How Acclaim and Midwest Games are Rewriting the Playbook for Developer Success
Blogs
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August 14, 2025
The landscape of game development is a paradox. It’s never been easier to create and release a game, yet it's never been harder to get noticed. With an estimated 25,000 games set to launch this year alone, how can an indie developer possibly stand out? For those who grew up on the loud, unfiltered, arcade energy of Midway and Acclaim, a new chapter is being written with the same DNA. We sat down with two leaders at the forefront of this movement: Ben Kvalo, Founder of Midwest Games, and Alex Joseph, CEO of the revived Play Acclaim. They shared a modern playbook for indie success—one that blends the rebellious spirit of the past with the sharp business acumen required to survive today. Here are the critical lessons for every developer fighting to make their mark.
The Indie Developer’s New Job Title: CEO
Passion can build a game, but it takes a business mindset to build a sustainable studio. Both Kvalo and Joseph emphasized that developers must now think like executives, treating their creative endeavor as a serious business.
Look Beyond the Check 3: When approaching a publisher, the conversation must extend beyond funding and revenue splits4. Alex Joseph urges developers to ask what a publisher can provide in terms of playtesting, feedback, and support to make the game the best it can be5. A publisher’s network can also provide invaluable access to services like localization, QA, and porting at better rates6666.
Come to the Table Prepared: Trust is the foundation of any partnership. In today's risk-averse climate, a playable demo or prototype is essential to show a publisher that your project is viable7. Furthermore, presenting a detailed, justified budget shows that you are a serious partner. As Ben Kvalo puts it, you never want to raise a red flag in a publisher's head by presenting numbers that don't seem to make sense8.
Understand Your Options: The publishing model itself is evolving. Kvalo’s Midwest Games offers "Shadow Publishing," a for-hire service where developers with their own funding can pay for publishing services without giving up IP rights or revenue share9. This model, however, requires developers to be sophisticated enough to secure their own investment and manage a budget, proving that financial literacy directly translates to greater control and long-term success10101010.
Winning the Unwinnable War: Discoverability in a Saturated Market
With a new game launching roughly every 20 minutes, discoverability has become what Alex Joseph calls a "bear" of a challenge11. Simply creating a great game isn’t enough.
The "Magic Formula" is a Myth: Stop trying to copy the last viral hit. Ben Kvalo issued a stark warning that for every game that succeeds with a certain strategy, there are a thousand that tried the same thing and failed12. There is no "tried and true" way of doing things anymore13. The key to survival is agility—being ready to pivot quickly and engage with the audience that is resonating with your game, even if it's not the one you initially targeted14.
Every Platform is a Competitor: The fight for player attention isn't just against other new releases. Massive platforms like Fortnite and Roblox act as "walled gardens," retaining users and creating an expectation for free content15151515. This devalues the market and makes it harder to convince players to buy new, premium indie games16.
Find Your Ambassador: When you finally get a meeting with a publisher, your goal isn't just to sell a game; it's to ignite passion. "Get them to become an ambassador for you and for your idea," Kvalo advises17. If you can make a publisher genuinely excited about your vision, they will fight for it internally and champion its potential18.
The Path Forward
The spirit of the arcade era—bold, competitive, and unforgettable—is alive and well. But to thrive today, that creative energy must be paired with strategic discipline. Publishers like Midwest Games and Play Acclaim are not just funding games; they are partnering with developers who are ready to build sustainable businesses. By understanding the value of a true partnership and tackling the discoverability challenge with agility and passion, indie developers can still make a massive impact.
The Indie Developer’s New Job Title: CEO
Passion can build a game, but it takes a business mindset to build a sustainable studio. Both Kvalo and Joseph emphasized that developers must now think like executives, treating their creative endeavor as a serious business.
Look Beyond the Check 3: When approaching a publisher, the conversation must extend beyond funding and revenue splits4. Alex Joseph urges developers to ask what a publisher can provide in terms of playtesting, feedback, and support to make the game the best it can be5. A publisher’s network can also provide invaluable access to services like localization, QA, and porting at better rates6666.
Come to the Table Prepared: Trust is the foundation of any partnership. In today's risk-averse climate, a playable demo or prototype is essential to show a publisher that your project is viable7. Furthermore, presenting a detailed, justified budget shows that you are a serious partner. As Ben Kvalo puts it, you never want to raise a red flag in a publisher's head by presenting numbers that don't seem to make sense8.
Understand Your Options: The publishing model itself is evolving. Kvalo’s Midwest Games offers "Shadow Publishing," a for-hire service where developers with their own funding can pay for publishing services without giving up IP rights or revenue share9. This model, however, requires developers to be sophisticated enough to secure their own investment and manage a budget, proving that financial literacy directly translates to greater control and long-term success10101010.
Winning the Unwinnable War: Discoverability in a Saturated Market
With a new game launching roughly every 20 minutes, discoverability has become what Alex Joseph calls a "bear" of a challenge11. Simply creating a great game isn’t enough.
The "Magic Formula" is a Myth: Stop trying to copy the last viral hit. Ben Kvalo issued a stark warning that for every game that succeeds with a certain strategy, there are a thousand that tried the same thing and failed12. There is no "tried and true" way of doing things anymore13. The key to survival is agility—being ready to pivot quickly and engage with the audience that is resonating with your game, even if it's not the one you initially targeted14.
Every Platform is a Competitor: The fight for player attention isn't just against other new releases. Massive platforms like Fortnite and Roblox act as "walled gardens," retaining users and creating an expectation for free content15151515. This devalues the market and makes it harder to convince players to buy new, premium indie games16.
Find Your Ambassador: When you finally get a meeting with a publisher, your goal isn't just to sell a game; it's to ignite passion. "Get them to become an ambassador for you and for your idea," Kvalo advises17. If you can make a publisher genuinely excited about your vision, they will fight for it internally and champion its potential18.
The Path Forward
The spirit of the arcade era—bold, competitive, and unforgettable—is alive and well. But to thrive today, that creative energy must be paired with strategic discipline. Publishers like Midwest Games and Play Acclaim are not just funding games; they are partnering with developers who are ready to build sustainable businesses. By understanding the value of a true partnership and tackling the discoverability challenge with agility and passion, indie developers can still make a massive impact.
The Indie Developer’s New Job Title: CEO
Passion can build a game, but it takes a business mindset to build a sustainable studio. Both Kvalo and Joseph emphasized that developers must now think like executives, treating their creative endeavor as a serious business.
Look Beyond the Check 3: When approaching a publisher, the conversation must extend beyond funding and revenue splits4. Alex Joseph urges developers to ask what a publisher can provide in terms of playtesting, feedback, and support to make the game the best it can be5. A publisher’s network can also provide invaluable access to services like localization, QA, and porting at better rates6666.
Come to the Table Prepared: Trust is the foundation of any partnership. In today's risk-averse climate, a playable demo or prototype is essential to show a publisher that your project is viable7. Furthermore, presenting a detailed, justified budget shows that you are a serious partner. As Ben Kvalo puts it, you never want to raise a red flag in a publisher's head by presenting numbers that don't seem to make sense8.
Understand Your Options: The publishing model itself is evolving. Kvalo’s Midwest Games offers "Shadow Publishing," a for-hire service where developers with their own funding can pay for publishing services without giving up IP rights or revenue share9. This model, however, requires developers to be sophisticated enough to secure their own investment and manage a budget, proving that financial literacy directly translates to greater control and long-term success10101010.
Winning the Unwinnable War: Discoverability in a Saturated Market
With a new game launching roughly every 20 minutes, discoverability has become what Alex Joseph calls a "bear" of a challenge11. Simply creating a great game isn’t enough.
The "Magic Formula" is a Myth: Stop trying to copy the last viral hit. Ben Kvalo issued a stark warning that for every game that succeeds with a certain strategy, there are a thousand that tried the same thing and failed12. There is no "tried and true" way of doing things anymore13. The key to survival is agility—being ready to pivot quickly and engage with the audience that is resonating with your game, even if it's not the one you initially targeted14.
Every Platform is a Competitor: The fight for player attention isn't just against other new releases. Massive platforms like Fortnite and Roblox act as "walled gardens," retaining users and creating an expectation for free content15151515. This devalues the market and makes it harder to convince players to buy new, premium indie games16.
Find Your Ambassador: When you finally get a meeting with a publisher, your goal isn't just to sell a game; it's to ignite passion. "Get them to become an ambassador for you and for your idea," Kvalo advises17. If you can make a publisher genuinely excited about your vision, they will fight for it internally and champion its potential18.
The Path Forward
The spirit of the arcade era—bold, competitive, and unforgettable—is alive and well. But to thrive today, that creative energy must be paired with strategic discipline. Publishers like Midwest Games and Play Acclaim are not just funding games; they are partnering with developers who are ready to build sustainable businesses. By understanding the value of a true partnership and tackling the discoverability challenge with agility and passion, indie developers can still make a massive impact.
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