Dave the Diver is not Indie, Confirms Mintrocket

The acclaimed Dave the Diver is not, and has never been, an independent game. This is the statement from the developer Mintrocket, which seeks to clarify the confusion surrounding the classification of the title, which many in the gaming community have labeled as indie. Mintrocket is a subsidiary studio of the South Korean giant Nexon, one of the largest gaming companies in the world, with a market value exceeding US$10 billion. The distinction is important, as the perception of an indie game often associates with limited budgets and small teams.

The constant misclassification of Dave the Diver as an independent title raises questions about how the community and the press define "indie games", especially when there are large corporations behind smaller studios.

The confusion surrounding the nature of Dave the Diver is understandable. The game, with its pixel art artistic style, gameplay that mixes underwater exploration, sushi restaurant management, RPG elements, and a charming approach, fits many of the visual and gameplay characteristics associated with independent productions. However, the reality is that Mintrocket operates with the financial and resource backing of one of the largest global gaming companies.

Nexon has a vast portfolio of games, mainly MMORPGs and mobile titles, and has invested in new IP (Intellectual Properties) through studios like Mintrocket. This allows Mintrocket to have access to technologies, testing teams, and marketing strategies that genuine indie studios often do not possess. The ability of Dave the Diver to be polished and released on multiple platforms, with quality post-launch support, is partly a result of this backing.

Dave the Diver was originally released in June 2023 for PC, and later arrived on the Nintendo Switch in October 2023. The game won critical acclaim and the public, being praised for its originality and addictive gameplay. By December 2023, Dave the Diver had already sold over 3 million units globally, a remarkable milestone for any game, but especially for a title that many considered indie.