Episodes

  • We're excited to have Jenny Jarzabski, Senior Developer at Paizo, joining us to discuss "Unionization in the Video Game Industry."

    Jenny brings a wealth of experience and insights into the topic, having played a pivotal role in advocating for unionization within the game industry. Throughout our conversation, we'll delve into various aspects of unionization and its impact on game developers.

    Jenny will share her firsthand experiences, shedding light on her job responsibilities at Paizo and the motivations behind the decision to unionize. We'll explore the significance of solidarity in the workplace and delve into the bargaining process involved in establishing a union.

    Furthermore, Jenny will provide valuable insights into the role of a union steward and discuss the potential downsides of being in a union, offering a balanced perspective on the topic.

    For those interested in unionizing their workplace, Jenny will offer practical advice on the first steps to take and highlight the importance of collective action in advocating for workers' rights.

    Additionally, Jenny will share her excitement about upcoming releases in the tabletop gaming industry, giving us a glimpse into the innovative projects she's been working on at Paizo.

    Stay connected with Jenny Jarzabski on social media:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/spaceprincess_j

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-jarzabski/

    Join us as we explore the crucial topic of unionization in the video game industry and gain valuable insights from Jenny's extensive experience and advocacy efforts.

    #IndieGameBusiness #Unionization #VideoGameIndustry #JennyJarzabski #Paizo #GameDevelopment #WorkersRights #Solidarity #UnionSteward #CollectiveAction #TabletopGaming #Starfinder #Pathfinder

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  • Today, we're excited to have Timothy Johnson, Founder and Principal Engineer of ExJin Studios, joining us to discuss "The Future of the Video Game Industry."

    During our discussion, Timothy will share insights from his work at Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and WB Games and why he started “Chat Arcade” - a platform for discord based games. We'll also delve into his collaboration with Will Wright and the innovative projects they've worked on together, offering a glimpse into the future of interactive entertainment.

    Stay connected with Timothy Johnson on social media:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AtlGameDev

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-johnson-dev/

    Don't miss this opportunity to dive into the future of gaming with Timothy Johnson, only on IndieGameBusiness!

    #IndieGameBusiness #VideoGameIndustry #FutureOfGaming #TimothyJohnson #ExJinStudios #AIinGames #GameDevelopment #Innovation #Collaboration #ChatArcade #GameDevCommunity

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  • We are delighted to have Michael Schwalbe, Voiceactor / Casting Director / Voice Director at What He Said Voiceovers, LLC, joining us to explore the topic of "How Important are Voiceovers for your Indie Game?"

    Throughout our discussion, Michael will share invaluable insights into the significance of voiceovers in indie game development. We'll delve into various topics, including the artistry of voiceacting, effective direction, emerging industry trends, the role of AI in voiceovers, and the importance of unionization in the voiceover community.

    Michael will address common misconceptions among smaller studios regarding fully voicing their games and provide guidance on how to overcome these challenges. He'll also offer his perspective on the future direction of the industry, both in terms of voiceovers and gaming as a whole.

    Furthermore, Michael will walk us through the intricate process of voicing a game like System Shock, offering firsthand insights into the creative and technical aspects involved.

    We'll also explore thought-provoking questions such as whether a video game can be considered art and how Michael's background as a singer and metal musician influences his approach to acting.

    Stay connected with Michael Schwalbe on social media:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/whathesaidvo

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/actormichaelschwalbe/

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/actormichaelschwalbe

    Join us as we dive into the world of voiceovers in indie games and gain valuable insights from Michael's extensive experience and expertise.

    #IndieGameBusiness #Voiceovers #MichaelSchwalbe #GameDevelopment #IndustryTrends #AIinGames #Unionization #SystemShock #ArtInGames #IndieDev #GameVoiceacting

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  • Welcome to IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're thrilled to have Renee Gittins, studio head of Stumbling Cat and developer of Potions: A Curious Tale, joining us to discuss "An Indie Game: From Conception to Completion."

    Throughout our conversation, Renee will provide fascinating insights into the journey of creating Potions: A Curious Tale, a captivating indie game that has captured the hearts of players worldwide.

    We'll delve into the inspirations behind the game, exploring what motivated Renee to dedicate a decade of her life to its development and the biggest influences that shaped its unique gameplay and narrative.

    Renee will share her experiences in building a supportive community around Potions, both during development and leading up to its launch. We'll discuss strategies for fostering community engagement and ensuring the success of indie games in today's competitive market.

    Additionally, Renee will reflect on her development journey and share any lessons learned along the way. We'll explore aspects of the development process that she wishes she had approached differently and uncover valuable insights that aspiring indie game developers can apply to their own projects.

    Stay connected with Renee Gittins on social media:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/RikuKat

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneegittins/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rikukat/

    Join us as we unravel the fascinating story behind Potions: A Curious Tale and gain invaluable advice for navigating the indie game development landscape.

    #IndieGameDevelopment #PotionsACuriousTale #IndieGameBusiness #ReneeGittins #StumblingCat #GameDevelopment #IndieGames #CommunityBuilding

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • 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

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  • Find out what publishers are looking for in a pitch deck. During this session, Omar and Jay review the pitch deck for the game Zombie Rollerz.

    #pitchdeckreview #IndieGameBusiness #GamePitchDecks

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  • Find out what publishers are looking for in a pitch deck. During this session, Omar and Jay review the pitch deck for the game Magical Harvest.

    #pitchdeckreview #IndieGameBusiness #GamePitchDecks

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  • This talk will explore how to create a pitch deck for approaching a publisher. It will cover reasons to approach a publisher, what's in it for the publisher, and the parts of the pitch deck. It will conclude with some resources and methods that will be helpful to indie devs who want to pitch their game.

    #IndieGameBusiness #PitchDecks #GameDeveloperPitchDecks

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  • Welcome to another episode of IndieGameBusiness! Today, we're honored to have Lisette Titre Montgomery, CEO of Cornerstone Studios, here to shed light on "Current Market Challenges for Indie Game Companies."

    Throughout our discussion, Lisette will delve into the pressing issues facing indie game companies in the current market landscape. We'll explore topics such as funding challenges, emerging market trends, and the future direction of the gaming industry.

    Lisette will share insights into Cornerstone Studios' mission, goals, and strategies for navigating market challenges while maintaining a focus on innovation and creativity. We'll also discuss the importance of intellectual property (IP) management and its role in the success of indie game companies.

    Stay connected with Lisette Titre Montgomery on Twitter and LinkedIn:

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/zette16

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisettetitre

    Join us as we uncover the complexities of the indie game market and explore strategies for overcoming challenges in today's dynamic gaming landscape.

    #IndieGameCompanies #MarketChallenges #CornerstoneStudios #FutureOfGaming #IndieGameBusiness #FundingChallenges #IPManagement #LisetteTitreMontgomery #IndieGameBusiness

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  • In this session you will learn about some core tools and practices that will help you find your own tailored Minimum Viable Process for your team or studio. You will hear some case studies to learn from others’ successes and failure and you will leave the session with a few ideas to implement directly with your team.

    #IndieGameBusiness #GameDev #GameStudio

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  • Join Tammy for an exclusive Marketing Masterclass tailored to indie game developers with limited budgets and small teams. Discover the most effective and practical tips, from guerrilla tactics to must-have social media strategies, to maximize your game's visibility without breaking the bank. You'll learn how to leverage your creativity, community, and cost-effective tactics to drive engagement and propel your indie game to success.

    #IndieGameBusiness #VideoGameMarketing #IndieGameMarketing #HowToMarketAGame

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