Building an Indie Gaming Community with Josh Garity of Pyramid Lake Games

In this episode of Player Engage Podcast, we sit down with Josh Garity, Founder and CEO of Pyramid Lake Games. Josh shares his experience in indie game development, how he built a loyal gaming community, and the exciting projects coming from Pyramid Lake Games, including Varsity High School Football. Join us as we dive into the challenges, triumphs, and future plans of this passionate indie developer.

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The Birth of Pyramid Lake Games

Pyramid Lake Games was founded with the vision of creating immersive, community-driven gaming experiences. Based in the heart of the Midwest, the studio has taken a unique approach to indie development, focusing on sports-themed games that bring players together. Josh explains the inspiration behind Varsity High School Football and how it fills a gap in the gaming market.


Engaging with the Gaming Community

One of the pillars of Pyramid Lake Games’ success has been their commitment to community engagement. Josh discusses how the team actively listens to feedback from players through Discord, Patreon, and social media platforms. By fostering open communication with the gaming community, Pyramid Lake ensures their games resonate with players and stay relevant.

“The gaming community is the heart of what we do. Without their input, our games wouldn’t be where they are today,” Josh states.


The Role of Steam in Growing the Community

Josh shares insights into launching a Steam page for Varsity High School Football and how essential it is to gain traction in the gaming community. Steam provides indie developers a platform to connect with a larger audience and gather valuable feedback from early adopters.

“Having a strong presence on Steam helps us build credibility within the gaming community and shows that we’re serious about delivering a quality game,” Josh notes.


Overcoming Challenges in Indie Game Development

As with any indie game studio, Pyramid Lake Games faces its own set of challenges, from limited resources to balancing game development and community engagement. Josh dives into how the team overcomes these obstacles and continues to deliver games that both entertain and unite the gaming community.


Midwest Game Development and the Importance of Partnerships

The Midwest is quickly becoming a hub for game development, and Pyramid Lake Games is a testament to that. Josh reflects on his partnership with Midwest Games and the support that has allowed them to bring innovative titles like Floor is What to life. He emphasizes the importance of collaboration and shared values in achieving success in the gaming industry.


The Future of Pyramid Lake Games

Josh Garity looks to the future with excitement. With a growing community behind them, Pyramid Lake Games has ambitious plans for expanding their gaming lineup and continuing to engage players through creative, community-driven projects. Josh hints at upcoming titles and how they plan to involve their fans in the development process even further.

“We wouldn’t be here without our community. It’s our mission to continue building games that bring people together, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Josh concludes.


Listen to the Full Episode

Don’t miss out on hearing the full conversation with Josh Garity! Learn more about indie game development, the challenges of running a game studio, and the importance of community in gaming. Listen to the full episode here.


Final Thoughts on Community and Game Development

The conversation with Josh Garity highlights the importance of community in indie game development. Pyramid Lake Games is a shining example of how a small studio can make a big impact by staying connected with players, listening to feedback, and creating games that resonate with the gaming community.

If you’re interested in game development or are part of a gaming community, you won’t want to miss this episode. Stay tuned for more exciting content from Pyramid Lake Games!

Greg Posner

Avid gamer with a passion for storytelling. My goal is to unpack the narratives of customers, partners and others to better understand how industry-leaders tackle today's challenges.

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