Why I Quit My AAA Job For The Indie Dream (w/ Mårten Stockhaus) — Ep 67

I chat with the co-creator of Into The Unwell, a rubber-host action packed roguelite. #EpicPartner ► Check out State of Unreal: https://epic.gm/unreal-fest-chicago-s... ► Get 50% off my game dev course during the massive Summer Sale: https://fulltimegamedev.mykajabi.com/... ► Wishlist Into The Unwell: https://store.steampowered.com/app/20... ► Wishlist Twisted Tower: https://store.steampowered.com/app/15... Chapters: 00:00:00 Intro: From AAA Cog to Indie Studio Owner 00:01:19 Sponsored: State of Unreal Livestream & Unreal Fest Chicago 00:02:06 Conversation Starts with Martin Stockhouse 00:03:00 Can You Design a Game on Paper Before Prototyping? 00:05:40 Working With Publishers: Milestones vs Creative Freedom 00:08:00 Game Development as an Archaeological Dig 00:09:25 Discovering the Game as You Build It 00:11:00 How the Combat System Evolved (Stagger + Kick) 00:12:10 Would You Ever Go Back to AAA? 00:12:50 Imposter Syndrome as an Indie Developer 00:14:00 Playtesting, Feedback & Knowing When to Listen 00:16:00 Beta Testing Struggles – Moving the Needle 00:18:00 Why Game Developers Lose Sight of Whether Their Game Is Good 00:20:00 Game Pillars: Visual, Mechanical & Story Hooks 00:21:20 Ranking Your Pillars (The Division Example) 00:23:00 Pillars vs Unique Selling Points 00:24:00 How Into the Unwell Was Born (Roguelike + Cuphead 3D) 00:26:20 The “Box” Metaphor – Creative Constraints That Help 00:30:50 The Power of Contrast in Game Design 00:33:00 Contrast in Combat & Different Playstyles 00:34:30 Thinking of Weapons & Enemies Like Chess Pieces 00:35:10 Pain Points vs Relief Points in Design 00:37:20 Balancing Free-Flow Fun vs Strategic Depth 00:38:30 Why Your Core Loop Must Still Be Fun 00:39:30 How They Went Full-Time Indie (The Real Story) 00:41:00 Working on Midnight Ghost Hunt to Fund Their Own Game 00:43:00 Networking & Getting Meetings With Publishers 00:47:20 Pitching the Demo – What Actually Worked 00:49:40 Do You Need a Polished Demo to Get a Publisher? 00:51:20 Final Thoughts & Where to Wishlist Into the Unwell