The Thomas Brush Show

Jonas Tyroller, an indie game developer celebrated for his hit Thronefall, shares his insights into the world of game creation. He discusses the pivotal role of player feedback and early access in refining his game's success. Listeners learn about effective prototyping and the importance of structured feedback, along with strategies for balancing creativity with profitability. Additionally, Jonas highlights the art of pitching games and mastering marketing on platforms like Steam, ensuring developers can thrive in a competitive landscape.

Mark Brown, creator of the influential YouTube channel Game Maker's Toolkit, shares his journey from journalism to indie game development with his new title, Mind Over Magnet. He discusses the balance between audience engagement and game distribution, emphasizing the power of a built-in fanbase. The conversation highlights the emotional challenges indie developers face, including self-doubt and perfectionism. Brown also delves into the importance of sound design, testing, and realistic goal-setting to enhance gameplay and ensure resonance with players.

In a captivating discussion, Chris Zukowski, an indie game marketing expert, shares invaluable insights on how developers can thrive in 2025. He emphasizes that great games still require strategic marketing, leveraging Steam’s algorithm for visibility. Chris explores the significance of wishlists and email lists, describing how they act as essential tools for engagement and sales. He also reveals the importance of targeted outreach and building relationships with key influencers. Discover practical strategies to enhance your game's market presence and navigate the evolving landscape!

In this discussion with Jonathan Blow, the renowned developer behind Braid and The Witness, listeners delve into the future of indie game creation in 2025. Blow highlights the saturation of the market and the struggle for visibility among quality games. He shares insights on integrating AI into game development, the evolving strategies for launching indie titles, and the challenges posed by modern hardware and software. The conversation emphasizes innovation, community engagement, and the need for financial resilience in today's competitive gaming landscape.

Does indie game marketing matter in 2025? Me and my buddy Jason Smith chat about this, and his latest game's launch on Steam. Btw, you can get 50% off Full Time Game Dev for Black Friday: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/full-time-game-black-friday

In this podcast episode, I chat with Tomas Sala about the state of the games industry, especially for solo devs! ► Play Bulwark Evolution: https://store.steampowered.com/app/290100/Bulwark_Evolution_Falconeer_Chronicles/ ► Learn how to become a full time game dev, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures ► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game

In this podcast episode, I chat with Julian Ball, creator of Len's Island about how he made 3 million bucks before evening finishing his game... ► Learn how to become a full time game dev, free: https://www.clkmg.com/fulltimegamedev/webinar ► Play Len's Island: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1335830/Lens_Island/

In this podcast episode, I chat with David Wehle about his next game, and how he took a massive gamble on a dream project. ► Support David and enroll in his course: https://courses.gamedevunlocked.com/p/game-dev-unlocked?coupon_code=WHSTHOMAS80&product_id=3035771 ► Play the demo: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1559720/We_Harvest_Shadows/ ► Learn how to become a full time game dev, free: https://www.clkmg.com/fulltimegamedev/webinar  

Eli Brewer, an indie game developer and founder of Treefall Studios, discusses his journey to making a full-time income from small games. He reveals how to turn criticism into opportunity, shares insights on effective YouTube content, and explains the importance of niche franchises. Eli emphasizes adapting to market changes with low-risk projects and offers strategies for successful game releases on console versus Steam. His insights on pricing experiments and building franchises provide valuable tips for aspiring game developers.

Discover a streamlined three-step approach to kickstart your indie game development career. Learn the importance of product creation and audience building while generating wishlists. Explore strategies for creating a sustainable business model, including valuable micro games. The journey highlights personal experiences with customer engagement on platforms like YouTube, alongside tackling the challenges of stress management in a creative industry.