IndieGameBusiness®

In this episode of IndieGameBusiness, we’re joined by Nate Purkeypile, solo indie developer at Just Purkey Games. Nate shares what it’s really like to leave the AAA world and build games completely on your own. We’ll talk about why he shifted from major studios to solo development, why he chose not to start a small company, and how he stays on track without a team. Nate breaks down what solo devs should outsource, how to properly scope a project, and how to manage both marketing and development at the same time. He also gives us a look at what’s coming next from Just Purkey Games. If you’re considering going solo or want a realistic look at the challenges and freedoms of one-person development, this episode is packed with insight. Follow Nate Purkeypile: X: https://x.com/NPurkeypile LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-purkeypile-6030141/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justpurkeygames/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/npurkeypile.bsky.social #IndieGameBusiness #IndieDev #SoloDev #JustPurkeyGames #GameDevelopment

Most developer-publisher relationships don’t turn sour because of money; they suffer from miscommunication, misaligned expectations, or ignored crises. In this talk, we break down your responsibilities as a developer, what to do when things go really wrong, and how to tell if your publisher producer isn’t doing their job. Packed with practical advice and real-world examples, this session helps you navigate publisher relationships with accountability on both sides - so you get the support you deserve.

I run x2line, a lean studio with 50M+ downloads across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Android (including TV form factors), and the web. I’m the only full-time developer. I manage production, ship updates, and coordinate long-term art and animation contractors instead of an in-house team. I’ll cover: how to scope version 1 vs later updates, how to get usable assets from contractors, and how to choose the next feature or fix so the game stays alive for years.

When game projects start slipping with missed milestones, scope creep, and fading morale, how do you get things back on track? This session presents a production first aid kit with tools to diagnose problems, triage scope, rebuild schedules, and communicate changes clearly to your teams.Key takeaways: Spot early warning signs, apply a lightweight triage framework, and stabilize delivery without burning out your team.

Playtesting doesn’t need to be expensive or overwhelming. This talk shares a simple process any small team can use to run regular 1 on 1 playtesting sessions. Learn how to find testers outside your immediate circle, prepare stable builds, guide productive sessions, and turn feedback into meaningful improvements. You’ll leave with clear, repeatable steps to make playtesting a natural and empowering part of development.