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: hello@theindiebrew.com.au

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

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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: hello@theindiebrew.com.au

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