IndieGameBusiness®

Master the essentials of Business Development with this practical guide tailored for indie game studios. Learn budget-friendly strategies to build partnerships, pitch your game effectively, and unlock growth opportunities - all while juggling multiple roles in your team.Key Takeaways:- Develop cost-effective BD strategies.- Build and maintain impactful partnerships.- Learn to pitch your game with confidence.- Integrate BD into a busy indie dev workflow.

We will go through some points on how your budget can be your best friend in managing your studio and not something to moan about. A good budget can be a great friend to rely upon when you need to make the difficult decisions and plans to ensure the health of your team and your product.

In multiplayer games, tanks lead the charge, absorb damage, manage threats, and keep their group pressing forward. Leadership in game development can similarly empower their teams—navigating challenges, shielding your team, and owning the path forward. This talk explores how leaders can use a “tank” mindset to absorb the emotional impact of failures and quickly invigorate their team to develop solutions and press forward collaboratively. Learn about strategies for evaluating issues, maintaining safety for team members, and fostering a mindset of 'us vs the problem'.

Did you know 80% of team conflict stems from unclear goals and expectations? In game development, differing perspectives on risk, decision-making, and team dynamics can present both challenges and opportunities. This session introduces the Cultural Intelligence (CQ) framework—a proven approach for inclusive leadership. By fostering CQ, leaders can empower their teams to overcome unconscious bias, embrace diversity, and drive innovation, building a more resilient and representative industry. Learn how CQ can help us ''level up'' and create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

As per XDS report 2024, 28% of gamedev service providers are developing their own IP, an added 22% want to do in the future. Transitioning from work for hire studio to creating your own titles and IPs is an exciting yet challenging journey. This session will explore key insights and strategies for managing the shift, including team management, balancing client work with in-house projects, recruiting the right talent, and navigating investor expectations. Drawing from my experience, it will highlight the dos and don'ts of building your own IP while ensuring patience and long-term success.

This talk will delve into the essential efforts needed to build a strong team. It will cover the obstacles faced, potential solutions, and the rationale behind these solutions. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork, the talk will highlight the need for connecting and integrating diverse minds towards a common goal. Understanding team composition and leveraging this valuable human resource will be key themes. By the end of the talk, viewers will gain various tools to enhance their team's cohesion and productivity.

Zero to Studio in Ten 'Easy' Steps is a practical and inspiring talk for aspiring game developers navigating the challenges of building a studio during industry upheaval. The discussion unpacks ten critical steps, from crafting a clear vision and securing funding to assembling a resilient team and embracing agile workflows. It highlights lessons from missteps, the importance of adaptability, and strategies for staying innovative in a competitive market. Attendees will gain insights and a roadmap to transform their passion into a thriving game studio.

Discover the power of App Store Optimization (ASO) in this practical session designed for indie developers. Learn what ASO is, how it works, and why it’s essential for boosting your app’s visibility and downloads. I’ll walk you through actionable strategies to optimize keywords, visuals, and A/B testing, so you can implement ASO for your games with confidence. Whether you're just starting or looking to improve, this session will help you take your app to the next level.

Developing a high quality game as a solo game developer is challenging. This session will focus on overcoming obstacles that you will face when trying to complete a full game production, building your reputation as a professional/expert in the industry, establishing your brand, networking with relevant experts/business associates and marketing/self publishing your game. I share my journey and lessons I learned as an African game developer pursuing a full-time career as a solo game developer.

So, you've polished your pitch deck and vertical slice. You've discussed terms and inked the deal with the publisher of your dreams! What comes next? Join us for a developer's perspective on what you might expect for the process of working with your publisher on milestone requirements, monthly meetings, requesting extensions, and marketing your game.