

IndieGameBusiness®
Jay Powell
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2023 • 1h 11min
How to Get Funding, Investments, and Publishing Your Indie Game
Welcome to another episode of IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're thrilled to have Justin Berenbaum, VP Strategy & GM at Xsolla Funding Club, sharing insights on "How to Get Funding, Investments, and Publishing Your Indie Game."
In this episode, Justin will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of funding for indie games. We'll explore the nuances between equity and project funding, dive into platform planning and effective pitching strategies, and discuss best practices for building and maintaining relationships in the gaming industry.
Join us as we unravel the intricacies of game funding, investing, and publishing, along with a glance at emerging technologies shaping the future of the gaming landscape.
Connect with Justin Berenbaum on social media to stay updated:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/scslug
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jberenbaum/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jberenbaum
#IndieGameBusiness #GameFunding #IndieGameInvestments #GamePublishing #XsollaFundingClub #GamingIndustryInsights #EmergingTech #JustinBerenbaum

Oct 24, 2023 • 1h 1min
China Market Entry 101 for Indie Devs
During this session, we will take a deep dive into the Chinese gaming market, uncovering insights that are not commonly shared in western media. By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the market and your target audience, you will be better equipped to strategize your game publishing plan. So, join me on this exciting journey as we explore the fascinating world of the Chinese gaming industry. Sit back, relax, and let's embark on this adventure together.
#ChineseGamingMarket #GamePublishingStrategy #MarketInsights #ChineseGamingIndustry #GamingIndustryExploration

Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 4min
From Weapon Skins to Workshops: The Business of User Generated Content
Since Lode Runner in 1983, user generated content has been a staple of game development. Opening up further expansion of games to their communities has been a tried and true method of extending a game's lifespan for years or even decades. The advent of social media has introduced new forms of UGC as well, tying in-game tools with social elements via pictures, video, and streaming. In this talk, we'll discuss various business benefits of implementing UGC tools, platforms, and support into your game and its marketing strategies, and directions you can take to develop a healthy creator community.
#UserGeneratedContent #GameDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #UGCInGaming #CreatorCommunity

Oct 21, 2023 • 1h 1min
How Micro-Influencers Drive Engagement and Sales
This topic will explore how working with micro-influencers can be a highly effective strategy for driving engagement and sales in the gaming industry.
- Understanding the role of micro-influencers in driving engagement and sales for game developers.
- Identifying the key strategies to collaborate with micro-influencers and optimize their impact effectively.
- Leveraging data and analytics to measure the success of micro-influencer campaigns and make data-driven decisions for future marketing efforts.

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