When you think of global gaming hubs, your mind might jump to San Francisco, Tokyo, or Montreal. However, in recent years, a new heavyweight has emerged: Australia. From the hauntingly beautiful caves of Hallownest to the chaotic cult-management of the Land of Old Faith, Australian indie developers are consistently “punching above their weight,” creating viral sensations that dominate Steam wishlists and social media feeds alike.
Following a recent deep dive into the rise of “Aussie” gaming, it’s time to celebrate the studios Down Under that are redefining the indie landscape.
1. Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry)
It is impossible to discuss Australian gaming without mentioning Team Cherry. Based in Adelaide, this tiny three-person team is responsible for Hollow Knight, often cited as one of the greatest Metroidvanias of all time.
The hype for its sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, reached such a fever pitch that it famously crashed digital storefronts upon its September 2025 release. The game’s influence is so massive that other indie developers actually delayed their own launch dates to avoid being “overshadowed” by Hornet’s arrival. With over 7 million copies sold and a free “Sea of Sorrow” expansion already on the way for 2026, Team Cherry has proven that a small team in South Australia can move the entire global industry.
2. Cult of the Lamb (Massive Monster)
Developed by Melbourne-based Massive Monster, Cult of the Lamb became an instant viral hit by blending two genres that should never work together: “cozy” base-building and dark, occult dungeon-crawling.
The game’s aesthetic – think Animal Crossing meets Midsommar – captured the internet’s heart, leading to over 5 million copies sold. The studio continues to support the title with massive content drops, including the recently released Woolhaven DLC, ensuring that the “Aussie-made” lamb remains at the top of the charts.
3. Untitled Goose Game (House House)
Long before “honking” became a meme, a small studio in Melbourne called House House was quietly working on a game about a horrible goose. Untitled Goose Game became a cultural phenomenon, appearing on late-night talk shows and even winning Game of the Year at the D.I.C.E. Awards. It serves as the ultimate proof that Australian developers have a unique, irreverent sense of humor that resonates worldwide.
4. Schedule I (TVGS)
One of the most surprising viral hits of 2025 came from a one-person studio in Sydney. Schedule I, developed by TVGS (Tyler’s Video Game Studio), is a chaotic drug-dealing simulator that became a staple for Twitch streamers. Despite Australia’s notoriously strict regulations on drug depictions in media, this homegrown title managed to sell 8 million copies within two months of its launch, thanks to its cartoonish, physics-based gameplay.
5. Moving Out (SMG Studio)
If you’ve ever screamed at your friends while trying to shove a couch through a window, you have Sydney-based SMG Studio to thank. Moving Out (and its sequel) helped define the “couch co-op” revival of the 2020s. Along with titles like Unpacking (from Brisbane’s Witch Beam), these games showcase the diversity of the Australian scene – moving away from traditional combat and toward innovative, physics-based puzzles.
Why Australia is the Future of Indie Development
The success of these titles isn’t just luck. Support from organizations like Screen Australia and events like Melbourne International Games Week have created an ecosystem where creative, risky ideas can flourish. As we look toward the rest of 2026, it’s clear that the world isn’t just watching Australia – it’s playing it.
