Cave Bear Partner Program: A Home for Indie Studios and the Game That's Helping People Focus
The partner program has quickly become a place for passionate teams to make their own story
When Ayla Derrick joins a call, the first thing you notice is her excitement. Not just for her studio, Cave Bear Games, or for their title Plantasia, but for the entire indie game development world. Ayla is leading something special. It's a collective for game developers, artists, voice actors and beyond, who want to make games on their own terms. It's called the Cave Bear Partner Program, and it's quietly becoming one of the most uplifting and resourceful spaces for unfunded studios to thrive.
We had a chance to talk about the journey of Cave Bear, how the Partner Program grew out of a viral moment on LinkedIn, and what it really takes to build a studio when you're starting from scratch with nothing but passion and a Discord login.
What is the Cave Bear Partner Program?
Cave Bear Games began as a development studio working on their debut game, Plantasia. But when they went viral early on for being run by juniors in the game industry, the response was massive. Hundreds of aspiring developers and indie creators reached out, looking for ways to participate, contribute, or build something new.
Instead of closing off the community, Ayla welcomed the interest. She started inviting other unfunded and volunteer-driven indie studios into the Cave Bear Discord. That open-door spirit has now grown into a community of hundreds of volunteers and more than 100 game studios from around the world.
From solo creators in Peru to student teams in Ukraine to former AAA developers in Canada, the program is now a global collective of people who want to make something meaningful and learn together.
How It Works
The Cave Bear Partner Program has just two requirements for studios:
Your team must have at least two members
Your studio must be completely unfunded
Each application is reviewed personally by Ayla. Once accepted, studios gain access to a Discord network full of resources, support, and peer collaboration. They can post open roles for volunteers, join studio discussions, ask for advice, and learn from others who are navigating similar challenges.
The atmosphere is collaborative and kind. Whether you are an experienced founder or someone creating their first game, you’ll find people eager to help.
Plantasia: A Calming Game That Grows With You
While the Partner Program continues to grow, Cave Bear's debut game Plantasia is already making waves for its quiet charm. Plantasia is a peaceful greenhouse simulator set on an orbital lab. It sits at the bottom of your screen and invites players to tend to plants while they focus on other tasks.
It is especially helpful for players looking to add a gentle routine to their day. A major customization update is coming soon that will allow players to style their greenhouse space in new ways. If you're someone who enjoys quiet, cozy digital experiences, this is one to try. Plantasia has helped me focus, even as I write this article!
What the Team Has Learned
As the Cave Bear studio built Plantasia, Ayla picked up lessons that are now shaping the Partner Program. She talks openly about the importance of having a producer, how to scale your team at a sustainable pace, and the need for clarity in team goals.
Production roles, contracts, marketing, and project timelines are all topics that come up regularly. Ayla is now working on creating better educational resources to help studios navigate these areas. She has even organized events that bring in experienced leaders and mentors to speak directly with studio founders.
A Culture of Openness and Support
One thing that stands out about the Cave Bear Partner Program is the genuine focus on sharing knowledge and building each other up. There's no gatekeeping, no competition for spotlight, just a group of studios helping each other make their games a reality.
As Ayla put it, the goal is to support one another, not compete. Some studios are building horror games. Others are focused on cozy RPGs. Some founders are students, while others have decades of industry experience. The variety of people and perspectives makes the Discord feel alive and welcoming.
If you’re a studio trying to find your footing, this is a rare place where people genuinely want to help.
A Word on the Future
The Cave Bear Partner Program is just getting started. New studios continue to join, new games are being built, and updates for Plantasia are on the horizon. Ayla is working on expanding the team behind the program, offering better onboarding, clearer communication tools, and access to mentorship for growing teams.
This might be the beginning of something much larger. There is potential for the program to become a major force for accessibility and equity in indie game development. And right now, it is a very good time to be part of it.
Get Involved
Join the Cave Bear Discord
Play Plantasia on Steam
Apply for the Cave Bear Partner Program
