Zackavelli

Game Dev Field Guide

The Game Dev Field Guide is a podcast series focused on teaching you how to make and launch your own video games. This podcast is aimed at the beginner to intermediate level of game developer. Learn things like how to make crisp movement controls, making eye catching sprites, and marketing your game for it's big release. Stay awhile and listen!

Author

Zackavelli

Category

Education

Podcast website

soundcloud.com

Latest episode

May 30, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

Ep. 103 Genre Study: Colony Sim 30.05.2026

In this episode Zackavelli talks about big picture tips for making a colony sim game. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:22 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

EP. 102 Art Direction And Style Guides 02.04.2026

In this episode Zackavelli talks about art direction and how to come up with rules for your style guide. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:07 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

Ep. 101 Core Fantasy Design 21.02.2026

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

EP. 100 Guiding Lights For Game Devs 10.01.2026

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

EP. 099 Friction In Video Games 05.12.2025

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: Mu...

Bonus Episode 25. Min/Max Cory Interview 21.10.2025

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.tw...

EP. 098 Enemy Design Across Genres 12.09.2025

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

EP. 097 Backend Systems For Games 22.07.2025

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....

Ep. 096 Tips To Avoid Your Game Feeling Cheap 18.06.2025

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.t...

Ep. 095 3C's Game Design Framework 15.05.2025

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

Ep. 094 Genre Study: ARPG 16.04.2025

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

Ep. 093 Useful Math Concepts For Game Devs 04.03.2025

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: Mugamo...

Ep. 092 Stealth Mechanics Overview 04.02.2025

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 T...

Ep. 091 Managing Motivation For Game Dev 07.01.2025

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 @_Zackav...

Ep. 090 Game Engine Overview Part 2 (2024 Update) 03.12.2024

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.twit...

Ep. 089 Genre Study: Idle Games 05.11.2024

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...

Game Dev Game Show || Ep.1 || Guest: Mike Geig 04.10.2024

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

Ep. 088 Negotiating Game Design With Teammates 01.10.2024

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.t...

Ep. 087 Quick Tips X: Reusing Environments, Buff Debuff Extended 30.08.2024

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.tw...

Game Dev Game Show || Ep. 0 || Guest: YanniBoi 21.08.2024

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

Ep. 086 Optimizing Content Workflow 31.07.2024

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.tw...

Ep. 085 Genre Study: MMO 30.06.2024

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/2C...

Ep. 084 Design Trap Identification 29.05.2024

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! Lin...

Ep. 083 Little Things That Go A Long Way 27.04.2024

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.t...

Ep. 082 Current Events: State Of The Games Industry 21.03.2024

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.co...

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