IndieGameBusiness®

Jay Powell
  • 4.0 (8)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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.

  1. 6D AGO

    Why the Future of Games Is Smaller Teams | Alexandre Amancio

    In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Alexandre Amancio , Head of Studio at Studio Ellipsis, for a wide ranging conversation about the current state of the games industry and where it is headed next. Alex shares his perspective on why the future of game development may lie with smaller, more focused teams and how creative constraints can actually lead to better and more original games. The discussion also explores what it truly means to build a community centric studio and the lessons Alex has learned throughout his career in the industry. The conversation then shifts to Studio Ellipsis and the vision behind building a new studio in Lisbon. Alex talks about the culture, the ambition, and the talent the team is bringing together, as well as the mindset behind launching the studio and growing it in today’s challenging industry environment. We also dive into the studio’s first game, Nightholme, a multiplayer horror hunt experience. Alex explains what makes the game unique, where development currently stands, and what players and developers can expect next as the project continues to evolve. Follow Alexandre Amancio and Studio Ellipsis: LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/ewrReq4A Studio Ellipsis LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/eszfAf6j X: https://x.com/Nightholme Facebook: https://lnkd.in/eRtT4azc Instagram: https://lnkd.in/ep7NQDk8 Discord: https://lnkd.in/e4uWyAv2 hashtag#IndieGameBusiness hashtag#StudioEllipsis hashtag#Nightholme hashtag#GameDevelopment hashtag#IndieDev

    1h 2m

  2. APR 17

    Why Indies Should Care About Web Gaming | Romy Halfweeg, Poki

    In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Romy Halfweeg, Business Development Manager at Poki, to break down how indie developers can succeed in the growing world of web gaming. Romy shares an overview of the browser gaming space, how it has evolved, and where Poki fits today with a catalog of over 1600 games. Drawing from her experience as a former indie developer, she explains how that perspective shapes how Poki works with developers and what they look for when signing new games. We’ll dive into who the web gaming audience is, what gameplay loops perform best, and which monetization strategies actually work. Romy also covers the technical considerations developers need to think about when building for the web, and how indie teams can position themselves to take advantage of this platform. If you’re looking for new distribution channels, revenue streams, or ways to reach massive audiences without traditional storefronts, this episode is packed with practical insight. Follow Romy Halfweeg: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romyhalfweeg/ #IndieGameBusiness #WebGaming #Poki #IndieDev #GameDistribution

    1h 3m

  3. APR 10

    Why Your Game Isn’t Getting Covered By Press | Mike Straw, Insider Gaming

    In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Mike Straw, Executive Editor at Insider Gaming, to talk about the current state of games media and how the industry is being viewed from the inside. Mike shares insight into the evolving landscape of games journalism, how major companies view gamers today, and whether true innovation is still happening across the industry. We also discuss how coverage decisions are made, what trends are shaping media narratives, and how developers can better understand the perspective of the press. If you want a clear, honest look at how the industry is being covered right now and what that means for developers, this conversation delivers valuable perspective. Follow Mike Straw: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeStrawMedia LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelstrawjr/ #IndieGameBusiness #GameJournalism #InsiderGaming #GameIndustry #IndieDev

    1 hr

  4. MAR 31

    Larry Kuperman's Farewell and a THANK YOU to the Gaming Industry

    In this special Fireside Chat, Jay Powell and Mario Kroll sit down with longtime industry leader Larry Kuperman for a heartfelt farewell and reflection on an incredible 25 year career in games. The conversation begins with the two people who have meant the most in Larry’s professional journey, Jay and Mario, before looking back at a legacy that spans more than 30 games and decades of service to the industry. Larry shares his decision to conclude his time at Nightdive Studios, what comes next with the IGDA and the IGDA Foundation, and his continued work with Voices of the Forgotten. He also makes it clear that while this chapter is closing, he remains available as a speaker and advocate for the industry he loves. As a longtime guest and friend of IndieGameBusiness, this episode is both a celebration and a thank you to the gaming community that shaped his career. #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #GameIndustry #IGDA #NightdiveStudios

    1h 32m

  5. MAR 13

    How to Make Your Game Blow Up Years After Launch | Jo, Owner, JoGameDev

    In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Jo from JoGameDev, the developer behind the tactical spell crafting roguelike Spellmasons. The game has sold over 60,000 copies on Steam and recently crossed 1,000 reviews. Jo shares the honest story behind the game’s journey. After early sales stagnated during the first two years, Jo reignited interest through focused marketing efforts that drove over 8 million views in the last six months. The result was the game’s third year becoming its most profitable period yet. We’ll talk about what worked, what didn’t, and how solo developers can take control of their own marketing. Jo also shares the long term goal of building a lean, bootstrapped indie studio focused on multiplayer games and discusses the next project, an overpowered hero autobattler titled Some of You May Die. The game recently gained attention after being featured on Splattercatgaming’s YouTube channel and became one of the top performing videos compared to his recent uploads. If you want to learn how persistence, smart marketing, and long term thinking can revive a game’s success, this episode is packed with practical insights. Follow JoGameDev: X: https://x.com/jogamedev Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jogamedev/ #IndieGameBusiness #Spellmasons #IndieDev #GameMarketing #SteamGames

    1h 6m

  6. MAR 6

    How Community Drives Indie Game Marketing | Junae Benne, Benne Media Solutions

    In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Junae Benne, Marketing Journalist at Benne Media Solutions, to talk about why community is the foundation of successful indie game marketing. Junae breaks down how to build a community from the ground up, how community directly impacts visibility and sales, and why many struggling indie games overlook this critical piece. We’ll also discuss how small teams can market effectively on a limited budget, how to create a practical marketing roadmap, and when teams should actually begin their marketing efforts. We also touch on insights from Nordic Game Conference, what to look for when hiring a marketing company, what developers should have prepared before seeking help, and how key PR moments like trailers, demos, and partnerships can amplify growth and long-term visibility. If you want practical, realistic marketing guidance tailored for indie teams, this conversation delivers clear direction. Follow Junae Benne: Twitter: https://twitter.com/junaebenne LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/junaebennett Facebook Gaming: https://fb.gg/junaebenne Instagram: https://instagram.com/junaebenne Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/junaebenne.bsky.social #IndieGameBusiness #GameMarketing #IndieDev #CommunityBuilding #BenneMedia

    1h 7m

  7. FEB 27

    Fireside Chat with Jay Powell and Heather Chandler | Why Games Fail Without Production

    Welcome to a new IndieGameBusiness segment: Fireside Chat. In this episode, Jay Powell sits down with Heather Chandler for a candid conversation about one of the biggest silent killers in game development: lack of production. Too many teams focus only on “make the game” without building a real plan for how it gets finished, marketed, funded, and sustained. Jay and Heather break down what bad production looks like, why so many studios underestimate it, and how the absence of structure can derail even great ideas. They’ll discuss: • Why production is more than task tracking • The risks of not having a roadmap beyond development • How poor planning impacts funding, timelines, and team morale • What studios should be thinking about before they ever write a line of code If you’re building a studio or leading a team, this Fireside Chat will challenge you to think beyond just making the game and start building the business around it. #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #GameProduction #IndieDev #GameBusiness

    54 min

  8. FEB 27

    Effective Pitch Design: Do’s and Don’ts

    This talk focuses on the most common mistakes teams make when building a pitch and how to avoid them. Based on real experiences reviewing and producing game projects, it explores why many pitches fail to communicate their true potential, not because the ideas are bad, but because they are poorly framed, unfocused, or disconnected from business and production realities.

    1h 1m
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4
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Jay Powell
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    491
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jay Powell
  • Show Website
    IndieGameBusiness®

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