Necrosoft Games, the studio behind Demonschool, has teamed up with the United Videogame Workers to launch the Game Industry Hardship Fund bundle on Itch.io. For $10 (or more, if you want to give extra) you get a stack of games, and every dollar goes toward a fund that helps developers who have lost their jobs.
The collection is big. Rock Paper Shotgun counts almost 150 games, while PC Gamer pegs it at more than 100. Either way, it is a lot of value for ten bucks, and the money is the real point here.
Where the money goes
The proceeds fund a hardship program run by the United Videogame Workers. Developers who are out of work or under-employed can apply for help covering basic needs like food, rent, and healthcare. One thing to note: the fund, like the union itself, is only open to developers based in the United States and Canada. Itch.io's FAQ lays out the full eligibility rules.
The bundle exists against a grim backdrop. Necrosoft's Itch.io page cites reports that 33% of the industry has lost work over the past two years, with roles vanishing as executives look to cut costs and lean on AI. PC Gamer points to Microsoft's July decision to cut 3,200 jobs and shutter four studios as the month's biggest single story, though far from the only bad news.
What's actually in it
As with most Itch.io bundles, the lineup leans indie and offbeat, but there are recognizable names in the mix. The headline inclusion is A Short Hike, a game Rock Paper Shotgun stops just short of calling perfect. Other picks the two outlets called out:
- Arranger, a grid-shifting puzzle adventure
- Lucah: Born of a Dream, a stylish and demanding hack-and-slash
- Skatebird
- Drywall Eating Simulator
- Dungeon Bodega Simulator
- You Can Save Everyone
- Diorama Dungeoncrawl
- Dirtbag Mahjong
Beyond those, there are dozens more games you have probably never heard of, which is arguably the fun part. As PC Gamer puts it, even one winner out of the pile pays back your tenner, and you are likely to find more than that.
How much it has raised
At the time PC Gamer checked, the bundle had pulled in just shy of $30,000. It stays on sale until August 14, so there is still a window to chip in. The United Videogame Workers thanked players spreading the word, framing player-and-developer solidarity as a key part of pushing for better conditions in the industry.
What this means for players
If you have been watching Demonschool, Necrosoft's tactical RPG, this is a low-cost way to back the studio's wider cause while stocking up on smaller games worth your time. A Short Hike and Arranger alone are strong reasons to grab it, and the rest is a grab-bag of curiosities. The sale closes August 14, so if you want your money going toward developers navigating a rough stretch of layoffs, the clock is the only thing to keep an eye on.