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IndieGameBusiness®

Jay Powell

Candid conversations with veterans of all aspects of the business side of games. We firmly believe that great games from all developers need the support they deserve to succeed. This podcast exists to provide that support.

IndieGameBusiness® is produced by The Powell Group, a video game consulting firm specializing in business development, marketing, and licensing. Our CEO has been in the industry for 20 years and closed countless publishing and licensing deals. The Powell Group monitors over 3,500 game developers and 750+ publishers.

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21 episodes
Avg 1 hr 2 min
English

Episodes 21

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September 4 · 1 hr
Why Web Gaming Matters Again | Rafael Morgan, CrazyGames
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Rafael Morgan, VP Partnerships at CrazyGames, to talk about why web gaming is becoming strategically important again for developers. Rafael shares how successful studios are using the web alongside mobile instead of treating the two platforms as competitors. We’ll look at what CrazyGames is seeing across thousands of game submissions and hundreds of publishing partners, including the trends that are actually gaining traction. We also dive into how AI, WebGPU, and modern browsers are expanding what developers can build on the web, plus some of the biggest misconceptions studios still have about browser gaming. Finally, Rafael looks ahead at where the gaming ecosystem may be heading over the next five years and what role the web could play in distribution, discovery, and long term growth. If you’re an indie developer looking for new audiences, new distribution opportunities, or a better understanding of where web gaming is headed, this conversation is worth watching. Follow Rafael Morgan: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgam/ #IndieGameBusiness #WebGaming #CrazyGames #IndieDev #GameDistribution
August 28 · 1 hr 3 min
Your First Game Doesn't Have to Play It Safe | Georgina Ovassapian, Winter Schloss Studios
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Georgina Ovassapian, Founder of Winter Schloss Studios and developer of Night Shift: 1999, her first game.Georgina shares how her experience migrating from Switzerland to Australia became the foundation for a supernatural game set in 1999. We’ll explore how Night Shift: 1999 uses monsters, mythology, and supernatural elements as metaphors for real world struggles and how personal experiences can become powerful material for game development.We also discuss Georgina’s unconventional path into games through academia and fine art, and how her background in installation art, writing, and research has shaped the way she approaches development. Rather than starting with mechanics, Georgina takes an art and writing first approach, building the experience around the elements of games she values most.Georgina also shares her experience receiving funding through Screen Australia’s Emerging Gamemakers Fund and what she has learned while turning her first game into a funded indie project.If you’re developing your first game, looking for funding, or wondering how your own experiences and creative background can shape something unique, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.Follow Georgina Ovassapian and Winter Schloss Studios:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gcoxmm.bsky.socialX: https://twitter.com/winterschlossLinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/georgina-de-manning-a12100185Instagram: https://instagram.com/winterschlossstudios
August 14 · 1 hr 3 min
From YouTube Tutorials to Launching a Studio | Joe Dietsch, Wolf Haus Games
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Joe Dietsch, CEO, Creative Director, and Co-Founder of Wolf Haus Games. Joe shares his unconventional path into game development, starting as an outsider with no formal game development background and learning Unreal Engine through YouTube before eventually founding his own studio. We discuss the journey of building Wolf Haus Games around an original, untested IP and the creation of JOIN US, a narrative-driven survival game inspired by real-life events, films, and classic games. Joe explains the unique challenges of blending cinematic storytelling with survival gameplay, tackling difficult subject matter around cults, and creating a game that encourages players to think while they play. The conversation also explores the realities of launching a game across multiple platforms with a small team, balancing creative ambition with production constraints, and the lessons learned while building a studio from the ground up. If you're an indie developer wondering how to turn passion into a studio, or how to bring a bold original vision to life without a AAA budget, this episode is full of practical advice and firsthand experience. Follow Joe Dietsch and Wolf Haus Games: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedietsch/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wolfhausgames/ #IndieGameBusiness #WolfHausGames #JOINUS #IndieDev #GameDevelopment
August 8 · 1 hr 1 min
Fireside Chat with Jay Powell and Julia da Silva Brito | Indie Hero
Join Jay Powell for a special IndieGameBusiness Fireside Chat with Julia da Silva Brito from Indie Hero. In this conversation, they’ll discuss the indie game industry, supporting developers, building communities, and the challenges and opportunities facing indie studios today. Julia will share insights from her experience with Indie Hero, thoughts on the evolving indie landscape, and perspectives on helping developers grow both creatively and professionally. Expect an honest, relaxed conversation filled with industry insight, personal experiences, and practical discussion around the realities of indie game development. As always with Fireside Chats, the discussion will be conversational and audience focused, with opportunities for questions and live interaction throughout the stream. Follow Julia da Silva Brito: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianasilvabrito/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jsibrito/ #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #IndieHero #IndieDev #GameIndustry
July 31 · 1 hr 4 min
Fireside Chat with Fedor van Herpen | Building MeetToMatch and Game Industry Networking
In this IndieGameBusiness Fireside Chat, Jay Powell sits down with Fedor van Herpen, Co-founder and Partnership Director at MeetToMatch, for a conversation about networking, events, and building a company in the games industry. Fedor shares the story behind MeetToMatch, how it has grown into a key platform for connecting developers, publishers, and industry professionals, and what it takes to run successful networking events at scale. The discussion also dives into the realities of building and operating a company, lessons learned along the way, and how meaningful connections can shape careers and studios. Jay and Fedor also talk about their experience working together through The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness, offering a behind-the-scenes look at collaboration in the industry. If you want to understand how networking actually works in the game industry and how to make the most of it, this Fireside Chat delivers valuable insight. Follow Fedor van Herpen: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjvanherpen/ #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #MeetToMatch #GameIndustry #Networking
July 31 · 1 hr
Before You Quit Your Job to Make Games, Watch This | Charlie Brandick, Quetzal-Core Games
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Charlie Brandick, Founder of Quetzal-Core Games, for an honest conversation about the realities of building a career in game development. Charlie’s journey is anything but traditional. Before games, he was an elementary school teacher and aspiring professional musician. He eventually broke into the industry through a chance conversation that led to his first role as a junior game designer. Since then, he has worked across mobile, VR, AR, Disney Imagineering, and Riot Games, where he served as a Game Director on Valorant's mobile and console efforts. Today, he leads Quetzal-Core Games and is developing Soulway, a narrative-driven management sim about helping souls find their way to the afterlife. We discuss how to know whether game development is a career or a passion project, how indie developers can build meaningful professional relationships, and what Charlie had to unlearn while moving between startups, AAA studios, and indie development. We also explore how aspiring developers can gain industry knowledge, how to decide what skills to focus on, and the personal costs of building games over the long term. If you've ever wondered what it really takes to build a life in game development, this conversation offers practical advice, hard-earned lessons, and a refreshing dose of honesty. Follow Charlie Brandick and Soulway: X: https://x.com/playsoulway LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-brandick/ Discord: https://discord.gg/Q2QSQ7hFMa Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulwaygame #IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #IndieDev #Soulway #QuetzalCoreGames
July 10 · 1 hr 7 min
Why Great Games Still Fail | Darren Williams, MinMax Game Consulting
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Darren Williams, Founder & CEO of MinMax Game Consulting, to explore a question every developer should ask: why do some great games fail to find an audience?Using Bayonetta as a case study, Darren breaks down the lessons indie developers can learn from games that were critically acclaimed but struggled to achieve commercial success. We discuss the dangers of being unique for the sake of being unique, the importance of release timing, and why awareness alone is rarely enough to guarantee success.Darren also shares insights into modern game marketing, including why developers should rethink traditional marketing funnels, why metrics and measurement matter more than ever, and how to build a pre-release plan that can adapt as circumstances change. We’ll also examine how AAA publishing approaches differ from indie development and why smaller studios have opportunities that larger publishers often miss.If you want to better understand the relationship between great games, great marketing, and commercial success, this episode is packed with practical lessons you can apply to your own projects.Follow Darren Williams: LinkedIn: / darrencwilliams #IndieGameBusiness #GameMarketing #IndieDev #GamePublishing #GameBusinessAsk
June 26 · 1 hr 5 min
Fireside Chat with Jay Powell and Guy Blomberg | Games Industry Gathering
Join us for an IndieGameBusiness Fireside Chat with Guy Blomberg from Games Industry Gathering. In this conversation, we’ll discuss building communities within the games industry, creating meaningful networking opportunities, and the evolving challenges facing developers and industry professionals today. Guy shares insights from organizing and growing Games Industry Gathering, along with lessons learned from connecting developers, publishers, creators, and business professionals across the industry. The discussion will also explore the importance of relationships, collaboration, and creating spaces where developers can learn, grow, and support one another. As always with Fireside Chats, expect a relaxed and honest conversation filled with industry insight, stories, and live audience interaction. Follow Guy Blomberg: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/yug.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yugstar X: https://x.com/YugSTAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guyblomberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyblomberg/ #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #GamesIndustryGathering #IndieDev #GameIndustry
June 12 · 1 hr 3 min
How to Start an Indie Game Studio the Right Way | Rob Carroll, Roll Craft
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Rob Carroll, CEO of Roll Craft, to break down what it really takes to start an indie game studio from the ground up. Rob walks through the key decisions founders need to make early, including choosing the right company structure, deciding whether to go solo or bring on co-founders, and where to form your company. He also shares the story behind starting Roll Craft and the thought process that guided its formation. We’ll dive into fundraising, including why Roll Craft chose WeFunder over traditional venture capital, and what indie teams should consider when raising money. Rob also emphasizes the importance of having a clear plan to get to market, outlining the major milestones developers need to hit to successfully launch their game. If you’re thinking about starting your own studio or want to avoid common early mistakes, this episode delivers practical, real world advice. Follow Rob Carroll and Roll Craft: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcarroll23/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rollcraft.games Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rollcraft_adventure/ #IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #GameStudio #GameBusiness #RollCraft
June 5 · 1 hr 4 min
How Indies Win with Creators Without Big Budgets | Mercedes Boberg, Pragma/Firstlook
In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Mercedes Boberg, Sales Manager at Pragma and Firstlook, to break down how indie developers should approach working with creators from day one. Mercedes shares why thinking about creators early, before launch, is critical and explains the difference between paid creator campaigns and organic creator growth. We’ll talk about what actually makes creators stick with a game long term, how to approach creators when you don’t have budget or brand recognition, and the most common mistakes studios make when trying to work with them. This conversation also dives into how to turn creators into long term partners instead of one off promotions, and what real success looks like when your creator strategy is working. If you want to build lasting relationships that actually move your game forward, this episode is packed with practical insight. Follow Mercedes Boberg: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedes-boberg-225023234/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercedesboberg/ #IndieGameBusiness #CreatorMarketing #IndieDev #GameMarketing #Firstlook #Pragma
June 4 · 1 hr
Working with Publishers: Lessons Learned from 3,000 Agreements
Join Patrick Sweeney for “Working with Publishers: Lessons Learned from 3,000 Agreements” Publishing deals can be complex, and small misunderstandings can lead to big problems. Drawing from experience across thousands of agreements, Patrick breaks down common myths, recurring pitfalls, and what developers often overlook when entering partnerships. This session offers clear guidance on how to approach deals with better expectations, stronger communication, and a more balanced relationship from the start. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
June 3 · 1 hr
Building International Networks: Ambassador & Partnership Strategies
Join Katherine Vildoso for “Building International Networks: Ambassador & Partnership Strategies” Expanding beyond local reach can be one of the biggest hurdles for growing organizations. Katherine shares how to build and scale an international network, drawing from her experience launching and formalizing an association within a year. This session covers how to develop a strong ambassador program, form strategic partnerships, and create a governance structure that attracts both government and private support. You’ll leave with practical approaches to growing your network with purpose and structure.
June 2 · 57 min
Your Publisher Is Still Judging You
Join Eline Muijres for “Your Publisher Is Still Judging You: How Trust Is Built, Lost, and Repaired in a Publishing Relationship” Signing a publishing deal isn’t the finish line, it’s the start of a long-term relationship. Eline draws from her experience as a Publisher Producer to explain how trust is built, tested, and sometimes broken throughout development. Using real-world examples, this session explores how publishers evaluate not just your game, but your communication, reliability, and team dynamics. You’ll learn what strengthens a partnership, what damages it, and how to recover when things start going sideways. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
June 1 · 1 hr 1 min
Finding the Right Publishing Partner for Your Game
Join Jay Powell for “Finding the Right Publishing Partner for Your Game” Not every publisher will be the right match for your project, your goals, or your team. Jay breaks down what publishers actually bring to the table, how to evaluate potential partners, and the warning signs developers often miss. This session covers the key questions to ask before signing an agreement and how to find a publishing relationship that supports your game instead of complicating it. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
May 31 · 58 min
Publisher Relationships - What it Gives and What it Takes?
Join Dmitry Martirosyan for “Publisher Relationships – What it Gives and What it Takes?” Working with publishers is a craft that goes far beyond signing a deal. Dmitry explores what it really takes to build and maintain strong publisher relationships in an industry shaped by shifting audiences, evolving technology, and constant market changes. This session breaks down the skills, awareness, and adaptability needed to navigate those dynamics, and how developers can stay prepared, even when the landscape keeps changing. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
May 29 · 1 hr 1 min
How to Start (and Maintain) a Game Studio with No Experience
Starting a studio without industry experience can feel overwhelming, but it’s more common than you think. Alina walks through what it takes to build a game studio from the ground up and keep it running over time. As a follow-up to her 2022 session, she expands on the realities of managing a studio long-term, covering early decisions, ongoing challenges, and what founders need to stay on track as they grow. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
May 29 · 1 hr 6 min
After the Event with Mark and INDIE | Building Strong Publishing Partnerships
Join Mark and INDIE as they discuss the talks and insights shared during the May Deep Dive focused on building strong publishing partnerships. This post-event session will break down key presentations, highlight important takeaways from speakers, and explore what those lessons mean for indie developers. They’ll cover what was said about finding the right publishing partners, common mistakes developers make, red flags to watch for, and how to approach partnerships with a long-term mindset. Mark and INDIE will also share their own thoughts on the discussions and how developers can apply these insights right now. If you attended the Deep Dive and want a recap or missed it and want the key takeaways, this session will get you caught up. #IndieGameBusiness #GamePublishing #IndieDev #IGBDeepDive #GameBusiness
May 28 · 58 min
Why Your Pitch Won, But Your Background Check Failed
Securing interest from a partner or investor is only the first step. Chelsea explains how corporate due diligence works in the U.S. and why some studios lose deals during the background review process. By walking through how investigators evaluate risk, this session reveals what reviewers look for in your company records, public presence, and business materials. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to prepare your studio to pass due diligence and protect opportunities you’ve worked hard to earn. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
May 27 · 1 hr
I Love You But Your Pitch Sucks
Join Meg Clarke for “I Love You But Your Pitch Sucks” – A tough title, but an honest one. Meg breaks down the common mistakes developers make when approaching investors, from unclear messaging to misaligned expectations. With direct feedback and real-world perspective, this session highlights what holds pitches back and how to improve them without losing your creative vision. Expect candid insights and practical advice to help you present your project with clarity and confidence. #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry #Publishing
May 22 · 1 hr 5 min
Fireside Chat with Ash Cason, Ian Wright and April Stallings
Join us for a special IndieGameBusiness Fireside Chat with Ash Cason, Ian Wright, and April Stallings from Make-A-Wish. This conversation will focus on what’s happening with Make-A-Wish this year and how the video game industry is playing a powerful role in helping grant life changing wishes. Ian Wright, Lead Manager of Gaming Fundraising, and April Stallings, Charitable Gaming Program Manager, will share how developers, creators, and communities can get involved, support the mission, and make a meaningful difference through games. This will be a relaxed, interactive discussion with live questions from the audience, so come ready to learn, engage, and be part of something impactful. Follow Ian Wright and April Stallings: Ian Wright LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-wright-318926124/ April Stallings LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilstallings/ #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #MakeAWish #GamingForGood #GameIndustry

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