
IndieGameBusiness®
Candid conversations with veterans of all aspects of the business side of games. We firmly believe that great games from all developers need the support they deserve to succeed. This podcast exists to provide that support.
IndieGameBusiness® is produced by The Powell Group, a video game consulting firm specializing in business development, marketing, and licensing. Our CEO has been in the industry for 20 years and closed countless publishing and licensing deals. The Powell Group monitors over 3,500 game developers and 750+ publishers.
Latest episodes

Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 10min
Mastering Indie Game Success: Marketing, Publishing, and Influencer Strategies Revealed!
Welcome to another enlightening episode of IndieGameBusiness! Today, we have Sam De Boeck, Founder of Oro Interactive, with us to discuss "Mastering Indie Game Success: Marketing, Publishing, and Influencer Strategies Revealed!"
In this episode, we'll uncover valuable insights into the world of indie game success. Sam will share strategies on how to get influencers to play your game and the importance of participating in Steam events. We'll delve into the intricacies of optimizing your Steam store page for maximum impact and explore the fundamentals of creating compelling publisher pitch decks.
Additionally, we'll discuss the crucial aspects of publisher research, understanding when to self-publish, and the dynamic intersection of marketing and publishers in the indie game landscape.
Stay connected with Sam De Boeck on LinkedIn and Twitter for more insights:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-de-boeck-632b68169/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OroInteractive
#IndieGameSuccess #GameMarketing #IndieGamePublishing #InfluencerStrategies #SteamEvents #PublisherPitchDecks #SelfPublishing #OroInteractive #SamDeBoeck #IndieGameBusiness

Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 1min
How to Lead a Cross-Cultural Team
Learn how Tina’s expertise in leadership development and team facilitation, combined with her unique cross-cultural insights, translates into fostering innovative and inclusive workspaces. From explicit, direct communication styles to more harmonious, face-saving approaches, Tina unravels the nuanced dynamics of cross-cultural interactions. Additionally, she will explore the intersection of cultural values and performance management and gain practical insights into how Cultural Intelligence applies to optimizing team performance, ensuring that your leadership style is not only effective but also culturally sensitive.

Oct 20, 2023 • 1h 3min
I got a job in the game industry with no prior experience, and you can too!
I will be discussing what experience I did have before being hired in the game industry. I believe that all skills are transferable and can be used when applying to all jobs. Everyone has something that can be helpful to an employer.
Key Takeaways are: what are you doing now and how can it help you for your next job, what CAN you do to help you get that next job, how networking and volunteering can get that first foot in the door.
#TransferableSkills, #CareerDevelopment, #NetworkingTips, #JobSearchAdvice, #ProfessionalGrowth

Oct 17, 2023 • 1h 2min
Pick an audience and stick to it. The power of knowing your players.
Some games are for everyone, and some aren't.
Picking an audience or developing a game for a specific target of players undoubtedly comes with its set of risks and benefits. Knowing them and understanding how they can impact the development cycle is key to a successful product launch.
From qualitative analysis to statistical scanning, the power of numbers mixed with the power of trends and opinions can define the success or failure of a game.
How we use the correct tools, and how they impact the decision-making process is the key to releasing a game that pleases the players.
#GameAudience, #GameDevelopmentStrategy, #DataDrivenGaming, #GameSuccessFactors, #PlayerSatisfaction

Oct 17, 2023 • 59min
Putting A Stop To Toxicity - It's just good business
As the internet and game communities have grown, toxicity has become more of a problem both in and out of games, and it could be hurting your bottom line. With hundreds of new games released a month, you need to work hard to make sure your game and social spaces are a place that players want to congregate and keep coming back to, or face losing them. The importance of a good community team, moderation, tools and techniques will be highlighted as we go over some of the key community challenges faced by developers and publishers today.
#GamingCommunity, #ToxicityPrevention, #CommunityManagement, #GameDevChallenges, #PlayerRetention

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 1min
Standing out: How to pitch your game
This is an overview of what you need to consider if you’re pitching your game to funds or publishers. It will give you an idea of how to prepare, what kinds of questions to be ready for, and some tips on how to make your game pitch really shine!
#GamePitchingTips, #FundingYourGame, #PublishingYourGame, #PitchingStrategies, #GameDevelopmentInsights

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 15min
Things I wish I knew before I started my own indie studio
Starting an indie studio is easy. Maintaining one is like taking care of a child, a life you are now responsible for, and suddenly you're not sure if you're even up to the task. My own experience of starting and running an indie studio, things I learned along the way, things I wished I knew before, and how this may or may not prepare you to start your own studio journey!
#IndieStudioLife, #IndieGameDev, #StudioJourney, #IndieGameWisdom, #StudioChallenges

Oct 13, 2023 • 1h 27min
Publishing vs Self Publishing Your Indie Game
Welcome to another episode of IndieGameBusiness! Today, we have a special duo with us: Lucas Pessoa de Freitas, Business Developer Manager at Robot Teddy, and Richie de Wit, Founder & Business Development Consultant at Bear Knuckle. Our focus for today's discussion is the ever-relevant topic of "Publishing vs Self-Publishing."
In this episode, we'll dive into the nuances of publishing and self-publishing, exploring factors such as ownership, risk-taking, and the reasons behind choosing one approach over the other. Our guests will share insights into the considerations that go beyond financial aspects and why prioritization is crucial.
We'll also explore the challenges and rewards of running a game development business versus developing games as a side project. Business development will take center stage, with a deep dive into its role at every stage of game development when pursuing a self-publishing route.
Strategic thinking about funding opportunities, the importance of networking, and approaches to building valuable connections in the industry will be key themes. Our guests will share their experiences and expertise in funding, investing, publishing, and navigating emerging technologies.
Stay connected with Richie de Wit and Lucas Pessoa de Freitas on social media:
Richie de Wit:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/richiedewit
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richiedewit/
Lucas Pessoa de Freitas:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lucaspessoaf
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaspessoaf/
Join us for this insightful discussion on publishing vs self-publishing, business development, funding, and emerging tech. It's sure to be a valuable episode!
#IndieGameBiz #PublishingVsSelfPublishing #GameDevelopment #BusinessDevelopment #FundingOpportunities #IndieGameNetworking

Oct 13, 2023 • 1h 16min
The Future of Indie Games: Brand/IP, Multiverse, Digital Storefronts, Steam Alternatives
Welcome to another exciting episode of IndieGameBusiness! Our guest today is Casey Al-kaisy, CEO and consultant of Ashes & Diamonds and Founder of the Mighty Diamonds consultancy network. We're diving into "The Future of Indie Games: Brand/IP, Multiverse, Digital Storefronts, Steam Alternatives, and Startup Struggles Unveiled."
In this episode, we'll explore the intricate world of game economics and business strategies for indie games. Casey will share insights into the challenges of game pricing, the influence of mob-mentality in game making, and how to achieve success with live service titles. The AERMO model (Acquisition, Engagement, Retention, Monetization, and Operation) will be unpacked, along with discussions on player journeys, onboarding strategies, and the significance of A/B testing.
We'll also delve into the complexities of the metaverse, the growing importance of Brand/IP in the gaming industry, and the future of game creation. Casey will share thoughts on the democratization of digital storefronts, alternatives to Steam, and the unique challenges faced by startups in the gaming realm.
Connect with Casey Al-kaisy on social media to stay updated with his insights:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BringMoreBread
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-al-kaisy-b053b64b/
#IndieGameBusiness #GameEconomics #LiveServices #Multiverse #DigitalStorefronts #BrandIP #AERMOModel #GamingIndustry #StartupStruggles #CaseyAlKaisy

Oct 11, 2023 • 50min
Fundraising Hacks for your Indie Game Business
Did you know that over 50% of indie games never make more than $4,000 because of a lack of funding and exhausting self-funds mostly in the development phase?
Primarily, most indie studio starts from self-funding. But after some time to make ends meet while designing new games simultaneously? That’s some hassle indeed. Not to mention the obstacles one needs to face while raising funds for your dream project. Funding is one of the main challenges facing an indie studio trying to create a video game.
Each step of the process, from developing or acquiring certain assets to selling them, takes money, and without adequate funds, the game may be over before it really starts. Finding the right investors might be challenging, yet they are a regular source of financing as investors aren't the only source of funding. Besides after securing funds comes the proper distribution and management of the fund. I will share my past and recent encounters with funding and my talk will focus on what to do and what not to do during investor hunting, managing investor relationships while managing funds.
#IndieGameFunding, #IndieStudioChallenges, #FundingStruggles, #InvestorHunting, #ManagingFunds
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