Links:

- Steam Deadly Delivery: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3743090/Deadly_Delivery/

- Meta Deadly Delivery: https://www.meta.com/experiences/deadly-delivery/8778947438836641/

- Melle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-bartl-7a170/

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Description:

Hey everyone, Jack here. I'm sitting down with Melanie (Melle) Bartl, the co-founder and art director of the incredible Austrian Studio, Flathead Studio. We go deep on her journey from a university project that accidentally went viral to building a sustainable indie studio.

We unpack the creative process behind their unique, hand-painted VR game "We Are One," the business realities of securing funding, and their marketing genius for the upcoming "Deadly Delivery." If you're an indie dev, an artist, or just curious about the real work that goes into making innovative games, this conversation is a masterclass in balancing creativity with smart business.

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Here is the revised, briefer and shorter chapter list, keeping the same consistent H:MM:SS format:

00:00:00 - Meet Melanie Bartl (Flathead Studio)

00:02:14 - From University Project to Viral Hit

00:09:07 - Core Idea: Time Loops & Determinism

00:10:13 - The "Ugly" Prototype

00:12:10 - Choosing VR Innovation

00:15:47 - The Gummy Bear Oracle & Creative Drive

00:18:19 - Surviving the Struggle & Finding Funding

00:21:23 - Pivot from Art Project to Business

00:22:38 - Free Demo Hits 200k Downloads

00:24:25 - The Perfect Founder Dynamic

00:26:01 - Building a 6,000-strong Community

00:27:52 - Marketing Strategy

00:29:47 - Market Analysis: Lethal Company Inspiration

00:32:13 - Unique Art of "We Are One"

00:33:28 - Watercolor Textures & Hand-Drawn Lines

00:38:22 - Why Traditional Art is the Future

00:39:25 - Handmade Art Pipeline

00:41:16 - How Limitations Spark Creativity

00:43:36 - The Viral TikTok Outline Debate

00:47:04 - Deadly Delivery Release Date Announcement

00:48:16 - Trailer Breakdown

00:49:53 - Scripting a "Funny" Trailer

00:52:40 - Using Austrian Folklore

00:56:49 - The 5 Art Pillars for "Deadly Delivery"

01:01:25 - Asset Pipeline & Efficiency (Shaders)

01:06:49 - A Hopeful Look at the Indie Future

01:09:40 - The Volatile VR Market Reality

01:10:55 - The Future of VR & Cross-Platform Dreams

01:14:22 - Final Advice: Magic Outside Your Comfort Zone