I welcome Albert āSkipā 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, a...
Jan 31, 2022ā¢1 hr 6 minā¢Ep. 46
I 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 studioās 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 ...
Dec 26, 2021ā¢50 minā¢Ep. 45
I 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 heād known how to manage projects better when starting. We discuss the effects of crunch, the importance of managing projects, and...
Nov 22, 2021ā¢1 hr 23 minā¢Ep. 44
I 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 y...
Oct 20, 2021ā¢47 minā¢Ep. 43
I 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 heās 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 thatās happening, along with the key principles Lightforge Games has been founded on. Hear Mattās tho...
Sep 05, 2021ā¢46 minā¢Ep. 42
I 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 Ba...
Jul 31, 2021ā¢1 hr 15 minā¢Ep. 41
I 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 Chicagoās 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 la...
Jul 01, 2021ā¢57 minā¢Ep. 40
I welcome Scott Millard, Managing Director at Feardemic. We begin discussing his Krakow, Poland location, and the countryās forward-thinking and vibrant game development industry. We then shift to COVID-19ās impact, plus his current role as a Managing Director at Feardemic working on horror games. Listen to his origin story starting at Segaās 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...
Jun 12, 2021ā¢49 minā¢Ep. 39
I welcome Norman Morse, Triage Engineer at Perforce Software. We begin by discussing COVID-19ās 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 a...
Apr 30, 2021ā¢56 minā¢Ep. 38
I 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 t...
Feb 28, 2021ā¢1 hr 25 minā¢Ep. 37
I 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 Canadaās grown their game industry through tax incentives, plus Adamās perspective and advice on building a career. We then discuss him leaving the industry for entrepreneurial pursuits, moving overseas, coming back to Vancouve...
Jan 30, 2021ā¢1 hr 2 minā¢Ep. 36
I welcome Patrick Moran, game industry veteran and GM at Kongregateās Tonic division on this episode. We start by discussing COVID-19 and his current role. Learn how his teamās spread over the globe, plus the unique business model heās 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 ...
Jan 02, 2021ā¢1 hr 27 minā¢Ep. 35
On 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 ...
Dec 03, 2020ā¢45 minā¢Ep. 34
On this episode I welcome Mehran Torgoley, Director & Writer at Cult Cinema, LLC. We start by discussing a few projects heās currently working on and how he began at a small game studio outside of Chicago. While sharing what he wishes heād 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...
Nov 18, 2020ā¢59 minā¢Ep. 33
On 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 a...
Oct 21, 2020ā¢1 hr 29 minā¢Ep. 32
On 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 heās worked on and what heās curious about right now, incl...
Sep 18, 2020ā¢1 hr 5 minā¢Ep. 31
On this episode, we welcome guest Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla. We start by discussing Chrisās 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 ā hint: bootstrapping your way in and learning emotional intelligence can help. Chris divulg...
Aug 12, 2020ā¢59 minā¢Ep. 30
On 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 āfamily firstā. āGames are an amazing way for people to connect via distance, itās what videogames were designed to do.ā - Bill Roper Bill...
Jul 21, 2020ā¢1 hr 30 minā¢Ep. 29
Justin Mohlman has many skills and projects. With over 17 years in the industry, heās 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 Metallicaās 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 Ko...
Jun 25, 2020ā¢51 minā¢Ep. 28
Johner 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 fo...
May 25, 2020ā¢46 min
Game industry veteran Richard Lico joins me on this episode to discuss his career. Hear how he got started in the industry going from SCADās 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. Host...
May 07, 2020ā¢45 min
Richard 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 youāre in, favorite projects, a few funny stories, growing remote teams, COVID-19 and mental health, along with his upcoming game, Magehunter. Hosted by J...
Apr 21, 2020ā¢54 min
GDA24 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] An...
Apr 05, 2020ā¢48 min
Edwin McRae talks about his role as a narrative designer and the various projects heās 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 heād wished heād know when starting in the industry and what it was like working on hugely popular Diablo II -style Path of Exile game...
Mar 13, 2020ā¢42 min
Bestselling 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 losi...
Feb 19, 2020ā¢43 min
Lead 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 heād give himself in hindsight with 15 years of experience, along with the initiative he took in QA to use Mid...
Jan 26, 2020ā¢55 minā¢Ep. 21
Game Director Chip Sineni talks about the project heās 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 Twitterās evolution, how to get into...
Dec 09, 2019ā¢1 hr 10 min
NBA 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 teamās 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 J...
Nov 23, 2019ā¢41 minā¢Ep. 19
28-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 NECās 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 transi...
Oct 20, 2019ā¢1 hr 13 minā¢Ep. 18
25-year industry entrepreneur and designer Doc Mack of Galloping Ghost Productions talks about his game production company and working on his arcade fighting game, āDark Presenceā. 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...
Sep 19, 2019ā¢1 hr 8 minā¢Ep. 17
