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.

Game projects don’t get made in a straight line. In this session, we’ll explore how the producer’s role shifts across art, features, publishing, and external development—and why producers are essential to each. Our panelists will compare what their day-to-day looks like, the backgrounds that help most, how success is measured, and where the biggest challenges lie. Whether you’re curious about indie projects or AAA blockbusters, get ready for an honest, side-by-side look at what it really takes to keep teams—and games—moving forward.

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Jess Feidt, Owner of Underwater Fire Games. Jess shares his journey from working on massive AAA franchises like Call of Duty to building his own indie studio from the ground up.

We’ll talk about why he decided to leave AAA, how he transitioned into running his own team, and how his experience at Treyarch and Sony shaped the decisions behind his first indie game. Jess also breaks down what he learned about the business side of starting a studio, how his opinions evolved throughout development, and what leading a small indie team has taught him.

This is a must-watch for anyone thinking about going indie or starting their own studio.

Follow Jess Feidt and Underwater Fire Games:

X: https://x.com/UFireGames

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-feidt-0233842/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UFireGames

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ufiregames/

#IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #UnderwaterFireGames #AAAtoIndie #GameDevelopment

Let's learn about game production tools! There are a lot of them out there, but which ones are right for my team size, game scope, and budget? We'll discuss industry standards, the pros and cons of several tools, and their applicability to different production methods such as Scrum and Kanban.

Most teams skip design documentation and pay for it later, in miscommunication, scope creep, and wasted development time. This session reveals how proper design docs streamline your entire pipeline. Learn the MDA framework for evaluating features, documentation techniques that actually help your team build faster, and how to communicate design decisions that reduce rework. Whether you're solo or managing a studio, discover why thinking like an architect (not just a builder) prevents bottlenecks and keeps production on track. Includes real templates and workflows used in professional studios.

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Peter Kojesta, Founder of Exis Games. Peter shares how the publishing and funding landscape is evolving for indie developers and what studios need to know to successfully launch games in 2025 and beyond.

We’ll explore the new requirements for getting a game published, the different types of publishers—from service-based to VC-backed—and what venture capital firms are really looking for in game investments. Peter also walks us through the development journey of *Dragonhold* and the lessons Exis Games learned along the way.

If you’re an indie dev looking to secure funding, find the right publishing partner, or understand the business side of modern game launches, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Follow Peter Kojesta and Exis Games:

X: https://x.com/Exisinteractive

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkojesta/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExisInteractive/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exisinteractive/

#IndieGameBusiness #ExisGames #IndieDev #GamePublishing #GameFunding #Dragonhold

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by April Stallings, Charitable Gaming Program Manager at Make-A-Wish International. April shares how the power of games is helping grant life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses around the world.

Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 615,000 wishes in nearly 50 countries. Every 25 seconds a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, and a wish provides hope, joy, and resilience—helping kids face their toughest battles.

Gaming is often a vital lifeline for wish children, keeping them connected to friends and family while offering distraction and relief during hospital stays. With gaming-related wishes growing, Make-A-Wish is launching the Infinite Wishes program to give the games industry a unique way to support children when they need it most.

Follow Make-A-Wish International and April Stallings:

X: https://x.com/MakeAWishIntl

LinkedIn (April Stallings): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilstallings/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/makeawishintl

Instagram: https://instagram.com/makeawishintl

#IndieGameBusiness #MakeAWish #GamingForGood #GameIndustry #Charity

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Brad Hendricks, Founder and CEO of Blind Squirrel Games. Brad shares why globally distributed development is the foundation for scalability, sustainability, and long-term success in today’s turbulent industry.

We’ll discuss how Blind Squirrel positioned itself to thrive during industry shifts, how distributed development helps prevent burnout, and how they balance client work with original IP creation. Brad also explains the challenges of unifying studio culture across regions like New Zealand and Colombia while celebrating each location’s unique strengths.

With 15 years of experience, Brad brings actionable insights for both indies and large studios looking to adapt, scale, and sustain creative excellence.

Follow Brad Hendricks:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradhendricks/

#IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #BlindSquirrelGames #DistributedDevelopment #GameIndustry

Join attorney and game developer Veda Cruz for an interactive session where legal pitfalls take center stage—in bingo form! Each square represents a sketchy but all-too-common scenario that devs run into, like forgotten contracts, fuzzy ownership, or fan content gone rogue. As we play through the card, you’ll learn how to spot these legal traps early and handle them like a pro. Whether you're a solo dev or part of a growing team, this session will help you stay out of trouble and keep your game on track with way fewer headaches.

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Alex Seropian, CEO and Founder of Look North World. Alex shares lessons learned from launching UEFN experiences with Hasbro, Harmonix, Bandai Namco, and Twitch, and unpacks why the idea of games as platforms is more than just a passing trend.

We’ll dive into the growing influence of Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha, the race to turn popular games into open platforms, and what success will look like in this new era. From cost scaling measures to optimal testing and release cadences, Alex explains why developers now have just 6 seconds to capture player attention.

If you want to understand the gaming industry’s shift toward a platform economy—and how to adapt for a world where gamers choose games within games—this is a must-watch.

Follow Alex Seropian and Look North World:

X: https://x.com/steakbacon?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderseropian

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/looknorthworld/

#IndieGameBusiness #GamingIndustry #GamesAsPlatforms #GameDevelopment #UEFN