Ever wonder how successful indie studios like Drinkbox manage to consistently release amazing games? In this episode, we get the inside scoop from Associate Producer Josh Davis on their production strategies.Stop letting production hurdles kill your creative vision! In this must-listen episode, Josh Davis from Drinkbox Studios shares his expert advice on everything from managing timelines and taming feature creep to using data to inform your marketing and release. Whether you're a solo dev or part of a small team, these insights will help you ship your game.🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/challenge/Guest: Josh Davis / Drinkbox StudiosWebsite: https://www.drinkboxstudios.com/Twitter: https://x.com/drinkboxstudios?lang=enWishlist Blighted: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2974160/Blighted/CHAPTERS00:35 Drinkbox's Production Philosophy01:34 What Does a Game Producer Actually Do?02:58 How Drinkbox Manages Meetings & Communication05:57 Production Tips for Solo & Small Indie Devs09:34 Using Playtesting Data to Make Better Games34:58 How to Handle Scope Creep & Feature Cuts46:44 Data-Driven Marketing & Release Strategies56:04 The "Good Enough for Now" MindsetLeave a Review: If you enjoyed the show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/challenge/📬 Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/🎙️ Learn on the go:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2doPqk8Q9IKstjLDdSMn9nApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freaking-cool-indies/id1824774892❤️ CONNECT WITH ME 🕸️ Website: https://freakingcoolindies.com/🐦 Twitter: / https://x.com/F_Cool_Indies🎵 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@freakingcoolindies💼 LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnone/🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freakingcoolindies.com

Stop your scroll! That's the power of amazing capsule art on Steam. But how do you get it?In this episode, we're joined by talented artist James Combridge to break down the art of creating compelling capsule art. Learn how to write effective briefs that clearly communicate your game's vision, provide feedback that actually improves the art, and build a collaborative relationship with your artist to turn your game from "meh" to "must-play"!🎨 Free Capsule Art Brief (Template): https://freakingcoolindies.com/capsuleart🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/challenge/James Combridge:Website: https://www.jamescombridge.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-combridge-2b7b7514a/ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/jamescombridgeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamescombridgeartCHAPTERS(00:00) The Importance of Capsule Art(02:02) Creating Effective Briefs for Artists(08:39) Matching Art with Game Aesthetics(15:44) The Creative Process & Defining Deliverables(23:04) Hiring the Right Artist & Red Flags(28:58) The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback(37:53) Navigating Creative Control in a Collaboration(41:25) Why Clear Communication is Key(47:34) Shoutouts and RecommendationsLeave a Review: If you enjoyed the show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/challenge/📬 Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/🎙️ Learn on the go:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2doPqk8Q9IKstjLDdSMn9nApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freaking-cool-indies/id1824774892❤️ CONNECT WITH ME 🕸️ Website: https://freakingcoolindies.com/🐦 Twitter: / https://x.com/F_Cool_Indies🎵 TikTok: / https://www.tiktok.com/@freakingcoolindies💼 LinkedIn: / https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnone/🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freakingcoolindies.com

Wishlist TetherGeist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2474430/TetherGeist/O. and Co. Games Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCjahrwtYG6iD3sH3yHwgG3w Join the O. and Co. Games Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/KbgvDrBbXXWishlist LUCID: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1717730/LUCID/

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Timestamps:

00:00 The Power of Devlogs in Game Marketing

02:45 Authenticity and Ideation in Content Creation

05:31 Scripting and Recording Devlogs

08:26 Editing Techniques for Engaging Videos

11:27 Crafting Effective Hooks and Introductions

14:15 Understanding YouTube Analytics for Growth

16:58 Optimizing Thumbnails and Titles for Engagement

22:05 Kickstarter Visibility and Organic Growth

22:56 Understanding Video Performance and Algorithm Mysteries

24:12 Quality Content and Community Engagement

25:41 Balancing Risk and Reflection in Creation

26:41 Devlogs vs. Video Essays: Performance and Engagement

29:27 Community and Authenticity in Indie Development

32:54 Balancing Life, Family, and Game Development

37:15 Encouragement for Aspiring Indie Developers

40:30 Shoutout to Fellow Indie Developers

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of devlogs with Jordan from O. and Co. Games, the studio behind the upcoming title TetherGeist.

Learn how Jordan, along with Rae and Noah, successfully used YouTube as their primary marketing channel over the past two years.

From ideation to release, Jordan shares invaluable insights, practical tips, and the importance of authenticity in creating engaging devlogs. Discover their journey from initial inspiration to cultivating a dedicated community and successfully kickstarting their game.

Whether you're an aspiring indie dev or a seasoned developer, this comprehensive guide to devlog creation will offer you a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

🖥️ FCI Website: https://freakingcoolindies.com/🏆 Indie Dev Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/challe...📝 Subscribe to the FCI newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsle...🦋 Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freakingcool...🐦 Follow me on X (Twitter): https://x.com/F_Cool_Indies--------------------------Welcome to Freaking Cool Indies!Are you a game developer who cringes at the thought of marketing? You're not alone. At Freaking Cool Indies, the goal is to help you navigate the business and marketing side of game creation. Hosted by Mike Arnone, this podcast and newsletter is dedicated to providing you with the strategies and insights needed to get your game in front of the right audience, get it seen, and most importantly, get it purchased.Each episode of the Freaking Cool Indies podcast takes a deep dive into a specific topic , helping you stand out in a crowded market. Learn how to build a loyal and engaged audience through tactics like devlog series and discover the underestimated power of email marketing. The mission is to empower you to transition from an indie dev to an "indiepreneur", giving you the confidence to find success.If you're ready to take your indie game to the next level, you're in the right place.