Indie facts for kids

Indie is a short way of saying "independent" or "independence." It describes things that are made or done without the help or control of big companies or organizations. Think of it as being your own boss!

What Does "Indie" Mean?

The word "indie" is used in many different areas. It often means that something is created by a small group or even just one person. These creators usually have full control over their work. They don't have to follow the rules or ideas of large corporations.

Being "indie" can mean:

• More freedom to be creative.
• Often a smaller budget for projects.
• A closer connection between the creators and their audience.
• A focus on unique ideas rather than what's popular.

Indie in Entertainment

Indie Games

Indie games are video games or board games made by smaller teams or individual creators. They don't get money or help from big game companies. This often means they can be very creative and try new ideas.

• Independent video game development: This is when people create games without the financial support of large game publishers.
• Indie Game Jam: This is an event where people quickly make new game ideas. It helps bring fresh thoughts into the gaming world.
• Indie role-playing game: These are role-playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons) that are published by smaller groups, not the big, well-known companies.
• Indie Fund: This is an organization created by game developers to help fund new indie video games. It helps small teams get their ideas off the ground.
• Indie RPG Awards: These are awards given each year to the best indie role-playing games.

Indie Music

Indie music is a type of music that is made and released by artists or small record labels. They are independent of the major music companies. This allows musicians to have more control over their sound and style.

• Independent music: This refers to music that is not controlled by major music producers.
• Indie pop: A style of pop music that often sounds a bit different from mainstream pop.
• Indie rock: A type of rock music that is usually made by bands not signed to big record labels.
• Indie folk: This music mixes folk and country sounds with the independent spirit of indie rock.
• Indie hip hop: Hip hop music that is part of the independent music scene, not the mainstream.
• Indie electronic: Electronic music created by independent artists.
• Indie dance: Also called alternative dance, this music mixes indie rock and pop with dance beats.
• Independent record label: These are music companies that operate without funding from large corporations. They help independent artists release their music.

Indie Media and Art

The "indie" idea also applies to movies, books, and other forms of art. It means these works are made outside the usual big industry systems.

• Independent film: These are movies made without the help of major film studios. They often have unique stories and styles.
• Independent media: This refers to news and other media that are free from the influence of governments or big companies.
• Indie art: Fine art created by artists who are not connected to big commercial art galleries or businesses.
• Indie comics: Comic books that are published by independent creators or small publishers, not the large comic book companies.
• Indie design: This refers to handmade products created by independent artists and designers.
• Indie literature: Books that are published outside of the big, well-known publishing houses.
• Small press: Also known as indie press, these are publishers of books or magazines that focus on smaller, special audiences. They usually don't distribute their works widely.

Indie in Sports

Even in sports, "indie" means being independent from the biggest leagues.

• Independent baseball league: These are professional baseball leagues in the U.S. and Canada that are not connected to Major League Baseball.
• Independent circuit: In professional wrestling, this refers to smaller wrestling promotions that don't have national TV contracts.

Other Indie Uses

The term "indie" can describe many other things that operate independently.

• Independent business: A business that is unique and not part of a larger chain or corporation. For example, a local coffee shop that isn't part of a big chain.
• Independent soda: Sodas made by small, privately run companies, not the huge soda brands.
• Non-denominational church: Also called an independent church, this is a church that is not officially connected to a larger church organization.

Images for kids

• 

  A robot representing creativity and independence.

See also

• Independent (disambiguation)
• Indi (disambiguation)
• Indies (disambiguation)
• Indy (disambiguation)
• List of independent radio stations
• The Independent (disambiguation)