Freaking Cool Indies
Freaking Cool Indies is a podcast that serves as a blueprint for indie game success. It offers research-backed marketing insights, practical publishing advice, and motivational stories from successful developers. The show helps listeners craft elevator pitches, build communities, and navigate game marketing. It aims to turn indie dreams into reality by focusing on selling games, not just making them.
Episodes
How Game Devs Win With Shorts in 2026 | Jestr CEO
Short form video is how game devs win in 2026. Jestr CEO Mahdeen Abrar breaks down how to use YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram Reels to get your game discovered, with 1.2 billion views and 700 campaigns behind the strategy.Mahdeen Abrar is the CEO and co-founder of Jestr, a creator marketplace that connects indie and AA studios with vetted creators who make shorts about their games. In under
A Games Recruiter Reveals How to Actually Get Hired
A games recruiter who has made 500+ hires breaks down how to actually get hired in game dev right now: why mass applying online is a trap, how to network without feeling salesy, and the interview hack that makes studios want to say yes.💪 7 Day Marketing Challenge:https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/🩵 Follow Patryk!Website/Newsletter: https://patryksuchy.com/8Bit: https://8bitplay.com/LinkedIn
He Launched With 11k Wishlists, Then Sold 200,000 Copies
This indie game went viral through streamers on YouTube and Twitch with zero ad spend, and turned a two hour prototype into 200,000 Steam sales. Solo dev Mateo Covic breaks down his streamer outreach, wishlist, and content strategy for Paddle Paddle Paddle.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Paddle Paddle Paddle02:47 The Development Journey of Paddle Paddle Paddle05:54 Marketing Strategies and Community
Stop Ignoring Accessibility: The Biggest Mistake Indie Devs Make
Accessibility in indie game development is the most overlooked way to reach more players, sell more copies, and build a bigger community. Zach and Vinny from AbleGamers break it down. Support the Play It Forward campaign (100% goes to AbleGamers):https://www.gofundme.com/f/freakingcoolindies 0:00 - What accessibility really means for indie devs2:55 - What AbleGamers actually does day to day6:58 -
He Teaches Indie Devs to Build an Audience. Here's How He Built His
Chris Zukowski (How To Market A Game / HTMAG) is one of the most trusted voices in indie game marketing. In this episode, Chris breaks down how he built his audience, why Steam visibility isn't your real problem, and why he bets everything on an owned mailing list over social media. ⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 – Intro00:59 – The origin story: from IBM to How To Market A Game06:30 – "Everybody's doing this wr
The Framework That Keeps RPGs, Deck Builders, and Narrative Games From Breaking
The framework indie devs use to keep RPGs, deck builders, and narrative games from breaking during production. Learn game content structure and documentation with Grimoire CEO Jill Vanparys.0:00 - Your game is built on scattered docs (and it will break)1:43 - Welcome Jill Vanparys, CEO of Grimoire3:10 - What is content chaos and why does it hit game devs hardest7:30 - How one version mismatch brea
The Shorts Formula That Gets Indie Games Noticed (While You're Still Building)
Indie game marketing with YouTube Shorts and TikTok is one of the most powerful tools a solo dev has, and Landon from Broken Flame Games has cracked the code.He's been building his debut Steam game Vault of the Vanquished (a coin-flipping roguelike that's basically Balatro meets Slay the Spire) while posting short-form content almost every weekday. And it's working.In this episode, Landon breaks d
Your Indie Game Needs Super Fans. Here's How to Build Them.
Mallory Loar was one of Discord's first marketing hires, and she built the Hype Squad, a superfan program that scaled from a handful of passionate Discord fans to millions of members globally.In this episode, Mallory breaks down exactly how indie devs can build that same kind of loyal, word-of-mouth community, even with zero budget and a one-person team.You'll learn:→ Why followers and community m
Devlogs, Discipline, and No Zero Days with DevDuck
Subscribe to DevDucks Youtube Channel: @DevDuck Ben's Twitter: https://x.com/_devduckWhat does it take to sustain a 5-year indie game development journey? DevDuck (Ben Nowak) shares his secrets to consistent game dev progress through authentic devlogs, morning routines, and the "No Zero Days" philosophy that's kept him building Dauphin for years while growing to 176K YouTube su
Give Me 1 Hour, I’ll Fix Your Steam Page
Steam isn’t a storefront — it’s an algorithm.And if you don’t understand how it works, your game gets buried.In this episode of Freaking Cool Indies, I’m joined by Jarvs Tasker (Head of Communications at Happy Volcano) to break down how Steam actually decides which games get seen — and what indie devs can do to improve their Steam pages without spending more on ads or social media.We cover:- Why c
Game Localization 101: Grow Your Indie Game’s Wishlists & Revenue
Game Localization for Indie Games. Learn how proper localization boosts Steam wishlists, global reach, and revenue, with expert insights from Alconost’s Yana Tarasevich.Did you know only 36% of Steam players use English as their primary language? If you’re shipping your indie game in English-only, you're missing a huge global audience, and leaving potential wishlists and sales on the table.🌐 C
48-Hour Game Jam → 2.5 Million Copies Sold (Full Story)
Discover how Annie and Lucas transformed a 48-hour game jam entry into A Little to the Left, selling over 2.5 million copies through authentic marketing and genuine passion. This husband and wife duo from Halifax, Nova Scotia, behind Max Inferno Games, prove that sometimes the best business strategy starts with caring deeply about your craft and trusting that authenticity will find its audience. F
The Hidden Cost of Gaming Success Nobody Talks About
Think you need to grind 15 hours daily to succeed in gaming? Veteran Twitch streamer Dan 'Indie' Long proves otherwise. Learn the hidden costs of gaming success and sustainable strategies.🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/📬 Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/🌐 Connect With Dan:https://www.linkedin.com/in/therealindie/https:
Player Motivation vs Player Behaviour: The Difference That Matters
Discover how empathy driven marketing can transform your indie game's success by understanding player motivation vs behaviour. Andrew Pappas from RenGen Marketing reveals why download numbers and analytics create blind spots, how to research what players really want through Steam reviews and Reddit, and practical frameworks for creating content that resonates. Learn the Strange Horticulture st
Game Funding Explained: Which One is Right for You?
Discover the 3 main types of indie game funding and learn which option is perfect for your studio. From traditional publishers to venture capital to revolutionary project financing, we break down exactly when to use each funding model, common pitch mistakes that kill your chances, and how to determine if your game is actually ready for funding conversations with Almost Ready Games Fund co-founder
[Segment] The Secret to Landing Your Game on Major Gaming Outlets
Most indie developers think getting featured on IGN or Game Trailers is like winning the lottery - reserved for studios with massive marketing budgets. But what if I told you there's an 80% success rate method that most devs don't know about?Chapters:00:00 Why Most Devs Watch Trailers Wrong02:15 The Correct Order for Game Announcement Assets04:30 Steam Page & Key Art Requirements06:45
Are You Ignoring the Most Powerful Platform for Indie Game Marketing?
You're posting on Twitter and Reddit, but what if the most powerful business platform for indie devs is the one you're ignoring? Jon Hanson went from unknown to top 1% on LinkedIn in 3 months and shares his exact strategy for indie studios to build publisher relationships, secure deals, and attract talent. Learn why LinkedIn beats other platforms for B2B growth, how to personalise outreach
Stop Chasing Mega Streamers Do This Instead
Watch the Full Podcast: https://youtu.be/0w1D_ubxTko🎯 Free Cold Email Template: https://freakingcoolindies.com/6-2/Cold email outreach for indie game developers learn how to build real relationships with streamers journalists creators and publishers so your game gets noticed and wishlistedWatch the full episode with ready to use email templates follow up strategies and real examples here add your
Lessons from $300K in successful Kickstarter campaigns
📬 FCI Newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsletter/Get In Touch With Sam:Indievelopment: https://www.indievelopment.uk/X [Twitter]: https://x.com/_IndievelopmentThinking of launching a Kickstarter? Learn how to design reward tiers that build real backer engagement while protecting your budget. Sam Jarvis from Indievelopment shares proven strategies from campaigns such as Volunteer The Asc
From Idea to Trademark: Protecting Your Indie Game the Right Way
Learn essential legal foundations for indie game development with lawyer Jacob Vela. Discover how to protect your IP, build strong trademarks, and create bulletproof contracts that prevent costly disputes and save your studio. Picture this: You and your best friends spend years building your dream game together, but once money starts rolling in, everything changes. Who owns what? Who gets paid? Wh
Meet the Man Behind Gaming’s Most Iconic Indie Trailers
🎥 DEREK LIEU:Derek's Website: https://www.derek-lieu.com/Derek's Youtube Channel @DerekLieu How to Make a Game Trailer Course: https://vgta.teachable.com/Derek's Asset List Blog Post: https://www.derek-lieu.com/blog/2019/11/5/game-trailer-editor-asset-list🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/Want to learn how to make an indie game trailer that actuall
The Complete Guide to Pitching Your Indie Game to Publishers
🏆 7 Day Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/Ever wondered how to approach a publisher? Or maybe just felt nervous about reaching out? Well, my friend, this episode is for you.Today, I'm joined by Corey Caplan, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at tinyBuild, to break down four essential things that every indie dev should know before pitching
Don’t Announce Your Game Until You Watch This!
Announcing your game is one of the most important steps in your indie dev journey — but most developers get it wrong. So how do you nail your game’s announcement?In this episode, I’m joined by PR expert Robby Bisschop from Pirate PR Game Marketing to break down everything you need to know about announcing your indie game the right way. Learn how to prepare your Steam page and trailer, write a pres
Last-Minute Game Marketing: 90-Day Plan to Boost Steam Wishlists
90 days to launch and no marketing plan? Don't panic – you're not out of options!In this episode, we're joined by Devin Dixon, founder of Glitch, to break down his proven 90-day last-minute marketing plan that can transform your game from wishlist graveyard to Steam success. Learn how to build lightweight marketing strategies, create engaging content that resonates with gamers, and dev
The Ultimate Cold Email Framework for Indie Game Developers
Cold email outreach for indie game developers doesn't have to feel salesy! Learn how to build genuine relationships with streamers, journalists, and content creators that actually get your game noticed.In this episode, we're joined by marketing expert Taylor Rodriguez (Coach Taz) to break down the psychology behind effective cold email marketing. Discover how to overcome your fear of "bothering" p
How to Create an Unforgettable Brand Identity for Your Game
Game branding for indie developers: Think branding is just a logo and colours? That's the biggest mistake indie game marketing makes! Learn authentic brand identity strategies.In this episode, we're joined by marketing powerhouse duo Katie and Jonathan Binns to reveal what game branding actually means. Katie brings over a decade of marketing experience (including Warhammer 40K Mechanicus),
The Newsletter Strategy 90% of Indie Devs Are Missing
Email marketing for indie game developers isn't dead - it's your secret weapon. While most indie devs chase social media followers, smart developers build email newsletters that directly reach their audience.Jordan Brown from OP Game Marketing shares the strategies that grew his newsletter in just months. Learn why email lists might be more valuable than Steam wishlists, how to choose between Subs
Stop Fighting Your Deadlines & Actually Finish Your Game
Ever wonder how successful indie studios like Drinkbox manage to consistently release amazing games? In this episode, we get the inside scoop from Associate Producer Josh Davis on their production strategies.Stop letting production hurdles kill your creative vision! In this must-listen episode, Josh Davis from Drinkbox Studios shares his expert advice on everything from managing timelines and tami
Stop Wasting Money on Bad Capsule Art - Do This Instead
Stop your scroll! That's the power of amazing capsule art on Steam. But how do you get it?In this episode, we're joined by talented artist James Combridge to break down the art of creating compelling capsule art. Learn how to write effective briefs that clearly communicate your game's vision, provide feedback that actually improves the art, and build a collaborative relationship with your artist t
Thinking About Starting a Devlog? Watch This First
Wishlist TetherGeist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2474430/TetherGeist/O. and Co. Games Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCjahrwtYG6iD3sH3yHwgG3w Join the O. and Co. Games Discord Server: https://discord.com/invite/KbgvDrBbXXWishlist LUCID: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1717730/LUCID/Subscribe to the Freaking Cool Indies Newsletterwww.freakingcoolindies.comTimestamps:00:00 The
Welcome to Freaking Cool Indie
🖥️ FCI Website: https://freakingcoolindies.com/🏆 Indie Dev Marketing Foundations Challenge: https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/📝 Subscribe to the FCI newsletter: https://freakingcoolindies.com/newsle...🦋 Follow me on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/freakingcool...🐦 Follow me on X (Twitter): https://x.com/F_Cool_Indies--------------------------Welcome to Freaking Cool Indies!Are you a game
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