# [Ep539] Store Fees Are Crushing Indie Game Studios

Game Dev Podcast | Coffee with Butterscotch

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

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