Voidpet: The Next Generation Pokeman Rooted in Mental Health With Linda Shad

Linda Shad is the Co-founder of Voidpet, a thoughtful multiplayer game where mental health meets Pokemon. Linda conceived the idea during the pandemic when she began using art as therapy — drawing monsters based on emotion. The concept quickly went viral, leading to a fanbase of over 100,000 members on Discord. Linda earned her BA in computer science from Boston College, where she worked as a lab and teaching assistant. In this episode… If you've been conceptualizing an idea for a video game that you're excited to share, you're not alone. Many entrepreneurs have ideas for products or companies, but the most challenging part is often taking the first step and initiating the idea. Gaming influencer Linda Shad asserts that building an app is easier than most people think. However, she recommends taking a class if you need assistance getting started. When attempting to create a startup, she advises applying to startup accelerators such as Y Combinator or Speedrun, which help entrepreneurs acquire funding and launch their companies. Inexperienced entrepreneurs can also gain knowledge by interning or working for a startup company. Linda shares how her time working for a startup allowed her to learn and gain valuable experience. In addition, while developing a video game is exhilarating, having an audience is critical for success. Linda Linda recommends introducing your concept on social media platforms like TikTok and Discord to build a community and create buzz.  Join Lizzie Mintus in this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast as she interviews Linda Shad, Co-founder of Voidpet, about the process of creating a video game. Linda discusses building an audience and community through social media, overcoming imposter syndrome, and video games impacting mental health.