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

Game development is usually focused on execution, building systems, solving problems, and moving forward. But without stepping back to examine what the process itself teaches us, teams can miss why projects succeed, where collaboration falters, or why feedback loops lose momentum. This episode explores how creating games naturally develops strategic thinking, teamwork, feedback cycles, and storyte...

Everyone talks about how oversaturated the games market is, but the real issue is that you're also competing with creators, platforms, and every other demand on players' time and trust. Under that pressure, teams rush decisions: defaulting to what feels "safe," or treating creators and communities like distribution channels instead of partners. So today, we unpack how those shortcuts quietly erode...

Today, we're taking time to reflect on the past year by revisiting some of our most-listened-to conversations. But not just for the moments themselves, but for the themes that kept surfacing again and again throughout the year. I won't sugarcoat it: 2025 was tough for a lot of us. Uncertainty was the backdrop, and honestly, it just sucked for many of us. But even in the worst of times, there's alw...

Making a great game isn't enough if players don't understand why they should care in the first place. To today, we're going to explore some of the many things that are commonly overlooked when setting up Steam store pages. : how to communicate your game's value quickly, visually, and honestly. We break down common store page mistakes, discuss how players scan pages instead of reading them, and exa...

Games succeed or fail based on the experience players walk away with, and few disciplines shape that experience more than QA. In this episode, we look beyond bug reports and test plans to uncover one of QA's most underrated strengths: communication and empathy. From UX and design discussions to player-focused problem solving, QA isn't just about finding issues — it's about connecting across teams...

This week, we're doing something a little different. Andrew recently joined Mike on the Freaking Cool Indies podcast for a conversation that struck right at the heart of what Indie Game Movement is all about: empathy, perspective, and understanding the people behind the player data. In this shared episode, Andrew opens up about why empathy isn't just a marketing strategy—it's the foundation of how...

The intersection of imagination and machine intelligence is giving rise to a new kind of game design, one where players and AI co-create experiences together. But with this innovation comes new challenges: ethical design, scaling responsibly, and keeping the human spirit of storytelling alive. In this episode, we discuss what's next for AI in gaming and how indie studios can innovate sustainably w...

Publishing deals and working agreements can do everything from launch a game or sink a studio. But too often, devs and studios sign first without realizing they gave up too much. So today, we're going to go over what every developer should understand about publishing agreements, licensing and work-for-hire arrangements. From negotiation red flags to protecting your IP, you'll know how to navigate...

Many studios treat collaboration as a checkbox, handing off assets, approving plans, and expecting results. But the truth is, campaigns thrive or fail on the strength of the relationships behind them. In this episode, we unpack the real mechanics of effective partnerships in game marketing. From trust and transparency to managing creative disagreements, you'll hear how aligned teams turn campaigns...

Many developers dream of going indie, but few talk about the business reality behind it. Turning creativity into a sustainable studio means facing tough questions about money, and what success really looks like. In this episode, we unpack what it truly takes to move from developer to entrepreneur—how to navigate hidden costs, reshape your mindset, and balance creative freedom with sustainability....

Turning a creative idea into a successful studio is an adventure full of insight, experimentation, and tough lessons. In this episode, we catch up with Mustapha Price—former Indie Game Movement producer turned studio founder—who shares what he's learned about balancing creativity with business operations and the realities of building a sustainable game studio from the ground up. Episode Shownotes...

In a time when resources are scarce and the industry feels uncertain, building a studio from the ground up can seem impossible. Yet, what if inclusive leadership and adaptive design could become your strongest assets? In this episode, we're going to discuss how leading with empathy and crafting meaningful experiences can make all the difference in what "purpose-driven games" can mean for both play...

Many great indie games never find their audience, not because they lack quality, but because players have a hard time discovering them. In a crowded market filled with platforms, storefronts, and showcases, standing out can feel impossible. In this episode, we explore how studios can lay the groundwork for success long before launch. From taking early steps that boost discoverability to building a...

Thousands of games launch every month, and building momentum can often feel like an impossible task. But momentum that matters doesn't come from massive budgets, it comes from focus. So today, we're going to break down how indie teams can develop repeatable marketing strategies, that turns engagement into lasting relationships, setting the foundation to keep their games moving forward. Episode Sho...

For many indie studios, the idea of working with existing IP is exciting. It brings instant recognition and built-in audiences. But with that excitement also comes a web of challenges that can quickly overwhelm teams. In this episode, we're going to dig into the realities of licensing and adaptation, drawing lessons from the leap between television and indie games. From navigating rights to findin...

Puzzles aren't just a design choice — they're a powerful driver of player retention. When done well, they keep players engaged, build trust, and create momentum. When done poorly, they frustrate players and cut your game's lifespan short. In this episode, we dig into how puzzle design shapes retention through interesting narrative adventures and experimental exploration that turns puzzles into ass...

The next wave of gamers is already here. Students, from middle to high school don't just view games only as entertainment but also as spaces for community, creativity, and leadership. But how do their unique motivations and playstyles translate into the future of game audiences? In today's episode, we're going to dive into insights from years of working with student gaming clubs and esports progra...

Most developers see their Steam page as a way to describe their game. And while that's true, its real purpose goes deeper: capturing a player's limited attention and showing them, in seconds, that your game is for them. In this episode, I share lessons from my own posts and conversations on why the purpose of your Steam page goes beyond text, features, or trailers. We'll explore how every element...

Finding the right teammates isn't about checking boxes or broadcasting open roles. It's about creating the kind of opportunity people want to be part of. Today, we're digging into what actually draws people to a project by looking at how we communicate it, which is often in subtle ways we don't even notice. We'll explore how aligning your message with your mission can shape the future of your team...

Web3 in games is loud, controversial, and often feels far removed from indie realities or vision, but is it possible that there are lessons from this space worth paying attention to? So today, we're going to explore what Web3 really means for indie developers: how accessible (or inaccessible) the tech actually is, the unique player dynamics it introduces, and what indies can learn from both the su...

Global success in games requires more than just translating text. It demands building localization into the DNA of development. But too often, devs wait until the last minute, only to find that the process is more involved than they anticipated. So in this episode, we'll explore effective strategies for planning localization early, how to avoid common traps that can limit reach and secrets to keep...

You can have a great game idea, but if no one knows about it… who's going to care? When it comes to funding, most devs focus on the pitch deck, but often ignore what matters just as much. How they're building traction with their marketing. In this episode, we're going to explore how early-stage marketing builds confidence, community and momentum that makes funding more attainable. From signaling t...

Indie studios face tight budgets, small teams, and pressure to deliver big ideas with limited resources. Meanwhile, AI in game development sparks fears of job loss and soulless design. How can small teams stay human-centered while competing at scale? In this episode, we'll explore how generative AI can be an ally instead of a threat by discussing practical ways to speed up preproduction, validate...

Bringing a game to life means more than writing great code or creating stunning art, it requires harmony between both. But technical collaboration between developers and artists often hits snags, from miscommunication to mismatched expectations. In this episode our guest explores how to build workflows that support both sides of the pipeline, drawing from their own experience as a Unity developer...

If you ever had issues or concerns about why your players leave, well... it's not because your game is bad, they leave because you stop giving them reasons to stay. So today, we tackle how effective Live Ops strategy builds real player loyalty, exploring event design, personalization, and content cadence that turn casual players into regulars. The amazing thing is, this doesn't just apply to Live...