Indie Game Movement - The podcast about the business and marketing of indie games.

Hindsight is always 20/20, but knowing how to look at things and apply your learnings is more important than just acknowledging them, especially when it comes to crowdfunding campaigns. That's why in today's episode we meet again with Mikhail of Mythallica Incorporated in part 2 of episode 137 - How to Execute a "Killah" Crowdfunding Campaign to get further insight on how to approach and apply lea...

Not going to lie, it's been a difficult year, but despite the turbulence and uncertainty that has impacted the industry, Mustapha and I can confidently say that Indie Games as a whole has taken this as an opportunity to shine brighter and be a beacon of hope in our creative medium. With that said, we wanted to celebrate this by putting together an end of the year special by having a relaxed struct...

When it comes to devs supporting the indie dev community, sometimes people can feel that doing so can be counter-intuitive and be viewed as a way to support your competition. In today's episode, our guest Chris Zukowski of Howtomarketyourgame gives their reasons why this couldn't be further from the truth by providing great examples of how devs have leveraged their community to gain valuable insig...

You've finally made it! You worked long and hard, your game is hitting the market at last and you're getting ready for all of that public reception. But just because your game is out and the end of this journey is in sight doesn't mean you should stop your marketing efforts. Thankfully, Tanya X Short of Kitfox Games has been in this scenario multiple times with their own titles in addition to titl...

For most indie devs working on a game, it's probably safe to say that their number one priority is focusing on the game. But while it's good to be driven to complete tasks it's also important to dedicate some of that time to reflect and plan ahead. That's why today Mustapha and I discuss the importance of evaluation, projection and execution so you can be better positioned to not only hit your goa...

Preparation and execution are everything when it comes to running an effective crowdfunding campaign, but very rarely do we ever get the opportunity to have a first-hand account from someone who is right in the heat of the moment. Thankfully, Mikhail Sebastian of Mythallica Inc is willing to share everything with us in a two-part episode, starting with their process of planning a non-conventional...

We often discuss the balance of business and creativity in the indie games space, and one area that can sometimes be overlooked is the business development side of the industry. Building and maintaining relationships is essential but sometimes it can be a challenge to really know and understand how to do that, while also being comfortable with it. That's why in today's episode David Logan of Akupa...

When making your game, sometimes it can be difficult to focus on anything else. But if your plan is to release your game, then you also need to focus on your business values and how those can carry over to the gaming community and beyond. That's why our guests today, brother team Khalil and Ahmed from Decoy Games talk about how their focus of developing core values and serving others was a means t...

When indie devs decide that they want to make games, in most cases when thinking about publishing, it's along the lines of partnering with one. However, there's a trend going on where many developers are becoming publishers. For some that may consider this, transitioning into this role can seem daunting despite the opportunities it can provide. That's why IGM podcast veteran Neal Lorenza, shares h...

Since the pandemic has forced many to rely on digital events and other online formats and means of communication, in a lot of ways the indie game industry was already there. While some new trends have emerged, it still goes to show that knowing how to stand out in this digital landscape is extremely important. That's why Chris Wulf of Those Awesome Guys is going to share his experience and insight...

Finding ways to provide value to communities can be a challenge, especially when your attention and focus is more around the development of your game or studio. While this is important, looking outward and providing value to other communities can provide valuable insight and opportunities you never thought possible. Today, Mustapha and I will be discussing different types of communities that devs...

Whenever you market or promote your game, it can become a little weird. Putting yourself out there and calling attention to your game can come off self-serving. Feeling this way is normal, but you should never let it hinder you from getting the word out about your game. Today, Mustapha and I will be discussing the problems that a lot of devs face in addressing these issues by changing your mindset...

Eventually, the game you're making will be released. But before you get there, you need to make some important decisions to help clarify your vision, understand what you need and areas you should focus on regardless if you plan to self-publish or partner with a publisher. That's why our guest today is going to share how to navigate the publishing landscape so you can be on top of your game as you...

When it comes to reaching out to the media, forming relationships is absolutely essential. Whether or not you're able to hire a PR firm, not building relationships and understanding how your public image can impact others can make getting media coverage a greater challenge. Thankfully, Chris Compendio shares how they have established relationships with indie devs and relation figures, providing an...

Creating a strong marketing and business foundation can always be difficult to navigate. With so many moving parts, it's easy to let things fall through the cracks which in turn can leave you under-prepared and overwhelmed, In this episode, Mustapha and Andrew discuss some of the mistakes that people can make when developing their games and what solutions can be used to help you establish a strong...

Given current events or any future events, we know that there's always a boiling point when conversations of diversity in all spaces are left unchecked. In games in particular, there tends to be a lot of confusion around the correct approach to building an inclusive environment within your game, your communities, and your approach to marketing. This is really important because what you do and how...

Mustapha and Andrew share some new and exciting changes we have in store for the podcast and our listeners! You can now support IGM on our Patreon page! www.patreon.com/IGMPodcast Share your marketing and business stories with us and the community! www.rengenmarketing.com/IGMmystory As always, thanks for being such great listeners and taking action!

At some point, indie devs are going to need to take action with their PR but it can often be a challenge. Writing only press releases isn't enough to get the attention of the press, and simply asking for coverage isn't going to work either. Thankfully Yohann Miniere shares his expertise and experiences on how indie devs can be creative in their approach so their next PR campaign can create awarene...

The steps to creating a community can be a challenge in itself, but community management can be something completely different. While there are some great perks that come with a community, there can also be some potential pitfalls that can lead to disgruntled community members. Thankfully Jenny Windom of Rose City Games is able to shed some light on how to address situations that may arise and way...

Creating awareness for your game and building a community will always be a challenge for indie devs. There are lots of ways to do this, but one that a lot of devs seem to gravitate to is Twitter. While organic reach on Twitter is strong, it can still be a challenge to develop effective awareness strategies that convert into a community while still working on your game. That's why Niclas Marie is g...

Kickstarter has become a household name for the up and comers and those who support them. But with everything that Kickstarter has to offer for game creators, it can still be a challenge to navigate the crowdfunding landscape, trying to raise funds and build a community. Thankfully we're going to speak with Anya Combs who is the director of games outreach from Kickstarter to get a better perspecti...

During the pre-dev and early stages of development, there is a lot that indie devs need to focus on and be aware of outside of making their game. That also means a lot of distractions can arise, making it a challenge to keep a pulse on the market and build their brand. That's why our guest Mike Mony of Cathar games will be sharing how indie devs can identify objectives, create goals and establish...

Whether you're a cosplayer, a developer, or simply attending for fun, conventions like PAX can provide huge networking opportunities for all attendees. Despite this, the thought of networking for personal or professional purposes can deter people from making the most out of their experience. We'll discuss what it means to market yourself, how to get out of your comfort zone and provide actionable...

There's a lot of things that indie devs need to focus on during development, but sometimes there can be so much that it can often be difficult to determine what needs attention and what doesn't. Thankfully, our guest today provides us with some helpful concepts, ideas and strategies on how to better implement production management regardless if you're a solo dev or working at a small studio.

The marketing of indie games must always be consumer-focused, ensuring that your product fulfills a need and relevant place in a gamer's collection. However, it can be difficult to determine what a customer really wants. Thankfully, we have Chris Zukowski with us today to share a recent study he's finished about user behavior and provides insights on how indie devs can better influence that behavi...