Game Dev Podcast | Coffee with Butterscotch

Latest Episodes:

[Ep541] What happens during a Steam Daily Deal? Oct 08, 2025

Show notes

In episode 541 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers break down the strategy behind Steam Daily Deals and how pricing choices ripple through sales, regions, and player engagement. They explore the psychology of discounts, the oddities of regional pricing, and wrap up with a listener question about ghosting in business.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Cold Open

00:25 Introduction and Welcome

02:04 Nostalgic Childhood Memories and Injuries

05:56 Upcoming Surgery and Its Implications

09:39 Game Development Updates and Community Feedback

19:52 Sales Strategies and Market Dynamics

24:54 Understanding Player Engagement and Market Dynamics

26:51 The Impact of Pricing Strategies on Game Sales

28:09 Regional Pricing and Its Effects on Sales Demographics

29:54 The Importance of Language Support in Global Markets

32:59 Analyzing the Effects of Discounts on Game Popularity

34:22 (Listener Question) The Nuances of Ghosting in Business Relationships

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep540] Can Youtube Shorts Boost Wishlists? Oct 01, 2025

Show notes

In episode 540 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into the messy art of indie game pricing, from Levelhead’s strange sales patterns to how discounts really move the needle. They share experiments with YouTube Shorts, what the engagement data says, and how community feedback loops into both development and marketing. It’s a conversation about sales strategies, visibility, and why marketing can’t live outside the game development process.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Cold Open

00:25 Introduction and Welcome

01:51 Levelhead Sales Strategy and Pricing Dynamics

08:15 Tax Implications and Revenue Management

12:16 The Impact of Pricing on Game Success

17:45 YouTube Shorts Experimentation and Engagement Metrics

28:39 Engagement Strategies in Short-Form Content

31:33 Analyzing Viewer Retention and Engagement Metrics

34:15 The Challenge of Marketing for Indie Games

39:02 Community Engagement and Feedback Loops

44:09 Integrating Marketing into Game Development

50:32 The Power of Data-Driven Marketing Decisions

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

# [Ep539] Store Fees Are Crushing Indie Game Studios Sep 24, 2025

Show notes

In episode 539 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers look into how platform fees and distribution monopolies shape the survival odds for indie studios. Alongside updates on Crashlands 2 and Levelhead, they answer listener questions about microtransactions and live service models before zooming out to the bigger question of how developers can keep making games in a crowded, costly marketplace.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Cold Open

00:28 Introduction and Welcome

01:31 Game Development Updates and Community Engagement

04:40 Levelhead's Marketing Strategy and Community Dynamics

12:13 The Role of User-Generated Content in Game Success

16:41 Innovative Features in Levelhead

19:41 Creating Engaging Marketing Content

20:51 (Listener Question) Microtransactions in Gaming: A Deep Dive

28:06 (Listener Question) The Live Service Model vs. Yearly Sequels

35:25 The Impact of Platform Fees on Indie Developers

44:25 The Rise of Game Launchers

47:12 Epic's Strategy and the Monopoly of Steam

50:14 The Challenges of Indie Game Development

53:16 The Impact of Revenue Cuts on Indie Studios

59:17 The Future of Game Distribution and Indie Survival

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep538] Silksong's Chinese Translation and the Challenge of Sequels Sep 17, 2025

Show notes

In episode 538 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers unpack the chaos of a rogue translator derailing Silksong’s Chinese localization, the rollercoaster of post-launch game reviews, and the uphill climb of making sequels. They also share tips for finding trustworthy news, and drop the Overflow Update for Crashlands 2, pack with fresh content.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:03 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)

01:11 Silksong Hype and Indie Game Success

05:25 Localization Challenges and Translation Issues

12:15 Game Launch Challenges and Community Feedback

26:02 Review Scores and Post-Launch Adjustments

29:40 Navigating Player Reactions to Game Sequels

31:02 Balancing Expectations in Game Development

32:43 The Challenge of Innovating While Retaining Core Fans

35:08 Crashlands 2: Expanding and Innovating

36:07 The Overflow Update: New Features and Enhancements

38:27 Engaging with the Community and Gathering Feedback

39:22 (Listener Question) Finding Reliable News Sources in a Click-Driven World

46:48 The Importance of Expertise and Avoiding Misinformation

01:01:23 Conclusion and Community Engagement

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep537] The Silksong Effect Sep 10, 2025

Show notes

In episode 537 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers look into the buzz around Hollow Knight: Silksong, exploring how it’s reshaping release calendars and why the original Hollow Knight became an indie legend. Crashland 2 game dev stories, QA chaos, and Levelhead updates round out the episode.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:59 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)

01:12 Crashlands 2 Update 1.3 Overview

02:02 New Bosses and Challenges in Crashlands 2

06:39 Introducing Strange Creatures and New Play Styles

17:23 Levelhead: The Underrated Gem

22:36 The Hype Around Silksong

38:40 The Rush for Game Coverage

39:10 Competing for Press and Streamer Attention

40:26 Timing Your Game Launch

41:56 The Impact of Surprise Game Releases

50:46 The Role of Automated Testing in Game Development (Listener Question)

54:49 Challenges in QA Testing

01:08:23 The Importance of Smart Testing

01:09:40 Conclusion and Community Engagement

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep536] What's a Steam Wishlist Worth? Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

In episode 536 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into the misconception that Steam wishlists lose value over time and what that really means for indie game developers. They also explore the risks and rewards of licensed games, share thoughts on keeping life and work in balance, and answer listener questions ranging from preserving online games to the chances of a Quadropus Rampage sequel.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:46 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)

01:06 The Value of Wishlists (Listener Question)

02:39 Debunking Wishlist Decay

05:24 Analyzing Steam Data on Wishlists

07:10 The Impact of Influencers on Game Development

14:14 Thoughts on Stop Killing Games (Listener Question)

18:52 Skepticism on YouTuber Game Publishers (Listener Question)

29:15 The Challenges of Licensed Games

38:20 Work for Hire and Studio Valuation (Listener Question)

39:04 Quadropus Rampage: A Retrospective (Listener Question)

41:07 Challenges of Free-to-Play Games

49:34 Holistic Approach to Life and Work (Listener Question)

01:02:54 The Importance of Health and Exercise

01:11:29 Closing Remarks and Community Engagement

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep535] Where’d all the money go in game dev? Aug 27, 2025

Show notes

In episode 535 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dive into the complexities and pitfalls of live service games, highlighting recent industry trends and discussing how giant corporations handle their gaming acquisitions. They also reveal their next exciting indie project, 'How Many Dudes?', and share insights on open development and community engagement

Support Crashlands 2!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/
Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:53 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)
01:39 Naming the New Service: Ludo Kit
06:04 Video Podcast Transition
09:55 How Many Dudes: Game Development Insights
11:46 Success on GX.games and Future Plans
18:39 Soft Announcement: How Many Dudes as Next Game
25:13 Sony's Live Service Games (Listener Question)
30:29 Challenges in AAA Game Development
34:27 The Roblox Generation
37:01 Indie Games vs. Big Studios
43:15 The Complexity of Live Service Games
49:07 The Role of Beta Testing (Listener Question)
56:21 Open Development and Community Engagement
01:00:43 Conclusion

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep534] Work is Made of Cracks: Game Devs Discuss Productivity Tools and Podcast Challenges Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

In episode 534 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers discuss their internal project management tool, Blork, and the complexities of making it scalable for public use. They dive into the challenges of work dependency trees, the potential of Blork as a software service, and their current efforts on the Butterscotch Game Service. The episode also touches on the role of their podcast in connecting with fans, analytics, and potential growth strategies, without losing sight of what makes it a fun and grounding part of their week.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:34 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)

00:53 Project Management System (Listener Question)

02:11 Challenges with Blork's Scalability

05:07 Current State and Future Plans for Blork

11:42 Game Services and Administrative Tools

19:12 User Management and Security Concerns

22:30 Future Plans for BGS and Blork

23:23 Podcast Statistics and Listener Engagement (Listener Question)

25:50 Challenges in Podcast Analytics

32:31 Potential Growth Strategies for the Podcast

41:54 Concluding Thoughts and Community Engagement

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep533] Link Up Aug 13, 2025

Show notes

This week, we talk about game jams, brands, and networking. Work the room, shake hands, and collect stories. The most valuable connections are the genuine ones — people who share your context and get what you’re doing. The open doors are a bonus.

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:25 Intro

01:27 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)

01:47 GameMakers Toolkit Jam

09:45 Kevin: What are your thoughts on the concept of auteurs in game development

Things Mentioned:

How Many Dudes? (https://bscotch.itch.io/how-many-dudes)

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

[Ep532] How Many Dudes? Aug 06, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss alignment, process shifts, and the power of a good hook. A good idea alone isn’t enough to stop the scroll, but an absurd twist on the familiar might do the trick! How do you turn a question like “how many dudes does it take to fight a gorilla?” into an irresistible design foundation?

Support Crashlands 2!

Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/crashlands-2/

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib7fzLf59vo

Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1401730/Crashlands2/

Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bscotch.crashlands2

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/crashlands-2/id1528199331

00:29 Intro

00:46 Thanks to our supporters! (https://moneygrab.bscotch.net)

03:24 Team environment

10:44 GameMakers Toolkit Jam

34:27 How Many Dudes? (https://bscotch.itch.io/how-many-dudes)

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 podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

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 ★

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