Game Dev Podcast | Coffee with Butterscotch

This week, we talk about working with family and game pricing. Deciding on a price point for a game is more than just a simple economic decision. Perceived value is influenced by perceived functionality, entertainment proposition, artistic merit, and emotional connection. So how do you hit the jackpot at the right price? Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashla...

In this episode, we discuss internationalization, localization, and implementation. Localization is much more than just translation. It’s a complex technical and artistic endeavor that captures the essence of your game and makes it accessible to a global audience. Lots of things can be open to interpretation, but loc will help you keep anything important from being lost in translation. Support Cra...

This week, we talk about staring eyes, mini-games, and integration issues. Supporting new tech like the Vision Pro or adding sneaky mini-games into bigger ones is all about snazzing things up without adding user-sided friction. Seamless integration is way harder than it sounds, but when it works, it's pure stealthy genius. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crash...

In this episode, we discuss Crashlands 2 update, onboarding, and malicious compliance.  Major tech companies, using their vast resources, can navigate regulations with ease and will sometimes exploit their advantages, following the letter but not the spirit. As tech companies become entities of critical infrastructure, the challenges of regulating them are prime examples of late-stage capitalism....

This week, we talk about shower thoughts, IPOs, and demos. Crafting a game demo is an art form. You need to strike the perfect balance between revealing enough to hook players while leaving them craving more. The effectiveness of a demo is also influenced by numerous other factors like the game’s genre, the timing of the release, and player expectations. So, do demos really boost game sales? The a...

In this episode, we discuss industry layoffs, intellectual property, and patent ethics. The mismatch between the static nature of the patent system and the dynamic evolution of technology can lead to a paradox where patents, intended to protect innovation, inadvertently hinder progress. A system from a different time, not quite in step with the pace of modern technology. Support Crashlands 2! Offi...

This week, we talk about this year’s theme, our predictions for what’s ahead, and the hardware of the moment. If you wanna be a tech wizard, you gotta find the right arcane focus. How about  a magical console that lets you control things with the press of a button? You won’t even need a pointy hat. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https:/...

In this episode, we discuss our predictions, our realities, and our potential futures. 2023’s moniker was “20-Jubilee: Stay Ahead of It” – what should 2024’s call to action be? We’ve got some ideas, but we want to hear your suggestions! Submit your taglines at podcast.bscotch.net or drop them in the discord.gg/bscotch thread. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/cr...

This week, we talk about game marketing, development challenges, and the tightrope of player expectations. In an industry where hype often overshadows reality,  it’s difficult to balance the promised vision with the technical limitations. Can developers turn dreams into reality without breaking player trust? Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Traile...

In this episode, we discuss the mobile gaming market, multiplayer engagement, and art of reflection. Early errors are essential stepping stones to proficiency. True expertise often looks effortless, but is the culmination of persistent learning, adaptation, and continuous self improvement. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be...

This week, we talk about Game Awards, patch notes, and tech integration. In the ongoing race for AI supremacy, tech giants are overlooking the crucial challenges of integrating AI tools with everyday personal applications like email and calendars. Instead of focusing on outperforming each other, companies should prioritize developing user-centric features that genuinely enhance practical use. Supp...

In this episode, we discuss bug hunts, player feedback, and fishing quirks. Diving into player feedback is a rollercoaster ride, with a lot of ups and downs and some risk of whiplash. The trick lies in decoding cryptic comments into actionable information you can use for improvement. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be/yR_Op...

This week, we talk about space elevators, gaming economics, and AI marketing. AI can, in theory, translate a programmer’s dream into a marketing spiel. But are LLMs a genuine step forward in software development, or are they just glorified autocompletes built on shaky ethical grounds? Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be/yR_O...

In this episode, we discuss game testing, white lies, and samurais. Alpha testing is like hosting a masquerade ball for bugs— you never know who will show up in what disguise. Decoding feedback is a juggling act between psychology, sleuthing, and the occasional facepalm, but every glitch unraveled is one step closer to enlightenment. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/...

This week, we talk about zombie tsunami, combat, and DDOS attacks. The internet allows anyone to communicate with a server, much like walking up to a door and knocking on it. Despite best efforts to filter out unwanted messages, you still need to have a strategy for handling these requests. It's akin to being pursued by persistent salespeople—how do you decline their pitch? Support Crashlands 2! O...

In this episode, we discuss the cursed day, the KPI monster, and ghostly decisions. Merging ideas can strengthen a shared vision. Or it can weaken a strong perspective. What's in a decision? In the world of collaboration, more than you might expect. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be/yR_Opccn1n4 Steam Wishlist: https://stor...

This week, we talk about the spookies, gaming pet peeves, and QA testing. The scariest bugs aren’t those that go bump in the night, but the ones that jeopardize the player’s experience. Bug-free software is a mirage, so it’s better to pursue impact over perfection. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be/yR_Opccn1n4 Steam Wishli...

In this episode, we discuss splash screens, collision checking, and prioritization. Community events can be exciting and merch is fun, but what happens when you wanna scale? Too small and the cash register stays silent; too big and it’s a money and time sink. Finding the right balance is tricky, and every move counts. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands...

This week, we talk about subscription models, ergonomics, and the Microsoft merger. What's in a name? In the corporate world, more than you’d think. A brand merging and acquiring other brands might be a savvy business move, but it might result in diluting each one’s identity. Would you play "Call of Diablo Crush"? Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/...

In this episode, we discuss alien monsters, map merging, and dogfooding. When crafting a tool, which features are necessary (and which ones are not) may seem straightforward… until you use the tool yourself. There will always be something that you overlooked, a nuance or decision that makes the task more daunting than anticipated. If you need to hammer in a hundred nails, a comfortable grip will m...

This week, we talk about revenue share, licensing, and VR tech. AI and VR can serve as powerful amplifiers, echoing and intensifying the digital symphony around us. But are we conducting a masterpiece or merely amplifying noise? And at what cost? Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be/yR_Opccn1n4 Steam Wishlist: https://store.s...

In this episode, we discuss game engines, publishing platforms, and predicting success. While metrics and statistics have their place, a game’s potential can’t be distilled into numbers alone. There’s no accounting for chaos. Sometimes, the magic lies in simply crafting a game you love and trusting that the fun will follow. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/cras...

This week, we talk about Unity, greed, and the ruins. Corporate greed provides immediate gains for a select few at the expense of everyone else, even an industry’s foundational pillars. End-stage capitalism strikes again. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://youtu.be/yR_Opccn1n4 Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/14017...

In this episode, we discuss polar bears, horoscopes, and underwater basket weaving. Generalizing your skillset means shifting from mastering specific tasks to cultivating adeptness in critical thinking. When you identify patterns in the work and start to unravel how they’re woven together, you deepen your understanding of what it means to truly know something. Support Crashlands 2! Official Websit...

This week, we talk about reaction times, tolerance levels, and the bottom line. Even with vast resources at their disposal, big game studios can still stumble when it comes to the finer details. In a world where every pixel counts, the tiniest choices can completely redefine the player experience. Support Crashlands 2! Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/ Trailer: https://...