Apple is putting independent developers in the spotlight with App Store Indie Games Week, which kicked off on 12 October 2026, bringing seven acclaimed titles to iPhone and iPad through new releases and pre-orders.
The lineup includes Sifu, Vampire Crawlers and No Man’s Sky, alongside adventures spanning feline exploration, kingdom building and alien survival. Throughout the week, App Store editors will highlight the games through daily features and curated collections.
A Spotlight on Independent Creativity
The initiative celebrates the independent teams behind some of gaming’s most distinctive experiences, from solo developers to growing studios.
Carson Oliver, Apple’s head of App Store Worldwide, said independent developers continue to push creative boundaries through inventive gameplay, striking artistry and ambitious storytelling. He described the App Store as a platform that helps these teams bring their ideas to audiences around the world.
Sifu Brings Its Fierce Combat to Mobile
Leading the lineup is Sifu, the third-person action game following a young kung fu student on a mission of revenge.
Its demanding combat requires players to parry incoming attacks, string together combinations and use their surroundings to survive encounters with multiple opponents.
The iPhone and iPad adaptation includes custom touch controls, a reworked camera system and full controller support, bringing its cinematic martial arts battles to mobile screens.
Vampire Crawlers Trades Bullet Dodging for Card Strategy
For players drawn to tactical challenges, Vampire Crawlers puts a different spin on the world of Vampire Survivors.
The gothic card battler replaces the original’s frantic bullet dodging with deck building, sending players into dungeon runs filled with skeletons, bats and other enemies.
Progress depends on discovering powerful card combinations, uncovering secret relics and making the most of each draw, with dark humour accompanying the action.
No Man’s Sky Sets an October Landing Date
No Man’s Sky is set to make its mobile debut on 28 October 2026, with pre-orders forming part of the Indie Games Week lineup.
According to Apple’s announcement, the iPhone and iPad release will include every major content expansion to date, including the Cosmos update, which allows players to command their own space stations.
Developed by Hello Games, the space exploration title lets players explore, trade, fight and survive across a vast, procedurally generated universe. Its arrival on mobile follows a decade of ongoing development and expansion.
Cats, Kingdoms and Survival Complete the Lineup
Four additional titles broaden the week’s selection.
Little Kitty, Big City puts players in control of a curious cat exploring an open-world metropolis, while 9 Kings combines card armies and strategic kingdom building as players battle rival rulers.
In Dome Keeper, mining and defence go hand in hand as players dig for resources while protecting themselves from alien threats. Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall takes a more story-driven approach, asking players to make difficult moral decisions while attempting to save a crumbling empire.
Where to Find the Games
Sifu, Vampire Crawlers, Little Kitty, Big City, 9 Kings, Dome Keeper and Yes, Your Grace 2: Snowfall are available to download now, according to Apple’s announcement. No Man’s Sky will follow on 28 October.
