March 2025 Update

Hello Indies!

As many of us gear up for GDC we hope you have had the opportunity to enjoy some of the local events we have organized or co-sponsored so far in 2024. We closed out February 2024 with two amazing events honoring Black History Month, the Seattle U x Revere XR Immersive Storytelling Hackathon, dedicated to preserving the legacies of historic business owners and community leaders from Seattle’s Central District and the Seattle Indies Speaker Series that featured the talk Passion is Work: Never Stop Drumming by Star Victoria Power. Both were powerful and moving events and we were happy to see the community support them in a meaningful way. 

We were excited to launch our first meetup in Kitsap County last month with the inaugural meetup happening at Ashley’s Pub in Bremerton, WA. We had close to 20 people at the first event and hope to see more of you every fourth Tuesday at Ashley’s. If you are interested in hosting a meetup in your area then reach out to us at contact@seattleindies.org and we will get back to you for more details on the type of event you are looking to host, the area and we’ll do our best to enable you to make that happen. Events can be anywhere in Washington State.

March is Women’s History Month and we begin the celebration with a Seattle Indies Spotlight interview featuring Leah Hoyer, Founder and CEO of Level Headed Games, talking about her extensive experience in the games industry and what it is like to be a founder of her own indie studio. We are also proud to be sponsoring the Pre-GDC Gender Diversity Brunch at GDC this year, hosted by long-time former Seattle Indies Adventures organizer Jenn Sandercock. This event welcomes women (whether cis or trans), non-binary people, trans men, and anyone who is questioning their gender, so if you are in any of those groups then feel free to sign up and make some new connections before the madness of GDC begins.

Seattle Indies is hosting a trade mission in Seattle on the 13th and 14th of March made up of games entrepreneurs, developers, and service providers from the EU and UK. The objective is to connect these ecosystems to increase collaboration, co-development and investment in the games industry in the Pacific Northwest and globally. We will be hosting events to welcome them and connect them with the local community on the 13th in Bellevue and the 14th in Seattle, so be on the lookout for more details as they arise in the next few days. If you are interested in hosting our delegation for private meetings or have space to host one of the networking events please reach out to Executive Director Tim Cullings at tim@seattleindies.org.

As we look forward to the warmer months in Washington we have a lot of exciting things planned including expanded participation in Geek Fest West in Everett this July, our annual summer picnic in early August, and of course Seattle Indies Expo, applications for SIX open a month earlier than usual this year on April 1, 2025 so keep an eye on six.seattleindies.org and our Discord server for more information.

How’s your year going so far? Are you surviving the Seattle signature “fake spring” followed by more cold and rain? We’re almost out of the dark, so let’s look at exciting things ahead!

PocketGamer is coming to GDC in SF, March 17-18. Click here to learn more.

Use these codes to register for discounted Indie passes or to exhibit your game at their expo:

Indie ticket discount: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1118784036169/?discount=SEATTLE-IN50-DBTC-25

Expo Area showcase table discount: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1118784036169/?discount=SEATTLE-TAB50-DBTC-25

The annual Game Developer Conference is approaching, so it’s probably time to start planning if you want to attend. It’s a 5 day long event taking place in San Francisco from March 17 to 21. Click here to learn more! 

Seattle Indies has a 10% off discount code on All Access, Core, or Summits Passes: GDC25-SI-10

URL to register: https://gdc.informatech.com/2025/registrations/Attendeemc=bartergdcsf_3pvr_le_olb_si_2025

And if you are attending, swing by the Pre-GDC Indie Game Developer Park Meetup 2025 at Dolores Park Sunday, March 16, from 3pm to 7pm. Here’s the Meetup Link!

Make sure to plan your packed party schedule with the ever helpful GDCParties.com

The 10th annual Game Devs of Color Expo takes place online September 16-19, 2025! Submissions are also now open for speakers, panels, and game devs interviews. The organziers were kind enough to share a 10% discount code with our community: gdocSI. 

Here is a link with the code pre-applied: https://ti.to/GDoCExpo/2025/discount/gdocSI 

If you want to get a list of all upcoming game event shows and get ready early, The Indie House has published this fantastic list of upcoming festival that’s exactly that. Well worth a bookmark!

This month’s Seattle Indies spotlight feature is Leah Hoyer, games industry veteran and founder and CEO of Level Headed Games.

Leah Hoyer is the founder and CEO of Level Headed Games, where she and the team are developing a new cooperative online video game. Ms. Hoyer has developed and produced television series, video games, and interactive experiences for some of the world’s most beloved entertainment companies (Disney, Xbox, Telltale Games, Bungie) for over twenty years. She is a recognized expert in interactive storytelling and franchise development across various media. She is passionate about supporting diverse voices in entertainment and working to make everyone feel that gaming is for them.

What inspired you to become a game developer?

Before entering the games industry, I spent nearly a decade developing animated TV series for Disney. There it was my job to find the next great idea for a show, work with the creators to make a great pilot, and then hopefully get the greenlight to series. Once that show went to air, if it found good success—shows like Kim Possible or Phineas & Ferb—then Disney would start to expand that property into other media. The series team was focused on making a great show, so I became a sort of Brand Manager for the growing franchise. Often that meant I was working on toys or books, and sometimes I got to work on interactive projects. Almost every series had a small game on its website, and more successful ones might get a Nintendo DS game, or perhaps a larger console title. It became part of my job to work with those teams to ensure the games they were making represented the spirit and tone of the franchise. I really loved that part of my job, but the core of my work was still in TV animation. 

The turning point really came when I got the chance to work on a couple larger, location-based projects. The first was making a Kim Possible-based scavenger hunt game for the Disney Cruise Lines. They basically gave me a few parameters, then turned the reins over to me to make the project happen. I hired one more person and together we created all the content for the cooperative interactive experience. It was such a shift away from telling people a story to crafting it in a way that would motivate them to act. And not just by pressing a button—they had to walk all around the ship to solve the mystery. 

That project was successful enough that Imagineering, the department in charge of theme park experiences, decided to do something similar, but on a much larger scale, for Epcot Center. The Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure handed every participant a smartphone (it was 2009 and you couldn’t assume everyone had their own) and theme park goers instantly because a Team Possible agent, trying to thwart many of the regular KP villains by tracking down clues in the different country pavilions. It was incredibly immersive and cutting edge for its time. And once I got to experience the challenge and reward of creating a story with a player, I was hooked. Not long after, I had the chance to join the Narrative team at Xbox and I jumped at it. I loved many things about my time at Disney, but I’m likely most appreciative of the opportunity it gave me to explore franchises from many different angles. And of all those potential media, I am still most drawn to the impact that immersive, interactive experiences can have on fans.

What is one important lesson you have learned in your time as a game developer?

Be original. Games are too hard to make and take too much time, money and personal investment to make something the world already has. So be sure that what you are creating has key elements that truly stand out and offer something new to players.

Unfortunately, because of the current state of the economy, most of the larger games companies are investing in things they feel are “safe bets,” which largely align with other existing games. Portfolios are shifting even more towards sequels and further installments of long-standing franchises. Of course, if you have a franchise like FIFA, put out the new version every year. But that audience is largely set. Reaching new players takes risk and investment into original ideas. 

That doesn’t mean you reinvent every wheel. Games are always built on the collective learnings of our industry. Don’t throw out WASD in favor of four other keys because you are trying to be original. (Unless you made QWOP. In which case, thank you for that awesomely original experience.) Every game that has any chance of breaking through the noise of the thousands of other games released every year needs to have something meaningful that other games don’t offer.

And that’s where indies and small studios can thrive! Being different doesn’t mean you have to be big. Nurture that special something in your project and ensure that it will stand out in players’ minds. Make a clone of your favorite game if you want to learn how to make games. But craft something unique if you want to reach and impact players.

What is the one piece of advice you would share today with your younger self before you started your career as a game developer?

You will never please everyone, and it is a bad idea to try. 

At Level Headed, we have six working agreements. One of my favorites is “Don’t Make Oatmeal.” This phrase, which we bring up a lot in meetings, refers to the fact that oatmeal is a breakfast food that most everybody will eat, but very few people LOVE oatmeal. If given a choice, someone will be much more excited about a Belgian waffle, a full English breakfast, or maybe a mushroom omelet. I personally dislike eggs and I’m allergic to mushrooms, so I would never pick that last one. But other people would and they’d love it. You want people to love your game, not just accept it. Nobody picks the oatmeal game. So don’t try to make a game for everybody, work to identify and understand your target player profiles and always keep their interests at the center of creative decisions. Make strong creative choices aimed at that group. Nothing guarantees success in this industry, but trying to please everyone and making bland decisions will guarantee failure.

Similarly, on a dev team, whether it is two people or two hundred, it will never be possible for every team member to agree on every decision. It is great to establish an environment where all voices can be heard, and I firmly believe that the best ideas and solutions can come from anywhere. But that doesn’t mean that you weave every idea into the game. Don’t take a vote or try to appease two sides with a compromise decision. Those lead to oatmeal. Analyze different potential paths, determine what works best for your audience, your budget, your schedule, and the overall project and go with it. Communicate clearly why a decision was made and always be sure to poke at ideas, not the people bringing them up. People might be disappointed that their idea didn’t make it into the project, but they will know that there will be many more opportunities to contribute ideas. 

“Be original. Games are too hard to make and take too much time, money and personal investment to make something the world already has.”

How has the game developer community had an impact on your career?

This industry and our work is always evolving. That makes game development both amazing and daunting. But the saving grace is that you don’t need to be the expert in everything. In fact, it is so much better to surround yourself with people who are significantly better than you in the myriad disciplines that game development demands.

Certainly this is seen most clearly in the team within your studio. Our team is nine people, and every one of them makes our games better in ways that I can’t.

But it is also true of my former coworkers who I can message to ask for opinions or advice. That extended network of trusted people helps me get my job done every week. Sometimes it is emotional support on those really tough days, sometimes it is specific technical advice, and other times it is an introduction to a new person who might be able to help. All of it is invaluable.

And finally, there are the chance connections made in this industry, just by luck or happenstance. In just the past three months, I’ve met dozens of people who I’ve had follow up conversations with because they’ve offered to help, or because I think I might be able to help them. Some I met at big events like DICE, others at local Seattle Indies, ConSpire, or game jam events. Still others I’ve never met in person but we might belong to the same online communities and have made significant connections there. 

I could not be doing what I do now without the help and support of my network of colleagues. 

What is something interesting and unexpected that people would be surprised to learn about you?

I love roller skating. Rollerblading is a solid substitute and I’m always down for a pick-up game of roller hockey. But I wish I lived closer to a roller rink because I’d likely be there several times a week.

How can people follow you and your work?

The game we are working on is still in stealth mode, but an announcement is coming soon. What I can say is that it is online multiplayer and we lean pretty heavily into something we call coopetition. Most of your rewards are based on the collective effort of the people you play with, but we still have leaderboards and ways to show off your individual achievements. We are in closed alpha testing now, and if you’d like to participate in these playtests and help us shape the game, please fill out the short interest form on our website: levelheadedgames.com . 

Here’s our Meetup Page with all future upcoming events. 

The Seattle Blender User Group is happening on March 1st, 10am to 1pm at Academy of Interactive Entertainment – Seattle Center Armory – Suite 405 (305 Harrison St, Suite 405 · Seattle, WA). Seabug’s goals are to help beginners learn Blender, create Blender opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, showcase advanced Blender tools and projects, and celebrate open source graphics in all forms.

The Pierce Country Social is taking place on March 3, 5:30pm-8:00pm at 7 Seas Brewery and Taproom on 2101 Jefferson Ave · Tacoma, WA. Kids are welcome until 8pm as long as they are within arm’s length. Main tap room is first come, first served!

The Eastside Meet & Drink is taking place on March 4, 6:30pm at Northwest Brewing Pint & Pie Public House. It’s time to get together and swap stories. Put down your keyboards and brave the outside world. Let’s meet for a drink, a bite to eat, and some good conversation!

The Diversity Collective+ is happening on March 9, 12pm at Phoenix Comics & Games. Come to network, socialize, and discuss issues related to diversity and inclusion in game development! Folks who identify as an underrepresented minority in the game industry are welcome.

Northside Social is happening at Watershed Pub & Kitchen on March 13th from 6-pm. It’s time to get together and swap stories. Put down your keyboards and brave the outdoors. Let’s meet for a coffee/tea, a bite to eat, and some good conversation!

Feedback Circle is back on March 11, 7pm right on our discord. It’s time to stop coding, animating, making art or audio or adding that amazing new feature you thought of while you were falling asleep last night and come to Feedback Circle to get some real responses to what you have been working on from game creators in our community like yourself.

An In-Person Writer’s Group will take place at Hugo House on March 12, 6:30 PM. For anyone interested or working on projects in game writing, narrative design, voice acting or more– swing by Seattle Indies’ In-Person Writer’s Group! Bring your narrative games, scripts, flowcharts, character bibles or any other story materials for sharing and feedback.

Seattle Indies Board Game Meetup is happening on March 16, 3pm at at Phoenix Comics and Games. Come play board games with Indie Game Developers!

Seattle Indies Social takes place at Stoup Brewing (formerly Optimism) on MArch 11th (one week earlier than usual due to GDC happening the week of the 17-21st), 7pm. Join us for some well-deserved mingling, drinks, and socialization! Make some new friends, catch up with old ones, and find out what the community’s up to.

The Game Club is happening on March 19 at 7pm right on our Discord, and will focus on Pacific Drive. What a book club is to a discussion of literature, this event is to a discussion of game design. Every month, we agree to play a game, then meet to discuss and analyze its design and presentation. 

The SnoCo Social is happening on March 21, 5pm at Zulu’s Board Game Cafe located on 5116 196th St SW Suite 203, Lynnwood, WA 98036 · Lynnwood, WA. Hang out at a local game store with fellow Snohomish Co and adjacent folks over food, drinks, engaging conversations, and maybe some board gaming! If you want to demo/playtest your game, let me know and I’ll make sure there table space + open outlet for your setup.

Southside Social is taking place on March 24, 5:30pm at Logan Brewing Company, 510 SW 151st Street, · Burien, WA. It’s time to get together and swap stories. Put down your keyboards and brave the outdoors. Let’s meet for a coffee/tea, a bite to eat, and some good conversation! This meetup will alternate between Kent and Burien for the next few months at least so we can find out which location works best for people.

Kitsap Social (Bremerton) Join us every last Tuesday of the month at Ashely’s Pub to meet for a drink and some great conversation! Feel free to bring what you’re working on. We may have a room reserved for the public event. Dogs allowed. Outside food allowed.

The Writer’s Room is happening on March 27, 6:30pm right on our discord. Welcome all game writers, narrative designers, voice actors and more to the Seattle Indies Writer’s Room! Bring your scripts, flowcharts, character bibles or whatever you’re working on to share and get feedback on your storytelling.

Indie Co-working Support Group  in-person will take place every Saturday,  from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM PST, at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment.  Seattle Center wifi will be available for use. Please bring everything you need to be productive. We will be meeting every Saturday of the month at AIE going forward. We have also added a Co-working voice channel in Discord for people to use any time they want a quiet space to work alongside their peers.

Seabug Study Hall is a new series of events taking place every week on Thursday, 9pm to 11pm, right on our Discord! Join others from the Seattle Blender User Group for a lo-fi chill out online study hall. Bring a project, just chat, and have a good time with some unstructured project sharing and Q&A.

Our regular Events that are NOT HAPPENING this month:

Show and Tell, is OFF this month, but usually happens at Niantic offices at One Bellevue Center – Chinook Room 411 108th Ave NE · Bellevue, WA. Bring your laptop and show off what you’re working on at the Seattle Indies Demo Night. Use this event to get feedback on your game and to network with other game devs. Pizza will be provided. Please bring everything you will need to demo and record feedback for your game.

Jaden for Snowfall Games just announced our social deduction game, It Was You! Check it out here: https://itwasyou.com/ 

Noatak shared big news for Upstream – their demo is live now! It features the first 2 areas of the game as well as a 10 steam achievements and a functioning Global Leaderboard! Please go check it out!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3245890/Upstream/ 

Vangi (Mateusz) shared the release date for Opus Cortex, which is now on March 7th, 2025. If you’d like to spread the word, here are some places they posted the video to:

https://x.com/rainiergames/status/1890974208257126531 

https://bsky.app/profile/rainiergames.bsky.social/post/3libe6ibmxs2r 

Estefania Rodriguez shared their first solo tabletop game called PopCats Fighter! If you’re interested in 1v1 card fighting games inspired by retro arcade games then click to be notified of the Kickstarter launch!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/violetdaisygames/popcats-fighter-unleash-the-furry 

Aviary Studios released their first game on itch after developing it for some time. Go take a look!

https://aviarystudios.itch.io/nameless 

Andy shared a jam horror game they made! Take a look!

https://a-kimb0.itch.io/erase-me 

Harassment Policy, AAPI, Black Lives Matter, and Resources

Seattle Indies stands with the AAPI community. We are here for our members who have been affected by the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes both locally and nationally. For further resources to educate yourself on the issue and how to take action, here is a useful link: https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/

Seattle Indies believes the stories of the victims of sexual harassment and assault in the games industry that have been shared. We strongly condemn the actions by people in power preying on the dreams of vulnerable people trying to make their way in the industry and strive to build an inclusive community that welcomes all minorities to provide a safe environment and a better vision for the game industry.

While our code of conduct states a zero-tolerance policy for harassment of any kind we are especially sensitive to the daily challenges faced by womxn due to the ingrained sexism that has existed in the structure of the games industry for far too long. We are actively working to build a better community of game developers and we all need to do better.

Additionally, Board Member August Belhumeur has offered to be a personal resource for anyone who needs help, someone to talk to or some guidance on next steps if you have experienced harassment in the industry either at our events or elsewhere. She can be reached at august@seattleindies.org.

Our friends at Take This Org have compiled valuable resources for anyone in immediate need of professional help for their situation.

Lastly, Seattle Indies and Diversity Collective+ support Black Lives Matter. Here are some resources compiled by Diversity Collective+ for how you can offer support, whether this is financial, contributing to petitions, preparing for protests, or getting informed. If you have additional resources, comment below and we will add them.

As always, keep an eye on our Discord for any last-minute news and discussion, and let us know about any projects you’re working on that you’d like shared on our Steam or Itch collections or follow us on all of our social media platforms.

If you want to join our mailing list to get this update sent to your inbox monthly you can Subscribe on LinkedIn.