Click a track to filter sessions
FREE - Indie BootCamp
I Did Survive ‘til 25… Now What? A Start-up Retrospective
Blink Games started its game development journey in 2023, backed by a renowned animation studio, crafting high-quality indie games. “If you pitched me this 3 years ago, I would have signed it on the spot”... We heard this many times, prompting us to think that things in the industry were changing. This is the story of how we tried securing funding for our game navigating a market in decline. How we realized that big indie projects are too risky for publishers, and why validating a game idea is essential to move the conversation forward.
In this talk, you will gain an understanding of everything we learned about creating and pitching games in this economy and how we’ll iterate on our game development philosophy to adapt to an ever-changing market.
Session Takeaway
- The indie game industry isn’t dying, it’s evolving. Adapt, and you’ll thrive
- Publishers are in low-risk mode. Focus on small games, validate your idea, reduce the budget and have quick production iterations
- To validate your idea, use platforms like Itch.io. Set clear KPIs. If you hit your KPIs, congrats, the game idea is validated, if not kill it and start fresh. Rapid prototyping is the way forward
- If your game takes 3 years and 2 million in budget (especially if it’s your first game) you may want to cut, cut and cut. No one is risking this much unless you show strong KPIs that suggest a substantial return on investment. Focus on the core fun of your game and create a smaller, more focused version of your original idea. Save extra features for a possible sequel
- To further lower costs, look into government grants, tax breaks, and outsourcing
- Transmedia content is on the rise. Think about exploiting existing IPs. Building on established IPs can bring a built-in audience and lower the financial risk
Indies, Please Don’t Prematurely Launch Your Game!
Game development is tough, but often tougher than making the game is the final push to ship your game. In the highly competitive games market, having a polished release with good UX, in depth settings adjustment and a whole slew of little touches that just make the game feel GOOD is considered bare minimum. And yet, time and time again, I have seen developers launch their game in a state that despite being technically *done*, it feels rushed and incomplete, and usually sinks like a brick in the ocean. But do not despair! This talk will give you the details you need to make your game feel as finished as possible!
Session Takeaway
- An attention to detail is key to shipping your games
- Your options menu can make or break a player's experience
- Technical issues can tank a great game's reputation while polish can elevate an okay, or good game in player's eyes
Phoenix Indies: Rising from Redundancy
The Phoenix Indies Roundtable brings together founders of indie studios that emerged from industry-wide redundancies. This session tackles the big question: What happens after layoffs?
With 46% of game industry workers affected by company restructures and 10% losing their jobs, starting an indie studio has never been more tempting. A common setback for those looking to take the leap is that the skills needed to create great games don’t always translate into running a business. This roundtable discussion sheds light on the process of starting an indie studio, the common challenges, and the lessons learned along the way—making the journey feel less daunting.
Yasmina shares her experience co-founding Maximalist in an open discussion that guides attendees toward resources to build confidence and gain the tools necessary to create a new generation of game studios. Indie development isn’t just about survival—it’s about building something better.
Session Takeaway
- How to turn frustration into opportunities for creativity and positive change
- Indie Studio 101: A practical guide to launching your own studio
- New funding models, tools, and resources that make indie success more possible than ever
