Head of Publisher Raw Fury Pulls No Punches With Two Incredible Points to Going Indie

Raw Fury games are widely liked for their compelling narratives, interesting game mechanics, and personable characters (even the animals). But one of the most alluring aspects of the studio’s titles is its signature art style, which sets it apart from much of the competition within the same space.

Art in a game can be the defining characteristic of a studio, but Raw Fury doesn’t seem to subscribe to that notion. Most of the team’s titles have a unique art style that is distinct from its siblings, and the reason behind this, as stated by the founder, is the human element of art.

Raw Fury Founder States AI Can’t Replicate Human Creativity

Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic for a while, and the fervor isn’t going to die until the innovations stop hitting the market. AI may be making some jobs easier, but it’s not the most accepted tool out there. Well, the creator of indie games studio Raw Fury, Jónas Björgvin Antonsson, has something to say about that in his recent AMA on X.

Founded Raw Fury. Indie publishing isn’t fucked. AMA (for 90 minutes or so…)

— Jónas Björgvin Antonsson (@jantonsson2) August 8, 2024

AMAs like these are a great way for budding game developers to learn from the advice of veterans in the field. When someone asked for advice on how someone can go indie in their spare time and also what Jónas himself finds appealing, the founder’s answer was focused on keeping the experience authentic.

Two things. Art is as human as it gets. No AI. No algorithm is going to replace the touch of some people being exceptional and making art and some people being exceptional at recognizing its value. Second point. Don’t do it to become rich. Do it because you have something to say.…

— Jónas Björgvin Antonsson (@jantonsson2) August 8, 2024

AI can make some tasks easier, but this comes at the risk of making the result appear artificial and hollow. Even AAA developers such as Bethesda have used procedural generation in Starfield, and this has led many players to criticize the locations in the game. Jónas has very explicitly stated that not only can AI not replace real art, it also can’t fool those who truly appreciate art and the effort put into a project.

The second point Jónas brings up is that anyone trying to get into the indie space should be doing it because they have a story to share. Doing it for the money may not be the best motivator in an industry where even teaming up with major subscription services doesn’t guarantee success for the developer.

Indie Games Now Compete with Even AAA Classic Titles

At a time, indie games might not have been taken seriously due to the large gap in refinement between them and AAA titles. That gap has since been drastically reduced, in large part due to advancing technology and knowledge, and the playing field is far more level.

Even Raw Fury’s upcoming horror project Post Trauma has been pitted against the likes of the Silent Hill 2 remake! There is also a conscious shift in the gaming sector towards titles that reflect effort and attention to detail. It can be seen in the wave of criticism against studios such as Ubisoft.

This are constantly accused of releasing formulaic games that offer no innovation or ingenuity. With the right platforms, indie games have a chance to surpass even their AAA competitors.

But, to ensure this, the developers can’t have an AAA mindset of wanting to rack in sales and should be more in line with Jónas’ thought process to experience success.

What are your thoughts on the indie gaming scene? Let us know in the comments below!