Dave the Diver, the underwater adventure game from Nexon, has made a splash in the gaming world by selling five million copies. This impressive milestone comes despite heated discussions about the game’s later stages and its indie status.
The game’s unique blend of deep-sea exploration and sushi restaurant management initially hooked players. Many praised the early hours, finding joy in discovering marine life and serving up fresh catches. However, as players ventured further, opinions divided like schools of fish.
As the game progresses, it introduces village missions and more complex systems. These additions have left some players feeling like they’re drowning in tedious tasks. Many report losing interest after 10–20 hours of gameplay, particularly when reaching the village section.
#DavetheDiver over 5M copies sold✨
— DAVE THE DIVER (@DaveDiverGame) November 28, 2024
Thank you so much for all the love and support!
"Sleep tomorrow but tonight go diving 🎶!" pic.twitter.com/kzL2TW61J6
“The core experience of diving and running the restaurant is fun, but it starts to get stretched way too thin with too many needless systems endlessly tacked on,” one player commented. This sentiment echoes across the gaming community, with others describing the later gameplay as “grindy” and “hollow.”
Recent updates, including collaborative missions, have attempted to address these concerns. While some appreciate the added variety, others feel these additions don’t solve the underlying issues of repetition and unnecessary complexity.
The success of Dave the Diver has also kicked off a conversation about what defines an indie game. Despite being developed by Nexon, a major player in the gaming industry known for titles like MapleStory, Dave the Diver was marketed with an indie vibe. This has led to discussions about whether “indie” refers to the game’s style or the size of its development team.
Nexon’s involvement has definitely got people talking, with some players feeling misled about the game’s origins. “Thought Nexon was just the publisher. It was a bit of controversy when the game came out because they passed themselves off as a new company and being indie,” one fan noted.
Despite the mixed feedback, Dave the Diver’s commercial success is undeniable. The game has tapped into the nostalgia of exploration games while riding the wave of popular restaurant management sims. Its achievement highlights the evolving landscape of game development, where the lines between indie and mainstream continue to blur.
