I chat for the second time with the one and only Xalavier Nelson Jr. about making games in 2026... ► Play Baby Trading Sim: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3642000/Space_Warlord_Baby_Trading_Simulator/ ► Learn how to make a game studio from your bedroom, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-how-to-make-six-figures ► Enroll in my 3D workshop, free!: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-15-minute-3D-game ► Make your game instantly beautiful with my free workbook: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-instant-beauty-color-workbook ► Get my 2D game kit, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2D-game-kit ► Join my 2D character workshop, free: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-2d-character-art-workshop ► Wishlist Twisted Tower: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1575990/Twisted_Tower/ ► Learn how to make money as a YouTuber: https://www.fulltimegamedev.com/opt-in-indie-game-income-workshop ► What I believe: https://youtu.be/jQK3LniPMq4 Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro: Game Development Like Gambling vs. Building a House 00:01:02 - Introducing Xalaiver Nelson Jr. and His Games 00:02:48 - Why Small Fast Games in 2026 00:03:30 - Standing By the Small Games Philosophy 00:04:51 - Worries About Bad Reception and Brand Impact 00:07:03 - Genre Fatigue and Audience Expectations 00:09:56 - Unique Human Games as a Smart Business Move 00:11:02 - Choosing Your Spec Like in Diablo 00:13:52 - Advice for Starting a Game Studio 00:17:31 - Is Specialization Universal in Game Dev? 00:19:20 - Studio Momentum and Growth Challenges 00:21:40 - Exploring and Figuring Out Your Path 00:24:07 - Shotgun Questions on Business Model 00:26:03 - Contractor Model Like Building a House 00:28:13 - Experience, Pitfalls, and Shipping Games 00:30:28 - The DIDIT Acronym for Production 00:33:26 - Making Game Dev Systematic and Less of a Gamble 00:35:16 - Substantial Progress Toward Predictable Success 00:38:47 - Advice on Releasing Games to Refine Process 00:40:37 - Working on Games vs. Just Releasing Them 00:42:33 - Current Projects and Multiple Games 00:44:16 - Thoughts on "10X is Better Than 2X" Philosophy 00:47:34 - Diversified Portfolio and 10X Strategy 00:50:18 - Building a Brand and Cross-Pollination 00:52:43 - Strategy for Atmospheric Horror Games 00:55:15 - Frequency, Consistency, and Quality 00:57:36 - Names in Games and Authorship 00:59:52 - Falling in Love with Games and the Medium 01:00:05 - Closing and Workshop Promo