IndieGameBusiness®

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Romy Halfweeg, Business Development Manager at Poki, to break down how indie developers can succeed in the growing world of web gaming.

Romy shares an overview of the browser gaming space, how it has evolved, and where Poki fits today with a catalog of over 1600 games. Drawing from her experience as a former indie developer, she explains how that perspective shapes how Poki works with developers and what they look for when signing new games.

We’ll dive into who the web gaming audience is, what gameplay loops perform best, and which monetization strategies actually work. Romy also covers the technical considerations developers need to think about when building for the web, and how indie teams can position themselves to take advantage of this platform.

If you’re looking for new distribution channels, revenue streams, or ways to reach massive audiences without traditional storefronts, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Follow Romy Halfweeg:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romyhalfweeg/

#IndieGameBusiness #WebGaming #Poki #IndieDev #GameDistribution

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Mike Straw, Executive Editor at Insider Gaming, to talk about the current state of games media and how the industry is being viewed from the inside.

Mike shares insight into the evolving landscape of games journalism, how major companies view gamers today, and whether true innovation is still happening across the industry. We also discuss how coverage decisions are made, what trends are shaping media narratives, and how developers can better understand the perspective of the press.

If you want a clear, honest look at how the industry is being covered right now and what that means for developers, this conversation delivers valuable perspective.

Follow Mike Straw:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikeStrawMedia
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelstrawjr/

#IndieGameBusiness #GameJournalism #InsiderGaming #GameIndustry #IndieDev

In this special Fireside Chat, Jay Powell and Mario Kroll sit down with longtime industry leader Larry Kuperman for a heartfelt farewell and reflection on an incredible 25 year career in games.

The conversation begins with the two people who have meant the most in Larry’s professional journey, Jay and Mario, before looking back at a legacy that spans more than 30 games and decades of service to the industry.

Larry shares his decision to conclude his time at Nightdive Studios, what comes next with the IGDA and the IGDA Foundation, and his continued work with Voices of the Forgotten. He also makes it clear that while this chapter is closing, he remains available as a speaker and advocate for the industry he loves.

As a longtime guest and friend of IndieGameBusiness, this episode is both a celebration and a thank you to the gaming community that shaped his career.

#IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #GameIndustry #IGDA #NightdiveStudios

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Jo from JoGameDev, the developer behind the tactical spell crafting roguelike Spellmasons. The game has sold over 60,000 copies on Steam and recently crossed 1,000 reviews.

Jo shares the honest story behind the game’s journey. After early sales stagnated during the first two years, Jo reignited interest through focused marketing efforts that drove over 8 million views in the last six months. The result was the game’s third year becoming its most profitable period yet.

We’ll talk about what worked, what didn’t, and how solo developers can take control of their own marketing. Jo also shares the long term goal of building a lean, bootstrapped indie studio focused on multiplayer games and discusses the next project, an overpowered hero autobattler titled Some of You May Die. The game recently gained attention after being featured on Splattercatgaming’s YouTube channel and became one of the top performing videos compared to his recent uploads.

If you want to learn how persistence, smart marketing, and long term thinking can revive a game’s success, this episode is packed with practical insights.

Follow JoGameDev:
X: https://x.com/jogamedev
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jogamedev/

#IndieGameBusiness #Spellmasons #IndieDev #GameMarketing #SteamGames

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Junae Benne, Marketing Journalist at Benne Media Solutions, to talk about why community is the foundation of successful indie game marketing.

Junae breaks down how to build a community from the ground up, how community directly impacts visibility and sales, and why many struggling indie games overlook this critical piece. We’ll also discuss how small teams can market effectively on a limited budget, how to create a practical marketing roadmap, and when teams should actually begin their marketing efforts.

We also touch on insights from Nordic Game Conference, what to look for when hiring a marketing company, what developers should have prepared before seeking help, and how key PR moments like trailers, demos, and partnerships can amplify growth and long-term visibility.

If you want practical, realistic marketing guidance tailored for indie teams, this conversation delivers clear direction.

Follow Junae Benne:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/junaebenne
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/junaebennett
Facebook Gaming: https://fb.gg/junaebenne
Instagram: https://instagram.com/junaebenne
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/junaebenne.bsky.social

#IndieGameBusiness #GameMarketing #IndieDev #CommunityBuilding #BenneMedia