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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