IndieGameBusiness®

Join indie developer Carlos as they share insights on leading Eternal Guardian: Forbidden Portals from concept to AAA-quality development. This session covers strategies for building a clear vision, effective team communication, and overcoming indie-specific challenges.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Cord Smith, Studio Head at Inevitable Studios, who brings over 25 years of experience across publishers, developers, and a game-centric creative agency. In this episode, Cord shares his unique perspective on the current climate of the game industry for indie developers, the importance of seeking meaningful partnerships and funding, and why he's betting on substance over trends and gimmicks. We'll explore a variety of thought-provoking topics, including whether or not to use Kickstarter, the advantages of remote work and having an international team, and the differences in game development between Canada and the U.S. Cord also provides insights into the Unity versus Unreal debate, working with an agent versus going solo, and how to effectively cut through the noise on crowded platforms like Steam. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone in the indie game industry looking to navigate its challenges and opportunities. Connect with Cord Smith: Twitter: twitter.com/inevitablegood LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cordsmith Facebook: facebook.com/inevitablegamestudios Instagram: instagram.com/inevitablegamestudios #IndieGameBusiness #GameIndustryInsights #CordSmith #InevitableStudios #GameDevelopment #IndieGames #RemoteWork #Kickstarter #UnityVsUnreal #GameFunding #IndustryTrends

Join us for an exciting conversation with Michael Yum, CEO of PM Studios, Inc., as he shares his incredible journey from starting in QA testing to founding his own company. With over 30 games produced and a passion for both game development and game collecting, Michael offers unique insights into the gaming industry and his experiences. In this episode, Michael talks about his career progression, his love for video games, and what it's like to work on so many titles. He also shares stories about his massive game collection, how many games he's completed, and his thoughts on the state of the industry after decades of experience. Whether you're an aspiring game developer or a seasoned industry veteran, this episode is packed with valuable advice and entertaining anecdotes. Topics Covered: Why indie devs should do a physical release for their game Michael's career journey: From QA tester to CEO Producing over 30 games and lessons learned The passion behind building a game collection Thoughts on the state of the game industry Balancing a career in games with a love for gaming Reflections on decades of experience in game development Connect with Michael Yum: Twitter: https://x.com/balbnis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-yum-a400726/ #IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #GameIndustry #PMStudios #MichaelYum #GameCollecting #GameProduction #CareerInGames #VideoGames #GamingInsights

In this episode, we chat with Jonathan Concepcion, the Lead Developer and founder of Galactic Slice, about his journey from hobbyist to full-time indie game developer. Jonathan shares the inspiring story of how a simple game, OneBit Adventure, allowed him to turn his passion into a career. He discusses the motivations behind his leap of faith, the impact of choosing a free-to-play model on community growth, and the challenges he faced with burnout and stress. Jonathan also dives into the benefits and challenges of feature creep, explaining how it helped create lifetime players for OneBit Adventure. He reveals why simplicity in game design often gains more traction than complexity and opens up about accepting his weaknesses in marketing as a solo developer. Topics Covered: Why Jonathan chose to pursue full-time indie game development Building a community through a free-to-play model versus premium Overcoming burnout and stress in game development The impact of feature creep on player retention The power of simplicity in game design Embracing weaknesses in marketing as an indie developer Connect with Jonathan Concepcion: Twitter: https://x.com/SpaceKryptonite LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-concepcion-2917096a/ #IndieGameBusiness #GalacticSlice #OneBitAdventure #GameDevelopment #IndieDev #GameDesign #CommunityBuilding #FeatureCreep #MarketingChallenges #IndieGameJourney

In this candid and introspective episode, we sit down with Brett Taylor, founder of My Dog Zorro, to explore the personal and professional challenges of building a career in game development. Brett opens up about his journey, sharing insights from his previous roles, the lessons he's learned as a young founder, and how he balances work and life while aiming high and accepting the possibility of failure. Join us as Brett discusses what truly matters to him, the recurring mistakes he strives to overcome, and the ways he’s working on improving himself and his process. We'll also touch on his philosophy of "done is better than perfect," the importance of celebrating small wins, and building self-belief. Plus, Brett shares his favorite books that inspire his journey in both life and game development. Connect with Brett Taylor: Twitter: https://x.com/batzerk LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brett-taylor-13268916/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bretttaylor1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/batzerk/ #IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance #MyDogZorro #SelfImprovement #GameIndustry #PersonalGrowth #BelievingInYourself #Entrepreneurship #BrettTaylor

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Mirabello, Founder and Creative Director of Terrible Posture Games, to discuss the landscape of funding for indie game developers in 2023/2024 and the overall stability of the gaming industry. Joe shares insights into his latest project, Battle Train, and its unique journey to securing funding through Kickstarter. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities for indie game developers, what publishers are looking for, and how the PC gaming landscape has evolved over the years. Joe will also reflect on Terrible Posture Games' history and how the indie space has been shaped by PC game saturation. Finally, we look ahead to what 2025 might hold for funding and the future of indie games. Topics: Battle Train and its new Kickstarter campaign The unusual path to funding for Battle Train Indie game funding in 2023/2024 and what publishers are seeking The evolution of PC game development and market saturation Predictions for indie game funding in 2025 The road to launch for Battle Train and lessons learned Connect with Joe Mirabello: Twitter: @blankslatejoe LinkedIn: Joe Mirabello on LinkedIn Facebook: Terrible Posture Games Instagram: Terrible Posture Games #IndieGameBusiness #IndieGameFunding #BattleTrain #TerriblePostureGames #PCGaming #GameDevelopment #Kickstarter #IndieDev #GamingIndustry #GameFunding2024

Discover how to understand player preferences and leverage feedback to master game evaluation and scouting for business success. Learn strategies to mitigate bias and present evaluations effectively, bridging the gap between gamers and business development. Gain insights from market research to stay ahead of trends and ensure your game's success in a competitive market. Key takeaways include actionable steps for integrating player feedback, improving game evaluation processes, and aligning business development strategies with market trends.

Dive into the dynamic world of licensing in video games. Explore strategies for securing and optimizing licensing deals, from iconic characters to innovative technology. Gain insights into key legal considerations and industry trends. Level up your understanding of how licensing shapes the gaming landscape and drives success in this rapidly evolving industry.

Standing out is a challenge for all developers. While strategies help, a simple approach can amplify awareness efforts and connect with players while achieving remarkable results. This talk explores the common challenges of resonating with players and offers a practical framework that emphasizes treating players as people. By understanding their diverse interests and values, you'll learn to create more engaging and meaningful experiences. Attendees will gain insights into integrating player interests creatively, aligning with in-game experiences, and achieving better engagement and results.

This program is intended to highlight the legal concerns of indie video game studios including: contracts, copyrights, trademarks, and artificial intelligence. My goal is to provide FREE legal nuggets and gems for attendees and to illustrate how beneficial and cost-effective having outside general counsel can be whether the indie studio is a start-up or is more established.