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 his transformation from a part-time developer with a simple game concept to a full-time indie game creator. The discussion dives into the key milestones, struggles, and valuable insights Jonathan encountered while working toward his dream.
How It All Began – A Passion for Gaming and an Unexpected Catalyst:
Jonathan Concepcion’s journey into indie game development began with a childhood love for games, especially RPGs like Kingdom Hearts. Though he initially went to college for game design, the path wasn’t straightforward. After a detour into retail, an injury led him to re-evaluate his career path and reignite his passion for game creation.
Inspiration and Concept
Jonathan set out to create something simple yet engaging. He found inspiration in titles like Pixel Dungeon, which led to the creation of One Bit Adventure, a minimalist, pixel-art RPG designed as an endless scroller. His goal was to make a game that was easy to play but still challenging, accessible, and, importantly, unique in the mobile game market.
Overcoming Initial Challenges – From Ideas to Execution:
Creating an indie game without resources or prior experience is challenging. Jonathan encountered numerous obstacles in the development and monetization of One Bit Adventure.
Deciding on Free-to-Play
Jonathan wanted to reach as many players as possible, so he decided on a free-to-play model, leveraging in-game ads and in-app purchases. To avoid the dreaded “pay-to-win” stigma, he carefully balanced monetization, focusing on cosmetic purchases and revives rather than gameplay advantages, ensuring a level playing field for all users.
Building a Community
With a limited marketing budget, Jonathan relied on word-of-mouth and community feedback to grow his player base. Through Google Play and the App Store, One Bit Adventure gained traction, eventually reaching over 3.4 million downloads. He attributes much of this success to community involvement and feedback, which influenced the game’s development and longevity.
Marketing on a Budget – Strategies and Lessons Learned:
Marketing is often the Achilles’ heel for indie developers, and Jonathan admits it was a significant learning curve.
The Power of App Store Exposure
Getting One Bit Adventure featured as the App of the Day on the App Store was a pivotal moment. This exposure brought in a wave of new players, demonstrating the importance of visibility on major platforms. Jonathan acknowledges that this exposure wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t made the game accessible through a free-to-play model.
Outreach and Social Media
Jonathan initially tried traditional outreach methods, such as emailing reviewers and mobile gaming websites. However, he found greater success by posting on social media and connecting with players on Discord. Discord, in particular, allowed him to build a dedicated community where players could share feedback, discuss features, and support each other. This organic community-building approach proved invaluable for long-term engagement.
Handling Burnout and Maintaining Motivation:
The journey to becoming a full-time developer can be grueling, and Jonathan emphasizes the importance of stepping back when burnout hits.
Strategies for Avoiding Burnout
When the demands of development became overwhelming, Jonathan found it helpful to take a break from the project entirely. These intentional breaks allowed him to return with fresh ideas and renewed motivation, preventing burnout from derailing his progress. As his community grew, members began to understand his need for balance, creating a supportive environment that fostered both his mental health and the game’s development.
Involving the Community
Jonathan’s community has not only supported him but has also contributed creatively to the game. Community members have designed skins and suggested features, some of which have been implemented in One Bit Adventure. This collaboration has turned players into stakeholders, creating a loyal fanbase willing to support Jonathan’s future projects.
Balancing Development and Community Feedback:
One of the most challenging aspects of indie game development is balancing player feedback with the original vision for the game. Jonathan often receives feature requests that, while interesting, would require an enormous amount of work or change the game’s fundamental mechanics.
Feature Creep and Staying True to the Vision
To avoid feature creep, Jonathan learned to be upfront about what he can and cannot include in the game. For instance, despite repeated requests, he decided against adding multiplayer to One Bit Adventure, as it would fundamentally alter the game. He relies on community voting to gauge interest in specific features and prioritizes those that align with his vision and resource constraints.
Maintaining Balance in a Live-Service Game
Since One Bit Adventure is a live-service game, Jonathan continually adds content to keep players engaged. He aims to keep updates manageable, implementing quality-of-life improvements or minor features without losing sight of the game’s core. This approach allows him to extend the game’s lifespan without overwhelming himself or straying from his vision.
The Next Chapter – Dungeon of Greed and Expanding Horizons:
Having achieved success with One Bit Adventure, Jonathan is now working on a new project: Dungeon of Greed. This game will introduce multiplayer and new gameplay elements, expanding on the lessons he learned from his first game.
Lessons Applied to Dungeon of Greed
Jonathan is taking a more structured approach with Dungeon of Greed, including planned features, budgets, and set milestones. He’s also applying naming conventions and code organization practices from One Bit Adventure to make future updates more manageable and ensure the project’s sustainability.
Shifting to a Premium Model
Unlike One Bit Adventure, Dungeon of Greed will follow a premium model rather than free-to-play, allowing Jonathan to focus on creating a complete experience from the start. This shift will enable him to include more ambitious features and target new platforms, such as consoles and Steam, broadening his audience.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Indie Game Developers:
Jonathan’s journey from part-time developer to full-time indie creator offers valuable lessons for those looking to break into the gaming industry.
- Start Small and Build Up: By beginning with a simple project, Jonathan could refine his skills, establish a community, and generate revenue without overwhelming himself with complexity.
- Community Engagement is Essential: Building a supportive community has not only driven downloads but also helped him manage the game and get valuable feedback for improvements.
- Marketing Matters, Even on a Budget: Jonathan’s experience highlights the importance of App Store visibility, consistent community engagement, and using social media strategically.
- Balance Feature Requests with Vision: Not every player suggestion should be implemented. Staying true to the game’s original vision prevents feature creep and keeps development manageable.
- Have a Sustainable Work Process: Avoiding burnout through scheduled breaks and time for self-care is essential for long-term success in indie game development.
Anecdotes and Reflections:
As Jonathan transitions into the development of Dungeon of Greed, he takes the skills, experience, and community support from One Bit Adventure with him. His journey is a testament to the possibilities that come with dedication, learning from each step, and building a community around your passion.
Whether you’re an aspiring game developer or a fan of indie games, Jonathan Concepcion’s story is an inspiring reminder that with perseverance and the right strategies, creating and sustaining a indie game development career is possible.
This blog post is inspired by the podcast discussion between Jonathan Concepcion and Jay Powell on the topic “From Simple Game to Full-Time Indie Developer”.
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