

The Thomas Brush Show
Thomas Brush
Welcome to The Thomas Brush Show, where we talk to indie game developers who make a living creating indie games, full time! I will also sometimes talk to other creatives, like film-makers, YouTubers, and artists.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 31, 2025 • 37min
Why I Spend 14 Hours A Day Making My Indie Game
 What is it about making games that always results in crunch and delays?► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free► Wishlist Twisted Tower*And btw, I don't do this every day. It's definitely been way more frequent, and I hope it slows down! 

7 snips
Oct 24, 2025 • 31min
The Truth About Negative Reviews On Steam
 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. 

Oct 13, 2025 • 26min
I'm A Christian And Make Horror Games
 I chat about my why I'm making a horror game as a Christian, and whether this is "bad"...► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free► Wishlist Twisted Tower► What I believe 

Oct 6, 2025 • 40min
After 4 Years Of Making My Game, I Have Some Thoughts...
 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 

15 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 42min
How I Would Start Game Development (If I Started Over)
 Dive into the world of game development with practical advice! Discover how to avoid common pitfalls like devlog overload. Learn to align your first game idea with your unique talents. Explore the importance of creating a polished vertical slice and an engaging demo to attract interest. Uncover effective monetization strategies for your demo, including the value of wishlists. Finally, get insights on using feedback to refine your game before its full release. Perfect for aspiring developers! 

Sep 29, 2025 • 19min
How To Actually Finish Making Your Game
 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 

Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 4min
Will Dubé: How He Sold A Million Copies Of His Games, Indie Survival & Indie Secrets | Ep. #055
 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 

Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 25min
Goodgis: Switching To Godot, Making Games While Working A Desk Job, 5 Years On 1 Game | Ep. #054
 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. 

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 12min
Kyle Balda: Why This Hollywood Director Is Now Making Games, Why Game Dev Is So Hard | Ep. #053
 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 

Aug 29, 2025 • 1h 23min
Tom Francis: How He Sold 1,000,000 Copies Of His Games | Ep. #052
 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. 


