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r/IndieDev
2025-08-15·8
688

And creator is...

RedditDetails

Summary

The post is a lighthearted discussion about the importance of crediting oneself in game development, especially when working alone. Users share humorous ideas about making end credits more meaningful, such as embedding them in code or using memes. The conversation highlights the frustration of being credited for work done alone and the need to prove authenticity.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion is that it's important to credit oneself in game development, especially when working solo. Many users find humor in the idea of making credits unchangeable or using memes. Some suggest that this helps prevent accusations of AI use. There is no strong conflict, but there is a general consensus on the value of proper attribution. A few users also mention the challenge of maintaining authenticity in a world where AI is becoming more common.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
[No specific SaaS tools mentioned][N/A][N/A][N/A]

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in creating end credits for a game when the creator did everything themselves
  • Fear of being blamed for using AI in game development
  • Need to credit oneself to prove authenticity and effort

Problems to Solve:

  • Ensuring proper attribution for game development work
  • Avoiding misattribution or accusations of AI use
  • Making end credits meaningful and reflective of personal contribution

Potential Solutions:

  • Including a unique, unchangeable credit in the game code
  • Using memes or humorous elements in credits to reflect personal touch

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • N/A (No specific SaaS growth strategies mentioned)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • N/A

Monetization & Product:

  • N/A

User Engagement:

  • N/A
321

The progression of my logo. Is it improving?

RedditDetails

Summary

The post discusses the evolution of a game's logo design, with the author seeking feedback on which version is most effective. The community provides diverse opinions, with many favoring the first two designs for their charm and personality, while others prefer the third for its uniqueness and potential for refinement. The fourth design is seen as more professional but lacks character. Discussions revolve around balancing aesthetics, readability, and alignment with the game's style.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion leans towards the first two designs for their charm and personality, with many feeling they better reflect an indie game's aesthetic. However, there is a significant minority who prefer the third design for its uniqueness and visual impact, despite its readability issues. The fourth design is seen as too generic and lacks the 'indie' feel. Debates include whether to prioritize personality over professionalism, how to balance design elements, and the importance of a logo's adaptability across different contexts.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
(No specific SaaS tools mentioned in the post or comments)---

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Users are concerned about the professionalism and visual appeal of their logo designs
  • Some users feel that certain logos appear cheap or unprofessional
  • There is a need for better readability and consistency in logo designs

Problems to Solve:

  • Choosing the right logo design that aligns with the game's style and theme
  • Balancing personality and professionalism in logo design
  • Ensuring the logo works well across different backgrounds and sizes

Potential Solutions:

  • Refining the most popular designs with more polish and clarity
  • Combining elements from multiple designs to create a unique and readable logo
  • Incorporating animations or stylized elements to enhance visual appeal

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Focusing on user feedback and iterating based on community input
  • Emphasizing the importance of branding and visual identity in attracting players
  • Balancing creativity with practicality in design choices

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging community engagement and discussions to refine product offerings
  • Using social proof and peer validation to guide design decisions
  • Highlighting the importance of a strong, memorable brand identity

Monetization & Product:

  • No direct mentions of pricing models or monetization strategies
  • The discussion centers around product-market fit through visual identity and branding

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging community interaction and feedback through public discussions
  • Building a sense of shared ownership and collaboration among users
165

My RTS game "The Last General" just hit 75,000 wishlists!!

RedditDetails

Summary

The post is about an indie game developer who reached 75,000 wishlists for their real-time strategy (RTS) game called 'The Last General'. The developer shared insights on how they achieved this milestone through targeted advertising on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and YouTube, along with a viral trailer. They also discussed the importance of community engagement, using UTM tracking to measure ad effectiveness, and the challenges of balancing development with marketing efforts. The conversation included discussions about the value of wishlists, the role of streamers and YouTubers, and tips for other indie developers looking to grow their game's visibility.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion: Many users expressed admiration for the developer's achievement and agreed that targeted advertising, high-quality content, and community engagement are key factors in growing a game's visibility. There was also general agreement that wishlists can be valuable for attracting attention and generating sales, especially if the game is well-received. Some users emphasized the importance of organic growth and the role of video content in promoting games. A few debates emerged around the effectiveness of different advertising platforms, with some suggesting that Reddit was the most effective, while others believed that YouTube had a larger impact. Another point of discussion was whether the age of wishlists matters, with some arguing that the quality and velocity of wishlists are more important than their age.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Reddithttps://www.reddit.comSocial Media PlatformUsed for advertising and community engagement
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.comSocial Media PlatformUsed for advertising
YouTubehttps://www.youtube.comVideo Sharing PlatformUsed for viral trailer content and coverage
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.comGame Distribution PlatformUsed for tracking wishlists and sales
Google Adshttps://ads.google.comAdvertising PlatformMentioned as a potential advertising channel
Discordhttps://discord.comCommunity Building PlatformMentioned as a way to build community
UTM TrackingN/AMarketing AnalyticsUsed to track ad performance and wishlist acquisition cost

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in acquiring wishlists for indie games
  • High competition in the gaming market
  • Need for effective advertising strategies
  • Challenges in building a loyal community
  • Uncertainty about the return on investment for advertising

Problems to Solve:

  • How to effectively promote an indie game to reach a large audience
  • How to convert wishlists into actual sales
  • How to maintain user interest over time
  • How to manage development while maintaining marketing efforts

Potential Solutions:

  • Targeted advertising on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and YouTube
  • Creating high-quality trailers to generate organic interest
  • Engaging with the community through comments and Discord
  • Using UTM tracking to measure the effectiveness of ads
  • Leveraging streamers and YouTubers to increase visibility

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Targeted advertising to specific audiences (RTS and strategy fans)
  • Organic growth through viral content (trailers, YouTube views)
  • Long-term, low-budget advertising campaigns
  • Community engagement through comments and Discord
  • Leveraging streamers and YouTubers for free exposure

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for advertising
  • Posting frequently with high-quality content to build organic following
  • Engaging with users by replying to comments and inviting them to join the community
  • Utilizing UTM tracking to measure the success of advertising efforts

Monetization & Product:

  • Pricing between $10 and $30 depending on the region
  • Emphasis on game quality to ensure user satisfaction and long-term success
  • Balancing development time with marketing efforts to maintain visibility

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging user interaction through comments and community channels
  • Maintaining transparency about the development process to build trust
  • Providing regular updates and engaging content to keep the audience interested
145

We released our demo and suddenly our wishlist graph went stratospheric.

RedditDetails

Summary

The post discusses how releasing a demo for the indie game 'King's Guard' significantly increased wishlists on Steam. Before the demo, the game had slow wishlist growth despite efforts like festival participation and content creator exposure. After the demo release, wishlists spiked by 1300% within days. The author emphasizes the importance of demos in bridging traffic and conversion, especially for small studios. Comments discuss strategies like using separate demo pages, leveraging festivals, and engaging with content creators for better visibility.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion suggests that releasing a demo is a crucial step for indie developers to boost visibility and conversions. Many commenters agree that demos help users get hands-on experience, which increases the likelihood of them adding the game to their wishlist. Some debate whether a separate demo page is more effective than a single store page, with some arguing it allows for better marketing and review collection. Others mention that festivals and content creators are also important for driving traffic. There is also a discussion around the optimal timing for demo releases, with some suggesting waiting for a certain number of wishlists before launching the demo to appear in free sections of Steam.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Steamhttps://store.steampowered.comGame DistributionAllows game demos, wishlists, and community features
[No other SaaS tools mentioned]

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty converting traffic into wishlists
  • Lack of effective ways to showcase game mechanics and replayability
  • Challenges in gaining visibility on Steam

Problems to Solve:

  • How to increase user engagement and interest in a game
  • How to bridge the gap between traffic and conversions
  • How to effectively market a game with limited resources

Potential Solutions:

  • Release a demo to give users hands-on experience
  • Use festivals and content creators to drive traffic
  • Optimize store page for better visual appeal and clarity

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Releasing a demo to boost wishlists and conversions
  • Leveraging festivals and events for exposure
  • Focusing on community engagement and feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using social media and content creators to drive traffic
  • Participating in festivals to gain visibility
  • Optimizing store pages for better user experience

Monetization & Product:

  • Emphasizing the importance of a strong demo to attract players
  • Highlighting the value of early feedback and iterative improvements
  • Understanding the need for product-market fit through real user interaction

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging reviews and community features on the demo page
  • Building relationships with content creators and streamers
  • Creating a clear path for users to discover and engage with the game
111

WIP combat system for my pirate game

RedditDetails

Summary

The post is from an indie developer working on a pirate-themed game with a hybrid turn-based and real-time combat system. They are seeking feedback on their current prototype, which includes some visual assets and a basic AI for enemies. The developer also shared an email sign-up link for future updates and discussed the game's art style, animation techniques, and potential features like inventory systems and resource management. Some commenters suggested ideas such as adding wreckages for exploration and considering a PvP mode.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion seems to be positive, with many users expressing admiration for the game's art style, animation, and overall direction. There is support for adding features like inventory systems and resource management, and some users suggested ideas for expansion, such as exploring wrecks or implementing a PvP mode. However, there is no major controversy or debate in the discussion. Most comments are supportive and constructive, with users offering suggestions and praise for the project's creative direction.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Mail-Catchhttps://mail-catch.com/c/OJ8lB92jEmail MarketingUsed to collect emails for a future Steam page release
Twitterhttps://x.com/snowshade_art/status/1251299857396088832/photo/1Social MediaUsed to source concept art for ship sprites

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • The combat system is still in early development and lacks polish
  • The game needs more features like inventory management and resource collection
  • Multiplayer functionality is not yet implemented

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating a clear and functional AI for enemies in the combat system
  • Adding gameplay elements like wreckage exploration and resource gathering
  • Implementing a multiplayer mode

Potential Solutions:

  • Improving the AI logic for enemy actions
  • Introducing an inventory system and resource management
  • Exploring multiplayer integration in future updates

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Building a community through Reddit posts and engaging with users
  • Using social media (e.g., Twitter) to source assets and build interest
  • Collecting email addresses for future updates and announcements

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging Reddit's indie game community for feedback and exposure
  • Sharing concept art and development progress to generate interest

Monetization & Product:

  • Focusing on building a strong product-market fit by iterating on core mechanics
  • Considering future monetization strategies after the game reaches a more stable state

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging user interaction through comments and feedback
  • Sharing development progress to maintain interest and excitement
106

What iconic references should be added to the game?

RedditDetails

Summary

The post is asking for suggestions on iconic references to include in a game. Users are sharing various ideas such as hats, masks, and other recognizable items from popular games and media. Some users express concerns about copyright issues and suggest modifying references to avoid legal problems. Others mention the importance of engaging the community and gathering feedback before making final decisions.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion seems to support the idea of including iconic references to appeal to fans and create a nostalgic experience. However, there is also a strong emphasis on customization and avoiding direct replication of IP to prevent legal issues. Some users argue that too much reliance on recognizable references could limit creativity or lead to copyright disputes. A few comments highlight the importance of testing these ideas with the target audience before implementation. There is a general consensus that references should be fun and recognizable but not overly reliant on existing intellectual property.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Not mentionedNot mentionedNot mentionedNot mentioned

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Concerns about copyright issues with using iconic references
  • Fear of overusing recognizable IP in a way that may not be original
  • Difficulty in balancing fan service with creativity

Problems to Solve:

  • How to incorporate iconic references without infringing on copyrights
  • How to maintain originality while still appealing to fans
  • How to decide which references are most effective for the game's audience

Potential Solutions:

  • Customize or tweak references to add a unique spin
  • Use polls and surveys to gather audience feedback on which references are preferred
  • Avoid direct replication of IP to reduce legal risks

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Engaging with the community through polls and discussions
  • Using feedback mechanisms like Discord, Steam forums, and Reddit to understand user preferences
  • Balancing fan service with creative expression to build a loyal following

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Leveraging nostalgia and pop culture references to attract attention
  • Encouraging word-of-mouth by creating memorable and recognizable elements

Monetization & Product:

  • Ensuring that the game maintains a clear identity while incorporating popular references
  • Avoiding overuse of well-known IPs to prevent legal complications

User Engagement:

  • Creating interactive and playful elements that encourage players to explore and discover hidden references
  • Building a sense of community around shared cultural touchpoints
74

Which sketch makes you feel like a mafia boss ?

RedditDetails

Summary

The Reddit post asks which of three sketches best makes someone feel like a mafia boss. The discussion revolves around visual elements such as the placement of TVs, the posture of the character, and the overall atmosphere of each sketch. Many users prefer option C for its imposing and authoritative look, while others find TVs in option B to be out of place. Suggestions for improvement include replacing TVs with more traditional mafia symbols and adjusting the composition for better storytelling.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion favors option C as the most authoritative and mafia-like representation. A significant number of users believe it conveys the 'ruling the city' vibe. However, there is some debate about the placement of TVs in option B, with many finding them inconsistent with the mafia theme. Some users also suggest that the font and posture of the characters could be improved. There is no strong consensus on which sketch is the best, but C is the most commonly preferred choice.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
[No SaaS tools mentioned][N/A][N/A][N/A]

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Users are unsure which sketch best represents a mafia boss
  • Some find the TVs in certain sketches out of place or inconsistent with the mafia theme
  • Some users feel that the sketches lack focus on the boss or fail to convey authority

Problems to Solve:

  • Determine which sketch best captures the essence of a mafia boss
  • Improve visual representation of a mafia boss in artwork
  • Align visual elements (e.g., TVs, fonts) with the mafia theme

Potential Solutions:

  • Replace TVs with more traditional mafia symbols like barrels of booze or guns
  • Adjust the posture and expression of the boss to better reflect authority
  • Use a city skyline as a background instead of TVs

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • N/A (No specific SaaS strategies mentioned)

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • N/A (No marketing or customer acquisition methods discussed)

Monetization & Product:

  • N/A (No pricing models or product-market fit insights provided)

User Engagement:

  • N/A (No community building techniques or user engagement tactics mentioned)
74

My Star Fox 64 inspired action-horror is coming out later this year!

RedditDetails

Summary

The post is about an indie game called 'Death In Abyss' inspired by Star Fox 64. The developer shares details about the game, including its intense action-horror elements, fast movement mechanics, and retro-style visuals. The post generates positive feedback from the community, with many users expressing excitement and nostalgia.

Opinion

Mainstream opinion is positive, with many users expressing excitement and nostalgia for the game's design. Some users mention challenges with the fast-paced visuals, but this is seen as part of the game's intensity. There is no major conflict, but there is a discussion around the balance between challenging gameplay and accessibility. Overall, the community supports the project and looks forward to its release.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
N/AN/AN/AN/A

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Difficulty in following fast movements and visuals in games
  • Nostalgia for classic game aesthetics

Problems to Solve:

  • Creating an engaging action-horror experience that balances intense gameplay with clear visual feedback
  • Recreating the nostalgia of classic games like Star Fox 64

Potential Solutions:

  • Utilizing fast-paced movement mechanics with clear visual cues
  • Incorporating retro-style graphics and sound design to evoke nostalgia

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Leveraging nostalgia to attract a specific audience
  • Building community through direct engagement with fans

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Using social media and platforms like Reddit to generate buzz around the game
  • Sharing development updates and behind-the-scenes content to maintain interest

Monetization & Product:

  • Focusing on creating a unique, high-quality experience that appeals to niche audiences
  • Using platforms like Steam to distribute and promote the game

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging fan interaction through comments and discussions
  • Highlighting the emotional impact of the game's audio and visual design to build anticipation