Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we sit down with Sam Striker, Co-Founder and CEO of Native Darkness, to unpack the journey of building immersive audio-first games and what makes sound such a powerful force in storytelling.
Sam walks us through the origin story of Native Darkness and their partnership with Ovani Sound. We explore the value of interactive audio, the differences between working with a dedicated audio studio versus an in-house team, and why custom sound design can make or break a game experience.
We also dive into broader trends in game audio, the role of royalty-free vs. bespoke audio, and the importance of networking in the indie dev space. Whether you're a solo developer or a growing team, Sam’s insights into building relationships, creating immersive worlds, and staying ahead in audio innovation will leave you inspired.
#IndieGameBusiness #GameAudio #InteractiveSound #GameDev #NetworkingForDevs
linkedin.com/in/samstriker
instagram.com/samstrikerdotcom
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we sit down with Sam Striker, Co-Founder and CEO of Native Darkness, to unpack the journey of building immersive audio-first games and what makes sound such a powerful force in storytelling.
Sam walks us through the origin story of Native Darkness and their partnership with Ovani Sound. We explore the value of interactive audio, the differences between working with a dedicated audio studio versus an in-house team, and why custom sound design can make or break a game experience.
We also dive into broader trends in game audio, the role of royalty-free vs. bespoke audio, and the importance of networking in the indie dev space. Whether you're a solo developer or a growing team, Sam’s insights into building relationships, creating immersive worlds, and staying ahead in audio innovation will leave you inspired.
#IndieGameBusiness #GameAudio #InteractiveSound #GameDev #NetworkingForDevs
linkedin.com/in/samstriker
instagram.com/samstrikerdotcom
