Game Dev Unchained

In this episode, we discuss EA going private and potentially some major layoffs before end of Year. Before deep diving in the state of play from the PlayStation conference.Connect with us:•

https://www.project-grail.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammalte/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ta-roy/Malte and Roy to discuss their journey developing "Project Grail," a retro-inspired first-person shooter. The conversation covers their backgrounds in AAA studios, the influence of classic games like Doom and Wolfenstein, the challenges of balancing side projects with full-time jobs, and the evolving landscape of game development. The guests share insights on teamwork, project management, and the importance of passion and structure in indie game creation, while reflecting on industry trends, technology, and the value of learning from both past and present.Connect with us:•

In this solo episode, I address three significant topics in the game development industry: backlash from social media posts following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the tragic death of Microsoft engineer Pratik Pandey linked to crunch culture, and the broader industry shakeout leading to significant job losses. The discussion covers the impacts of public comments by game developers on their careers, the systemic issue of overwork in the tech industry, and the uneven global recovery in the video game sector with a particular focus on job cuts in California versus growth in Europe and Asia.Connect with us:•

Alien: Rogue Incursion - Evolved Edition | Coming Soon to PS5, PS5 Pro, Steam, Xbox, and EpicRoss De Vito | LinkedInIn this episode we have Ross DeVito, a gameplay programmer at Survios, a VR studio. Ross shares his journey from studying mechanical engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to finding fulfillment in virtual reality game development. He discusses the development of 'Alien: Rogue Incursion,' a VR game that Survios is adapting for flat screen (PC and console) gaming. Ross explains the challenges and techniques involved in transitioning VR mechanics, such as weapon systems and combat AI, to a traditional flat screen format. They talk about the differences in optimization, player control, and immersion between VR and flat screen gaming, as well as the additional features of the PSVR2, like adaptive triggers and head haptics. Ross emphasizes that the evolved edition of the game aims to offer a unique and immersive experience for both VR and flat screen players. Connect with us:•

In this episode, we discuss the recent layoffs in the game industry and the economic challenges faced by game studios, focusing on the long development cycles and mismanagement in AAA studios like Cloud Chamber's BioShock project. We examine the role of AI in game development, highlighting its potential to assist with asset creation and coding while noting its current limitations. The conversation also emphasizes the need for effective mentorship in a remote working environment to support junior developers and sustain the industry's future talent.Connect with us:•

In this episode we sit down with longtime friend and industry veteran Drew Smith for a candid conversation about the evolving landscape of game development. Drew shares his journey from hustling his way into Take-Two, producing at 2K, and working on iconic titles like Bioshock and Destiny, to navigating the challenges of remote work, starting his own studio, and adapting to a rapidly changing industry.Together, they dive deep into the differences between corporate and development roles, the impact of the pandemic on studio culture, the struggles and opportunities facing both AAA and indie developers, and the importance of mentorship and fresh talent in games. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this episode is packed with honest insights, industry stories, and advice for aspiring game creators.Tune in for a real talk about the state of the industry, the future of game development, and what it takes to survive—and thrive—in games today.Connect with us:•

About this episode:Marathon is supposed to usher in a return of great AAA western gaming, but did it fall short? Tune in for our impressions and outlook.Connect with us:•

About this episode:hristopher Stone is a dynamic Studio General Manager who has played a key role in some of the industry's most notable AAA titles. Currently, he's leading work on Ready or Not, while his impressive portfolio also includes high-profile projects such as Callisto Protocol, Days Gone, Call of Duty, and Dead Space. In this episode, Christopher shares his journey through groundbreaking game development, the challenges of steering large-scale projects, and his opinions for the future of gaming.Connect with us:•

https://magicmind.com/gduJan⁠ Get 45% off for mental wealth bundled with Magic Mind's new Sleep Elixir for better sleep. About this episode: Leo Gonzalez is the cofounder of GoDemics, a co development studio that partners with Riot Games, Gearbox, and 2K. He's a veteran of the industry with over 15 years of experience. This episode we dive into a special segment talking about UFOs and conspiracies as fun subjects to get our creative juices flowing. Connect with us: •

About this episode: Tony & Abby are independent game developers behind Black Tabby Games. Following up their first success, Scarlet Hollow, Slay the Princess is already a hit. I sat down with the team to learn about how the game came to be, and their advice doing this the second time. Connect with us: •

https://magicmind.com/gduJan Get 45% off for mental wealth bundled with Magic Mind's new Sleep Elixir for better sleep. About this episode: Tencent comes into question and is listed as a military company. Ray and I also talked about Ubisoft latest update, and how the industry is recovering. Connect with us: •

About this episode: In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Smith (20 year game design veteran) to talk about what it takes to keep pushing forward as a game developer when the industry feels like it’s falling apart. We share stories about staying passionate, dealing with uncertainty, and finding strength in tough times—things I know we’ve all faced at some point in our careers. (1) Jordan (Altura) Smith | LinkedIn ArtStation - Jordan Smith Connect with us: •

About this episode: Coming back after a hiatus, I talk about what conversations and topics I'll be tackling for 2025. Connect with us: •

About this episode: Jim Gray is a seasoned video game professional with over two decades of experience, having led engineering and development teams at notable companies such as ILMxLAB, Sledgehammer Games, and Midnight Society. He has a strong background in gameplay programming and engineering management, contributing to titles like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Ralph Breaks VR. Currently, Jim is the Founder and CEO of Jim Gray Productions, building a new video game production company from the ground up. Escape from Hadrian's Wall Demo on Steam (steampowered.com) ⁠Jim Gray Productions Jim Gray Productions (@JimGrayProds) / X Jim Gray Productions: Overview | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

About this episode: Ubisoft is making all types of bad headlines. This was recorded even before the rumor that the brothers are looking to sell to Tencent. Given more credence to our doomsday prediction that Ubisoft is on its last desperate legs. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X⁠ Connect with us: •

Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% 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: Scott Rogers with over 25 years in the game industry and an accomplished author drops by on the show to discuss the latest in the game development scene. Your Turn!: The Guide to Great Tabletop Game Design: Rogers, Scott A.: 9781119981596: Amazon.com: Books (1) Scott Rogers

Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% 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: From the horrific Sony exclusive Concord and bug-filled Star Wars: Outlaws, when people hear AAA most gamers groan and moan knowing that they are paying top-dollar for incomplete games. What is going on? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X Connect with us: •

Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% 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: Shawn Beck is from an award-winning Malaysian game studio, Weyrdworks, introduced his studio's philosophy and shared insights into the Malaysian game development scene. The discussion also focused on the development and potential of their virtual pets game, the evolution of the video game industry, and strategies for developing a free-to-play game. ⁠Weyrdlets on Steam (steampowered.com) Weyrdworks - Award Winning Game Development Studio Shawn Beck | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% 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: We discussed the current challenges and future outlook for the game industry. Oli suggested that while the industry is experiencing a delayed effect from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still an exciting area with significant attention from investors. However, Oli noted that larger funds are now participating in earlier stages of funding, which is causing more competition and reducing accessibility for exciting deals. Despite this, Oli remained optimistic, citing the industry's history of thriving during times of financial constraint. Brandon emphasized the importance of collaboration and the ongoing challenges of remote work in the aftermath of Covid-19. Collaborative Art Software: Draw Together on Magma (2) Oli Strong | LinkedIn Connect with us: •

About this episode: Ray and I discussed various challenges and trends in the game development industry, including funding issues, layoffs, and the impact of streaming services like Game Pass and Netflix. We also critiqued the current state of publishing and movie industries, and the trend of game publishers and developers moving towards subscription services. Lastly, we discussed the evolving PC gaming industry, the issue of library account ownership, and the extended tenure of Phil Spencer at Microsoft. ⁠Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X (twitter.com)⁠ Connect with us: •