Indie Game Movement

Indie Game Movement

Andrew Pappas, founder of RenGen Marketing helps take indie devs and their games to a whole new level by discussing business best practices and sharing marketing strategies and tips to better navigate the world of indie game marketing. Regardless if you’re an indie dev starting out or a veteran small team, the topic discussions apply to anyone wanting to better understand the online environment and stand out in a saturated market. A marketer since 2011, Andrew has found a passion for applying his knowledge by empowering and educating the indie dev community. Between the years of his experience and interviews with respected industry veterans, you’ll learn about online marketing, email marketing, crowdfunding, paid advertising, community development, social media, community outreach, project management, and much more. All episodes are packed with helpful information and actionable steps that can give you the confidence you need when it comes to your business and indie game marketing. Hit subscribe and get ready to become part of the indie game movement.

Episodes

September 23, 2025 68 mins

The next wave of gamers is already here. Students, from middle to high school don’t just view games only as entertainment but also as spaces for community, creativity, and leadership. But how do their unique motivations and playstyles translate into the future of game audiences?

In today’s episode, we’re going to dive into insights from years of working with student gaming clubs and esports programs, unc...

Mark as Played

Most developers see their Steam page as a way to describe their game. And while that’s true, its real purpose goes deeper: capturing a player’s limited attention and showing them, in seconds, that your game is for them.

In this episode, I share lessons from my own posts and conversations on why the purpose of your Steam page goes beyond text, features, or trailers. We’ll explore how every element — from me...

Mark as Played

Finding the right teammates isn’t about checking boxes or broadcasting open roles. It’s about creating the kind of opportunity people want to be part of.

Today, we’re digging into what actually draws people to a project by looking at how we communicate it, which is often in subtle ways we don’t even notice. We’ll explore how aligning your message with your mission can shape the future of your team. Wheth...

Mark as Played

Web3 in games is loud, controversial, and often feels far removed from indie realities or vision, but is it possible that there are lessons from this space worth paying attention to?

So today, we're going to explore what Web3 really means for indie developers: how accessible (or inaccessible) the tech actually is, the unique player dynamics it introduces, and what indies can learn from both the successes...

Mark as Played

Global success in games requires more than just translating text. It demands building localization into the DNA of development. But too often, devs wait until the last minute, only to find that the process is more involved than they anticipated.

So in this episode, we’ll explore effective strategies for planning localization early, how to avoid common traps that can limit reach and secrets to keeping thi...

Mark as Played

You can have a great game idea, but if no one knows about it… who’s going to care? When it comes to funding, most devs focus on the pitch deck, but often ignore what matters just as much. How they're building traction with their marketing.

In this episode, we’re going to explore how early-stage marketing builds confidence, community and momentum that makes funding more attainable. From signaling traction...

Mark as Played

Indie studios face tight budgets, small teams, and pressure to deliver big ideas with limited resources. Meanwhile, AI in game development sparks fears of job loss and soulless design. How can small teams stay human-centered while competing at scale?

In this episode, we’ll explore how generative AI can be an ally instead of a threat by discussing practical ways to speed up preproduction, validate concept...

Mark as Played

Bringing a game to life means more than writing great code or creating stunning art, it requires harmony between both. But technical collaboration between developers and artists often hits snags, from miscommunication to mismatched expectations. In this episode our guest explores how to build workflows that support both sides of the pipeline, drawing from their own experience as a Unity developer and proj...

Mark as Played

If you ever had issues or concerns about why your players leave, well... it's not because your game is bad, they leave because you stop giving them reasons to stay.

So today, we tackle how effective Live Ops strategy builds real player loyalty, exploring event design, personalization, and content cadence that turn casual players into regulars. The amazing thing is, this doesn't just apply to Live Ops eit...

Mark as Played

Indie devs juggle tons of different task and responsibilites, and in that chaos do everything they can to maintain productivity. However, regardless of their effort to stay efficient and on task, most don't realize they're ignoring one of the most powerful tools for clarity, creativity, and decision-making: sleep. 

That’s why today we’re going to go deep into valuable insights on how healthy sleep habits not only protect your menta...

Mark as Played

Between making a great game and having the drive to do it, it’s still only half the battle. Indie studios love chasing creativity, but often struggle to establish core business fundamentals that can turn passion into profit.

That’s why today we’re going to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to stand out and succeed in games. From funding pitfalls to publishing strategies, we’ll unpack the often-overlooked realities of ru...

Mark as Played

Many games are fun, but few stay with us after the credits roll. So today, we’re going to dive into how indie devs can use game mechanics, narrative, and aesthetic choices to create emotional resonance and meaning in their titles. From narrative tools to methods that focus on player empathy, we unpack the secrets behind making games that create a lasting impact.

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Mark as Played

Mainstream game development is at a crossroads—bloated budgets, safe bets, and sequel fatigue are threatening innovation. But the indie scene might just be the industry’s best hope. In this episode, our guest unpacks how indies are not only surviving but reshaping the gaming landscape. We dig into what makes indie studios uniquely suited to lead the next wave, and how publishers, platforms, and players ca...

Mark as Played

Leveling up in real life takes more than just discipline, passion and trying to level up others, it takes smart design.

In this episode, we explore how game design principles can help us, devs and creators, develop practical life skills, reframe personal challenges, and even learn more effectively from that process. To today, we’re going unpack how instructional design and narrative systems, can turn rea...

Mark as Played

Indie devs often wear too many hats, making it hard to give each area, like production, marketing, and community the attention it deserves. But what happens when you're stretched too thin? How does that affect your game, your message, and the trust you've built with players?

In today’s discussion, we’ll look at the real-world challenges of running indie projects balancing chaos and creativity by explorin...

Mark as Played

Many developers dream of going viral, but few understand what it actually takes to get there. While focusing on virality isn’t everything, it can help build momentum.

So today, we’re going to talk about how to identify, shape, and publish games with viral potential, all without chasing trends or sacrificing originality, by learning what early signals to look for and how smart marketing can fuel breakout ...

Mark as Played

The publishing model most indie devs face is outdated and often stacked against them. Rigid contracts, hidden expectations, and a lack of real partnership force devs to choose between full independence or giving up too much. But thankfully, a new approach is emerging.

In this episode, we explore what a modern publishing model looks like, one that’s flexible, transparent, and built around developers' long...

Mark as Played

Many indie studios feel locked out of traditional PR, feeling like you need an agency and big budget just to get noticed. In this episode, we break down how to earn meaningful media coverage with a story worth telling and how to create a system to share it. Learn how a strategic approach to visibility can build credibility, attract players, and drive momentum, all without gatekeepers or expensive retainers.

Episode Shownotes Link:...

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Attribution often feels like a black box for indie devs, but ignoring it can cost you time, money, and momentum. 

In this episode, we break down what attribution really is, why it matters, and how small teams can start tracking what counts while learning how to avoid misleading metrics, balance data with creative instincts, and make smarter marketing decisions that actually move the needle. 

 

Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengen...

Mark as Played

When it comes to game jams, too many projects get shelved before they reach their full potential. In this episode, we’re going to explore how jams and small projects can become launchpads for long-term opportunity with the right support. From mentorship and incubation to funding access and marketing guidance, learn how structured programs are helping developers turn prototypes into business-ready games and how you can do that too.

...

Mark as Played

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