E3 2017 trend: Indie devs are courting speed runners

Independent game developers are taking notice of the growing speed-running community, showcasing a few games designed specifically for speed runs at this year’s Indie Megabooth at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles. It’s a bid to try to harness the power of a fully engaged community, which can serve as a loyal fan base that will spread word of mouth about a game.

The Indie Megabooth is the center of this phenomenon. This year, it was part of publisher Devolver Digital’s parking lot expo across the street from E3 proper, where it acts of a foil for the big triple-A booths inside the convention center. Megabooth, founded by Kelly Wallick, is a collection of booths — or “Megapods” as they’re referred to — that showcase a curated selection of indie games. Of all the developers featured at this year’s Megabooth, here are two who designed their games specifically for speed runs.