Game Dev Podcast | Coffee with Butterscotch

In episode 571 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into whether Steam has quietly become the discovery engine that keeps mobile gaming afloat and what that means for indie devs trying to build a cross-platform strategy. They walk through the realities of mobile pricing, broken app store algorithms, and why chasing discoverability on Google Play or the App Store often feels like shouting into a void.
Support How Many Dudes!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes
00:00 Cold Open
00:21 Introduction and Welcome
01:40 Achievements Development and Ludokit Overview
13:40 Mobile Strategy and Pricing Decisions
27:45 The State of Mobile Gaming Discoverability
29:49 The Role of Steam in Game Success
32:48 Cross-Platform Strategies and Pricing
38:57 The Impact of Subscription Services on Game Sales
43:49 Algorithmic Challenges in Mobile Game Marketing
51:50 Final Thoughts on the Future of Indie Games
To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. 
If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! 
Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. 
We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!
Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 570 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers get into the messy final stretch of shipping How Many Dudes, where winding down development and winding up publishing have to happen at the same time. They break down why localization turns a simple task like screenshots into a sprawling multi-platform nightmare, and what it actually takes to coordinate QA, store pages, and platform partners when the clock is ticking. It's a look at why the last 97 days before launch can feel just as chaotic as the first.
Support How Many Dudes!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes
00:00 Cold Open
00:16 Introduction and Welcome
01:50 Navigating Game Development and Marketing
04:38 The Final Push to Launch
07:57 Balancing Development and Publishing
10:47 The Complexities of Localization and Platform Integration
16:41 The Complexity of Screenshot Requirements
19:21 Parallel Development Challenges
22:29 Automating Screenshot Processes
26:34 The Role of Publishers in Development
30:26 Navigating Platform-Specific Requirements
36:55 The Challenges of Marketing and Publishing
42:54 Lessons from Larger Organizations
46:40 The Risks of Outsourcing and Finding the Right Partners
53:58 Balancing Internal and External Resources
59:51 Looking Ahead to Launch and Final Preparations
Other things mentioned:
Sam giving a talk in Chris Zukowski’s “How to Market a Game” conference on Thursday, April 30th, at 10am EST:https://howtomarketagame.com/inside/
To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. 
If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! 
Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. 
We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!
Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 569 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into how Steam tags actually drive discoverability for indie games, and what tools like GameDiscover.co reveal about whether the right players are finding your game. The conversation turns on a deceptively simple question: not what your game is, but who it's actually for.
Support How Many Dudes!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes
00:00 Cold Open
00:36 Introduction and Welcome
01:58 Understanding Steam Tags and Discoverability
04:55 The Importance of Accurate Tagging
07:58 Identifying Target Audiences
10:43 Navigating Game Genres and Expectations
13:54 The Challenge of Marketing Complex Games
16:59 Using Data to Inform Tagging Strategies
23:45 Defining Game Genres and Tags
25:58 Balancing Primary and Secondary Game Features
29:19 The Complexity of Game Genres
31:33 The Evolution of Game Genres and Language
34:12 Platform-Specific Audience Differences
38:09 Refining Game Tags for Better Audience Reach
45:46 The Challenge of Game Development and Audience Understanding
50:57 Adjusting Game Pricing and Expectations
57:33 The Role of Randomness in Success
To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. 
If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! 
Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. 
We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!
Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 568 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers announce How Many Dudes Launch Date! They share their insights on game release strategies, balancing game mechanics, and upcoming features. They discuss the importance of timing, marketing, and player agency in creating a successful indie game launch.
Support How Many Dudes!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes
00:00 Cold Open
00:22 Introduction and Welcome
01:16 How Many Dudes? Launch Date Announcement
04:36 The Role of Demos in Game Marketing
08:05 The Impact of Trailers and Marketing Efforts
10:52 Timing and Competitor Analysis for Launch
15:51 Scope and Content of 'How Many Dudes'
22:10 Innovative Game Mechanics and Character Synergies
28:42 Progression, Tiers, and Boss Fights
36:02 Adding Variety and Player Agency with Systems and Trinkets
48:51 Balancing Fun, Challenge, and Player Choice
54:35 Upcoming Features and 'Ludo Kit' Developer Tools
To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. 
If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! 
Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. 
We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!
Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

★ Support this podcast ★

In episode 567 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss their recent experiences at PAX East, the state of game engines like Godot, Unity, and Unreal, and the evolving landscape of game marketing and platform ecosystems. They explore the costs and benefits of conventions, the impact of platform policies, and the future of indie game development.
Support How Many Dudes!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes
00:00 Cold Open
00:31 Introduction and Welcome
01:09 Reflections on PAX East and Industry Presence
03:48 LudoKit: A Developer Tool for Publishing
08:47 The Value and Cost of Conventions for Indie Developers
11:56 Platform Ecosystems: Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and More
20:01 The Rise of Godot and Decline of Unity in Indie Development
29:41 Challenges of Platform Certification and Closed Ecosystems
39:52 Marketing Strategies: Wishlists, Pre-orders, and Visibility
48:06 The Evolving Landscape of Game Publishing and Industry Trends
To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness. 
If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello! 
Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to [email protected], and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox. 
We also built Ludokit, a tool for managing store pages, promo art, localization, achievements, credits, fonts, change logs, and more. Check it out at https://ludokit.com!
Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

★ Support this podcast ★