Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
To try everything Brilliant has to offer—free—for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/MichaelKocha . You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription.
This video is sponsored by Brilliant
In this video I share 10 hard-learned lessons I wish I knew when I started making indie games. From marketing strategies and scoping advice to community building and improving game feel, these insights are designed to help new and seasoned developers alike. Whether you’re an indie dev, game designer, or hobbyist, these tips will save you time, money, and frustration. I also talk about how continuous learning, like through Brilliant, can supercharge your skills in math, programming, and game design.
Follow my development journey:
▸Check out my games on Steam - store.steampowered.com/developer/kindredgames
▸Join the Discord - discord.gg/kindredgames
▸Support us on Patreon - patreon.com/c/michaelkocha
▸Watch me live on Twitch - twitch.tv/kindredgames
▸Follow me on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/kindredgames.net
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:05 Expanding Over Cutting
03:15 Don't Ruin Feedback
04:38 Keep Learning
05:06 Brilliant
06:40 Make Bad Games
08:42 Art Sells Games
10:53 Game Feel is Not Optional
12:01 Say Yes to Feature Creep
13:02 Time is More Valuable Than Money
14:44 Put Yourself Out There
To try everything Brilliant has to offer—free—for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/MichaelKocha . You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription.
This video is sponsored by Brilliant
In this video I share 10 hard-learned lessons I wish I knew when I started making indie games. From marketing strategies and scoping advice to community building and improving game feel, these insights are designed to help new and seasoned developers alike. Whether you’re an indie dev, game designer, or hobbyist, these tips will save you time, money, and frustration. I also talk about how continuous learning, like through Brilliant, can supercharge your skills in math, programming, and game design.
Follow my development journey:
▸Check out my games on Steam - store.steampowered.com/developer/kindredgames
▸Join the Discord - discord.gg/kindredgames
▸Support us on Patreon - patreon.com/c/michaelkocha
▸Watch me live on Twitch - twitch.tv/kindredgames
▸Follow me on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/kindredgames.net
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:05 Expanding Over Cutting
03:15 Don't Ruin Feedback
04:38 Keep Learning
05:06 Brilliant
06:40 Make Bad Games
08:42 Art Sells Games
10:53 Game Feel is Not Optional
12:01 Say Yes to Feature Creep
13:02 Time is More Valuable Than Money
14:44 Put Yourself Out There
