Shows
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStarting an Indie Studio, Getting a Publisher, and Shipping the RPG Indie Hit Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson with Jeff Linville, Ritual StudiosIn this episode, Jeff Linville — co-founder of Ritual Studios — returns to Game Dev Advice to talk about the journey behind his band-inspired RPG Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson. From starting a studio with college friends to launching worldwide with French publisher Playdigious, Jeff shares the hard-won lessons of taking the leap into full-time indie development.
We go into depth on what it really takes to form a studio, ship a first game, and survive the chaos between passion and business reality.
* Founding Ritual Studios after meeting at Columbia College Chicago
* How Fretless mixes music, RPG, and deck-building mechanics into one...
2025-11-0348 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastFrom Disney’s “Where’s My Water?” to Solo Indie Dev Success: How Creativity and Persistence Built a Game Career, with Tim “Walaber” FitzRandolphIn this episode, we dive deep into Tim’s creative journey behind Disney’s hit mobile game Where’s My Water? and what it really takes to break into and succeed in the game industry. From starting out in QA testing to leading creative teams at Disney, and later becoming a successful solo indie developer, Tim’s conversation is packed with insights, stories, and advice for anyone passionate about making games.
We cover topics every developer, designer, and indie creator will relate to:
The making of Where’s My Water? and how it became a global suc...
2025-08-291h 21
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastLaughs, Games & Career Turns: Mike Drucker’s Path from SNL, Nintendo to Tonight Show and New MemoirIn this episode of Game Dev Advice, writer and comedian Mike Drucker shares his journey across the worlds of television, video games, and comedy. Starting as an assistant and researcher at Saturday Night Live, Mike moved into game localization at Nintendo—where he even played basketball with Reggie Fils-Aimé—before joining The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as a writer and then Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He dives into the creative challenges of translating humor across mediums, from crafting jokes for a global audience to building narrative in games.
We also discuss his book, Good Game, No Re...
2025-06-271h 01
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStuart Maine on 28 Years in Game Development: Starting a Studio, Building Great Teams, Career Advice & Lessons for Aspiring Devs & His New BooksIn this interview, veteran game designer Stuart Maine shares his 28-year journey in the gaming industry, detailing his humble beginnings in a cyber café to becoming a senior designer at Two Desperados, a mobile games company in Serbia. Stuart recounts his early days at Bullfrog and his time at renowned companies like Acclaim and Blitz, working on notable projects such Warhammer Combat Cards, Epic Mickey 2, and Angry Birds Transformers. He offers insights on remote work, the importance of team dynamics, and the lessons he has learned about people skills and communication. Stuart also discusses his latest venture, a book t...
2025-05-0450 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastBuilding a Successful Indie Studio with No Industry Experience, Betting on Steam, Game Jams, Finishing Crashlands 2, Recording 500+ Podcasts, Stacking the Dice, and Storefront Featuring—Adam Coster, CEO of Butterscotch ShenanigansIn this episode, Adam Coster, CEO of Butterscotch Shenanigans, shares his unique journey of joining and growing the indie studio with his brothers Sam and Seth. Adam discusses their beginnings in 2012, the steep challenges they faced, and how a personal family crisis redefined their mission to bring joy through games. He then shares insights into their different projects, including the highly anticipated sequel Crashlands 2, set for release in April. Balancing roles at the studio, the evolving game industry, and the impact of subscription services, Adam offers a candid look at the realities of indie g...
2025-03-031h 19
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastNavigating Game Industry Challenges, Job Hunting After a Layoff, the Rise of Consulting Firms, Celebrity Stories, and Starting a New Company—Adam Boyes, Founder of VivratoIn this episode, industry veteran Adam Boyes discusses the complexities of the video games industry, from the challenges of sustaining AAA games to navigating market dynamics and the impact of large-scale layoffs. He shares insights from his journey founding Vivrato and highlights the importance of innovation and thoughtful leadership. The conversation also covers practical advice for aspiring game developers and industry professionals, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking and resilience. Hear behind-the-scenes stories, including memorable moments with celebrities like Sammy Sosa and Lawrence Taylor, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to thrive in...
2025-02-041h 01
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStarting a Studio, Thriving Post-Layoff, Working at Epic Games, the Rise of UGC, Hiring Is Broken, Street Fighter: The Movie, Empathy, and Building Games for Fortnite with CEO Alan Noon of Drill Creative, Inc.In this episode, I caught up with Alan Noon, founder and CEO of Drill Creative, Inc., to discuss his journey from decades in the game industry to launching his own studio. Alan shared how his work on UEFN at Epic Games, including shipping Deserted Domination and the big GDC reveal, plus his desire to return to hands-on game creation. After a layoff, he quickly turned the setback into an opportunity, forming Drill Creative to build games within Fortnite’s ecosystem using UEFN’s powerful tools for small, nimble teams.We explored the rise of user-generated content (UGC), whic...
2024-12-1852 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWorking at Valve, Finding Mentors, Reinventing Yourself, Collecting Pinball, Grit, Nolan Bushnell, Working Under Pressure, Silicon Valley, The Enthusiasm Advantage, and Ham Radio with CEO Jeri Ellsworth of Tilt FiveSummary:
Jeri Ellsworth shares her journey from childhood fascination with technology to becoming the CEO of Tilt Five.
She describes her early interest in science and computers, fueled by her father's gift of a Commodore 64.
Jeri recounts her experiences in racing, learning fabrication skills, and self-promotion to fund her racing career.
Transitioning to computers, she opened several computer stores, experiencing both success and challenges.
After a business failure, she moved to Silicon Valley, using her electronics skills to secure engineering roles.
Jeri highlights her work on various projects, including chip design and collaborations with notable industry figures.
Her...
2024-11-212h 03
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStarting a Studio, Don’t Give Up, Self Publishing, Being a CEO, and the Gold Rush ‘90s with Brad Hendricks of Blind Squirrel EntertainmentIn this episode, I speak with Brad Hendricks, CEO and Founder of Blind Squirrel Entertainment. Brad talks about his path from working with new game technologies to starting his own company after his previous job at Gamebryo ended. He shares how he and his team landed their first project with 2K Games, kickstarting their game development journey before even having a company name :)Brad then reflects on the ups and downs of being a CEO, stressing the need for flexibility and constant learning. We then share practical advice for newcomers, highlighting the importance of perseverance and staying...
2024-10-051h 05
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastNavigating a Layoff, Importance of Networking, Working at PlayStation, Resumes and Portfolios, Mental Health, The Rise of Indies, Building a Brand, and Accepting Change with Alex GombosIn this episode, I speak with Alex Gombos, a seasoned talent acquisition manager who shares her insights and career journey in the gaming industry. Most recently, she supported the game development studios at PlayStation. Alex highlights the importance of networking, building an online presence, and being proactive in pursuing career goals, whether you're aiming for your first job or looking to level up in your career. She also emphasizes the significance of having a clear, accessible portfolio for job seekers in game development.Alex reflects on the industry's current state, discussing the challenges of recent layoffs and...
2024-09-041h 02
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStarting a Game Company, Underserved Developers, New Opportunities, Finding a Publisher, Industry Sustainability, Networking, Navigating Change, MDEV, Being Authentic, and Skee-Ball with Ben Kvalo of Midwest GamesIn this episode, I speak with Ben Kvalo, the Founder and CEO of Midwest Games. Discover how Midwest Games focuses on supporting underserved developers in overlooked regions, aiming for a more sustainable industry, and learn about the upcoming MDEV conference. Ben shares his journey into the game industry, starting with his transition from radio to an operations coordinator role at 2K. Hear his thoughts on the importance of persistence, patience, and leveraging transferable skills when breaking into the industry. He also advises aspiring game developers to be adaptable and continuously seek new opportunities, while encouraging current developers to stay...
2024-07-101h 01
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastCreating ANIMAL WELL, Building a Game Engine, Finding Opportunities, Indie Games, Dunkey, Going to DePaul, Having Patience, Publisher BIGMODE, Disdain for Midjourney Assets and Crow Country with Billy Basso of Animal WellIn this episode, I spoke with Billy Basso, the sole developer behind the hit indie game ANIMAL WELL. Discover how he began working on the game as an after-work hobby 7 years ago, and his vision for creating a lush, 2D Metroidvania experience where players explore underground caves, solve puzzles, and encounter creatures with minimal guidance.Billy shares his game development journey, highlighting the initial challenges in both developing and marketing the game. Learn how he initially relied on Twitter/X for promotion until partnering with industry veteran Dan Edelman, which significantly boosted the game's...
2024-06-101h 32
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWorking on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Artist Turned Designer, Serious Games to Triple A, NASA, Learning to Lead, Player Reaction Videos, Communication Skills, and the Designer’s Journey with Roxanne Splitt of Insomniac GamesIn this episode, I spoke with Roxanne Splitt, Associate Design Director at Insomniac Games. Hear their experiences and insights from working on various game projects, including collaborations with NASA and acclaimed games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Roxanne reflects on the educational and emotionally significant aspects of working on the NASA project, learning from experts and tackling challenges related to space and human physiology. Hear discussion about the significance of an amazing Metacritic score, sales data, and the impact of receiving recognition for working on successful game projects.We then get into the importance of em...
2024-05-021h 18
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastRecruiters Talk Hiring, Job Strategies, Plan B, Call of Duty, Networking, ATSs, The Industry Layoff Trend, Resume Tips, and LinkedIn’s Value with Keith Plesha of KraftonIn this episode, I spoke with Keith Plesha, Sr. Recruiter with Krafton Americas who offers valuable insights from his recruiting career. He emphasizes the significance of networking, continuous learning, and staying on top of industry trends for career success. Topics such as interpersonal skills, mentorship, and the impact of remote work on hiring are also discussed.The conversation transitions into challenges faced by current (and aspiring) game developers, including layoffs and the effects of mergers and acquisitions. Keith expresses interest in the decision-making processes behind job cuts and the metrics driving those. Additionally, we discuss the surge...
2024-03-251h 39
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWorking on Jedi Starfighter, Portfolios, DirectX’s Mission, Embracing AI, the Neuroscience of Play, Empathy, the Industry’s Next Growth Market, and Helping Ukraine with Founder and CEO Sam Glassenberg of Level ExIn this episode, I spoke with Sam Glassenberg, Founder and CEO of Level Ex, as we dive into subjects encompassing the gaming industry, technology, and healthcare. Sam recounts his unexpected journey into gaming, beginning as an animator at LucasArts and eventually helping lead Microsoft’s DirectX Graphics team. We then transition to discussing the critical importance of having a portfolio for job seekers, the interesting challenges of working in Tech Art, the foundational value of solid engineering principles, and the innovative ways Level Ex pushes Unity3D beyond its limits.Our conversation also touches on...
2024-02-0258 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStarting Bungie, UEFN, Teamwork, Making Halo, AI Concerns, Portfolios, UGC, Game Industry Optimism, Diversity, Building EQ, and the Fourth Curtain Podcast with founder and CEO Alex Seropian of Look North World I welcome Alex Seropian, founder and CEO of Look North World on this episode kicking off the 5th (wow, 5th) year of the podcast. Hear as Alex shares insights about his current role, including hosting The Fourth Curtain podcast and his new studio, Look North World. Learn about the growing significance of user-generated content (UGC) in the gaming industry and the potential for UGC to become a major part of the industry in the coming years. Alex also reflects on his journey in the game industry, from his early exposure to video games to the founding of Bungie after col...
2024-01-0848 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastFrom Improv to the Game Industry, Charting Your Path, Being Flexible, Consolidation Concerns, Working with Clients, Future Tech, the M+DEV Conference, and Taking Care of Yourself with Jennifer Javornik of Filament GamesI welcome Jennifer Javornik, the Chief Partnerships Officer at Filament Games on this 60th episode. Learn about her current role, the company’s connection with UW Madison, and how she transitioned from a traditional IT role into the game industry. Hear about being in improv comedy, learning to be less formal, and how the industry embraces being yourself. We then share advice about starting out, having content to show, testing, and being able to hit the ground running. Hear about the intricacies of doing client work, opportunities to work in marketing, and the importance of being flexible in...
2023-10-1649 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastVideo Games Cause Violence Fallacy, Find Your Why, Indie Development, Mental Health Crisis, Neuroplasticity, Forgiveness Matters, VR Deep Dive, Creator Keys, Robotics and More with Ryan Douglas of DeepWell DTx, NeuFluent / Founder, NexternI welcome Ryan Douglas, the Co-Founder at DeepWell DTx, NeuFluent / Founder, Nextern to this episode. Learn how DeepWell DTx is working to meld medical professionals, scientists, and game developers to create mental health digital therapeutics through play and neuroscience. Hear about the power of gaming to improve mental health, citing games like Tetris and Animal Crossing that have shown mental health benefits. Ryan then shares the value of creating experiences that make players feel better without consciously realizing it, along with potential negative effects around boundary conditions in medicine.We then get into the meteoric r...
2023-09-061h 19
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastHow to Successfully Pitch to Publishers, Learning to Script, the Importance of Sound Design, Chance Encounters, Doing Great Work, Being Calm, FMOD and More with Jeff Linville of Ritual StudiosI welcome Jeff Linville, the Co-Founder and Sound Designer at Ritual Studios to this episode. We discuss topics like sound design, pitching your game to publishers, and the future of AR and VR. Jeff shares about the importance of your personal network, learning how to script and work in-engine, and maintaining a healthy mindset with the ups and downs of the industry. We then go into the importance of sound design, highlighting the transformative power of sound that enhances player experiences. Hear about the challenges faced by sound designers, such as time constraints and file size limitations, p...
2023-07-2454 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastThe Job Episode - Resume Strategies, Applying For Positions, Portfolios and Websites, Interviewing Tips, and Much More with John PodlasekI put this information together for a presentation at DePaul University in Chicago recently. The audience found it helpful, plus listener Chris Hardin thought it’d make a great episode. So I made some tweaks and recorded it solo as a short episode :) While it’s intended for folks looking to get their first job there are different ideas and strategies that should be helpful if you’re already working in the industry. I cover strategies around resumes, applying for jobs, doing due diligence, interviewing strategies, following up afterwards, the importance of your portfolio/website, and other areas.
2023-06-1225 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStarting Your Own Studio, BioShock Infinite, Anti-Crunch Culture, Learning Patience, Rendering and Graphics, ChatGPT, and Shifting Business Models with Steve Anichini of DisbeliefI welcome Steve Anichini, the CTO and Co-founder of Disbelief to this episode. We start off discussing programming at a young age, taking a job after college, and then deciding to pursue a game development career with his first job at Jellyvision. Hear about working at Midway Games and Irrational Games and then starting Disbelief after layoffs. Learn advice about developing patience with yourself, others, project timelines, and not freaking out over deadlines.Steve then shares ideas for getting a first job, including the importance of debugging skills and learning more languages and game engines. We then...
2023-04-3059 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastThe Pinball Episode with Roger Sharpe from PINBALL: The Man Who Saved the GameI welcome Roger Sharpe, President and CEO of Sharpe Communications, and the star of the new movie - PINBALL: The Man Who Saved the Game. Hear about his marketing agency and how the idea to turn his story into a movie started back in 2020. We then discuss how pinball used to be illegal in New York City, discovering pinball in college, working at GQ, being challenged to write a book, and testifying at City Hall it was a game of skill, not a game of chance.Learn about life choices, working in advertising, how others got their...
2023-03-1759 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastGet Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, The Last of Us, ChatGPT, Uncanny Valley, Pizza Is Pizza, Compassionate Leadership, Halo 2 Double Team, No Jerks Policy, Document the Results, and Being Unflappable with Ray McCaffrey of Steel Wool StudiosI welcome Ray McCaffrey, Executive Producer at Steel Wool Studios. Hear how he got started in the game industry through a friend by joining a band with some NetherRealm artists who later encouraged him to apply for a short-term Assistant Producer contract job. Learn about his transition from IT, working with industry legends, and wishing he’d known to be more quiet and listen better.We then discuss advancing your career in Production, the importance of documenting feedback and results, and providing context to the team to build trust. Hear about the value of being calm and ce...
2023-02-101h 09
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSkywalker Ranch, Persistence, Game Designer Qualities, Working With Steven Spielberg, Being Bold, The Power of AR and VR, Not Being a Jerk, and Traveling the World with Noah Falstein of The InspiracyI welcome Noah Falstein, a legendary Game Designer on this episode. Hear about his current work as a Designer and Consultant, along with how he began straight out of college at Milton Bradley before going to Williams and to create arcade games. Learn about being an early employee at Lucasfilm Games, and working on the amazing Indiana Jones titles along with others. We then discuss what he’s learned reflecting back to the beginning of his career, moving to California, and advice to expand your horizons beyond triple-A games when starting out. Discover the importance of persistence, cur...
2022-11-2753 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastGame Jams, Resiliency, Game Dev Resources, The Future, Mentors, Neurodiversity, Bodystorming, Tech Art, Networking, Art Automation, Anxiety, Mixed Reality, and AI with Angel MunizI welcome Angel Muniz, a 3D Generalist and Technical Artist who shares about her transition into the game industry, talking with Bungie, getting her first job, and going back to school. Hear career advice about how the art field is changing, creating automation, learning integration, and getting your first position. Learn about knowing your value, having mentors, passion & curiosity, and advancing your career.We then discuss hackathons, growing your skills, her VR portfolio, and her love of learning. Hear about emotional intelligence, politics, listening, bodystorming, and how we process information. Discover AI machine learning...
2022-10-151h 26
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastMaking RPGs, Remote Manager Challenges, Porting GTA Vice City, How To Get Promoted, the Power of Messaging Apps, German Game Dev, Resident Evil Design, Working in Different Roles, and The Settlers with Jurie HornemanI welcome Jurie Horneman, senior gameplay programmer at Possibly Space, who shares about growing up in the Netherlands and his passion for wanting to make games that led to his first job. Learn about making Amberstar, answering calls from players, and making Ambermoon, which still has a dedicated fan base. Hear about moving to Blue Byte, Albion being overly ambitious, learning C, and having your shipping platform changed because of bankruptcy.We then discuss source code, the importance of completing personal projects, and needing to shift your perspective to think as a hiring manager...
2022-08-201h 23
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastQA Into Production, Web3 Challenges, Twitter For Game Dev, New Technologies, Problem Solving, Axie Infinity, and Keeping An Open Mind with Carl Leducq of Altered State Machine and Zero To PlayI welcome Carl Leducq, Games Producer at Altered State Machine and the popular Zero to Play podcast who shares about his new role and recently shipped game for Rocketwerkz. Learn how he transitioned from film into the game industry and working in QA changed his perspective. Hear how he transitioned from QA to Production, his passion around the game development community and the NZGDA.We then discuss advice for getting into the industry, doing game jams, and advancing your career. Hear about the importance of communication skills, ideas for working remotely, and developing interpersonal...
2022-06-2439 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastAccountability, College Esports, Alto’s Odyssey, Gaming Culture, Winding Paths, Changing Behaviors, Bad Apples, and an Iceberg-Shaped Problem with Jae Lin of the Games and Online Harassment HotlineI welcome Jae Lin, the Hotline Director of the ‘Games and Online Harassment Hotline’ who shares about their current role running the hotline, along with the new Culture Shift project. Learn about when they’re available, who it’s helping, and how you can text “support” to 23368 within the U.S. for help. Hear about the new Culture Shift program launched with Take this that goes into game studios and works with top leadership to create custom programs for companies. We then discuss gender-based harm, why it keeps happening, and the culture around it. Hear ideas ar...
2022-04-3044 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSpeeding Up Development, Interviewing Strategies, Game of Thrones, Beginner's Mind, Open Economy Games, The Metaverse, Humility, and Guilty Pleasure Games with Jon Radoff, CEO of BeamableI welcome Jon Radoff, CEO of Beamable who shares his inspiration behind starting the company. Hear how D&D and computer programming got him hooked on games, and the companies he’s created along the way. Learn how he began his entrepreneurial journey as a kid, along with advice for others who love games and have a passion to create. We then discuss his thoughts around entrepreneurship, who to listen to, and who not to listen to. Hear why it’s important to have a portfolio, along with strategies for interviewing. Learn the value of ha...
2022-03-2356 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastGiving Back, Diversity, Self-Promotion, Cultural Revolution, People Skills, Immersive Experiences, and Game Jams with Renee Gittins of the IGDAI welcome Renee Gittins who shares about her role as the Executive Director of the IGDA, along with her new position at Phoenix Labs. Learn about how Renee transitioned from biotech into game development, the various roles she’s had, along with making lifelong friends at Riot Games. Hear the importance of having confidence, starting your projects sooner, building a portfolio, and making connections. We then discuss the importance of self-promotion and mentorship as keys to advancing your career, especially working with cross-discipline. Learn the importance of people skills, especially self-reflection and empathy, along wit...
2022-02-2335 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWork with Meaning, Unity, Treating PTSD, Magic Leap, AI, Healthcare Heroes, GDC, and the Future with Skip Rizzo from the USC Institute for Creative TechnologiesI welcome Albert “Skip” Rizzo, a clinical psychologist and 25 year veteran of gaming technology and VR for clinical uses. Learn how a patient playing Tetris sparked his interest in gaming, and years later he joined USC to use VR to help kids with ADHD. Hear the critical importance of building content that engages and motivates patients, along with the differences between games and film. We then dive into the Bravemind program to help vets suffering from PTSD, how he's rebuilt their technology, added new locations, and created a pre-deployment program for soldiers. Learn how he ex...
2022-01-311h 06
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastGame Dev People, Starting a Studio, Discord’s Power, Send the Resume, Steam’s Dead for Indies, and Dota 2 with Dan Nikolaides from Studio369I welcome Dan Nikolaides, CEO of Symmetric Games and the CTO of Studio369 on this episode. We begin discussing his current role leading development efforts on their game MetalCore, along with the studio’s first game, Rune II. Learn about the concepts in MetalCore, how they found investors, and how he started in the industry.We then dive into switching over to game teams, having projects canceled, and leaving to join Phosphor. Hear about shipping a bunch of games, then starting his studio in 2016. Learn about not being intimidated by hard problems along with the importance of a...
2021-12-2649 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWorking on Uncharted, 4-Day Work Week, Crunch, XTC, Psychology in Design, Sustainable Game Development, and the USC Games Program with Richard LemarchandI welcome Richard Lemarchand from the USC Games program tonight. We begin by discussing his Associate Professor role in the USC School of Cinematic Arts and the recent release of his book, A Playful Production Process, for Game Designers (and Everyone). Hear about how he got his first job at MicroProse, the importance of psychology in game design, along with wishing he’d known how to manage projects better when starting. We discuss the effects of crunch, the importance of managing projects, and how his book is a textbook of his class covering intermediate level design and production. W...
2021-11-221h 22
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastMarathon Not A Sprint, ArtStation Is Key, Seizing Opportunities, Virtual Boy, Paying It Forward, Working In Mexico, Personal Projects, and My Origin Story with Glenn De Leon GarzaI welcome Glenn De Leon Garza, a talented 3D artist on this episode. We begin by talking about the impact of COVID in Mexico, along with his responsibilities now as an art director. Then hear about his transition from being a 3D artist into an art director and management role, plus his thoughts on giving good direction.We then transition to getting his first job as a 3D artist, the challenges of working in the industry from Mexico, and differences in salaries with the U.S. Hear what his first years were like as a new artist...
2021-10-2046 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStartup Principles, Working on StarCraft II and Fortnite, Burnout, Empathic Design, UI is Key, Tools Development, VC Ecosystem, Mental Health, and Crossplay with Matt SchembariI welcome Matt Schembari, CEO of Lightforge Games. We begin by discussing his lifelong love of games and how he got his first job in the industry, followed by the other studios he’s worked at. Our discussion pivots into burnout and the effects it has on a person, along with a crisis of identity, and thoughts on mental health. We then discuss the industry turnover rate and constant loss of talent that’s happening, along with the key principles Lightforge Games has been founded on. Hear Matt’s thoughts on empathic design, targeting tool development as a caree...
2021-09-0546 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastCreativity is a Business, LotR’s Inspiration, Toxic Workplace Cultures, Using Agents, Defining Your Terms, Twitter For Connecting, Asking For Advice, and Creating Friendships with Marta SvetekI welcome Marta Svetek, a London-based actor working in video games, film and TV. We begin by discussing the state of COVID-19 in London and how her roles of acting and other work are centered around creating digital characters. Learn about her passion of playing games from a young age, Lord of the Rings, and how she landed her first game VO role working for Creative Assembly. Hear about how her work has dramatically picked up over the last year, including as a lead character in the upcoming Battlefield 2042. We then discuss the actual process of doing V...
2021-07-311h 14
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastBattlefield Mobile, Gratitude, Getting Sh*t Done, Marvel XP, Bad Interview, Pareto Principle, Game Dev Identity, and Surviving a Layoff with Justin Fischer of Industrial Toys/EAI welcome Justin Fischer, Lead Development Director at Industrial Toys of EA. We begin by discussing the state of COVID-19 in LA and how his scrappiness landed him an internship at Chicago’s Wideload Games. Learn about how he cut his teeth at Wideload Games and Disney Interactive working on projects with tight budgets, like Hail to the Chimp, Guilty Party and Marvel XP.Hear about the challenges and life lessons of tieing too much of your identity into being a game developer, going through a layoff, and the hidden value shown over time. We then pivot in...
2021-07-0156 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastHorror Games, Career Strategies, What Publishers Want, Capital Is King, Poland and Israel’s Game Dev Scenes, and Finding Your Own Way with Scott Millard of FeardemicI welcome Scott Millard, Managing Director at Feardemic. We begin discussing his Krakow, Poland location, and the country’s forward-thinking and vibrant game development industry. We then shift to COVID-19’s impact, plus his current role as a Managing Director at Feardemic working on horror games.Listen to his origin story starting at Sega’s Oziesoft followed by lots of acquisitions, a controversial perspective on big companies, and his advice to finding your own way when starting out. Hear his idea on the most important skill to learn, what publishers are looking for in developers, and helping distri...
2021-06-1248 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSelf-Taught Coding, Importance of Tools, Crunch, NLP, Snow Crash, Ageism, GitHub, Toastmasters, and Quake’s Elegance with Norman Morse of Perforce SoftwareI welcome Norman Morse, Triage Engineer at Perforce Software. We begin by discussing COVID-19’s impact, and his current role helping game developers. Hear thoughts on the importance of git and Perforce, how a previous job led to his current one, and the challenge of layoffs.Listen to his origin story around doing kernel development, building a team, and getting absorbed into EA. Learn his theory for success, going door-to-door for a job, teaching himself languages, and the importance of Linux and enthusiasm. We then talk about the importance of GDC and social skills, Toastmasters, stu...
2021-04-3055 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastHalo 2, Steve Ballmer, IGDA, Gamergate, Star Wars, Diversity and Inclusion, Networking, Going Solo, Cloudpunk, and Developer Leverage with Kate Edwards of Geogrify and the Global Game JamI welcome Kate Edwards, game industry pioneer at Geogrify and Executive Director of the Global Game Jam. We start by discussing COVID-19 totally changing everything for her speaking and traveling work along with the Global Game Jam (recorded before the event). We then talk about her culturalization consulting and public speaking projects keeping her even busier now. Listen to her origin story about arcades, wanting to be an astronaut, Star Wars, going into Industrial Design, and grad school at the HITLab in Seattle. Hear how being a Cartographer started her career at Microsoft and translated into a n...
2021-02-281h 25
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastStack the Job Deck, Canada, Iron Galaxy, PSX Conference, Recruiter Horror Stories, Dot-com Bubble, LT, and Wisdom From Perspective with Adam Boyes of Iron Galaxy StudiosI welcome Adam Boyes, game industry veteran and Co-CEO of Iron Galaxy Studios. We start by discussing COVID-19 and thoughts on staying mentally healthy along with his current position. Adam then shares his passion for games and journey for getting in through QA. Learn how Canada’s grown their game industry through tax incentives, plus Adam’s perspective and advice on building a career. We then discuss him leaving the industry for entrepreneurial pursuits, moving overseas, coming back to Vancouver for Next Level Games, then going to Midway Games. Learn about his inspiration from an EVE Online event...
2021-01-301h 02
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastInterviewing Tips, Global Teams, NY Comic Con, Running LiveOps, Crunching, Mentors, Mass Effect, Austin Game Dev, QA Life, and Relationships Matter with Patrick Moran of KongregateI welcome Patrick Moran, game industry veteran and GM at Kongregate’s Tonic division on this episode. We start by discussing COVID-19 and his current role. Learn how his team’s spread over the globe, plus the unique business model he’s leading around LiveOps and buying games.Patrick then shares what it was like trying to break into the industry and the method used for getting his first job. Hear about life crunching in QA on Deus Ex, making mobile and DS games as a Designer, and the importance of patience.Learn what people to rea...
2021-01-021h 26
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSXSW, Keys to Kickstarter, Smash TV, Editing Challenges, Ready Player One, Games Are Harder Than Film, Persistence, Magic Leap, HoloLens, and Film Festivals with Joshua Tsui of Insert CoinOn this episode, I welcome Joshua Tsui, game industry veteran and creator of the new documentary, Insert Coin. We start by discussing his current role in experiential design at Edge Experiential, then dive into his journey in developing Insert Coin, detailing his inspiration behind it, the research and interview process, and the many challenges he encountered along the way. Joshua describes working with Kenny Fedesna and others from Midway Games on the documentary, plus shares candid thoughts on whether or not he’s going to make a sequel of Insert Coin or even continue making films.Hear ho...
2020-12-0345 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastArtist Turned Indie Filmmaker, Layoff Transition, New Artist Tools, Actor Types, E3 Stories, Key Skills For Getting Hired, and LA Traffic, with Mehran Torgoley of Cult CinemaOn this episode I welcome Mehran Torgoley, Director & Writer at Cult Cinema, LLC. We start by discussing a few projects he’s currently working on and how he began at a small game studio outside of Chicago. While sharing what he wishes he’d known when starting out in the industry, Mehran emphasizes the significance of commitment, pushing through hesitation, and passion. We reminisce on our days at Midway Games before diving into useful advice for people going into game development or film, as well as people looking to advance their careers. He touches on the importance of networking, havi...
2020-11-1858 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastCreative Directors, Diversity and Inclusion, Level Ex, Your Mutant Ability, Van Halen, Making For Honor, Mythic Quest, Player Motivation, and Hades with Jason VandenBerghe of Level ExOn this episode we welcome Jason VandenBerghe, VP Studio Creative Director at Level Ex. We start by discussing COVID-19, his excitement about making games for doctors, and thoughts about the future of game design. He shares his story of breaking into the industry with The X-Files Game and his transition from programmer to producer to creative director at EA. Jason then offers specific advice for people in the industry and those looking to break in while telling about the fastest hire ever made at Ubisoft.He shares intriguing stories on his favorite games so far, including the...
2020-10-211h 28
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSuccessful Original IP, Design Challenges, Global Teams, Portfolio Matters, Industry Parties, Retro Consoles, GDC Indie Games, and Online Privacy Laws with Clark Stacey of WildWorksOn this episode we welcome guest Clark Stacey, CEO of WildWorks. We start by discussing the impacts of Coronavirus on his studio, how WildWorks came to be, and then rewind to discuss his journey into the game development industry. He gives powerful advice for people trying to get started along with those trying to advance their career, emphasizing the value of identifying and solving problems. Clark talks about some of his favorite games he’s worked on and what he’s curious about right now, including VR and his candid thoughts on Facebook’s gaming world. He shares his though...
2020-09-181h 04
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastTravis Scott, Activision Pitches, Good Vs. Bad Producers, EQ, Social Networks, MicroProse, Steve Jobs, Taking the High Road with Chris HewishOn this episode, we welcome guest Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla. We start by discussing Chris’s take on the effects of coronavirus, his new role at Xsolla, and how he got started in the game industry, offering insight into what he wishes he had known at the beginning. He then shares valuable advice for people entering the industry and for people trying to advance their careers in Design or Production – hint: bootstrapping your way in and learning emotional intelligence can help.Chris divulges a few of his favorite games he’s worked on and what he’s excite...
2020-08-1258 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastMaking Warcraft II, Breaking Crunch, Disney Infinity, Pitching Investors, Diablo, Animal Talking, Industry Stories, and Parting Advice with Bill RoperOn this episode we welcome guest Bill Roper, Chief Creative Officer at AuthorDigital and Adept Games. We start by discussing the impacts of COVID-19 on work and personal life and rising to the challenge of digitalizing our lives in completely unusual circumstances. Bill emphasizes the importance of taking time for yourself, focusing on mental health and being “family first”. “Games are an amazing way for people to connect via distance, it’s what videogames were designed to do.” - Bill Roper Bill then talks about bringing his vision of empowering storytellers and giving the...
2020-07-211h 29
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWorking at Epic Games, Avoiding Crunch, Tony Hawk, Better Health, Metallica, The Rookies, Montreal, and Midway Games Floods with Justin MohlmanJustin Mohlman has many skills and projects. With over 17 years in the industry, he’s a seasoned game developer currently working as a Game Development Producer at Epic Games. Hear about his many positions ranging from art instructor, co-owner of a tattoo shop, to managing the social media of Metallica’s bassist. Learn how he got his start in the industry, his projects at Epic Games, Heavy Metal magazine, some advice for current 3D artists, and his favorite projects, like Tony Hawk and Mortal Kombat. Hosted by John ‘JP’ Podlasek (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and links.)In...
2020-06-2551 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastPR For Games, Influencers, Working With Nintendo, Metrics Vs. Impact, Value of Live Events, and Relationships Matter with Johner RiehlJohner Riehl, Vice President and PR Lebowski at Wonacott Communications joins me on this episode. Johner has been in the industry for over 23 years and shares about the Public Relations side of videogames. Hear about his PR experience doing launches for the Neo Geo Pocket Color, GameCube, Game Boy Advance, Pokemon, Pikmin, working with Nintendo, Microsoft, and Midway, plus writing books and running a website. Learn how he got started in the industry, working at Wonacott, advice on getting PR for a game, working with influencers and streamers, and thoughts on future opportunities. Hosted by John ‘JP’ Podlasek (See game...
2020-05-2546 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastGoing Indie, Changing Crunch, Mocap SWAT, Bungie, Wild West Days, Management Lessons, and VR with Richard LicoGame industry veteran Richard Lico joins me on this episode to discuss his career. Hear how he got started in the industry going from SCAD’s 3D Computer Art program to now being the Studio Animation Director at Polyarc 20 years later. Richard talks about working on Triple-A games like Halo, Destiny, and more recently, the indie VR hit, Moss. Learn about working at Bungie, advice to fellow animators and artists, his excitement around VR, a few wild stories, and his online animation school. Hosted by John ‘JP’ Podlasek (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and links.)In Thi...
2020-05-0744 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastTriple-A to Indie, Lessons From Blizzard, Growing Remote Teams, Future Game Trends, Animal Crossing, and Magehunter with Richard KhooRichard Khoo, Co-Founder and Game Director of indie studio Khookey joins me on this episode. He shares how he went from a Modder to Designer to Co-Founder working at places like Blizzard, Riot Games, Wargaming, and Pocket Gems. We talk about being recruited by Blizzard in 2004, advice for getting into the industry, furthering your career after you’re in, favorite projects, a few funny stories, growing remote teams, COVID-19 and mental health, along with his upcoming game, Magehunter. Hosted by John ‘JP’ Podlasek (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and links.)In This Episod...
2020-04-2153 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastCOVID-19, VR Meditation, Rubber Duck Debugging, Judas Priest, and Breaking into the Game Industry with Andreja DjokovicGDA24 Timestamps:[01:11] Introductions[01:20] COVID-19[02:50] What Are Your Current Roles in the Game Industry?[04:30] Pursuing VR[06:25] Immersive Meditation Experience Through VR[07:40] Babaroga[09:18] How Did You Get Started?[11:30] Video Game QA in the 90s[14:34] What Would You Have Liked to Have Known When You Started?[16:20] Imposter Syndrome as a Newbie Engineer[18:20] What Advice Would You Give to Someone Looking to Get Their First Job?[19:00] Rubber Duck Debugging[19:40] Any Advice for Someone Furthering Their Career?
2020-04-0547 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastIndie and Mid-Level Narrative Design, Post-Apocalyptic Worlds, Toxic Gamer Culture, AR/VR, and Online Testing with Edwin McRaeEdwin McRae talks about his role as a narrative designer and the various projects he’s working on. Hear how housesitting in New Zealand allows him to move around and work remotely with clients in the U.S., Poland, Denmark, Germany, and locally. Learn how he was a writer for the #1 soap opera in New Zealand and how he made the jump into game development.Hear what he’d wished he’d know when starting in the industry and what it was like working on hugely popular Diablo II-style Path of Exile game. Learn how be...
2020-03-1341 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastConsole Wars, Oculus, SXSW, Palmer Luckey, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Facebook Concerns with Blake J. HarrisBestselling author Blake J. Harris talks about the Console Wars documentary premiering at SXSW after 7 long years in the making, along with it being adapted into an upcoming TV series. Hear how all the key people from that era of the SEGA vs Nintendo battle is part of the documentary to capture what it was really like. Learn my perspective from working for the TurbGrafx-16 and going head-to-head with the SEGA Genesis, along with how surprising it was when they started beating Nintendo after losing the 8-bit battle.Hear how Console Wars changed his...
2020-02-1943 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastIndie Dev Challenges, AI, Spatial Computing, Fortnite, New Platforms, and Predator VR with David TurkiewiczLead Game Designer David Turkiewicz talks about his current role at Phosphor Games, starting in QA, immigrating from Poland as a kid, and how the NES changed his life. Learn how his love for gaming, comics and animation steered him to The American Academy of Art in Chicago. Hear about his lack of confidence held him back from a UI job and decided to start in QA instead. Learn the advice he’d give himself in hindsight with 15 years of experience, along with the initiative he took in QA to use Midway Games’s wiki to learn about...
2020-01-2654 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastMid-Tier Indie Vs. Triple-A Dev, Game Engines, Star Wars AR, VR Challenges, Going Viral, and Gender Diversity with Chip SineniGame Director Chip Sineni talks about the project he’s working on that dates back 20 years and how he got into the industry back in 1994 starting in QA. Learn about odd arrangement of the Beavis and Butt-Head console games each done by different developers. Hear his thoughts about the industry now with tools like Unity3D and Unreal Engine letting developers explore game ideas without publishers, along with challenges to get market attention. Learn thoughts on Twitter’s evolution, how to get into the industry now, and the differences around the type of work and mindsets in Triple-A vs Indi...
2019-12-091h 10
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastWhen Coin-Op was King, NBA Jam, the ‘90s, Pakistan, Sega, Shaq, and Book Publishing with Reyan AliNBA Jam writer Reyan Ali talks about being born in the U.S., moving to Pakistan when he was young, and how the NES and Sega Mega Drive II video games influenced him. How the release of NBA Jam got him interested in the NBA, along with getting into Mortal Kombat and working on website in Pakistan. Learn how he wrote a FAQ for the team’s arcade classic The Grid without having actually having played the game by emailing the dev team member John Vogel.Hear how he decided to write a book about NBA Jam af...
2019-11-2340 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSkywalker Ranch, Making Toys, Crunch Culture, Hong Kong Concerns, EA, Being an Expat in Bangkok with Chris Nicolella28-year video game and toy industry veteran Chris Nicolella talks about moving from the U.S. to living in Bangkok as an expat that included some initial challenges. How he started in the video game industry working at NEC’s TurboGrafx-16, then transitioning to NuFX, which was later acquired by Electronic Arts turning into EA Chicago. Hear the challenges of game industry crunching and what it was like in the early 2000s, along with breaking into making iPhone apps on the side.Learn how he transitioned into video game publishing to get his first job at Electronic Ga...
2019-10-201h 13
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastThe World’s Biggest Arcade and More with Doc Mack of Galloping Ghost25-year industry entrepreneur and designer Doc Mack of Galloping Ghost Productions talks about his game production company and working on his arcade fighting game, “Dark Presence”. How the company has mushroomed into creating the biggest arcade in the world (731 games and counting!), a reproductions company, gym and martial arts studio, automotive repair shop, and a pinball arcade. Learn about his desire to work in video games growing up and a chance encounter with a game industry legend spurred him to start the company, plus how the Galloping Ghost arcade opened in 2010 after frustration while researching the arcade market.He...
2019-09-191h 08
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastHeadhunter To Designer, Layoffs, Self Publishing, and Scapegoating Games with John (JJ) Williams of NetherRealm Studios+15-year industry veteran John (JJ) Williams of NetherRealm Studios talks about his current role as Advanced Designer at NetherRealm Studios and the challenges we had working on a Disney IP. Learn how he decided to get out of a career as a headhunter with a business degree and into game development. Hear about going back to school for an art degree and getting his first job as a freelance animator on WrestleMania 21. Learn about his first role at Studio Gigante, then Stainless Steel Studios, and missing a job email from Harmonix because of a spam filter. How...
2019-09-0157 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastComics, Crazy Game Submissions, Careers, Industry Rant, and Production with Nick Laing of Amazon GamesNick Laing talks about his new role as Senior Publishing Producer at Amazon Games and working before at Turn 10 Studios on the Forza series. Hear how his path diverted from following in his family’s footsteps to going to a specialized comic book artist school. Learn how in the late 90s iconic comic book companies went bankrupt or struggled to stay in business (it’s hard to believe now). Learn how he transitioned those skills to being hired as a Concept Artist and UX Designer for his first industry role. Hear how he then got into Game Desi...
2019-08-111h 18
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastTriple-A Art, Roots of Mocap, SonyPlayStation, Being a Problem Solver with Dwayne Mason of NXA StudiosDwayne Mason of NXA Studios talks about his current role in the company and his career and entrepreneurial aspirations going back to his teens. Hear about the computer revolution while studying to be a graphic designer. How PC Paint and Corel Draw changed his trajectory and focus toward the future. Learn about a chance encounter working as a valet being a big break. Hear how motion capture data was first used for sports analysis and working as a gofer. Learn how the hustling lead to a full-time job out in California and being the first mocap specialist ever at...
2019-07-1959 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastIndie Game Dev, Rick and Morty, Double Fine and Being in the Game Press, with Chris Johnson of the Player One PodcastChris Johnson from the Player One Podcast talks about producing games at Adult Swim for 11 years, and how he got hired. Hear what it was like working on Flash games, the transition to mobile and console, plus working with some well-known indie studios. How moderating the Adult Swim message board in 2002 lead to getting an offer. How in high school he was inspired to create a videogame fanzine, which leads to a magazine writer role at Electronic Gaming Monthly in 1994. How videogame magazines were the go-to source for gaming information in the ’90s. Hear ideas on getting in the in...
2019-06-291h 07
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastRunning An Indie Game Studio, Loot Boxes, AR, Markiplier, and Producers, with Tom Eastman and Ben Perez of Trinket StudiosTom Eastman and Ben Perez discuss their seven years of running indie developer Trinket Studios, challenges they’ve overcome, lessons learned, advice for getting into the industry, favorite projects, new technologies, loot boxes, guerrilla marketing, YouTubers, funny stories, and thoughts on game production. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-05-1254 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastCrunch Culture and What You Can Do To Escape...Hint, It Ain't On Twitter, with John PodlasekThe industry’s dirty little secret is in the spotlight again (just Google “intense crunch”) and surprise, everyone’s shocked. Why? It’s been going on since games were on floppy discs. Everyone’s preaching unions. But they’re not going to be your savior, at least any time soon. So instead of waiting for the union tooth fairy, hear my advice for researching and applying to companies that take culture and work-life balance seriously. They exist. Take action and rise above the Twitter ranting. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more abo...
2019-04-2512 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastNBA Jam BOOMSHAKALAKA!!, Shaq, Dota, Rage 2, The Twilight Zone and Pins with Tim KitzrowTim Kitzrow is a video game & pinball legend, having worked on dozens of games, including the arcade BOOMSHAKALAKA!! classic, NBA Jam. Hear how he got started in voice-over work, studied with famous comedians at The Second City, and took on EA with Mutant League Football. Learn about his work in the upcoming Rage 2 along with a special Dota Jam Announcer pack. How NBA Jam is cursed, Shaq would take an arcade cabinet on the road, and Stern Pinball is back and thriving. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more about...
2019-04-191h 05
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastPUBG, Red Dead 2, Taking Risks, Freelancing, Game Dev, VR and a Lawsuit with James BradyJames Brady started in 2015 and has already worked on games like Red Dead Redemption 2, PUBG, and other blockbusters. The risky decision to leave his job and pursue game dev, then later leave Rockstar. How his Silent Hill fan art went viral. The difference between U.S. & European studios. Why freelancing is safer than being an employee. What it was like experiencing PUBG’s success. Sound design’s importance, plus VR dev challenges.(See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-03-2457 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastDave Mirra BMX, Coding, Nintendo, Tax Breaks, Tokyo, and Sucker Punch with Dave GraceHear how CTO Dave Grace was hired as an audio engineer. What it was like working on Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX. How he formed his own company. Worked at Square Enix on Final Fantasy XV. Advice for getting in the industry plus what careers are always in demand. Learn the importance of reputation. Worked on Sly Cooper, Spyro 3, and other games. Challenges around unionization. Tax breaks for studios in Canadian and the U.S. Opinions on current game industry trends. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more about your ad...
2019-03-1739 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastGetting Hired, Learning New Tools, VR, Layoffs, Unionizing, and Trends with Humberto (Tito) GamboaHear how 3D artist Humberto (Tito) Gamboa was hired. How schools often teach outdated tech. Working at a small game studio. Thoughts on online communities & industry events. Why you need to learn beyond school. The value of Twitter, Discord, ArtStation & 80 Level. Tips for applying to game studios. Ideas on learning different art tools. Discussion on unionization. Strategies on being prepared for a layoff. Thoughts on VR and great audio design. Opinions on past and current game industry trends. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
2019-03-1049 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastAR, VR, Game Industry Trends, Unity, and Early Mobile Phone Game Dev with Patrick Curry of FarBridge-Hear from developer & CEO Patrick Curry who talks about his company, FarBridge. -Learn about his early career in web dev and transitioning to game dev. -Learn about the early days of mobile phone game dev. -Hear ideas on how to improve as a designer. -Learn about working on games like Stranglehold & Guilty Party. -Hear how a previous company was acquired by Unity. -Hear a funny story about going to Shanghai. -Hear opinions on the current state of the industry, including AR, VR & streaming consoles. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn...
2019-03-0254 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastUnpaid Intern, TNA Wrestling, Hard Knocks, and Freelancing Tips, Pt. 2-Part 2 of 2 w/Mike Antonicelli who shares how to expand your skills as a freelancer -Learn how he works remotely from locations like Brazil and Chile -Hear freelancer work methodologies that can also be applied as a remote employee -Learn how to get an advantage when applying for jobs that most people don’t do -Hear what other developers look for when hiring freelance talent -Learn perspectives on the state of freelancing in today’s game industry -Ways to get in touch with Mike about his services. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.)
2019-02-2333 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastUnpaid Intern, TNA Wrestling, Hard Knocks, and Freelancing Tips, Pt. 1-Hear how he learned about the game industry as a career -How studying computer animation lead to an internship -Learn the type of work he did as an unpaid intern -Hear the risks he took moving to LA to be an intern, again -How he was mentored by industry legends -Learn about his bizarre 1st freelancing job -How persistence paid off and working with Disney Interactive -How it's critical to keep your skills up-to-date -Hear the importance of reputation -Heads up: this is part 1 of a 2-part episode. (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.)
2019-02-1631 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastJames Bond, Ultima VII, 80's Game Dev, Writing, Volatility, and GWAR!-Learn how he transitioned into the game industry -James Bond and Stephen King books that were made into games -Learn about the Austin game dev roots -Working with Richard Garriott and the evolution of Ultima -Listen to advice on working in game development -Learn when the graphics explosion started in games -How GWAR! played a Microsoft Doom haunted house party -Hear about writing James Bond -Discover his books based on Metal Gear Solid -Hear what crunch mode used to be like -His latest projects (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn...
2019-02-0953 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastSEGA, Midway, Interviewing Tips, Ringling, VR, and Immersion Therapy-Hear about early game art programs, like Deluxe Paint. -What the working environment was like in SEGA and Midway Games. -Learn advice on how to land your first job. -3 things he looks for when hiring. -Thoughts on working in Hollywood. -Learn about what kind of art jobs are in high demand. -Who some of the largest employers of his students are. -Uses for VR outside of gaming, like immersion therapy. -Some funny industry stories. -Hear about Richard Rouse III's new game, "Church in the Darkness". (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.)
2019-01-3149 min
Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's PodcastInterviewing, teaching, triple-A vs indie, and fixing game dev crunch-Guest Heinz Schuller talks about making the transition from IT into the game industry -2 things he wished he’d known when starting out -How to radically improve your odds in this highly competitive job market -Experience of working on small & medium size indie game projects -The importance of YouTube -Funny stories about the industry -Ideas around work output & fixing the crunch culture -Hard questions to ask when interviewing (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and other details.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-01-191h 04