In the 1990s, the indie game development scene shrank as PCs became the dominant computer system and a viable gaming platform. Commercial games grew larger, more complex, and began competing with gaming consoles. Additionally, the rise of 3D graphics further complicated the landscape. Indie developers, lacking the financial and technical resources to match these commercial giants, saw their presence decline.

Despite these challenges, there were some positive developments. Shareware emerged as a popular distribution method for smaller games. In this model, a portion of the game was distributed for free, typically via the internet or gaming magazines, and players could purchase the full version if they enjoyed the sample.

Another significant advancement was the release of Adventure Game Studio (AGS). This free toolkit allowed hobbyist developers to easily create their own adventure games, emulating the style of classics from Sierra and Lucasfilm.

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