"My impression of Microsoft when I started out as an indie dev is that they were probably arseholes," explained Dlala Studios co-founder AJ Grand-Scrutton.

In a session that detailed a career trajectory that's taken him from IT technician at a timber merchant through to an indie developer working on a Windows 8 launch title, Scrutton proved that he wasn't one to mince words.

"So why go indie? You have to be batshit crazy," after all.

Creative freedom is one reason, and Grand-Scrutton explained that he left well paid-jobs at large development houses in order to be his own boss and create the games he wanted to make.

"You can do great games on Facebook – but you have to have this virality and monetisation built in," he said.

"This isn't why I got into making games. I started creating games because I love the stories."

Literally none

So, that explains the decision to make indie, but why Windows 8?

Visibility is one reason, certainly, and Grand-Scrutton claims that Dlala's debut title will be one of only 350 games to launch alongside Windows 8.

"We have no money" he explained. "We can't afford these big marketing campaigns – because we literally have no money – so this is a great opportunity."

Another reason is the level of support Microsoft has offered.

"It turns out they're not arseholes," and in exchange for delivering Dlala's first game as a timed Windows 8 exclusive, Microsoft has provided the studio with resources, connections and exposure.

What's more, Microsoft's new OS allowed Dlala to develop purely for PC – as Windows 8 scales the title to tablets automatically. And once Windows Phone 8 launches later this year, 80 percent on the game's code should be transferable to the mobile operating system.

Get happy

Grand-Scrutton ended his talk by urging the developers in attendance to consider going indie themselves.

"You don't need money," said Grand-Scrutton, but you do need to not be happy with your work. "Don't be miserable with your life. If you want to go indie, just go indie."

"At the end of the day, it's not hard to be your own boss, you just need the balls to do it."