From Writer to CEO with Zack Howe of Nyx Studios

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.