Best Jam Dev Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 409 - Designing Emotionally-Driven Games with Nicholas O'Brien 58:04

Play Pause

2d ago58:04

58:04

Many games are fun, but few stay with us after the credits roll. So today, we’re going to dive into how indie devs can use game mechanics, narrative, and aesthetic choices to create emotional resonance and meaning in their titles. From narrative tools to methods that focus on player empathy, we unpack the secrets behind making games that create a l…

1
Ep 409 - Designing Emotionally-Driven Games with Nicholas O'Brien 58:04

2d ago58:04

58:04

Many games are fun, but few stay with us after the credits roll. So today, we’re going to dive into how indie devs can use game mechanics, narrative, and aesthetic choices to create emotional resonance and meaning in their titles. From narrative tools to methods that focus on player empathy, we unpack the secrets behind making games that create a l…

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3D Workflows for Indie Devs (with Freya Holmér)

6d ago

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We welcome Freya Holmér back into the clubhouse to talk about 3D game development for independent game developers. We get into the specifics of the tools available for devs and why they work and don't work for different teams, but it's mostly an excuse to talk about Freya's new 3D modeling software. Half-Edge - Freya Holmér Shader Forge - Freya Hol…

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037 — No Waves 13:20

7d ago13:20

13:20

Or, you can watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iU2PMrYUNIQ After attempting and failing to get an episode out the last couple of weeks, I am happy to say that I finally recorded one, and I am getting it out early this week. A lot of stuff has happened over the last 2.5 weeks, so here’s a quick run down, along with links: Optimizations wer…

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Ep 408 - How Indies Will Save the Industry with Erik Reynolds 1:08:55

9d ago1:08:55

1:08:55

Mainstream game development is at a crossroads—bloated budgets, safe bets, and sequel fatigue are threatening innovation. But the indie scene might just be the industry’s best hope. In this episode, our guest unpacks how indies are not only surviving but reshaping the gaming landscape. We dig into what makes indie studios uniquely suited to lead th…

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Ep 408 - How Indies Will Save the Industry with Erik Reynolds 1:08:55

9d ago1:08:55

1:08:55

Mainstream game development is at a crossroads—bloated budgets, safe bets, and sequel fatigue are threatening innovation. But the indie scene might just be the industry’s best hope. In this episode, our guest unpacks how indies are not only surviving but reshaping the gaming landscape. We dig into what makes indie studios uniquely suited to lead th…

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Laughs, Games & Career Turns: Mike Drucker’s Path from SNL, Nintendo to Tonight Show and New Memoir 1:01:45

12d ago1:01:45

1:01:45

In this episode of Game Dev Advice, writer and comedian Mike Drucker shares his journey across the worlds of television, video games, and comedy. Starting as an assistant and researcher at Saturday Night Live, Mike moved into game localization at Nintendo—where he even played basketball with Reggie Fils-Aimé—before joining The Tonight Show Starring…

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Nice Games Jam: "Head in the Clouds"

14d ago

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This week, your Nice Hosts have a new prompt from a new source. Lydia's husband, Ian, draws from a rainy source of inspiration and the Hosts are all-in. We brush up on the water cycle, requisition the equipment, practice our Trans-Atlantic accents, dunk on hot dogs, and puzzle over water-based cloud economies. Big Pharma - Steam Le Ballon Rouge - W…

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Ep 407 - How Game Mechanics Can Transform How We Learn with Micah Greenleaf 56:39

16d ago56:39

56:39

Leveling up in real life takes more than just discipline, passion and trying to level up others, it takes smart design. In this episode, we explore how game design principles can help us, devs and creators, develop practical life skills, reframe personal challenges, and even learn more effectively from that process. To today, we’re going unpack how…

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Ep 407 - How Game Mechanics Can Transform How We Learn with Micah Greenleaf 56:39

16d ago56:39

56:39

Leveling up in real life takes more than just discipline, passion and trying to level up others, it takes smart design. In this episode, we explore how game design principles can help us, devs and creators, develop practical life skills, reframe personal challenges, and even learn more effectively from that process. To today, we’re going unpack how…

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"It's about trust." Save Systems; Keeping Secrets

20d ago

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Your nice hosts talk about saving both your position in a game and saving your secrets from being spread around. Also in this episode: Stephen's birthday is coming up, Lydia's been presenting in webinars for a while, and Mark's got a new game coming soon! Category Quest - ELB Learning Webinar | Let’s Play! Category Quest: ELB Learning’s Newest Game…

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Ep 406 - Building Games and Community with Purpose with Riad Djemili 58:48

23d ago58:48

58:48

Indie devs often wear too many hats, making it hard to give each area, like production, marketing, and community the attention it deserves. But what happens when you're stretched too thin? How does that affect your game, your message, and the trust you've built with players? In today’s discussion, we’ll look at the real-world challenges of running …

1
Ep 406 - Building Games and Community with Purpose with Riad Djemili 58:48

23d ago58:48

58:48

Indie devs often wear too many hats, making it hard to give each area, like production, marketing, and community the attention it deserves. But what happens when you're stretched too thin? How does that affect your game, your message, and the trust you've built with players? In today’s discussion, we’ll look at the real-world challenges of running …

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036 — Pedal to the Metal 13:24

25d ago13:24

13:24

Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rLRNnlzIOQM I connected with Vercel this past week to discuss how I could both optimize and try to control the costs that https://www.starterpacks.net was accumulating. I did walk away with some techniques that I will try on the next site I launch on Vercel where I need to try to maintain a consistent bi…

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"I’m intrigued by big door." Emotional Effects of Music; A New Foe Has Appeared!

28d ago

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Mark rushes through the introduction to talk about his two rush projects, one of which, Blippo+, was announced on Sunday during the PC Gaming Show! You'll hear more about that next week, but until then, Lydia talks about feeling seen in Anime, Stephen laments that his filmmaking class has not only ruined movies for him, but also music, and Dale doe…

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Ep 405 - How to Spot and Support Viral Games with Sam De Boeck 40:34

30d ago40:34

40:34

Many developers dream of going viral, but few understand what it actually takes to get there. While focusing on virality isn’t everything, it can help build momentum. So today, we’re going to talk about how to identify, shape, and publish games with viral potential, all without chasing trends or sacrificing originality, by learning what early signa…

1
Ep 405 - How to Spot and Support Viral Games with Sam De Boeck 40:34

30d ago40:34

40:34

Many developers dream of going viral, but few understand what it actually takes to get there. While focusing on virality isn’t everything, it can help build momentum. So today, we’re going to talk about how to identify, shape, and publish games with viral potential, all without chasing trends or sacrificing originality, by learning what early signa…

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035 — $800 Gorilla in the Room 10:20

1M ago10:20

10:20

Unfortunately I missed my milestone of getting an early release of https://www.skylounge.social deployed during Release Day. But, it wasn’t for a lack of trying. It’s kind of hard to run when it feels like you have a knife in your stomach and you don’t know how to stop the bleeding. I dig into what attempts I made to optimize the NextJS App for htt…

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Video Game History (with Adrian Sandoval)

1M ago

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This week in the club house Adrian Sandoval describes how video games are speed running art history. Your nice hosts have their minds blown many times and Steven discovers he might actually like history!? Stay tuned to find out where the 90 day return policy came from. Little Nemo and the Nightmare Fiends - Team Nemo Chris Totten, co-author of Adri…

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Ep 404 - Redefining the Publishing Landscape with Ben Kvalo 1:05:26

1M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

The publishing model most indie devs face is outdated and often stacked against them. Rigid contracts, hidden expectations, and a lack of real partnership force devs to choose between full independence or giving up too much. But thankfully, a new approach is emerging. In this episode, we explore what a modern publishing model looks like, one that’s…

1
Ep 404 - Redefining the Publishing Landscape with Ben Kvalo 1:05:26

1M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

The publishing model most indie devs face is outdated and often stacked against them. Rigid contracts, hidden expectations, and a lack of real partnership force devs to choose between full independence or giving up too much. But thankfully, a new approach is emerging. In this episode, we explore what a modern publishing model looks like, one that’s…

1
"The things that create the geometry." What Happened With Future Club; Design Surface Area

1M ago

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Your nice hosts all secured a Switch 2 pre-order... from a certain point of view. Then, Stephen examines the body, Mark attempts a vocabulary, and Lydia has recommendations. Chants of Sennaar - Wikipedia Nintendo Switch 2 preorders were a total mess — at first - Jay Peters , The Verge Missed out on a Nintendo Switch 2 pre-order? GameStop and Best B…

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Ep 403 - Winning at PR Without a Big Budget with Shanté Micah & Josh Moody 1:05:02

1M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Many indie studios feel locked out of traditional PR, feeling like you need an agency and big budget just to get noticed. In this episode, we break down how to earn meaningful media coverage with a story worth telling and how to create a system to share it. Learn how a strategic approach to visibility can build credibility, attract players, and dri…

1
Ep 403 - Winning at PR Without a Big Budget with Shanté Micah & Josh Moody 1:05:02

1M ago1:05:02

1:05:02

Many indie studios feel locked out of traditional PR, feeling like you need an agency and big budget just to get noticed. In this episode, we break down how to earn meaningful media coverage with a story worth telling and how to create a system to share it. Learn how a strategic approach to visibility can build credibility, attract players, and dri…

1
Mental Health and Discrimination (with Ashley Phipps)

2M ago

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The clubhouse welcomes Ashley Phipps, producer for the game Clock Out at 2, to discuss the topic of mental health and discrimination. Mental Health and Discrimination Game Design Gaming Narrative Clock Out at 2 Demo - Borderless Studios , Steam What to know about microaggressions - Anna Smith Haghighi , Medical News Today Queerty Gamers - Queerty G…

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034 — Who’s ready to Jam!? 8:34

2M ago8:34

8:34

A quick update on this glorious hump day, just in time before I head out to the Atlanta PHP meetup (https://phpxatl.com). Tomorrow, May 21st at 11:30am EDT I’ll be chatting with Brian Casel (https://briancasel.com) about his recent launch of Instrumental Components (https://instrumental.dev). Join us in the stream and if you have any questions for …

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Ep 402 - Making Sense of Game Marketing Attribution with Matthias Mirlach 1:11:16

2M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

Attribution often feels like a black box for indie devs, but ignoring it can cost you time, money, and momentum. In this episode, we break down what attribution really is, why it matters, and how small teams can start tracking what counts while learning how to avoid misleading metrics, balance data with creative instincts, and make smarter marketin…

1
Ep 402 - Making Sense of Game Marketing Attribution with Matthias Mirlach 1:11:16

2M ago1:11:16

1:11:16

Attribution often feels like a black box for indie devs, but ignoring it can cost you time, money, and momentum. In this episode, we break down what attribution really is, why it matters, and how small teams can start tracking what counts while learning how to avoid misleading metrics, balance data with creative instincts, and make smarter marketin…

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033 — Just Oil the Chair 5:31

2M ago5:31

5:31

I listened to a podcast episode back on January 30, 2025, and there are 3 little words that have been bouncing around in the back of my head ever since whenever I turn on the mic to stream or record, "oil your chair". The podcast episode was from Justin Jackson (https://justinjackson.ca) and Jeremy Enns (https://jeremyenns.com) on their Podcasting …

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"This is an impossible challenge" Friction by Design; Diversity in Scoring

2M ago

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In this episode the club house talks about the games that they have been playing. Mark attempts to define the terms good friction and bad friction, declares his distaste of rouge-likes, and talks about friction in his current projects. Lydia shows us how to make scoring sound way more academic. Civilization VII Age of Mythology Retold Blue Prince 0…

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Ep 401 - How to Turn Jams into Plans and Opportunities with Juliana Brito 53:39

2M ago53:39

53:39

When it comes to game jams, too many projects get shelved before they reach their full potential. In this episode, we’re going to explore how jams and small projects can become launchpads for long-term opportunity with the right support. From mentorship and incubation to funding access and marketing guidance, learn how structured programs are helpi…

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Ep 401 - How to Turn Jams into Plans and Opportunities with Juliana Brito 53:39

2M ago53:39

53:39

When it comes to game jams, too many projects get shelved before they reach their full potential. In this episode, we’re going to explore how jams and small projects can become launchpads for long-term opportunity with the right support. From mentorship and incubation to funding access and marketing guidance, learn how structured programs are helpi…

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032 — Streaming Developments: Breaking ground on skylounge.social 12:53

2M ago12:53

12:53

Some quick updates on the status of https://www.starterpacks.net and announcing the new project that I am working on! Since the last update, the crawlers have been crawling—HEAVILY—accessing the site over 24M 👀 times. Needless to say, my Vercel bill is going to be a little higher this month, but 🤞 it will be worth it. Since the last update where th…

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Video Game IP Law (with Haley MacLeon)

2M ago

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Your nice hosts get a crash course on video game IP law from lawyer and MinnMax cohort, Haley MacLeon. We learn about incorporating, publishing agreements, the difference between a lot of commonly used terms like "copyright", and the joys of contract templates. MinnMax - MinnMax Game Informer Revival - Game Informer Video Game IP Law Marketing Misc…

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Ep 400 - A Practical Guide to Smarter Crowdfunding with Thomas Bidaux 53:12

2M ago53:12

53:12

From trailers to reward tiers, creators often stress over the wrong things when preparing for a Kickstarter launch. So in this episode, our guest challenges common misconceptions and shares hard-earned insights from analyzing numerous campaigns. We’ll cut through the noise and offer practical, proven strategies that anyone would be confident to bac…

1
Ep 400 - A Practical Guide to Smarter Crowdfunding with Thomas Bidaux 53:12

2M ago53:12

53:12

From trailers to reward tiers, creators often stress over the wrong things when preparing for a Kickstarter launch. So in this episode, our guest challenges common misconceptions and shares hard-earned insights from analyzing numerous campaigns. We’ll cut through the noise and offer practical, proven strategies that anyone would be confident to bac…

1
Stuart Maine on 28 Years in Game Development: Starting a Studio, Building Great Teams, Career Advice & Lessons for Aspiring Devs & His New Books 50:23

2M ago50:23

50:23

In this interview, veteran game designer Stuart Maine shares his 28-year journey in the gaming industry, detailing his humble beginnings in a cyber café to becoming a senior designer at Two Desperados, a mobile games company in Serbia. Stuart recounts his early days at Bullfrog and his time at renowned companies like Acclaim and Blitz, working on n…

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"Our sense of epoch." Let's Plays; Responsive Game Design

2M ago

—

A new Nintendo is on the way, and your nice hosts talk about both it and the world it's being born into. It kicks off a longer than usual episode where Lydia just wants a way to experience horror games, Mark has an unpopular opinion, and Stephen thinks players have too much agency already. 0:31:57 Let's Plays Endoparasitic miziziziz itch.io Let’s P…

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031 — Appeasing the SEO Gods 10:19

2M ago10:19

10:19

You can also watch the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/ENFM-pQK5iM A quick update about some recent updates I pushed out on https://www.starterpacks.net. In the last episode, I announced the addition of the Quick Starter Pack Editor to the site. Since then, I have rolled out a few tweaks to make it nicer, like preventing duplicate entries t…

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Ep 399 - What It Really Takes to Launch a Game Studio with Colin McInerney 1:06:15

2M ago1:06:15

1:06:15

A lot of developers dream of starting their own studio, but the reality is far from glamorous. In this episode, we dive deep with our guest to unpack the overlooked, gritty, and often emotional process of building a studio from scratch. From pitching to production pipelines, they're going to share what aspiring founders need to prepare for, emotion…

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Ep 399 - What It Really Takes to Launch a Game Studio with Colin McInerney 1:06:15

2M ago1:06:15

1:06:15

A lot of developers dream of starting their own studio, but the reality is far from glamorous. In this episode, we dive deep with our guest to unpack the overlooked, gritty, and often emotional process of building a studio from scratch. From pitching to production pipelines, they're going to share what aspiring founders need to prepare for, emotion…

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Nice Games Jam: "The Intergalactic Dining Consortium"

3M ago

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Your nice hosts settle their differences in opinions when it comes to food to serve up a fresh game design document in a new Nice Games Jam episode. Prompt Create a game with one of my favorite things, food! It cannot be about/or have mechanics that are cooking. Think: growing food, pairing foods, making an international food court, menu design, us…

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Ep 398 - Why Insurance Matters for Game Devs with Phil Wildman 51:01

3M ago51:01

51:01

The game industry is full of risks, IP disputes, cyberattacks, contract issues, even failed crowdfunding campaigns. And while we never anticipate these things happening to us...sometimes, they surface when we least expect it, inviting all sorts of chaos. So today, we explore how devs can avoid the hassle of the unknown by understanding how insuranc…

1
Ep 398 - Why Insurance Matters for Game Devs with Phil Wildman 51:01

3M ago51:01

51:01

The game industry is full of risks, IP disputes, cyberattacks, contract issues, even failed crowdfunding campaigns. And while we never anticipate these things happening to us...sometimes, they surface when we least expect it, inviting all sorts of chaos. So today, we explore how devs can avoid the hassle of the unknown by understanding how insuranc…

1
030 — New Starter Packs Features 12:14

3M ago12:14

12:14

After a few weeks away I am back with some fresh updates that have been deployed to Starter Packs (https://www.starterpacks.net). The first—and best feature, imho—is the Quick Starter Pack Editor. This feature makes it easy to add people to your existing Bluesky Starter Packs in as little as 3 clicks (maybe more if you want to add them to multiple …

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"You shouldn't pet the wolf." The art of Saying No; Tiny Interactions

3M ago

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Mark is still out sick, so Dale takes his place in the clubhouse and brings a topic! The club makes a prediction that by the time that this episode comes out, Mark will still be sick, and if you are listening on Patreon, that is absolutely true. If you aren't listening on Patreon, you probably should be. The group talks about how often and when to …

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Ep 397 - Debunking Steam Algorithm Myths with Chris Zukowski 43:15

3M ago43:15

43:15

Steam’s algorithm is the engine that powers visibility on the platform, but understanding how it works is often a big mystery. So today, we’re going to bust some of the most common and persistent myths indie developers believe about how the algorithm functions, getting to the bottom of which signals actually matter, so you can stop worrying and foc…

1
Ep 397 - Debunking Steam Algorithm Myths with Chris Zukowski 43:15

3M ago43:15

43:15

Steam’s algorithm is the engine that powers visibility on the platform, but understanding how it works is often a big mystery. So today, we’re going to bust some of the most common and persistent myths indie developers believe about how the algorithm functions, getting to the bottom of which signals actually matter, so you can stop worrying and foc…

1
Nice Games Jam: "Time Traveler Estate Sale"

3M ago

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Roles reverse as Dale joins Stephen and Lydia for a Nice Game Jam prompted by Mark. The results are an antiques-fueled jaunt through time, and an unexpected win for Stephen. Costcodle - Zak Kermitz , Costcodle Timeline Inventions - Zygomatic , Zygomatic Hypodermic Needles - Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine , Maximum Fun Prompt "Come u…

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Ep 396 - The Power of Player-Centric Marketing with Greg Posner 52:09

3M ago52:09

52:09

Traditional marketing methods often struggle to cut through the noise, leaving indie developers searching for better ways to reach their audience. But what if the key isn’t just better tactics or bigger budgets, but a deeper understanding of players themselves? In this episode, we dive into how player-centric design principles can transform marketi…