Podcasts about games industry

In episode 561 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into Mewgenics, exploring its development history, gameplay quirks, and the ways players actually engage with it. The game becomes a springboard for a broader look at how UI, quality-of-life choices, and genre-blending shape player trust and expectations. The conversation closes on the realities of indie launch windows, where timing can matter just as much as design when it comes to standing out.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 Welcome01:13 Exploring Mewgenics: A Game Overview02:58 Nailed It or Whiffed It: Game Critique06:29 Player Engagement and Game Longevity10:18 Quality of Life Issues in Gameplay12:23 User Experience vs. Developer Intent15:28 Cognitive Load and Player Frustration18:34 The Role of UI in Game Design26:32 Humor and Theme in Game Design30:17 Developer Insights and Future Improvements39:27 The Disconnect in Game Development Quality41:57 Trust and Player Expectations in Game Design46:02 The Balance of Jank and Fun in Multiplayer Games51:26 The Impact of UI on Game Accessibility57:25 Launch Strategies and Market Timing for 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. 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 ★

New pixel phone. A bunch of new AI models including Gemini's entry into the music AI space. Everybody is trying to make AI fetch happen in India. And Matthew Ball's state of the gaming industry report doesn't paint as gloomy a picture as our own headlines might have suggested this year. The Pixel 10A is a little too much like last year's phone (The Verge) Anthropic releases Sonnet 4.6 (TechCrunch) Google's AI music maker is coming to the Gemini app (The Verge) Adani bets $100 billion on data centres to power India's AI ambitions (Reuters) Nvidia secures multibillion-dollar Meta deal as it battles chip rivals (FT) Global game content sales rose 5.3% to $195.6bn in 2025 (GamesIndustry.biz) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 560 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers check in on demo performance, wishlist growth, and what live events are actually doing for visibility. By comparing what has actually generated traction with what just sounds exciting, they unpack what real leverage looks like for an indie studio and contrast it with the current AI hype cycle, where convenience, cost, and risk do not always align.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 Welcome02:14 Demo Performance and Wishlist Growth05:47 Event Participation and Marketing Strategies08:43 Game Development Updates and New Characters14:40 Discussion on Mewgenics and Industry Insights17:24 Game Popularity and Player Retention19:58 The Impact of AI on the Gaming Industry31:10 AI's Role in Software Development and Personalization43:52 Challenges in Open Source Maintenance46:15 The Impact of AI on Bug Bounty Programs49:24 Autonomous Agents and Their Consequences52:19 The Reverse Centaur Concept56:10 The Dangers of Autonomous AI AgentsTo 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 ★

SUBSCRIBE NOW!!!! on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher & Audible. RedSec Battlefield 6's battle royale mode is making me feel things, Animal Crossing New Horizon is coming to the Switch 2 as an update…, and a new leak has a big update coming to PS Portal! All this and more on this episode of #PressXtoStart Gamer's Digest. Gaming News: Battlefield 6 RedSec Review Bombing Makes No Sense | The Gamer Rumored RedSec hit around 20 million players  Casual Mode Added to Battlefield 6 with 32 Bots in Each Match | Insider Gaming  Battlefield 6 Reaches 10 Million Copies Sold, But Won't Be Enough To Topple Call Of Duty, Analyst Says - GameSpot  Animal Crossing: New Horizons is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and a huge free update | VGC  PS Portal Adding Highly Demanded Game Streaming Feature, Leak Suggests | PlayStation LifeStyle  Former Sony boss says the industry's obsession with the 'mirage' of live service games is futile: 'The highway is littered with people wanting to take on Fortnite' | PC Gamer Reason: Former Bends Studios employee said the live service project was canceled | Reddit    'It's Funny That People Think About the Console-PC as Two Different Things' — Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Drops Biggest Hint Yet That the Next Xbox Is Basically a PC | IGN Quick Hits: Japan Patent Office rejects Nintendo patent for its Pokémon capture mechanic | GamesIndustry.biz US patent office director orders re-examination of Nintendo's patent on summoning characters to make them battle | VGC Monster Hunter Wilds' post-launch sales continue decline in latest Capcom results | VGC Amazon making ‘significant' cuts to games business, moving away from MMOs | VGC  What We Been Playing: Sean - Ghost of Yotei (finished), BF6, Dispatch Dj - Ghost of Yotei 100% completed, BF6 RedSec   If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you're using. Every little bit helps!  Want to ask a question, ask us at PressX2start.com/Questions Join/Follow Us: Youtube: Press X To Start TV Twitch: pressxtostarttv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pressx2start Twitter: @PressX2S  Instagram: @PressX2Start TikTok: @pressx2start You can find more info about the Press X and who we are at www.PressX2start.com. If you have any questions or just want to tell us how great (or just slightly okay) we're doing or how we can be better, be a friend and reach out and email us at pressxtostartpodcast@gmail.com End music by @MarcoMavy on IG & Twitter Be good to each other, Peace!

SUBSCRIBE NOW!!!! on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher & Audible. Did Call of Duty Black Ops 7 beat COD Modern Warfare 3 as the worst-selling COD game? Xbox is getting even MORE expensive, and Where Winds Meet is big, weird, and filled with stuff to do!  All this and more on this episode of #PressXtoStart Gamer's Digest  Gaming News: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 EU Launch Sales Fall Short of Battlefield 6's Launch by 63%  Battlefield 6 Just Had the Best Month of Sales in the U.S. of Any Game in the Last Three Years - IGN  ‘They didn't plan at all': Xbox reportedly warning of yet another potential price increase | VGC - Subscribe to the Channel - Tides of Annihilation: Extended Cut of the New Boss Fight Trailer + New Screenshots - IGN  PlayStation Has Made Over $1 Billion On Steam, Firm Claims | Insider Gaming Ubisoft's Tencent deal goes through | GamesIndustry.biz  Ubisoft Reveals 'Teammates' Playable GenAI Experience as Its CEO Says GenAI Will Transform the Industry Like 3D - WccfTech Quick Hits EXCLUSIVE: Assassin's Creed Black Flag Remake Set to Launch Before March 31 | Insider Gaming Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Demo Now Available At Switch 2 Kiosks (US) | Nintendo Life Naughty Dog's Intergalactic is reportedly skipping The Game Awards and won't release next year | VGC  Ghost of Yotei New Game + mode is live!  What We Been Playing: Sean - BF6 Dj - BF6, Where Winds Meet is big and weird    If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you're using. Every little bit helps!  Want to ask a question, ask us at PressX2start.com/Questions Join/Follow Us: Youtube: Press X To Start TV Twitch: pressxtostarttv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pressx2start Twitter: @PressX2S  Instagram: @PressX2Start TikTok: @pressx2start You can find more info about the Press X and who we are at www.PressX2start.com. If you have any questions or just want to tell us how great (or just slightly okay) we're doing or how we can be better, be a friend and reach out and email us at pressxtostartpodcast@gmail.com End music by @MarcoMavy on IG & Twitter Be good to each other, Peace!

SUBSCRIBE NOW!!!! on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher & Audible. Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, and all of the above, we are ending the year with talking about our Favorite 5 of 2025 (Games that is), but unfortunately, not all is good, the industry got hit with some terribly sad news. All this and more on this episode of Press X to Start Gamer's Digest  Gaming News:  Vince Zampella, video game developer behind 'Call of Duty,' killed in Ferrari crash  Video Game Physical Software and Hardware Sales Just Had the Worst November in the U.S. Since 1995 - IGN Nintendo Switch 2 Hardware Hit by 41% Price Jump in DRAM, NAND Up 8% | TechPowerUp Subscribe to the Channel Sucker Punch Productions Co-Founder Brian Fleming Passes the Reins to the Next Chapter of Creative Leadership Report claims Naughty Dog recently ordered employees take on "mandatory" overtime | GamesIndustry.biz  Zoë Quinn and multiple game writers come forward about Larian's hiring practices ("unpaid writing tests you have to make playable") News | ResetEra Quick Hits Sony's legal battle against Tencent's Horizon ‘clone' is already over | The Verge Bethesda reportedly held a secret Starfield event to showcase an upcoming update that will add faster loading times and technical improvements to the Creation Engine, along with a PS5 port that will be announced in 2026 | TechRadar  What We Been Playing: Sean - Battlefield 6 Dj - Returnal, Battlefield 6, Where WInds Meet Favorite 5 of 2025: DJ: Expedition 33 Ghost of Yotei Battlefield 6 Dispatch Monster Hunter Wilds Sean: Expedition 33 Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii Death Stranding 2: On the Beach Ghost of Yotei Battlefield 6   If you're enjoying the show, please take a moment to rate/review it on whatever service you're using. Every little bit helps!  Want to ask a question, ask us at PressX2start.com/Questions Join/Follow Us: Youtube: Press X To Start TV Twitch: pressxtostarttv Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pressx2start Twitter: @PressX2S  Instagram: @PressX2Start TikTok: @pressx2start You can find more info about the Press X and who we are at www.PressX2start.com. If you have any questions or just want to tell us how great (or just slightly okay) we're doing or how we can be better, be a friend and reach out and email us at pressxtostartpodcast@gmail.com End music by @MarcoMavy on IG & Twitter Be good to each other, Peace!

Carina sits down to talk to Conway Sutton about his Freelance Game Writer journey. They also talk about his passion for modding, as he began modding the game Monster Prom quite obsessively and ended up freelance writing form Monster Con, which is their 4th installment in the series. Conway also talks about accessibility in the gaming industry, not only as representation in games but also how one can adapt to make games playable and interactable by people with disabilities; as well as making events more accessible by considering neurodiversity and how to make them LGBTQ+ family friendly.

Episode SummaryHow do you break into the games industry later in your career? And once you're in, how do you build a meaningful life and community without burning out? In this episode, Greg is joined by Amir Satvat, a Business Development leader at Tencent and the winner of the "Game Changers" award. Amir is one of the industry's most important connectors, having built a community that has helped thousands find jobs and opportunities.Amir shares his incredible journey from finance at Goldman Sachs to gaming in his late 30s, offering a practical playbook for career pivots. He breaks down his disciplined, non-negotiable approach to balancing a high-stakes job with being a present father and husband, and reveals why true networking is a 12-month game of building relationships, not a last-minute job hunt. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to build a sustainable and impactful career in games.Timestamps(01:55) The Pivot: Amir details his unconventional path from banking and healthcare into the games industry.(11:00) The Non-Negotiable Framework: How Amir uses rigorous time-blocking to protect family time and avoid burnout.(25:49) Confronting Ageism: Amir discusses the industry's challenge with retaining and valuing older talent.(32:25) The #1 Networking Mistake: Why you need to build relationships long before you need them.(39:40) The Financial Modeling Trap: How a finance-first mindset can be both a powerful tool and a creativity killer in game development.Guest BioAmir Satvat is a leader in Business Development and Strategy at Tencent and the founder of a professional gaming community that has helped thousands of people. Known as one of the industry's most important connectors, his work is driven by a deep passion for helping others succeed.LinkedIn: Amir SatvatCommunity Hub: ASGC's Games Jobs Resources | WELCOMEKey TopicsBreaking into the games industry mid-careerEffective networking strategies for long-term successBalancing a demanding career with fatherhood and family lifeTransferable skills from other industries (finance, tech, healthcare)Community building and the power of trustContinuing education and staying relevantIndustry challenges: ageism, the future of consoles, and business models

In episode 559 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers explore how memes shape durable game ideas, why performance work becomes its own kind of design problem, and how staying fed and functional matters just as much as clean code. They dig into the flexible strengths of GameMaker, the realities of handling thousands of on-screen dudes, and the surprising ways personal life and development collide. It's a mix of practical insight, odd tangents, and classic Bscotch brain-noodling for anyone making games.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 Welcome01:21 (Listener Question) Exploring the Meme Concept in Game Design08:10 The Nature of Memes and Their Longevity16:33 (Listener Question) Game Mechanics and Performance Optimization 28:35 (Listener Question) Nutrition and Energy Management for Game Developers43:53 (Listener Question) GameMaker's Underrated FeaturesTo 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 ★

UK courts have determined that stealing in game gold is a real world crime. That wasn't on my bingo card, and it has some interesting implications for other games like EVE Online.Would you recreate the smell of ancient times to find out what it was like? Some scientists are trying. Professor is really not convinced though.Markiplier released his Iron Lung film. Is this the new rise of indie films?***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 MentionedYou Can Go to Jail for Stealing RuneScape Gold Now (Specialist media lawyer outlines why UK Court of Appeals' judgment on RuneScape's Gold theft is so "significant for the games industry" | GamesIndustry.biz)The Smell of history (Can scientists recreate history with smells? - ABC listen, Recreating the smells of history )Markipiler vs Hollywood (How Markiplier's ‘Iron Lung' Proved the Studios Wrong: “There Is Still a Stigma Against YouTube”, Markiplier's ‘Iron Lung' Removed From Box Office Charts, Returns Making 7x Its Budget )Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1myDrgf-PyvNQuW44mwKy1MCijKATqfTPUqy1r4nbry0/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

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In episode 558 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into how community engagement is shaping the ongoing development of How Many Dudes, from reacting to feedback to refining what players latch onto. They talk about the role luck plays in getting eyes on a game, and how fast iteration helps them adapt when discovery, localization, or influencer interest suddenly spikes. The conversation centers on staying nimble, listening closely, and adjusting strategy as the game and the audience keeps evolving.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 Welcome02:05 Demo Update for 'How Many Dudes'05:29 Analyzing Player Engagement and Discovery Queue06:51 Localization Strategies for the Chinese Market09:43 Cost Implications of Localization13:50 Reflections on Game Development Philosophy17:45 Execution vs. Concept in Game Design22:05 Iterative Development and Player Feedback29:47 Strategic Shifts in Game Development Approach30:54 Navigating Game Development Constraints33:27 Marketing Strategies and Market Gaps36:12 The Unpredictability of Entertainment Products40:17 Designing for Marketability and Engagement44:58 Adapting to Market Changes and Direct Sales49:15 The Role of Luck in Game Success54:21 Building a Resilient Game Development StudioTo 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 ★

Prof and Dev (Larry and Anthony) review the state of the game industry from GDC's festival of gaming presentation by informa. Then they talk Cairn and Ball X Pit.

Check out our Patreon for a daily Lawrence Select™ Meme: https://www.patreon.com/insidegamesYTJoin the Inside Games notification Discord server for alerts when we publish new videos: http://discord.gg/ArvphbMPFJHosted by:Lawrence: http://twitch.tv/sirlarr | Bruce: http://twitch.tv/brucegreene Edited by: Shooklyn: https://linktr.ee/ShooklynSources --https://variety.com/2026/gaming/news/one-third-video-game-workers-laid-off-2025-1236644512/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/director-assures-ubisoft-remains-committed-to-beyond-good-evil-2-despite-recent-upheaval/https://twistedvoxel.com/sony-sending-message-to-ps4-users-asking-to-upgrade-to-ps5/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/twice-as-many-developers-surveyed-by-gdc-say-they-want-to-make-games-on-ps5-or-switch-2-than-on-xbox/Music —Switch It Up - Silent Partner https://youtu.be/r_HRbXhOir8Funk Down - MK2 https://youtu.be/SPN_Ssgqlzc

In episode 557 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers share updates on How Many Dudes, touching on the demo's strong performance, upcoming localization, and ongoing community management. They dig into the feedback they're getting, how it shapes balance and feature decisions, and what they're preparing for as Steam Next Fest approaches. The focus is on understanding what players are asking for and charting the path toward a solid full 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 Open00:38 Introduction and Welcome02:04 Demo Performance and Player Engagement04:52 Localization and Language Expansion08:37 Upcoming Features and Game Modes12:00 Promotional Strategies and Events15:43 Looking Ahead: Next Fest and Future Plans17:48 The Power of Demos in Game Promotion19:31 Balancing Game Mechanics and Player Experience24:24 Navigating Player Feedback and Expectations27:49 Understanding Player Perspectives and Feedback31:38 The Challenge of Expertise in Game Development36:30 Managing Community Reactions and Expectations37:44 Navigating Player Emotions in Game Development40:28 Building a Positive Community Culture42:19 Managing Feedback and Expectations45:56 The Evolution of Early Access and Player Interaction49:49 The Ongoing Conversation Between Developers and PlayersTo 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 ★

In episode 556 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers talk about How Many Dudes riding the waves of Steam discovery and what they've learned about keeping that Wishlist train rolling. From premium price woes to free to try realities, they explore what it takes to bring one game to two very different worlds without losing their minds or the vibe.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 Welcome00:55 Discussing How Many Dudes and Marketing Strategies04:15 Insights on Game Discovery and Visibility06:40 Launch Strategy and Expectations09:36 Exploring Mobile Platforms and Monetization19:20 Challenges of Premium Games on Mobile24:40 Cross-Platform Challenges26:47 User Data Management Issues29:36 Monetization Strategies35:48 Free-to-Try Model Discussion39:56 Final Thoughts and Community EngagementTo 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 ★

In episode 555 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers unpack what the How Many Dudes demo is teaching them about speed, feedback, and player expectations. They talk about influencer momentum, the challenges of balancing once players latch onto specific builds, and why moving fast matters more than ever. The episode closes with 2026 predictions, touching on AI, platform shifts, and why focused indie teams may thrive in the noise.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 Open00:35 Introduction and Welcome10:49 The Success of How Many Dudes Demo24:45 Marketing Strategies and Community Engagement25:42 Demo Development and Market Positioning29:00 Localization and International Reach31:52 Balancing Game Mechanics and Player Expectations40:19 Feedback and Iteration in Game Development45:15 Predictions for the Future of Gaming50:46 The Hardware Crisis: RAM and GPUs in the AI Era53:35 AI's Limitations: The Reality of Digital Assistants56:21 The Rise of Indie Games Amidst AI Slop01:00:29 The Search for Authenticity in Gaming Experiences01:07:51 The Future of Game Distribution: Predictions for Major PlatformsTo 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 ★

-OpenAI is launching a new feature that will allow users to connect medical records and wellness apps to ChatGPT in order to get more tailored responses to queries about their health. -Apple announced that JPMorgan Chase will be the new issuer for the Apple Card. According to the tech company, the transition to the new provider should take about two years to complete -Ubisoft is closing a Canadian studio just over two weeks after it unionized. The company told GamesIndustry.biz that the closure of Ubisoft Halifax was part of "company-wide actions to streamline operations" and unrelated to the unionization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In episode 554 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers celebrate the launch of the How Many Dudes demo and the surprise explosion past 50,000 wishlists. They break down what worked, from shipping the demo during the Steam winter sale to leaning hard into YouTube Shorts, influencers, and community momentum. he episode wraps with reflections on resilience, creative momentum, and why 2026 just might be the Year of the Dude.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 Open00:33 Introduction and Welcome01:52 The Launch Strategy for 'How Many Dudes'05:44 Initial Reception and Growth of the Demo11:38 Influencer Impact and Community Engagement17:34 Viral Success and Peak Player Engagement23:50 The Power of Community Influence26:49 Tracking Player Engagement and Growth30:32 Comparing Demo Performance and Market Trends31:50 Understanding Wishlist Dynamics35:37 Designing an Engaging Demo Experience40:05 Exploring Game Mechanics and Combinatorial Play45:38 Seasonal Models and Game Dynamics47:00 Naming the Year: 202647:43 Creative Year Themes and Predictions54:18 Reflections on Resilience and Moving ForwardTo 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 ★

In episode 553 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers  take stock of a wild year at Butterscotch Shenanigans, starting with the launch of Crashlands 2 and everything that came after it. They talk about testing woes, localization headaches, and the emotional rollercoaster of reading reviews. From there, the conversation turns forward-looking, unpacking why the team is shifting toward smaller, faster projects, what they learned from early experiments with How Many Dudes, and how tools like Ludokit fit into their next chapter.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 Welcome02:44 Crashlands 2 Development Challenges05:41 Launch Day Success and Initial Reception08:45 Content Updates and Player Feedback11:46 Navigating Reviews and Player Expectations14:46 Post-Launch Reflections and Future Directions17:49 Introducing Ludokid: A New Tool for Game Development25:06 Casual Conversations and Game Development Insights25:42 Achievements and Game Mechanics26:38 Ludo Kit and Development Planning28:33 Pivoting to 'How Many Dudes'30:05 Shifting Game Development Strategies31:35 Changing Perceptions of Indie Games34:36 Market Trends and Player Expectations37:54 The Evolution of Game Design40:40 Game Jams and Rapid Prototyping44:49 Demo Development and Market Testing47:54 Future Plans and Community EngagementTo 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 ★

Ha llegado la hora de despedir el nivel 2025 en este juego rogue like que llamamos "vida" y, si bien estuvo lleno de bugs, la historia fue medio tirada de los pelos y pareció lleno de contenido generado por IA, decidimos celebrarlo en el episodio 588 de Café Fandango. Además, vas a escuchar a Gus que está probando una nueva distro de Linux; a Edu, que si te cuenta en qué anda en el Hades 2 tendrá que matarte, pero sí puede hablar del Loco Motive y del Ball x Pit. Seba, por su parte, terminó el Avowed pero encuentra excusas para seguir jugándolo, además de plataformear "barato" con el Daniel in Danger. Luego pasamos por las pocas noticias de la semana: Konami quiere hacer la gran Call of Duty con el Silent Hill y se retrasa el próximo juego de James Bond. Finalmente, leemos un resumen del 2025 hecho por GamesIndustry.biz, aprovechamos la Pregunta Fandango para hablar de los mejores momentos del año y cerramos revisando nuestros objetivos anuales 2025, y armamos la lista para el 2026.

In this week's Arcade, Uno dives into his 2025 backlog, putting in the hours with Baby Steps, Mindcop, and No I'm Not Human, while Chugs pushes forward in his Pokémon Legends: Z-A quest. On the news front, the boys break down GamesIndustry.biz's Year in Numbers 2025 and celebrate the announcement of a brand-new Fallout reality show! All this, plus the Arcade Mailbag and a festive holiday edition of the Producer Quiz.Get the AEW SP Game Used from Upper Deck: https://bit.ly/3XpHOmx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In episode 552 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers celebrate a big personal milestone before diving into why demos matter more than ever for indie games. They break down how demos drive visibility on Steam, why they work best as hype-builders rather than pure conversion tools, and how thoughtful demo timing can spark organic player engagement. The conversation looks at demos as living marketing tools that fuel wishlists, feedback, and long-term momentum.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 Welcome03:02 Celebrating Milestones: 10 Years Cancer-Free09:49 The Importance of Demos in Game Development14:01 Navigating Game Releases During Holidays14:51 The Purpose of Demos in Game Marketing18:36 Understanding Player Engagement Metrics20:24 The Role of Demos in Driving Wishlists22:37 Optimizing Demos for Next Fest Success24:27 Using Demos Beyond Next Fest26:03 Case Study: The Success of Bellatro36:27 Strategizing Demo Releases for Market Impact37:01 The Power of Demos in Game Marketing39:25 Leveraging Community Feedback for Game Development41:10 Creating Organic Buzz Through Accessibility44:08 The Risks and Rewards of Demo Releases49:32 Incremental Development and Localization Strategies51:34 The Purpose of Demos: Marketing vs. ConversionTo 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 ★

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 piece by doing.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 Welcome02:41 Navigating YouTube and Game Development Insights05:40 The Indie Game Developer Experience08:43 Flailing Towards Success: The Random Walk11:43 Exploring New Strategies and Marketing Approaches14:37 The Importance of Experimentation in Game Development17:43 R&D and the Value of Unpredictability20:40 Closing Thoughts on Research and Development21:38 The ROI of Science in Game Development22:17 Designing Game Mechanics: Chaos vs. Structure23:36 Iterative Design: Balancing Planning and Flexibility24:55 Class Systems and Game Evolution27:28 High-Level Planning vs. Low-Level Details30:18 Scaffolding for Game Development34:38 The Challenge of Crafting Systems36:33 Navigating Constraints in Game Design40:13 The Importance of User Feedback42:41 The Role of Humor in 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 ★

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 as direct sales drivers. It's a grounded look at where marketing effort actually pays off and where it evaporates into thin air.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 Open00:12 Introduction and Welcome02:48 The Role of YouTube Shorts in Game Promotion05:32 Understanding Steam's Algorithm and Wishlist Dynamics08:44 Challenges of Scaling Marketing Efforts11:27 Exploring YouTube Ads and Their Effectiveness14:31 Evaluating the Impact of Advertising on Game Visibility19:54 Navigating Google Ads for Game Promotion22:51 Analyzing Click-Through Rates and Conversions26:07 The Efficacy of YouTube Ads29:45 The Illusion of Effective Advertising34:47 The Uncertainty of Marketing Outcomes41:47 Evaluating Events and Conventions43:09 Digital Events and Showcases45:39 The Challenge of Exclusivity in Marketing49:09 Understanding Randomness in Game Promotion51:45 The Cost-Effectiveness of Marketing Approaches55:02 Balancing Development and Marketing EffortsTo 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 ★

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 data, and using community feedback to shape both your game and your marketing.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 Welcome02:47 Creating Engaging Short-Form Content05:34 Tools and Techniques for Video Editing08:39 Understanding YouTube Shorts11:50 Crafting Compelling Stories in Shorts14:39 Experimentation and Iteration in Content Creation21:19 Engagement Strategies for Video Launches26:21 Understanding Video Performance Metrics28:38 The Importance of Stick Rate32:14 Algorithm Behavior and Video Longevity40:31 Translating Engagement into Sales44:38 Engagement Challenges with YouTube Shorts46:49 Analyzing Video Performance and Viewer Retention49:07 Understanding YouTube's Algorithm and Game Discovery54:11 The Importance of Video Structure and Viewer Engagement59:44 Identifying Signals of Success in Game Development01:03:46 Community Insights and Sharing Data for 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. 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 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 connections with players.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 Welcome01:46 Understanding the Four P's of Marketing09:27 The Integration of Marketing and Game Development08:34 The Role of Audience in Game Design11:46 Short-Form Video Content and Marketability17:32 Lessons Learned and Future Directions25:17 Game Development Insights from Game Jams30:38 Leveraging YouTube Shorts for Marketing39:20 Market Testing During Development43:43 The Importance of Engaging ContentTo 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 ★

Valve have finally announced the new Steam hardware, including the Steam Frame, Steam Machine and the Steam Controller 2. We're hyped.My Hero Academia is getting a live action adaptation. Live action ALL THE THINGS, while at the same time, anime ALL THE OTHER THINGS. Surely one of the two will work.The Universe is decelerating, according to a new study. That means we're a few billion years closer to the end of the universe than we thought. Don't Panic. ***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 MentionedOne headset, endless VR worlds. Steam Frame promises to merge PC and Android VR libraries — but will it create harmony or chaos? Stick around to find out. (Steam's new VR headset, Steam Frame, will support Android games | GamesIndustry.biz)Netflix is turning My Hero Academia into a live-action movie… and the original creator is calling all the shots. Will it be a faithful masterpiece or a Hollywood disaster? Stick around — we're breaking down every risk, every hope, and every fan freakout you need to know. (Netflix's Upcoming Anime Live-Action Adaptation Is Getting the Same Treatment as One Piece - ComicBook.com)A decelerating universe? It sounds impossible, but a shocking new analysis of supernovae may force us to rewrite cosmic history — and the debate is just getting started. (https://www.sci.news/astronomy/decelerating-universe-14336.html )Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TWGe6nDFPTbcJN_X5PnAwzni2_f6Skel4va5i0Tk0aw/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 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 where it might land in the living-room battle for players' attention.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 Welcome02:35 The Evolution of Valve's Hardware Strategy05:49 Design and Aesthetics of the Game Cube08:40 Comparing Steam and Xbox Strategies11:40 The Cultural Shift in Gaming Platforms14:37 Developer Experiences on Steam vs. Xbox17:36 The Future of Gaming Platforms25:10 Steam's Developer-Friendly Approach28:22 The Cost of Innovation35:26 Target Audience and Market Positioning42:12 The Future of Couch GamingTo 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 ★

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 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 Welcome01:59 The Importance of In-Person Events for Game Developers04:45 Planning for PAX East and Team Dynamics07:52 Insights from Past Events and Industry Trends10:46 Game Development Updates and New Features16:06 (Listener Question) Exploring the Impact of Subscription Services on Game Sales20:09 Forecasting Sales and Market Dynamics24:22 Navigating Platform Challenges: Apple Arcade vs. Google Play Pass27:22 The Shifting Landscape of Game Development and Distribution30:52 (Listener Question) The Role of Subscription Services in Indie Game Success43:17 Overcoming Bottlenecks in Game Production45:06 Balancing Customization and Standardization49:25 The Evolution of Development Tools58:59 Lessons Learned from Crashlands 2To 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 ★

A recent survey found that Steam is considered a monopoly by developers. What are the implications?Anime has a long history of adult content. Now it's going mainstream and the world isn't ready.These are the kinds of science experiments vampires might think of. They're intended to last longer than a human lifetime, and they're the only way to study some things. ***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 MentionedDevelopers say Steam is too powerful. Gamers say they love it. Who's right? (72% of devs believe Steam has a monopoly on PC games, according to study | GamesIndustry.biz )Anime's not just for teens anymore - welcome to the age of blood, beauty, and brutal storytelling. (https://www.cbr.com/official-new-era-r-rated-anime-movies-chainsaw-man/ )They built experiments to outlive themselves...because patience is for mortals (These ultra-long experiments outlive their scientists — on purpose)Full Show Notes : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DYP_9rAJ2U0BSCW3_MCvULL2Gd2EY5SoZVzLc5JieQ8/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

According to GamesIndustry.biz, a new study shows that over 40% of adolescent gamers in the US avoid media depicting women in a "stereotypical and harmful way." The Teens and Screens Report 2025 was conducted by the Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA, and surveyed 1,500 adolescents, ages 10-24, about their experiences with gaming. In this special episode bolstered by a panel of women, host Amanda Glassner is joined by Charlie Osborne, Editor-at-Large for Cybercrime Magazine, and Taylor Fox, Media Coordinator at Cybercrime Magazine, to discuss the report's findings, recent examples of harassment against women in the gaming industry, and protecting players in this environment. • For more on cybersecurity, visit us at https://cybersecurityventures.com

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 GDC still offers meaningful opportunities for learning and connection, and how alternative events like PAX, DICE, or regional gatherings might better serve indie teams.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 Open00:15 Introduction and Welcome02:07 GDC: A Historical Perspective05:37 GDC's Rebranding and Marketing Missteps09:53 New Passes and Pricing Structure18:29 Indie Developer Perspectives on GDC22:36 Networking Opportunities and Industry Stratification36:20 Challenges for Indie Developers at GDC41:19 Networking at GDC: A Double-Edged Sword45:13 The Cost of GDC: Is It Worth It?49:07 Making Connections: The Value of Preparation52:21 Alternative Events: Finding Value Beyond GDCTo 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 ★

Check out our Patreon for a daily Lawrence Select™ Meme: https://www.patreon.com/insidegamesYTJoin the Inside Games notification Discord server for alerts when we publish new videos: http://discord.gg/ArvphbMPFJHosted by:Lawrence: http://twitch.tv/sirlarr | Bruce: http://twitch.tv/brucegreene Edited by: Shooklyn: https://linktr.ee/ShooklynSources --http://GamesIndustry.bizhttps://rokky.com/pc-game-distribution-report-2025https://www.gamesindustry.biz/debunking-the-grey-market-beyond-steamhttps://www.techspot.com/news/109882-steam-sets-new-record-416-million-concurrent-players.htmlhttps://www.gamesindustry.biz/wolfire-and-dark-catts-antitrust-lawsuit-against-valve-granted-class-action-statusMusic —Switch It Up - Silent Partner https://youtu.be/r_HRbXhOir8Funk Down - MK2 https://youtu.be/SPN_Ssgqlzc

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 whether circular investments and energy limits might burst it all over again.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 Welcome02:18 Health Updates and Personal Anecdotes05:46 Game Sales and Marketing Strategies11:44 Pricing Strategies and Market Dynamics17:52 Development of 'How Many Dudes'21:35 Game Mechanics and Balancing Challenges22:04 Scaling Combat Scenarios34:12 Understanding the AI Bubble47:34 The Financial Landscape of AI Commitments50:37 The Illusion of Profitability and Market Dynamics53:31 The Physical Constraints of AI Infrastructure57:32 The Ethics of AI Investment and Corporate Responsibility01:00:15 The Bubble Economy: Predictions and ConsequencesTo 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 ★

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.Support Crashlands 2!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331Things Mentioned: Ludokit: https://ludokit.com/00:00 Cold Open00:30 Introduction and Welcome02:06 (Listener Question) The State of Online Forums06:22 The Centralization of the Internet10:26 The Loss of Open Information13:44 The Charm of Early Internet Experiences18:59 The Modern Web Experience: A Double-Edged Sword20:18 The Evolution of Design and Dark Patterns22:04 The Internet's Golden Age: A Personal Reflection24:17 The Trade-offs of Freedom in Digital Spaces28:11 The Consequences of Trust in Software Distribution30:06 The Decline of Unique Online Experiences32:16  (Listener Question) Navigating Burnout in Game Development45:33 Navigating Technical Challenges in Game Development48:11 The Stress of Game Launches and Burnout50:01 The Importance of Minimizing Peripheral Nonsense51:59 The Complexity of Game Marketing and Visibility55:06 Shifting Focus: From Game Development to Tool Creation01:00:06 Building LudoKit: A Developer's CompanionTo 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 ★

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 landscape of indie games post-COVID, emphasizing gameplay over graphical fidelity.Support Crashlands 2!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Cold Open00:37 Introduction and Welcome02:31 Game Development Strategies and Industry Trends05:18 Shifts in Game Design Philosophy08:30 Marketability and Game Launch Strategies11:27 The Evolution of Indie Games14:20 Conclusion and Future Directions18:41 The Joy of Indie Games19:34 Cultural Shifts in Content Consumption22:08 The Experience of Gaming vs. Marketing23:45 The Rise of Authenticity in Indie Games24:38 Finding the Hook in Game Development27:44 The Challenge of Following Trends28:41 Streaming Game Development: Pros and Cons34:27 The Future of Game Development StreamingTo 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 ★

The last time Liam spoke with Ed Thorn, he was days away from announcing his departure from Rock Paper Shotgun. Beginning his career as a guides writer, Ed climbed the ranks to become reviews editor of the prestigious PC gaming blog, before deciding it was time to finally move on. Ten months after that original episode went live (eight when we recorded this - soz for the delay) Ed returns to discuss what it's like to say goodbye to your dream job. Together, the pair discuss their reasons for moving on, the things they're glad to leave behind, and the moments they'll always look back on with fondness.  This one has a slightly different vibe from our usual episodes. It's less "three feral goblins screech about Peggle", and more "two old men reminisce about the good old days".  You can find more of Ed's thoughts in this wonderful article he kindly wrote for our website. Our music was written and performed by Ollie Newbury! Find him on Instagram at @newbsmusic. Meanwhile, you can find us at indieventurepodcast.co.uk or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Cold Open00:25 Introduction and Welcome02:04 Nostalgic Childhood Memories and Injuries05:56 Upcoming Surgery and Its Implications09:39 Game Development Updates and Community Feedback19:52 Sales Strategies and Market Dynamics24:54 Understanding Player Engagement and Market Dynamics26:51 The Impact of Pricing Strategies on Game Sales28:09 Regional Pricing and Its Effects on Sales Demographics29:54 The Importance of Language Support in Global Markets32:59 Analyzing the Effects of Discounts on Game Popularity34:22 (Listener Question) The Nuances of Ghosting in Business RelationshipsTo 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 ★

The Protoclone is an android based on human muscles. DJ thinks this thing might be too lifelike, and it's time to call Rick Deckard.EA are being bought by a consortium of investment firms. Do they still have a future, or will they be killed off?Tilly Norwood is an AI actress created for the sole purpose of starring in real movies. As any first gen tech, it'll be rubbish, but if you combined Tilly and a Protoclone body, DJ would probably be very scared. ***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 MentionedIntroducing the Protoclone (Humanoid 'Protoclone' robot twitches into action while hanging from ceiling in viral video | Live Science, I Met ProtoClone — The World's First Human Clone

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 the game development process.Support Crashlands 2!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Cold Open00:25 Introduction and Welcome01:51 Levelhead Sales Strategy and Pricing Dynamics08:15 Tax Implications and Revenue Management12:16 The Impact of Pricing on Game Success17:45 YouTube Shorts Experimentation and Engagement Metrics28:39 Engagement Strategies in Short-Form Content31:33 Analyzing Viewer Retention and Engagement Metrics34:15 The Challenge of Marketing for Indie Games39:02 Community Engagement and Feedback Loops44:09 Integrating Marketing into Game Development50:32 The Power of Data-Driven Marketing DecisionsTo 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 ★

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!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Cold Open00:28 Introduction and Welcome01:31 Game Development Updates and Community Engagement04:40 Levelhead's Marketing Strategy and Community Dynamics12:13 The Role of User-Generated Content in Game Success16:41 Innovative Features in Levelhead19:41 Creating Engaging Marketing Content20:51 (Listener Question) Microtransactions in Gaming: A Deep Dive28:06 (Listener Question) The Live Service Model vs. Yearly Sequels35:25 The Impact of Platform Fees on Indie Developers44:25 The Rise of Game Launchers47:12 Epic's Strategy and the Monopoly of Steam50:14 The Challenges of Indie Game Development53:16 The Impact of Revenue Cuts on Indie Studios59:17 The Future of Game Distribution and Indie SurvivalTo 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 ★

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/crashlands-2/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Introduction and Welcome01:03 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)01:11 Silksong Hype and Indie Game Success05:25 Localization Challenges and Translation Issues12:15 Game Launch Challenges and Community Feedback26:02 Review Scores and Post-Launch Adjustments29:40 Navigating Player Reactions to Game Sequels31:02 Balancing Expectations in Game Development32:43 The Challenge of Innovating While Retaining Core Fans35:08 Crashlands 2: Expanding and Innovating36:07 The Overflow Update: New Features and Enhancements38:27 Engaging with the Community and Gathering Feedback39:22 (Listener Question) Finding Reliable News Sources in a Click-Driven World46:48 The Importance of Expertise and Avoiding Misinformation01:01:23 Conclusion and Community EngagementTo 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 ★

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=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Introduction and Welcome00:59 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)01:12 Crashlands 2 Update 1.3 Overview02:02 New Bosses and Challenges in Crashlands 206:39 Introducing Strange Creatures and New Play Styles17:23 Levelhead: The Underrated Gem22:36 The Hype Around Silksong38:40 The Rush for Game Coverage39:10 Competing for Press and Streamer Attention40:26 Timing Your Game Launch41:56 The Impact of Surprise Game Releases50:46 The Role of Automated Testing in Game Development (Listener Question)54:49 Challenges in QA Testing01:08:23 The Importance of Smart Testing01:09:40 Conclusion and Community EngagementTo 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 ★

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 Crashlands 2!Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59voSteam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id152819933100:00 Introduction and Welcome00:46 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)01:06 The Value of Wishlists (Listener Question)02:39 Debunking Wishlist Decay05:24 Analyzing Steam Data on Wishlists07:10 The Impact of Influencers on Game Development14:14 Thoughts on Stop Killing Games (Listener Question)18:52 Skepticism on YouTuber Game Publishers (Listener Question)29:15 The Challenges of Licensed Games38:20 Work for Hire and Studio Valuation (Listener Question)39:04 Quadropus Rampage: A Retrospective (Listener Question)41:07 Challenges of Free-to-Play Games49:34 Holistic Approach to Life and Work (Listener Question)01:02:54 The Importance of Health and Exercise01:11:29 Closing Remarks and Community EngagementTo 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 ★

Thank you so much to our Patreon community for supporting this channel. Join us today at http://www.Patreon.com/KitAndKrysta for exclusive content including predictions and reactions to the latest Switch 2 news *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Hello! We are mere hours away from Hollow Knight Silksong FINALLY coming out and we want to talk about the true phenomenon that is this game. It had such an interesting trajectory and although it broke all the traditional rules of video game marketing and game industry best practices, it's on its way to becoming one of the biggest games of 2025. How did Team Cherry make it happen? Let's dig into here. Follow Us! https://www.patreon.com/kitandkrysta https://twitter.com/kitandkrysta https://www.tiktok.com/@kitandkrysta https://www.instagram.com/kitandkrysta/ http://www.facebook.com/kitandkrysta/ https://bsky.app/profile/kitandkrysta.bsky.social -Kit & Krysta