ABSTRACT
The indie game ecosystem exists in a complex dynamic of synergistic elements and feedback loops. Of these, the impact of game academia, while underreported, has been the most influential in the rise of indie games on a number of dimensions. The introduction of an academic discourse on the medium had five important effects: (1) it elevated games from a low form of popular culture to a legitimate form of artistic expression; (2) it unleashed a new generation of highly trained, critically thinking game designers; (3) it became a safe harbor for veteran industry refugees, providing them with a new framework for creating their own games and positioning them to mentor a new generation game makers; (4) it produced a labor pool to support the growth of independent game festivals and exhibitions; (5) it cultivated creator communities and supported the emergence of artgames by providing forums for risk-taking and innovation. This chapter will explore the various facets of this relationship through a series of case studies demonstrating the ways in which academia has intersected with virtually every facet of the indie ecosystem.
