugs during a summer vacation. Created by French developer Doot Tiny Games, the game offers a cozy, bug-collecting experience with over 40 insects to catch. Its simple yet addictive gameplay provides a relaxing escape for players.
Kabuto Park is available now on PC.
Is This Seat Taken?: A Puzzling Seating Arrangement
Is This Seat Taken? challenges players to arrange seating for shape-based characters with unique preferences. Developed by Poti Poti Studio, the game combines puzzle-solving with a light narrative about an aspiring rhombus actor. Released in August, it is available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
The Future of Indie Gaming at SXSW Sydney
The diverse array of games showcased at SXSW Sydney 2025 highlights the creativity and innovation driving the indie gaming industry. As these developers continue to push boundaries and explore new narratives, the future of indie gaming looks bright. With many of these titles set to release in the coming years, gamers have much to anticipate.
As the festival concludes, the anticipation for next year’s event builds, promising another exciting showcase of groundbreaking indie games.
