In recent years, the gaming industry has witnessed an exponential growth in titles available to players, with the sheer volume of new releases creating challenges for both developers and gamers alike. The rise of independent games, driven by a decrease in barriers to entry and easier self-publishing tools, has led to an explosion of creative titles. For instance, in 2024 alone, nearly 19,000 games launched on platforms such as Steam—averaging around 360 new titles per week. However, with this deluge of options also comes a significant issue: discoverability.
In a landscape increasingly dominated by blockbuster hits and ubiquitous online games like Fortnite and Call of Duty, it has become exceedingly difficult for new or lesser-known games to gain attention. The struggle for developers lies in getting their creations noticed amidst a sea of advertisements, search engine algorithms, and user recommendations influenced by automated systems. As a result, many quality games risk being buried and lost in the shuffle, leaving potential players unaware of hidden gems.
To address this dilemma, Ludocene, a novel platform likened to a “dating app for video games”, has been developed to facilitate better game discovery. The platform aims to connect users with games that might suit their tastes but are not typically highlighted by mainstream coverage or algorithms. Andy Robertson, a games journalist and the creative mind behind Ludocene, believes that this approach can help people find those “ones that got away,” asserting that many great games simply don’t get the spotlight they deserve.
The Ludocene platform operates similarly to popular dating applications, where users can swipe left or right to indicate their interest in various game titles represented by cards. Each card features a trailer for the game on one side and additional information on the other, making it user-friendly and visually appealing. By accumulating choices based on their swipes, players can gradually build a personalized library of recommended titles that pique their interest.
Supporting the platform’s development is a carefully curated panel of gaming experts, including journalists and influencers, who contribute their insights and recommendations. This selective curation is designed to enhance the quality of the game’s suggestions and aims to break away from the basic algorithms that often dominate the recommendations on major platforms. Expert Brian Crecente, who has a distinguished career in the gaming industry, emphasizes the importance of providing informed recommendations that enhance users’ experiences while navigating the overwhelming quantity of available content.
Currently, Ludocene is in its prototype phase but has already generated buzz within the gaming community. The crowdfunding campaign for the project surpassed its £26,000 target within days, signaling robust interest and support. With plans to launch as a fully functional web app by next August, Ludocene is poised to make a significant impact on how players discover games. Independent game developers, such as Jodie Azhar from Teazelcat Games, recognize the project as a means to highlight quality titles that might otherwise struggle to reach potential players due to lack of marketing.
However, as promising as Ludocene appears, there are inherent concerns. A few experts, including Azhar, have expressed some reservations about the platform’s simplicity, particularly the binary swiping mechanism, which could lead to the exclusion of other potentially interesting titles. This raises questions about the efficacy of the underlying algorithm used to determine game recommendations. Maintaining an updated and varied database will also pose a challenge, especially given the relentless pace at which new games are released.
Still, there is optimism surrounding Ludocene, not only in its model but in its mission to promote diversity within gaming. Robertson’s vision extends beyond simple game discovery—he aims to provide a platform where users can experience a myriad of creativity represented in indie games and lesser-known titles. By acting as an advocate for these projects, Ludocene hopes to level the playing field for independent developers, ensuring their passionate creations receive the recognition they deserve in an overcrowded marketplace.
In summary, Ludocene stands out as a groundbreaking approach to game discovery, leveraging panels of experts to provide curated recommendations while adopting a user-friendly interface. With the gaming landscape they seek to enhance rapidly expanding, Ludocene may redefine how players connect with games, potentially reinvigorating interest in independent titles and fostering a more diverse gaming ecosystem.