Behind the Scenes of Independent Games Media: A Conversation with Ronny Fiksdahl (Fix Gaming Channel)

Running an independent games media outlet in today's landscape is a constant balancing act between passion, editorial integrity, and financial viability. While major publications face downsizing and content automation, independent outlets are searching for new, sustainable models to stay afloat and support the creators behind the games.

In this exclusive interview, I sit down with Ronny Fiksdahl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Fix Gaming Channel. From navigating 15-hour workdays to launching Fix Access, Ronny offers an honest, behind-the-scenes look at independent games media. He shares the realities, challenges, and future of staying authentic in today's industry.

What drove you to launch Fix Gaming Channel back in 2023, and what core gaps or flaws in traditional games media were you aiming to address?

I've been a gamer, writer, creator, and artist for most of my life. I've also spent much of that time helping other creative people, simply because I wanted to.

When I started Fix Gaming Channel (FGC) in 2023, I saw a huge gap, especially when it came to smaller independent developers and their games. People were spending years building something, and many struggled to get attention. I kept thinking, why aren't more people doing this? So I started doing it myself.

I didn't set out to compete with other outlets or respond to the industry's layoffs. I wanted to write about games I love, games I don't love, and the people behind them. What drives someone to spend years making a game? What brought them to that point? That's the part that interests me.

The work came first. After a while, I thought, why not try putting some structure around it? I made a plan with stages toward sustainability, without forcing every detail to develop exactly as I'd imagined. The people, opportunities, and problems along the way shaped a lot of it.

Only after doing this for years did I begin to understand why that gap might exist. Starting something because you believe in it is one thing. Keeping it going is another.

In an era dominated by recycled press releases and SEO content churn, how do you maintain high editorial standards while keeping your coverage deeply human and authentic?

First of all, I love to write. I write every day. I always have, and I always will. It's probably time I wrote a book, too, once I find the time!

I wouldn't dismiss press releases or SEO. They have their place. But neither replaces curiosity, research, or talking to the actual people making games. I've interviewed people who worked on games I played when I was younger. That's fascinating to me, not as a fan collecting names, but as a creator interested in another creator. How did they get here? What inspired them? What are they doing now?

Supporting indie developers doesn't mean giving every indie game a good review. I can respect years of effort and still dislike the result. Our opinions should be honest, fair, and independent. We verify facts, respect interviewees' words, and disclose relevant commercial relationships.

I have a small, trusted team. Aidan Minter, Robelle Veligano, and Jake Boyette bring different experiences and perspectives. I value that more than headcount. They can disagree with me, and that's important. I'm responsible for the final editorial decisions.

I still have investigations sitting in my drafts, including work that took years. Some stories require legal support that an independent outlet like ours simply cannot afford on its own. That's one of the realities of editorial independence people don't always see. Sometimes the biggest obstacle isn't writing the story. It's having the resources to publish it responsibly.

You've built a hybrid model with Fix Access offering paid B2B developer services (like mock reviews and Steam page guidance). How do you strictly maintain the "wall" between those paid services and your independent editorial coverage?

First, I'd push back a little on the description of a 'hybrid model.' That isn't how I see what I've built, and it wasn't the plan.

Fix Gaming Channel began in 2023. The idea for Fix Access started taking shape in 2025 because I was already helping developers with advice, contacts, and practical support. As more people approached me, that help became a real workload. Fix Access became a professional, paid service in 2026. It wasn't created to finance FGC; I would have continued the publication without it. I even considered a separate website for the services because I understood how the relationship might be perceived.

Sometimes we've covered a game long before its developer asks us for professional help. We've also published interviews or developer stories involving people we've worked with before or afterward. Having a relationship doesn't automatically mean the coverage was paid for. I disclose relevant relationships, and the final editorial decision is mine.

I tell Fix Access clients clearly: paying for our services does not guarantee editorial coverage, favorable reviews, or influence over independent opinions. Sponsored articles are separate, identified as sponsored, and still subject to editorial judgment. If concerns arise, money isn't a reason to publish something we can't stand behind.

Fix Access income has occasionally helped with FGC expenses or opportunities. That doesn't make it the publication's funding arm. The distinction is simple: professional services and independent editorial decisions are not the same thing.

In your comment, you mentioned that building a supportive network is one thing, but making it financially viable for members is another. What have been the biggest financial hurdles or surprises since starting Fix Gaming Channel?

I underestimated how much it costs to run an active independent outlet. I've built websites since the early 2000s, when dial-up modems were still a thing. But those were often small, three- or four-page sites for artists. Running a publication with regular coverage, contributors, media, and all the work behind it is a completely different operation.

Hosting, software, maintenance, subscriptions, events, and countless smaller expenses add up. Much of FGC has been funded from my own pocket, and most of the work I personally do is unpaid. The website currently has no display ads, and our YouTube channels aren't monetized. Their main purpose is to bring people to the website, not the other way around.

There are expenses you can't predict, too. I've even had an opportunity that looked as though it might earn money end up costing me legal fees instead. I won't go into that situation, but it's another reminder that running a publication carries responsibilities and financial risks beyond hosting and writing.

And then there's time. I can work around 15 hours a day. I've experienced burnout, and my trusted team reminds me to slow down. They're right, even if I'm not always good at listening!

The irony is that all I really want is to write and help where I can. So I'm putting time into better systems and workflows now, hoping to do the same work, or better work, in fewer hours. One proper day off each week would be a good start.

Sustainability, to me, means being able to keep FGC going and support the people involved without relying forever on those hours or my own pocket.

Looking back at your journey so far, what monetization strategies or partnership ideas worked surprisingly well for you, and which ones turned out to be a dead end?

I wouldn't claim we've found a perfect formula. We're still figuring it out, and the opportunities haven't always been predictable.

Relationships have probably opened the most doors. Getting to know developers, publishers, PR professionals, and other creators has led to work and collaborations I couldn't have planned. In 2025, my goal was to build visibility and perhaps get a couple of sponsored articles. We did get a few. That was progress, but it wasn't a guaranteed or steady income stream.

I've also said no to several approaches, including car-related promotions and some hardware pitches that didn't fit FGC. Just because someone offers something doesn't mean it's right for the publication.

An unexpected example came this year. We couldn't really afford the upcoming gamescom trip to Bangkok, but a paid Fix Access job helped cover part of the cost. Not the whole trip, but enough to make a difference. That wasn't why Fix Access was created; it was simply one of the opportunities that emerged.

We've experimented with website advertising before, but the impact on page speed bothered me. I haven't ruled out testing it again. And paywalls? I genuinely don't know. We're trying to help people discover smaller games, so putting that coverage behind a paywall raises questions for me. But somebody still has to pay the bills.

My plan was to build visibility in 2025, strengthen the operation and learn during 2026, and prepare for the next stage in 2027. I don't see a small amount of revenue as proof that a sustainable model is solved. The work now is finding what makes sense for FGC over time.

How do you envision a future where developers, PR specialists, and independent media actively and financially support each other, ensuring smaller games continue to get the visibility they deserve?

I believe in collaboration, sharing knowledge, and building relationships based on trust. But I don't think it requires one giant network, a corporate structure, or a newsroom full of people.

Our team is small, and everyone brings different skills and experience. We also have contacts outside FGC who can help when something falls outside our expertise. Some contributors have come and gone. Others have stayed. I care more about what people know, what they contribute, and whether I trust them than how many names are on a staff page.

I like talking to developers, publishers, and agencies. Even if I have to go through two or three contacts, I'd rather eventually speak with the creators themselves. Sometimes the most useful thing you can do is simply share advice or connect someone with a person who knows more than you do.

Of course, writers, developers, and PR professionals need to earn a living. Transparent sponsorships, services, and partnerships can help, provided nobody mistakes payment for a promise of independent coverage. Respect those boundaries and respect each other's work.

I feel for journalists and other people losing their jobs, and I believe in the people working in this industry. But FGC's mission doesn't depend on following a particular industry trend. Not everything has to be a competition.

And one thing won't change: Fix Gaming Channel is not for sale and never will be, no matter the price. If I ever step away, I want to pass it to someone I trust to protect its purpose. I want it to keep helping creators, not become something built for an exit.

What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other independent gaming publications struggling to stay afloat today?

One of the best pieces of advice I've had came from Aidan Minter: 'It's better to ask someone who knows.'

Trust your instincts, but don't assume you have all the answers. Ask questions, learn from people with experience in different areas, and keep a few people around you whom you genuinely trust. You don't have to follow every piece of advice, but hearing another perspective can help you make a better decision.

You can run an outlet alone. That doesn't mean you can ignore the small things: facts, policies, disclosures, respect, and professional relationships. You also need to be realistic about your circumstances. Someone with a family to support or people depending on them may need a different approach from mine.

Be prepared for the grind, but don't take my 15-hour days as advice! I sometimes think of it as a relay race. You can run a lot of events yourself, but not forever. At some point you need to trust someone else with the baton.

Stay human. Be loyal to your principles and the people who have earned your trust. Remember why you started. For me, it was never about money, although money is needed to make the work sustainable. I want to write, meet creators, listen to their stories, and help where I can.

I believe in journalists, and I believe the industry will find its way. Would I do all this again? Absolutely. I want to find out where this journey takes me, and us. My mission is far from complete. In many ways, it's only just started.

A massive thank you to Ronny Fiksdahl for taking the time to share such an open, insightful, and practical perspective on the reality of independent games media. Be sure to check out Fix Gaming Channel to follow their work and ongoing coverage.