Ep 7: Sean Krankel, Night School Studio. USA

Ep 7: Sean Krankel, Night School Studio. USA

Author: Indie Or Die August 26, 2022 Duration: 53:10

Sean Krankel of Night School Studio has lent his name to some very well known creative games works since the late 90's including Crash Bandicoot, Kingdom Hearts 2, 50 Cent: Bulletproof, and even Desperate Housewives: The Game (I fact checked this, it was a thing.) You'll hear how writing, acting, and voicing in triple A studios prepares you for life as an Indie Developer.


Dive into the raw, unfiltered reality of making games outside the major studio system with GOA Presents Indie Or Die. Host Pete Curulli sits down for candid, one-on-one conversations with independent developers, both from Australia and around the world. This isn't just a celebration of launches and five-star reviews; it's a clear-eyed look at the entire journey. Each episode pulls back the curtain on the creative process, the unexpected hurdles, and the tough lessons learned in what is arguably one of the most challenging entertainment fields. You'll hear genuine stories about the successes that sustain a studio and the failures that reshape its path. The conversations in this podcast are built on a shared understanding of the grind, offering a sense of community and hard-won insight for anyone fascinated by the art and business of indie games. While the series is currently on a break, the existing archive remains an essential listen, full of specific, relatable experiences that resonate long after the final credits roll on a project. It's a frank collection of dialogues that captures the true spirit of indie development.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 10

GOA Presents Indie Or Die
Podcast Episodes
Ep 10: Pat & John, Melonhead Games [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:38
In the wake of the release of their first game, Rooftop Renegade, Str8JaktJim talks to Adelaide indie devs Pat Webb (Producer & Game Designer) and John Oestmann (Composer & Sound Design). From its beginnings in the 2018…
Ep 9: Graeme Struthers, Devolver Digital [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
Devolver Digital have developed a reputation for publishing amazing indie games. Jim was luckily enough to chat with Graeme Struthers, one of the Co-Founders of Devolver Digital at PAX Aus 2022. Listen as they talk about…
Ep 8: Ash Ringrose, SMG Studio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:27
The boys chat to Ash Ringrose, head of Aussie game studio, SMG Studio, producing absolute rippers like Death Squared and the legendary Moving Out. It's a must listen for anyone who aspires to get into making games.
Ep: 6 Connie Geppert, Jo-Mei Games. Germany [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:35
Cornelia Geppert is the creative director at Jo-Mei games, yet that titles hardly does her achievements and her story justice. Her game, Sea of Solitude, has won countless awards however its what this game represents as…
Ep 5: Ben Lee, Blue Manchu. Australia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:41
Ben Lee is the creative director at Blue Manchu which he co-founded with Jonathan Chey, however that's only the latest in a career spanning 30 years that all started way back in 1991 with Walt Disney. An IGF nominated ar…
Ep 4: Derek Bradley, A44. New Zealand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:55
Derek Bradley took a punt by jumping out of what was an already successful career in creative entertainment to found A44. His journey from working inside a team to now running his own will take you through the challenges…
Ep 2: Corey and Lori Cole 1, Transolar Games. USA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:18
Corey and Lori Cole were destined to find each other and found Transolar Games. Over the next two episodes you'll hear how it all began, the romantic tale of meeting for the first time at a convention back in the pixelat…
Ep 1: Chris Charla, ID@Xbox [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:15
Chris Charla is the director of the ID@Xbox program and helps independent developers self-publish their games on the Microsoft Xbox platform. Chris started his creative journey when it was all punk rock, with only a few…