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 Potions: A Curious Tale. Joining us as our podcast host was none other than Jay Powell, the esteemed CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and the mastermind behind IndieGameBusiness®.
Indie game development: Conceiving Potions: A Curious Tale
Renee Gittins shares the genesis of Potions: A Curious Tale, revealing that it began as a portfolio piece rather than a commercial venture. Despite its ambitious scope, Renee embarked on the journey with determination and passion, setting the stage for a decade-long endeavor.
Staying Current in a Dynamic Industry
Addressing the challenge of staying abreast of industry trends over a prolonged development period, Renee discusses her approach to keeping marketing efforts current and staying connected with her audience, particularly through platforms like TikTok.
Mechanics and Approach: Crafting a Unique Experience
Renee delves into the mechanics and approach of Potions: A Curious Tale, highlighting its blend of old-school adventure game vibes with fresh mechanics. She shares insights into her creative process and the intentional choices made to deliver a unique gaming experience.
Marketing Strategies: Building Excitement and Gathering Feedback
Exploring her marketing strategies, Renee reveals the decision to launch a demo of Potions: A Curious Tale to generate excitement and gather feedback from players. She shares her comprehensive approach to marketing, including leveraging platforms like TikTok to maximize reach and impact.
The Ideal Launch Date: A Strategic Choice
Renee shares her strategic decision to launch Potions: A Curious Tale on International Women’s Day, aligning with the game’s themes and audience. However, fate had other plans as EA’s sudden release overshadowed her launch, leading to unexpected challenges.
Devastating Disruptions: Coping with Unexpected Events
The fallout from EA’s release disrupted Renee’s meticulously planned marketing strategy, leading to a devastating impact on her launch. Despite her extensive preparation, Renee found herself grappling with unforeseen obstacles that threatened to derail years of hard work.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity: The Power of Resilience
In the face of adversity, Renee refused to succumb to despair. Instead, she took to social media to voice her frustrations, inadvertently sparking a viral response. While the backlash was intense, it ultimately led to increased exposure and higher-than-expected sales, showcasing the power of resilience in the indie game landscape.
Prioritizing Mental Health: Finding Balance in Work and Life
Reflecting on the toll of relentless work hours and online harassment, Renee emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health. From setting boundaries to embracing self-care practices, Renee shares her journey towards achieving a healthier work-life balance and encourages others to do the same.
Lessons Learned: Embracing Self-Compassion and Bite-Sized Goals
Through her experiences, Renee highlights the importance of self-compassion and setting manageable goals. By acknowledging her limitations and celebrating small victories, Renee has cultivated a more sustainable approach to game development, rooted in balance and well-being.
Crisis Management: Navigating Online Backlash
When the unexpected happened and online backlash ensued, Renee found herself in the midst of a digital storm. With no dedicated community managers, she had to rely on her own resilience and coping mechanisms to navigate the situation.
Prioritizing Engagement: Managing Discord and Steam Communities
Despite the overwhelming volume of negative comments flooding social media platforms like TikTok, Renee focused her attention on managing her Discord server and Steam community forums. By actively moderating these spaces, she maintained a sense of control amidst the chaos.
Seeking Support: Finding Solace in Kindness
Amidst the negativity, Renee found solace in the support of her fans and industry peers. Positive messages and expressions of solidarity served as a source of encouragement, reminding her that she was not alone in facing adversity.
Embracing Self-Care: Balancing Work and Well-Being
Recognizing the toll that the ordeal took on her mental health, Renee made a conscious effort to prioritize self-care. From taking breaks to engage in outdoor activities to curating a “good feels” document filled with uplifting messages, she sought refuge in activities that nurtured her well-being.
Turning Adversity into Opportunity: Leveraging Press Coverage
Despite the initial setback, Renee’s resilience and the support of the gaming community ultimately turned the tide in her favor. Press coverage highlighted her story, shedding light on the challenges faced by indie developers and amplifying her game’s visibility.
Marketing Insights: Navigating Social Media Platforms
Reflecting on her marketing efforts, Renee shares valuable insights into the dynamics of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. While click-through rates may vary, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity and relatability in engaging with younger audiences.
From Indie Developer to Influencer
Renee shares her experiences with TikTok fame and the unexpected turn of events that led to her being approached as a paid influencer. Despite the offers, she maintains a personal approach to her content and marketing, navigating the complexities of online attention.
Navigating Platforms and Rules: Insights on Steam and Marketing
In response to questions about platform rules and marketing strategies, Renee shares her thoughts on platforms like Steam and offers advice on driving engagement and wishlists through social media platforms like TikTok.
Time Management and Solo Development
Discussing time management and the solo development process, Renee shares her approach to structuring her workload and balancing development tasks with marketing efforts.
Reflections on Team Dynamics and Future Plans
Renee reflects on her experience as a solo developer and shares her thoughts on working with larger teams in the future, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a lean team and learning from past experiences.
Building Hype and Driving Engagement: Lessons Learned
Sharing insights on demo launches and driving engagement, Renee discusses her experience with building hype for her game and offers advice on leveraging platforms like Steam Next Fest.
Adapting to Change: Thoughts on the Future of Marketing
In response to questions about the future of marketing efforts for games, Renee emphasizes the importance of adapting to change and staying dynamic in response to shifts in audience behavior and platform popularity.
Industry Challenges and Personal Resilience
Reflecting on the current state of the industry and her personal journey, Renee shares her thoughts on industry challenges, resilience, and her unwavering passion for game development.
Conclusion: Key Takeaways:
In conclusion, Renee Gittins’s journey from conception to completion of Potions: A Curious Tale is a testament to the resilience and determination required in the indie game landscape. Despite facing unforeseen challenges, including the unexpected overshadowing of her launch by EA, Renee navigated the turbulent waters with grace and resilience. Her story highlights the importance of prioritizing mental health, embracing self-compassion, and finding balance in work and life.
Through adversity, Renee discovered the power of community support and leveraged press coverage to amplify her game’s visibility. Her insights into marketing strategies, time management, and solo development provide invaluable lessons for aspiring indie developers. As she continues her journey, Renee remains committed to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the industry while embracing the ever-evolving nature of game marketing.
Ultimately, Renee’s story serves as a beacon of hope for indie developers, showcasing the transformative power of resilience, self-care, and unwavering passion in the face of adversity. As the industry continues to evolve, Renee’s journey reminds us that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible in the world of indie game development.
This blog post is inspired by the podcast discussion between Renee Gittins and Jay Powell on the topic “An Indie Game: From Conception to Completion.“
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