Podcasts about games industry

In episode 582 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers share what they've learned about designing games that are easy to talk about before they're even finished. With How Many Dudes days from launch, they dig into how scope, platform focus, and building around shared human experiences can set a game up to market itself.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:26 Introduction and Welcome02:36 Letting Content Dictate the Format of Your Game05:03 The Importance of Cultural Context and Invisible Influences09:50 Design Constraints: Mass Contentability and Approachability15:08 Market Testing and Early Feedback Strategies20:00 Pivoting and Iteration: When and How to Change Course24:51 Using Community and Social Media for Feedback30:04 Balancing Creativity, Marketability, and Execution35:05 The Challenges and Realities of Solo Development40:05 Leveraging Past Success and Market Trends45:00 The Power of High-Level Concepts and Simplicity50:01 Avoiding Over-Reliance on Genre and Trends55:01 The Iterative Process: From Idea to Market-Ready Game59:57 Handling Failures and Pivoting Effectively01:04:52 The Role of Marketing and Community Engagement01:09:58 Final Tips for Indie Developers and Future PlanningTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Tonight's topics: Mexico and other countries plan to sue Sony Sony is kneecapping Crunchyroll GameStop CEO says physical games don't matter New report claims environment of fear at Xbox Bethesda Union plans to strike over Xbox layoffs Glen Schofield announces retirement Thanks as always to Shawn Daley for our intro and outro music. Follow him on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/shawndaleyWhere to find Throwdown Show:Website: https://audioboom.com/channels/5030659Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/throwdownshowTwitter: https://twitter.com/ThrowdownShowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/throwdownshowDiscord: https://discord.gg/fdBXWHTTwitter list: https://twitter.com/i/lists/1027719155800317953

In episode 581 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers recap the full year-long journey of How Many Dudes. From a GMTK game jam entry to a bean burrito short that hit 900k views, blowing past 100k wishlists by January, and everything in between. They break down what actually moved the needle, what the numbers looked like along the way, and what the final push to July 30th looks like from the inside.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:19 Introduction and Welcome02:02 Retrospective of 'How Many Dudes' development04:21 Using game jams as market testing08:24 Early marketing efforts and wish list milestones12:08 Impact of YouTube Shorts and influencer videos16:28 The role of signals and metrics in decision making22:16 Store page strategy and launch preparations27:15 Marketing levers and cross-promotion tactics33:56 Demo release and early feedback44:23 Post-launch growth and community engagement50:12 Final preparations and launch day insightsTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this massive episode of the Vookcast, Ollie, Luke, Angelo, and Michael are back to discuss all of the nonsense going on in the games industry in the year 2026. We discuss the upcoming revision for the Switch 2 in Europe, Mario Karts of various natures, and the future of Takashi Tezuka at Nintendo — thankfully, he's sticking around. We also discuss EB Games and its completely bonkers "strategy" surrounding the 30th Anniversary Pokémon TCG product, as well as major bad news out of PlayStation and Xbox and what it means for Nintendo and the industry at large.There's no 20 Questions this time, but be sure to tune in next time, too, for Luke's undoubtedly impossible game.Relevant storiesBatteries: https://www.vooks.net/nintendo-announces-revised-switch-2-and-accessories-with-user-replaceable-batteries-for-europe/MK Tour: https://www.vooks.net/mario-kart-tour-coming-to-an-end-on-september-30th/MK World: https://www.vooks.net/mario-kart-worlds-latest-update-adds-more-knockout-tour-routes-many-more-changes/Takashi Tezuka: https://www.vooks.net/takashi-tezuka-reflects-on-career-will-remain-producer-at-nintendo/The Crew: https://www.vooks.net/the-crew-motorfest-races-onto-switch-2-on-october-8/Onimusha: https://www.vooks.net/onimusha-way-of-the-sword-release-date-moved-up-to-avoid-september-bloodbath/Oblivion: https://www.vooks.net/the-elder-scrolls-iv-oblivion-remastered-on-switch-2-hits-august-full-game-on-card/Lego: https://www.vooks.net/new-lego-pokemon-sets-announced-including-first-minifigure-pokemon/NSO: https://www.vooks.net/wario-land-sword-of-hope-and-puzzle-league-join-nintendo-classics/EB weirdness: https://www.vooks.net/eb-games-not-offering-online-preorders-for-fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-and-other-nintendo-titles/More EB weirdness: https://www.vooks.net/eb-games-says-doubled-30th-anniversary-pokemon-tcg-pricing-was-a-planned-tactic-to-weed-out-scalpers/PlayStation: https://blog.playstation.com/2026/07/01/physical-disc-production-ending-in-january-2028-for-new-games-releasing-on-playstation-consoles/Xbox: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/07/06/resetting-xbox/Send us Fan MailSupport the showSocialsOllie:  @chocobalt on Bluesky Luke: @renderman7 on BlueskyAngelo: @manjell0 on BlueskyMichael: @subelement on BlueskyFind Vooks on social media, support the show and buy merch. As always please leave us a review if you enjoy the show on your favourite place to get podcasts. 

Head to http://factormeals.com/kindafunny50off and use code kindafunny50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Head over to http://patreon.com/kindafunny this month to grab a membership and receive exclusive content and ad-free episodes!Thank you for the support! Run of Show - 00:00:00 - Start00:05:14 - WTF Will the Games Industry Look Like in 5 Years?00:32:54 - Ads00:35:09 - Streaming Games Will Be The Future?!00:45:28 - Will Xbox Still Exist?00:54:29 - Disc Drives?01:03:11 - PlayStation & PC01:06:30 - AAA Slowing Down?01:09:13 - Indie Games?01:12:40 - Valve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head to http://factormeals.com/kindafunny50off and use code kindafunny50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Head over to http://patreon.com/kindafunny this month to grab a membership and receive exclusive content and ad-free episodes!Thank you for the support! Run of Show - 00:00:00 - Start00:05:14 - WTF Will the Games Industry Look Like in 5 Years?00:32:54 - Ads00:35:09 - Streaming Games Will Be The Future?!00:45:28 - Will Xbox Still Exist?00:54:29 - Disc Drives?01:03:11 - PlayStation & PC01:06:30 - AAA Slowing Down?01:09:13 - Indie Games?01:12:40 - Valve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head to http://factormeals.com/kindafunny50off and use code kindafunny50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Head over to http://patreon.com/kindafunny this month to grab a membership and receive exclusive content and ad-free episodes!Thank you for the support! Run of Show - 00:00:00 - Start00:05:14 - WTF Will the Games Industry Look Like in 5 Years?00:32:54 - Ads00:35:09 - Streaming Games Will Be The Future?!00:45:28 - Will Xbox Still Exist?00:54:29 - Disc Drives?01:03:11 - PlayStation & PC01:06:30 - AAA Slowing Down?01:09:13 - Indie Games?01:12:40 - Valve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Head to http://factormeals.com/kindafunny50off and use code kindafunny50off to get 50 percent off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last until 09/27/2026. (See website for more details).Head over to http://patreon.com/kindafunny this month to grab a membership and receive exclusive content and ad-free episodes!Thank you for the support! Run of Show - 00:00:00 - Start00:05:14 - WTF Will the Games Industry Look Like in 5 Years?00:32:54 - Ads00:35:09 - Streaming Games Will Be The Future?!00:45:28 - Will Xbox Still Exist?00:54:29 - Disc Drives?01:03:11 - PlayStation & PC01:06:30 - AAA Slowing Down?01:09:13 - Indie Games?01:12:40 - Valve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 580 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers pull back the curtain on exactly how they're launching How Many Dudes, covering everything from timing, influencer outreach, trailer creation, to post-launch strategies. They discuss how they navigate the complexities of game marketing, with a reminder that most of what determines a launch's success was decided long before launch day.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:27 Introduction and Welcome02:44 Game Development Status08:28 Marketing Strategies and Influencer Outreach11:37 Handling Embargoes and Coverage14:40 Final Preparations Before Launch21:41 Crafting Effective Launch Trailers23:48 Understanding Audience Engagement and Store Page Dynamics25:36 The Role of Influencers in Game Marketing29:43 Navigating Pre-Launch Strategies and Expectations34:45 Leveraging Ads and Algorithmic Visibility39:34 Game Design Decisions and Player Experience43:39 Innovative Marketing Strategies for Indie Games48:06 Navigating Influencer Marketing Challenges50:46 The Role of Reviews in Game Success52:34 Balancing Passion and Commercial Viability55:48 Challenges in Mobile Game LaunchesTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Gaming is on its last legs!! Between massive layoffs at Microsoft's XBOX studios and Sony stopping physical production of Playstation games starting in 2028, the gaming industry is feeling very dire right now… but fortunately a ray of light has presented itself with the release of Nintendo's quirky and content-filled Switch budget title: Rhythm Heaven Groove. Andrew Valentine (AV) from the Dialogue Tree podcast joins to discuss the wacky new must-have game from Nintendo, why is clicks, what you can expect, and why this is a game that is so needed right now in this moment of gaming. We also cover all the latest Nintendo and gaming news and rumors including a new update for Mario Kart World, a new Metroid leak from the Brazilian government, initial sales data out of Japan for the Star Fox 64 remake for Switch 2 and much, much more. As always, we close with the games we've been playing. Listen to Super Switch Headz on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you enjoy podcasts. 0:00:00 Introduction 0:07:33 News & Rumors 0:36:04 The Games Industry is Collapsing!! 1:02:53 Rhythm Heaven Groove Impressions 1:34:54 Games We're Playing Discord: https://discord.com/invite/CWbF4gb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/switchheadz Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SuperSwitchHeadz/ Website: https://www.switchheadz.com/ Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SwitchHeadzClips 

In episode 579 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into the pricing on Valve's new Steam Machine and how much of today's hardware costs comes down to components, inflation, and tariffs versus companies testing what the market will bear. From there, they turn to the cost of making a game like GTA6 and whether player expectations have kept pace with what it actually takes to build at that scale.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:18 Introduction and Welcome02:47 Pricing and Market Context05:37 Component Costs and Inflation Impact08:45 Comparative Analysis of Console Prices11:41 Historical Pricing Trends in Gaming17:46 The Value Proposition of the Steam Machine26:58 Analyzing Price Increases in Gaming Consoles29:56 Understanding Market Dynamics and Price Strategies33:55 The Impact of Inflation on Gaming Costs41:51 Grand Theft Auto Pricing and Market Reactions48:48 Early Access and Monetization Strategies53:49 The Cost of Gaming Hardware56:31 Consumer Expectations and Pricing01:00:16 Valve's Position in the Gaming MarketTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

The Steam Machine has finally been released, and if it wasn't for the price of RAM it would probably sound a lot better. But make sure you save some money for GTA6 because ouch.Scientists have discovered a cluster of neurons in mice that cause them to have ADHD. It could lead to a permanent treatment for ADHD, which is pretty exciting.Critics think Anime is becoming commoditized. What does that even mean? Who cares?***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedAll the news from the Steam Machine and GTA 6 ("This is going to be a niche device" – Analysts react to the $1,000+ Steam Machine price reveal | GamesIndustry.biz, GTA 6 - all you need to know about Rockstar's blockbuster game, Rockstar Games Responds to GTA 6 Physical Disc Backlash)ADHD Mice (Scientists discover ancient brain cells that help block distractions | ScienceDaily, Evolutionarily old brainstem neurons are required for the control of selective spatial attention | Nature Communications )Anime as a commodity (Anime's growing commoditization could lead to a future where the medium itself no longer matters, Japanese critic warns - AUTOMATON WEST)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KoEtH9hnCRRr48QCYGDmIE_tIeKrLoK3oWGw9ZcAWMw/edit?usp=sharing***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/cb9G4sVCPkAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

Join us for an IndieGameBusiness Fireside Chat with Guy Blomberg from Games Industry Gathering. In this conversation, we'll discuss building communities within the games industry, creating meaningful networking opportunities, and the evolving challenges facing developers and industry professionals today. Guy shares insights from organizing and growing Games Industry Gathering, along with lessons learned from connecting developers, publishers, creators, and business professionals across the industry. The discussion will also explore the importance of relationships, collaboration, and creating spaces where developers can learn, grow, and support one another. As always with Fireside Chats, expect a relaxed and honest conversation filled with industry insight, stories, and live audience interaction. Follow Guy Blomberg: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/yug.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yugstar X: https://x.com/YugSTAR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/guyblomberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyblomberg/ #IndieGameBusiness #FiresideChat #GamesIndustryGathering #IndieDev #GameIndustry

This Week on Pure Dead Gaming  This week we dive into the latest GTA 6 buzz — from the newly revealed cover art to pre‑orders finally going live.We also tackle another wave of studio closures, as more developers face uncertain futures amid industry cutbacks. Of course, there's still plenty of nonsense, game updates, and football fever to keep things lively — all the essentials for a Pure Dead Gaming week.If you enjoy the episode, please rate and review — it genuinely helps support the show.Want to get involved in next week's episode? Drop your thoughts in our form:https://shorturl.at/kpEZ2Timestamps00:00:00 Intro19:20 Games Played34:12  Latest Opencritic Scores47:45 Score Challenge49:30 Out Next Week 53:45 News1:07:10 Movie Review: Final Score 2018Links & Socials  PureDeadGaming.comBrand — @puredeadgamingCraig — @puredeadcraigJess — @xjesixAndy — @AkGarfunkelEverything else: https://bio.link/puredeadgamingTheme Song by David FinlaysonAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In episode 578 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss whether Steam Next Fest is becoming a victim of its own success, as AI-generated slop and asset flips make it harder than ever for games to get noticed. They explore what Steam can realistically do about it, why the economics of publishing are shifting under everyone's feet, and what it actually takes to build the kind of studio track record that cuts through the noise when algorithms start failing you. Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:30 Introduction and Welcome03:37 The Evolution of Demos on Steam06:28 The Impact of AI on Game Development10:28 The Rise of Asset Flips and Slop Games14:22 The Future of Game Discovery on Steam18:37 The Philosophy Behind Steam's Store Policies28:53 The Cost of Entry for Game Publishing34:54 The Impact of AI on Game Quality38:49 The Challenge of Game Discovery42:48 The Existential Threat to Steam47:54 Future of Game Publishing and AI Regulation50:38 Navigating AI Accusations in Game Development55:01 The Importance of Building a Studio Following01:00:03 Marketing Strategies for Indie Games01:05:07 The Role of AI in Game Development01:09:16 The Future of Game Discovery on SteamTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Yes, it's still a Nintendo podcast, but this week Patrick and Mark take some time to talk about the Steam Machine and what its over-$1k starting price tells us about the state of the video games industry. Plus, Patrick reaches Mina the Hollower's endgame, the Nintendo Museum expands with a new restaurant, and more.The guys also talk about:Nintendo goes into turbo mode with Nintendo Music updates.A new eShop experience on the original Switch.Why Final Fantasy VII's final chapter is called "Revelation."Europe gets in on the Pokopia bundle party.A Diablo 4 Switch 2 port seems imminent, but can it survive Microsoft's changing strategies?SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/nintendocartridgesocietyFRIEND US ON SWITCH / SWITCH 2Patrick: SW-1401-2882-4137Mark: SW-8112-0583-0050

Blizzard are suing another World of Warcraft fan server. This doesn't set good standards for game preservation, but where is the line between preservation and copyright infringement?Researchers have found a massive whale necropolis in the deep ocean. We're scared of anything big enough to hunt whales, so hopefully it's not a hunting ground for Cthulu.Production companies are leaving Hollywood. Where are they going, and can Hollywood as a concept survive?***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedNot another Blizzard lawsuit (Blizzard sues private World of Warcraft server for "large-scale, egregious, and ongoing infringement of Blizzard's intellectual property" | GamesIndustry.biz)There is now a whale graveyard (A 5.3-million-year-old deep-sea whale necropolis in the Diamantina Zone | Nature)The Great Hollywood Exodus (Hollywood's Mass Exodus: Why Film and TV Production Is Fleeing L.A. and What Can Be Done About It)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QTDMmmsfWX7FLUhFP9VK8fRc8dgGk5e1msAp5vgZoBw/edit?usp=sharing ***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/cb9G4sVCPkAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

This week we're geeking out about the hero of time, and weird merger shenanigans!   Andrea Geeking Out Kingdom Come: Deliverance Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie Demon Slayer    Jonathan Geeking Out  Resident Evil 2 Remake Riddick Knight of the Seven Kingdoms   Cody Geeking Out Expedition 33 Project Hail Mary   Gaming Zelda Ocarina of Time Remake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze-346WTsI0 Two XBOX Game Studios Bosses Leaving Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan and Chief of Staff Louise O'Connor step down | GamesIndustry.biz  Ninja Theory and Double Fine Under Threat of Closure as Microsoft makes cuts to XBOX business Microsoft Studios Ninja Theory and Double Fine Also Reportedly Under Threat of Closure  XBOX may be shutting down Compulsion Games studio South of Midnight Developer Compulsion Games Reportedly Shuts Down  EA Adding Real Time Ads To Sports Games https://www.ign.com/articles/ea-sports-fc-madden-nfl-publisher-announces-ea-advertising Movies Paramount Buys Warner Bros https://deadline.com/2026/06/paramount-warner-bros-deal-fallout-antitrust-1236953027/ TV Fox is Buying Roku for 22B https://www.ign.com/articles/fox-is-buying-roku-for-22-billion   MORE INFO For more Geeks Under Grace: http://www.geeksundergrace.com http://www.twitter.com/geeksundergrace http://www.twitch.tv/geeksundergrace https://geeksundergrace.com/give   For more Cody Armour: http://twitter.com/CodyArmour https://www.instagram.com/codyarmour/  

In episode 577 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into Steam's new personalized calendar feature and what it means for how indie games get discovered, wishlisted, and surfaced to players. They break down the difference between following and wishlisting, why launch timing still matters so much, and how Steam keeps finding new ways to put indie games in front of the right people. Then they shift into How Many Dudes beta testing, where player feedback is reshaping difficulty tuning and revealing just how differently people approach the same fight.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:36 Introduction and Welcome01:35 Steam Changes and Their Impact04:36 The New Calendar Feature on Steam07:28 Wishlist Dynamics and User Engagement10:38 Developer Experience on Steam13:28  Comparative Analysis of Game Platforms16:28 Thoughts on Steam's Effectiveness21:16 The Influence of Game Launch Timing23:34 Understanding Game Following vs. Wishlisting26:36 The Unique Position of Steam in Gaming29:11 The Evolution of PC Gaming33:52 Beta Testing Insights and Goals44:37 The Beta Testing Experience47:34 Feedback Dynamics in Game Development50:30 Game Mechanics and Player Engagement54:38 Balancing Game Elements and Player Perception59:31 The Evolution of Game CharactersTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Nintendo have been ordered to pay a fine for joycon drift, and also create Switch 2 models with user serviceable batteries. Let's hope that model becomes available in the rest of the world soon.Plants can be genetically engineered to grow medicine, and might be the solution to producing supplies for long term space travel. Science is awesome.DJ thinks Doctor Who is dead already. It isn't, and Professor brought some reasons why it still has hope.***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedThat one time Nintendo lost….in court (Nintendo of Europe agrees to pay €35m fine for Joy-Con drift defects | GamesIndustry.biz, Nintendo confirms revised Switch 2 console with replaceable battery for EU consumers | GamesIndustry.biz )Space Grown Meds (Plants Could Be Used to Grow Medicines in Space, Study Shows, Streamlined molecular farming of plant virus therapeutics for space flight and other low-resource environments | npj Science of Plants)The Death of Dr Who (‘Doctor Who' Christmas Special Not Going Forward This Year at BBC as Russell T Davies and Bad Wolf Exit Series, https://deadline.com/2026/06/doctor-who-christmas-canceled-russell-t-davies-bbc-bad-wolf-1236952398/)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YjWXKcnRq0qdWRGr7nGUzi1uTojCmfTCntUVCScPAos/edit?usp=sharing***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/cb9G4sVCPkAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

In episode 576 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers kick off the closed beta for How Many Dudes and dig into what they're actually trying to learn from it. Then the conversation pivots hard into the AI hype cycle, unpacking why GitHub Copilot's switch to usage-based billing just handed a hundred-times-larger bill to the developers who went all in, and what that says about where this whole thing is headed.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:29 Introduction and Welcome01:22 Closed Beta for How Many Dudes08:15 Game Balancing: Challenges and Techniques12:25 Evaluating Enemy Strength and Player Progression18:27 Beta Test Goals and What They're Looking For27:00 Pivot to AI and the Tech Landscape29:32 How LLMs Actually Work32:08 Agentic Programming Explained37:08 The AI First Company Myth40:02 Slot Machine Development44:18 GitHub Copilot's Usage-Based Billing50:34 The Dependency Trap53:11 Where This All Ends Up57:15 The Cost Reckoning Begins01:00:01 What Comes After the CollapseTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

The next release of Call of Duty will have the lowest potential player base of any COD in nearly a decade. Where are they all going?Aiming high is a good idea, unless you aim too high, in which case you won't perform as well. Science has finally attempted to quantify just how high you should aim.A recent spate of Youtuber movies has meant a resurgence of low budget horror movies. Will it last?***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedCOD Withdrawal (Analyst: Call of Duty's withdrawal from last-gen consoles means it's selling into the smallest install base since 2017 | GamesIndustry.biz, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 finally revealed, and it's officially leaving last-generation consoles behind | Eurogamer.net )Don't aim high...just aim ABOVE AVERAGE (Don't shoot for the moon: aiming for ‘above average' is key to success, maths suggests | Science | The Guardian, Optimal ambition in business, politics, and life | Phys. Rev. E)Youtubers are now making movies... (From 'Backrooms' to 'Obsession': Why YouTubers Are Turning Hollywood Upside Down, Box Office: ‘Backrooms' Stuns With $81 Million Debut, ‘Obsession' Has Another Unprecedented Jump, ‘Mandalorian and Grogu' Suffers 70% Drop)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dUzlUyng3V_knk9rT-qiLWEDHFfGrirO8xD7CK_DgFY/edit?usp=sharing***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/cb9G4sVCPkAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

In episode 575 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers are 60 days from launching How Many Dudes and find themselves juggling the final stretch of dev alongside the tedious reality of cloud saving, achievements, and store integrations. They dig into why every platform manages to turn straightforward tasks into elaborate obstacle courses, and what that actually costs developers in time and sanity when the deadline is creeping closer.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:29 Introduction and Welcome03:08 Navigating Cloud Saving Solutions09:02 User Authentication and Data Management12:15 The Frustrations of Platform Requirements15:17 Rumpus: A Custom Solution for Cloud Saving18:03 The Impact of Privacy Regulations on Development28:55 The Challenge of User Data Management32:20 The Importance of Achievements in Gaming36:22 Navigating the Complexities of Achievement Systems42:10 The Manual Labor of Achievement Setup49:12 Frustrations with Platform Limitations01:00:19 The Challenges of Google Play Achievements01:05:11 Developer Time Wasted by Big TechTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 574 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers check in on the new How Many Dudes box art with some real click-through numbers, then dive into Far Far West, a co-op shooter where you're a robot cowboy fighting skeletons and it somehow all works. They dig into what makes it click, why the Joker system is smart, and whether it can stay fun as the min-maxers inevitably show up.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:28 Introduction and Welcome01:16 How Many Dudes Box Art11:26 Far Far West Nail or Whiff25:05 Exploring the Game Mechanics29:36 Rogue-like Elements and Progression35:17 Design Aspects and Player Experience40:10 Balancing Fun and Challenge47:53 Overall Impressions and RecommendationsTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 573 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers walk through the evolution of the How Many Dudes box art and what YouTube thumbnails taught them about what actually resonates with players. Turns out the answer wasn't to make something epic but to make something gloriously dumb. They close out with a look at trademarks, what they actually protect, and why registering one might matter more than you'd think.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:20 Introduction and Welcome05:45 The Challenges of Building a Game Studio Reputation08:46 Player Expectations and Game Content11:46 Steam Controller's Scream15:25 The Fragility of Gaming Hardware17:22 Creating Effective Promo Art22:00 The Evolution of Game Marketing34:47 Learning from Community Engagement39:31 (Listener Question) HaoteeHatooie: Do you trademark your game names? 42:50 The Importance of Consumer Protection in Trademarks45:46 Navigating Trademark Applications and Challenges49:46 The Role of Trademarks in Game Development54:49 The Legal Landscape of Copyright and TrademarkTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Sega are pivoting away from free to play games after poor performance. They're also pivoting away from AAA games after unrelated poor performance. What's left in the middle?Why are crickets born, just to suffer? Turns out they feel pain and karma may be coming for you for stepping on an ant.Recent anime trends indicate that fans are going for anime without violence and battles, and darker anime. Again, what's left in the middle?***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedFive Years, One Billion Dollars, Zero Games: The Rise and Fall of Sega's Super Game (Sega reports $31.6m net loss during FY26, cancels 'Super Game' project amid strategic pivot | GamesIndustry.biz, Sega says its ‘Super Game' plan is multiple games, and may use NFTs | VGC )370 Billion Crickets Are Farmed Every Year. New Research Suggests They Can Feel Pain. (Don't reach for the bug spray: scientists find insects may feel pain after crickets nurse sore antennae | Animal behaviour | The Guardian, Flexible self-protection as evidence of pain-like states in house crickets | Proceedings B | The Royal Society)Battle Fatigue and Body Horror: Why Dark Shonen Anime Has Officially Replaced Hollywood Horror for Western Audiences (Bleach Studio's New Series Bans Anime Fights: 'I'm So Tired of Battles', Dark Shonen Anime Appeals to Western Audiences for 1 Simple Reason)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-312i9UUeeQw9YfaRW0HyVZ0foawwP46PHyiAdnb8q4/edit?usp=sharing***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/m6G5n8XQ8PAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

Episode Notes This week, Joseph and Luke sit down and breakdown their thoughts on the state of the games industry in 2026. From what publishers are making the biggest impact to their thoughts on the importance of the indie scene, this is a wide ranging fireside chat ahead of the summer showcase season.  Episode Resources: Joseph's Mixtape Article on CantPause MinnMax Spotlight - Virtue and a Sledgehammer Find Timestamps for this Episode Below: 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Icebreaker: Who is your favorite publisher in gaming currently? 7:44 - How do you feel about the industry as a whole right now? 38:27 - Are AAA vital to the games industry? 57:16 - What's your most anticipated first-party and indie games for the reminder of 2026? 1:01:45 - Outro Find us on BlueSky for show updates and more: Podcast: @crossplayconvos.bsky.social Podcast on Instagram: @crossplayconvos Jacob: @jacob.bsky.social Luke: @lukewarmlewis.bsky.social Claire: @clairebearrose.bsky.social Joseph: @th3hoopman.bsky.social CantPause on Instagram Check out our other shows: Player Player Podcast   Left Behind Game Club The LukeWarmGames Podcast   Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie Podcast Video Game Trivia **

In episode 572 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers check in on their Steam tag experiments before diving into the tricky problem of designing boss fights. They get into why bosses are less about difficulty and more about spectacle, and what it actually takes to make a culmination moment feel earned.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:20 Introduction and Welcome03:12 Listener Feedback and Game Updates08:58 Steam Tagging Experiments and Game Discovery12:04 The Impact of Tags on Game Visibility15:05 The Challenge of Boss Fights in Game Development20:10 Designing Boss Fights: The Challenge of Custom Code22:04 Creating Memorable Boss Encounters25:41 Balancing Difficulty: The Art of Boss Design28:48 The Kilipede: A New Tier of Challenge39:07 The Complexity of Boss Mechanics49:43 Balancing Fun and ChallengeTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In this bite sized episode, Josh looks at a marketing report from IGN Entertainment that addresses the way that different generations play video games. What does this mean for the future of gaming and how companies will decide to target the audiences that are spending money on video games? And what ways do YOU play? The Games Industry article, with links to the report, can be found here: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ign-entertainment-releases-internal-data-as-public-report-developed-by-kantar-and-uc-berkeley We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown And check out our newsletter on Substack: https://thebacklogbreakdown.substack.com And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts at playwellnetwork.com. Get PWNed, scrubs.

In episode 571 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into whether Steam has quietly become the discovery engine that keeps mobile gaming afloat and what that means for indie devs trying to build a cross-platform strategy. They walk through the realities of mobile pricing, broken app store algorithms, and why chasing discoverability on Google Play or the App Store often feels like shouting into a void.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:21 Introduction and Welcome01:40 Achievements Development and Ludokit Overview13:40 Mobile Strategy and Pricing Decisions27:45 The State of Mobile Gaming Discoverability29:49 The Role of Steam in Game Success32:48 Cross-Platform Strategies and Pricing38:57 The Impact of Subscription Services on Game Sales43:49 Algorithmic Challenges in Mobile Game Marketing51:50 Final Thoughts on the Future of Indie GamesTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Hollywood have been trying to make video game movies a thing for decades. Finally, they're actually good. Why?Beer has some nutritional value. But science is easy to misrepresent, so is it actually good for you?Crunchyroll came out on top in the anime streaming wars. But they have a dark secret in their history. Did they actually earn their position or did they get there by making choices others were too scared to?***We enjoyed a nice drink of Rez which you can get a 10% discount when you type NERDS at the checkout from the Rez website at www.drinkrez.com ***Resources MentionedHollywood's new trend….video game movies ( "There was that period in time, pre-Sonic, where it was, 'You're so lucky that Hollywood is even looking at you'" | GamesIndustry.biz )Does beer have any health benefits? (Does Beer Have a 'Surprising Health Benefit'? Here's What The Science Says, Quantitation of Vitamin B6 Vitamers and Glycosides in German Alcohol-Free and Full-Strength Beer by a Stable Isotope Dilution LC–MS/MS Method | Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry )How did Crunchyroll became the king of the anime streaming war? (Crunchyroll Won the Anime Streaming War by 'Not Following the Rules,' Former Exec Says)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qF1wE92QMDyVpTQLwyWg8m92JZIEuAX3xsKfSG2c6Zc/edit?usp=sharing***If you'd like to be featured on the show, send us an email: Nerds.Amalgamated@gmail.comFollow us on: Facebook || Twitter || TwitchJoin the Community on Discord: https://discord.gg/VqdBVH5aAnd watch us on YouTube: Nerds Amalgamated - YouTube

In episode 570 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers get into the messy final stretch of shipping How Many Dudes, where winding down development and winding up publishing have to happen at the same time. They break down why localization turns a simple task like screenshots into a sprawling multi-platform nightmare, and what it actually takes to coordinate QA, store pages, and platform partners when the clock is ticking. It's a look at why the last 97 days before launch can feel just as chaotic as the first.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:16 Introduction and Welcome01:50 Navigating Game Development and Marketing04:38 The Final Push to Launch07:57 Balancing Development and Publishing10:47 The Complexities of Localization and Platform Integration16:41 The Complexity of Screenshot Requirements19:21 Parallel Development Challenges22:29 Automating Screenshot Processes26:34 The Role of Publishers in Development30:26 Navigating Platform-Specific Requirements36:55 The Challenges of Marketing and Publishing42:54 Lessons from Larger Organizations46:40 The Risks of Outsourcing and Finding the Right Partners53:58 Balancing Internal and External Resources59:51 Looking Ahead to Launch and Final PreparationsOther things mentioned:Sam giving a talk in Chris Zukowski's “How to Market a Game” conference on Thursday, April 30th, at 10am EST:https://howtomarketagame.com/inside/To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

The entire theory of games is underpinned by this one theory, but how far can it's explanitory power be pushed? Phillip Black, Christopher Kaczmarczyk-Smith, and Eric Guan talk cozy Pokemon habitats, merge-game economics multipliers, AI labor-market irony, and Edward Castronova's foundational work on virtual worlds. We talk: Pokopia as the Pokemon cozy game: short production chains daily-quest systems without free-to-play monetization pressure Multipliers as the key merge-game innovation: a gas pedal on spend per hour faster energy drain faster story progression a new way to price acceleration Narrative as reward subsidy or tax: story can make the next meta milestone worth chasing story can also break flow for players who just want the core loop AI and the game-industry labor market: layoffs look more like a post-2021 correction longer unemployment spells in information work may be the cleaner AI signal AI may suppress hiring before it shows up as direct separations Castronova's virtual-world economics: challenge labor-leisure tradeoffs property rights platform dictatorships price controls why MMOs looked like the future in 2003 The player contract: games rarely grant formal property rights players still behave as if they own skins, items, and progress developers often compensate players even when the legal right is weak Chapters (00:00:00) - Game of Thrones Cast Episode 50(00:00:39) - Coming soon: The Quantitative Bar(00:01:01) - Game Economist: Jobs to AI, Episode 49(00:02:16) - Pocopia: The Pokemon Cozy Game(00:05:03) - How Does Pokepoea Work?(00:08:42) - GTA 6 vs Breath of the Wild: Why They're Both(00:11:19) - The Economics of Merge 2(00:18:33) - How to Boost the Economy of 'League of Legends'(00:20:27) - On Buying Meta-Progression(00:22:09) - Candy Crush: The Match 3 Revenue(00:23:18) - Mixed Effects of More Narrative in Merge(00:27:39) - The Problem With Non-Traditional Gamers(00:29:36) - AI and the Game Industry Labor Market(00:35:39) - The Unemployment gap between Information and Non-Information(00:44:19) - Will AI Impact Workers' Jobs?(00:48:02) - Better Employment Data for the Games Industry(00:49:53) - Vinod's Virtual Economy(00:55:00) - Bradley on Work vs Leisure(00:58:12) - On Maximalization in MMOs(01:03:58) - No Property Rights in Magic The Gathering(01:05:43) - Game Developers: Property Rights in the Blockchain(01:10:03) - Game economies vs Real-Life(01:12:58) - Paul Krugman: The optimal level of challenge

In episode 569 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into how Steam tags actually drive discoverability for indie games, and what tools like GameDiscover.co reveal about whether the right players are finding your game. The conversation turns on a deceptively simple question: not what your game is, but who it's actually for.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:36 Introduction and Welcome01:58 Understanding Steam Tags and Discoverability04:55 The Importance of Accurate Tagging07:58 Identifying Target Audiences10:43 Navigating Game Genres and Expectations13:54 The Challenge of Marketing Complex Games16:59 Using Data to Inform Tagging Strategies23:45 Defining Game Genres and Tags25:58 Balancing Primary and Secondary Game Features29:19 The Complexity of Game Genres31:33 The Evolution of Game Genres and Language34:12 Platform-Specific Audience Differences38:09 Refining Game Tags for Better Audience Reach45:46 The Challenge of Game Development and Audience Understanding50:57 Adjusting Game Pricing and Expectations57:33 The Role of Randomness in SuccessTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 568 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers announce How Many Dudes Launch Date! They share their insights on game release strategies, balancing game mechanics, and upcoming features. They discuss the importance of timing, marketing, and player agency in creating a successful indie game launch.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:22 Introduction and Welcome01:16 How Many Dudes? Launch Date Announcement04:36 The Role of Demos in Game Marketing08:05 The Impact of Trailers and Marketing Efforts10:52 Timing and Competitor Analysis for Launch15:51 Scope and Content of 'How Many Dudes'22:10 Innovative Game Mechanics and Character Synergies28:42 Progression, Tiers, and Boss Fights36:02 Adding Variety and Player Agency with Systems and Trinkets48:51 Balancing Fun, Challenge, and Player Choice54:35 Upcoming Features and 'Ludo Kit' Developer ToolsTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 567 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss their recent experiences at PAX East, the state of game engines like Godot, Unity, and Unreal, and the evolving landscape of game marketing and platform ecosystems. They explore the costs and benefits of conventions, the impact of platform policies, and the future of indie game development.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:31 Introduction and Welcome01:09 Reflections on PAX East and Industry Presence03:48 LudoKit: A Developer Tool for Publishing08:47 The Value and Cost of Conventions for Indie Developers11:56 Platform Ecosystems: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and More20:01 The Rise of Godot and Decline of Unity in Indie Development29:41 Challenges of Platform Certification and Closed Ecosystems39:52 Marketing Strategies: Wishlists, Pre-orders, and Visibility48:06 The Evolving Landscape of Game Publishing and Industry TrendsTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 566 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers delve into the complexities of implementing effective tooltips in video games. They explore technical challenges, design principles, and the importance of clear, consistent communication to enhance player experience..Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:25 Introduction and Welcome02:57 The Importance of Tooltips in Game Development11:04 Creating Effective Tooltips: Clarity and Consistency25:31 Technical Challenges in Tooltip Implementation29:16 Navigating Game Development Challenges32:01 The Importance of UI Design40:57 Dynamic Text Scaling and Challenges45:04 The Unseen Work Behind Game Development51:03 Quality of Life Improvements in GamesTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 565 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into Nvidia's DLSS 5 and what AI-driven graphics enhancements actually mean for developers and players alike, then turn a critical eye on who the AI hype cycle is really serving, players and devs, or the tech companies and C-suites pushing it. The conversation closes on whether the push for realism is starting to cost games their authenticity.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:42 Introduction and Welcome01:42 PAX East updates05:42 How Many Dudes: Game Development Insights14:25 DLSS 5: Understanding New Technology21:45 Generative AI in Gaming: A New Era29:07 The Backlash Against AI-Driven Graphics34:41 Authenticity vs. Inauthenticity in Gaming42:29 The Diminishing Returns of Realism in Games44:21 The Balance of Visual Fidelity and Gameplay48:18 Creative Bankruptcy in the Tech Industry51:14 The Dangers of Dependency on Technology59:04 The Consequences of Automation on Personal GrowthTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★

Alexa Ray Corriea chats with Actor Ben Starr. Together they discuss his role in the multi-D.I.C.E. Award winning game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; balancing authenticity and restraint in the public sphere; voice acting in a game filled with intimacy in Date Everything!; and his observations on the difficulties many developers face today. This episode is supported by  Xsolla iam8bit Episode Host: Alexa Ray Corriea Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review. Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

In episode 564 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers get into the real friction behind self-publishing on Steam and how they're building their way out of it. They introduce LudoKit, a tool designed to wrangle store pages, localization, and credits management without losing your mind, drawing on lessons from shipping Crashlands 2. The conversation then shifts to How Many Dudes, where meta progression, ensemble mechanics, and balancing randomness with player control are all on the table.Support How Many Dudes!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudesTrailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpISteam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes00:00 Cold Open00:42 Introduction and Welcome01:57 The Need for Efficient Game Release Management07:46 Navigating the Complexities of Game Launch09:49 LudoKit: A Tool for Streamlining Game Publishing12:35 The Importance of Credits Management in Game Development17:39 Challenges in Collecting and Managing Game Credits24:11 Technical Challenges in Game Development29:33 Streamlining the Credits Process33:40 The Importance of Accurate Credits39:32 LudoKit: A Game Development Tool47:22 Future Plans for LudoKit49:53 Meta Progression and Player Engagement53:39 Balancing Exploration and Strategy59:29 Innovations in Gameplay Mechanics01:09:19 Final Thoughts on Game DevelopmentTo stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. Finally, if you'd like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net. ★ Support this podcast ★