If you're JUST starting out the best tip is: mess around, figure out your engine and the flow of creating, make small and fast projects to practice and DON'T RUSH IT. Games take a whole bunch of time to make and you have to build up your capacity before you can make a big and successful project
Unironically very reassuring to scroll down and read this as the very first comment. Every day at work I'm anxious thinking about making progress on my project, every night I'm exhausted and try to take pride in any tiny increment of progress I make.
I'm definitely your target demographic - and I've been taking notes and rewatching most of these videos. So thank you very much! I've been thinking a lot about your comments around devlogs and seriously rethinking my UA-cam strategy.
I'm re-desinging how I make my next game BECAUSE of your advice. Prioritizing appeal, designing for multipliers, and creating for retention/boosting really created a thought provoking reassessment on how to approach game dev - something that hasn't been talked about to the level of clarity that you present. Thank you for your videos!
I think hearing advice from people who went through this mostly alone and actually got somewhere is quite rare and useful. There are so many devs who are youtubers first and make games second that it's a breath of fresh air. I am so bored of getting game development tips from videos like "I made this thing in 3 days" and then it's just a clickbaity youtube algorithm pleaser or ego trip.
Youre a real one for this - it feels like one of those self improvement channels a few years ago, before it became super edited and mainstream, but just for gamedev. I love it
Gavin, I’m your target audience and I have watched all your videos. Your youth (I’m 42) and wealth of knowledge about the industry / marketing / what is successful, at your age is staggering. I have been in the industry for over a decade and your videos are educational and amazing. Please keep making them!
I really appreciate your videos. I tried being an indie in my 20s and failed, and have been working AAA day-jobs for a decade, and now I'm trying to get back at it, and videos like yours are providing a lot of insight that I think will help a ton. I too have been thinking and researching all this stuff for years and I'm happy to hear your fresh no bs takes on things! Thanks!
I've been making games for 40 years. This video right here has actually made me; 1. Comment (which I rarely do on videos that aren't about me or games I've made), 2. Happy that I've subscribed to your channel. 3. Happy that there are members of the next generation of game developers who have their heads on straight. I find a lot of the channels where people talk and talk "entertainment", but not in the way I think they want. It's entertaining (some times), because the things they're saying just aren't true or come from a really shallow understanding of the business, or they're just regurgitating the same wikipedia notes that everyone else does (if I have to watch one more vid about people talking about the "invisible tutorial of Super Mario 1-1", I'm going to barf). So, in summary, I'm glad you made this video. You've got a sub in me and I'm looking forward to what you have to say in the future.
It’s actually so refreshing seeing someone be so brutally honest on here. The content might not be for me yet but god it’s nice listening to something that’s so real, feels like a relict of the old internet days
I absolutely love and appreciate your videos! It would be amazing to see a video or series where you take a break from the hardcore topics and do something more casual, like scrolling through or playing random games on Steam while sharing your thoughts. It could also give real examples of all the topics we’ve been discussing.
I love these videos and this channel. Personally I find these videos incredibly entertaining, not because I know a lot about game development and I can apply these tips that you talk about, but because it feels very real. This channel just has that feeling where you talk about what you want to talk about, and sharing what you learned with people who might not be in the position you are. I do pursue art, so I am more than aware of the hurdles that any kind of art comes with. To me making games and consuming games is another kind of art so I would say the same rules and groundwork apply (very debatable). I never really thought about the marketing side of games much if at all and these videos are really interesting to listen to even though I might not (or might not be able to) apply them. Your videos are great man you dont need fancy video editing to make good stuff
I have been looking for this content for so long. Non-echo chamber, intermediate to advanced level advice form a successful dev. I’m hungry for this, thanks so much for doing this.
Gotta say, as someone who's been making indie games for ~25 years now, this channel has been very helpful. I've always just put out my games online for free, and have wanted to transition into potentially selling them for a while now, so the insight from this channel has been huge.
Hey, thanks for creating this channel and sharing all this information. It really is one of the most helpful channels for me to understand the game dev industry a lot better
Listening to a person of candor is in fact, entertaining. The uncut style is also refreshing. Creating this talking/teaching outlet for mental health & well-being while helping to elevate a very small, focused demographic to reach as far as sharing in each other's success down the line vis-a-vis investing and strategy is pretty awesome. I'm here for it! Cheers in some years!
I'm just starting out but I think hearing from experienced and successful individuals in the field is always good. I think I've already found a few topics that were applicable also for me. Thanks for putting in the time and effort, even if you say you're not putting in any effort hahaha Cheers
Really like everything you are saying for this channel, as old game devs, we really value insightful and interesting information regardless if its dry / unentertaining.
Man just wants to hang out with better game devs and is tired of pretending he doesn't. Thank you for your videos, I greatly appreciate them. I'm still making my first game but I'm trying to make it the best way possible, so these videos do give me a much better perspective towards it.
By the way, i must be crazy, because when you release videos on this channel, they really entertain me, I even watch multiple times as I am working on my game hehe, so maybe it is entertainment for some weirdos :P
And not only that, it is so inspiring to hear all those things because, I don't wanna discredit you, but it feel a lot like common sense, which when we hear what you have to say, we think to ourselves: "Oh, I suspected that" but we discarded all those things previously probably because of the echo chamber, and bringing those thoughts again with a deeper overview about the nuances makes us so pumped to keep working... Again, it is not like what you are saying is obvious, specially because you dug so much and analysed so much, but the perspective that you bring us is way more palpable and concrete than whatever we hear online, I was really wrong about a few things, even ended up putting quality on my games/videos aside because of a garbage way of thinking, and now I feel like I snapped out of it, and here I'll leave my sincere message, if I succeed I'll buy you way more than a beer if you allow me, I won't be successful on the game that I am working right now because the genesis of it was already wrong. But the next one...
been working on my game Unparalleled: Zero for about 10 yrs as a hobby project. now I'm finally trying to release it commercially on Steam. your videos are very helpful. thank you Mr. Charles.
Helping people because it's good for your mental health sounds like a great reason to make these videos. And you're right, the people hungry enough to watch them will stick around no matter what you sound like. I'll let you know when my games part me enough to buy you that beer 👍
Bro I've been following you since Choo Choo Charles and was hoping you would make a channel like this. I really appreciate it because you're literally the only real deal out there
Its good having someone else to talk to about this (even though I'm only listening) This is my first game and I have no idea what I'm doing so you second guess every decision
Still a bit of a newbie to be in your target demo, but loving the videos! They are so fascinating & are great for motivating me to keep learning! Hoping to keep revisiting them as I learn more! Thanks for sharing your experience & the things you have learned!
Personally I love that there isn't all the glitz and glam, all the distracting "Look at me" stuff. I actually put these on in the background while I program. With that said, I would personally like to know more about good call to actions! I disagree when people talk about making traction before you have a spot to convert it, such as making dev logs before you have a wishlist set up. What are some other good ways to convert visibility into lasting activity? I am at the very start of my next project and want to start setting up for when I can maximize retention and conversion.
I am so glad I've stumbled across your channel, especially now, after watching this video. I work as a game programmer for more than a decade, and if there is anything I hate with passion it is youtubers making game dev tutorials, with zero successful games under their belt, or zero actual industry knowledge. In any case, thanks for doing this. Great stuff so far! (unlike "Make GTA7 in 25 minutes using Unreal Engine and earn billions")
Im enjoying all of these video tremendously. A true cache of great info, thank you! Definitely dont need entertainment im trying to learn! Also a hormozi fan!
Saw your previous video and found It quite useful and right down to the point of the subject Itself. Brand new Guy in game dev here for I wanna get to know how publishing is well done 👍🏻
I like how you described me perfectly and my general feelings with other gamedev channels. I sold a few thousand copies and made decent money, I'm just not Full-time. I love your channel and you on Thomas Brush podcast. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this channel!
Thanks for doing this Gavin! I was kind of on the same page as you. I just got into the industry officially and I could tell that what the masses are thinking about strategy clearly isn't working. I was going to go with my gut and my experience as a sales person to make something that I know I can sell to people, it feels good that there is some sort of science behind a lot of it.
Thank you for this channel. I'm stuck at $1XX,XXX with my first game basically following the conventional wisdom. I look forward to implementing some of your advice in the next game and maybe owing you a beer :)
Pajamas: check Wooden boards screwed into the door to prevent potential zombie attacks: check Sneakers: check, on the floor so the zombies will trip if they get past the door Alright, let’s make this high level game marketing strategy video
not gonna lie, I thought there was a course on the way LOL I honestly appreciate either you as a dev and that you're taking time to bring these contents, pure gold mate. Best wishes!
lol couple of grand off a game. Ive been making games since 1994 and all of them plus all of the apps ive made, lets say 300+, all of that revenue added together doesnt even amount to more than 1000us. Sounds like the right channel for me!! thanks dude.
I could listen to this stuff all day. I know everyone and their dog has a podcast but if you were to start a development focused podcast yourself i would watch that literally every day. I think this channel is a nice balance and even compliments your main channel by being raw, unedited and "niche".
Also you should consider doing 1 on 1 consultations. That could be really beneficial for people like me, ive got a pretty solid game prototype and am a bit stuck because im scared that the direction of the game is changing too much or that its even good in the first place
That one video where you explained what entertainment is, I was like finally someone talking sense! I have a formula that is a little more nuanced but I’ll share it with you once I prove it ;)
Oh hey, hi, I'm your target audience :D Your videos are honestly a breath of fresh air and (maybe surprisingly) a gust of.. optimism? Reassurance? So far I haven't come across anything in them that would be contradictory/illogical, and it actually loops back to what I picked up from Lion Shield games (made Kingdoms & Castles) - "marketing starts before the development; if you want your game to sell - make a game that's easy to market". All the best, when I make it - beer's on me.
Oh yeah i am your target audience :D Made 40 mobile apps. Around 150 k in revenue with over 2 million installs. (freemium) Since most of them where shoots in the dark testing what sticks. Currently working on a potential big thing on the side, your advice is so valueable. Absorbing all your videos from this channel! Thank you keep them coming.
Where was this two years ago!? Haha I learned the hard way. Don’t pour years into a game if you can’t guarantee an audience for it. I created a whole new approach for myself as well, fake a game demo/trailer, put in as little work as possible, and then try your hardest to get that seen. If it just isn’t working out, put it on the back shelf and try again. My second game (first big game) is so cool but it’s only multiplayer and since no one knows about it no one can ever play it fully. I have a basic explore mode but it needs an ai and a tutorial mode. It really could be something. And then that leads me to this demo that I’ve already been working too much on for a game inspired by goof troop for SNES. I saw that people loved the classic as much as I did and it could have an audience.
My "dream" is somewhat similar to what you are achieving, I want to have enough money saved to be able to make games without the money pressure/deadlines and I want to invest in other indie developers that are passion oriented
Honestly, I am loving these vids from you. It is always great to hear honest thoughts from someone who has proven success without also trying to grift me on some course etc. I appreciate what you are doing, and love listening to these while I work. The information is good enough to carry the entertainment man, keep doing what you are doing. I do wonder though wtf are you locking out of your room. I see like 5 locks, 3 boards, and a chain. Did you someone bring choochoo Charles to life and he hunts you or what? :)
Complete W take. I am so tired of listening to devloggers who have made one small game talk about how to be successful like they are Johnathan Blow or something.
I'm working on my first project that will hopefully come out so I would say I'm a new dev, I however enjoy the curtain being pulled back. I've been around the games industry for many years and I love knowing all I can about it. These videos are also great to put on in the background while working on my game or at my "9-5". To be honest, 20 minutes for a thumbnail is to much imo as I think most people here click for video. You could have a panda as your thumbnail and it would probably do just as well. Either way, loving the channel and keep up the good work. For the little guys like me, it's good to see behind the curtain. Ramble away.
No need to explain, just make videos. You're cool, you have a lot of experience, and we need it. If you want to monetize, you have the right to do so. Just Do It!
You know what I'd pay for? And I'm not even a game developer (right now). Hard data. Not just "this video added this many wishlists" even if those are also valuable to a degree. I'd want to hear specific examples of how many weeks someone spent implementing a physics engine before scrapping it and spending another few weeks implementing a 3rd party one. I want to hear how many iterations of testing and refining went into some game mechanic. I want to hear how many seemingly good ideas got scrapped for time constraints, budget, or because they didn't work as well as they seemed on paper. I want to see a spreadsheet of how many thousand hours went into art, textures, models, animation, art pipeline development, custom tooling, build system, bug fixing, level design, etc. I'd like to see budget breakdowns, how much went to taxes, etc, all from different real world projects from smallest indie games to moderately large studios. (Don't care about AAA and AAAA personally.)
I actually feel like this vids are really entertaining, idk why but, to me, it would be worst if you spend more time editing. Also, I think I've gotten good enough to apply this strategies, hope I can get an idea for a game to prove it to myself, I'm not getting any but if I keep trying I know I'll find my "Spider train" lol Thanks for the video Gavin!
To be honest I love this format. No youtuber bs, just straight forward information.
100% Agree
Cant believe the algorithms somehow actually recommended me something this niche and that specific to me.
I'm happy to be among the small portion of people to whom this can be useful.
If you're JUST starting out the best tip is: mess around, figure out your engine and the flow of creating, make small and fast projects to practice and DON'T RUSH IT. Games take a whole bunch of time to make and you have to build up your capacity before you can make a big and successful project
Talk with other devs. Find out what you didn't know you don't know.
Unironically very reassuring to scroll down and read this as the very first comment. Every day at work I'm anxious thinking about making progress on my project, every night I'm exhausted and try to take pride in any tiny increment of progress I make.
this channel will go down as one of the hidden gems of gamedev, go gavin!
Love your games!
I'm definitely your target demographic - and I've been taking notes and rewatching most of these videos. So thank you very much!
I've been thinking a lot about your comments around devlogs and seriously rethinking my UA-cam strategy.
“This is not entertaining and I’m just going to ramble”
Dude, this is music to my ears.
I'm re-desinging how I make my next game BECAUSE of your advice. Prioritizing appeal, designing for multipliers, and creating for retention/boosting really created a thought provoking reassessment on how to approach game dev - something that hasn't been talked about to the level of clarity that you present. Thank you for your videos!
Veteran game developer here (ex AAA, now indie). This channel offers a great perspective. Keep it up!
Honestly I find these videos super entertaining.. at the very least thank You for doing this.. please don't stop 😁
I think hearing advice from people who went through this mostly alone and actually got somewhere is quite rare and useful. There are so many devs who are youtubers first and make games second that it's a breath of fresh air. I am so bored of getting game development tips from videos like "I made this thing in 3 days" and then it's just a clickbaity youtube algorithm pleaser or ego trip.
Youre a real one for this - it feels like one of those self improvement channels a few years ago, before it became super edited and mainstream, but just for gamedev. I love it
Gavin, I’m your target audience and I have watched all your videos. Your youth (I’m 42) and wealth of knowledge about the industry / marketing / what is successful, at your age is staggering. I have been in the industry for over a decade and your videos are educational and amazing. Please keep making them!
I really appreciate your videos. I tried being an indie in my 20s and failed, and have been working AAA day-jobs for a decade, and now I'm trying to get back at it, and videos like yours are providing a lot of insight that I think will help a ton. I too have been thinking and researching all this stuff for years and I'm happy to hear your fresh no bs takes on things! Thanks!
Thanks so much for doing this, Gavin! This channel may be niche, but it could be life-changing for those it applies to. You're the GOAT! 🔥
I've been making games for 40 years. This video right here has actually made me;
1. Comment (which I rarely do on videos that aren't about me or games I've made),
2. Happy that I've subscribed to your channel.
3. Happy that there are members of the next generation of game developers who have their heads on straight.
I find a lot of the channels where people talk and talk "entertainment", but not in the way I think they want. It's entertaining (some times), because the things they're saying just aren't true or come from a really shallow understanding of the business, or they're just regurgitating the same wikipedia notes that everyone else does (if I have to watch one more vid about people talking about the "invisible tutorial of Super Mario 1-1", I'm going to barf).
So, in summary, I'm glad you made this video. You've got a sub in me and I'm looking forward to what you have to say in the future.
Guys living in the zombie apocalypse (see the door)
Here 2 mins after upload... Been refreshing UA-cam all day for the next video. Great stuff, keep it coming!
It’s actually so refreshing seeing someone be so brutally honest on here. The content might not be for me yet but god it’s nice listening to something that’s so real, feels like a relict of the old internet days
I absolutely love and appreciate your videos!
It would be amazing to see a video or series where you take a break from the hardcore topics and do something more casual, like scrolling through or playing random games on Steam while sharing your thoughts. It could also give real examples of all the topics we’ve been discussing.
love these fucking videos, been binge watching them, what a breath of fresh air
I love these videos and this channel. Personally I find these videos incredibly entertaining, not because I know a lot about game development and I can apply these tips that you talk about, but because it feels very real. This channel just has that feeling where you talk about what you want to talk about, and sharing what you learned with people who might not be in the position you are. I do pursue art, so I am more than aware of the hurdles that any kind of art comes with. To me making games and consuming games is another kind of art so I would say the same rules and groundwork apply (very debatable). I never really thought about the marketing side of games much if at all and these videos are really interesting to listen to even though I might not (or might not be able to) apply them.
Your videos are great man you dont need fancy video editing to make good stuff
I think your advices are applicable for me, you're helping me a lot! Thank you for uploading these videos
I have been looking for this content for so long. Non-echo chamber, intermediate to advanced level advice form a successful dev. I’m hungry for this, thanks so much for doing this.
this is a noble cause my dude
Gotta say, as someone who's been making indie games for ~25 years now, this channel has been very helpful. I've always just put out my games online for free, and have wanted to transition into potentially selling them for a while now, so the insight from this channel has been huge.
Hey, thanks for creating this channel and sharing all this information. It really is one of the most helpful channels for me to understand the game dev industry a lot better
Thank you that you made this channel your a real one
This channel is for me, thank you sir.
I really like these vids, keep them up, ive watched all and will continue watching them :)
Listening to a person of candor is in fact, entertaining. The uncut style is also refreshing. Creating this talking/teaching outlet for mental health & well-being while helping to elevate a very small, focused demographic to reach as far as sharing in each other's success down the line vis-a-vis investing and strategy is pretty awesome. I'm here for it! Cheers in some years!
I feel like I've found a hidden gem
i dont even gamedev but i enjoyed the rambling, authentic unfiltered and minimal editing. nice
I'm just starting out but I think hearing from experienced and successful individuals in the field is always good. I think I've already found a few topics that were applicable also for me.
Thanks for putting in the time and effort, even if you say you're not putting in any effort hahaha
Cheers
The set dressing and immovable shoes make me feel like I have entered an ARG here.
I love the unfiltered content! we definitely need more 'real' creators. Thanks for making this channel
I for one am grateful to you for speaking about this.
Really like everything you are saying for this channel, as old game devs, we really value insightful and interesting information regardless if its dry / unentertaining.
Man just wants to hang out with better game devs and is tired of pretending he doesn't. Thank you for your videos, I greatly appreciate them. I'm still making my first game but I'm trying to make it the best way possible, so these videos do give me a much better perspective towards it.
By the way, i must be crazy, because when you release videos on this channel, they really entertain me, I even watch multiple times as I am working on my game hehe, so maybe it is entertainment for some weirdos :P
And not only that, it is so inspiring to hear all those things because, I don't wanna discredit you, but it feel a lot like common sense, which when we hear what you have to say, we think to ourselves: "Oh, I suspected that" but we discarded all those things previously probably because of the echo chamber, and bringing those thoughts again with a deeper overview about the nuances makes us so pumped to keep working...
Again, it is not like what you are saying is obvious, specially because you dug so much and analysed so much, but the perspective that you bring us is way more palpable and concrete than whatever we hear online, I was really wrong about a few things, even ended up putting quality on my games/videos aside because of a garbage way of thinking, and now I feel like I snapped out of it, and here I'll leave my sincere message, if I succeed I'll buy you way more than a beer if you allow me, I won't be successful on the game that I am working right now because the genesis of it was already wrong.
But the next one...
The fact this video reached me is a blessing
been working on my game Unparalleled: Zero for about 10 yrs as a hobby project. now I'm finally trying to release it commercially on Steam. your videos are very helpful. thank you Mr. Charles.
Helping people because it's good for your mental health sounds like a great reason to make these videos. And you're right, the people hungry enough to watch them will stick around no matter what you sound like. I'll let you know when my games part me enough to buy you that beer 👍
Bro I've been following you since Choo Choo Charles and was hoping you would make a channel like this. I really appreciate it because you're literally the only real deal out there
Raw Two Star Games is all I'm here for
Its good having someone else to talk to about this (even though I'm only listening)
This is my first game and I have no idea what I'm doing so you second guess every decision
Hope to owe you a beer in the next few years...
Still a bit of a newbie to be in your target demo, but loving the videos! They are so fascinating & are great for motivating me to keep learning! Hoping to keep revisiting them as I learn more!
Thanks for sharing your experience & the things you have learned!
No bs, to the point, great content!
What’s your opinion on Chris Zukowski? Is he right?
This is actually very clever move, imho. I’m definitely within your target audience. Glad you are making this possible.
Personally I love that there isn't all the glitz and glam, all the distracting "Look at me" stuff. I actually put these on in the background while I program.
With that said, I would personally like to know more about good call to actions! I disagree when people talk about making traction before you have a spot to convert it, such as making dev logs before you have a wishlist set up. What are some other good ways to convert visibility into lasting activity? I am at the very start of my next project and want to start setting up for when I can maximize retention and conversion.
Hearing advice for people who are better than me makes me want to be better. This won't be applicable to me for a while, but it gives me goals
i spent 3 hours trying to find this channel cuz I saw it recommended and didn't watch at the time and then couldn't guess the name
I am so glad I've stumbled across your channel, especially now, after watching this video.
I work as a game programmer for more than a decade, and if there is anything I hate with passion it is youtubers making game dev tutorials, with zero successful games under their belt, or zero actual industry knowledge.
In any case, thanks for doing this. Great stuff so far! (unlike "Make GTA7 in 25 minutes using Unreal Engine and earn billions")
Tough but honest isn't as common it should be in the 2020s internet. Subscribed.
Doing great....really helping.
Im enjoying all of these video tremendously. A true cache of great info, thank you! Definitely dont need entertainment im trying to learn! Also a hormozi fan!
I agree with 80% of what you say, it helps me not feel crazy ... Most devs have different mindsets
Saw your previous video and found It quite useful and right down to the point of the subject Itself. Brand new Guy in game dev here for I wanna get to know how publishing is well done 👍🏻
I like how you described me perfectly and my general feelings with other gamedev channels. I sold a few thousand copies and made decent money, I'm just not Full-time. I love your channel and you on Thomas Brush podcast. I will definitely be keeping an eye on this channel!
Thanks for doing this Gavin! I was kind of on the same page as you. I just got into the industry officially and I could tell that what the masses are thinking about strategy clearly isn't working. I was going to go with my gut and my experience as a sales person to make something that I know I can sell to people, it feels good that there is some sort of science behind a lot of it.
Loving the the outros so far; "That's it".
Thank you for this channel. I'm stuck at $1XX,XXX with my first game basically following the conventional wisdom. I look forward to implementing some of your advice in the next game and maybe owing you a beer :)
Yo I love how this channel is real no bull shit gamedev advice. I think the channel is a good for everyone, perhaps even through networking? 🤑💸
Pajamas: check
Wooden boards screwed into the door to prevent potential zombie attacks: check
Sneakers: check, on the floor so the zombies will trip if they get past the door
Alright, let’s make this high level game marketing strategy video
not gonna lie, I thought there was a course on the way LOL I honestly appreciate either you as a dev and that you're taking time to bring these contents, pure gold mate. Best wishes!
I love watching you man, you are giving gold information I wish I can meet you in real life it's going to be happiness for me to meet a genius ❤
lol couple of grand off a game. Ive been making games since 1994 and all of them plus all of the apps ive made, lets say 300+, all of that revenue added together doesnt even amount to more than 1000us. Sounds like the right channel for me!! thanks dude.
I could listen to this stuff all day.
I know everyone and their dog has a podcast but if you were to start a development focused podcast yourself i would watch that literally every day. I think this channel is a nice balance and even compliments your main channel by being raw, unedited and "niche".
Also you should consider doing 1 on 1 consultations. That could be really beneficial for people like me, ive got a pretty solid game prototype and am a bit stuck because im scared that the direction of the game is changing too much or that its even good in the first place
That one video where you explained what entertainment is, I was like finally someone talking sense! I have a formula that is a little more nuanced but I’ll share it with you once I prove it ;)
Oh hey, hi, I'm your target audience :D
Your videos are honestly a breath of fresh air and (maybe surprisingly) a gust of.. optimism? Reassurance? So far I haven't come across anything in them that would be contradictory/illogical, and it actually loops back to what I picked up from Lion Shield games (made Kingdoms & Castles) - "marketing starts before the development; if you want your game to sell - make a game that's easy to market".
All the best, when I make it - beer's on me.
Oh yeah i am your target audience :D Made 40 mobile apps. Around 150 k in revenue with over 2 million installs. (freemium) Since most of them where shoots in the dark testing what sticks. Currently working on a potential big thing on the side, your advice is so valueable. Absorbing all your videos from this channel! Thank you keep them coming.
Where was this two years ago!? Haha I learned the hard way. Don’t pour years into a game if you can’t guarantee an audience for it. I created a whole new approach for myself as well, fake a game demo/trailer, put in as little work as possible, and then try your hardest to get that seen. If it just isn’t working out, put it on the back shelf and try again. My second game (first big game) is so cool but it’s only multiplayer and since no one knows about it no one can ever play it fully. I have a basic explore mode but it needs an ai and a tutorial mode. It really could be something. And then that leads me to this demo that I’ve already been working too much on for a game inspired by goof troop for SNES. I saw that people loved the classic as much as I did and it could have an audience.
Would love some consultation on my game Twilight Explorers. Just 'starting' the main phase of development, and need to update my Steam page lol.
1:58 Instant subscribe for this point right here
My "dream" is somewhat similar to what you are achieving, I want to have enough money saved to be able to make games without the money pressure/deadlines and I want to invest in other indie developers that are passion oriented
Here's me hoping to one day call you up and ask for money :) haha. Thanks for doing these videos!
Honestly, I am loving these vids from you. It is always great to hear honest thoughts from someone who has proven success without also trying to grift me on some course etc. I appreciate what you are doing, and love listening to these while I work. The information is good enough to carry the entertainment man, keep doing what you are doing. I do wonder though wtf are you locking out of your room. I see like 5 locks, 3 boards, and a chain. Did you someone bring choochoo Charles to life and he hunts you or what? :)
LMAO. real. just passed 3kUSD app revenue, love your channel man.
I believe you.
Its cus you love us 💖😙
I cant wait to buy you a beer. You might have to come to South Africa though..
Looking forward to listen.
Complete W take. I am so tired of listening to devloggers who have made one small game talk about how to be successful like they are Johnathan Blow or something.
Damn, often I make up conversations in my head with the people at work where I sound like you in this video
I would love to listen to a podcast from you, could be a cool idea, think about it, you have a interesting way of talking!
I'll probably owe you a beer one day. You have inspired me.
I'm working on my first project that will hopefully come out so I would say I'm a new dev, I however enjoy the curtain being pulled back. I've been around the games industry for many years and I love knowing all I can about it.
These videos are also great to put on in the background while working on my game or at my "9-5". To be honest, 20 minutes for a thumbnail is to much imo as I think most people here click for video. You could have a panda as your thumbnail and it would probably do just as well.
Either way, loving the channel and keep up the good work. For the little guys like me, it's good to see behind the curtain. Ramble away.
the door! wood looks like its just tacked on but the the locks look functional. dude is hiding from Sasquatch
This popped up in my recommended, and I will gladly sit and watch these "boring" rambling videos to learn
No need to explain, just make videos. You're cool, you have a lot of experience, and we need it. If you want to monetize, you have the right to do so. Just Do It!
You know what I'd pay for? And I'm not even a game developer (right now). Hard data.
Not just "this video added this many wishlists" even if those are also valuable to a degree.
I'd want to hear specific examples of how many weeks someone spent implementing a physics engine before scrapping it and spending another few weeks implementing a 3rd party one. I want to hear how many iterations of testing and refining went into some game mechanic. I want to hear how many seemingly good ideas got scrapped for time constraints, budget, or because they didn't work as well as they seemed on paper.
I want to see a spreadsheet of how many thousand hours went into art, textures, models, animation, art pipeline development, custom tooling, build system, bug fixing, level design, etc. I'd like to see budget breakdowns, how much went to taxes, etc, all from different real world projects from smallest indie games to moderately large studios. (Don't care about AAA and AAAA personally.)
Anyway, good channel, uncomfortable truths and difficult decisions videos are right up my alley.
Thank you for being my sensei
your rambles are very entertaining trust
This channel is not for money but it's if you are a game dev and you are interested in this and you need help
What is an "objectivly decent game"? How to find out if a game is good, when it is not selling...?
Great videos. Just wounder about the door? So many locks…
Let's see what you got :)
I actually feel like this vids are really entertaining, idk why but, to me, it would be worst if you spend more time editing.
Also, I think I've gotten good enough to apply this strategies, hope I can get an idea for a game to prove it to myself, I'm not getting any but if I keep trying I know I'll find my "Spider train" lol
Thanks for the video Gavin!