| Ep. #057

Chris Zukowski, an indie game marketing master, and I talk about why small games matter, why friend slop is a good thing, and so much more. ► Get 50% Full Time Game Dev for Black Friday: https://fulltimegamedev.mykajabi.com/full-time-game-dev-sale ► Read Chris's article: https://howtomarketagame.com/2025/11/04/the-optimistic-case-that-indie-games-are-in-a-golden-age-right-now/ 00:00:00 - Introduction: The Golden Age of Indie Games? 00:01:32 - Black Friday Deal: 50% Off Full Time Game Dev Course 00:02:48 - Reacting to the Optimistic Indie Outlook 00:04:10 - Defining the Golden Age: Small, Viral Games 00:07:48 - The Toll of Long Development Cycles and Burnout 00:12:25 - Emerging Genres: Friend Slop, Idle, Horror, and More 00:17:41 - Are These Games Addictive Snacks or Meaningful Fun? 00:21:25 - Genre Maturity: New vs. Established Markets 00:25:57 - Reviving Dead Genres and Calculated Risks 00:30:49 - Why Easy-to-Make Games Are Profitable Now 00:34:50 - Roblox's Role in Shaping New Gamers 00:39:55 - Advice for Story-Driven Developers: Pivot or Adapt? 00:45:37 - Streaming's Influence on Virality and Trends 00:49:02 - Sustainable Success vs. Shooting for the Moon 00:54:50 - The Toxicity of Suffering for Art 00:59:15 - Finding Joy in Quick Games vs. Big Projects 01:06:06 - Balancing Grind and Happiness in Game Dev 01:08:58 - Debating If Suffering Is Necessary for Art 01:13:18 - Wrapping Up: Prioritize Fun in Game Development 01:13:52 - Final Reminder: Enroll in Full Time Game Dev