• #[Ep558] How Many Dudes: Designing Games For Success
    Feb 4 2026

    In episode 558 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers dig into how community engagement is shaping the ongoing development of How Many Dudes, from reacting to feedback to refining what players latch onto. They talk about the role luck plays in getting eyes on a game, and how fast iteration helps them adapt when discovery, localization, or influencer interest suddenly spikes. The conversation centers on staying nimble, listening closely, and adjusting strategy as the game and the audience keeps evolving.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:26 Introduction and Welcome
    02:05 Demo Update for 'How Many Dudes'
    05:29 Analyzing Player Engagement and Discovery Queue
    06:51 Localization Strategies for the Chinese Market
    09:43 Cost Implications of Localization
    13:50 Reflections on Game Development Philosophy
    17:45 Execution vs. Concept in Game Design
    22:05 Iterative Development and Player Feedback
    29:47 Strategic Shifts in Game Development Approach
    30:54 Navigating Game Development Constraints
    33:27 Marketing Strategies and Market Gaps
    36:12 The Unpredictability of Entertainment Products
    40:17 Designing for Marketability and Engagement
    44:58 Adapting to Market Changes and Direct Sales
    49:15 The Role of Luck in Game Success
    54:21 Building a Resilient Game Development Studio

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    53 mins
  • #[Ep557] Are Steam demos the new Early Access?
    Jan 28 2026

    In episode 557 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers share updates on How Many Dudes, touching on the demo’s strong performance, upcoming localization, and ongoing community management. They dig into the feedback they’re getting, how it shapes balance and feature decisions, and what they’re preparing for as Steam Next Fest approaches. The focus is on understanding what players are asking for and charting the path toward a solid full launch.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:38 Introduction and Welcome
    02:04 Demo Performance and Player Engagement
    04:52 Localization and Language Expansion
    08:37 Upcoming Features and Game Modes
    12:00 Promotional Strategies and Events
    15:43 Looking Ahead: Next Fest and Future Plans
    17:48 The Power of Demos in Game Promotion
    19:31 Balancing Game Mechanics and Player Experience
    24:24 Navigating Player Feedback and Expectations
    27:49 Understanding Player Perspectives and Feedback
    31:38 The Challenge of Expertise in Game Development
    36:30 Managing Community Reactions and Expectations
    37:44 Navigating Player Emotions in Game Development
    40:28 Building a Positive Community Culture
    42:19 Managing Feedback and Expectations
    45:56 The Evolution of Early Access and Player Interaction
    49:49 The Ongoing Conversation Between Developers and Players

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    54 mins
  • [Ep556] How to succeed on Mobile as an indie: Our "How Many Dudes?" strategy
    Jan 21 2026

    In episode 556 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers talk about How Many Dudes riding the waves of Steam discovery and what they’ve learned about keeping that Wishlist train rolling. From premium price woes to free to try realities, they explore what it takes to bring one game to two very different worlds without losing their minds or the vibe.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:26 Introduction and Welcome
    00:55 Discussing How Many Dudes and Marketing Strategies
    04:15 Insights on Game Discovery and Visibility
    06:40 Launch Strategy and Expectations
    09:36 Exploring Mobile Platforms and Monetization
    19:20 Challenges of Premium Games on Mobile
    24:40 Cross-Platform Challenges
    26:47 User Data Management Issues
    29:36 Monetization Strategies
    35:48 Free-to-Try Model Discussion
    39:56 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    46 mins
  • [Ep555] How Many Dudes Hits 100k Wishlists & 2026 Predictions
    Jan 14 2026

    In episode 555 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers unpack what the How Many Dudes demo is teaching them about speed, feedback, and player expectations. They talk about influencer momentum, the challenges of balancing once players latch onto specific builds, and why moving fast matters more than ever. The episode closes with 2026 predictions, touching on AI, platform shifts, and why focused indie teams may thrive in the noise.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:35 Introduction and Welcome
    10:49 The Success of How Many Dudes Demo
    24:45 Marketing Strategies and Community Engagement
    25:42 Demo Development and Market Positioning
    29:00 Localization and International Reach
    31:52 Balancing Game Mechanics and Player Expectations
    40:19 Feedback and Iteration in Game Development
    45:15 Predictions for the Future of Gaming
    50:46 The Hardware Crisis: RAM and GPUs in the AI Era
    53:35 AI's Limitations: The Reality of Digital Assistants
    56:21 The Rise of Indie Games Amidst AI Slop
    01:00:29 The Search for Authenticity in Gaming Experiences
    01:07:51 The Future of Game Distribution: Predictions for Major Platforms

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • [Ep554] How Many Dudes: Demo Launch Numbers
    Jan 7 2026

    In episode 554 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers celebrate the launch of the How Many Dudes demo and the surprise explosion past 50,000 wishlists. They break down what worked, from shipping the demo during the Steam winter sale to leaning hard into YouTube Shorts, influencers, and community momentum. he episode wraps with reflections on resilience, creative momentum, and why 2026 just might be the Year of the Dude.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:33 Introduction and Welcome
    01:52 The Launch Strategy for 'How Many Dudes'
    05:44 Initial Reception and Growth of the Demo
    11:38 Influencer Impact and Community Engagement
    17:34 Viral Success and Peak Player Engagement
    23:50 The Power of Community Influence
    26:49 Tracking Player Engagement and Growth
    30:32 Comparing Demo Performance and Market Trends
    31:50 Understanding Wishlist Dynamics
    35:37 Designing an Engaging Demo Experience
    40:05 Exploring Game Mechanics and Combinatorial Play
    45:38 Seasonal Models and Game Dynamics
    47:00 Naming the Year: 2026
    47:43 Creative Year Themes and Predictions
    54:18 Reflections on Resilience and Moving Forward

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    56 mins
  • [Ep553] Butterscotch Shenanigans 2025 Year In Review
    Dec 31 2025

    In episode 553 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers take stock of a wild year at Butterscotch Shenanigans, starting with the launch of Crashlands 2 and everything that came after it. They talk about testing woes, localization headaches, and the emotional rollercoaster of reading reviews. From there, the conversation turns forward-looking, unpacking why the team is shifting toward smaller, faster projects, what they learned from early experiments with How Many Dudes, and how tools like Ludokit fit into their next chapter.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:42 Introduction and Welcome
    02:44 Crashlands 2 Development Challenges
    05:41 Launch Day Success and Initial Reception
    08:45 Content Updates and Player Feedback
    11:46 Navigating Reviews and Player Expectations
    14:46 Post-Launch Reflections and Future Directions
    17:49 Introducing Ludokid: A New Tool for Game Development
    25:06 Casual Conversations and Game Development Insights
    25:42 Achievements and Game Mechanics
    26:38 Ludo Kit and Development Planning
    28:33 Pivoting to 'How Many Dudes'
    30:05 Shifting Game Development Strategies
    31:35 Changing Perceptions of Indie Games
    34:36 Market Trends and Player Expectations
    37:54 The Evolution of Game Design
    40:40 Game Jams and Rapid Prototyping
    44:49 Demo Development and Market Testing
    47:54 Future Plans and Community Engagement

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    46 mins
  • [Ep552] How to think about Steam Demos as Indie Devs
    Dec 24 2025

    In episode 552 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers celebrate a big personal milestone before diving into why demos matter more than ever for indie games. They break down how demos drive visibility on Steam, why they work best as hype-builders rather than pure conversion tools, and how thoughtful demo timing can spark organic player engagement. The conversation looks at demos as living marketing tools that fuel wishlists, feedback, and long-term momentum.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:29 Introduction and Welcome
    03:02 Celebrating Milestones: 10 Years Cancer-Free
    09:49 The Importance of Demos in Game Development
    14:01 Navigating Game Releases During Holidays
    14:51 The Purpose of Demos in Game Marketing
    18:36 Understanding Player Engagement Metrics
    20:24 The Role of Demos in Driving Wishlists
    22:37 Optimizing Demos for Next Fest Success
    24:27 Using Demos Beyond Next Fest
    26:03 Case Study: The Success of Bellatro
    36:27 Strategizing Demo Releases for Market Impact
    37:01 The Power of Demos in Game Marketing
    39:25 Leveraging Community Feedback for Game Development
    41:10 Creating Organic Buzz Through Accessibility
    44:08 The Risks and Rewards of Demo Releases
    49:32 Incremental Development and Localization Strategies
    51:34 The Purpose of Demos: Marketing vs. Conversion

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    54 mins
  • [Ep551] Flailing Toward Success in Indie Game Dev
    Dec 17 2025

    In episode 551 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers talk about why flailing is not a failure mode, it’s the strategy. They unpack how progress in game development, marketing, and life often comes from trying lots of things without knowing which will work, then slowing down as signals start to appear. It’s a look at uncertainty, experimentation, and why nobody really knows the answer, but everyone figures out a small piece by doing.

    Support How Many Dudes!
    Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
    Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
    Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

    00:00 Cold Open
    00:25 Introduction and Welcome
    02:41 Navigating YouTube and Game Development Insights
    05:40 The Indie Game Developer Experience
    08:43 Flailing Towards Success: The Random Walk
    11:43 Exploring New Strategies and Marketing Approaches
    14:37 The Importance of Experimentation in Game Development
    17:43 R&D and the Value of Unpredictability
    20:40 Closing Thoughts on Research and Development
    21:38 The ROI of Science in Game Development
    22:17 Designing Game Mechanics: Chaos vs. Structure
    23:36 Iterative Design: Balancing Planning and Flexibility
    24:55 Class Systems and Game Evolution
    27:28 High-Level Planning vs. Low-Level Details
    30:18 Scaffolding for Game Development
    34:38 The Challenge of Crafting Systems
    36:33 Navigating Constraints in Game Design
    40:13 The Importance of User Feedback
    42:41 The Role of Humor in Game Development

    To stay up to date with all of our buttery goodness subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts (apple.co/1LxNEnk) or wherever you get your audio goodness.

    If you want to get more involved in the Butterscotch community, hop into our DISCORD server at discord.gg/bscotch and say hello!

    Submit questions at https://www.bscotch.net/podcast, disclose all of your secrets to podcast@bscotch.net, and send letters, gifts, and tasty treats to https://bit.ly/bscotchmailbox.

    Finally, if you’d like to support the show and buy some coffee FOR Butterscotch, head over to https://moneygrab.bscotch.net.

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    48 mins