Engadget's latest indie games roundup covers a busy week for smaller studios, including news from the now-independent Double Fine Productions, publisher Aggro Crab's new funding initiative for other developers, and an update from Stardew Valley creator Eric Barone on the long-awaited Haunted Chocolatier. It matters because it highlights how indie studios are finding fresh funding and distribution models outside major publishers, while also flagging new releases players can try this weekend.

Double Fine's Kickstarter for a game jam has already proven successful, with backers voting on which of 26 pitches become prototypes, one of which will be developed into a full game; the studio has also pledged to make Brütal Legend 2 if the campaign reaches $100 million (Kiln), brought Keeper to PS5 and cut Kiln's price to $8. Aggro Crab, flush with money from its hit game Peak, is now funding and publishing other developers' titles – including the platformer Rebounder – while explicitly barring the use of generative AI and pledging to pay developers before recouping its full investment. Elsewhere, the roundup features new indie releases such as Worming from Home, a remote-work simulator played as a worm, priced at $10 (25% off until 18 September on Steam).