Skeletons Aren't Real, Says Upstart Indie Gaming Fund

The launch of Outersloth, a new indie gaming fund established by Innersloth co-founder Forest Willard and Victoria Tran, represents a strategic shift in how independent developers can secure financial support. Unlike traditional venture capital or full-service publishing models, Outersloth utilizes a recoup-and-revenue-share structure designed to provide developers with capital while maintaining their independence. The fund aims to foster a collaborative collective of creators, with profits reinvested into future projects rather than prioritizing traditional publisher-led management.

The fund’s leadership emphasizes that the traditional publishing model remains viable for some, but they seek to challenge industry practices where publishers may impose unfavorable terms or unnecessary services on developers. By operating as a lean, specialized entity, Outersloth focuses on supporting projects that resonate with their team’s creative interests rather than adhering to a rigid thematic or genre-based portfolio. While the fund is currently not accepting virtual reality projects due to testing limitations, it remains open to a wide variety of indie titles.

Reflecting on the broader indie landscape, the founders advise developers to prioritize smaller, faster initial releases to gain experience before tackling larger projects. Furthermore, they stress the importance of developers learning fundamental marketing and pitching skills, which can empower them to better position their games and evaluate the value provided by potential partners. This approach highlights a growing trend toward developer-led funding models that prioritize creative autonomy and sustainable growth over the conventional publisher-developer power dynamic.