Engadget's Indie Pitch feature recently spotlighted Dressmaker, a sewing and design simulation game developed by Cozy Lives, a small game studio based in Cape Town, South Africa. Set to launch on Steam on September 21, the game lets players design and create dresses from scratch, offering full control over every detail—from fabric selection to adding trims and accessories. The game is the brainchild of a small team, including Jonathan Hau-Yoon, co-creator of the popular game Terra Nil, and Sabrina Becker, a former costume designer who turned to game development after being diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a chronic condition that affects connective tissues and can cause severe pain and mobility issues. The core team at Free Lives, the parent studio of Cozy Lives, consists of three full-time developers, with additional help from contractors and friends. The game began as a simple prototype created by Jonathan during a vacation after the release of an update for Terra Nil. The prototype was uploaded to itch.io, a platform for indie game developers, and gained traction with over 30,000 downloads in its first month. Positive feedback encouraged Free Lives to invest in the project, allowing the team to expand the prototype into a fully playable game. Sabrina shared how living with a chronic illness has shaped her approach to creativity, emphasizing the importance of flexibility and adapting to changing conditions. The game’s design includes both 3D and 2D elements, with careful attention to fabric modeling and sizing to ensure realistic results without stretching. Jonathan noted the technical challenges of creating accurate dress patterns and adjusting them for different body types, which required a deep understanding of both fashion and game design. South Africa's indie game scene is growing, with organizations like the Playtopia Foundation and the Jam Dole program supporting local developers. Free Lives has played a key role in this growth by funding projects and hosting events that encourage collaboration. Jonathan reflected on how video games can bring together diverse interests and skills, such as dressmaking and programming, into one medium. He also highlighted the challenges smaller developers face in choosing projects that are both creative and financially viable, stressing the importance of early validation through prototypes and social media. He encouraged larger companies to support indie developers through initiatives like Jam Dole, which offer financial backing for prototyping without requiring developers to give up their income or intellectual property.