Patch of Approval

- our stamp of appreciation -

Patch of Approval is an annual print showcase of indie games recognised by us at Patch for their outstanding work and meaningful contributions to the industry. This special edition of Patch Magazine is released every November, in celebration of our anniversary and all of the brilliant indie creations released over the past year.

After careful consideration, the nominees for 2025 have been determined by the Patch team, and voting is officially open! The choice is now in your hands to decide this year's winners. After which, all will be revealed in the November 2025 issue of Patch Magazine.

We’re very proud to announce that one of this year's special categories is in collaboration with Safe In Our World. From processing grief, navigating burnout, to finding joy in small rituals, they've nominated four games which remind us that play can also be healing.

Safe In Our World is a charity dedicated to mental health in the games industry. Their mission is to foster worldwide mental health awareness, eliminate stigma, and encourage open dialogue, so people feel empowered to reach out for support when needed.

This year, they’ve launched the Mental Health Star Accreditation - the first-ever workplace wellbeing accreditation designed specifically for games companies. The accreditation helps studios of all sizes create safer, healthier environments, with recognition across three tiers: Dedicated, Accomplished, and Outstanding.

This year, it's your turn to truly get stuck-in! Introducing: Patch's very first game jam. Whether you’re a seasoned dev or just curious to try making your first game, this is your opportunity to be featured in our magazine and even win a Patch of Approval.

1. Develop your game either alone or in a team based upon the theme 'Patch'.
2. Ensure it’s playable either in-browser or as a Windows download hosted on Itch.
3. Upload your game directly to Itch.io (no external download links before 25th September 23:59 BST.