Game Dev With a Shot of Jameson

Michael Johnstone Returns! – Sr. Games Producer at Blizzard Entertainment (At the time of this recording) We discuss how much things change during game development, the biggest cost in game development, and how QA is a great place to get your start. Credits include: World of Warcraft WWE 2K22 Magic Leap One NBA Live Mobile NCAA Football Madden NFL Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night from...

Today I’m joined by Shane Gaffney – Systems Designer at Lost Boys Interactive We discuss how you’ll find more success if you’re passionate about what you do, how to see the signs and avoid burnout, and how it’s easier today to find the right work situation for your needs. Credits include: Unannounced Lost Boys Interactive Title Madden Mobile 20 Madden Mobile 21 Madden Mobile 22 Madden Mobile 23 Wh...

Today I’m joined by Michael Johnstone – Sr. Games Producer at Blizzard Entertainment We discuss how to improve diversity in the games industry, how some studio cultures can have interesting rules, and why you can’t give up if you’re trying to get into game development. His credits include: World of Warcraft WWE 2K22 Magic Leap One NBA Live Mobile NCAA Football Madden NFL Be sure to join us LIVE ev...

Today I’m joined by Ryan Paradis - Design Director for Destiny Expansions at Bungie! We discuss if game development degrees are helpful today, how he once had a 127 hour work week, and why talking with other developers about their process can help you improve your own dev strategies. Credits include: Red Dead Redemption (2010) Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (2010) Grand Theft Auto V (2013)...

Today I’m joined by Ted DiNola - Developer Relations Engineer at Meta! He’s returning to continue our discussion about Game Dev, Production, and ADHD. We discuss how Meta’s work environment lets him feel like he can truly be himself, some thoughts about the Metaverse, and how ADHD impacts finishing games but is a Conference super power! Credits include: Blade & Sorcery: Nomad Zenith YouTube VR...

Today I’m joined by Mark Kilborn - Sr. Lead Audio Designer at Certain Affinity! He’s returning to continue our discussion about sound design in game development. We discuss why sound design often ends up at the end of a game project, the difference between an audio engineer and software engineer, and how companies are often looking at your instincts for an entry level role. Credits include: Tony H...

Today I’m joined by Mark Kilborn - Sr. Lead Audio Designer at Certain Affinity We discuss why he went the teacher’s pet route in college, how a string of contract jobs eventually landed him with his first full time gig, and why the sound in the original Metal Gear is his favorite. His credits include: Tony Hawk's Project 8 Bionicle Heroes Borderlands Forza Motorsport 3 Singularity Call of Duty: Bl...

Wes joins me to discuss how he got started in Game Development, the Summer Camp project and how it became Friday the 13th: The Game, and how to stay true to a horror franchise during development! His credits include: Texas Chain Saw Massacre (In Development) Friday the 13th: The Game Breach & Clear Breach & Clear: Deadline Layers of Fear 2 Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night from...

Today I’m joined by Shiva Deonarine – Project Lead at Offworld Industries We discuss the importance of addressing burnout, how to keep a finger on the pulse of the industry, and why game remakes are so popular. His credits include: Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Transformers Fall of Cybertron Transformers Prime Gears of War GOTY Gears of War 4 Unannounced Project Be sure to join us LIVE every Wedne...

Jason L Blair – Writing in Game Development Jason is back to talk about his career in writing across various mediums, including Tabletop and Video Games. We discuss why story is important, how games take from other mediums, and the importance of Empathy. His credits include: Little Fears Prey (2006) Conduit 2 Saints Row IV Agents of Mayhem Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night from 7-9pm E...

Today I’m joined by Ted DiNola – Developer Relations Engineer at Meta We discuss when he got a Handshake job offer over drinks, Advice for getting your first job in the industry, and A LOT about ADHD and Game Development. His credits include: Blade & Sorcery: Nomad Zenith YouTube VR Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Vox Machinae Virtual Virtual Reality 2 Population: One Vacation Simulator Pis...

Today I’m joined by J. Mauricio Hoffman – President / Creative Director at Monkey Brain Studios We discuss the green card process he dealt with to work in game dev in the United States, what the first month in the industry is like, and how playing games with your teammates forms a special kind of bond. His credits include: Oddworld New’N’Tasty Oddworld Munch’s Oddysee Darkwatch World of Warcraft:...

Today I’m joined by Bret Wright – Executive Producer at The Toolshed LLC We discuss how his current location includes absurd internet costs, why failing fast is incredibly valuable, and how he got a game job referral from a former landlord! His credits include: The Guardians of Peace God of Axion Sky Wars: Archon Rises Fractured Veil Plunder Cubic’s LCS Immersive Simulated Virtual Environment Be s...

Today I'm joined by Caris Frazier-Baker - Senior Technical Artist at Unity We discuss how her current career didn’t exist when she was in high school, why it’s important to fail fast and follow the fun, and she shows us her business card up the sleeve trick! Her credits include: Jai-Alai Heroes Throwback! Walter P Moore’s VR Toolset Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night from 7-9pm EST usin...

Today I'm joined again by Peet Cooper - Co-Founder and Creative Director at Creature Cauldron. His time as Lead Environment Artist on League of Legends, how he’s attempting to stop using email, and we both rank the Final Fantasy series in order of our favorites. His credits include: League of Legends Diablo 3 World of Warcraft Hearthstone Legends of Runeterra Battle Fishing Masters Be sure to join...

Today I’m joined by Bret Wright – Executive Producer at The Toolshed LLC We discuss his start in set building and construction leading into project management in games, how to show your work as a Producer or Project Manager, and the importance of getting that first job in the industry. His credits include: The Guardians of Peace God of Axion Sky Wars: Archon Rises Fractured Veil Plunder Cubic’s LC...

Today I’m joined by Eric Dallaire – Principal Game Designer at Age of Learning We discuss his work in Educational Games, why security is important when making games for kids, and some advice for getting your first job in the industry. His credits include: Word Trace Adventure Academy Zoo World 2 The Simpsons Game Godfather 2 Star Trek Away Team Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm...

Today I’m joined by Dallas Lillie – Incubation Engineer @ ProbablyMonsters We discuss some issue’s he’s already experienced in his career, how changing jobs can be a great way to get promoted, and then he had some fun questions for me to answer! His credits include: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Unannounced Title Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eas...

Today I’m joined by Marc Hernández – Principal Programmer at Disruptive Games We discuss his work with AI and network code, how to advocate for yourself properly, and advice for getting your first job in the industry. His credits include: Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath Ratchet & Clank: Deadlocked Resistance Ratchet & Clank: Future Wildstar [Unannounced Lucas Arts FPS]...

Today I’m joined by Peet Cooper - Co-Founder and Creative Director at Creature Cauldron We discuss how work ethic is a huge key to success, what an industry Art Test is like, and what he would do differently if he joined the industry today. His credits include: League of Legends Diablo 3 World of Warcraft Call of Duty 4 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Ruined King Galactic Mining Corps Hearthstone L...

Today I’m joined by Kyle Rowan – Design Lead @ Wyrd Games We discuss the development of Vagrantsong which is already sold out everywhere, the difference between game design docs and board game manuals, and what a videogame version of Vagrantsong might look like. His credits include: Malifaux The Other Side Through The Breach Darkness Comes Rattling Bayou Bash Vagrantsong Be sure to join us LIVE ev...

Today I’m joined by David Johnson – CEO and Creative Director at Undertone FX. We discuss how a "no solicit" clause made it hard to keep work friends from a former company, more about his time at Infinity Ward, and the forming of his own Visual Effects Company His credits include: Call of Duty: WWII Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Halo 3 Shadowrun (XBOX) Tomb Raider:...

Today I’m joined by Dallas Lillie – Incubation Engineer @ ProbablyMonsters We discuss his game dev education, getting those first interviews, and how your first job really opens the rest of the industry up for you. His credits include: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using the link below! JOIN US LIVE▹ https://...

Today I’m doing an Ask Me Anything! I give an overview of my career and projects I’ve worked on, discuss how understanding love languages can help with making connections with co-workers, and answer view questions about lots of Game Development topics. My credits include: Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath Godfather: The Game The Simpsons Game Godfather 2 Red Faction: Armageddon Saints Row 4 Agents of May...

Today I’m joined by Renee Wooten – Producer at Kingsisle Entertainment We discuss Trans issues from a Game Developer perspective, working on an already established game with an engine that’s no longer supported, and avoiding telling people WHAT to do and instead giving parameters and freedom to be excellent in their work. His credits include: Wizard 101 Pirate 101 Be sure to join us LIVE every Wed...