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Artwork for The Business of Video Games Podcast

The Business of Video Games Podcast

The Business of Video Games Podcast
Game Development
Hooded Horse
Steam
Video Game Development
Paradox Interactive
Video Game Industry
Arrowhead Game Studios
Entrepreneurship
Video Games Industry
Manor Lords
Marketing Strategies
Game Studio
Indie Games
Negotiation
Deep Rock Galactic
Game Publishing
Epic Games
Startup Phase
Playstation
Armello

Welcome to The Business of Video Games Podcast.A show where we shed some light on the inner workings of the games industry—the why, how, who, and what the hell?! behind business decisions, publishing calls, and the steps (and missteps) that happen behind the scenes.

Basically: the inside view on how and why things are actually done the way they are. Not just guesswork on 4Chan.

The podcast is ho... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes60Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Video GamesLeisureBusiness

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Artwork for The Business of Video Games Podcast

Latest Episodes

In the first part of our two-parter, Shams sits down with Tim Bender from Hooded Horse to pull back the curtain on one of the currently most talked-about trajectories in modern indie game publishing.

From the logistical realities of scaling a team t... more

Sorry for being late! After a not so welcomed water leakage at our producers studios, we are back with the second part of our conversation with Trent Kusters, the visionary co-founder of League of Geeks!

Shams rides this one solo since Fernando is o... more

Imagine what happens when a new episode of The Business of Video Games Podcast all of a sudden release on a Monday! Almost as mindwrecking as if one accidentally started a career in game development, right? Well, say no more dear listener! In this ep... more

Time for a one off with the great folks at Oro Interactive who currently is on a real victory lap with 300k units sold of Roadside Research within two weeks(!) and 400k units sold for Super Battle Golf within it's first week! Absolutely bonkers.

But... more

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Recent Guests

Tim Bender
CEO and founder of Hooded Horse
Hooded Horse
Episode: Episode 54 - 100 plus years - Tim Bender Pt. 1
Trent Kusters
Co-founder of League of Geeks, interviewee
League of Geeks
Episode: Episode 52 - Just get published - Trent Kusters Pt. 1
Sam de Boeck
Founder and CEO of Oro Interactive
Oro Interactive
Episode: Episode 51 - Vibes based publisher - Sam de Boeck and Daniel Lyozov
Daniel Lyozov
Publishing Producer at Oro Interactive
Oro Interactive
Episode: Episode 51 - Vibes based publisher - Sam de Boeck and Daniel Lyozov
Agostino Simonetta
Chief Commercial Officer at GSC Game World with over 27 years in the gaming industry.
GSC Game World
Episode: Episode 49 - Ask for forgiveness, not permission - Agostino Simonetta Pt. 1
Adam Boyes
Former co-CEO of Iron Galaxy and founder of Vivrato, with extensive experience in the gaming industry
Vivrato
Episode: Episode 47 - Let them Cook - Adam Boyes Part 2
Chris Bourassa
Co-founder of Red Hook Studios
Red Hook Studios
Episode: Episode 45 - The Emotional Battle - Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman Pt. 2
Tyler Sigman
Co-founder of Red Hook Studios
Red Hook Studios
Episode: Episode 45 - The Emotional Battle - Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman Pt. 2
Paul Kilduff Taylor
A notable figure in the UK indie game scene and founder of Mode 7 games
Mode 7 Games
Episode: Episode 40 - Forty Two immutable Laws of Games Business - Paul Kilduff Taylor

Hosts

Shams Jorjani
Host of The Business of Video Games Podcast
Fernando Rizo
Co-host of The Business of Video Games Podcast

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 40 ratings
  • Very Insightful Discussions

    These episodes shed light on the complexities of decision-making in a field that combines creativity and commerce. The interview with Rebekah Saltsman was especially thought-provoking.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seeside Cuoko
    Spain9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show offers honest, founder-focused perspectives on funding and publishing decisions.
Guests bring deep industry experience and candid stories about studio life and strategy.
Content often connects publishing economics to real-world outcomes for developers and players.
Very insightful discussions with practical takeaways for guest pitches and sponsorships.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 54 - 100 plus years - Tim Bender Pt. 1
Q: What is it like to take over an older back catalog title, like Battle Brothers, and how does Hooded Horse handle ongoing updates?
Hooded Horse can publish post-1.0 games by sharing credit with developers and focusing on presentation, marketing, and minor updates, while respecting the original development and ongoing player engagement; active development may continue in collaboration but is not the same as launching a new title.
Episode 54 - 100 plus years - Tim Bender Pt. 1
Q: What is the right fit for early access, and how does Hooded Horse approach it today compared to the past?
Early access is appropriate when developers want to gather a year or more of player feedback and refine the game, but not necessary for every title; updates are typically monthly, with emphasis on good communication and thoughtful pacing to avoid player frustration.
Episode 54 - 100 plus years - Tim Bender Pt. 1
Q: Has the portfolio shifted in focus with new titles, broadened, or narrowed in scope?
Tim explains that the portfolio remains broadly aligned with a core focus on strategy and strategy simulations, but increasingly includes games that appeal to the same core player base and occasionally ventures into adjacent genres if they attract similar audiences.
Episode 52 - Just get published - Trent Kusters Pt. 1
Q: Can you explain the decision to adopt a points-based profit-share model?
The founders designed a system to attract and retain talent by sharing profits based on contribution, using a detailed, workshop-like process to assign points to tasks; after initial success, they adjusted the model to account for evolving team composition and project scope, ultimately buying out remaining points to close Armello's lifecycle while preserving fairness and transparency.
Episode 52 - Just get published - Trent Kusters Pt. 1
Q: What was your origin story and how did you end up in games?
Trent describes how a naively bold leap from trying to publish writing to breaking into game development happened after a pivotal Halo 3 moment, a spur-of-the-moment journalism stint, and a belief that opportunity could be created with the right people, leading to his work at Torus Games and the eventual formation of League of Geeks.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Business of Video Games Podcast

What is The Business of Video Games Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful look at how publishing, funding, and platform choices shape the video game industry. Across episodes, the conversation pivots around independent publishing strategies, no-recoup and long-term sustainability, team dynamics in small studios, and the shifting economics of marketing, community building, and distribution. Notably, guests tend to be studio founders, publishers, and industry veterans who share concrete lessons from early-stage funding, platform relations, and navigating market changes. The show likely appeals to people who want actionable insights from real-world decisions, with a practical, founder- and publisher-focused lens rather than purely theoretical discussions.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Business of Video Games Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Business of Video Games Podcast:

1. Gamecraft
2. Deconstructor of Fun
3. Triple Click
4. The Indicator from Planet Money
5. Planet Money

How many episodes of The Business of Video Games Podcast are there?

The Business of Video Games Podcast launched 4 years ago and published 60 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Business of Video Games Podcast?

Recent guests on The Business of Video Games Podcast include:

1. Tim Bender
2. Trent Kusters
3. Sam de Boeck
4. Daniel Lyozov
5. Agostino Simonetta
6. Adam Boyes
7. Chris Bourassa
8. Tyler Sigman

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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