The Game Town–hosted event on 26th August 2025 spotlighted AR/VR development and gave local indie creators a space to discuss projects.

AR/VR Talk with Daniel Kihlgren Kallander

Daniel Kihlgren Kallander, owner of Decaying Games, headlined the event with a talk titled VR as an Indie in 2025. With more than 12 years in the industry and credits on games like The Deus Helix, Kartong, Apex Construct, and Budget Cuts 2, Kihlgren Kallander offered a grounded perspective on the state of immersive gaming.

He also discussed his own upcoming project under Decaying Games. While still early, the studio’s first title will be developed primarily as a traditional game, but with VR support in mind. His approach reflects the market reality: VR remains a vibrant space, but one where funding has become harder to secure and discoverability is increasingly difficult.

The presentation touched on several key points:

• AR vs VR vs XR — Clarified definitions and current hardware trends, highlighting how most VR headsets can handle AR features to some extent.
  
• Market realities — VR remains alive despite recurring “VR is dead” headlines, but major funding sources dried up in 2024, leaving indies to adapt.
  
• Platform dynamics — Meta Quest dominates consumer VR, while Pico headsets are more common in enterprise. PSVR2 remains niche but important, and Apple’s entry with Vision Pro put XR back into mainstream conversation.
  
• Development lessons — He stressed practical VR design tips, such as ensuring smooth performance to avoid motion sickness, using environmental details to make virtual spaces feel alive, and leveraging Unreal Engine 5 for multiplatform support.
  
• Looking ahead — New hardware like Google’s Android XR and Valve’s rumored “Deckard” headset could reshape the space.
  

Kihlgren Kallander summed up VR’s current position as a “Schrödinger’s Cat situation,” both struggling and thriving depending on where developers choose to focus.

Indie Developers to Watch

Beyond the talk, the event connected attendees with emerging indie talent:

• Montgomery Webster is finalizing a prototype for his debut mobile game, a next-gen take on Brick Breaker.
  
• Kie, creator of Brawl Below, showcased his fast-paced combat platformer. The game features:
  
  • Tight, combo-driven combat
    
  • Short underground levels designed for speedrunning or quick sessions
    
  • A climactic boss fight
    
  • Minimal story that keeps the focus on action

Atmosphere and Community

Game Town provided a relaxed setting for the meetup. The venue featured an arcade machine, couches, and a giant TV, all lit by a low glow that created an inviting space for conversation and play. Attendees described the vibe as casual yet creative, a fitting backdrop for developers and players to exchange ideas.

Why It Matters

Stockholm’s indie scene continues to grow, and events like Indie Dev Meetup give creators a chance to share projects before they’re released. Talks like Daniel’s highlight the importance of new technologies, while developers like Montgomery and Kie show the range of ideas emerging from the community.