Episode description

Join us in this enlightening conversation with Chris Zimmerman, the co-founder of Sucker Punch Productions, the powerhouse behind globally successful games like Infamous and Ghost of Tsushima. Chris started his journey as a software developer and evolved into a trailblazer in the gaming industry, showing the same resilience and innovation in his career as the characters in his games do.

Chris placed the start of his journey in the mid-70s, programming games for an Apple II computer. During childhood, he was passionate about games and programming and enrolled in a CS Degree at Princeton. After his degree, he worked at Microsoft for ten years before leaving with other Microsoft alumni to create the Sucker Punch game studio. We then discussed what he took from this career into the next. An excellent discussion ensued about what makes Sucker Punch a unique place, Chris' vision and leadership, his philosophy, and the book he wrote to help 22 years old passionate developers grow.

In this episode, Chris shares his journey from his early years coding games on Apple II to pioneering Sucker Punch Productions. He talks about the fascinating process of game development, how it intertwines with storytelling, and the importance of adaptability in this ever-evolving industry. Chris also offers candid advice to aspiring game developers, emphasizing the importance of being self-starters and taking initiative to create and complete projects.

If you are interested to learn more about the unique blend of storytelling and programming in game development and get inspiration from Chris's incredible journey, then tune in to this episode!

Three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:

• Gain insights from Chris Zimmerman's vast experience, from starting with an Apple II to co-founding a successful game studio, Sucker Punch Productions. His story is a testament to the importance of passion, persistence, and creativity in the world of software development.
• Discover the behind-the-scenes process of developing popular games like Infamous and Ghost of Tsushima. Chris shares interesting details about the collaboration between developers and story writers, emphasizing the significance of creativity in game development.
• Get practical advice on how to break into the gaming industry. Chris offers invaluable tips, like being a self-starter and taking responsibility for your code, which can be beneficial for aspiring game developers.

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