Building games is a challenge, but Pocket Worlds is taking a unique approach with their social platform Highrise. As CEO Anton Bernstein explains, the goal is to connect users through shared experiences. Rather than traditional models, Highrise focuses on rapidly iterating based on frequent and direct user feedback. Anton conducts weekly interviews to gain a deep understanding of how players engage which informs Pocket World’s priorities. The team also empowers creators within the community to d...
Jul 04, 2024•29 min•Ep. 21
What games sparked a lifelong passion for development? For Zach Hooper, director of production at ProbablyMonsters, it was early PC titles like Morrowind and Wolfenstein that first drew him into gaming. As a kid modding those classic games, he discovered a knack for tinkering under the hood and learning development tools. That hands-on experience eventually led Zach to pursue a career in the industry. He tells his story from those early modding days up through roles at studios like Monolith Prod...
Jun 27, 2024•33 min•Ep. 20
Why has voice direction become more important in the games industry in recent years? There are many ways to get into voice direction, as the skills needed have only recently been recognized as a special job. Kirsty Gilmore's journey began with experience in theatre and sound engineering, leading to work at the BBC before realising voice direction in games was an option. There is a growing appreciation for voice acting as her job requires her to translate between developers and actors to help bri...
Jun 20, 2024•32 min•Ep. 19
How do you find your way into the fascinating world of narrative design for video games? As the Narrative Lead at Doborog, Geoffrey Golden has had an interesting journey to his current role. Geoffrey accidentally fell into game writing after starting his career in comedy writing. While he loved games as a child, programming proved a challenge, so writing was a natural fit. Over time he focused specifically on narrative design, realising the potential in this growing field. Geoffrey's work has ta...
Jun 13, 2024•30 min•Ep. 18
How can you break into a career in game audio? Gav Shepherd, Co-CEO at Rev Rooms, details his unique path working in the games industry. He took an unconventional route to the industry, gaining experience in TV and movies, including major Disney releases, before moving into the gaming industry. He also discusses the complex process of localization for films, noting the challenges of replacing vocal performances and songs into dozens of languages. Gav shares how he founded Rev Rooms to emphasise ...
Jun 06, 2024•30 min•Ep. 17
What challenges did studios face when launching new games in 2023? James Batchelor is Editor-in-Chief at GamesIndustry.biz and reports on the games industry during this time of economic uncertainty. James faces a balancing act to tell the full story; on one hand, James has a duty to report on all of the studio closures and layoffs that many developers face, however, only focusing on the negatives risks damaging the industry even further. It is important to also highlight any funding successes or...
May 30, 2024•31 min•Ep. 16
What does it take to break into the exciting world of video game development? Tanner is an environment artist at Squanch Games and his interest in working in the games industry started from being inspired by games like LittleBigPlanet in his youth to studying art in college and persevering through over 100 job applications. He shares key advice for aspiring developers, such as focusing your portfolio to only showcase your strongest work. Tanner also stresses the importance of networking by engag...
May 23, 2024•21 min•Ep. 15
Why should you always be networking in the gaming industry? Mike's journey through the gaming industry is as compelling a reason as any. From his early days in engine development to navigating through roles in studios of various sizes, Mike emphasises the importance of networking. Even when securely employed, he stresses the significance of staying connected and how it can make a layoff less of a daunting experience. Mike's contributions to open-source engine development in the 2000s and his pio...
May 16, 2024•25 min•Ep. 14
How do you go from a repair technician to the studio head of your own gaming company? Francisco Bravo shares his fascinating career journey, starting from studying computer science and doing freelance repair work as a child, to working for various technology consulting firms throughout his education and early career. He discusses pivotal roles developing new ideas around AI and data analytics at previous companies, as well as feeling unfulfilled in his most recent corporate position. It was this...
May 09, 2024•28 min•Ep. 13
What does it take to break into the competitive gaming industry? Just ask Trevor Wernisch, UX Director at Unbroken Studios. With over 20 years of experience in visual design and interfaces, Trevor has seen his fair share of ups and downs. In our conversation, he shares how passion and perseverance helped him land that coveted first gaming job despite lacking direct experience. Trevor also offered invaluable advice for job seekers, emphasising the importance of showing initiative through side pro...
May 02, 2024•24 min•Ep. 12
How can gaming studios better support developers when working with new technologies? While gaming studios are increasingly investing in data analytics and security to gain insights from players and protect sensitive information, it's important that developers are also equipped with the skills and resources to leverage these new areas. Studios must ensure developers have the training and guidance needed to develop securely from the start of a project. In today’s episode, Myke talks to Stacey Kruc...
Apr 25, 2024•25 min•Ep. 11
How will cryptocurrency and blockchain technology continue to evolve within the gaming industry over the next few years? The current focus for blockchain games is shifting away from crypto elements towards simply making high quality games. Where crypto is involved, the technology will likely become more seamlessly integrated in the background while the gameplay remains front and centre. As games on blockchain platforms get more enjoyable for mainstream gamers, it's possible we could see wider ad...
Apr 18, 2024•30 min•Ep. 10
Is it possible to get a gaming job straight out of college and still rise to lead major projects? David McDonough got his start by landing a job at Firaxis Games straight out of college, despite still having a semester left to complete. This opened the door to over a decade of experience working on major franchises, such as Civilization. Through perseverance and seizing opportunities, David was able to take on roles at different studios and expand his skills over the years. He now leads design a...
Apr 11, 2024•22 min•Ep. 9
Bruno Ferrari, Creative Strategy Manager at Animus Game Studio believes there is a lot of potential for growth in the game development industry in Latin America, with many talented engineers and programmers in countries like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia. However, high taxes imposed by some governments that treat gaming like gambling present an ongoing challenge. Bruno is optimistic that with increased investment and political changes to regulations and tax policies, the industry will continue...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min•Ep. 8
Are you looking to break into the exciting world of game development? Then this insightful conversation with Phil Smith of Splash Damage is for you. A former colleague of Myke’s, Phil has experienced both success and challenges in the gaming industry, together they offer a candid look at their career journeys in recruitment. Phil talks about his transition from agency work into a senior role at Splash Damage, as well as his experiences helping launch startups. Their discussion highlights the ups...
Mar 21, 2024•24 min•Ep. 6
How does a passion for music and games lead to a career directing audio in the industry? Matthew Pablo's journey shows just that, starting from a young age where the soundtrack of Final Fantasy VII inspired them to further their music education. While at first struggling to find work related specifically to composition after graduating, Matthew's determination and willingness to expand their skills led them on a path to break into the field through contracting mobile game work. Varied experience...
Mar 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 5
How has the video game industry changed in the last few years? With many large studios laying off a lot of staff this is impacting workers and opening doors for independent developers. Layoffs at major studios are freeing up experienced talent to form new independent studios, while indie games are seeing rising success by delivering high-quality titles with smaller budgets and teams as large studios strive to hit big profits. Eva shares her experience working as a community manager for an upcomi...
Mar 07, 2024•16 min•Ep. 4
Want to know how to break into the exciting world of game development? This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at how one company went from a small startup to working with some of the biggest names in gaming. Jaymes Chapman shares his unconventional journey from professional athlete to head of talent for a major game developer. He discusses the partnerships his company built with studios like Rare and Machine Games. But more than that, Jaymes reveals the secrets to their success through r...
Feb 29, 2024•21 min•Ep. 3
What colourful characters and captivating career tales will unfold in this gaming industry podcast? Rich Barham shares his journey bouncing between iconic developers like Blizzard and Bethesda. From early lucky breaks to later leadership lessons, Rich's story is sure to spark your curiosity about both the triumphs and tribulations of life in games. We also pick his brain on pressing problems like industry layoffs and get a glimpse into the future through his innovative ideas. To discover the nex...
Feb 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 2
Have you ever dreamed of working in the gaming industry but weren't sure how to make that dream a reality? Ted Oh shares his unique journey and valuable lessons learned over a decade of trying to break into the gaming industry and finally landing his dream role at Blizzard. Ted provides an inside look at the hiring process and offers candid recruiting advice for job seekers, such as focusing on your strengths, understanding what companies are looking for, and most importantly, showing your passi...
Feb 22, 2024•28 min•Ep. 1
Welcome to Game Logic where gaming industry expert Myke Parrott interviews top-class Gaming professionals from some of the world’s most respected Games Studios. These conversations unveil the business side of the gaming industry and reveal insights from some of the people who make the world’s best video games possible. This show discusses everything from launching new titles, game development, streaming, UX and UI through to eSports, Free To Play Mobile Gaming and even Web3 Crypto innovations. E...
Feb 22, 2024•6 min
Game Logic: Behind the Games is the podcast where gaming industry expert Myke Parrott interviews top-class Gaming professionals from some of the world’s most respected Games Studios. These conversations unveil the business side of the gaming industry and reveal insights from some of the people who make the world’s best video games possible. This show discusses everything from launching new titles, game development, streaming, UX and UI through to eSports, Free To Play Mobile Gaming and even Web3...
Feb 21, 2024•55 sec
