Full Time Game Dev

I talk with Bryan Blackford about how his game blew up in 2 wild months... ► Check out Drafty Car: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/draftycar/id6470429316 ► Get 50% off Full Time Game Dev for New Year's: https://fulltimegamedev.mykajabi.com/ftgd Couple notes here: 1. Bryan made enough to go full time indie, but is still working his day job. 2. I made a mistake in saying I didn't have a following with BOTH of my games. I was building an audience with Neversong! But with my first game Pinstripe (which is more successful honestly) I didn't have an audience.

In this discussion, Thomas Vandenberg, creator of the successful Kingdom series, dives into his journey as an indie game developer. He shares how he sold over a million copies of his game and the challenges he faced, including creative struggles and the impact of publishers on artistic freedom. Thomas highlights the shift towards smaller, focused game design with titles like Garbage Country, and explores innovative genre blending in gameplay mechanics. His insights on community feedback and navigating the complexities of game development are both enlightening and inspiring.

Me and my hero Edmund McMillen discuss the games industry, leaning into your "weirdness" in 2025, and so much more!

I chat with Pontypants about how he sold over 200,000 copies of his game. ► Play Climbing Game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2497920/A_Difficult_Game_About_Climbing/ ► Play Puncha Bunch: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1512590/Punch_A_Bunch/ ► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game ► Make your game instantly beautiful with my free workbook: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-instant-beauty-color-workbook ► Get my 2D game kit, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2D-game-kit ► Join my 2D character workshop, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2d-character-art-workshop ► Learn how to make money as a YouTuber: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-indie-game-income-workshop

Jonas Tyroller, an indie game developer celebrated for his hit Thronefall, shares his insights into the world of game creation. He discusses the pivotal role of player feedback and early access in refining his game's success. Listeners learn about effective prototyping and the importance of structured feedback, along with strategies for balancing creativity with profitability. Additionally, Jonas highlights the art of pitching games and mastering marketing on platforms like Steam, ensuring developers can thrive in a competitive landscape.

Mark Brown, creator of the influential YouTube channel Game Maker's Toolkit, shares his journey from journalism to indie game development with his new title, Mind Over Magnet. He discusses the balance between audience engagement and game distribution, emphasizing the power of a built-in fanbase. The conversation highlights the emotional challenges indie developers face, including self-doubt and perfectionism. Brown also delves into the importance of sound design, testing, and realistic goal-setting to enhance gameplay and ensure resonance with players.

I chat with legendary game marketer Chris Zukowski about how indies can sell their games in 2025. ► Get Chris awesome newsletter (for real it's incredible): https://howtomarketagame.com/free/ ► Learn how to make money from your indie games (free webinar): https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures  

In this discussion with Jonathan Blow, the renowned developer behind Braid and The Witness, listeners delve into the future of indie game creation in 2025. Blow highlights the saturation of the market and the struggle for visibility among quality games. He shares insights on integrating AI into game development, the evolving strategies for launching indie titles, and the challenges posed by modern hardware and software. The conversation emphasizes innovation, community engagement, and the need for financial resilience in today's competitive gaming landscape.

Does indie game marketing matter in 2025? Me and my buddy Jason Smith chat about this, and his latest game's launch on Steam. Btw, you can get 50% off Full Time Game Dev for Black Friday: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/full-time-game-black-friday

In this podcast episode, I chat with Tomas Sala about the state of the games industry, especially for solo devs! ► Play Bulwark Evolution: https://store.steampowered.com/app/290100/Bulwark_Evolution_Falconeer_Chronicles/ ► Learn how to become a full time game dev, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures ► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game