IndieGameBusiness®
Inside WIGI: How Women in Games International Is Shaping the Future | Joanie Kraut
updated
Jay and Hugo will sit down for a relaxed conversation about Hugo’s journey in the games industry, building BC Media Lab, the story behind Gamacon, and the work that goes into creating opportunities and connections for game developers.
They’ll talk about the industry, community, events, entrepreneurship, and some of the lessons Hugo has picked up along the way. And because this is a Fireside Chat, expect the conversation to go wherever it goes, with stories, industry insight, live questions, and probably a few topics we didn’t plan for.
Come hang out with Jay and Hugo and join the conversation live.
Follow Hugo Castro:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hugo-abel-castro-%F0%9F%94%9C-crea-tijuana-9915a477
Facebook: facebook.com/hugo.a.castro.7
#IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #Gamacon #GameDev #GameIndustry
Players need to know if they can play your game before they buy it. Tara breaks down how Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, and the iOS App Store handle accessibility information, what players actually see, and how accurate feature details can support discovery and purchase decisions. You’ll also get a practical checklist for testing, tagging, and communicating your game’s accessibility across storefronts.
Live September 30th, 11am - 12pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn
#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry
Rafael discusses the advantages of browser distribution, the kinds of games that can work well on the web, and why developers should think carefully about audience, accessibility, and how the platform fits into their overall strategy.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Learn what wishlists actually tell you, which metrics matter, and why a high wishlist count doesn’t always translate into strong first-week sales. This panel also covers when to launch your store page, how to make the most of Steam Next Fest, and why setting your release date early can make a difference.
Live September 30th, 4pm - 5pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn
#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry
Launching a game is only the beginning. Christian shares lessons from years of working on indie games and supporting developers through launch and beyond, covering Early Access, 1.0 releases, content updates, and community engagement. Learn how to build momentum around your release while balancing ongoing development with player expectations, even when you’re working with a much smaller team than a typical AAA studio.
Live September 30th, 3pm - 4pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn
#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry
When Rob joined us previously, Roll Craft was building the studio and preparing for what came next. Now they’ve actually gone through the fundraising process, and Rob is coming back to talk about what really happened.
VCs. Angel investors. Kickstarter. WeFunder. Community funding. They all offer different paths to getting your game funded, but choosing how to raise the money is only the beginning.
What happens once your raise actually goes live?
Rob joins us to talk about the realities of fundraising, from preparing your company and choosing the right funding approach to the constant work required once the campaign starts. Updates, emails, AMAs, webinars, community engagement, and keeping momentum alive all become part of the job.
We’ll also get into what surprised him, what worked, what didn’t, the negatives developers should be prepared for, and the things he wishes more studio founders understood before starting a raise.
If you’re thinking about raising money for your game or studio, this is a chance to hear from someone who just went through it.
Follow Rob Carroll and Roll Craft:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rcarroll23
Facebook: facebook.com/rollcraft.games
Instagram: instagram.com/rollcraft_adventure
#IndieGameBusiness #GameFunding #IndieDev #GameBusiness #RollCraft
Rafael explains how putting your game on the web can help you reach new players, create another discovery channel, and potentially extend the life of a game beyond its original platform. For some developers, web does not have to replace another platform. It can simply become another way for players to find and experience the game.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Join Ash and INDIE for another After the Event as they sit down and break apart the talks, conversations, and biggest takeaways from the latest IndieGameBusiness Sessions.
This event focused on what happens when it’s time to actually get your game in front of players. We’ll discuss the realities of publishing across multiple platforms, the mistakes and last minute “landmines” developers run into, and why simply making a good game doesn’t mean anyone is going to pay attention to it.
We’ll also dig into discoverability, market fit, positioning, storefront conversion, launch timing, and why developers need to think beyond a single storefront. From Steam and alternative distribution channels to the challenges of multi storefront publishing, there’s a lot for indie developers to think about before hitting that launch button.
Ash and INDIE will revisit the talks from the event, share the points that stood out to them, and discuss what indie developers can actually take away and apply to their own games.
If you attended the Sessions, come continue the conversation. If you missed them, this is your chance to hear Ash and INDIE break down what you missed.
#IndieGameBusiness #IGBSessions #IndieDev #GamePublishing #GameMarketing #GameDistribution
Larry “Nightdive” Kuperman, former VP of Business Development at Nightdive Studios, is back on IndieGameBusiness for another Fireside Chat with Jay, and the two of them are up to their usual shenanigans.
There’s no telling exactly where this conversation is going to go. Expect stories from the games industry, lessons from Larry’s career, thoughts on what’s happening in games right now, probably a few opinions, and whatever else happens when you put Jay and Larry together live.
Larry may be retired, but he definitely hasn’t run out of things to say.
Come hang out, bring your questions, and join Jay and Larry for what should be a fun, unpredictable conversation.
Follow Larry “Nightdive” Kuperman:
Bluesky: @larrynightdive.bsky.social
X: https://x.com/LarryNightDive
Facebook: facebook.com/larry.kuperman
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/larrykuperman
#IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #Nightdive #GameIndustry #GameDev
Rafael discusses the importance of getting players into the experience quickly, avoiding unnecessary friction, making the core loop easy to understand, and giving people a reason to keep going. Especially on the web, where another game is only a click away, losing a player early can mean losing them for good.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Publishing across multiple storefronts can open the door to more players, but it also brings new challenges around distribution, operations, and strategy. This roundtable discussion will explore the realities of multi storefront publishing, with industry perspectives on how teams can approach different platforms, manage the added complexity, and make smarter decisions about where and how to release their games.
Live September 30th, 2pm - 3pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn
#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry
Rafael discusses what makes certain gameplay loops more appealing in a web environment, including accessibility, quick engagement, replayability, and mechanics that are easy to understand but still hard to put down. For developers considering browser distribution, understanding what web players respond to can make a huge difference.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Rafael discusses how web distribution changes the way developers need to think about visibility, discovery, and reaching the right audience. If you are bringing a game to the browser, the marketing strategy may need to look very different from what you would use on Steam, console, or mobile.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Rafael breaks down some of the considerations developers need to keep in mind when adapting an existing game for browser players and why the web can be worth considering as another distribution opportunity.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry pros as they offer expert insights and practical tips to enhance your own pitch process.
What makes controlling one game immediately satisfying while another feels awkward within seconds? Alex breaks down what game feel actually is, the different components that create it, and some of the most common mistakes that make otherwise promising games feel bad to play.
We’ll explore what separates bad game feel from great game feel, how movement, controls, responsiveness, feedback, animation, and other details shape the player experience, and why all of this has such a massive impact on a player’s first impression.
For indie developers, those opening moments matter. If your game doesn’t feel right immediately, players may never stick around long enough to discover everything else you built.
If you want your game to make a better first impression and simply feel better to play, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Follow Alex Sulman:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexsulman
Instagram: instagram.com/pelicanpeculiar
Dev to Dev Podcast: instagram.com/devto.devpodcast
#IndieGameBusiness #GameDev #GameDesign #GameFeel #IndieDev
Your team can have meetings, tickets, sprints, reports, and a perfectly organized production pipeline, but does all of that activity actually create value?
Benjamin breaks down the difference between producing “stuff” and producing value, how studios accidentally incentivize the wrong behaviors, and why processes that were designed to help teams can eventually become obstacles themselves.
We’ll explore why teams continue following processes without understanding why they exist, how traditional training can reinforce dysfunctional production habits, and the question leaders should be asking about every process inside their studio.
We’ll also dive into leadership in game development and how studio leaders can create environments focused on outcomes rather than simply keeping everyone busy.
If your team constantly feels busy but your game never seems to move forward fast enough, this conversation may change how you think about productivity.
Follow Benjamin Carcich:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich
#IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #GameProduction #IndieDev #StudioLeadership
Finishing your game is only part of getting it into players’ hands. Mart breaks down what release management actually involves, why it becomes so complicated, and the critical mistakes that can turn a launch into a disaster.
We’ll discuss delays, releasing too early, pricing and promotional decisions, managing store assets, and what happens when you add multiple platforms into the equation. Mart also explains how requirements can differ across Steam, consoles, and other platforms, and why every additional release creates new layers of complexity.
We’ll also look at what major publishers do differently, what smaller studios can realistically adopt from those processes, and whether indies should consider launching on Steam first before tackling consoles.
If your game is approaching release, this conversation will help you understand everything that needs to happen between “the game is finished” and actually getting it successfully launched.
Follow Mart Gervacio:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/martgervacio
#IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #GamePublishing #GameLaunch #ReleaseManagement
We’re putting the spotlight on developers and teams building great games without major publisher backing, creating an opportunity to reach new players, increase visibility, and get in front of publishers looking for what’s next.
store.steampowered.com/news/group/46223259/view/669497686129380549
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Georgina Ovassapian, founder of Winter Schloss Studios and developer of Night Shift: 1999, joined us on the IndieGameBusiness Podcast to talk about handling negative critique, separating useful feedback from personal emotion, and learning how to use criticism to become a better developer.
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gcoxmm.bsky.social
X: twitter.com/winterschloss
LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/georgina-de-manning-a12100185
Instagram: instagram.com/winterschlossstudios
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Rafael shares how successful studios are using the web alongside mobile instead of treating the two platforms as competitors. We’ll look at what CrazyGames is seeing across thousands of game submissions and hundreds of publishing partners, including the trends that are actually gaining traction.
We also dive into how AI, WebGPU, and modern browsers are expanding what developers can build on the web, plus some of the biggest misconceptions studios still have about browser gaming.
Finally, Rafael looks ahead at where the gaming ecosystem may be heading over the next five years and what role the web could play in distribution, discovery, and long term growth.
If you’re an indie developer looking for new audiences, new distribution opportunities, or a better understanding of where web gaming is headed, this conversation is worth watching.
Follow Rafael Morgan:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/morgam
#IndieGameBusiness #WebGaming #CrazyGames #IndieDev #GameDistribution
Georgina Ovassapian, founder of Winter Schloss Studios and developer of Night Shift: 1999, joined us on the IndieGameBusiness Podcast to talk about one way developers can take real experiences from their own lives and transform them into the characters, themes, and worlds of a video game without simply retelling those experiences exactly as they happened.
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gcoxmm.bsky.social
X: twitter.com/winterschloss
LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/georgina-de-manning-a12100185
Instagram: instagram.com/winterschlossstudios
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Georgina Ovassapian, founder of Winter Schloss Studios and developer of Night Shift: 1999, joined us on the IndieGameBusiness Podcast to talk about how developers can take real moments from their own lives and transform them into something meaningful, creative, and playable.
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gcoxmm.bsky.social
X: twitter.com/winterschloss
LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/georgina-de-manning-a12100185
Instagram: instagram.com/winterschlossstudios
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
In this highlight, Georgina speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt like game development was out of reach. She breaks down why making a game on your own is more achievable than it seems, why asking a basic question is never something to be embarrassed about, and why the wealth of tutorials and communities available today means the only real barrier left is just getting started.
Full Podcast Video:youtube.com/live/kX4Jg4swuR4?si=-9iLpdR5xcvJHPCB
Blog: indiegamebusiness.com/first-time-indie-game-developer-6-truths
Georgina shares how her experience migrating from Switzerland to Australia became the foundation for a supernatural game set in 1999. We’ll explore how Night Shift: 1999 uses monsters, mythology, and supernatural elements as metaphors for real world struggles and how personal experiences can become powerful material for game development.
We also discuss Georgina’s unconventional path into games through academia and fine art, and how her background in installation art, writing, and research has shaped the way she approaches development. Rather than starting with mechanics, Georgina takes an art and writing first approach, building the experience around the elements of games she values most.
Georgina also shares her experience receiving funding through Screen Australia’s Emerging Gamemakers Fund and what she has learned while turning her first game into a funded indie project.
If you’re developing your first game, looking for funding, or wondering how your own experiences and creative background can shape something unique, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Follow Georgina Ovassapian and Winter Schloss Studios:
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gcoxmm.bsky.social
X: twitter.com/winterschloss
LinkedIn: au.linkedin.com/in/georgina-de-manning-a12100185
Instagram: instagram.com/winterschlossstudios
Joni breaks down the “Waiter Leadership Model,” an approach where leaders focus on listening to their teams, removing roadblocks, and creating an environment where people can do their best work. We’ll also explore the difficult balance between psychological safety and accountability.
We dive into why Dreamloop tracks working hours as a tool for recovery rather than productivity, the warning signs that a team may be heading toward burnout, and whether leaders have a responsibility to step in when passionate employees voluntarily work unsustainable hours.
The conversation also tackles the dangerous “hero complex” in game development. What happens when studios repeatedly depend on a few people to save projects? And are those heroes actually hiding deeper problems with production, planning, and leadership?
Finally, we get into the difficult business decisions studio leaders face when revenue, scope, quality, and employee wellbeing collide, including how transparent leadership should be about runway, sales pipelines, and financial risk.
If you’re running an indie studio, leading a development team, or trying to build a company that can survive without burning out its people, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Follow Joni Lappalainen:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joni-lappalainen-dreamloop
#IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #GameDevelopment #StudioLeadership #DreamloopGames
The right publishing relationship can provide funding, marketing, distribution, expertise, and other resources. But developers should understand exactly what they need help with, what they are giving up in return, and whether a potential publisher is truly the right partner for the project.
Learn more about Juliana:
linkedin.com/in/julianasilvabrito
instagram.com/jsibrito
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Getting your game's positioning, audience, messaging, and overall strategy right can make everything that comes afterward much more effective. Influencers can amplify interest, but first you need to give people a reason to care.
Learn more about Juliana:
linkedin.com/in/julianasilvabrito
instagram.com/jsibrito
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
In this highlight, Joe breaks down the tonal balancing act behind Join Us and why a cultist riding a pig while firing a flamethrower is funnier when the world around it looks completely serious. He explains why making the game look like a cartoon would have killed the joke, and how early Saints Row nailed this same deadpan contract with its audience.
Full Podcast Video: youtube.com/watch?v=cJ2GVQuTelQ
Blog: indiegamebusiness.com/how-to-start-an-indie-game-studio-2
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
We discuss the journey of building Wolf Haus Games around an original, untested IP and the creation of JOIN US, a narrative-driven survival game inspired by real-life events, films, and classic games. Joe explains the unique challenges of blending cinematic storytelling with survival gameplay, tackling difficult subject matter around cults, and creating a game that encourages players to think while they play.
The conversation also explores the realities of launching a game across multiple platforms with a small team, balancing creative ambition with production constraints, and the lessons learned while building a studio from the ground up.
If you're an indie developer wondering how to turn passion into a studio, or how to bring a bold original vision to life without a AAA budget, this episode is full of practical advice and firsthand experience.
Follow Joe Dietsch and Wolf Haus Games:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joedietsch
Instagram: instagram.com/wolfhausgames
#IndieGameBusiness #WolfHausGames #JOINUS #IndieDev #GameDevelopment
When money is limited, recruiting becomes about much more than simply posting an opening. You need a compelling vision, trust, realistic expectations, and a reason for people to believe that spending their time on the project is worthwhile. Rob shares his perspective on building a team when resources are still extremely limited.
Learn more about Rob and Roll Craft:
linkedin.com/in/rcarroll23
facebook.com/rollcraft.games
instagram.com/rollcraft_adventure
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Founders need clear expectations, strong communication, and an understanding of what each person is responsible for. When those things are missing, disagreements can quickly affect the team, the project, and the future of the entire company.
Learn more about Rob and Roll Craft:
linkedin.com/in/rcarroll23
facebook.com/rollcraft.games
instagram.com/rollcraft_adventure
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
A strong concept, memorable gameplay moments, audience appeal, and the potential for entertaining content can make a game much easier for creators to cover. Developers who understand those needs have a better chance of building meaningful creator partnerships.
Learn more about Mercedes and Firstlook.gg:
firstlook.gg
linkedin.com/in/mercedes-boberg-225023234
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
A great co-founder can complement your weaknesses, share the workload, and help push the studio forward. But bringing someone into that role just because you feel like you need one can create much bigger problems later.
Learn more about Rob and Roll Craft:
linkedin.com/in/rcarroll23
facebook.com/rollcraft.games
instagram.com/rollcraft_adventure
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Knowing your audience, understanding the market, and thinking about how your game will eventually reach players can influence major decisions long before launch. Taking the time to figure these things out early can save developers from much bigger problems later.
Learn more about Juliana:
linkedin.com/in/julianasilvabrito
instagram.com/jsibrito
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Reaching out early gives creators time to understand the game, plan their coverage, and find the most entertaining way to present it to their audiences. It also gives developers time to gather valuable feedback and build relationships before the pressure of launch begins.
Learn more about Mercedes and Firstlook.gg:
firstlook.gg
linkedin.com/in/mercedes-boberg-225023234
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
In this highlight, Juliana covers some tactics you should do when it comes to Steam!
Full Podcast Video: youtube.com/watch?v=dCfuOgsFMg4
Blog: indiegamebusiness.com/indie-game-publishing-latin-america
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Different platforms require different types of footage, framing, pacing, and storytelling. Understanding how your game appears on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms can make it much easier for creators to produce content that grabs attention.
Learn more about Mercedes and Firstlook.gg:
firstlook.gg
linkedin.com/in/mercedes-boberg-225023234
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Julia will share insights from her experience with Indie Hero, thoughts on the evolving indie landscape, and perspectives on helping developers grow both creatively and professionally. Expect an honest, relaxed conversation filled with industry insight, personal experiences, and practical discussion around the realities of indie game development.
As always with Fireside Chats, the discussion will be conversational and audience focused, with opportunities for questions and live interaction throughout the stream.
Follow Julia da Silva Brito:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/julianasilvabrito
Instagram: instagram.com/jsibrito
#IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #IndieHero #IndieDev #GameIndustry
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Successful campaigns require more than sending out game keys. Developers need the right creators, the right content strategy, clear communication, and a game that gives creators something their audience will genuinely want to watch.
Learn more about Mercedes and Firstlook.gg:
firstlook.gg
linkedin.com/in/mercedes-boberg-225023234
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Learn more about Mercedes and Firstlook.gg:
firstlook.gg
linkedin.com/in/mercedes-boberg-225023234
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
#indiegame #indiedev #indiegamebusiness #indiegamedev #gamedevelopment #gamepublishers #funding #publishing #videogames #gamestudio #gamedev #gamedevelopment
Collaboration can help you identify weaknesses, solve problems faster, and learn from people with different experiences. Whether you join a team, find a mentor, participate in a game jam, or simply ask other developers for feedback, surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate your growth.
Learn more about Charlie and Quetzal Core Games:
quetzalcoregames.com
linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick
IndieGameBusiness brings together game developers, publishers, investors, service providers, and industry professionals to share practical advice about building, funding, marketing, publishing, and growing video games.
Join the IndieGameBusiness Discord community to meet other developers, ask questions, share your work, and connect with industry professionals:
discord.gg/indiegamebusiness
IndieGameBusiness is part of a larger family of companies supporting the game industry:
Powell Group Consulting helps developers and studios with publishing strategy, business development, funding, marketing, and industry connections.
powellgroupconsulting.com
Blue Ridge Games publishes games while helping creative teams bring their projects to market.
blueridgegames.com
IndieGameBusiness provides educational content, industry conversations, live events, networking opportunities, and resources for game developers.
indiegamebusiness.com
In this highlight, Charlie lets you know when to seek a publisher vs Self publishing.
Full Podcast Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGh7gj9fxBw
Blog: indiegamebusiness.com/quit-your-job-to-make-games-5-honest-truths
#indiegame #indiedev #indiegamebusiness #indiegamedev #gamedevelopment #gamepublishers #funding #publishing #videogames #gamestudio #gamedev #gamedevelopment


