Haunting Indies Series Kicks Off at The Indie Informer
October is the month when even the coziest corners of the indie scene start growing cobwebs. The Indie Informer has leaned into that with a new limited-time video series called Haunting Indies. The first episode went live on October 13, and four games got the spotlight.
The series is hosted by Jill Grodt and runs through the rest of October. The goal is simple: give viewers a look at the darker side of indie games, one video at a time. We like that idea a lot.
A Seasonal Series With a Short Shelf Life
Haunting Indies isn't meant to be a permanent fixture. It's a seasonal run, timed to the stretch of the calendar when players actively go looking for something creepy to play. The kickoff post frames October 13 as the right moment to start, which makes sense. It leaves a little under three weeks before Halloween to fill with more episodes.
The post doesn't say how many videos are planned or how often they'll drop. It only encourages viewers to keep an eye out throughout the month. So if you're curious, checking back now and then is the way to go.
There's also the matter of tone. The kickoff appeared under the label "Just Chilling," which feels fitting. This doesn't sound like a hardcore horror marathon designed to make you sleep with the lights on. It sounds more like a relaxed tour through some of the spookier titles out there, and that's right up our alley.
The Opening Lineup
The first episode covers four games:
- Tearoom of Terror
- Little Ghost
- Apothecurse
- Apple Crumble
The post itself doesn't describe the games in detail, so the video is where you'll get the actual impressions and footage. We won't guess at mechanics or story beats we haven't seen confirmed. Still, the names alone paint a fun picture.
A tearoom with "terror" in the title. A little ghost. An apothecary with a curse attached. And then Apple Crumble, which sounds more like a dessert than a scare. That mix hints at a lineup that isn't strictly about jump scares and gore. Some of these could lean playful or charming rather than terrifying, though you'll want to watch the episode to find out where each one lands.
How the Show Gets Made
The Indie Informer was upfront about how the series is funded. The video content exists thanks to supporters who joined the site's Patreon, a platform where fans pay a recurring amount to back creators they like. According to the post, that support is what keeps the team able to produce videos for the community.
The kickoff includes a thank-you list of patrons, along with a heartfelt note of gratitude. It's a small detail, but it says a lot about how many indie-focused outlets operate. Coverage of smaller games often depends on readers and viewers chipping in directly, not on big advertising deals.
The post also notes that game codes were provided by the developers' teams or their affiliates. That's standard practice in games coverage, and it's good to see it disclosed clearly. Viewers know exactly where the review copies came from.
Why Seasonal Roundups Work
Themed series like this one solve a real problem for players. Every October, a flood of horror-tinged titles shows up on storefronts, and it's tough to sort the memorable ones from the forgettable ones. A curated list, spread out over several episodes, makes that job much easier.
We've been doing some of that sorting ourselves this month. If you want more seasonal ideas, our roundup of indie games for Halloween 2026 is a good companion to Haunting Indies. Between the two, you should have plenty of options for the weeks ahead.
It also helps that video shows what text sometimes can't. Atmosphere, sound design and pacing are a big part of whether a spooky game works. Watching a few minutes of footage is often the quickest way to tell if a game matches your taste for fear.
The Bigger Picture
Haunting Indies fits a pattern we've noticed all October: the indie scene is leaning hard into darker themes this season. Our own coverage has seen a steady run of spooky projects, from co-op scares like HAUNTED: Escape the Dollhouse to workplace dread in the Stockroom Syndrome demo. A series dedicated to that corner of the market seems like a natural response.
What stands out is the opening lineup's apparent range. Judging by the titles alone, "darker side" may cover more than pure horror, which suggests the series could appeal to players who like a spooky mood without the stress. That would suit relaxed gamers nicely.
It's worth watching how many episodes arrive before October ends and whether the mix stays this varied. The reliance on Patreon support is also a reminder that community-funded coverage keeps smaller games visible. If the series lands well, it would not be surprising to see it return next autumn, though nothing about that has been announced.