IndieGameBusiness®

I run x2line, a lean studio with 50M+ downloads across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android (including TV form factors), and the web. I’m the only full-time developer. I manage production, ship updates, and coordinate long-term art and animation contractors instead of an in-house team. I’ll cover: how to scope version 1 vs later updates, how to get usable assets from contractors, and how to choose the next feature or fix so the game stays alive for years.

When game projects start slipping with missed milestones, scope creep, and fading morale, how do you get things back on track? This session presents a production first aid kit with tools to diagnose problems, triage scope, rebuild schedules, and communicate changes clearly to your teams.Key takeaways: Spot early warning signs, apply a lightweight triage framework, and stabilize delivery without burning out your team.

Playtesting doesn’t need to be expensive or overwhelming. This talk shares a simple process any small team can use to run regular 1 on 1 playtesting sessions. Learn how to find testers outside your immediate circle, prepare stable builds, guide productive sessions, and turn feedback into meaningful improvements. You’ll leave with clear, repeatable steps to make playtesting a natural and empowering part of development.

Successful games not only have a strong creative vision but are also highly acclaimed by players; this integration of player insights occurs throughout the entire development cycle and takes different forms.In this talk, we map out lightweight, well-timed user experience research (UXR) activities into a production pipeline that doesn’t slow things down, and in fact de-risks development and improves outcomes.

Game projects don’t get made in a straight line. In this session, we’ll explore how the producer’s role shifts across art, features, publishing, and external development—and why producers are essential to each. Our panelists will compare what their day-to-day looks like, the backgrounds that help most, how success is measured, and where the biggest challenges lie. Whether you’re curious about indie projects or AAA blockbusters, get ready for an honest, side-by-side look at what it really takes to keep teams—and games—moving forward.

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Jess Feidt, Owner of Underwater Fire Games. Jess shares his journey from working on massive AAA franchises like Call of Duty to building his own indie studio from the ground up. We’ll talk about why he decided to leave AAA, how he transitioned into running his own team, and how his experience at Treyarch and Sony shaped the decisions behind his first indie game. Jess also breaks down what he learned about the business side of starting a studio, how his opinions evolved throughout development, and what leading a small indie team has taught him. This is a must-watch for anyone thinking about going indie or starting their own studio. Follow Jess Feidt and Underwater Fire Games: X: https://x.com/UFireGames LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-feidt-0233842/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UFireGames Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ufiregames/ #IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #UnderwaterFireGames #AAAtoIndie #GameDevelopment

Let's learn about game production tools! There are a lot of them out there, but which ones are right for my team size, game scope, and budget? We'll discuss industry standards, the pros and cons of several tools, and their applicability to different production methods such as Scrum and Kanban.

Most teams skip design documentation and pay for it later, in miscommunication, scope creep, and wasted development time. This session reveals how proper design docs streamline your entire pipeline. Learn the MDA framework for evaluating features, documentation techniques that actually help your team build faster, and how to communicate design decisions that reduce rework. Whether you're solo or managing a studio, discover why thinking like an architect (not just a builder) prevents bottlenecks and keeps production on track. Includes real templates and workflows used in professional studios.

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Peter Kojesta, Founder of Exis Games. Peter shares how the publishing and funding landscape is evolving for indie developers and what studios need to know to successfully launch games in 2025 and beyond. We’ll explore the new requirements for getting a game published, the different types of publishers—from service-based to VC-backed—and what venture capital firms are really looking for in game investments. Peter also walks us through the development journey of *Dragonhold* and the lessons Exis Games learned along the way. If you’re an indie dev looking to secure funding, find the right publishing partner, or understand the business side of modern game launches, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Follow Peter Kojesta and Exis Games: X: https://x.com/Exisinteractive LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkojesta/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ExisInteractive/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exisinteractive/ #IndieGameBusiness #ExisGames #IndieDev #GamePublishing #GameFunding #Dragonhold

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by April Stallings, Charitable Gaming Program Manager at Make-A-Wish International. April shares how the power of games is helping grant life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses around the world. Founded in 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 615,000 wishes in nearly 50 countries. Every 25 seconds a child is diagnosed with a critical illness, and a wish provides hope, joy, and resilience—helping kids face their toughest battles. Gaming is often a vital lifeline for wish children, keeping them connected to friends and family while offering distraction and relief during hospital stays. With gaming-related wishes growing, Make-A-Wish is launching the Infinite Wishes program to give the games industry a unique way to support children when they need it most. Follow Make-A-Wish International and April Stallings: X: https://x.com/MakeAWishIntl LinkedIn (April Stallings): https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilstallings/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/makeawishintl Instagram: https://instagram.com/makeawishintl #IndieGameBusiness #MakeAWish #GamingForGood #GameIndustry #Charity