Daniel Crocker steps up as Debug’s new Editor
If you’ve been with us from the start, you’ll know Debug has always been about one thing: celebrating the weird, wonderful, and wildly creative world of indie games. We’ve covered everything from Game Boy homebrew to high-concept narrative adventures, championed solo devs and breakout studios alike, and even handed out a few trophies along the way. With Debug #9, we’re not just kicking off a new issue, we’re kicking off a new era.
This is the first issue under new Editor Daniel Crocker, who’s been part of Debug since day one and has now taken the reins from outgoing editor Andrew Dickinson. As its founder, Daniel knows Debug inside and out — the games, the tone, the readers — and his first issue as Editor is absolutely packed from cover to cover.
Speaking of covers, let’s start with the elephant in the room. Keita Takahashi, the mind behind Katamari Damacy and Noby Noby Boy, sat down with us for a rare interview to talk about his next game, to a T. It’s a heartfelt, quirky, and surprisingly vulnerable look at disability, adolescence, and identity, wrapped in the sort of surreal worldbuilding only Keita could create. Yes, it’s about a kid stuck in a permanent T-pose. Yes, there’s a musical number. Yes, you will probably cry.
Inside, we’ve got our biggest selection of indie previews and features to date. From space-faring roguelikes like Katanaut and dreamy RPGs like Empyreal, to the slice-of-life weirdness of Promise Mascot Agency and the cosy charm of Trash Goblin, this issue’s line-up proves just how broad (and brilliant) the indie scene really is right now.
We also revisit some favourites. Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders gets a loving retrospective, Citizen Sleeper 2 makes a strong case for your wishlist, and Adventures of a Cat in Space continues to look ridiculously charming (with a voice cast that includes Arthur Darvill, no less).
Debug #9 also includes full coverage of the 2025 Indie Game Awards, hosted by streamer and YouTube personality Josh Strife Hayes. It was a packed night with laughs, insight, and some very real emotions as devs walked away with trophies for everything from Best Gameplay (Buckshot Roulette) to Best Soundtrack (Yellow Taxi Goes Vroom). The big winner? Paper Trail, which claimed our Game of the Year.
You’ll also find new recurring columns, more space for opinion and analysis, and some fantastic advice from across the industry. Rahul Gandhi returns with his legal Q&A (this time, it’s contracts), Quang DX talks about expanding your influences, and Nostalgia Nerd breaks down his favourite indie games past, present, and future.
It’s not just a reshuffle in print, either. We’re expanding what Debug does, from events and showcases to community giveaways and physical game roundups. You’ll spot all of that in our new HUB section — which also includes updates from BristolVGE and a sneak peek at what we’re bringing to NottsVGE in July.
Debug #9 feels like a milestone — not just because it’s our ninth issue, but because it’s the start of a new chapter. We’re doubling down on what makes this mag special: a passion for games that surprise, inspire, and push the boundaries. Whether you make games, play them, or just like reading about them with a cup of tea in hand, this is your space too.
Grab your copy now — digital and physical editions are available right here. We hope you enjoy!
