Game Dev Unchained

Magic Mind is offering a saving of 20% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20 About this episode: In this episode, I welcome Xalavier Nelson Jr., founder of Strange Scaffold, discussing his game "Life Eater" tackling moral ambiguity and intrusion testing. We explored geolocation risks and online security concerns, and discussed cultural sensitivity and sustainable practices in game development. Life Eater on Steam (steampowered.com) Home - Strange Scaffold Xalavier Nelson Jr. @ XP Game Summit (@WritNelson) / X Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: In this episode, we dive into the transformative role of AI in the gaming industry. We explore how AI enhances creativity, streamlines game development, and empowers smaller teams to produce high-quality games. The discussion also addresses ethical concerns and job security issues, emphasizing the balance between embracing new technology and preserving artistic integrity. Join us as we unpack the future of game development in the age of AI. ⁠⁠⁠⁠Benjamin James | LinkedIn Atlas Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: James Montagna discusses the challenges and creative processes behind reimagining classic games like 'Yar's Revenge' for modern audiences. He highlights the balance between maintaining the original's spirit and introducing innovative gameplay mechanics, such as hacking elements and side-view exploration. Montagna also reflects on WayForward's success, emphasizing the studio's passion, adaptability, and deep reverence for gaming history. ⁠Highlights by James Montagna (@JamesPopStar) / X James Montagna | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Damien Evans and I discussed the ongoing struggles in the video game industry, particularly the recent layoffs and their impact on employees. We expressed concerns about the job market's unpredictability, the push for higher profits, and the lack of job security, with Damien advocating for the formation of a union to provide a voice for workers. They also explored potential solutions, such as an opt-in, opt-out insurance membership scheme and a company-sponsored fund for employees, and planned for a follow-up discussion to contribute to positive changes in the industry. Damien Evans | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: We discussed the challenges of the job market and game industry layoffs., the success of smaller teams and the importance of building a community around a game. We examined the trend of remastering and sequels, and the dynamics of team size on game quality. Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X (twitter.com) Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Read Article: https://wp.me/pcB0ew-1gR Francisco discussed the development, funding, and challenges of their game 'Lullaby of Life', including the importance of music and sound in the gaming experience. We also touched on the ongoing layoffs in the game development industry, the concept of early access, and the potential of new technologies such as the Steam Deck. Lastly, we shared advice for aspiring developers and discussed the balancing act between passion and business savvy. Save 34% on The Lullaby of Life on Steam (steampowered.com) The Lullaby Of Life - 1 Simple Game Francisco Lara Sikorski | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: full article: Character Craft: Didimo’s Journey in AI Artistry with Veronica Orvalho – Game Dev Unchained Join us in this fascinating episode as Veronica shares her journey from 3D artist to tech pioneer with Didimo, the company transforming character art with AI in the gaming industry. Discover how Veronica secured substantial EU funding to push the boundaries of game development and learn about the evolution of character pipelines that are reshaping the industry. Listen to the challenges of scaling creative projects, the importance of team dynamics, and the power of personal relationships in achieving business success. Veronica also dives into future collaborations and strategic partnerships that are set to accelerate Didimo's growth. Tune in to gain unique insights from the inte

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Ray and I had a comprehensive discussion about the current state of the industry, expressing concern about the unsustainable practices and lack of unionization. We also reflected on GDC 2024, sharing their experiences and opinions, as well as the impact of Epic layoffs on the show floor. Lastly, we discussed the marketing strategies of various companies, with a particular focus on Unity and its booth, which they found to be unimpressive. Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: In this episode, I discussed Tav Shande's recent work in his game on project UEFN and his long-standing career in game development. They also talked about the gaming industry, criticizing Epic's management and discussing the importance of adaptability and diversifying income streams. The conversation shifted to Fortnite and the potential for financial investment and starting a studio. We also discussed the growing influence of user-generated content, the challenges of managing it, and the business strategies of gaming companies. Towards the end, we debated the future of gaming, the challenges of finding a unique identifier for content, and the direction Activision/Blizzard after its acquisition by Microsoft. fortnite.com/@artbytav Welcome to TavShande.com – Story-driven Art m

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: In this episode, I had a discussison with Nicholas Seavert (CEO of JangaFX) covering a range of topics about the game industry, including visual effects, software tools, corporate vs indie game companies, entrepreneurship, and the impact of smaller companies on the industry. We also touched on the challenges of managing people, the trend towards leaner, more powerful tools, pricing and consumer appreciation, and the importance of team members' dedication and creativity. Connect with us: •

https://magicmind.com/janunchained⁠ 75% off subscription. Get 1 month free with a 3 month subscription with my code GAMEDEVUNCHAINED. ENDS JAN 31st. Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: In this episode, Brandon and Raymond discuss the recent layoffs in the games industry, speculating on potential causes and implications. They also touch on the challenges faced by individuals in finding jobs in their industry, the increasing use of AI in the gaming industry, the concept of worth in the workplace and capitalism, the impact of AI on their industry, the current state of video game design, the fallout from a hack of Insomniac, the financial performance of games, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the gaming industry, the challenges of managing a team in a remote or hybrid work environment, and the evolving social dynamics withi

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: In this episode, I sit with Ray Graham about the latest news and trends that affects game developers. Fortnite is making a huge comeback, our breakdown of the Game Awards latest announcement, and of course preparing ourselves to GTA VI. Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Igor Puskaric presents his spotlight for a sketchfab project that a team 6 completed during the pandemic. An amazing piece of work that is interactive and showcases a new form of animation storytelling. Art Spotlight: Spark & Bibi - Sketchfab Community Blog - Sketchfab Community Blog Meet the Masters: Igor Puškarić - Sketchfab Community Blog - Sketchfab Community Blog⁠ iggy-design - Sketchfab IgorPuskaric | Instagram | Linktree Igor Puskaric | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Dive into the fascinating world of game development with a returning guest Pete Bottomley, co-founder of White Paper Games, unravel the intricacies of crafting narrative-driven titles in the ever-evolving gaming industry. From the impacts of the pandemic on studio operations to the resurgence of single-player games, this episode offers a deep dive into the creative and operational shifts that are shaping the future of gaming. We discuss the delicate balance of bootstrapping versus seeking funding, the importance of retaining IP rights, and the strategic decisions behind scoping and pitching projects. Listen in as we explore how small teams can thrive in a competitive market, the realities of publisher negotiations, and the trends that are signaling a return to indie roots, all while navigating

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Lyndl Kempis joins this week to share his latest personal art piece. Being an early adopter of Blender and share his process of rigging, posing, and presentation. Lyndl40k (@3d.ronin) • Instagram photos and videos Connect with us: •

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: In this episode of our podcast, we delve into three significant topics affecting the gaming industry: recent layoffs, the rise of User-Generated Content (UGC) and the UEFN, and the missteps taken by major companies like Epic Games. Firstly, we discuss the unfortunate trend of layoffs in the games industry. Despite the industry's growth, several game developers and publishers have recently announced layoffs, leaving many employees uncertain about their futures. We explore the reasons behind these layoffs and their impact on the industry's workforce and culture. Next, we shift our focus to the growing importance of User-Generated Content (UGC). We examine how players are now actively contributing to game development by creating content for Fortnite. This UGC movement is not only changing

AU 2023 | November 13-15 in Las Vegas  ⁠www.autodesk.com/gamedevunchained⁠⁠ Paul Klee, Rich Harbour by Subsage (itch.io)⁠ Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Join me in an insightful conversation with Brian Canary, Lead Designer at Splash Damage. After years since our last talk, we reunite to dive into the profound transformations that have swept the game industry over the past half-decade.

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Dive into the intriguing tale of Eric Manahan, a former architect turned game developer, as he transitions from the structured world of building design to the fluid realm of 32-bit gaming. Eric's "Lucid", a nod to the SNES era, is a manifestation of his passion and a homage to his childhood gaming memories. Beyond the pixels, discover the blend of architectural principles with game design as floor plans transform into immersive side-scrollers. As we delve into Eric's story, uncover the broader allure that draws architects to the gaming universe. If you've ever wondered how diverse skills can intersect in the most unexpected of domains, this episode is a must-listen. https://indiegame.business IndieGameBusiness® - YouTube IndieGameBusiness®

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Back Lucid Kickstarter Now! About this episode: Dive into the intriguing tale of Eric Manahan, a former architect turned game developer, as he transitions from the structured world of building design to the fluid realm of 32-bit gaming. Eric's "Lucid", a nod to the SNES era, is a manifestation of his passion and a homage to his childhood gaming memories. Beyond the pixels, discover the blend of architectural principles with game design as floor plans transform into immersive side-scrollers. As we delve into Eric's story, uncover the broader allure that draws architects to the gaming universe. If you've ever wondered how diverse skills can intersect in the most unexpected of domains, this episode is a must-listen. LUCID by thematteblackstudio — Kickstarter The Matte Black Studio LUCID by The

Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/gamedevunchained/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ About this episode: Dive into the captivating journey of John Krajewski, the mastermind behind the thriving virtual world of Eco. With a pedigree from industry giants like EA, John took a leap and has been steering Strange Loop Games to success for 14 years. Discover how Eco, with over 800k enthusiastic members, is redefining online realms by empowering players as citizens. Learn about John's vision of a meaningful metaverse and get a glimpse of what it takes to design such intricate worlds. Beyond digital realms, uncover John's passion for board games and his insatiable appetite for learning. Tune in to grasp the future of immersive gaming, straight from the vanguard! John Krajewski | LinkedIn Eco (play.eco) Strange Loop Games Connect with us: •