The Verge published an article that tells the story of 12 indie game developers, who opened up about how they actually live, what their working conditions are, and what struggled they have faced. 

These 12 stories show various ways of funding, sustaining, and actual game production during the industry upheaval. Some developers are lucky enough to get funding or outside investment, while others take the significant risk of using their savings to finance projects. 

Doc Burford, who is disabled, lives in Kansas, where the financial support for disabled people is in lack. He lived with the family paying them $250 per month rent without utility bills. He's been working 20 hours per day while having one launch only, which caused diabetes and a congenital heart defect. 

Working on the Paratopic game gave him an opportunity to move out and to get his own place. He also works as a freelance artist, saying that he can get more cash from freelance work than from the project. But it's still not enough to get medical insurance. 

Learn about the other 11 indie game makers' stories here.