[Ep537] The Silksong Effect

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 [email protected], 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 [email protected], 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 [email protected], 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 535 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dive into the complexities and pitfalls of live service games, highlighting recent industry trends and discussing how giant corporations handle their gaming acquisitions. They also reveal their next exciting indie project, 'How Many Dudes?', and share insights on open development and community engagementSupport 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 Welcome00:53 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)01:39 Naming the New Service: Ludo Kit06:04 Video Podcast Transition09:55 How Many Dudes: Game Development Insights11:46 Success on GX.games and Future Plans18:39 Soft Announcement: How Many Dudes as Next Game25:13 Sony's Live Service Games (Listener Question)30:29 Challenges in AAA Game Development34:27 The Roblox Generation37:01 Indie Games vs. Big Studios43:15 The Complexity of Live Service Games49:07 The Role of Beta Testing (Listener Question)56:21 Open Development and Community Engagement01:00:43 Conclusion To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], 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 534 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss their internal project management tool, Blork, and the complexities of making it scalable for public use. They dive into the challenges of work dependency trees, the potential of Blork as a software service, and their current efforts on the Butterscotch Game Service. The episode also touches on the role of their podcast in connecting with fans, analytics, and potential growth strategies, without losing sight of what makes it a fun and grounding part of their week.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 Welcome00:34 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)00:53 Project Management System (Listener Question)02:11 Challenges with Blork's Scalability05:07 Current State and Future Plans for Blork11:42 Game Services and Administrative Tools19:12 User Management and Security Concerns22:30 Future Plans for BGS and Blork23:23 Podcast Statistics and Listener Engagement (Listener Question)25:50 Challenges in Podcast Analytics32:31 Potential Growth Strategies for the Podcast41:54 Concluding 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 [email protected], 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 ★

This week, we talk about game jams, brands, and networking. Work the room, shake hands, and collect stories. The most valuable connections are the genuine ones — people who share your context and get what you’re doing. The open doors are a bonus.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/id152819933100:25 Intro01:27 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)01:47 GameMakers Toolkit Jam09:45 Kevin: What are your thoughts on the concept of auteurs in game developmentThings Mentioned:  How Many Dudes? (https://bscotch.itch.io/how-many-dudes)To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], 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 this episode, we discuss alignment, process shifts, and the power of a good hook. A good idea alone isn’t enough to stop the scroll, but an absurd twist on the familiar might do the trick! How do you turn a question like “how many dudes does it take to fight a gorilla?” into an irresistible design foundation?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/id152819933100:29 Intro00:46 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)03:24 Team environment10:44 GameMakers Toolkit Jam34:27 How Many Dudes? (https://bscotch.itch.io/how-many-dudes)To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], 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 ★

This week, we talk about webcams, worldbuilding, and wrist savers. When your camera starts following you around and your keyboard looks like a boomerang, you know you’ve crossed into true ergonomics. Every set up tells a story, mostly about pain, preference, and the art of getting things done!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/id152819933100:29 Intro00:47 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)01:14 Gimbal cam15:53 Coobra Nookrag: How much of Crashlands 2 lore was storyboarded/built upon the snippets that were established in Levelhead?23:24 Jumpylumpa Leapylow: What about mice? Favorite functions, shapes, styles? Back on keyboards, have you ever thought about designing your own?To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], 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 this episode, we discuss talks, toys, and templates. A checklist may look like busywork, but a well aimed set of questions is often the only thing standing between smooth handoffs and a never ending game of creative telephone. Sometimes slowing down is how you skip the detours.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/id152819933100:27 Intro00:50 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)03:13 GDC Talks22:10 Studio News58:02 Belkmaster5000: I want to play the 20 question art game mentioned in episode 475. Will you please share them? The 20 questions to guide them allTo 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 [email protected], 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 ★

This week, we talk about decades, board games, and labor capture. First they said AI would save you time. Now it just bills you for every second it spends doing your job worse than you could. Ah yes, classic late stage capitalism.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/id152819933100:19 Intro00:40 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)00:56 Crashlands 2 Update 1.301:45 AI space31:14 Jumpylumpa Leapylow: what are you most thankful for?41:40 WhileifAndorelse: Was there an intentional design decision behind epic level creatures in Crashlands having blood shot eyes?48:36 Challosis: Have you ever made a physical game?To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], 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 ★