Any game developer can upload a game and start distributing and selling immediately. They say: “itch.io is a completely open game store and host. Pros: Some real gems lurking here that are unlikely to ever make it onto Steam.Ĭons: Lack of quality control can result in some games of somewhat dubious standards appearing on the store.ĭownload picks: Particle Mace, TRI, Heroes of Loot. 3327 if you count games submitted for game jams. This allows indie developers to accept donations for their hobby projects and game jam creations without forcing the player into paying a fee. Just like its music-based counterpart, all of the games on itch.io offer a Pay What You Want system with an optional minimum. Summary: itch.io is the Bandcamp to Steam's iTunes – there are no big names here, just a marketplace full of intriguing, independently-created content. The hook: Free of any immediate fees and barriers for developers, itch.io is the most indie-friendly games marketplace ever. We’ve even spoken to the folks behind the featured storefronts. There are a ton of options out there for the discerning PC gamer, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.įor your convenience we have compiled the best of the rest, complete with a quick look at why they're worth caring about. Valve may have a very steady grip on the digital distribution market, but that doesn't mean Steam should be your only port of call for buying PC games.
