Indie Game Lunch Hour by Indie Game Academy

06.26.2024

The Value of Understanding Market Fundamentals When Looking For Investments

Join us for an insightful episode of our podcast as we welcome the Co-Founder & CEO of Digital Hazard. A proud mentor and community member of the Amir Satvat Games community, our guest brings over 15 years of experience across...

06.19.2024

Becoming a Unicorn, Anyone Can Do It

Join us for an engaging conversation with Josh Hirshfield, an award-winning game developer with a rich background in AAA, indie, and educational games. Josh's innovative work has been showcased at GDC, PAX, Games for Change, and more. Currently an Adjunct...

06.12.2024

Careers in Gaming

In this week's episode, we feature Aïda Figuerola, a major influence in the gaming world and the #1 European Gaming Voice on LinkedIn. Aïda has been instrumental in establishing Bandai Namco Mobile in Barcelona, bringing beloved titles like Dragon Ball...

06.05.2024

Gamejams As A Tool To Develop Game Markets Outside US and Europe

In this episode, we sit down with Juliana Brito, CEO and co-founder of Indie Hero and GJ+, and a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich background in global organizations and accelerator programs. Juliana shares her insights on leveraging gamejams as a...

05.29.2024

How to Become an Irresistible Games Job Candidate

In this week's episode, we dive deep with Tim Wood, a dynamic headhunter and master copywriter with a unique blend of talents. From leading recruitment teams and headhunting top talent in the gaming industry to crafting compelling recruitment campaigns, Tim...

05.22.2024

How To Start An Indie Dev Studio With Nothing

Join us for an inspiring conversation with an indie game developer from the small town of Kohima, Nagaland in north-east India. Starting as a solo developer in 2017, Pekru has been passionately working on their debut title, "Sojourn Past," a...

05.15.2024

Forge & Flourish: Crafting Resilience in Game Development

Join us as we chat with George, the visionary behind Juggernaut Games. Founded in 2011 with a team of passionate indie devs, George has embraced the ups and downs of game development, finding success through resilience and innovation. Discover his...

05.08.2024

How You Can Achieve Your Games Dreams

Join us in this episode as we delve into the dynamic world of gaming and professional development with Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games in North America. With nearly two decades of experience across industry giants like Amazon,...

05.01.2024

How to Game Jam Right: A Beginner's Guide

In this special community episode, join us as we dive into the world of game jams! Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out, this beginner's guide will provide you with valuable insights, and tips to make the most...

04.24.2024

We Ran a 40-Person, AA-Sized Game Jam

In this special episode, we delve into the magic behind the making of "Child of Ruin," an enchanting narrative RPG born from the collaborative efforts of 40 wizards from the Indie Game Academy. Discover the story behind the game's creation,...

04.17.2024

Importance of Understanding Your Audience

Explore the world of indie game marketing with guest Andrew Pappas, founder of Rengen Marketing and host of the Indie Game Movement podcast. In this episode, Andrew shares his expertise on understanding your audience, drawing from his experiences speaking at...

04.10.2024

What Does It Take To Be a Combat Designer?

Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of combat design with Bader AlQahtani, a graduate of the NYU Game Center and Combat Designer at Studio Pixanoh. We explore what it takes to craft engaging combat experiences,...

04.03.2024

Resilience In The Job Hunt

Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of job hunting with Tim Wood, a seasoned headhunter, copywriter, and multi-talented individual. From his experiences in recruiting top talent in the gaming industry to his passion for martial...

03.27.2024

All about Independent Games

Explore the world of independent games with our guest, a seasoned professional in the gaming industry. Starting as a QA tester at Bethesda Softworks, he transitioned into a successful career as a game developer and engineer, releasing his own projects...

03.20.2024

About Communities... ?

Join us for a special community-focused episode as we dive into the world of building communities in the gaming industry. In this episode, we chat with members of the Indie Game Academy community, comprised of passionate game developers and enthusiasts....

03.13.2024

How To Make Your Multiplayer Game Survive Launch Day

In this episode, we sit down with Paolo, a seasoned veteran with a decade of experience in multiplayer game development. Former CEO of StarworkGC S.R.L., the studio behind the awesome game Hunt For Gods, Paolo now leads development at Ariokan...

03.06.2024

Importance of Commercialization

Embark on an exciting journey into the world of gaming commercialization with Alessandro, an experienced business development and PR expert. Join us as we uncover the essential strategies for success, from forging strategic partnerships to elevating brands. Get ready for...

02.28.2024

LinkedIn Coldcalling and Network Building

Join us this week on our podcast as we delve into the art of LinkedIn cold calling and network building with our guest, a seasoned level designer who's currently shaping the landscape of UEFN in collaboration with Creators Corp for...

02.21.2024

Why Do We Continue To Play Games Beyond The Campaign?

Tune in to our podcast as we sit down with Scott, a seasoned Systems Designer at Skydance Interactive, currently immersed in the innovative world of Behemoth VR. With a knack for crafting engaging gameplay experiences, Scott's expertise extends beyond the...

02.14.2024

Community Focus: Imposter Syndrome and Getting over the Fear of Failure

In this episode, we tackle imposter syndrome head-on, exploring how it affects our community and sharing strategies to overcome the fear of failure. Through insights and personal stories, we uncover practical tips for reframing success, building resilience, and fostering a...

02.07.2024

Decoding Game Development: Navigating the Fundamentals of the Creative Process

Join us as we sit down with Steve Fox, a seasoned veteran in the gaming industry with a decade of experience as Lead Game Developer and Prototype Artist at WildWorks, the creators of the massively popular MMO, Animal Jam. With...

01.31.2024

The $6 Million Franchise: Lessons from 14 years as a Solopreneur

Get ready to explore the dynamic world of solo indie game development in this episode featuring the incredible Joe. With over 14 years as a solo-indie, Joe's Clutter series has amassed close to $6 million in sales across 14+ games!Fresh...

01.24.2024

Community Focus: How We Approach Networking In Our Own Unique Ways

Join us in this episode as we dive into the diverse strategies and experiences within our community's approach to networking. From unconventional methods to tried-and-true approaches, we celebrate the richness of our collective networking endeavors. Tune in to explore the...

01.17.2024

Deadly Mistakes That Can Kill Your Multiplayer Project And How To Avoid Them

Join us on this episode as we sit down with Paolo Abela, a seasoned game developer with a decade of expertise in the multiplayer gaming realm. Having served as the CEO of StarworkGC S.R.L, the innovative gaming studio behind Hunt...

01.10.2024

Creating Intimate Player Connections to the Game-World

In this exciting episode, we're thrilled to have Jack Burrows as our guest, leading us on a journey through his extraordinary career in the gaming industry. Jack's adventure began back in 2016 as an intern at the Savannah College of...

01.03.2024

Gaming for Good: Beyond Entertainment

Get ready for an exhilarating episode as we bring you the incredible journey of Roshelle, a powerhouse in the gaming world! An Air Force veteran turned User Researcher at Blizzard Entertainment, she's on a mission to take World of Warcraft...

12.27.2023

Pursuing Arts Passion Despite Adversity and Burnout Realities

As a seasoned 3D generalist, Taylor Gandy boasts an impressive background, contributing to renowned entities such as Final Pixel, Amazon Studios, Ohio Film Group, and Artix Entertainment. With a versatile skill set covering modeling, texturing, virtual camera layout, and VFX,...

12.20.2023

Should I Do It Myself or Hire Someone Else To Do It?

Join us on this episode as we delve into the fascinating journey of Bret Black, who courageously traded his stable software engineering job for the unpredictable world of full-time video game development. In just one year, Bret's solo endeavor evolved...

12.13.2023

Starting A Game Company on a Lean Budget

You wouldn't want to miss this episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour, where we interview one of the longest-running game developers in the industry, who started his career with a Flash-based MMO called EpicDuel. Bernard shared his insights on...

12.06.2023

Learning and Upskilling Yourself in the Game Industry

Join us as we converse with passionate members of the IGA community. Gain valuable insights into the evolving landscape of game development, discover effective strategies for continuous improvement, and be inspired by the diverse experiences that shape the careers of...

11.29.2023

How to Break Into the Industry; Tips and Tricks

In this episode, we talk to Jordan Davenport, a AAA game designer at EA, who has been making games for both indie and professional markets. Jordan shares his journey from creating his first game, S.O.N, which he self-published on PlayStation...

11.22.2023

Accelerating Your Career Post-University

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kiri Reeve, a young British games artist who has overcome physical challenges to pursue her passion. Kiri left her home country at the age of 21 to broaden her horizons and secure diverse...

11.15.2023

The Many Ways of Building a Level

Dive into the dynamic world of game design with our latest podcast episode featuring Nathan Kellman, a seasoned Level Designer at Lost Boys Interactive with over 2+ years of experience in the gaming industry. Nathan shares his insights into the...

11.08.2023

From Desk Job to Dream Job

In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking to Graham Smith, a talented game artist who has worked on several game studios worldwide. He recently worked on the environments for the highly anticipated release, Poly Bridge 3. Graham is...

11.01.2023

Career Changes, Mentors, and Finding Your Way After Layoffs!

Kelly Baptista is a dynamic force in the gaming industry, boasting a rich background of six years in crafting immersive experiences. Starting in the physical realm, Kelly seamlessly transitioned into the digital sphere, specializing in augmented reality and mobile gaming.Having...

10.25.2023

Risk vs. Reward in Game Design

Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of game development with our special guest, Gabriel Cornish, a seasoned industry veteran with over a decade of experience. Having contributed to over 100 games and prototypes, including mega-hits like Harry...

10.25.2023

Being Adaptable in Design

In this episode, we're joined by Bret Black, a daring innovator who traded his software engineering career for the realm of full-time game development. His brainchild, Wizard Cats Tank Battle, started as a one-person venture and has blossomed into a...

10.18.2023

Layoffs in the Animation Community Following the Writer's Strike

Join us as we candidly address industry layoffs, shedding light on the human stories behind the headlines. We celebrate the unsung heroes, exploring the pivotal role of producers in shaping the games we love. And for those nostalgic for shared...

10.17.2023

Realism vs Stylisation: How it can benefit both Indies and Gamers

In this episode, we are thrilled to host the immensely talented Pat Naoum, hailing from the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia. Pat's artistic odyssey, from a Creative Arts Bachelor to honing skills at AFTRS Film School, culminated in a captivating...

09.27.2023

Art and Science, Making Games with Strict Constraints

Get ready for an exhilarating new episode featuring Andy, the dynamic Chief Product Officer and co-founder of eargym, a groundbreaking hearing care platform revolutionizing the way we approach auditory health. With a decade-long career in DJ-ing, Andy brings a unique...

09.20.2023

The Importance of Having More Voices in Games

Discover the inspiring journey of Boba Studios, a women-owned indie game studio in Baltimore, MD, dedicated to representing underserved players. Their mission drives talks and workshops at the Enoch Pratt Free Library and a Game Design Badge Workshop for the...

09.13.2023

Queer Leadership in Game and Art Making

Get ready to be captivated by Enaree Kirkorian, a dynamic multimedia artist hailing from the vibrant streets of Queens, NY. As the visionary behind Superpose Press, Kirkorian takes art to new heights, embracing a culture hacking approach that pushes boundaries...

09.06.2023

Connecting Communities Through Games

Join us for an amazing episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour where we talk with Paul Quinones about Connecting Communities Through Games. Paul Quinones is a Game Developer that has years of industry experience spanning from Game Testing to...

08.30.2023

The Generalist's Journey: Careers for people that don't fit in boxes

Join us for a wonderful episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour where we talk with Shalin Shodhan about careers for people that don't fit in boxes. Shalin has been in games and film for 20 years. He has worked...

08.23.2023

Understanding the Future of Working in Games

Join us for an inspiring episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour where we talked with Keisha Howard about understanding the future of working in games. Keisha Howard, founder of Sugar Gamers, serves as a bridge linking under-resourced communities with...

08.16.2023

Approachable Organic Marketing for Indie Games

Join us for another amazing episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour where we talked with Alex Kozachenko about approachable organic marketing for indie games. Alex Kozachenko is the CEO of HyperBeard, the largest mobile game developer and publisher in...

08.09.2023

Video Games as Medicine - Exploring the Power of Play

Join us for an incredibly inspiring episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour where we talked with Ryan Douglas, the co-founder of Deepwell, on how games can positively affect our mental health. A noted expert and innovator in the fields...

08.02.2023

Interviewing, Resumes, Portfolios, and All Else Career Building

Join us for an empowering episode on Interviewing, Resumes, Portfolios, and All Else Career Building, as we dive deep into the essential skills and strategies to boost your professional journey. Whether you're a seasoned job seeker or just starting out,...

07.26.2023

How To Start an Indie Game Studio

Join us for an exciting episode as we welcome Rick Williams, a talented Unity Game Developer with experience in programming, producing, designing, and 3D artistry. With over 2 years in the industry, Rick and his close-knit team are on the...

07.19.2023

Safety in Online Gaming

This week's guest is the remarkable Katie Boyd. As the former Co-Head of Trust & Safety Operations for a live-streaming social app, Katie shares her invaluable insights on building and leading a department from the ground up, managing product safety,...