In this episode Zackavelli talks about the concept of the core fantasy for video games. Skip to Body of Episode: 9:38 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Feb 21, 2026•42 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the the most impactful, "guiding light" for game devs. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:31 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Jan 10, 2026•50 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the friction in video games and 3 "levels" of thinking about it as a designer. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:32 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Dec 05, 2025•37 min
In this episode Zackavelli discusses strategies for steam success and de risking game dev with professional min/maxer Cory Darby Cory on the Jonas Tyroller Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWidan8ggGo Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Music By Mugamoomoo
Oct 21, 2025•1 hr 3 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the Enemy Design basics and lessons from across a spectrum of genres Skip to Body of Episode: 8:04 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Sep 12, 2025•35 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about backend systems for games and why you should consider the features it can support. SPONSOR: Please check out the link below to support AccelByte in paying for this free educational content. Unlimited Development Trial: https://accelbyte.io/promo Skip to Body of Episode: 6:13 Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music ...
Jul 22, 2025•36 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to avoid your game looking and feeling cheap. GDFG X Minifantasy Bundle https://itch.io/s/154689/-gdfg-x-minifantasy-bundle?c=wwr9by8cuf Skip to Body of Episode: 6:50 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Jun 18, 2025•37 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the 3C's Game Design Framework Skip to Body of Episode: 6:15 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
May 15, 2025•34 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the best genre ever, ARPGs Skip to Body of Episode: 6:23 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Apr 16, 2025•48 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about 4 simple math concepts that can help with game devs in various situations. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:40 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Mar 04, 2025•35 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about tips for designing stealth mechanics and takeaways that can be learned from that for overall design. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:15 Wishlist Baba Yaga: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3154620/Baba_Yaga/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamo...
Feb 04, 2025•37 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about managing motivation as a project resource, similar to money or time. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:23 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Jan 07, 2025•46 min
In this episode Zackavelli gives an update on what is the "Best" game engine in 2024. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:54 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Dec 03, 2024•39 min
In this episode Zackavelli takes a look at the genre of idle games Math of idle games article: https://blog.kongregate.com/the-math-of-idle-games-part-i/ Skip to Body of Episode: 8:33 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by...
Nov 05, 2024•43 min
This is a audio only version of the first test episode of the Game Dev Game Show. See the video recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxdiE19BPl0 You can watch GDGS Live on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Music by Mugamoomoo
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 17 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about negotiating your design ideas with others. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:01 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Oct 01, 2024•38 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about reusing game environments and plays buff debuff. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:29 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Aug 30, 2024•47 min
This is a audio only version of the first test episode of the Game Dev Game Show. See the video recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUy1Ub_DEhI&t=2135s You can watch GDGS Live on Twitch here: https://www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Music by Mugamoomoo
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 7 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to build and optimize your content workflow. Skip to Body of Episode: 8:20 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Jul 31, 2024•40 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to recognize and avoid design traps. Star Wars Galaxies Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz9Ohl1MqmQ Skip to Body of Episode: 11:02 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: A...
Jun 30, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to recognize and avoid design traps. Game Makers Toolkit Balatro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk3S3o1qOHo&t=315s Skip to Body of Episode: 10:25 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavell...
May 29, 2024•50 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to identify little things that go a long way. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:12 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Apr 27, 2024•38 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the state of the games industry and why we may be going through a paradigm shift. Skip to Body of Episode: 13:13 Extremism in games article: https://thatparkplace.com/u-s-government-funded-organization-take-this-encourages-game-developers-to-denounce-gamers-who-are-being-harassed-by-sweet-baby-inc/ Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with t...
Mar 21, 2024•1 hr 10 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about what tutorial hell is, how you likely got there, and how to get out. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:28 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Feb 21, 2024•41 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about practical tips for implementing dialogue and voice acting in your games. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:40 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/Mirror_Throne_Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix b...
Jan 15, 2024•35 min
In this episode we do a live Q&A Session with the Patrons Check out my game "Mirror Throne" on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/Mirror_Throne_Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Music: Its Snowtime by Zenzara
Dec 28, 2023•2 hr 3 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about an experimental design method called Core Skill Tuning Skip to Body of Episode: 8:47 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Nov 15, 2023•37 min
In this episode Zackavelli plays Buff/Debuff and gives a wider view on the recent changes to Unity's pricing. Skip to Body of Episode: 22:00 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCoGo58coz8d1jIjuJ8H2eKw Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Oct 16, 2023•53 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about horde modes popular around ~2010 and why Diablo 2 has the best item progression and rarity of all time. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:40 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Sep 05, 2023•39 min
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the strengths and weaknesses of the survival game genre Skip to Body of Episode: 6:45 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro music by: Avaren Outro remix by: Mugamoomoo
Aug 02, 2023•35 min