Indie Game Guildhall

Marketing powerhouse Genevieve DeVille reveals how to build social strategies that don’t just grow audiences—they create true fandoms. Drawing from her work on Dungeons & Dragons experiences and hit titles like TRANSFORMERS: Tactical Arena and LEGO Brawls, she shares how smart brands stand out, win attention, and turn communities into loyal superfans.Learn more about GenevieveLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Guildhall LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

VR industry veterans Waylon Fisher and Brandon Egolf share hard-earned lessons from launching one of the first VR arcades in the U.S., navigating market swings and COVID, and publishing multiple Quest top sellers. They break down whether making a VR game in 2026 is a smart bet—and what developers need to get right to survive and win.Learn more about WaylonLearn more about BrandonLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Guildhall LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

This week, Anya Combs joins us to break down what real community building looks like in the games industry. Drawing from her time at AddictingGames, Nickelodeon, and as Director of Games at Kickstarter, Anya shares practical insights on crowdfunding, developer relations, and turning an audience into a lasting community. If you are about sustainable growth—not just launch-day hype—this one’s for you.Learn more about AnyaLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Guildhall LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

In this community episode, Willem and Tim break down portfolio best practices. What to include, what to leave out, and how to present your work with clarity and intention. They share practical insights and real-world examples to help portfolios communicate skill, growth, and focus without unnecessary noise.Learn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

Matt Dalio, CEO & Co-Founder of Endless, revolutionizes learning through game creation aimed at democratizing access to technology. He discusses how building games enhances critical skills like strategy, teamwork, and storytelling, making players active creators. Matt reveals insights on the importance of teaching job-relevant skills alongside providing devices and shares how community-driven platforms like GitHub offer real-world learning. He also emphasizes the shift from polished educational games to empowering novices to create, making game development a viable pathway into tech careers.

Jacob Kaczynski, a rising indie game developer known for his game Constellar, shares his journey from Scratch to Godot. He emphasizes the critical importance of backups, recounting a harrowing loss due to hardware failure that reshaped his approach. Jacob discusses his layered backup strategy using Git and practical advice for budding developers. He explores gameplay mechanics involving elemental combos in Constellar, and offers insights on indie studio growth while navigating the evolving landscape of game development with AI.

In this discussion, Fernando Dominguez Sarmiento, the creative director at Lemon Chili and mind behind Super Farming Boy, dives into the art of marrying data with creativity in game design. He breaks down how analytics can enhance user experience and marketing without stifling originality. Nando shares insights on identifying trends, A/B testing for better onboarding, and the risks of algorithmic audience lock-in. With his diverse background in film and live gaming events, he emphasizes the importance of iteration and player feedback to create engaging experiences.

This week’s guest, Loren Weng, co-founder and CEO of Dorema Games, shares her insights on roguelike game design. She delves into the importance of procedural generation and discusses its evolution, including key titles like Hades and Slay the Spire. Loren highlights challenges in balancing narrative with roguelike mechanics and explores the unique aspects of co-op gameplay in her indie title, Soulmates. She also encourages listeners to imagine unconventional game mashups, sparking creativity in the genre.

Omar Samir, an indie game developer known for leading Super Buff HD and crafting horror titles, delves into the heart of game creation. He emphasizes that passion, not spite, should define projects, sharing his journey from coding in Unreal to securing over $300,000 for Cairo: Otherscape. The discussion touches on overcoming challenges like publisher collapses and the importance of positive creative vision. Omar also shares insights on balancing passion with market demands and how to redesign disliked game mechanics for fun.

In this episode, Salaar shares lessons from a lifelong journey in game development—from creating games at age 8 to shipping titles at CAGE Studios and contributing to God of War: Ragnarok. We discuss what it really takes to build a sustainable indie studio, balancing creativity, longevity, and the realities of the industry.Learn more abour SalaarLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.