Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
I chat for the second time with the one and only Xalavier Nelson Jr. about making games in 2026...
► Play Baby Trading Sim: store.steampowered.com/app/3642000/Space_Warlord_Baby_Trading_Simulator
► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures
► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game
► Make your game instantly beautiful with my free workbook: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-instant-beauty-color-workbook
► Get my 2D game kit, free: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2D-game-kit
► Join my 2D character workshop, free: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2d-character-art-workshop
► Wishlist Twisted Tower: store.steampowered.com/app/1575990/Twisted_Tower
► Learn how to make money as a YouTuber: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-indie-game-income-workshop
► What I believe: youtu.be/jQK3LniPMq4
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro: Game Development Like Gambling vs. Building a House
00:01:02 - Introducing Xalaiver Nelson Jr. and His Games
00:02:48 - Why Small Fast Games in 2026
00:03:30 - Standing By the Small Games Philosophy
00:04:51 - Worries About Bad Reception and Brand Impact
00:07:03 - Genre Fatigue and Audience Expectations
00:09:56 - Unique Human Games as a Smart Business Move
00:11:02 - Choosing Your Spec Like in Diablo
00:13:52 - Advice for Starting a Game Studio
00:17:31 - Is Specialization Universal in Game Dev?
00:19:20 - Studio Momentum and Growth Challenges
00:21:40 - Exploring and Figuring Out Your Path
00:24:07 - Shotgun Questions on Business Model
00:26:03 - Contractor Model Like Building a House
00:28:13 - Experience, Pitfalls, and Shipping Games
00:30:28 - The DIDIT Acronym for Production
00:33:26 - Making Game Dev Systematic and Less of a Gamble
00:35:16 - Substantial Progress Toward Predictable Success
00:38:47 - Advice on Releasing Games to Refine Process
00:40:37 - Working on Games vs. Just Releasing Them
00:42:33 - Current Projects and Multiple Games
00:44:16 - Thoughts on "10X is Better Than 2X" Philosophy
00:47:34 - Diversified Portfolio and 10X Strategy
00:50:18 - Building a Brand and Cross-Pollination
00:52:43 - Strategy for Atmospheric Horror Games
00:55:15 - Frequency, Consistency, and Quality
00:57:36 - Names in Games and Authorship
00:59:52 - Falling in Love with Games and the Medium
01:00:05 - Closing and Workshop Promo
I chat for the second time with the one and only Xalavier Nelson Jr. about making games in 2026...
► Play Baby Trading Sim: store.steampowered.com/app/3642000/Space_Warlord_Baby_Trading_Simulator
► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures
► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game
► Make your game instantly beautiful with my free workbook: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-instant-beauty-color-workbook
► Get my 2D game kit, free: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2D-game-kit
► Join my 2D character workshop, free: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2d-character-art-workshop
► Wishlist Twisted Tower: store.steampowered.com/app/1575990/Twisted_Tower
► Learn how to make money as a YouTuber: fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-indie-game-income-workshop
► What I believe: youtu.be/jQK3LniPMq4
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Intro: Game Development Like Gambling vs. Building a House
00:01:02 - Introducing Xalaiver Nelson Jr. and His Games
00:02:48 - Why Small Fast Games in 2026
00:03:30 - Standing By the Small Games Philosophy
00:04:51 - Worries About Bad Reception and Brand Impact
00:07:03 - Genre Fatigue and Audience Expectations
00:09:56 - Unique Human Games as a Smart Business Move
00:11:02 - Choosing Your Spec Like in Diablo
00:13:52 - Advice for Starting a Game Studio
00:17:31 - Is Specialization Universal in Game Dev?
00:19:20 - Studio Momentum and Growth Challenges
00:21:40 - Exploring and Figuring Out Your Path
00:24:07 - Shotgun Questions on Business Model
00:26:03 - Contractor Model Like Building a House
00:28:13 - Experience, Pitfalls, and Shipping Games
00:30:28 - The DIDIT Acronym for Production
00:33:26 - Making Game Dev Systematic and Less of a Gamble
00:35:16 - Substantial Progress Toward Predictable Success
00:38:47 - Advice on Releasing Games to Refine Process
00:40:37 - Working on Games vs. Just Releasing Them
00:42:33 - Current Projects and Multiple Games
00:44:16 - Thoughts on "10X is Better Than 2X" Philosophy
00:47:34 - Diversified Portfolio and 10X Strategy
00:50:18 - Building a Brand and Cross-Pollination
00:52:43 - Strategy for Atmospheric Horror Games
00:55:15 - Frequency, Consistency, and Quality
00:57:36 - Names in Games and Authorship
00:59:52 - Falling in Love with Games and the Medium
01:00:05 - Closing and Workshop Promo
