183: Scouting Indie Games for a Living, with Lucy James
Summary
Lucy James, former GameSpot host, discusses launching her independent newsletter, Looking for Game, which curates indie titles and delivers playable demo codes via Player.gg. She details her transition from a 12-year corporate career to self-employment, covering her workflow using Google Workspace, Airtable, and QuickBooks. The episode also explores her strategy for finding hidden gems through developer relationships and trade shows, while reflecting on the importance of positive curation in a challenging gaming industry landscape.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Lucy James and her new project
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital sponsorship
Indispensable apps: Google Workspace and Airtable
Explaining the 'Looking for Game' newsletter
Career history at GameSpot and skill development
Origin of the newsletter idea with Jeff Keal
Platform challenges: Dubstack vs. Substack
User experience: Demos, wishlists, and community
Partnership with a playtesting platform
Contributors and the future of gaming media
Sponsors: Fitbod, Squarespace, and Century
Launching the business and financial tools
How Lucy discovers new indie games
Gaming setup and social life with friends
Hardware for travel and upcoming game releases
Managing schedules and content calendars
Social media management with Buffer
Sponsors: Sentry and Scribe
Writing process and editing challenges
Relationships with developers and publishers
Focusing on positive news in gaming
The value of newsletters over social media
Overview of Summer Game Fest
Co-hosting responsibilities and show dynamics
Behind the scenes: Rehearsals and production
Jeff Keal's role and managing relationships
Performing for live audiences vs. streams
Closing remarks and game recommendations
Listen ad-free on Castria