The Thomas Brush Show

Is working for years on a single project worth it? I actually just asked this question to Edmund McMillen and his dev partner Tyler Glaiel (who have spent 6 years on a cat-breading game) and their answer was... well.► Get 50% Full Time Game Dev for Black Friday► Wishlist Mewgenics

Chris Zukowski, an indie game marketing master, and I talk about why small games matter, why friend slop is a good thing, and so much more.► Get 50% Full Time Game Dev for Black Friday► Read Chris's article

I chat with the brilliant mind behind Cultic, a boomer shooter with a cult following.► Get 50% my game dev program for Black Friday!► Play Cultic Chapter 2

The discussion dives into what qualifies as a 'bad' game on Steam, exploring mismatched expectations through examples like Mighty No.9. Insights from veteran developers highlight how misleading marketing can lead to disappointment. Pricing plays a crucial role, impacting perceived value and player satisfaction. Thomas emphasizes the need for honest marketing and setting truthful expectations to prevent negative reviews. He also addresses how production quality and teaching mechanics can significantly influence player experience and feedback.

So. After 4 years of polishing my indie game Twisted Tower... sometimes I wonder if it would make better sense to just drop the project. So, I did a beta test. Here are the results...► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free► Wishlist Twisted Tower

Here's why so many game devs want to make games, but never finish them.► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free

I chat with the creator of Spiritfarer, William Dube, about how he sold a million+ copies of his games.► GET 34% OFF Skywork with discount code ThomasBrush► Wishlist At Fate's End► Learn to make money with just a small demo

In this episode, Mark, known as Goodgis, shares his journey as a YouTuber and indie game developer with around 200k subscribers. He discusses the challenges of balancing game development with a full-time design job and family life. Mark reveals insights about launching a successful Kickstarter for his game Dewdrop Dynasty and the importance of underpromising while maintaining high standards. He also dives into why he chose Godot over Unity, the evolution of his game's design, and how AI tools are changing the development landscape.

I talk with the Minions director Kyle Balda about why he is now making indie games.► Get 25% off my 2D course (and get my 3D course free)► Follow Kyle► Wishlist my game, Twisted Tower

Tom Francis, a seasoned indie game developer known for titles like Gunpoint and Heat Signature, shares his insights on thriving in the game industry. He discusses the balance between structured planning and creative experimentation that drives unique gameplay. The role of AI in enhancing game design is debated, emphasizing human creativity's irreplaceable value. Tom also dives into the importance of setting for player engagement and the emotional challenges during beta testing, providing a glimpse into the artistry and technicalities of game development.