How Blackbox Won an Apple Design Award, twice! – Ryan McLeod

From Apple Design Award to Indie Success: Ryan McLeod’s Journey

In this episode of the Going Indie Podcast, host Antoine chats with Ryan McLeod, the indie developer behind the award-winning game Blackbox. Ryan, a two-time Apple Design Award winner, shares his journey from indie beginnings to expanding Blackbox for Apple Vision Pro. They discuss the challenges of balancing development with marketing, the impact of Apple’s recognition, and the creative process behind his unique puzzle game. Ryan also reflects on working solo versus building a team, the long-term mindset needed for indie success, and the power of community among indie developers. Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with lessons and inspiration!

This episode is sponsored by RocketSim: Build Apps Faster using 30+ features for Xcode's Simulator

Ready to turn your passion into independence? Follow Antoine's course, "From Side Project to Going Indie", at going-indie.com. By purchasing the course through this link, 20% of the price will go directly to Ryan McLeod, supporting his indie journey.

TIMESTAMPS

• (00:00) - Winning the Apple Design Award
• (00:11) - Introducing Ryan McLeod and Blackbox
• (01:20) - Ryan's Journey to Indie Development
• (02:16) - The Birth of Blackbox
• (03:10) - Challenges and Creativity in Game Development
• (06:14) - Monetization Strategies and Early Struggles
• (06:50) - The Launch and Initial Reception
• (09:18) - Adjusting Monetization and User Feedback
• (11:15) - The Reality of Indie Success
• (12:07) - Marketing and User Engagement
• (13:14) - Balancing Ethics and Business
• (17:54) - Sponsored by www.rocketsim.app
• (18:46) - The Importance of Analytics
• (33:50) - Maintaining and Updating Blackbox
• (37:06) - Navigating Keynote Reactions and Device Updates
• (37:38) - Balancing Perfection and Practicality in Development
• (38:14) - From Side Project to Going Indie with www.going-indie.com
• (38:37) - Strategies for Efficient Project Setup
• (41:03) - The Importance of Apple Features and Support
• (46:41) - Building Credibility and Maintaining Relationships
• (53:15) - Winning the Apple Design Award
• (56:13) - Venturing into Apple Vision Pro
• (01:01:42) - The Challenges and Rewards of Indie Development
• (01:10:41) - The Importance of Community and Support Networks
• (01:13:31) - Final Thoughts and Advice for Aspiring Indie Developers

ABOUT OUR PODCAST
Join Antoine van der Lee on Going Indie, the podcast that explores the journeys of independent creators and developers. Each month, Antoine chats with indie creators from around the world, uncovering the strategies, challenges, and habits that helped them turn side projects into thriving businesses. Whether you dream of going indie or want to refine your journey, this podcast delivers real-world insights and practical advice. Ready to take the leap? Follow Antoine’s course, From Side Project to Going Indie, at going-indie.com.

Check out the full podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg4qABgFp_nR8uTWuI9EoUa2TFma4ifFv
Don’t forget to subscribe!

Check out my course if you're ready to start your indie journey:
https://www.going-indie.com

THIS PODCAST IS MADE POSSIBLE BY SWIFTLEE
https://www.avanderlee.com

AND ROCKETSIM
The "Essential Developer Tool for App Developers" as recommended by Apple:
https://www.rocketsim.app

GET IN TOUCH
Contact us at youtube@avanderlee.com

SPONSOR THE NEXT EPISODE
You can find all the details here: https://podcast.going-indie.com/sponsor

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL
Get updates or reach out to Get updates on our Social Media Profiles!
Twitter: twitter.com/twannl
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/avanderlee.com
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/41dH1bzaTZ2ZZsZ9g6UD2a