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Apparently retirement wasn’t enough to keep Larry Kuperman away from Jay Powell.Larry “Nightdive” Kuperman, former VP of Business Development at Nightdive Studios, is back on IndieGameBusiness for another Fireside Chat with Jay, and the two of them are up to their usual shenanigans.There’s no telling exactly where this conversation is going to go. Expect stories from the games industry, lessons from Larry’s career, thoughts on what’s happening in games right now, probably a few opinions, and whatever else happens when you put Jay and Larry together live.Larry may be retired, but he definitely hasn’t run out of things to say.Come hang out, bring your questions, and join Jay and Larry for what should be a fun, unpredictable conversation.Follow Larry “Nightdive” Kuperman:Bluesky: @larrynightdive.bsky.socialX: https://x.com/LarryNightDiveFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/larry.kupermanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrykuperman/#IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #Nightdive #GameIndustry #GameDev

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Benjamin Carcich, Founder of Valarin, Inc., to challenge the game industry’s obsession with process and productivity.Your team can have meetings, tickets, sprints, reports, and a perfectly organized production pipeline, but does all of that activity actually create value?Benjamin breaks down the difference between producing “stuff” and producing value, how studios accidentally incentivize the wrong behaviors, and why processes that were designed to help teams can eventually become obstacles themselves.We’ll explore why teams continue following processes without understanding why they exist, how traditional training can reinforce dysfunctional production habits, and the question leaders should be asking about every process inside their studio.We’ll also dive into leadership in game development and how studio leaders can create environments focused on outcomes rather than simply keeping everyone busy.If your team constantly feels busy but your game never seems to move forward fast enough, this conversation may change how you think about productivity.Follow Benjamin Carcich:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/#IndieGameBusiness #GameDevelopment #GameProduction #IndieDev #StudioLeadership

Rob Carroll is back on IndieGameBusiness, but this time the conversation is very different.When Rob joined us previously, Roll Craft was building the studio and preparing for what came next. Now they’ve actually gone through the fundraising process, and Rob is coming back to talk about what really happened.VCs. Angel investors. Kickstarter. WeFunder. Community funding. They all offer different paths to getting your game funded, but choosing how to raise the money is only the beginning.What happens once your raise actually goes live?Rob joins us to talk about the realities of fundraising, from preparing your company and choosing the right funding approach to the constant work required once the campaign starts. Updates, emails, AMAs, webinars, community engagement, and keeping momentum alive all become part of the job.We’ll also get into what surprised him, what worked, what didn’t, the negatives developers should be prepared for, and the things he wishes more studio founders understood before starting a raise.If you’re thinking about raising money for your game or studio, this is a chance to hear from someone who just went through it.Follow Rob Carroll and Roll Craft:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcarroll23/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rollcraft.gamesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rollcraft_adventure/#IndieGameBusiness #GameFunding #IndieDev #GameBusiness #RollCraft

Join Raven Law for “Learning by Landmines: Pitfalls & Strategies for Publishing” Publishing a game is full of unexpected challenges, especially when you're launching across multiple platforms. Drawing from firsthand experience shipping titles on a variety of storefronts, Raven shares the common obstacles that can derail a release, from changing platform requirements to last-minute surprises and competing priorities. This session offers practical lessons to help you anticipate problems, avoid costly mistakes, and navigate the publishing process with greater confidence. Live September 30th, 10am - 11am Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

Join Tara Voelker for “Make Accessibility a Selling Point: Storefronts, Tags, and Discovery” Players need to know if they can play your game before they buy it. Tara breaks down how Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, and the iOS App Store handle accessibility information, what players actually see, and how accurate feature details can support discovery and purchase decisions. You’ll also get a practical checklist for testing, tagging, and communicating your game’s accessibility across storefronts. Live September 30th, 11am - 12pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

Join Michael Brown for “Nobody Owes Your Game Attention – Why Good Games Still Fail” A great game isn’t enough if no one knows it exists. Michael explores why quality alone doesn’t guarantee success, covering market fit, positioning, launch timing, and store page conversion. Learn why building demand before release is essential and how thoughtful planning can give your game a better chance of standing out in a crowded marketplace.Live September 30th, 12pm - 1pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

Join Larry Kuperman and Grover Wimberly IV for “Your Game Needs to Be Everywhere: Distribution Channels” Releasing on a single storefront is no longer the right strategy for many games. Larry and Grover explore how developers can approach today's expanding distribution landscape, from Steam, Epic, and GOG to consoles and handheld platforms. Learn how to evaluate your options, manage the added complexity of multi-platform releases, and build a distribution strategy that reaches more players without overwhelming your team.Live September 30th, 1pm - 2pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

Join Alessandro Biollo, Nate Ahearn, and John Nguyen from Xsolla for “Multi Storefront Publishing” Publishing across multiple storefronts can open the door to more players, but it also brings new challenges around distribution, operations, and strategy. This roundtable discussion will explore the realities of multi storefront publishing, with industry perspectives on how teams can approach different platforms, manage the added complexity, and make smarter decisions about where and how to release their games.Live September 30th, 2pm - 3pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

The IndieGameBusiness Sessions: The Path from Storefront to Success is over, but there’s still plenty to talk about.Join Ash and INDIE for another After the Event as they sit down and break apart the talks, conversations, and biggest takeaways from the latest IndieGameBusiness Sessions.This event focused on what happens when it’s time to actually get your game in front of players. We’ll discuss the realities of publishing across multiple platforms, the mistakes and last minute “landmines” developers run into, and why simply making a good game doesn’t mean anyone is going to pay attention to it.We’ll also dig into discoverability, market fit, positioning, storefront conversion, launch timing, and why developers need to think beyond a single storefront. From Steam and alternative distribution channels to the challenges of multi storefront publishing, there’s a lot for indie developers to think about before hitting that launch button.Ash and INDIE will revisit the talks from the event, share the points that stood out to them, and discuss what indie developers can actually take away and apply to their own games.If you attended the Sessions, come continue the conversation. If you missed them, this is your chance to hear Ash and INDIE break down what you missed.#IndieGameBusiness #IGBSessions #IndieDev #GamePublishing #GameMarketing #GameDistribution

Join Christian Allen for “It’s Time to Launch: Lessons in Building and Sustaining Momentum” Launching a game is only the beginning. Christian shares lessons from years of working on indie games and supporting developers through launch and beyond, covering Early Access, 1.0 releases, content updates, and community engagement. Learn how to build momentum around your release while balancing ongoing development with player expectations, even when you’re working with a much smaller team than a typical AAA studio. Live September 30th, 3pm - 4pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn #FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

Join Marco Polo Moraga for “Planning for Launch: Wishlists, Visibility, and Timing on Steam” Learn what wishlists actually tell you, which metrics matter, and why a high wishlist count doesn’t always translate into strong first-week sales. This panel also covers when to launch your store page, how to make the most of Steam Next Fest, and why setting your release date early can make a difference.Live September 30th, 4pm - 5pm Eastern | YouTube - Twitch - LinkedIn#FYP #VirtualConference #IndieGameDev #IndieGames #GamesIndustry

Join Jay Powell for another IndieGameBusiness Fireside Chat, this time with Hugo Castro, CEO of BC Media Lab and co-founder of Gamacon. Jay and Hugo will sit down for a relaxed conversation about Hugo’s journey in the games industry, building BC Media Lab, the story behind Gamacon, and the work that goes into creating opportunities and connections for game developers. They’ll talk about the industry, community, events, entrepreneurship, and some of the lessons Hugo has picked up along the way. And because this is a Fireside Chat, expect the conversation to go wherever it goes, with stories, industry insight, live questions, and probably a few topics we didn’t plan for. Come hang out with Jay and Hugo and join the conversation live. Follow Hugo Castro: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-abel-castro-%F0%9F%94%9C-crea-tijuana-9915a477/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hugo.a.castro.7 #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #Gamacon #GameDev #GameIndustry

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

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

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