How to Start an Indie Game Studio – Lessons From Joe Dietsch, Director Turned Wolf Haus Games Founder: Figuring out how to start an indie game studio is not a question most people answer the same way twice. Joe Dietsch answered it by directing two […]
Indie Game Publishing Latin America – How Indie Hero Is Building a Global Indie Game Ecosystem From Brazil: Juliana Brito runs more businesses than most people have projects on their backlog. As co-founder of Indie Hero, Game Jam Plus, Plugin Plus, and a growing indie
Quit Your Job to Make Games? – What Charlie Brandick Learned Going From Teacher to Valorant Game Director to Indie Founder: A lot of people want to quit their job and make games. Fewer people think carefully about what that actually requires before they do
Why indie games fail – The Marketing Framework Every Indie Developer Needs to Understand: Bayonetta launched in January 2010 with a Metacritic score of ninety percent, a five-and-a-half-million-dollar marketing budget, and the backing of a legendary developer in Platinum Games. It sold three hundred and
How to Choose Which Game Industry Events Are Worth Your Time and Money: Every developer who has tried to plan a year of conference travel has run into the same wall: there are too many events, limited budget, and no clear way to know which
How to Start an Indie Game Studio the Right Way: Figuring out how to start an indie game studio is one thing. Doing it without repeating the mistakes that sink most first attempts is something else entirely. Rob Carroll, CEO of Rollcraft, came to game
Indie Game Creator Marketing: How Indies Win With Creators Without Big Budgets: There is a persistent belief in indie game development that working with content creators requires either a large budget or the luck of going viral. Mercedes Boberg has spent years proving that neither
Make-A-Wish gaming – Ways Indies Can Get Involved With Make-A-Wish in 2026: Most indie developers think about Make-A-Wish the way everyone thinks about it: a large charity that grants wishes for critically ill children, mostly connected to Disney, sports, or celebrity encounters. What fewer people
Indie Game Marketing Strategy – What Actually Drives Game Sales: Viral moments feel like the goal. A clip blows up on TikTok, a streamer picks up your game, and suddenly everyone knows it exists. But awareness alone does not pay for the next project. Sales
Why Small Indie Game Studio are the future : The games industry spent roughly two decades chasing scale. Bigger teams, bigger budgets, bigger worlds. The result was a generation of massive productions that left very little room for creative risk, with thousands of people working
Building MeetToMatch and Game Industry Networking – A Conversation With Fedor van Herpen: Some of the most useful businesses in the games industry did not start with a grand vision. They started with someone trying to solve an immediate, practical problem. That is more or
Why Indies Should Care About Web Gaming: Most indie developers think about Steam. Some think about mobile. Very few think about the web, and that gap represents a real missed opportunity that Romy Halfweeg, a developer relations specialist at Poki, laid out clearly on the
Indie Game Press Coverage Getting Indie Game Press Coverage is one of the most common pain points for indie game developers. You’ve spent months or years building something you believe in, you send out press kits, and then nothing. No reviews, no previews, no mentions.
Larry Kuperman’s Farewell Fireside Chat – Celebrating a Legacy in Gaming: In an era where the gaming industry is both thriving and tumultuous, Larry Kuperman’s farewell chat stands as a beacon of reflection, gratitude, and insight. Hosted by Jay Powell and Mario Kroll, this heartfelt
A Game Launch Is Not the End of the Story: Many indie developers assume that a game’s fate is decided during launch week. If sales are slow or wishlists do not convert, the common belief is that the game is finished. Developers move on to
Why Indie Game Community Marketing Is the Foundation of Indie Game Success: Indie developers often focus most of their time on building the game itself. Mechanics, art direction, performance, and polish usually dominate the development process. While those elements are critical, they are only part
Why Games Fail (And Why It’s Usually Not the Idea): When indie developers ask why some games fail while others succeed, the conversation often drifts toward marketing budgets, genre trends, or bad luck. In this candid fireside chat, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell
Why Indie Game Press Still Matters in 2026: In 2026, getting Indie Game Press coverage as an indie developer is harder than it has ever been. Thousands of games launch each year across Steam, console storefronts, and emerging platforms, while media teams shrink, attention spans
Why PC Game Distribution Needs a Broader Strategy: For many indie developers, PC game distribution begins and ends with Steam. While Steam remains the dominant platform in the PC ecosystem, relying on a single storefront introduces real business risk, especially in an increasingly global and
Indie game marketing: Breaking through the noise in today’s crowded games market is one of the hardest challenges indie developers face. Great games fail every year—not because they lack quality, but because players never hear about them. In an episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, host
The IndieGameBusiness® 2026 Battle Pass gives you access to the remaining 2026 lineup at a reduced price that continues to decrease as each event takes place. As each event passes, the cost adjusts so you are only paying for what is left. Grab your ticket for just $88
A New Chapter for IndieGameBusiness®: The IndieGameBusiness® community is entering its next phase, focused on deeper education, broader access, and long-term sustainability for indie developers worldwide. In the first podcast episode of the year, Jay Powell sat down with Ash Cason to outline what’s next
Podcast Recap – From Call of Duty to Indie Dev : In this episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, host Dan Long sits down with Jess Feidt, Owner of Underwater Fire Games and creator of Particle Hearts. Jess shares an unfiltered look at what it truly
How Games Bring Hope to Kids – Insights from April Stallings of Make-A-Wish International: As video games continue to evolve as both art and community, they’re also becoming a powerful force for good. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®,
Building Global Teams Without Losing Heart: As indie studios continue to evolve and expand, many are learning that growth doesn’t always mean opening another local office—it can mean going global. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, sat down
Games as Platforms: The Future of Player-Created Worlds – Insights from Alex Seropian of Look North World : As game development continues to evolve, the concept of games as platforms is reshaping how creators build, players engage, and studios sustain their futures. In a recent
From Kickstarter Failure to Successfully Shipping Shujinkou – Insights from Julian Rice of Rice Games Inc. : As indie game development continues to evolve, the road from concept to launch is rarely straightforward. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The
The Growing Role of Games in Expanding Story Universes: As the entertainment industry looks for new ways to expand stories across multiple mediums, games are increasingly becoming the foundation of transmedia strategies. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Dan Long sat down with Fieldman Robinson, Co-Founder and Co-Managing Partner
Preserving Gaming History with GOG – Insights from Piotr Gnyp and Marcin Paczynski : As the conversation around game preservation grows louder, platforms like GOG.com are stepping up to ensure classic titles remain accessible to new generations of players. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell,
Indie Game Sound Design and Immersive Worlds – Insights from Sam Striker of Native Darkness: As game development continues to push creative and technical boundaries, sound design plays a crucial role in building immersive worlds. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder
The State of Pitching in 2025 – Insights from Yves Le Yaouanq: As the gaming industry evolves, so too does the state of pitching games in 2025 to publishers. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness® sat down with
How Indie Devs Can Do More With Less: In the ever-changing world of indie game development, one thing remains constant: limited budgets and endless ambition. In the latest episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness® sits down with Mike
Inside WIGI – How Women in Games International is Shaping the Future of the Gaming Industry: Women in Games International (WIGI) has been a driving force in the effort to build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable games industry. In a recent episode of the
Introduction – A Shift from Content Creation to Community Management: In the gaming industry, community management plays a crucial role in a game’s success, from fan engagement to brand loyalty. In a recent IndieGameBusiness podcast episode, Jack Pattillo, the Community Manager at Channel37, shared his
Serious Games, Real Impact – Insights from Jennifer Javornik at Filament Games: The gaming industry is vast, and while most of us associate games with entertainment, there is a growing sector focused on creating games that have a meaningful impact beyond fun. Jennifer Javornik, Chief
The State of the Gaming Industry, Data-Driven Insights with Pontus Mahler: Investment in the gaming industry is constantly evolving, making it crucial for developers, investors, and publishers to stay informed. In a recent conversation with Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness® , Pontus Mahler, Managing
Game Studio Management – How to Survive, Rebuild, and Lead a Game Studio: Running a game studio is no easy feat. From handling the challenges of self-publishing to managing a team through tough financial situations, studio heads face a constant balancing act. Frederick Brassard, the
The Secrets to Pitching and Publishing Success – Insights from Joshua Garrity: The process of game pitching and publishing a game can often feel like a complex and daunting task, especially for indie developers looking to stand out in a crowded market. Joshua Garrity, Head
Introduction: The world of physical game publishing has seen numerous changes in the last few years, with independent companies making a significant impact. JRod Gingerich, the CEO and Physical Game Liaison at Fresh Brewed Games, brings a unique perspective to the industry, especially considering the
Introduction: The gaming industry has seen dramatic changes over the last few decades, but few individuals have experienced as much of its evolution as Jim Hudson. With 30 years of experience, Jim has worked across major studios, from Activision and EA to Microsoft, and even
Introduction: In a recent episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Dan Long, hosted a fascinating conversation with Ben Kvalo, the Founder and CEO of Midwest Games. Titled “From Startup to Success: The Midwest Games Story,” the podcast took a deep dive into the origins of Midwest
Introduction: Interactive storytelling is revolutionizing the gaming industry, bringing traditional narratives to life through cutting-edge technology and player-driven experiences. These innovative formats blend creativity and interactivity, offering immersive journeys that captivate audiences like never before. In a thought-provoking episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, host Jay Powell,
Introduction: In a riveting episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, host Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness® sits down with Cord Smith, the Studio Head at Inevitable Studios. The discussion revolved around Smith’s remarkable journey from freelancing for gaming magazines to launching his indie studio, the
Introduction: Physical Game Releases: In the latest episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, host Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness® sits down with Michael Yum, CEO of PM Studios. They explore the significance of physical releases for indie games, debunking the common notion that
Introduction: Indie game development has always been the dream of many aspiring creators, but the journey is far from simple. On the latest episode of IndieGameBusiness®, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, speaks with Jonathan Concepcion, lead developer and founder of Galactic Slice, about
Introduction: In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast episode, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, hosted Brett Taylor, the founder of My Dog Zorro, to explore the unique challenges and opportunities in indie game development. Brett shares his journey, discussing the pivotal career moves, personal
Introduction: In the world of indie game development, funding and industry stability are two major challenges faced by creators trying to build games that stand out in an increasingly crowded market. In a recent episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell
Introduction: Game Marketing: In a recent episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Dan Long, the host, interviewed Guy Costantini, CEO and co-founder of an as-yet-unannounced studio, to discuss the crucial aspects of marketing within the game industry. With years of experience across major game studios, including
Introduction: Game Startup launching a game development studio is no easy feat, especially in a rapidly evolving industry. In this episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Dan Long hosts Morgan Kane, Founder and CEO of Marauder Tech, and Joel Balyeat, Chief Product Officer. The discussion dives
Introduction: The journey to securing a job in the video game industry can be challenging, but with the right approach, success is achievable. In this blog post, we recap an insightful podcast featuring Anna Moss, a seasoned headhunter at ii Connection, as she discusses key
Introduction: In the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry, Massively Multiplayer Online games have faced significant challenges. The days when MMOs were at the forefront of gaming seem to have waned, but there’s a resurgence on the horizon. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell,
Introduction: In the ever-evolving world of video games, the role of a game scout has emerged as a crucial link between developers and publishers. This blog post delves into the intriguing world of game scouting, featuring insights from Meg Clarke, Senior Game Scout at Team17,
Introduction: Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are complex transactions that can make or break companies. To shed light on this intricate process, Dan Long and Ash Pletcher, hosts of IndieGameBusiness®, interviewed Jacques Benchetrit, a leading expert from Agora Gaming Partners. In this episode, Jacques shares his
Introduction: In a recent episode of IndieGameBusiness®, Dan Long sat down with Max Louis, the Founder and Studio Director at Magna Ludum Creatives (MLC). With extensive experience in the gaming industry, Max shares valuable insights on how to excel in providing services for games. This
Introduction: In the latest episode of the IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, interviews Chris Zukowski, Creative Director of How To Market A Game. Chris shares invaluable insights into common mistakes indie game developers make and how to avoid them to
Introduction: In a recent episode of IndieGameBusiness®, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, had an engaging conversation with Juliana Brito, CEO of Indie Hero. The podcast titled “Self Publishing, Management, LATAM Game Market, and Investment” provided a wealth of insights for indie game
Introduction: In a recent episode of IndieGameBusiness®, host Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, sat down with Alan Wilson, Co-Founder of Tripwire Interactive, to discuss crucial aspects of indie game funding and publishing. This insightful conversation shed light on the evolving landscape of
Introduction: In the ever-evolving world of indie game development, gaining insights from industry veterans is invaluable. In a recent podcast, Dan Long, host of IndieGameBusiness® Podcast, sat down with Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®. Powell’s journey from a college student in need
Introduction: Indie game development is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. In a recent podcast episode titled “Surviving and Thriving in Indie Game Development,” Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, sat down with Derrick Fields, Founder and Game Director at Waking
Introduction Unionization in the video game industry has been a topic of intense discussion and debate over recent years. As more companies and employees recognize the benefits and challenges of unionizing, the industry is gradually shifting towards a more structured and supportive work environment. This
Enhancing Indie Game Experiences Voiceovers play a crucial role in enhancing the player experience in video games. They add depth to characters, convey emotions effectively, and bring the game world to life. In this blog post, we will explore the insights shared by Michael Schwalbe,
Exploring Discord Games with ExJin Studios In this episode of our podcast series, “The Future of the Video Game Industry,” we dive deep into the world of Discord games with Timothy Johnson, Founder and Principal Engineer of ExJin Studios. Joining us as our podcast host
Podcast Recap: “An Indie Game: From Conception to Completion” Indie game development: In this episode of our podcast series, “An Indie Game: From Conception to Completion,” we had the pleasure of hosting Renee Gittins, the studio head of Stumbling Cat and the brilliant mind behind
Unveiling Success: Journeys of Game Development Pioneers: Welcome to our latest podcast recap, “Building and Growing a Game Development Studio,” where we embark on a journey with industry veterans Paxton Galvanek, CEO & Co-Founder of Studio Hermitage and Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The
In the fast-paced realm of gaming, where innovation and creativity reign supreme, the investment landscape has witnessed a notable shift in recent times. Justin Berenbaum, VP Strategy & GM at Xsolla Funding Club and Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and Founder of IndieGameBusiness® delve into
The Significance of Physical Games in Today’s Digital Landscape In an era dominated by digital downloads and online marketplaces, the role of physical games might seem diminished. However, industry veterans Josh Fairhurst, CEO at Limited Run Games & Mighty Rabbit Studios and Jay Powell, CEO
Offering a free demo of a game can be an effective method for developers to use in order to increase their visibility and capture the interest and engagement of players for their Indie Game. Mastering Demo Design: Insider Tips and Data-Driven Strategies from Chris Zukowski
Learn strategies that can help you effectively research and analyze your competitors in order to build a successful marketing plan for indie games. Unlock Success: Spy on Your Indie Game Competition with Expert Insights from Chris Zukowski! Marketing strategist Chris Zukowski is renowned for his
In the fiercely competitive world of indie game development, mastering the art of public relations is not just advantageous, but often crucial to standing out amidst a sea of digital creations. In the enlightening podcast entitled “PR for Indie Developers,” seasoned industry veterans Ryh-Ming Poon,
In the fast-paced and competitive world of indie game development, securing funding and support can often make or break the success of aspiring developers. Recently, in an enlightening podcast discussion titled “Publishers Vs. Investors For Indie Game Developers,” Eliana Oikawa, CEO at WINGS & COO
Triumphs and Trials of Indie Game Studio Ventures: In the dynamic world of game development, indie studios face a multitude of challenges and opportunities. From securing funding to fostering creative environments, the journey of starting and running an indie game studio is both thrilling and
Market Challenges in Game Development: In the dynamic and competitive world of gaming, indie game companies face a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. Recent discussions between industry leaders Lisette Titre Montgomery, CEO of Cornerstone Studios, and Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell
In the ever-evolving realm of Indie game development, securing funding and crafting engaging educational experiences are pivotal challenges. In the enlightening podcast titled “Getting Grants for Indie Games and Discussing Educational Games,” two trailblazers, Dan White, co-founder and CEO of Filament Games, and Jay Powell,
IndieGameBusiness® recently hosted its highly anticipated event, ‘So You Made a Game, Now What? The Next Steps to Getting Your Game Pitched, Made, and Published,’ which successfully took place from February 5th to 9th. This event came on the heels of the game jam that
Conferences and conventions are an incredibly effective (and often fun) means of networking with people who share your interests and goals, and may also be a great source of new business opportunities. Here are 20 tips that will help you make the most of any
IndieGameBusiness and Global Game Jam are offering free sessions to developers who want to continuing building their indie games and pitch them to publishers in the future.
“Do I need a publisher?” This is the most frequently asked question that comes from indie developers. Unfortunately it doesn’t have a clear cut answer. Every studio is different, every game is different, and every publisher is different. The most basic form of the question
Licensing is an extension of your existing business development framework. If you understand the basics, have the tools, and have the patience you can do one as simply as the other. This article outlines a licensing strategy for a typical game, how to identify the
A Blueprint for the Gaming Industry On this week’s episode of IndieGameBusiness™ podcast Jim Mulford from acQyr eXchange was on the show to discuss the rising prominence of loyalty programs within the video game industry. In this short summary we’ll be going over the topics
Larry Kuperman from Nightdive Studios joined us to talk about the TV adaptation of System Shock. If you are unaware Nightdive Studios mission is to take some of the classics from gaming history and revamp them for a modern audience, System Shock being an example
This week’s episode of IndieGameBusiness™ features long time industry veteran Damon Slye from Mad Otter Studios and Dynamix to talk to us about game development and what it is like running a game studio. The first part of the podcast truly focuses on Damon’s experience
On this week’s episode of IndieGameBusiness™ the featured guest was John Cooney from Armor Games to talk about their internal shift to a four day work week. Right off the bat John explains that dating back to even 2019 in pre-pandemic times about 70% of
On this week’s episode of IndieGameBusiness™ the featured guest was Tim Beaudet from Fyre Bytes to talk about his journey into to becoming a full-time indie developer. Tim was taught the basics of coding when he was in school and it immediately clicked with him
On this week’s episode of the podcast Pontus Mahler, the director of business development at GlobalTopRound, came on to discuss some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to getting funding for your indie game. Funding can be an intimidating part of the process
On this week’s episode of IndieGameBusiness™ special guest Andrew Czarnietzki from Only By Midnight came on the podcast to discuss his own personal journey into the world of publishing. Self publishing can be a daunting task for an indie developer and as Andrew explains in
Steam, and that’s as far as many companies think. Now we have the Epic store, Microsoft’s store and there are several additional marketplaces that indie teams need to take into account. Let’s first look at “why”. Why you should look past Steam Discoverability Steam is
This episode of IndieGameBusiness™ podcast featured a very special guest, Ariella Lehrer, to discuss how the casual game market has evolved over time. With years of experience under her belt Ariella goes over how the casual market really began in gaming and where it is
Part of the benefit of running a consulting firm is that you have access to thousands of developers and should you be inclined to help them, they will typically help you as well. I’ve long been a proponent of better business education for our development
