Indie Game Lunch Hour

In this episode, we sit down with Anton Bernstein, CEO and Founder of Pocket Worlds, the YCombinator-backed company behind virtual platforms Highrise and Everskies, boasting over 45 million users and 10,000 creators. Anton shares insights into building these thriving online communities, where users create avatars, express themselves, and form deep connections. We also explore his entrepreneurial journey, from founding Lookingo and Luxury Escapes to shaping the future of social experiences in the virtual space.Learn more about AntonLearn 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.

Join us as we chat with Nick, a seasoned leader in the world of project management, with over 15 years of expertise in production, business strategy, and more. As the Chief Wizard of Operations for Indie Game Academy and co-founder of Sea Stories Creative Studios, Nick is spearheading an exciting shift in strategy, bringing his vision to life through an upcoming Kickstarter board game, "Chronicles of the Stellar Drive Empire: Voidpilot’s Legacy." From AR/VR simulators to indie game development, Nick's journey is a masterclass in leadership, innovation, and creative passion.Learn more about NickLearn 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.

On this episode, we speak with Joe Zieja, a Los Angeles-based voice actor, author, and educator. Known for his iconic roles like Wriothesley in Genshin Impact and Claude Von Riegan in Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Joe’s voice has brought life to many beloved characters. Alongside his acting career, Joe leads LearnVoiceActing.com, where he shares his expertise with aspiring and experienced voice actors alike. Tune in as we explore his journey through the world of anime, video games, and voice acting education!Learn more about JoeLearn 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're joined by William Schmitt, Head of Studio at Proof of Play, the team behind Pirate Nation. With a rich background spanning Disney Interactive, Scopely, THQ, and Activision, William has overseen the production of over 60 titles across 23 platforms. He brings his deep expertise in development, publishing, and live operations to the conversation, sharing insights from his remarkable journey through the games industry. Tune in as we explore his leadership role and the future of online gaming with Pirate Nation!Learn more about WilliamLearn 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.

Join us as we chat with Ayla Derrick, the innovative founder of Cave Bear Games, a fully junior indie team making waves in the industry. Ayla shares her journey from building volunteer teams to leading the development of *Plantasia*, all while promoting the Indie Revolution through the CBG Partner Studio Program. Discover her insights on the tools and trends shaping idle games in the modern era, and how her rapid rise on LinkedIn is inspiring others in the game development community.Learn more about AylaLearn 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're joined by Spencer Cohen, the visionary game producer behind Abducted Monkeys. With two commercial game releases and a deep expertise in technical pipelines and design, Spencer shares his journey of leading an indie studio to success. Discover his passion for pinball and the thrilling world of showcasing games at conferences and conventions. Tune in for an exciting dive into the indie game scene!Learn more abour SpencerLearn more about FanconsLearn more about Game Conference GuideLearn more about Lockjaw: Robo-RoyaleLearn more about Lockjaw CommunityLearn 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 chat with Greg Lane, a seasoned game developer who has worn nearly all the hats in the industry since 2011. From his work at Funtank and Big Huge Games to Unity, Greg shares his experiences navigating the challenges of small teams. We dive into his latest project, #BLUD, a cartoon vampire-fighting adventure game, and explore how he balances writing, game design, and more. Tune in to discover what it takes to juggle many roles in game development!Learn more about GregLearn 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.

Dive into an insightful conversation with Alex Gombos, a highly accomplished talent acquisition leader with over a decade of experience recruiting for AAA studios like Firewalk Studios, Naughty Dog, and PlayStation Studios Creative Arts. As a driving force behind recruitment strategies for some of the industry’s most renowned teams, Alex has a proven track record in fostering diversity and inclusion within game development. Tune in as she shares her expert perspective on building inclusive teams and shaping the future of the industry.Learn more about AlexLearn 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.

Join us in this episode as we dive into the world of freeware game development with Gabriel, a seasoned expert who has worked on over 100 games and prototypes. With a decade of experience and hits like Harry Potter Hogwarts Mystery and Panda Pop under his belt, Gabriel shares his passion for turning concepts into joyful gameplay. Discover how freeware game development can be the antidote to burnout and reignite your creative spark.Learn more about GabrielLearn 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 chat with Luke Piazza, a game systems designer with over three years of experience, including work on the iconic Five Nights at Freddy's series. Luke shares invaluable insights on acing the design interview, drawing from his experiences at industry events like GDC and speaking engagements at Stanford, Devcom, and LinkedIn roundtables. Tune in as he offers practical advice on breaking into the game industry and "paying it forward" by helping aspiring designers.Learn more about LukeLearn 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.