IndieGameBusiness®

Join us for an insightful conversation with Jim Hudson, a seasoned Freelance Producer with 30 years of experience in the gaming industry. Jim shares his personal journey, the highs and lows of game development, and the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way. In this episode, Jim reflects on his aspirations before entering the gaming world, the greatest gifts the industry has given him, and th...

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Kvalo, Founder & CEO of Midwest Games, to discuss the journey of building an indie game company from the ground up. Ben shares valuable insights on what his team has learned, where they currently stand, and what’s next for Midwest Games. Ben also opens up about the growth of the company, his favorite moments, and the biggest challenges they’ve faced along...

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we sit down with Stephan Bugaj, Chief Creative Officer of Genvid Entertainment, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of interactive narrative and transmedia storytelling. Stephan discusses how audiences today crave more agency and authenticity in the stories they love, highlighting the ways in which meaningful interaction stands out in a media-saturated w...

In "Unlocking Me / We / Us: Every Challenge is an Opportunity", Juney runs the audience through a vulnerable series of personal unlocks that have proven to be catalysts for her career, her teams & organisations, and the game industry at large. She hopes to inspire the realisation that every time a challenge feels intimidating or overwhelming, it's a signal of a high likelihood of personal grow...

This talk challenges traditional notions of leadership, emphasising that true leadership is defined by skills and mindset and not just hierarchical status. Whether you are new to a leadership role or who have been in a senior positions for a long time, the session delves into the essential qualities that constitute effective leadership. Andy explores the concept that everyone, regardless of their...

In this interactive session titled "Communicate to Elevate," we'll focus on practical techniques for enhancing communication within your team. This talk will cover effective methods for setting clear expectations and delivering constructive feedback that fosters a culture of growth and collaboration. You'll learn specific strategies for setting goals and deadlines, framing feedback positively, and...

Explore the unique challenges and strengths of being neurodivergent in the games industry with Ash, Monica, Steph and Adam. This session covers key topics, including disclosing neurodivergence at work, identifying neurodivergent-friendly companies, navigating workplace dynamics and more. Gain insights on embracing your neurodivergent identity, advocating for yourself, and finding environments wher...

This talk will explore how game jams serve as an ideal starting point for discovering and nurturing talent. We’ll explain how developers can grow through mentorship, focusing on practical and communicative skills that prepare them to create valuable, commercially viable intellectual properties (IPs). These IPs can develop into studios or be acquired by established studios and accelerators. We'll a...

In this presentation, you'll learn how to optimize your relationship with your PR firm by fostering clear and consistent communication. Discover the key information your PR team needs from you to craft impactful campaigns, and understand how to define and articulate your own expectations. We will explore how to set measurable goals, align on shared objectives, and ensure that everyone involved und...

Making games is hard! How do Developers do it? Where are the resources? How do I make a living? In this lecture, we're going to dive in to some ways you can set realistic expectations and goals for game development. In particular, we'll hone in on ways you can protect your mental health and be good to yourself during Game Development. With Game Development getting more uncertain and difficult, we'...

Join indie developer Carlos as they share insights on leading Eternal Guardian: Forbidden Portals from concept to AAA-quality development. This session covers strategies for building a clear vision, effective team communication, and overcoming indie-specific challenges.

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Cord Smith, Studio Head at Inevitable Studios, who brings over 25 years of experience across publishers, developers, and a game-centric creative agency. In this episode, Cord shares his unique perspective on the current climate of the game industry for indie developers, the importance of seeking meaningful partnerships and funding, and why he's betting on...

Join us for an exciting conversation with Michael Yum, CEO of PM Studios, Inc., as he shares his incredible journey from starting in QA testing to founding his own company. With over 30 games produced and a passion for both game development and game collecting, Michael offers unique insights into the gaming industry and his experiences. In this episode, Michael talks about his career progression,...

In this episode, we chat with Jonathan Concepcion, the Lead Developer and founder of Galactic Slice, about his journey from hobbyist to full-time indie game developer. Jonathan shares the inspiring story of how a simple game, OneBit Adventure, allowed him to turn his passion into a career. He discusses the motivations behind his leap of faith, the impact of choosing a free-to-play model on communi...

In this candid and introspective episode, we sit down with Brett Taylor, founder of My Dog Zorro, to explore the personal and professional challenges of building a career in game development. Brett opens up about his journey, sharing insights from his previous roles, the lessons he's learned as a young founder, and how he balances work and life while aiming high and accepting the possibility of fa...

In this episode, we sit down with Joe Mirabello, Founder and Creative Director of Terrible Posture Games, to discuss the landscape of funding for indie game developers in 2023/2024 and the overall stability of the gaming industry. Joe shares insights into his latest project, Battle Train, and its unique journey to securing funding through Kickstarter. We'll explore the challenges and opportunities...

Discover how to understand player preferences and leverage feedback to master game evaluation and scouting for business success. Learn strategies to mitigate bias and present evaluations effectively, bridging the gap between gamers and business development. Gain insights from market research to stay ahead of trends and ensure your game's success in a competitive market. Key takeaways include a...

Dive into the dynamic world of licensing in video games. Explore strategies for securing and optimizing licensing deals, from iconic characters to innovative technology. Gain insights into key legal considerations and industry trends. Level up your understanding of how licensing shapes the gaming landscape and drives success in this rapidly evolving industry.

Standing out is a challenge for all developers. While strategies help, a simple approach can amplify awareness efforts and connect with players while achieving remarkable results. This talk explores the common challenges of resonating with players and offers a practical framework that emphasizes treating players as people. By understanding their diverse interests and values, you'll learn to cr...

This program is intended to highlight the legal concerns of indie video game studios including: contracts, copyrights, trademarks, and artificial intelligence. My goal is to provide FREE legal nuggets and gems for attendees and to illustrate how beneficial and cost-effective having outside general counsel can be whether the indie studio is a start-up or is more established.

The goal of the talk is to provide case study tips regarding the proper execution of documents necessary to efficiently execute a premium Steam game business development analysis, including contemporary methodologies, algorithms and general structure. The attendees will learn how to draw proper conclusions by completing a direct competition analysis, preparing a P&L, sum up competition rev est...

Safe In Our World and PTW discuss the landscape of online safety, uncovering key elements for supporting players, users, communities, and frontline teams. We highlight critical factors that contribute to constructing and maintaining secure environments where players and teams can thrive without compromising their safety. From privacy concerns to combating toxicity, we explore a comprehensive range...

Join Manon Salaché as she explores the critical role of market analysis during game development. Learn how an in-depth market study can enhance your marketing strategy, boost user acquisition, and position your game for success before launch. This presentation covers key elements such as competitive analysis, market positioning, and demonstrates how to use these insights to craft effective strateg...

Join us for an insightful conversation with Guy Costantini, the CEO and co-founder of a new, unannounced studio focused on creating PC and console games. Guy shares his expertise on the critical aspects of marketing your indie game, ensuring it's seen by the right audience without breaking the bank. We explore the differences between indie, III, AA, and AAA games, as well as the distinctions a...

Video game publishing agreements can be difficult for indie developers to understand, and even harder to successfully negotiate with the publisher. In this session, join video game lawyer Zachary Strebeck, Matthew Vernace, and Alan Wilson to discuss the major issues that come up with most publishing agreements, what to push back on and what to accept, and other tips and tricks for navigating your...