From Writer to CEO with Zack Howe of Nyx Studios

From Writer to CEO with Zack Howe of Nyx Studios

Podcasts

February 18, 2025

Greg Posner

From Writer to CEO with Zack Howe of Nyx Studios

Podcasts

February 18, 2025

How does a writer become the CEO of a game studio? In this episode of Player Driven, Greg sits down with Zack Howe, co-founder of Nyx Studios, to discuss his journey from storytelling to game design, and ultimately to leading a company. Zack shares insights into the making of Havoc, a competitive deck-building game that blends both physical and digital experiences.

They dive deep into:
✅ How to transition from writing to game design to running a studio
✅ The challenges of designing a unique card game in a crowded market
✅ Fundraising strategies—angel investors vs. Kickstarter
✅ The importance of building a strong player community
✅ Leveraging influencers for game marketing

If you're an indie developer, a deck-builder fan, or just love a good success story, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps:

  • [02:00] Zack’s career shift: From writer to game designer to CEO

  • [08:45] How Havoc was born and the unique mechanics that make it stand out

  • [15:30] The funding journey: How Zack secured angel investors and Kickstarter success

  • [24:10] Why community is the lifeblood of a great game

  • [32:00] The power of influencers in game marketing—and how to get them onboard

  • [41:53] Zack’s biggest lessons from wearing multiple hats in the industry

👤 About Zack Howe & Nyx Studios

Zack Howe is the co-founder and CEO of Nyx Studios, where he leads the development of Havoc, a competitive deck-building game available in both physical and digital formats. With a background in writing and game design, Zack brings a unique storytelling-first approach to game development.

Connect with Zack & Nyx Studios:

🎮 Play Havoc on Tabletopia
💬 Join the Havoc Discord

Key Takeaways for Indie Game Developers:

🔥 Be adaptable. Zack’s career shift from writer to CEO proves that staying flexible opens doors.
🔥 Fundraising is a grind. Whether through angel investors or Kickstarter, securing funding takes strategy and persistence.
🔥 Community is king. Players, influencers, and content creators can help your game succeed faster than traditional marketing.
🔥 Don’t fear failure. Every misstep is a learning opportunity—whether it’s a pricing mistake on Steam or an underperforming Kickstarter campaign.



They dive deep into:
✅ How to transition from writing to game design to running a studio
✅ The challenges of designing a unique card game in a crowded market
✅ Fundraising strategies—angel investors vs. Kickstarter
✅ The importance of building a strong player community
✅ Leveraging influencers for game marketing

If you're an indie developer, a deck-builder fan, or just love a good success story, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps:

  • [02:00] Zack’s career shift: From writer to game designer to CEO

  • [08:45] How Havoc was born and the unique mechanics that make it stand out

  • [15:30] The funding journey: How Zack secured angel investors and Kickstarter success

  • [24:10] Why community is the lifeblood of a great game

  • [32:00] The power of influencers in game marketing—and how to get them onboard

  • [41:53] Zack’s biggest lessons from wearing multiple hats in the industry

👤 About Zack Howe & Nyx Studios

Zack Howe is the co-founder and CEO of Nyx Studios, where he leads the development of Havoc, a competitive deck-building game available in both physical and digital formats. With a background in writing and game design, Zack brings a unique storytelling-first approach to game development.

Connect with Zack & Nyx Studios:

🎮 Play Havoc on Tabletopia
💬 Join the Havoc Discord

Key Takeaways for Indie Game Developers:

🔥 Be adaptable. Zack’s career shift from writer to CEO proves that staying flexible opens doors.
🔥 Fundraising is a grind. Whether through angel investors or Kickstarter, securing funding takes strategy and persistence.
🔥 Community is king. Players, influencers, and content creators can help your game succeed faster than traditional marketing.
🔥 Don’t fear failure. Every misstep is a learning opportunity—whether it’s a pricing mistake on Steam or an underperforming Kickstarter campaign.



They dive deep into:
✅ How to transition from writing to game design to running a studio
✅ The challenges of designing a unique card game in a crowded market
✅ Fundraising strategies—angel investors vs. Kickstarter
✅ The importance of building a strong player community
✅ Leveraging influencers for game marketing

If you're an indie developer, a deck-builder fan, or just love a good success story, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

⏱️ Key Topics & Timestamps:

  • [02:00] Zack’s career shift: From writer to game designer to CEO

  • [08:45] How Havoc was born and the unique mechanics that make it stand out

  • [15:30] The funding journey: How Zack secured angel investors and Kickstarter success

  • [24:10] Why community is the lifeblood of a great game

  • [32:00] The power of influencers in game marketing—and how to get them onboard

  • [41:53] Zack’s biggest lessons from wearing multiple hats in the industry

👤 About Zack Howe & Nyx Studios

Zack Howe is the co-founder and CEO of Nyx Studios, where he leads the development of Havoc, a competitive deck-building game available in both physical and digital formats. With a background in writing and game design, Zack brings a unique storytelling-first approach to game development.

Connect with Zack & Nyx Studios:

🎮 Play Havoc on Tabletopia
💬 Join the Havoc Discord

Key Takeaways for Indie Game Developers:

🔥 Be adaptable. Zack’s career shift from writer to CEO proves that staying flexible opens doors.
🔥 Fundraising is a grind. Whether through angel investors or Kickstarter, securing funding takes strategy and persistence.
🔥 Community is king. Players, influencers, and content creators can help your game succeed faster than traditional marketing.
🔥 Don’t fear failure. Every misstep is a learning opportunity—whether it’s a pricing mistake on Steam or an underperforming Kickstarter campaign.



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