From Oil Spills to Indie Games: Michael Csokas Built The Broken Ceiling

Introduction

What do oil spills, cosmic horror, and indie game development have in common? If you ask Michael Csokas, the answer is everything. As the founder of Iron Octopus Productions and creator of the indie game The Broken Ceiling, Michael’s journey from supervising oil spill cleanups to building immersive video games is nothing short of remarkable. His story is a testament to how skills from unrelated fields can shape the future of creative industries.

1. Your Past Skills Are More Relevant Than You Think

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Michael’s experience managing oil spills may seem unrelated to game development at first glance, but the skills he learned on the job proved invaluable. Managing logistics, breaking down large problems into smaller, manageable parts, and coordinating teams are skills that map directly to game development. When designing world maps, Michael applies the same approach, treating each problem as a "war room" strategy session.

Takeaway: Whatever your background, there are transferable skills that can give you an edge in game development. Leadership, problem-solving, and operational thinking all have a place in game production.

2. Lean Into Storytelling and Unique Game Concepts

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The Broken Ceiling is a cosmic horror game centered around a rabbit who becomes a key figure in a cosmic prison. This imaginative world blends eerie horror with philosophical musings on imprisonment and fate. Michael’s storytelling background — writing children’s books and technical manuals — plays a huge role in his ability to craft compelling narratives.

Takeaway: The best indie games tell stories that feel unique. Drawing on inspiration from books, films, and personal creative experiences can help you build worlds that feel fresh and engaging.

3. You Don’t Have to Do Everything Yourself

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It’s easy to think indie developers need to wear every hat — programmer, artist, animator, marketer — but Michael emphasizes the importance of specialization. While he handles illustration, storytelling, and production, he hired a programmer to handle the technical side. This not only sped up development but also allowed him to stay in his creative "zone of genius."

Takeaway: Focus on what you do best. For the rest, collaborate with specialists. Hiring a programmer instead of learning to code saved Michael months of work and allowed him to focus on art, design, and story.

4. Mistakes Happen — But You Can Learn From Them

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One of the biggest "oops" moments in Michael’s career came from his first Steam launch of The Broken Ceiling. After changing the price of the game right before launch, he accidentally disqualified himself from Steam's Halloween sale — a huge opportunity for exposure. This mistake was a hard lesson in platform rules and the importance of planning ahead.

Takeaway: If you plan to publish your game on platforms like Steam, take time to understand the rules, deadlines, and quirks. Don’t wait until launch day to learn how things work.

5. Build Your Community Early

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Michael’s approach for his next game, Omega, will be different. This time, he’s focusing on building a community before launch. From starting social media marketing courses to planning community-driven development, he’s making sure to rally players around the game before it’s even released. He even plans to share concept art and behind-the-scenes content to keep players engaged.

Takeaway: Building a community is essential for any indie game. Consider starting a Discord, sharing concept art, and creating spaces where fans can contribute ideas. Early buzz can lead to advocates who champion your project before it’s even complete.

Final Thoughts
Michael Csokas' journey from oil fields to indie games proves that passion, curiosity, and strategy are essential to success. His advice to specialize, build community, and avoid perfectionism are lessons every indie developer should follow. As he works on his next game, Omega, Michael’s story reminds us that creating a game is as much about the journey as it is about the final product.

Whether you’re building your first game or planning your next big project, remember Michael's words: "If you’re building a game and you’re leading the charge, lead the charge."

If you want to follow Michael’s journey or play The Broken Ceiling, check it out on Steam. Stay tuned for Omega — it's shaping up to be something truly special.