In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast , we dive into the emotional rollercoaster of learning game development—especially when progress feels frustratingly slow. We'll talk about how the more you learn, the more you feel like a beginner again. You’ll hear honest stories about "nightmare dev days," when nothing seems to work—yet those are the days where you grow the most. We also explore why tutorials can only take you so far, and how real learning happens through applying knowledg...
Jul 23, 2025•16 min•Ep. 83
Join our Discord Community! Check us out on Youtube! In this episode of the Indie Game Development Podcast, I sat down with BenBonk to chat about making Slimekeep, his five-year journey, and what it’s like developing a game from high school to Steam. He shares about wishlists, hard work, and growing as a solo indie dev. BenBonk started Slimekeep in grade 9. Five years later, it became one of the most wishlisted indie games on Steam. This is his story about how Slimekeep came to life, from a game...
May 08, 2025•50 min•Ep. 82
Join our Discord Community! Check us out on Youtube! The game dev industry has been looking rough lately—layoffs, AI advancements, drama with engines, and an overwhelming number of new releases. It’s easy to feel discouraged. But despite all of that, we truly believe now is the BEST time to get into game dev. The industry is changing fast, and those who push through will be ahead when the dust settles. If you’ve ever wanted to make games, there’s no better time than right now!...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 81
Join our Discord Community! Check us out on Youtube! The game dev industry has been looking rough lately—layoffs, AI advancements, drama with engines, and an overwhelming number of new releases. It’s easy to feel discouraged. But despite all of that, we truly believe now is the BEST time to get into game dev. The industry is changing fast, and those who push through will be ahead when the dust settles. If you’ve ever wanted to make games, there’s no better time than right now! Wishlist Cropoluti...
Feb 21, 2025•14 min•Ep. 80
Wishlist Cropolution on Steam! Check us out on Youtube! In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast , I’m focusing on helping those of you who are struggling with the technical side of game development. I’ll guide you through the different options for coding in the major game engines like Unreal, Unity, and Godot, and share practical tips on how to start thinking like a programmer, no matter which engine you choose. By the end of the episode, you'll know exactly how to tackle coding an...
Feb 07, 2025•22 min•Ep. 79
Wishlist Cropolution on Steam! Check us out on Youtube! In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast , we provide a complete roadmap to help you get started with indie game development in 2025. From choosing the right game engine to the fastest ways to develop your skills, we cover essential tools, resources, and strategies to kickstart your game development journey. Links for sound/art/software/learning programming: https://opengameart.org/ - free and commercially available art https:/...
Jan 17, 2025•24 min•Ep. 78
Wishlist Cropolution on Steam! Join our Discord Community! Check us out on Youtube! In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we'll dive into the realities of going full-time as an indie game developer. While I’m all for chasing your dreams, the journey is often far more challenging than expected. That said, the rewards are unmatched. This episode is really all about preparing you for the journey so you can pursue your passion with open eyes....
Nov 27, 2024•19 min•Ep. 77
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, I get real about something that’s been on my mind as a game developer: I suck at art. Like, really suck. The point of this episode is to talk about making games when you’re not great at art right NOW without spending years learning and honing your art skills. The big takeaway? You don’t need to be an art expert ...
Oct 18, 2024•18 min•Ep. 76
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames Game development can incredibly hard due to the need to master various technical and creative skills, alongside the demands of marketing and handling feedback. Balancing these tasks with personal responsibilities can lead to stress, burnout, and self-doubt. In this episode, we talk about how to succeed by prioritizing self-care and recognizing signs of burnout, tack...
Oct 04, 2024•21 min•Ep. 75
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, I dive into one of the toughest questions in game development: "Why should players care about your game?" With so many games flooding the market, it’s crucial to make yours stand out, and figuring out why players should invest their time and money is the key. As developers, we often get lost in what we think is ...
Sep 18, 2024•17 min•Ep. 74
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we delve into the nuanced role of an indie game designer, exploring the delicate balance between challenge and reward that keeps players engaged and satisfied. You'll uncover the fascinating secrets behind popular game mechanics, like the 'coyote time' and dynamic difficulty adjustments, designed to subtly enhan...
Sep 04, 2024•14 min•Ep. 73
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we'll explore the crucial task of ensuring your game is fun, despite the challenges of subjectivity and diminishing excitement over time. We'll tackle the question of how to design a fun game by delving into the concept of 'wish fulfillment' and examining the MDA framework, which breaks down fun into eight categ...
Aug 21, 2024•17 min•Ep. 72
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames If you've been plugging away at your game for a while now and you feel like it sucks or you can't even tell if it's fun anymore, you're not alone. Trust me, it happens to the all of us, and it’s a crucial stage where many people feel like giving up. Even big names like Eric Barone, creator of Stardew Valley went through similar feelings. The reality is, when you're ...
Aug 07, 2024•14 min•Ep. 71
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, I share my journey of transitioning from a traditional 9-5 job to running an indie game studio full-time with my wife. We'll discuss the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, highlighting the financial instability and time management struggles that come with it. I share the reality of working on our game, "Sa...
Jul 24, 2024•20 min•Ep. 70
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode, of the Indie Game Development Podcast, we’ll be demystifying the game development process so you can understand how video games are created. We'll explore game engines like Unity, Unreal, and Godot, which are essential for game development. I'll cover the creation of assets, whether 2D sprites or 3D models, and how they are animated and integrated i...
Jul 10, 2024•21 min•Ep. 69
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we'll delve into the lessons I've learned and the insights I've gained from my journey in game development. Reflecting on my experiences, I share practical advice on what I would do differently if I had to start all over again. With an emphasis on the importance of focusing on game design over perfect code, maki...
Jun 12, 2024•15 min•Ep. 68
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames Are you currently trapped in tutorial hell, or maybe you're afraid of getting stuck there? It's a common struggle, and the conflicting advice out there can be really overwhelming. In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we'll answer the question: Should you stop watching tutorials? We'll explore the necessary balance between learning from tutorials an...
Jun 05, 2024•17 min•Ep. 67
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of the Indie Game Development Podcast, we dive deep into the behind-the-scenes world of creating Samaurado as an indie game developer. We discuss the software used for game development, including game engines and programming tools, as well as the art and sound creation software vital for crafting the game's atmosphere and aesthetic. Additionally, we ...
May 22, 2024•15 min•Ep. 66
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of the Indie Game Development podcast, I open up about a challenging seven-month period where I completely stopped making devlogs for my game, Samurado. Frustrated by their lack of traction and the effort they required, I grew bitter and disillusioned, ultimately giving up on them entirely. This decision was fueled by a misguided attempt to mimic the...
May 15, 2024•14 min•Ep. 65
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this eye-opening episode of The Indie Game Development podcast, we take a hard look at the current state of the video game industry. It's no secret that free-to-play games have been utilizing manipulation and behavioral psychology to encourage players to spend money, but what's alarming is how these tactics are seeping into AAA titles. We delve into the mechanics...
May 08, 2024•22 min•Ep. 64
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development podcast, we tackle a persistent myth in the industry that devlogs are only for developers, not gamers. It's a narrative many of us have bought into, myself included. But what if we've been missing the mark all along? We dive deep into the world of indie marketing, exploring why traditional methods often fall short in a l...
May 01, 2024•18 min•Ep. 63
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames We tackle one of the most pressing questions every game developer faces: How do you get people to not just notice, but genuinely want to play your game? The answer lies in effective marketing strategies, and the urgency to act becomes clear as we explore the growing landscape of game development. Delving into 8 specific strategies to make your game stand out, In thi...
Apr 24, 2024•22 min•Ep. 62
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development podcast, we sit down with Zak Knight, an audio expert and professional musician and we dig DEEP into the world of video game music and sound design! With a musical background spanning over 25 years, Zak's expertise isn't just about notes and chords; it's about capturing the essence of creativity and emotion in every piec...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 61
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development podcast, we dive deep into the shifting terrain of the gaming industry. With major layoffs hitting AAA studios and a relentless focus on monetization over fun, indie developers face a daunting challenge: how to stand out amidst the chaos. The introduction of free game development tools has empowered small teams and indiv...
Apr 10, 2024•17 min•Ep. 60
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames Join us on The Indie Game Development Podcast as we unravel the truth behind the challenges indie developers face. Discover why expectations can lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout, and learn practical strategies for overcoming these hurdles. From unrealistic deadlines to trying to do it all alone, we'll explore the common pitfalls and offer actionable solutio...
Apr 03, 2024•18 min•Ep. 59
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development podcast we're sharing our ultimate guide for launching your game dev journey in 2024! Here's your quick roadmap: Engine Selection Pricing Programming Paths Asset Acquisition Hands-on Learning Game Jams Month-long Projects Remember, it's all about taking small steps and enjoying the journey. Let's kickstart your game dev ...
Mar 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 58
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames Hey there, it's Brandon and Nikki from Sasquatch B Studios, and we're taking over The Indie Game Development Podcast today to give you a peek behind the curtain of our crazy journey from corporate finance to indie game dev. A few years back, we said goodbye to a stable income and sold our house to chase our dream of making games with no guarantee it would work out. ...
Mar 20, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 57
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames Welcome to The Indie Game Development podcast! Today, we're exploring the genius level design of Super Meat Boy. Ed McMillan, known for his quirky games like The Binding of Isaac, created a masterpiece with Super Meat Boy. Unlike Mario, this platformer keeps it simple with basic moves: walk, run, jump, and wall jump. But don't be fooled – it gets insanely challengin...
Mar 13, 2024•15 min•Ep. 56
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames In this episode of The Indie Game Development Podcast, we explore the metaphorical landscape of game development, likening its challenges to treacherous mountains. Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of the journey, embracing the struggle, celebrating the triumphs, and finding magic in the process. Whether you're scaling familiar peaks or charting new territor...
Mar 06, 2024•12 min•Ep. 55
Join our Discord Community: https://discord.com/invite/aHjTSBz3jH Check us out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sasquatchbgames Join us on The Indie Game Development Podcast as we unravel the unexpected allure of Cookie Clicker. Our host Brandon shares a personal journey from skepticism to addiction, exploring the game's fundamental appeal. Through candid analysis, we dissect five key factors behind Cookie Clicker's success: simplicity, accessibility, addictive mechanics, strategic rewards, ...
Feb 28, 2024•12 min•Ep. 54
