The image of a lone solo indie developer, fueled by ramen and passion, toiling away in their bedroom to create the next indie darling is a pervasive one. It’s a romantic narrative, but it’s often far from the truth. Mike Bithell, the creator of titles like Thomas Was Alone, Volume, and Subsurface Circular, recently discussed the realities of indie game funding on the You Are Error podcast, shedding light on the hidden costs and debunking the myth of the “cheap” indie game. This article dives into those realities, exploring why even seemingly small indie projects require significant investment. Beyond the Code: The Hidden Expenses of Indie Development While the initial image of indie development might focus solely on programming, the reality involves a complex web of expenses that go far beyond coding. As discussed on the podcast, these costs can quickly accumulate and surprise those unfamiliar with the industry’s inner workings. The Cost of Time: More Than Just a Hobby for a Solo Indie developer Time is the most valuable, and often most overlooked, resource in game development. Even for solo developers, the hours invested represent a significant opportunity cost. This is time that could be spent on a traditional…