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Mike Arnone

@freakingcoolindies.com

170 followers 950 following 230 posts

🔦Take the FEAR Out of Indie Game Marketing 👻 🎮 Turning Indie Devs to 'Indiepreneurs' 🌟 Step-by-step guides, breakdowns & interviews 🇨🇦 Broadcasting from Toronto https://freakingcoolindies.com/resources/

freakingcoolindies.com

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Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 10d

This is crazy! Thanks so much @heylookitsalan.bsky.social !! I am adding this as a "Resource of the week" in my newsletter. I'll be sure to tag. 🤜 🤛

Reposted by Mike Arnone

Hey It’s Alan @heylookitsalan.bsky.social · Jan 29

It's been a rough January for me between the fire and other stuff. But GDC is around the corner, so here's an update after 7 months (sorry!)

As an anecdote, the list of pubs/investors went from 281 to 254 despite adding a few :-/

Take care everyone♥️

docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

Alan's Gamedev Resources Sheet (Public)

docs.google.com

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 13d

Me approaching this boss 😂

a baby wearing a black space racer shirt

ALT: a baby wearing a black space racer shirt

media.tenor.com

Reposted by Mike Arnone

Rob's Game Shack @robsgameshack.bsky.social · 21d

🎙️✨ @freakingcoolindies.com is the podcast for indie devs who mean business.
Actionable tips from devs & marketing pros to help your game thrive.

👉 https://f.mtr.cool/rberljyxci

#IndieDev #GameDev #IndieGames #Podcast

Freaking Cool Indies – The Podcast Helping Indie Devs Become Indiepreneurs

Freaking Cool Indies is a podcast where indie devs & marketing pros share real strategies to help your game get noticed and succeed.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

Whether you're a solo developer or running a small studio, these insights could transform how you approach crowdfunding. The indie game space is competitive, and smart reward design gives you an edge.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

What makes Sam's approach special is his "backer first" thinking. The result is campaigns that don't just fund, they build communities.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

In this episode, Sam shares a tactical breakdown, including:
🕥 The 48 to 72 hour early bird window that triggers the Kickstarter algorithm.
🎵 Why vinyl records consistently outperform other physical rewards.
➕ Digital add on strategies that increase average pledge amounts.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

Sam Jarvis from Indievelopment has mastered this balance, helping to raise over $300,000 from more than 5,000 backers through strategic reward design.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

Myth: The more rewards we offer, the more money we'll raise.
Reality: Poorly planned rewards can eat your entire development budget.

Myth: Physical rewards always outperform digital ones.
Reality: The wrong physical rewards can become a fulfillment nightmare.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

🦵NEW EPISODE: Kickstarter Reward Strategy: Lessons from $300K in Successful Campaigns with Sam from Indievelopment!

🎧 Listen now: freakingcoolindies.com/12-2/

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 23d

Trobbio has one of the best death animations in all of gaming. What a performer!! (Hated this boss so much, though! 🌪️🌪️)

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 25d

Fun fact for yeah! 73% of successful Steam games had active communities BEFORE launch (GameDiscoverCo data).

Why it matters: Building an audience isn't post-launch work, it's pre-production work.

Start today: Share your dev journey, not just your finished game.

You got this, friend!

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 25d

Show and tell time! 📢

Working on something (freaking) cool?

Drop your:
🎞️ Game trailers
📄 Steam store pages
📸 Dev screenshots
💪 Anything you're proud of!

Best submissions get featured in next week's digest. 🚀

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 26d

Happy 24th Birthday, GameCube!

Double Dash, Metroid Prime, RE4, Soul Calibre, the hits go on.

Underrated console IMO

Credit: Courtney Askew
https://dribbble.com/shots/19949871-Gamecube-Figma-Illustration

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 26d

🌟 INDIE SPOTLIGHT: Star Rift Saga

My guest this week, Jacob Vela didn't just talk legal theory, he walked the walk. His Metroidvania is great, and it features a brilliant Tetris-like skill customization system. Good stuff, Jacob!

Check it out: store.steampowered.com/app/2158690/Star_Rift_Saga/

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 27d

When friends make a game together without formal agreements, who owns the IP by default?

ALL OF THEM. Equally.

Regardless of contribution. This creates a legal nightmare where anyone can sell the game.

Contracts aren't about trust, they're about clarity.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 27d

This week's newsletter is PACKED 📦

✅ IP protection basics with lawyer Jacob Vela
✅ FREE professional sound effects from GDC
✅ Star Rift Saga indie spotlight

Everything you need to level up your game dev journey in one digest.

Subscribe: freakingcoolindies.com

Freaking Cool Indies

Become an 'Indiepreneur'

freakingcoolindies.com

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 28d

Friday feelings: What's one small win you had this week in your game development journey? Could be fixing a bug, finishing an asset, or just opening your engine. Celebrate the small victories!

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

This week are talking game law! ⚖️ 💼

What's the most confusing legal thing about game development that you've always wondered about?

Drop your questions below and let's help each other learn!

No question is too basic.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

It was an honour to have you on, Jacob! Can't wait to have you join us again! ⚖️👨🏻‍⚖️

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

Watch the full episode: freakingcoolindies.com/11-2/

Key takeaway: Legal protection isn't about paranoia, it's about clarity. Get your foundations right before success becomes your biggest problem.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

Whether you're just starting out or preparing for launch, this conversation covers the legal basics every developer should know.

Don't learn IP law from a lawsuit 💔

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

What we explored:
• Understanding IP: copyright, trademark, and what indies actually need
• The idea vs. expression dichotomy (why game mechanics can't be copyrighted)
• Contract essentials when working with artists & team members

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

This week I sat down with Jacob Vela (@jacobvela.bsky.social ) , who brings a rare dual perspective as both an indie dev AND practicing lawyer.

He's experienced the indie journey firsthand while specializing in the legal challenges that come with it.

Welcome to Argo Law - Argo Law

You work hard to create something. It deserves the right kind of legal protection. At Argo Law we specialize in helping game developers and other creatives.

Mike Arnone @freakingcoolindies.com · 29d

Your "friend" who helped with art wants 50% ownership. Your composer is threatening to pull the soundtrack. That publisher you're talking to just asked who actually owns your IP.

This is every indie developer's worst nightmare.