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
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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:...
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...
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.
From trailers to reward tiers, creators often stress over the wrong things when preparing for a Kickstarter launch. So in this episode, our guest challenges common misconceptions and shares hard-earned insights from analyzing numerous campaigns. We’ll cut through the noise and offer practical, proven strategies that anyone would be confident to back.
Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/400
A lot of developers dream of starting their own studio, but the reality is far from glamorous. In this episode, we dive deep with our guest to unpack the overlooked, gritty, and often emotional process of building a studio from scratch. From pitching to production pipelines, they're going to share what aspiring founders need to prepare for, emotionally and operationally.
The game industry is full of risks, IP disputes, cyberattacks, contract issues, even failed crowdfunding campaigns. And while we never anticipate these things happening to us...sometimes, they surface when we least expect it, inviting all sorts of chaos.
So today, we explore how devs can avoid the hassle of the unknown by understanding how insurance can help developers avoid disaster, stay protected, and keep projects moving, no ma...
Steam’s algorithm is the engine that powers visibility on the platform, but understanding how it works is often a big mystery.
So today, we’re going to bust some of the most common and persistent myths indie developers believe about how the algorithm functions, getting to the bottom of which signals actually matter, so you can stop worrying and focus on what really does.
Traditional marketing methods often struggle to cut through the noise, leaving indie developers searching for better ways to reach their audience. But what if the key isn’t just better tactics or bigger budgets, but a deeper understanding of players themselves? In this episode, we dive into how player-centric design principles can transform marketing efforts, helping developers craft content that feels authentic and resonates emot...
In this episode, I share my GDC recap: a quarter-zip pullover, a virus, and a powerful reminder that change comes from within, not the event itself. I dive into how our intentions shape our relationships, why meaningful connections outshine superficial networking, and how the true impact of any event hinges on the mindset you bring to it.
Designing for mobile and PC might seem like a simple transition, but the reality is very different. Everything from screen sizes to monetization models requires a completely different approach.
So today, for the first time ever on the podcast, we’re talking with a team of four brothers who’ve been through this firsthand. We’ll dive into what makes these platforms so different, the technical and design challenges of making the jump ...
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