Indie Game Lunch Hour

Join us for a conversation with Eric Betancourt, a storytelling powerhouse, an award-worthy narrative designer, masterful Dungeon Master, and educator who brings worlds to life across tabletop and digital realms. With credits from heavyweights like Wizards of the Coast and Fantasy Flight Games, he’s using the power of play to spark creativity, build empathy, and fuel real-world changeLearn more about EricLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

In this episode, Squinky and Jess from Soft Chaos dive into the world of worker co-ops and how collective ownership fuels their bold, genre-defying work. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how they create deeply personal, experimental games and interactive art that push the boundaries of play.Learn more about SoftChaos GamesLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

Discover the exhilarating journey of learning new tools in game development. From overcoming initial overwhelm to celebrating those breakthrough moments, the speakers share personal experiences and effective strategies. Dive into the importance of community collaboration during game jams and explore the transition from 2D to 3D designs. They also discuss how embracing new technologies, like AI, can enhance creativity and innovation. Whether you're a novice or a pro, this conversation offers valuable insights to spark your learning journey.

In this episode, Aysha U. Farah shares her approach to building unforgettable stories and gives us an inside look at her latest project, the narrative shooter Spine. Asyha is one of the sharpest minds in narrative design today, with a portfolio that spans Magic: The Gathering, Hiveswap, and the GDC Award-winning Life is Strange: Double Exposure.Learn more about AyshaLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

In this episode, we sit down with Layla Pigott (they/she)—film editor, game designer, and founder of Lookout Drive Games—to talk about the challenges and rewards of being trans and queer in the game industry. From navigating identity in professional spaces to building community through games like Portrait of a Texas Family and Bitter Silver, Layla shares hard-won insights and hopeful visions for the future of queer storytelling in games.Learn more about LaylaLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

Sydney Clara, an award-winning filmmaker and game developer known for her work on QUALIA, joins the conversation to explore the often tumultuous relationship artists have with their creations. She navigates her journey from film to indie game development, revealing the importance of problem-solving and embracing imperfection. Sydney discusses the value of shorter, impactful games and the necessity of early playtesting. Additionally, she encourages listeners to balance professional standards with personal satisfaction, ultimately inviting a playful approach to creativity.

Discover the fascinating journey behind 'Whiskers, Wizards, and Wands', where a reluctant feline wizard crafts spells in a vibrant world. The creators discuss merging traditional art styles with modern gameplay, highlighting their unique papery aesthetic. Dive into the challenges indie developers face, from project scope management to community engagement. Personal anecdotes of lunches and creative influences inject humor into their process. Plus, learn how to integrate personal skills into game design for a truly engaging experience!

In this episode, we're joined by the founders of Ludorya Studios, a team of game designers who met during their Master’s in Game Science and Design and built a studio where playful chaos meets meaningful innovation. We explore their journey, their commitment to designing games by players, for players, and how they balance humor with thoughtful experimentation.Learn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

In this episode, we sit down with the trio behind Future Suit Games, Abram, Adam, and Kristi, to talk about their journey building an indie studio from the ground up. We dive into their upcoming debut title Daughter of the Rift, a narrative-rich card battler that fuses emotional storytelling with deep strategy.Learn more about Future Suit GamesLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

In this episode, we sit down with Nicholas O’Brien, one of the most distinctive voices in narrative game design and critical play. As the founder of Essay Games, his groundbreaking work has earned recognition from The New York Times, The Guardian, and Kotaku, and has been showcased at top festivals like MAGFest, Narrascope, and Now Play This.Learn more about NicholasLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.