IndieGameBusiness®

Welcome to a new IndieGameBusiness segment: Fireside Chat. In this episode, Jay Powell sits down with Heather Chandler for a candid conversation about one of the biggest silent killers in game development: lack of production. Too many teams focus only on “make the game” without building a real plan for how it gets finished, marketed, funded, and sustained. Jay and Heather break down what bad production looks like, why so many studios underestimate it, and how the absence of structure can derail even great ideas. They’ll discuss: • Why production is more than task tracking • The risks of not having a roadmap beyond development • How poor planning impacts funding, timelines, and team morale • What studios should be thinking about before they ever write a line of code If you’re building a studio or leading a team, this Fireside Chat will challenge you to think beyond just making the game and start building the business around it. #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #GameProduction #IndieDev #GameBusiness

This talk focuses on the most common mistakes teams make when building a pitch and how to avoid them. Based on real experiences reviewing and producing game projects, it explores why many pitches fail to communicate their true potential, not because the ideas are bad, but because they are poorly framed, unfocused, or disconnected from business and production realities.

Join Jay and Ivan for an inside look at what publishers and investors really look for in a pitch deck. Drawing on their experience reviewing countless submissions, they’ll break down the key elements that make a deck stand out and what may cause them to be overlooked. Walk away with practical insights to help your pitch rise above a crowded field.

Pitch decks shouldn’t feel like homework, they should feel like gameplay.In this session, I break down how indie developers can Gamify their pitch decks and design decks that engage, guide, and convert investors, publishers, and partners using game design thinking.Drawing from real indie pitching lessons, failed pitches, and successful iterations, I’ll show how to structure your deck like a player journey, with clear stakes, progression, and payoff.

In the current industry investment climate, every pitch needs to find an edge in order to succeed. In 'The Art of Pitching', Travis takes a look at pitching at a foundational, psychological level at what needs to be communicated and how. A break from the normal pitch templates, guides, or ideal format the talk covers lessons that you can use regardless if you're trying to pitch your game, your idea, or even yourself. Key takeaways include messaging, strategy, and how to understand who you're pitching to.

You'll discover essential strategies for successfully navigating the funding landscape. Learn how to craft compelling pitches tailored for government bodies and private investors, ensuring your project stands out. We'll explore networking techniques to build lasting relationships and share real-world case studies showcasing successful collaborations. Key takeaways include actionable insights on pitching dynamics, effective communication, and overcoming challenges, empowering you to secure vital support for your game development ventures.

All the time and effort spent honing your pitch has paid off and now a publisher has agreed to publish your game. Congratulations!! However, the next morning you receive an email with a PDF publishing agreement full of unnecessarily cumbersome phrasing and legal language. What does it all mean and how can you tell if it is a good deal? In this hour-long presentation, video game and entertainment lawyer Andrew Thomas will cover the basic contract terms every developer should know about when entering into a publishing agreement as well as some common pitfalls.

Join Ash and Indie as they break down everything that happened at the recent IndieGameBusiness® Sessions: From Pitch to Partnership. In this post-event discussion, they’ll recap key moments, standout conversations, and the biggest takeaways from speakers and attendees. Ash and Indie will also talk about what worked, what surprised them, and what these insights mean for indie developers moving forward. If you missed the event or want a deeper look at the lessons learned around pitching, partnerships, and business growth, this stream will get you fully up to speed. They’ll also share what’s coming next for IndieGameBusiness and how future events and sessions are evolving based on community feedback. #IndieGameBusiness #IGBSessions #IndieDev #GameBusiness #PostEvent

How do you pitch a culturally grounded game without getting pushed into clichés or “folklore tourism”? In this session I share practical ways to communicate the heart of your game, explain your cultural influences, and keep control of your narrative while still giving publishers what they need. You will learn simple tactics to frame your fantasy, highlight your team’s strengths, and pitch your world with honesty and confidence.

Join Jay Powell and Omar Khalil for a live pitch review session, where they’ll evaluate a game pitch in real time and share practical feedback, insights, and best practices.

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Jade King, Lead Features Editor at TheGamer, to talk about what every indie developer should understand about working with the gaming press in 2026. Jade breaks down what an indie game really means in today’s landscape, how journalists approach covering indie releases, and what developers can do to get noticed by traditional press without burning bridges. We’ll also discuss why forcing pitches hurts coverage, how indie press coverage is changing, and how developers and journalists both need to adapt moving forward. This conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how coverage actually happens, how to make journalists’ lives easier, and why doing so makes indie games more fun to cover again. If you want smarter press outreach and better long-term relationships with media, this episode is essential. Follow Jade King: X: https://x.com/KonaYMA6 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jade-king-292a12101/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jade_king23/ #IndieGameBusiness #GamePress #IndieDev #TheGamer #GameJournalism

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Vadim Andreev, CEO and Co-Founder of Rokky, a PC game distribution platform focused on expanding how and where games reach players. Vadim breaks down the current state of PC gaming distribution and what it means for indie developers today. We’ll discuss whether Steam is truly a monopoly, the risks of relying on a single platform, and what alternative marketplaces and e-stores developers should be considering. Vadim also explains how non-traditional markets like MENA, LATAM, and China fit into the global PC distribution landscape, plus what the grey market is and whether it poses a real threat to developers. Finally, we explore the advantages of diversifying your distribution mix and how doing so can help protect your game, reach new audiences, and increase long-term revenue. Follow Vadim Andreev: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vadim-andreev/ #IndieGameBusiness #PCGaming #GameDistribution #Rokky #IndieDev

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Kyle Blessing, Brand Manager at Apogee Entertainment. Kyle shares how his background as a content creator shaped his approach to game marketing, from understanding algorithms and audiences to building campaigns rooted in authenticity. We’ll talk about why indie games are often harder to market than AAA titles, how deep product understanding leads to better messaging, and why creator-led marketing consistently outperforms traditional influencer spend. Kyle also walks through real case studies from Apogee launches like Bread & Fred, Total Chaos, and Turbo Overkill, breaking down what worked and why. This conversation also covers the strategic role of trailers, demos, and key moments, plus practical advice for indie developers who don’t have the budget or margin for error. If you’re trying to get your game noticed without burning money, this episode is packed with actionable insight. Follow Kyle Blessing: Twitter: https://twitter.com/KyleBlessing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleblessingvo/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/blessiousplays #IndieGameBusiness #GameMarketing #ApogeeEntertainment #IndieDev #CreatorMarketing

In this special live episode of IndieGameBusiness, Jay Powell, Founder and CEO of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness, is joined by Ash Cason to talk about what 2026 holds for both organizations. Jay and Ash will break down what’s been happening behind the scenes, what’s coming next, and how IndieGameBusiness is evolving to better serve indie developers and the games industry as a whole. They’ll also be fielding live questions from the stream, so this is your chance to hear directly from the people shaping the future of IGB. If you want to know what’s coming next and hear about some big upcoming changes, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Follow IndieGameBusiness and The Powell Group: Discord: https://discord.com/invite/indiegamebusiness Website: https://indiegamebusiness.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/indiegamebusiness Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2RJj7I87MsmEKInqFvSZRy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indiegamebusiness/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@indiegamebusiness Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/indiegamebusiness The Powell Group: https://powellgroupconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-powell-group-consulting/posts/?feedView=all #IndieGameBusiness #ThePowellGroup #GameIndustry #IndieDev #LiveQnA

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Nate Purkeypile, solo indie developer at Just Purkey Games. Nate shares what it’s really like to leave the AAA world and build games completely on your own. We’ll talk about why he shifted from major studios to solo development, why he chose not to start a small company, and how he stays on track without a team. Nate breaks down what solo devs should outsource, how to properly scope a project, and how to manage both marketing and development at the same time. He also gives us a look at what’s coming next from Just Purkey Games. If you’re considering going solo or want a realistic look at the challenges and freedoms of one-person development, this episode is packed with insight. Follow Nate Purkeypile: X: https://x.com/NPurkeypile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-purkeypile-6030141/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justpurkeygames/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/npurkeypile.bsky.social #IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #SoloDev #JustPurkeyGames #GameDevelopment

Most developer-publisher relationships don’t turn sour because of money; they suffer from miscommunication, misaligned expectations, or ignored crises. In this talk, we break down your responsibilities as a developer, what to do when things go really wrong, and how to tell if your publisher producer isn’t doing their job. Packed with practical advice and real-world examples, this session helps you navigate publisher relationships with accountability on both sides - so you get the support you deserve.

I run x2line, a lean studio with 50M+ downloads across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android (including TV form factors), and the web. I’m the only full-time developer. I manage production, ship updates, and coordinate long-term art and animation contractors instead of an in-house team. I’ll cover: how to scope version 1 vs later updates, how to get usable assets from contractors, and how to choose the next feature or fix so the game stays alive for years.

When game projects start slipping with missed milestones, scope creep, and fading morale, how do you get things back on track? This session presents a production first aid kit with tools to diagnose problems, triage scope, rebuild schedules, and communicate changes clearly to your teams.Key takeaways: Spot early warning signs, apply a lightweight triage framework, and stabilize delivery without burning out your team.

Playtesting doesn’t need to be expensive or overwhelming. This talk shares a simple process any small team can use to run regular 1 on 1 playtesting sessions. Learn how to find testers outside your immediate circle, prepare stable builds, guide productive sessions, and turn feedback into meaningful improvements. You’ll leave with clear, repeatable steps to make playtesting a natural and empowering part of development.

Successful games not only have a strong creative vision but are also highly acclaimed by players; this integration of player insights occurs throughout the entire development cycle and takes different forms.In this talk, we map out lightweight, well-timed user experience research (UXR) activities into a production pipeline that doesn’t slow things down, and in fact de-risks development and improves outcomes.