IndieGameBusiness®

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.

The goal of the talk is to provide case study tips regarding the proper execution of documents necessary to efficiently execute a premium Steam game business development analysis, including contemporary methodologies, algorithms and general structure. The attendees will learn how to draw proper conclusions by completing a direct competition analysis, preparing a P&L, sum up competition rev estimates and more.

Safe In Our World and PTW discuss the landscape of online safety, uncovering key elements for supporting players, users, communities, and frontline teams. We highlight critical factors that contribute to constructing and maintaining secure environments where players and teams can thrive without compromising their safety. From privacy concerns to combating toxicity, we explore a comprehensive range of issues. We share insights on successful strategies, innovative approaches, and real-world case studies that have proven effective in mitigating risks and enhancing overall safety.

Explore the essential role of market analysis in game development, from understanding market trends to targeting niche audiences. Delve into crafting unique selling points that make games stand out, illustrated with success stories like Fortnite and Baldur's Gate. Learn how player feedback and user personas shape marketing strategies and enhance community engagement. Discover techniques for effective positioning and securing publisher interest, ensuring your game is primed for success right from the start.

In this engaging discussion, Guy Costantini, CEO and co-founder of an innovative game studio, shares his insights on effective marketing for indie games. He emphasizes the crucial role of marketing alongside development, recommending that studios allocate 20-30% of their budget to this area. Guy delves into community-driven marketing strategies, the balance between funding development and promotion, and the nuances of different game categories like indie and AAA. He also highlights opportunities across various platforms and the importance of understanding your audience.

Zachary Strebeck, a video game lawyer, joins indie publishing expert Matthew Vernace and contract professional Alan Wilson to unpack the complexities of video game publishing agreements. They discuss key red flags to watch for and the importance of negotiation flexibility. The trio dives into how economic shifts affect indie developers and explores trends in budgeting and funding, noting the balancing act between engaging gameplay and visual appeal. Listeners gain invaluable insights into safeguarding their interests and securing fair deal terms in a challenging market.