Superbacker Spotlight: Meet Josh, the Indie Game Curator
From "what do I get?" to "what can I give?"—how one Melbourne-based curator turned backing into an art form.
While most people discover games through algorithms and trending lists, Josh Chiodo has made it his mission to uncover tomorrow's indie obsessions before they become yesterday's news. The Melbourne-based curator behind Indieformer—a newsletter that's become essential reading for 2,000+ indie game enthusiasts—doesn't just write about great games. He puts his money where his passion is, backing 63 Kickstarter projects and earning his Superbacker badge in the process.
But Josh's journey from casual backer to dedicated community builder reveals something deeper about what makes Kickstarter special: the direct connection between creators and the people who believe in their vision.
Meet Josh
Josh's first encounter with Kickstarter wasn't even game-related.
"The first project I backed wasn't a game … it was Tiga Sketchbooks, a set of sketchbooks full of custom, intricate designs," he recalls. "I had followed the artist for a while on Kickstarter, and jumped onto this when they launched!"
What hooked him wasn't the reward itself, but something more fundamental. "What drew me in was the directness—no filter between you and the person creating the thing. It's support in its purest form, before anything gets commercialised or watered down. You get to see ideas that might never make it past a creator's checklist. Weird ideas. Risky ones. That's the magic of Kickstarter."
This philosophy would eventually shape not just how Josh backs projects, but how he thinks about indie game discovery entirely.
Becca Sangwin
From YouTube to Newsletter: Building Indieformer
Josh's expertise in spotting promising projects didn't develop overnight. "I've spent years dealing with how creative work gets packaged and seen, so I flipped that lens onto indie games," he explains.
Indieformer began as a YouTube channel from 2014-2018, but Josh revived it as a newsletter in 2024.
What Makes a Campaign Worth Supporting
When evaluating early-stage projects, Josh looks for three key qualities:
"Clarity, confidence, and care. You don't need a polished game, but I want to see that the creators know what they're building and why. A good trailer helps, but if I can feel that they're not trying to be everything to everyone, that's usually the signal. And if they can make a small idea feel big? I'm in."
He's particularly drawn to campaigns that feel authentically human. "The ones that land well are well thought out. They've got custom art, a clear structure, a unique angle. You can tell they've been planned, not just put together in a rush. And they make even a small concept feel big through storytelling and presentation."
Projects We Love: Josh's Picks
We asked Josh to share a few live or upcoming Kickstarter games that have recently caught his eye—projects that showcase the clarity, creativity, and heart he looks for when deciding to back.
Live now:
Teamcrafter – "A creative, team-based sandbox that’s aiming for something genuinely social."
GODS TV: Fame is Fate – "Bold, weird, and packed with the kind of energy Josh loves to see on Kickstarter."
Coming soon:
Akatori – "Feels like a spiritual cousin to Guacamelee—tight platforming, pixel flair, and a unique combat system across 10 distinct biomes. Big promise!"
Look Alive – "Post-apocalyptic farming sim with a grimy charm."
Morning Star – "The art style has depth and the campaign is to-the-point (though could use more visuals."
Falling Limbs – "The ukiyo-e aesthetic is eye-catching, and got both a jank and polish that looks fun to play."
Advice for Creators: Keep It Real
Josh's advice to creators is refreshingly straightforward: "Be clear. Be human. Don't overthink the pitch. A great trailer, a short message that shows you know what your game is about, and assets we can actually use ... those go a long way."
The video is crucial: "The first five seconds are everything. That's when I decide if I'm leaning in or clicking away." But beyond flashy production values, authenticity wins. "If it feels like there's a real person behind it all, I'm much more likely to support it."
He also advocates for inclusive reward structures: "Please include a low-barrier option! Selfishly, I'm often there more for the support than the game. Having a $5 or $10 tier with no frills gives people like me a way to contribute without overcommitting. Those small pledges add up—and more importantly, they widen your circle of support."
The Full Circle of Indie Gaming
For Josh, Kickstarter represents something special in the indie game ecosystem: the beginning of a journey. "Kickstarter's a beginning point for so many journeys. It's been awesome watching a game go from campaign, to Early Access, and eventually to full release. You get to see the entire life cycle of a game unfold, and that's pretty special."
This long-term perspective is what makes Josh such a valuable voice in the community. He's not just looking for the next big hit—he's invested in supporting creators through their entire development process, from initial crowdfunding through to launch and beyond.
Want to discover your next indie obsession? Check out Josh's work at Indieformer.com and see what projects have caught his eye. And if you spot him backing a campaign, you might want to take a closer look—his track record for finding tomorrow's gems is pretty impressive.
