Indie Game Movement - The podcast about the business and marketing of indie games.

Hosted by Andrew Pappas, Game Marketing Strategist and Consultant

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Episodes

283

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Andrew Pappas, founder of RenGen Marketing helps take indie devs and their games to a whole new level by discussing business best practices and sharing marketing strategies and tips to better navigate the world of indie game marketing. Regardless if you're an indie dev starting out or a veteran small team, the topic discussions apply to anyone wanting to better understand the online environment and stand out in a saturated market. A marketer since 2011, Andrew has found a passion for applying his knowledge by empowering and educating the indie dev community. Between the years of his experience and interviews with respected industry veterans, you'll learn about online marketing, email marketing, crowdfunding, paid advertising, community development, social media, community outreach, project management, and much more. All episodes are packed with helpful information and actionable steps that can give you the confidence you need when it comes to your business and indie game marketing. Hit subscribe and get ready to become part of the indie game movement.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 12, 2026Episode 47558 min

Ep 475 - When Real Experiences Become Games Players Remember with Dustin Hansen

Inspiration for a game can come from anywhere. A trend, another game, or something completely unexpected from your own life. But just because an experience meant something to you doesn't mean it will resonate with players. So today, we'll discuss how to find the emotional core of an experience, use it to create in-game moments that feel relatable, and find creative ways to connect with players while keeping the project personal. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/475

October 6, 2026Episode 47441 min

Ep 474 - Defining Success While Enjoying the Process With Andrew Pappas

I spend a lot of time talking about game development from the outside, but making my first tabletop game has forced me to experience some of that process for myself. In this episode, I'm sharing what I've learned so far, from defining the experience and scoping the idea down to deciding when business questions should enter the process and what success should actually look like. Because what I'm finding, is sometimes the real value isn't just in what you make, but what the process teaches you along the way. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/474

September 29, 2026Episode 47358 min

Ep 473 - Rethinking Indie Game Distribution with Dom Harris

Indie developers have more ways than ever to reach players, but every new distribution channel comes with trade-offs around revenue, control, and player acquisition. So today, we're going to explore how studios can evaluate those trade-offs more strategically, with a closer look at web distribution and the economics of reaching new audiences, including where the web can complement traditional storefronts. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/473

September 22, 2026Episode 47258 min

Ep 472 - Is your game ready for a publisher with Heather Chandler

Getting a publisher is not just about finding someone willing to fund or market your game. Your project, team, production plan, and expectations all play a role in whether a publishing partnership can actually work. In this episode, we explore what publishers are really evaluating when they consider a game, what makes a studio ready to work with, the different ways developers and publishers can structure a partnership, and the production challenges that can shape a game's path to release. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/472

September 15, 2026Episode 4711 hr 8 min

Ep 471 - When Engagement Becomes Exploitation in Games with Tyler Brannan

Games are built to keep players engaged, but is there ever a point when good design becomes exploitation? In this episode, we explore the line between compelling experiences and design that takes advantage of player behavior, and how developers can create engaging games while being more thoughtful about the impact their design decisions have on players. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/471

September 8, 2026Episode 47058 min

Ep 470 - Your Game Is a Business with Jay Powell

Most indie developers learn how to make games long before they learn how to run a business. Unfortunately, that gap can lead to poor decisions, weak positioning, and a lot of avoidable mistakes. So in this episode, we'll break down the business skills that have the biggest impact on long-term sustainability and how using them can help you make smarter decisions without losing sight of your vision. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/470

September 1, 2026Episode 4691 hr 1 min

Ep 469 - What Horror Games Teach Us About Fandom with Dan Morris

Many games can attract players, but far fewer turn those players into passionate communities that keep talking, creating, sharing, and bringing others in. What's interesting, horror games seem unusually good at making that happen. In this episode, we explore why this is the case by looking at factors like mystery, shared discovery, identity, and community-driven experiences. And most important, we dig into how developers in any genre can learn from horror's ability to turn player interest into lasting fandom. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/469

August 25, 2026Episode 46857 min

Ep 468 - There Is No Game Marketing Playbook with Rand Fishkin

There's no shortage of people telling indie developers how to market their games, but ask a few and there's a good chance you'll get different answers on what's best for you. In this episode, we unpack why most game marketing advice is so fragmented and how you can evaluate competing advice and identify key principles that help make better marketing decisions based on your specific audience and game, allowing you to create your own playbook. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/468

August 18, 2026Episode 4671 hr 1 min

Ep 467 - How Voice Acting Shapes the Player Experience with Alexander Brandon

When it comes to voice acting, a lot of indie developers rule it out before they ever seriously consider it, assuming it's out of reach. But that assumption might be costing them more than the budget they're trying to protect. Today we explore how voice performance shapes the way players connect with characters, experience story, and remember your game and why it's more accessible than most developers realize. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/467

August 11, 2026Episode 46643 min

Ep 466 - What Studios Miss By Bringing Music In Too Late with Xiao'an Li

Music does far more than create atmosphere. It can affect your game's marketing, legal rights, creator community, and so much more. Yet many indie developers don't discover these challenges until it's too late. In this episode, we discuss the agreements every developer should understand, common misconceptions around music ownership, and how to make smarter audio decisions that protect your studio before and after launch. Episode Shownotes Link: https://rengenmarketing.com/466