

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

Apr 23, 2024 • 60min
Building and Growing a Game Development Studio
Welcome to IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're honored to have Paxton Galvanek, CEO & Co-Founder of Studio Hermitage, joining us to share insights on "Building and Growing a Game Development Studio."
Throughout our discussion, Paxton will provide invaluable insights into the journey of establishing and expanding Studio Hermitage in a challenging environment, including the studio's collaboration with Embracer Group since 2023.
We'll delve into Paxton's extensive experience in growing AAA studios, drawing from his role in scaling Funcom from 200 to 450 people between 2018 and 2023. Paxton will share strategies for fostering a positive studio culture across various projects and teams, including Independents, Mobile, AA, and AAA studios.
Additionally, Paxton will reflect on his journey of breaking into the game development industry, offering insights gleaned from his talks and educational sessions spanning the past decade.
Moreover, Paxton will provide fascinating insights into the development of Studio Hermitage's transmedia Intellectual Property, Our Brilliant Ruin (www.ourbrilliantruin.com). We'll explore how the project spans across tabletop RPGs, comics, video games, audio dramas, and more, offering a truly immersive experience for audiences.
Stay connected with Paxton Galvanek on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PaxtonGalvanek
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paxtongalvanek/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pgalvanek
Join us as we unravel the secrets to building and growing successful game development studios, alongside the exciting journey of developing a transmedia IP.
#GameDevelopment #StudioHermitage #IndieGameBusiness #PaxtonGalvanek #OurBrilliantRuin #TransmediaIP #AAAStudios #StudioCulture

Apr 23, 2024 • 54min
Why Physical Games are Important in a Digital Era
Welcome to IndieGameBusiness!
In this episode, we have a special guest, Josh Fairhurst, CEO at Limited Run Games & Mighty Rabbit Studios, to discuss the intriguing topic of "Why Physical Games are Important in a Digital Era."
During our conversation, Josh will provide insights into Mighty Rabbit Studios and Limited Run Games, exploring the motivation behind starting Limited Run Games. We'll delve into the significance of physical games in a digital era and why developers should be paying attention to this aspect.
Josh will share the focus of Mighty Rabbit Studios since the formation of Limited Run Games and reflect on key takeaways from their journey. Additionally, he'll offer advice for other studio runners who may find themselves in similar situations.
Stay connected with Josh Fairhurst on Twitter and LinkedIn:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LimitedRunJosh
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshfairhurst/
#PhysicalGames #LimitedRunGames #MightyRabbitStudios #IndieGameBusiness #DigitalEra #JoshFairhurst #GameDevelopmentInsights

Apr 5, 2024 • 1h 6min
PR for Indie Developers
Welcome to IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're thrilled to have Ryh-Ming Poon, Principal Consultant/Fractional Executive at RPPR, here to share insights on "PR for Indie Developers."
Throughout our conversation, Ryh-Ming will provide invaluable insights into her illustrious career path, which began with a passion for PR and gaming. From her journey through PR agencies to roles at major companies like Activision, Machinima, GameFly, Jam City, Xsolla, and ProbablyMonsters, Ryh-Ming will offer valuable lessons and anecdotes.
Ryh-Ming will delve into her current work, including her collaboration with Tetris on their 40th anniversary celebration. Additionally, she'll share insights into pivoting out of games into fractional executive roles with tech startups and her involvement in advisory boards, including her role as an advisor on the WIGI board.
Furthermore, Ryh-Ming will shed light on the importance of diversity in the gaming and tech industries, emphasizing why it's crucial to continue pushing forward for inclusivity and representation.
Stay connected with Ryh-Ming Poon on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LadyMingPR
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryhming/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladymingpr/ and https://www.instagram.com/ladyming/
Join us as we explore the world of PR for indie developers and gain valuable insights from Ryh-Ming's extensive experience and expertise.
#IndieGameBusiness #PRforDevelopers #RyhMingPoon #DiversityinTech #GamingIndustry #Tetris40th #WIGI #TechStartups #FractionalExecutive

Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 9min
Getting Grants for Indie Games and Discussing Educational Games
Welcome to IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're delighted to have Dan White, co-founder and CEO of Filament Games, here to share insights on "Getting Grants for Indie Games and Discussing Educational Games."
Throughout our discussion, Dan will provide valuable insights into securing grants for indie game projects, focusing particularly on Filament Games' experience with RoboCo and other projects. We'll explore the process of identifying and applying for relevant grants, the role of grants in supporting educational game development, and the challenges of balancing grant requirements with creative vision.
Dan will also delve into Filament Games' approach to partnering with educational institutions and organizations, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with subject matter experts and leveraging partnerships for playtesting and feedback.
Additionally, we'll discuss the iterative design and development process for educational games, using RoboCo as a case study. Dan will share insights into how RoboCo's design evolved over time, balancing educational content with engaging gameplay mechanics.
Stay connected with Dan White and Filament Games on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FilamentGames
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danwhite3/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FilamentGames
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/filamentgames/
Join us as we explore the future of educational gaming and Filament Games' role in driving innovation within the industry.
#IndieGameDevelopment #EducationalGames #GrantsForGames #FilamentGames #IndieGameBusiness #EducationalGaming #GameDevelopment #DanWhite

Mar 15, 2024 • 1h 2min
Starting and Running an Indie Game Studio
Today, we're excited to have Stuart De Ville, Founder and CEO of Game Dev London, Founder and Director of Fribbly games, freelance Game Asset Artist, and Indie Games Consultant, here to share invaluable insights on "Starting and Running an Indie Game Studio."
During our discussion, Stuart will draw from his extensive experience in the industry to provide actionable advice on starting and running a successful game studio. He'll share personal anecdotes, including lessons learned from his first studio's failure and the subsequent journey of starting again.
We'll explore topics such as the importance of networking, finding the right project, and mastering the art of pitching and public speaking. Stuart will offer practical strategies for aspiring developers to navigate the challenges of studio management and increase their chances of long-term success.
Stay connected with Stuart De Ville on Twitter and LinkedIn:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StuartDeVille
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuartdeville/
Join us as we dive into the intricacies of indie game studio management and uncover the keys to building a thriving and resilient game development business.
#IndieGameStudio #GameDevLondon #FribblyGames #IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #StuartDeVille #Networking #StudioManagement #PitchingSkills

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 9min
Publishers Vs. Investors For Indie Game Developers
Welcome to IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're honored to have Eliana Oikawa, CEO at WINGS & COO at Game Habitat, here to discuss the crucial topic of "Publishers Vs. Investors For Indie Game Developers."
During our conversation, Eliana will shed light on the important work of WINGS and their ongoing Women's Day Sale on Steam. We'll explore what sets WINGS apart from traditional publishers and investors, as well as the application process and criteria for aspiring developers.
Eliana will delve into the financial climate of investments, highlighting the challenges faced by diverse teams in the current landscape. We'll discuss strategies for overcoming these challenges and fostering greater inclusivity in indie game development.
Stay connected with Eliana Oikawa and WINGS on social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wingsfundme
LinkedIn (Eliana Oikawa): www.linkedin.com/in/elianaoikawa
LinkedIn (WINGS): https://www.linkedin.com/company/wings-interactive/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wingsfundme
Join us as we explore the intersection of women and indie game development, and discover how initiatives like WINGS are making a difference in the industry.
#WomenInGaming #IndieGameDevelopment #WINGSInteractive #GameHabitat #IndieGameBusiness #DiverseTeams #FinancialInvestments #ElianaOikawa

Mar 8, 2024 • 1h 1min
Unlocking Wishlists Through Influencers and Advertising
This is a must-attend event for video game developers and marketers looking to leverage the power of influencers and advertising for their game's on Steam.
#IndieGameBusiness #SteamWishlists #GamingInfluencers

Mar 7, 2024 • 57min
Unlocking Indie Magic: Mocap on a Budget
Discover the secrets of indie game mocap success on a budget! Join us as we delve into the world of motion capture from a performer's perspective. Learn practical tips, tricks, and budget-friendly techniques to bring your characters to life without breaking the bank. Whether you're a developer or an actor, this session will empower you to leverage mocap for indie game success.
#IndieGameBusiness #Mocap #GameMocap#IndieGameMocap

Mar 6, 2024 • 59min
Unlocked Earned Coverage - How to sell your game with limited funds
It's difficult to make a great game, but selling it is a completely different beast - especially with a low budget. In this session I'll go over the do's and don'ts of launching a title. Many people think that you need an unlimited budget to be successful, but even with limited funds you can set up a successful games marketing campaign.
#IndieGameBusiness #GameMarketing #SellYourGame #GameDev #IndieGameDev

Mar 5, 2024 • 58min
Tax Topics for Game Developers
This session will serve as a primer on US tax issues for game developers who freelance or own their own business. It will cover a range of topics, from Employee vs. Independent Contractor status, to choice of business entity, to valuable tax deductions and credits that may be available to business owners.
This session will introduce concepts related to sales tax on digital goods and services and discuss the benefits of the R&D tax credit. The session is recommended for freelances and business owners operating in the US, who want to become active and empowered in managing their tax matters.
#Taxes #IndieGameBusiness #GamingTaxes #GameStudioTaxes #TaxAdvice