Áron Csatlós, a Hungarian software engineer and creator of the cryptography puzzle game DeCodex, shares his journey from Nokia to indie game development. He discusses his inspirations for DeCodex and the importance of building in public to engage players. Áron delves into his innovative project Ground Kids, a tool that combines fitness and gaming for children. He highlights effective marketing strategies and the rise of community collaboration in indie games. Áron also reflects on the gaming culture in Hungary and his exciting future projects.

Justin Gary, CEO of Stoneblade Entertainment and author of 'Think Like a Game Designer,' shares his insights on game design and community building. He discusses how AI can revolutionize the game development process, from brainstorming to prototyping. Gary highlights the deep connections games forge among players and the importance of adding consistent value to communities. He also reveals effective marketing strategies and touches on the parallels between game design and business. Lastly, he gives a sneak peek into upcoming projects and his remote team's diverse culture.

In this session, Martin Grider, the mastermind behind Abstract Puzzle, shares his evolution from web developer to indie game creator. He discusses the intersection of AI and gaming, his preferred programming tools like Swift and Godot, and the nuanced art of board game adaptations. Martin explores the monetization hurdles in the App Store, critiques the freemium model, and offers insights into his latest Zelda-inspired game. With a focus on creative gameplay mechanics, he emphasizes the importance of innovation in the indie game space.

Johannes Ahvenniemi, a veteran in the mobile gaming sector known for his work on Angry Birds and Best Fiends, shares his gaming journey from childhood passion to professional success. He emphasizes the challenges of designing ad-free games and discusses innovative projects like escape puzzle magazines. Johannes reflects on his experiences at Rovio and Seriously Digital, while also highlighting the vibrant game industry in Finland. He reveals his motivation to create inclusive games through his venture, Papukaija, targeting underserved audiences.

Join game designer Osebo Akhigbe, known for Couples.Game and his work with Tumblr and Oculus, as he shares his dynamic journey in game design. He discusses the creative fusion of paper prototyping and AI in modern gaming, revealing how he crafts engaging puzzles and efficiently develops mobile games. Osebo also highlights the resurgence of chess, community engagement in gaming, and the challenges of monetization. Tune in for insights on blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology!

Brian Reynolds, co-owner of The Bridge Teachers, is an actor, writer, and director on a mission to modernize bridge education. He discusses innovative online teaching strategies for bridge that appeal to younger players. Brian highlights the cognitive health benefits of bridge and the massive potential market of 37 million players in the U.S. He also shares personal insights into the community challenges and the creative solutions he's implemented through their subscription platform, all aimed at revitalizing this classic game.

Slavi Grozev, the mastermind behind Random Trivia Generator, transitioned from acoustic engineering to creating a beloved trivia platform inspired by quiz bowls and long drives. He shares how he manages to evolve the site while juggling family life and a full-time job. The discussion covers user engagement strategies, the impact of the pandemic on growth, and future enhancements like gamified quizzes. Slavi also reveals the challenges of monetizing passion projects while maintaining accessibility for trivia lovers.

David Ngo, creator of ChessHub.com and software engineer at Amazon, shares his journey of merging game development with his love for chess. He discusses the evolution of ChessHub, emphasizing user-friendly features and personalized game analysis tools. Insights into monetization strategies reveal how he enhances user engagement through community feedback. David also highlights future plans for tailored lessons and multiplayer options, aiming to revolutionize the chess learning experience. Aspiring game creators will find his advice invaluable!

Linmiao Xu, creator of Blitztactics.com and a passionate chess enthusiast, discusses his journey in developing a unique online chess puzzle platform. He shares his love for blitz chess and how it fuels his creative process. Lin also connects his charcoal art inspired by challenging games like Dark Souls to his travels across Asia. He dives into his role in enhancing AI, particularly with Stockfish, and explores future projects in game development. The conversation highlights the blend of gaming, creativity, and community engagement.

Richard Rognlie, creator of Gamerz.net, dives into the nostalgic world of play-by-email games. With a programming background that spans from self-taught BASIC to web development, he shares insights on over 270 games hosted on his platform. Richard discusses the mechanics of asynchronous gameplay, challenges in game design, and the community dynamics of email gaming. He reflects on personal gaming experiences from his childhood, the future of email-based games, and innovative twists to classic games like Risk. A fascinating discussion that blends tech and play!