Why Moonlighter's Dev Pivoted Genres for Its New Discovery Challenge

Digital Sun, the developer behind the successful 2D roguelite Moonlighter, has pivoted to the 3D strategy genre with its upcoming title Cataclismo. This shift represents a strategic move to target the core PC audience on Steam, where deep strategy and sandbox games offer a competitive advantage over the saturated market of 2D action and roguelite titles. Since its announcement in May 2023, Cataclismo has secured over 60,000 Steam wishlists, driven largely by a successful Steam Next Fest demo and coverage from major PC gaming media outlets.

The developer’s strategy emphasizes the continued importance of Steam Next Fest for discovery, despite industry concerns regarding event overcrowding. Additionally, Digital Sun utilized Kickstarter to raise €68,500, viewing the platform primarily as a marketing tool to engage existing fans rather than a sole funding source. Data indicates a highly international interest in the title, led by the United States (22.4%) and China (12.7%).

Broader industry sentiment reflects a challenging environment for indie developers in late 2023. A survey of approximately 60 studios reveals that 70% have frozen hiring and believe securing funding for future projects will be significantly more difficult. While 60% of respondents agree that the market is oversaturated with new releases, there is a cautious optimism that conditions will improve within the next 12 to 24 months. Consequently, over 43% of surveyed studios are currently adapting their scope or operations to mitigate market risks.

The scope of this analysis covers the global PC and console market, with specific focus on Steam data, crowdfunding trends, and developer sentiment during the 2023 calendar year. Findings are based on internal Steam wishlist data, Kickstarter results, and a third-party survey of indie game studios.