Shows
The Creative Juice PodcastWhy Most UEFN Games Fail (And What AAA Studios Do Differently) | Brian Grayson, Head of Publishing at Ghost GamingBrian Grayson has seen the industry from nearly every angle.He started in law, helped scale Hi-Rez Studios during the growth of Smite and Paladins, led publishing and R&D initiatives, and now applies those lessons inside Fortnite through Ghost Gaming.In this conversation, we unpack what AAA studios understand about live service development that many creators overlook. Brian explains why retention is the core signal of product quality, why Day 1 retention is brutally hard to fix, and how data should guide decisions without being emotional. We also discuss sunk cost fallacy, why copying rarely...
2026-02-181h 31The Creative Juice PodcastBuilding Worlds and Building a Career with PixelatedDreamzPixelatedDreamz is a Fortnite and UEFN environment artist who has quietly built one of the strongest freelance careers in the ecosystem. Starting from Creative 1.0 and early Minecraft builds, he found his niche in environments, landscapes, and materials, and turned that focus into over 110 paid commissions in a single year.In this episode, we talk about the moment that changed his path, why good-looking maps still fail without marketing, how social media became his main source of work, and what new creators misunderstand about getting hired. PixelatedDreamz also shares his approach to learning complex tools, optimizing large environments...
2026-02-0443 minThe Creative Juice PodcastGraeme Bull: The Truth About Discovery, Scaling, and Building UEFN Games That LastIf you’ve ever shipped a UEFN map you genuinely believed in, but Discovery never gave it a real shot, this episode is for you.I’m joined by Graeme Bull, one of the most trusted educators in the UEFN and Verse space, to break down what actually holds creators back long term. We talk about the biggest misconception new UEFN developers walk in with, why great games can sit “dead” for months and suddenly pop off, and how to think about discovery, thumbnails, and marketing without spiraling into excuses.We also go deep on...
2026-01-2156 minThe Creative Juice PodcastMost Unreal and UEFN Maps Fail for the Same Reason - Micah BerninghausenIn this episode of The Creative Juice Podcast, I sit down with GameDevMicah to break down what it actually takes to push Unreal Engine and UEFN beyond the obvious.We dig into real world optimization mistakes, common performance traps creators fall into, and how systems like instancing, GPU workflows, and destruction can scale when used correctly. Micah also shares why building in public matters, how devlogs can accelerate learning and trust, and what most creators misunderstand about performance in Unreal.If you are building in Unreal Engine or UEFN and want to create more ambitious...
2026-01-0757 minThe Creative Juice PodcastBuilding Top Fortnite Game, Scaling a UEFN Studio, and Working With Disney | Team GauntletEddie Benson and Joel Bestart, Co-Founders of Team Gauntlet, join the podcast to share the real story behind Kraken and how a small team built one of Fortnite’s most successful long-form UEFN experiences.We unpack what happened before Kraken broke through, how early community feedback shaped the game, and why progression and retention mattered more than chasing short-term Discovery spikes. Eddie and Joel also break down how they divide responsibilities as a small studio, ship ambitious updates, and avoid spreading themselves too thin.The conversation also dives into their Disney collaboration on Percy Jackson, wh...
2025-12-241h 03The Creative Juice PodcastFrom Naruto to BTS: How Yu7a and Vysena Became One of Fortnite’s Top Creative StudiosYu7a, CEO and Co Founder of Vysena Studios, joins me to break down the real story behind some of Fortnite’s most iconic creative projects. We talk about how Naruto and BTS came together in Creative 1.0, what brands still get wrong when entering Fortnite, and why Vysena just launched a new era focused on building long term player focused UEFN games.He shares behind the scenes stories from the March Through Time project, early Creative growth, working with Epic, trends creators should watch, and what separates great UEFN teams from the rest.If you wa...
2025-12-1040 minThe Creative Juice PodcastHow Fortnite Maps Really Blow Up The Data Behind Viral Success (CEO of FCHQ - Jon Hughes)Fortnite creators always talk about the Discovery system, but almost nobody understands how it actually works. In this episode, I sit down with Jon Hughes, founder of FCHQ and one of the leading analytic minds in Fortnite Creative and UEFN. Jon breaks down the real numbers behind map success, why certain genres explode, why others fade fast, and what the data shows about player behavior in 2025.We talk about viral loops, live events, retention targets, session time goals, hidden pitfalls, and the common mistakes creators still make. Jon also shares stories from building FCHQ, working inside Epic...
2025-11-261h 07The Creative Juice PodcastHow to Sell Your Game: Inside the Business of Acquisitions with Jim YingJim Ying, Managing Director & Founder of Mihada Capital, joins me to break down what it really takes to sell your studio or game. We dive into when to sell, what buyers actually look for, common mistakes creators make, and how acquisitions happen behind the scenes.This episode is a masterclass for any creator or studio thinking about scaling, raising capital, or getting acquired.Connect with Jim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimying/Website: https://www.mihadacapital.com/Please leave a positive review 💚(Helps out a bunch)Watch the vid...
2025-11-1246 minThe Creative Juice PodcastFrom Tiffany’s to #1 Fortnite Team: How Dummblond Built Fortnite’s Most Iconic WorldsFrom Tiffany & Co. to Hive Studio, Dummblond has built some of Fortnite’s most iconic Creative hubs and maps, with more than 100 million plays worldwide. In this episode, she shares how she transitioned from luxury retail to game development, her creative process inside Hive (the studio behind 1v1 With Every Gun), and what it takes to lead in Fortnite’s UGC space.Connect with Dummblond:X (Twitter): https://x.com/DummblondGamingPlease leave a positive review 💚(Helps out a bunch)Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/@ImmatureG/podcastsTwitter: www.x.com/i...
2025-10-291h 01The Creative Juice PodcastFrom Roblox Flop to Forbes: How Topcat Built a 7-Figure Digital Fashion EmpirePhilipp Batura, founder of Topcat, joins me to share how he went from failing at his first Roblox game to building a 7-figure digital fashion business featured in Forbes. We talk about the rise of Roblox UGC, scaling to over a million avatar items sold per month, why digital fashion matters more than ever, and how Topcat became one of the biggest names in virtual streetwear.Connect with Philipp: X (Twitter): https://x.com/TopcatGG LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-batura/ Website: https://topcat.gg/P...
2025-10-151h 04The Creative Juice PodcastFrom Fortnite OG Map to Roblox Hits: CEO Michael Herriger on Atlas Creative’s JourneyMichael Herriger, co-founder of Atlas Creative, joins me to talk about building the OG Fortnite map with UEFN, working with brands like the NBA and Microsoft, and expanding into Roblox with hits like Arcade Basketball. We cover player-first design, pitching brands the right way, lessons from billions of plays, and what’s next for Atlas.Connect with Michael:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelherriger/ Atlas Creative: https://atlascreative.com/Please leave a positive review 💚(Helps out a bunch)Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/@ImmatureG/podcastsTwitt...
2025-10-0138 minThe Creative Juice PodcastFrom Hobby Coder to Studio Owner: CEO Ethan Guest on Fortnite Success & Brand CollabsOn this episode of The Creative Juice Podcast, Matt Zanazzo sits down with Ethan Guest, co-founder of Bloom Creative and one of the masterminds behind Zombie Escape, a Fortnite Creative map that exploded with millions of players.We talk about: • The scariest moment of publishing their first map • How Zombie Escape became addictive and impossible to copy • What playtesting every single day taught Bloom Creative • Brand collabs with Panda Express, The Walking Dead, and Sleepy Hollow • The future of Fortnite UEFN with AI, Scene Graph, and custom items
2025-09-1732 minThe Creative Juice PodcastFrom Teenager to CEO: How SirRifty Built a Fortnite Studio with Millions of PlayersDylan “SirRifty” Benn is the 18-year-old CEO of Genesis Studios, the Fortnite UEFN team behind some of the platform’s most ambitious projects. From building Squid Game with over 1M players in a single day to recreating Fortnite’s iconic live events, Genesis is setting new standards for creative studios.In this episode, we cover: • SirRifty’s journey from Roblox to Fortnite UEFN • How Genesis Studios scaled from a friend group to a full business • The secrets behind Squid Game’s explosive success • Building live events that rival Epic’s own • Balancing passion...
2025-09-0358 minThe Creative Juice PodcastFrom Odell Beckham Jr. to Fortnite & Roblox Lawsuits, UGC Law Is Getting Wild - Adam Starr (UGC Lawyer)Adam Starr is a video game lawyer helping UGC creators navigate the complex world of platform policies, contracts, mods, and IP rights across Fortnite, Roblox, and beyond.In this episode, we cover: • Who actually owns your Fortnite/UEFN map • Brand usage rules (LEGO, NFL, Nike, music, etc.) developers usually get wrong • What types of mods and copyrighted assets can get you in trouble • How to structure contracts, rev-share, and creator rights early • The biggest legal mistakes UEFN devs make without realizing it • What’s next for UGC law as platforms turn into publishers...
2025-08-201h 21The Creative Juice PodcastFrom Epic Games to UGC Consulting: Zak Phelps on What Makes a Hit GameZak Phelps helped the early evolution of Fortnite Creative while at Epic Games, shaping the tools and systems that now power millions of player-made maps.In this episode, we cover: • How Fortnite’s most viral game modes started with broken tools • The real reason “Steal a Brain Rot” and “Grow a Garden” exploded • Why discovery is more math than magic • What brands get wrong when launching in Fortnite • How Zak helps creators and studios find their niche—and win📱 Follow Zak: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zphelps/📱 Follow me on socials: •...
2025-08-0653 minThe Creative Juice PodcastHe Built Fortnite Games for LEGO, Oral-B (10M Plays!), Adidas & More (CEO Hannes Van der Haegen)Hannes Van der Haegen (aka UtaSmoota) went from full-time dad and software architect to building one of Fortnite's most successful studios: Team Unite.In this episode, we cover: • How Hannes built a 10M-player Oral-B game • Creating viral Fortnite maps for LEGO, Adidas, and Gillette • The real strategy behind discovery, retention, and brand work in UEFN • Why modular Verse code is the secret weapon for scaling maps • The most painful bugs and workarounds from Fortnite 1.0 • What’s next for Team Unite and the future of UEFN
2025-07-231h 01The Creative Juice PodcastFrom Fortune 500 company to Fortnite Games: Why I Quit My 6-Figure Job to Go All InThis week on Creative Juice, I’m going solo to share the full story of how I left a stable 6-figure job in the oil field to go all in on Fortnite Creative and content creation. No guests, just raw truth about the risks, sacrifices, and wins along the way.I talk about:Why I almost didn’t take the leapHow I built 50+ games before one took offWhat it really takes to go full-time in UEFNThe hardest part of being a Fortnite creator (hint: it’s not Verse)How I...
2025-07-0935 minThe Creative Juice PodcastHow Havoc Hotel Went Viral in Fortnite: Enrique Fuentes on Game Design, Growth, and Creative SuccessCurious how a Fortnite Creative game becomes a viral sensation? In this episode, Enrique Fuentes, CEO of Terravision and creator of Havoc Hotel, shares the secrets behind some of the most successful maps in Fortnite UEFN. Learn real strategies for player retention, sequels, brand collaborations like The Walking Dead, and what it takes to stand out in the competitive Fortnite Creative scene. Hear Enrique’s journey from launching a studio in Venezuela to reaching global success, packed with actionable tips for creators and game developers.Watch the full video episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PGqloXMcDcc...
2025-06-251h 10The Creative Juice PodcastHow Team 404 Brought Snoop Dogg to Fortnite: Building Viral Games & Integrating Big IP - JJ Armstrong (COO 404 Creative)Thanks to Epic Games for sponsoring this episode! #EpicPartner #StateofUnrealHow did Snoop Dogg, Creed III, and Rocket League end up in Fortnite? JJ Armstrong of Team 404 shares how to land major brand deals, integrate IP into your maps, and stand out as a creator. Get real tips, industry stories, and creative strategies in this can’t-miss episode.Connect with JJ Armstrong: X (Twitter): https://x.com/yojj47 Website: https://www.404creative.gg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajj/Watch the latest State of Unreal keynote: https://youtu...
2025-06-111h 01The Creative Juice PodcastThe Untold Story of Doritos, SpongeBob, Prime Energy & Kid Laroi in Fortnite | Mack Jack (Alliance Studios CEO)Get the inside scoop on the wildest brand collabs ever built in Fortnite! In this episode, Mack Jack breaks down how Alliance Studios brought Doritos, SpongeBob SquarePants, Prime Energy, and Kid Laroi to life inside Fortnite Creative. Hear the untold stories behind each map, the creative chaos, and what it’s really like working with global brands in the gaming space. Plus, Mack Jack shares advice for creators, her personal journey, and what’s next for Alliance Studios.Connect with Mack Jack: • X: @MackJackTwitch • LinkedIn: Mack Jack • Alliance Studios: alliancestudios.ggDon’t miss this lo...
2025-05-2851 minThe Creative Juice PodcastThe CRAZY Origin of Fortnite BR W/ MustardPlays (Chad Mustard)In Episode 4 of the Creative Juice Podcast, we sit down with MustardPlays to uncover the real story behind how the biggest Battle Royale in the world got its start — from a simple dinner table conversation to a 3-week prototype that changed gaming forever.We dive into: 🔹 How Fortnite + UEFN on iOS could spark a second boom for creators 🔹 Why building fast and testing early still drives his creative process 🔹 JOGO’s expansion and his outlook on Fortnite’s next evolution 🔹 And so much more!If you love Fortnite, game dev stories...
2025-05-1454 minThe Creative Juice PodcastFrom Netflix to Mr Beast Collabs: Future Trash Blueprint for Viral Fortnite Maps - W/ Kevin Marciano (CEO)Creative Juice Podcast • Episode with Kevin Marciano of Future TrashMatthew “Immature Gamer” Zanazzo sits down with Kevin Marciano, CEO and co-founder of Future Trash, the studio behind Boom Tycoon, Mr Beast Games, and several of Fortnite’s most polished custom experiences. Kevin shares how his background producing the hit animated series Miraculous Ladybug (now streaming on Netflix and Disney) gave him the storytelling chops to build an original universe inside UEFN.Expect thumbnail tricks that tripled concurrent players, a download-size fix that saved a launch, and a first peek at Boom Tycoon 2....
2025-04-3040 minThe Creative Juice PodcastFrom Pixar to Fortnite - Embracing The Jank w/ Tom Jank!Welcome to Creative Juice Podcast Episode 2 featuring Tom Jank. In this episode Tom shares his journey from working at Pixar to creating unforgettable Fortnite maps. Watch him reveal how making a map in 3 hours taught him that perfection is overrated and why embracing the jank is the secret to creative success. He discusses turning challenges into viral moments, the power of daily warm ups, and the importance of taking breaks. Follow Tom Jank on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@TomJanky, Twitter at https://x.com/thomasjanky, and LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinrod/ for...
2025-04-161h 03The Creative Juice PodcastEx-Microsoft Engineer: How I Made 300% More Money QUITTING & Fortnite Hacks That Go Viral! BirdoThe Creative Juice Podcast - Ep. 1 w/ BirdoJoin us for an in-depth conversation with Birdo – the former Microsoft engineer who made 300% more money after QUITTING to dive into Fortnite Creative. In this episode, Birdo shares his journey into game development, revealing the viral Fortnite hacks that are setting new trends in the gaming world. Discover how his bold career move transformed his life, learn about his creative process, and get exclusive behind-the-scenes insights into the world of Fortnite Creative.Follow Birdo:Twitter: https://x.com/BirdoBroLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bi...
2025-03-2550 min
Bad Decisions Podcast#36 Creating Fortnite Maps with Millions of Players with Immature | Bad Decisions PodcastMatthew Zanazzo, aka Immature, is an award-winning Fortnite: Creative developer known for his successful collaborations with major brands like Puma, Neymar Jr., Twitch, Epic Games, and more. His maps has amassed over 500 million plays across various activations. Currently, he serves as the VP, Head of Fortnite at Gamefam, where he continues to lead in game development and brand integration within Fortnite.
Episode 36 Timestamps:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:02 Why should someone create maps in Fortnite?
00:07:52 How did I start my Fortnite journey
00:31:39 Making a Fortnite map for Puma
00:37:17...
2023-12-051h 36