The Indie Game Development Podcast
Hosted by Sasquatch B Studios - We are a husband and wife indie dev team who quit our jobs and sold our house to fund starting our indie game studio. We talk about ALL things gamedev on this show, from personal struggles and triumphs, to industry tech. We also interview well-known dev-loggers and ask them burning dev questions!
Episodes
Friday Oct 18, 2024
How to Make a Game When You SUCK at Art
Friday Oct 18, 2024
Friday Oct 18, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, I get real about something that’s been on my mind as a game developer: I suck at art. Like, really suck.
The point of this episode is to talk about making games when you’re not great at art right NOW without spending years learning and honing your art skills.
The big takeaway? You don’t need to be an art expert to make a great game!
Friday Oct 04, 2024
Make constant progress in your game using THIS method
Friday Oct 04, 2024
Friday Oct 04, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
Game development can incredibly hard due to the need to master various technical and creative skills, alongside the demands of marketing and handling feedback.
Balancing these tasks with personal responsibilities can lead to stress, burnout, and self-doubt.
In this episode, we talk about how to succeed by prioritizing self-care and recognizing signs of burnout, tackling the most stressful tasks first to maintain productivity, and strike a balance between discipline and flexibility.
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
How to Make a Game Players Actually CARE About
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, I dive into one of the toughest questions in game development: "Why should players care about your game?"
With so many games flooding the market, it’s crucial to make yours stand out, and figuring out why players should invest their time and money is the key.
As developers, we often get lost in what we think is cool, instead of focusing on what will resonate with players. I also introduce a tool called the Customer Value Proposition (CVP) to help you break down your game's unique appeal and market it effectively.
Marketing isn't something to dread—it's about communicating why your game deserves attention.
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Game Designers are LYING to you: Here's How
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Wednesday Sep 04, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we delve into the nuanced role of an indie game designer, exploring the delicate balance between challenge and reward that keeps players engaged and satisfied.
You'll uncover the fascinating secrets behind popular game mechanics, like the 'coyote time' and dynamic difficulty adjustments, designed to subtly enhance the player's experience without their awareness.
Through examples from games like Devil May Cry, Half-Life, and Pac-Man, we'll show how these hidden techniques create a fair, responsive, and emotionally resonant gameplay.
Whether it's manipulating enemy behavior or tweaking player advantages, these clever tricks might just be the key to overcoming your next design challenge.
Links Discussed in this episode:
Our 2D Platformer Controller Tutorial: https://youtu.be/zHSWG05byEc
Twitter Post:https://x.com/gaohmee/status/903510060197744640?lang=en
Wednesday Aug 21, 2024
How do Game Designers Make their Games FUN?
Wednesday Aug 21, 2024
Wednesday Aug 21, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we'll explore the crucial task of ensuring your game is fun, despite the challenges of subjectivity and diminishing excitement over time.
We'll tackle the question of how to design a fun game by delving into the concept of 'wish fulfillment' and examining the MDA framework, which breaks down fun into eight categories.
Check out this episode for insights into designing a game that's engaging and enjoyable for players.
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Listen to This if You Feel Like You HATE Your Game
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
If you've been plugging away at your game for a while now and you feel like it sucks or you can't even tell if it's fun anymore, you're not alone.
Trust me, it happens to the all of us, and it’s a crucial stage where many people feel like giving up. Even big names like Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley went through similar feelings.
The reality is, when you're too close to something, you lose perspective. You might feel overly critical or worry that your game is just a mess under the hood, even if players would actually enjoy it.
In this episode, we discuss how you can power through and not only finish your game but find the joy in creating it again.
Remember, game development is a roller coaster, and the good feelings will come back. These negative feelings are temporary and there are many ways to get past them.
Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
What it's Like Making Money with Indie Game Dev
Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
Wednesday Jul 24, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, I share my journey of transitioning from a traditional 9-5 job to running an indie game studio full-time with my wife.
We'll discuss the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, highlighting the financial instability and time management struggles that come with it.
I share the reality of working on our game, "Samurado," amidst other responsibilities, and offer advice for aspiring indie developers on navigating the complexities of running a studio.
Despite the hardships, my passion for the work and the satisfaction it brings continues to renew my commitment to this dream.
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
How Video Games are Actually Made
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH
Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames
In this episode, of the Indie Game Development Podcast, we’ll be demystifying the game development process so you can understand how video games are created.
We'll explore game engines like Unity, Unreal, and Godot, which are essential for game development. I'll cover the creation of assets, whether 2D sprites or 3D models, and how they are animated and integrated into the game engine.
We'll also discuss coding, which drives game functionality, and the use of shaders and particles to enhance visuals.
Despite the steep learning curve, game development is an incredibly rewarding art form.
For Devs By Devs
Welcome to "The Indie Game Development Podcast"!
Join us as we explore the world of indie game development, sharing struggles, challenges, and experiences from our own journeys.
With some great discussions and interviews with industry professionals, we tackle various subjects that matter to you.
Whether it's overcoming creative blocks, managing limited resources, marketing your indie game effectively, or understanding the nuances of game design, we've got you covered.
Our podcast isn't just about theoretical concepts; it's about sharing real experiences.
We open up about our own journeys, highlighting the triumphs, failures, and breakthroughs we encountered during our first few years in the industry.
By hearing firsthand accounts from fellow indie game developers, you'll gain valuable insights into the practical aspects of game development and the strategies that have proven successful.
Tune in and join our community of indie game developers making their mark in the industry.