Indie Insider Podcast - Black Shell Media - podcast cover

Indie Insider Podcast - Black Shell Media

Black Shell Mediablackshellmedia.com
Indie Insider, presented by Black Shell Media, was a weekly podcast that dove into the independent video game scene by speaking with indie developers, publishers, and industry professionals about their projects, stories, and thoughts on the hottest current topics.

Episodes

Indie Insider #54 – Indie Insider Focus (The Advice Episode)

  A compilation of all of the best advice and ideas we’ve received from 50 episodes worth of amazing guests and industry icons. Topics discussed: How to get up and start something new Dealing with feedback and finding balance in your work Mastering the art of communication with collaborators Doing your research and putting in […]

Oct 03, 201750 min

Indie Insider #53 – Larry Kuperman, Director of Business Development for Nightdive Studios

  Guest: Larry Kuperman, Director of Business Development for Nightdive Studios, the team perhaps most notable for remaking games from the past, such as the System Shock franchise. Topics discussed: Larry’s story and how he went from a theatre education degree to being the Director of Business Development for Nightdive His advice for your developers […]

Sep 26, 20171 hr 4 min

Indie Insider #52 – Tobias Sjögren of White Wolf Entertainment

  Guest: Tobias Sjögren, CEO of White Wolf Entertainment, a sister company to Paradox Interactive. Topics discussed: Tobias’ story of taking over a company acquired by Paradox Interactive and nurturing the World of Darkness IP, as well as his humble beginnings with Battlefield and DICE Tobias’ tips and tricks to surviving E3 and other major […]

Sep 18, 201757 min

Indie Insider #51 – Zhenghua Yang, Founder of Serenity Forge

  Guest: Zhenghua Yang, Game Developer and Founder of Serenity Forge, an indie video game publishing studio. Topics discussed: An in-depth exploration of the blood disorder that almost claimed Zhenghua’s life, and how video games saved him How Serenity Forge is sharing games that tell important stories Zhenghua’s advice to managing your own studio Breaking […]

Sep 12, 201755 min

Indie Insider #50 – Nolan Bushnell, Founder of Atari (and a Giveaway!)

Guest: Nolan Bushnell, Founder of Atari and father of the video game industry. Nolan Bushnell has also co-founded companies such as Modal VR and Brainrush. Topics discussed: Things that shouldn’t hold you back, such as location or a college education Nolan Bushnell’s tips on delegating What the Founder of Atari thinks is the most […]

Sep 05, 201755 min

Indie Insider #49 – Craig Morrison, Design Department Manager of Blizzard Entertainment

  Guest: Craig Morrison, Design Department Manager of the World of Warcraft franchise at Blizzard Entertainment. Topics discussed: How Craig approaches design as a philosophy and a discipline The immense importance of collaboration in this industry The values and philosophies that unify a team and guide the design of a game Craig’s tips and tricks […]

Aug 29, 20172 hr 31 min

Indie Insider #48 – Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive

  Guest: Fredrik Wester, the CEO of video game developer and publishing company Paradox Interactive. Topics discussed: What platform should you put your game on, and is console viable for indies? Fred’s advice to “taking a lot of s**t.” How to maximize your own productivity, as well as the productivity of your team The art […]

Aug 21, 201752 min

Indie Insider #47 – The Road to Play NYC, Week 3

  Guests: Robert Canciello, Founder of Eos Interactive Jane Friedhoff and Andy Wallace, Developers and Art Makers Dan Butchko, CEO of Playcrafting Topics discussed: Robert’s thoughts on project and team management How a varied background (such as one in theatre) can influence you as a developer Why supplemental education can help you “get the job” […]

Aug 14, 20171 hr 28 min

Indie Insider #46 – The Road to Play NYC, Week 2

  Guests: Joe Tringali, Director of Digital Continue Josh DeBonis, President of BunbleBear Games Zac Dixon, Creative Director of IV Studio Kati Nawrocki, Art Director of Computer Lunch Dan Butchko, CEO of Playcrafting   Topics discussed: Joe’s insight into starting companies and leading teams What it means to be catalyst for art and growth in […]

Aug 07, 20172 hr 43 min

Indie Insider #45 – The Road to Play NYC, Week 1

  Guests: Nick Fortugno, CCO of Playmatics Rebecca Bennett, Marketing & Community Manager of Dreamsail Games Lawrence Mascia, Owner of Goodnight Games Ben Miller, Lead Designer of Fabraz Dan Butchko, CEO of Playcrafting Topics discussed: Nick’s guide to outstanding design and player guidance Thoughts on how indie developers will change the nature of art Rebecca’s […]

Jul 31, 20172 hr 43 min

Indie Insider #44 – John Master Lee, Product & Brand Executive

  This week’s guest: John Master Lee, a veteran product and brand executive in the video game industry. Topics discussed: How the Lean Startup Methodology can help optimize your life and work Whether or not your geographical location impacts your ability to succeed Why it is that success comes to those who pursue their passions […]

Jul 24, 20171 hr 16 min

Indie Insider #43 – Anthony Palma, CEO of Jump

  This week’s guest: Anthony Palma, CEO of Jump, the upcoming on-demand video game subscription service! Topics discussed: Creating a Netflix-like subscription service focused on indie games The art of developing a business model and growth model The pros and cons of Jump’s revenue split model Tips to persevering when you’re aimless Finding the right […]

Jul 17, 20171 hr

Indie Insider #42 – Dan Butchko, CEO of Playcrafting

  This week’s guest: Dan Butchko, CEO of Playcrafting, the organization providing in-person classes, courses, and events across America for both aspiring and established game developers! Topics discussed: Running a for-profit company with a non-profit mindset An inside look into Play NYC, Playcrafting’s upcoming convention! The future of conventions in the video game industry The […]

Jul 10, 201758 min

Indie Insider #41 – Rocky Kev, Serious Game Devs Only

  This week’s guest: Rocky Kev, founder of the Serious Game Devs Only community and creator of the Bytesized educational video series for game developers! Topics discussed: Tackling debt as an indie game developer Why periods of video game apathy can be a positive thing Making real art vs. appealing to the marketplace The constant […]

Jul 03, 201746 min

Indie Insider #40 – Dirk Knemeyer, Host of The Game Design Roundtable Podcast

  This week’s guest: Dirk Knemeyer, host of The Game Design Roundtable podcast and Creative Director of Artana, a tabletop game company! Topics discussed: How to bounce back when your company or idea crumbles around you Finding your personal alignment Dealing with negative collaborations When to decide it’s time to move on Reformatting your idea […]

Jun 26, 201752 min

Indie Insider #39 – The Underground King, the Final Steam Greenlight Game

  This week’s guest: Alex Nae and Alex Nechita, developers of The Underground King, perhaps most notable for being the final Steam Greenlight game. Topics discussed: What happens when your game receives publicity for something out of your control The nature and future of Steam as a marketplace How to respond when your development partner […]

Jun 19, 201744 min

Indie Insider #38 – Rich Vreeland, Disasterpeace

  This week’s guest: Rich Vreeland, AKA Disasterpeace, the composer of the music behind games such as Fez, Hyper Light Drifter, Mini Metro, and more! Topics discussed: Designing music for games such as Fez and Hyper Light Drifter The art of seizing an opportunity Maintaining motivation and inspiration in your work over time Negotiating pay […]

Jun 13, 20171 hr 7 min

Indie Insider #37 – Alexander Winn, TerraGenesis

  This week’s guest: Alexander Winn, founder of EdgeWorks Entertainment and creator of the hit app, TerraGenesis! Topics discussed: Developing 24 apps before finally hitting it big The constant grind of bug-fixes and audience response Developing and managing a community around your game The pros and cons of developing solo …and much more! ​ Hey […]

Jun 05, 201747 min

Indie Insider #36 – Timo Verschueren, nevaly

  This week’s guest: Timo Verschueren from nevaly, a startup focused on connecting game developers and publishers with online and YouTube influencers! Topics discussed: The art of the cold email Why do people love YouTubers and Let’s Play videos How to utilize influencers to market your game How to get noticed in a sea of […]

May 29, 201745 min

​Indie Insider #35 – Anne McLaughlin, The Happie Cat

  This week’s guest: YouTube personality and game development tutor, Anne McLaughlin (AKA The Happie Cat)! Topics discussed: Managing a YouTube Channel The pros and cons of Patreon Building and maintaining a community around your content The future of artificial intelligence in video games …and much more! ​ I first learned about Anne and her […]

May 22, 201743 min

Indie Insider #34 – Indie Studio Turtle Juice

  This week’s guests: Ernani Rocha and Bashar Saade of the indie studio Turtle Juice. Topics discussed: Conducting a successful Steam Greenlight campaign Managing a team that works entirely remote Navigating a working relationship with someone as close as a spouse Dealing with tragedy during the development process, such as the death of your programmer […]

May 15, 201758 min

Indie Insider #33 – Kate Edwards, Executive Director of the IGDA

  This week’s guest: Kate Edwards, the Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association Topics discussed: What it is like working for Microsoft and instructing Bill Gates on how to avoid a major international incident How game fraud and illegal resale is hurting the industry The best ways to avoid crunch time in the […]

May 08, 20171 hr 18 min

Indie Insider #32 – Glowlime Games

  This week’s guest: Joel Esquilin and Marcus Maulucci of Glowlime Games. Topics discussed: How Glowlime Games is educating the professionals YOU will want on your team The art of project management How to find happiness while still pursuing your dreams Tricks to keeping the scope of your game in check …and much more! ​ […]

May 01, 201754 min

Indie Insider #31 – David Sirlin, Creator of Fantasy Strike

  This week’s guest: David Sirlin, founder of Sirlin Games and creator of Fantasy Strike. Topics discussed: How the competitive fighting game world and the 9-11 terrorist attacks make you who you are The art of developing multiple games in a shared universe The similarities between indie video games and indie board games How microtransactions […]

Apr 26, 20172 hr 54 min

Indie Insider #30 – Tyler Bushnell, Founder of Polycade

  This week’s guest: Tyler Bushnell, creator of the Polycade arcade machine. Topics discussed: What makes for a successful Kickstarter campaign? How do arcade machines fit into the modern day video game industry? How does having a father like Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari, affect your company? Turning the solution to a personal issue into […]

Apr 18, 20171 hr 8 min

Indie Insider – The Game Writing Panel

  This week’s episode is a special discussion panel all about game writing: What it is, what it means, and how you can be doing it better! Panel members include Nathan Meunier, Rick Davidson, and Chris Solarski. Topics discussed: How do you pin down and define game writing? How game writing works in open world […]

Apr 10, 20172 hr 34 min

Indie Insider #29 – Lucas Molina, Painter’s Guild/Roguemance

  This week’s guest: Lucas Molina, developer of Painter’s Guild and Roguemance! Topics discussed: How game development in Brazil is beginning to take off Why historical accuracy matters in a game like Painter’s Guild Pushing through the fear to accept feedback Sticking with your gut when your game’s content might upset someone Building a support […]

Apr 03, 201757 min

Indie Insider #28 – Indie Studio Vashta Entertainment

  > Listen on iTunes <   On the twenty-eighth episode of Indie Insider, host Logan Schultz sits down with Bret Black and Shane Draper, founders of the indie studio Vashta Entertainment. The group chats about their newly released mobile game, River Rider, and how they’re working on a major project, or “the big one,” entitled […]

Mar 27, 201759 min

Indie Insider #27 – Paul Hellquist (BioShock, Borderlands 2)

  On the twenty-seventh episode of Indie Insider, host Logan Schultz sits down with Paul Hellquist, an industry professional who has worked as Lead Designer and Creative Director of BioShock and Borderlands 2, respectively. Since working in the AAA space, however, Paul has gone indie and is currently working with Robot Entertainment. The two chat […]

Mar 20, 20172 hr 34 min

Indie Insider Podcast #26 – Bob Best, Indievelopment

  On the twenty-sixth episode of Indie Insider, host Logan Schultz sits down with Bob Best, a college senior from the Netherlands who, while working multiple jobs and finishing up his studies, also helps produce a major game conference each year called Indievelopment, where industry students can connect with game developers and companies. Logan and […]

Mar 13, 201738 min