In this episode of Nerdpreneur. We sit down with the co-founders of Pocket Bard, an innovative app that's transforming the way tabletop RPG players experience music and sound during their sessions. We chat with Alex Berner, Chase Harris, and Jason Kowalski as they take us through their journey from being college roommates with a passion for video game audio to building a cutting-edge tool that enhances immersive storytelling.
They open up about the philosophy behind creating interactive audio, their experiences in the gaming and audio industries, and the challenges of launching a startup aimed at the nerd community.
Whether you're a DM looking to bring your sessions to life or an aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is packed with insights, business lessons, and a behind-the-scenes look at creating an app for tabletop enthusiasts.
Download the Pocket Bard App: https://www.pocketbard.app/
The Pocket Bard app currently has a 4.45 rating based on 1,623 reviews on the Google Play Store and on the Apple App Store, it boasts an even higher rating of 4.8 from 40 reviews!
Key Discussion Points:
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Pocket Bard's Origins: How Alex, Chase, and Jason transitioned from video game audio to developing interactive audio for tabletop RPGs.
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The App Explained: What makes Pocket Bard unique, including its adaptive music system, easy-to-use interface, and streamlined design for Dungeon Masters (DMs).
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The User Experience: The team shares their process for designing an intuitive app that enhances the storytelling experience without breaking immersion.
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Business Insights: The challenges of bootstrapping a tech startup, managing dynamic equity, and their decision to adopt a freemium model with a subscription service.
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Lessons Learned: Balancing creative roles with business responsibilities, the importance of limiting work in progress, and the value of a strong team dynamic.
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Future Plans: Teasers for upcoming features and content packs, including a new Tavern music pack and upgrades to the free fantasy essentials content.
Quotable Moments:
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"We wanted to create an experience where Dungeon Masters could focus on their story, not the music. One button-click, and you're back in the game." — Chase Harris
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"It's all about saving time and attention for the DM so they can deliver the best experience to their players." — Alex Berner
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"When you download our app, you get a full experience for free, and we're committed to making it the best it can be without any sneaky paywalls." — Jason Kowalski
Connect with Pocket Bard:
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Website: PocketBard.com (https://pocketbard.com/)
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Instagram: @PocketBardApp (https://www.instagram.com/pocketbardapp/)
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Twitter: @PocketBardApp (https://twitter.com/PocketBardApp)
To get the extended interview with Pocket Bard and bonus Talking Nerdy Episodes sign up to be a member of the "AWESOME Nerdpreneur Board!" *Ominous Thunderclap* by going to www.Patreon.com/nerdpreneur (https://www.patreon.com/nerdpreneur)
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