DDP#15 - What Is the Games Industry

GameStop and the Death of Physical Games

In the 20th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we introduce the basics of game design. We start by defining game design and the importance of starting with a solid idea. Whether you're developing as a hobby or for sale, we cover the importance of market research and making your game unique. From genre and world-building to mechanics and narrative, we discuss the key elements that set your game apart. Finally, we highlight the importance of planning and testing to ensure your game’s success, regardless of its scale.

In the 19th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we discuss the controversies surrounding AI and its potential to harm creatives & its ethical implications. We also discuss how smaller indie teams can leverage AI responsibly to streamline their workflows and bring their ideas to life without compromising their artistic integrity.

In the 18th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, Jason from Gentleman Rat Studio the creators behind Critter Cove join us and share their experience as an indie dev working on their upcoming cozy game Critter Cove.

In the 17th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we take a look at the past 3 weeks since the release of our first game: SunnySide. Join us as we share our experience, shipping our first game!

In the 16th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we're joined by Ben Premack of Premack Rogers Downs P.C., a US-based entertainment law firm that specializes in video game and content creator contracts. He gave us some incredible insights into the legal side of the games industry and helped answer some common questions for first-time developers.

In the 15th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we discuss the latest news surrounding the idea of the implementation of in-game ads into traditional single-player AAA games and how it is detrimental to the industry. We also share insight as to the difference between advertising and partnership, noting good examples such as the existence of Porsche in Cyberpunk 2077.

In the 14th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we discuss another topic on our "How to Indie" series, this time around the red flags to look for in your contracts.

In the 13th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we discuss the life cycle of a genre, how it is born and how it becomes oversaturated and resurrected in the games industry.

In the 12th episode of the Developers' Den Podcast, we discuss another topic on our "How to Indie" series, this time around about how to find the right publisher for your game. We discuss what services publishers can provide and how you can find the best fit for your game!