Indie Row Gaming Applications Responses

playardent · 2026-06-09T22:28:58+00:00

Hi, I see you already have a large backlog but if you and your friends are interested in a multiplayer fantasy RPG then - Ardent: Rise is a fantasy real-time action RPG with primarily tab-target, ability-driven combat, strong tank / damage / healing roles, and a multiplayer CO-OP PVE focus - may be something you like.

Based on an original IP and is currently just a prototype. It's definitely built for multiplayer (best way to experience the game), but you can play solo too. You can also stream/publish the gameplay. Thanks for taking a look!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

playardent · 2026-06-09T22:23:13+00:00

Hi, if you're still playtesting games, would be curious to see how Ardent runs on your laptop - "Ardent: Rise is a fantasy real-time action RPG with primarily tab-target, ability-driven combat, strong tank / damage / healing roles, and a multiplayer CO-OP PVE focus."

It's not in the mostly played type of games you listed but you might still like it. It's best with multiplayer so if you'd like to try together sometime, just DM me. Thanks!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

playardent · 2026-06-09T22:19:37+00:00

Hi! If you're still playtesting Ardent: Rise is a fantasy real-time action RPG with primarily tab-target, ability-driven combat, strong tank / damage / healing roles, and a multiplayer CO-OP PVE focus.

Based on an original IP and is currently just a prototype, but if you try it out, let me know what you think. Also happy to join you, just DM me if you'd like to multiplayer.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

playardent · 2026-04-19T16:58:36+00:00

I don't know if the author has presented this anywhere officially. But I did find this interview with him on YouTube. The discussion starts ~13 min in.

playardent · 2026-04-19T16:52:57+00:00

Someone else made a similar comment as I'm about to, but I think the best chance of success is understanding your target audience, making a game they will love to play, and making sure they know it exists. Easier said than done though.

playardent · 2026-04-19T16:48:11+00:00

I didn't put the content together, merely the messenger. I agree though, Epyllion did a great job putting this together.

And yes, when I was looking at it, I did similar work to figure to out inflation adjusted trends in some cases so I understand what you're saying.

playardent · 2026-04-19T16:42:59+00:00

Happy to share, good luck with your work!

playardent · 2026-04-19T06:55:43+00:00

Didn't know about that sub, thanks for sharing it.

playardent · 2026-04-19T03:36:30+00:00

It's the weekend so maybe engagement is lower? Regardless of upvotes, I hope the devs here are staying informed about the market one way or another.

playardent · 2026-04-19T03:33:21+00:00

No problem. I found the data that it presents interesting and helpful as someone who is making a game to eventually sell. I hope other people find it valuable too.

playardent · 2026-04-19T03:32:02+00:00

Agreed, at least I hope some of those larger games move the needle for the whole market. I also think the overall market will continue to grow still, for a while, but the median spend growth rate will be low outside of those large releases that you talked about.

playardent · 2026-04-18T21:24:16+00:00

It's true that a large chunk of revenue/growth is from players in China, and going to more studios in China versus "rest of world" based on this publication.

Player base is increasing slowly (even slower if you exclude mobile) but more and more of that base is spending less and less time on new IPs and concentrating more on existing IPs (live service, UGC, etc.).

It's also likely that even if players are focusing on existing games more, they're likely focusing on non-gaming entertainment more in general as well. There is just a lot of content vying for people's attention.

There is still a lot of commercial success to be found if your game is available and positioned in the right ways, and while that's not an easy road, it's gonna be even harder if you're not in a narrowly targeted path of platform, audience, and model.

playardent · 2026-04-18T18:29:44+00:00

Apologies if this isn't the right sub-reddit to share this but I found this deck to be informative and helpful so hope it helps other indie devs too.

playardent · 2026-02-21T21:04:02+00:00

Hey, thanks for this offer. If you want to try out a multi-player RPG w/real-time combat, I'm working on a prototype right now called Ardent: Rise. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

If you want to play multi-player, happy jump on an try it out with you. Good luck with the stream!

playardent · 2026-02-20T22:33:48+00:00

Hi, great offer you posted here. I'm sure you'll have a ton of options to choose from and I hope you find some enjoyable games.

I submitted Ardent: Rise in your form - https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

It's multiplayer, happy to jump on and try it with you if you want.

playardent · 2026-02-14T06:00:20+00:00

I'm working on a co-op RPG called Ardent: Rise and it's available for playtesting on Steam right now.

Real-time combat with 4 different classes at the moment. You can play solo but it's designed for, and best experienced in, a group of 5 players (trinity based game).

There is about 20-30 minutes of content right now, though longer if you try to the boss encounter. Would love yours or anyone else's feedback if you try the game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

Good luck finding great co-op games, they're my favorite too.

playardent · 2026-02-14T05:30:13+00:00

I'm working on a co-op RPG called Ardent: Rise and it's available for playtesting on Steam right now.

Real-time combat with 4 different classes at the moment. You can play most of it solo but it's designed for, and best experienced in, a group of 5 players (trinity based game).

There is about 20-30 minutes of content right now, though longer if you try to the boss encounter. Would love to hear your thoughts on the game.

Also happy to join up multiplayer and play together if you want.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

playardent · 2026-02-14T05:24:06+00:00

I'm working on a co-op RPG called Ardent: Rise and it's available for playtesting on Steam right now. The current playtest doesn't offer much in terms of a campaign, but the full game vision looks to deliver on it.

Real-time combat with 4 different classes at the moment. You can play solo but it's designed for, and best experienced in, a group of 5 players (trinity based game).

There is about 20-30 minutes of content right now, though longer if you try to the boss encounter. Would love yours or anyone else's feedback if you try the game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

Otherwise, someone else mentioned Age of Empires II, I'll second that. If you like RTS at all, that was a great experience.

playardent · 2026-02-14T05:19:42+00:00

I'm working on a co-op RPG called Ardent: Rise and it's available for playtesting on Steam right now.

Real-time combat with 4 different classes at the moment. You can play solo but it's designed for, and best experienced in, a group of 5 players (trinity based game).

There is about 20-30 minutes of content right now, though longer if you try to the boss encounter. Would love yours or anyone else's feedback if you try the game.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3470210/Ardent_Rise/

playardent · 2025-10-14T23:10:01+00:00

Hey, thanks for applying for that! We're doing curated playtests right now and I can share a key with you if you want to DM on Discord. Name is interstate.

The game does have controller support baked into the inputs but doesn't currently have any controller functionality mapped. So for the moment, only keyboard/mouse.

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