This $10 bundle of 100+ DRM-free games means to support laid-off game developers

The video game industry is grappling with a historic wave of layoffs, with thousands of workers affected in recent weeks. To aid developers impacted by this economic downturn, indie game platform itch.io has joined forces with an industry union to launch the Game Industry Hardship Fund bundle. This collection, available until August 13, offers over 100 discounted games, including soundtracks, assets, and other materials, for just $10.

All proceeds go to the Game Industry Hardship Fund, promoted by the United Videogame Workers union amid repeated massive layoffs throughout the industry. US and Canada-based developers continue to add games to the bundle, which is expected to grow over the next few weeks. The collection mainly comprises small indie titles but also features a few well-rated games such as A Short Hike, Dungeon Bodega Simulator, Eldritch, Neon Struct, and Holedown.

Notably, downloaded games do not activate on Steam, but itch app or website downloads are DRM-free. Many included titles support macOS and Linux natively, and items from bundles can be found in a separate tab on itch.io's library section. The bundle's aim is to support the thousands of employees laid off within the past few years due to the industry's pandemic-era overinvestment.

Reports suggest that 33% of the industry's workers experienced job losses in the last two years. Major publishers like Ubisoft, Bungie, and Microsoft have recently announced layoffs, with Microsoft planning to eliminate another 1,600 positions. The Game Industry Hardship Fund serves as a beacon of support for affected developers during these challenging times.