Game Dev Podcast | Coffee with Butterscotch
Coffee with Butterscotch is the hilarity-filled weekly podcast of award-winning indie video game studio Butterscotch Shenanigans, best known for its smash hit Crashlands. Grab a drink and tune in every week to learn the ins and outs of game development, productivity and workflows, the business of selling video games, our takes on entrepreneurship and building a small company from scratch, and how to be an unstoppable problem-solving machine. Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Ask us at https://podcast.bscotch.net
Episodes
In episode 551 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers talk about why flailing is not a failure mode, it’s the strategy. They unpack how progress in game development, marketing, and life often comes from trying lots of things without knowing which will work, then slowing down as signals start to appear. It’s a look at uncertainty, experimentation, and why nobody really knows the answer, but everyone figures out a small...
In episode 550 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers take a hard look at online ads and why they rarely deliver the wishlist conversions indie devs hope for. They break down misleading metrics, misclicks, and the high cost of chasing visibility through paid channels. The conversation also gets into conventions and showcases, exploring why in-person events are great for networking and playtesting but often fall short ...
In episode 549 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into how short-form video fits into indie game marketing and why it should be part of development from the start. They talk about tools, storytelling, and the strange logic of YouTube Shorts and TikTok, then get into what engagement metrics actually mean and how to use them without overthinking it. The conversation focuses on experimenting, learning from the da...
In episode 548 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers talk about what it means to market an indie game from the start of development instead of treating it as an end-of-project task. They cover the four P’s, the rise of short-form content, and how paying attention to your audience can guide both marketing and design. It’s a straightforward look at why indie teams can experiment, move quickly, and build direct connecti...
In episode 547 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into Valve’s new Steam Machine and how it stacks up against Xbox’s push toward an “everywhere” platform. They explore why Steam slipping into the console space feels natural while Xbox showing up on PC and mobile still raises eyebrows, and what that says about each company’s strategy. The discussion also touches on potential pricing for the Steam Machine and wh...
In episode 546 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers talk about the power of in-person events like PAX East to recharge creativity and connect indie developers. They share insights from Google Play Pass and how subscription models have reshaped the indie ecosystem. It’s a deep dive into how indies stay inventive, connected and just unhinged enough to keep making games people love.
Support How Many Dudes!
Official W...
In episode 545 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss GDC’s rebrand into the “Festival of Gaming” and what the changes mean for indie developers considering the 2026 event. They break down the new pricing tiers, rising travel costs, and the shift toward business-focused networking, then share thoughts on how to prepare for conferences to make the most of the experience. The conversation also explores whether G...
In episode 544 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers jump from sinus surgery to sales strategy, unpacking how pricing, perception, and player psychology shape the success of indie games. They share updates on How Many Dudes and explore how sales culture drives decisions that don’t always make financial sense. The conversation then zooms out to the booming AI bubble, comparing it to the dot-com era and questioning whe...
In episode 543 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers reflect on how the internet evolved from the community driven days of Web 1.0 to today’s centralized, convenience first platforms. They explore what was lost in that shift, then pivot to the realities of burnout and growth in game development, introducing LudoKit, a new tool designed to help indie teams manage production and marketing without losing their spark.
In episode 542 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss their evolving game development strategies in response to market dynamics and industry trends. They explore the importance of creating smaller, more marketable indie games, the challenges of streaming game development, and the cultural shifts influencing gaming consumption. The conversation highlights the need for effective marketing and the changing landsc...
In episode 541 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers break down the strategy behind Steam Daily Deals and how pricing choices ripple through sales, regions, and player engagement. They explore the psychology of discounts, the oddities of regional pricing, and wrap up with a listener question about ghosting in business.
Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/
Trailer: https...
In episode 540 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into the messy art of indie game pricing, from Levelhead’s strange sales patterns to how discounts really move the needle. They share experiments with YouTube Shorts, what the engagement data says, and how community feedback loops into both development and marketing. It’s a conversation about sales strategies, visibility, and why marketing can’t live outside th...
In episode 539 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers look into how platform fees and distribution monopolies shape the survival odds for indie studios. Alongside updates on Crashlands 2 and Levelhead, they answer listener questions about microtransactions and live service models before zooming out to the bigger question of how developers can keep making games in a crowded, costly marketplace.
Support Crashlands 2!
In episode 538 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers unpack the chaos of a rogue translator derailing Silksong’s Chinese localization, the rollercoaster of post-launch game reviews, and the uphill climb of making sequels. They also share tips for finding trustworthy news, and drop the Overflow Update for Crashlands 2, pack with fresh content.
Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/cra...
In episode 537 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers look into the buzz around Hollow Knight: Silksong, exploring how it’s reshaping release calendars and why the original Hollow Knight became an indie legend. Crashland 2 game dev stories, QA chaos, and Levelhead updates round out the episode.
Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
In episode 536 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into the misconception that Steam wishlists lose value over time and what that really means for indie game developers. They also explore the risks and rewards of licensed games, share thoughts on keeping life and work in balance, and answer listener questions ranging from preserving online games to the chances of a Quadropus Rampage sequel.
Support Crashland...
In episode 535 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dive into the complexities and pitfalls of live service games, highlighting recent industry trends and discussing how giant corporations handle their gaming acquisitions. They also reveal their next exciting indie project, 'How Many Dudes?', and share insights on open development and community engagement
Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch...
In episode 534 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss their internal project management tool, Blork, and the complexities of making it scalable for public use. They dive into the challenges of work dependency trees, the potential of Blork as a software service, and their current efforts on the Butterscotch Game Service. The episode also touches on the role of their podcast in connecting with fans, analytics, a...
This week, we talk about game jams, brands, and networking. Work the room, shake hands, and collect stories. The most valuable connections are the genuine ones — people who share your context and get what you’re doing. The open doors are a bonus.
Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/
In this episode, we discuss alignment, process shifts, and the power of a good hook. A good idea alone isn’t enough to stop the scroll, but an absurd twist on the familiar might do the trick! How do you turn a question like “how many dudes does it take to fight a gorilla?” into an irresistible design foundation?
Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/
Trailer: https://www.youtub...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com