Coffee with a Dev

In this episode of Coffee with a Dev, Mark Smith shares his journey from childhood game development to releasing his latest game, Pie in the Sky. He discusses the challenges of marketing indie games, the influence of classic titles, and the importance of resilience and learning from each release.
Check out Monster Shop Games here: https://monstershopgames.com/Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Coffee Preferences

04:04 Mark's Journey into Game Development

13:12 Influential Games and Inspirations

19:58 Transitioning to Game Design Education

27:02 Marketing Challenges and Lessons Learned

29:26 The Randomness of Marketing

34:01 Releasing 'Pie in the Sky'

39:07 The Concept Behind 'Pie in the Sky'

46:32 The Indie Developer Community

49:58 Surprises in Game Development

57:25 Highlights of the Development Journey

01:02:23 Challenges in Game Development

01:03:07 Balancing Life and Game Development

01:06:40 The Challenge of Staying Focused

01:09:03 Strategies for Time Management

01:12:12 Exploring New Game Ideas

01:17:11 The Importance of Playing Games

01:25:38 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

Can a background in commercial tech and experiential installations prepare you for the world of indie game development? For Sam of Mad Carnival Games, the shift was surprisingly natural.

This week, we explore the business side of "making it" as an indie dev. Sam breaks down how managing budgets and deadlines for major clients paved the way for creating her own IP, How Was Your Day. We talk about the importance of word-of-mouth, the reality of going full-time on a passion project, and the "bittersweet" journey of seeing a protagonist grow through a self-taught writing process.

Check out How Was Your Day here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3235570/How_Was_Your_Day/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sam and Mad Carnival Games

03:01 The Journey into Game Development

06:00 Influences from Childhood Gaming

09:05 Concept and Setting of 'How Was Your Day'

12:02 The Creative Process and Writing Journey

14:52 Balancing Work and Passion Projects

17:53 Daily Life and Inspirations

21:02 Reading and Influences on Storytelling

21:41 The Joy of Reading and Its Impact

22:41 Transitioning to Game Development

24:35 Surprises in Writing for Games

25:14 Challenges of Game Writing

27:43 Character Development and Emotional Arcs

28:40 Personal Connection to the Game

30:28 Feedback and Reader Engagement

32:15 Pacing Challenges in Game Writing

34:19 Integrating Mini Games for Engagement

38:54 Highlights and Moments of Validation

41:44 The Challenge of Authentic Voice Acting

44:50 Community Engagement and Feedback

46:49 Cultural Authenticity in Game Design

49:46 Exploring Cultural Nuances and Reader Engagement

52:49 Balancing Scope and Vision

55:53 Universal Themes and Cultural Reception

Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected]

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In this episode, Rick Salter from Hojo Studio shares his journey into game development, the influence of early indie games, and the creative process behind his unique, humorous titles like Brave Cart.

Check out Hojo Studio here: https://www.hojostudio.com.au/

Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected]

Become a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCujWant to support what we do?

Become a Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheIndieBrew

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Coffee Preferences

01:47 Rick's Journey into Game Development

05:34 The Evolution of Indie Games

11:09 Nostalgia and the Gaming Experience

16:39 Balancing Game Development and Day Jobs

20:14 The Importance of Playing Games

21:52 Inspiration from Comedy and Satire

23:28 Game Development Approaches: Concept vs. Mechanics

25:45 Brave Cart: Inspiration and Conceptualization

29:59 The Serious Thread: Corporate Waste and Empathy

30:51 Surprises in Game Development

36:05 Highlights of Game Development Journey

38:22 Challenges in Indie Game Development

43:04 Navigating Visibility and Marketing

43:58 Choosing the Right Platform for Indie Games

44:42 The Secrets of Indie Game PR

45:49 The Mindset Shift for Effective Marketing

47:34 The Reality of Game Development as a Business

51:03 Unexpected Responsibilities of Game Developers

55:53 Lessons from Game Events and Expos

59:15 Navigating Trends in Game Development

01:02:39 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

In this episode of Coffee with the Dev we chat with Tana, the developer behind Shape Sender Deluxe. Tana shares his journey into game development, starting from his childhood experiences with modding games to his professional career at Dinosaur Polo Club. The conversation delves into the inspiration behind Shapes Sender Deluxe, the challenges of indie game development, and the importance of narrative in puzzle games.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Tana and Coffee Preferences

05:07 Transitioning from Hobbyist to Professional Developer

10:14 Overview of Shape Sender Deluxe

14:49 Funding and Financial Decisions in Game Development

19:42 The Role of Publishers in Game Development

24:14 Vision for Dead Teapot: A Unique Game Studio

30:03 A Day in the Life of a Studio Director

35:20 Highlights and Achievements in Game Development

40:18 Reaching Alpha: A Major Milestone

45:03 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected]

Become a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCujWant to support what we do?

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In this episode of Coffee with a Dev, Kurt Tikoft shares his journey into game development, discussing his early influences, the impact of formal education, and the challenges he faces while developing his game, Your Holy and Virtuous Heretic.

Check out Your Holy and Virtuous Heretic here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2621030/Your_Holy__Virtuous_Heretic/

Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected]

Become a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCuj

Want to support what we do? Become a Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheIndieBrew

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Coffee with the Dev

01:22 Kurt's Journey into Game Development

06:14 Influential Games in Kurt's Life

11:08 The Evolution of Gaming and Indie Development

19:08 Formal Education vs. Independent Projects

26:35 The Impact of Game Jams on Development

30:06 The Importance of Feedback in Game Development

30:36 Balancing Game Development and Day Jobs

33:27 Navigating the Risk-Averse Game Industry

35:48 Time Management and Scheduling Challenges

38:20 Motivation and Discipline in Game Development

40:57 Introducing Your Holy Inverted Heretic

42:37 The Concept and Inspirations Behind the Game

46:16 Cultural Perspectives on Demons and Their Representation

52:01 Humanizing Demons: A Flawed Historical Document

55:38 Surprises in Game Development

56:15 Creative Limitations and Artistic Exploration

01:02:33 Challenges in Game Development

01:11:16 Personal Growth and Development Insights

01:13:29 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

In this episode of Coffee with the Dev, we chat with Anna from Lemon Jolly Games about her journey into game development, her experiences in the industry, and her upcoming game, Apothecary of City X.

Check out Apothecary of City X here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3745950/Apothecary_of_City_X/

Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected]

Become a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCuj

Want to support what we do? Join our Patreon: https://patreon.com/TheIndieBrew

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Anna and Lemon Jolly

01:18 Anna's Journey into Game Development

03:18 Early Gaming Experiences and Influences

06:10 The Role of Literature in Game Design

08:59 Formal Education in Game Design

10:40 Internship Experiences and Career Growth

14:28 Problem Solving in Game Design

17:28 Transitioning from Indie to AAA Game Development

22:35 Starting Lemon Jolly and Apothecary of City X

25:20 Concept and Themes of Apothecary of City X

31:20 Fantasy Influences in Game Design

32:18 The Emotional Core of Game Characters

33:44 Challenges of Indie Game Development

34:05 Balancing Work and Life in Game Development

36:57 Avoiding Burnout as a Creator

37:53 Experimenting with Productivity

39:35 The Power of Writing Things Down

41:47 The Catharsis of Game Development

44:06 The Importance of Community in Game Development

49:42 What Makes Good Game Design?

55:18 Reflections on Recognition in Game Development

58:45 The Purpose of Creation

01:03:14 Highlights and Career Milestones

01:07:06 Navigating the Chaos of Game Development

01:11:52 Advice for Aspiring Developers

01:13:49 Empowering Women in the Industry

01:21:00 The Impact of Community and Support

01:25:37 The Rise of Video Essays and Shared Experiences

#indiedev #gamedev #indiegames #coffeewithadev

In this episode of Coffee with the Dev, Bohdan, a game developer from Ukraine, shares his journey into game development, discussing his early inspirations, the challenges he faces, and the development of his game, ShopCrush. Check out Shop Crush here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2961120/Shop_Crush/Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected] a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCujChapters00:00 Introduction and Coffee Talk01:43 Bohdan's Journey into Game Development05:38 Influences and Inspirations in Gaming10:03 First Steps in Game Development12:34 Balancing Passion Projects and Full-Time Work18:40 Overview of ShopCrush22:29 The Unique Blend of Genres in ShopCrush29:10 Challenges Faced in Game Development32:23 Highlights and Player Feedback39:35 Trends and Community Influence43:34 Advice for Aspiring Developers48:12 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations#coffeewithadev #indiegames #indiedev

In this episode of Coffee With a Dev, Maddy Clute shares her journey from being a ski instructor to becoming a game developer, detailing her experiences in creating 'Call of the Golden Valley'. She discusses the inspiration behind the game, the challenges of transitioning from player to creator, and the importance of funding and team dynamics in game development. Maddy emphasizes the significance of enjoying the creative process, handling feedback, and setting realistic success criteria. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring developers, highlighting the need for self-belief and the realities of the indie game industry.Check out Call of the Golden Valley here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2131660/Call_of_the_Golden_Valley/Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected] a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCujChapters00:00 Introduction and Coffee Talk01:04 Maddy's Journey into Game Development09:55 Inspiration Behind Call of the Golden Valley14:25 The Transition from Solo to Team Development16:51 Navigating the Business Side of Game Development19:48 Life After Launch: Balancing Development and Maintenance23:57 The Surprising Realities of Game Development26:20 Applying for Screen Australia Funding31:32 The Pressure of Funding and Team Responsibility33:54 The Unglamorous Process of Shipping a Game36:02 The Impact of Lighting and Sound in Game Development37:28 Lessons Learned from Game Development40:19 The Importance of Playtesting and Feedback41:17 Showcasing the Game: Events and Festivals43:54 Navigating Player Feedback Post-Launch47:17 Defining Success Beyond Sales49:27 The Joy of Game Development Process52:27 Transitioning to Collaborative Work53:51 Future Game Ideas and Creative Process01:00:02 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

In this episode of Coffee with the Dev, host Bec talks with Liam, a game developer behind Factory 95.

They discuss Liam's journey into game development, his childhood gaming experiences, and the transition from a corporate job to pursuing game development full-time.

Check out Factory 95 here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3987250/Factory_95/

Visit The Indie Brew for more Indie game content! https://theindiebrew.com.au/

For business enquiries or coverage requests contact: [email protected]

Become a Brewskie! Join our discord: https://discord.gg/7fMPsjRCuj

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Game Development Journey

02:58 Childhood Gaming Influences

05:51 Transitioning to Game Development as a Career

08:37 Lessons Learned in Game Development

11:36 The Importance of Project Management

14:40 Collaborating with Others in Game Development

17:26 Daily Life of a Game Developer

23:21 The Importance of Game Research

25:34 Learning Through Play: Insights from Game Testing

27:25 The Role of Tutorials in Game Design

29:00 Understanding Game Goals and Player Engagement

31:48 Navigating the Business Side of Game Development

33:38 Lessons from Cardinal Descent: A Cautionary Tale

37:01 Valuable Lessons from Game Development Experience

39:03 The Value of Small Projects in Game Development

42:52 Introducing Factory 95: The Concept Behind the Game

43:27 Game Jams and Creative Iteration

46:14 Positive Feedback and Market Research

49:57 Balancing Passion and Business

01:00:49 Highlights of Game Development

01:04:14 Marketing Strategies and Media Outreach

01:06:10 Impact of Marketing on Game Launches

01:07:59 Lessons Learned in Game Marketing

01:10:26 The Importance of Game Identity

01:11:28 Effective Marketing Strategies for Indie Games

01:14:47 Social Media vs. Traditional Marketing

01:16:35 Evaluating Game Quality for Showcases

01:19:27 Future Plans for Factory 95

01:23:20 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers