Game Dev With a Shot of Jameson

Today I’m joined by Will Fitzgerald, Senior Game Designer at Hi-Rez Studios. We discuss Game Industry Conferences! Why they are important, which you should attend, and how to get the most out of them. Will’s credits include: Rogue Company World of Tanks Agents of Mayhem Rumii Madden Overdrive Madden NFL Mobile 20 Madden NFL Mobile 21 Madden NFL 21 Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7...

Today I’m joined by Natalie Asport, Vehicles and Weapons Artist at Avalanche Studios We discuss her Full Sail Education, time in the industry, and a favorite topic around here…alcohol! Her credits include: Contraband (In Development) Just Cause 3 Just Cause 4 Rage 2 DLC You can connect with her here: IG: https://www.instagram.com/guitartist93/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/natalieasport Twitch: htt...

Today I am joined by Erik Yeo, Game Designer with 31 years of experience! He has a lot of great stories and wisdom to share! His video game credits include: Wizard101 Command & Conquer (Multiple Addons and Console Versions) Command & Conquer: Red Alert (Multiple Addons and Console Versions) Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath Star Wars: The Force Unleashed The Li...

Today I am joined by Chris Kokkinos , Audio Lead at Rooster Teeth! We discuss why volunteering is a great way to network, why being willing to move is important in the video games industry, and what it feels like to see your name on the back of a game box. His video game credits include: Wizard101 Pirate101 RWBY Red vs. Blue Camp Camp gen:LOCK DEATHBATTLE DBX DEATHBATTLE Presents: Death Race. Be s...

Today I’m joined by Mark Diaz , Gameplay Programmer at ID Software We discuss his Game Development degree at Full Sail University and his first seven years at ID Software! His credits include: Doom (2016) Doom VFR Doom Eternal + DLC – The Ancient Gods Pt 1&2 Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using the link below! JOIN US LIVE▹ https://www.twitch.tv/jamesondurall JOIN...

Today I am joined by Zach Lowery, Production Director on Fortnite at Epic Games. We discuss his time working as an Animator on all four Saints Row Games, our time working together on Agents of Mayhem, and I get to play “Guess if the Agent is Real”. His video game credits include: Fortnite Radical Heights LawBreakers Saints Row 4 Saints Row The Third Saints Row 2 Saints Row Be sure to join us LIVE...

Today we are focusing on Gaming Accessibility! I am joined by Tara Voelker , Gaming Accessibility Program Manager at Xbox We discuss what accessibility means and how it affects players, how the game development industry has evolved to include accessibility, and areas of improvement going forward. Her credits include: Deep Silver Volition AbleGamers Foundation Irrational Games Ready At Dawn Studios...

Today I am joined by Kerry Allen , Sr. UI Programmer at ID Software! We discuss what it means to be a UI Programmer, Accessibility options in the games he’s worked on, and difficulties he’s had with immigration while working in the US. His video game credits include: DOOM Eternal +DLC (XBONE, PS4, PC) DOOM VFR (PS4, PC) The Elder Scrolls: Legends (PC, Mobile) Dishonored 2 (XBONE, PS4, PC) DOOM (20...

Today I am joined by TJ Fixman, Writer for Video Games, Feature Films, and Graphic Novels We discuss his time writing for the Ratchet and Clank series, his new project “Knight Rider”, and how an early writing position did NOT end well. His video game credits include: Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction Ratchet & Clank: Quest for Booty Resistance 2 Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time Rat...

Time for another Game Design Deep Dive! Today I am joined by Will Fitzgerald, Game Designer at EA Tiburon, to discuss The Game Design Process. We discuss where to start and what things to consider whether the team is solo, small, or all the way up to AAA development. Will’s credits include: World of Tanks Agents of Mayhem Rumii Madden Overdrive Madden NFL Mobile 20 Madden NFL Mobile 21 Madden NFL...

Today I am joined by Jordan Ajlouni, Systems Designer at Digimancy Entertainment We discuss our time working together at Deep Silver Volition, how anxiety, imposter syndrome, and other mental illness can affect your work, and how online dating can make you a better public speaker. His work includes: Agents of Mayhem and all DLC Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using the...

Today I’m doing something a bit different. Since it’s the 3rd Anniversary of the Twitch stream, I decided to interview myself and give everyone a chance to ask me questions about my 20 year career in Game Development. It’s a little silly, but I had a ton of fun. My work includes: Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath, Godfather: The Game, The Simpsons Game, Godfather 2, Red Faction: Armageddon, Saints Row IV...

Today I’m joined by Grant Shonkwiler, Commander & Shonk at Shonkventures. We discuss modding games as his first game design experience, his game dev education, and over 10 years in multiple roles at some great companies like Epic Games. His work includes: Fractured Veil, Battle Breakers, Butterfly Dream, Bite of Reality 2, Fortnite, DOOM (2016), Doom 3 BFG, Rage, Photo Hunt, Boxxi, Blitz, and...

Today I’m joined by Keith Guerrette, Founder of Beyond-FX. We discuss his education, 10 years at Naughty Dog, and forming a successful VFX company. His work includes: Legends of Runeterra, God of War, What Remains of Edith Finch, Uncharted 2,3,4, The Last of Us, Rocket League, Days Gone, Borderlands 2: Remastered, and many more! Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using th...

Time for another Game Design Deep Dive! Today I am joined by Will Fitzgerald, Game Designer at EA Tiburon, to discuss Portfolio Tips for Game Designers. We break down the elements needed to make your portfolio shine as well as things you should avoid. Lots of tips and tricks in here so buckle up! Will’s credits include: World of Tanks Agents of Mayhem Rumii Madden Overdrive Madden NFL Mobile 20 Ma...

Today I’m joined by Erik Yeo, Game Designer with 31 years of experience across multiple titles and developers! We discuss the first part of his career, including the time we worked together at Oddworld Inhabitants. Want to hear a story of pitching an N64 version of Command & Conquer to Shigeru Miyamoto? We got you covered! His work includes: Command & Conquer (Multiple Addons and Console V...

Welcome to episode 26! Tonight we are joined by Tara Voelker , Gaming Accessibility Program Manager at Xbox We discuss her time in QA and Production as well as becoming one of the experts in the field of Accessibility in Game Development. She has a TON of great info to share! Her work includes: Deep Silver Volition AbleGamers Foundation Irrational Games Ready At Dawn Studios Turtle Rock Studios Ga...

Welcome to episode 25! Tonight we have Ryan Watson , Senior Cinematic Animator at Rockstar Games! We discuss his Full Sail Education and celebrating 20 years in the industry! He’s worked on a ton of great titles and even digs deep into the difficulty of layoffs and finding your next position. His credits include: WrestleMania 21 Quake 4 Wolfenstein Singularity Call of Duty: Black Ops Watchdogs Ass...

Welcome to episode 24! Tonight we have Fernando De La Cruz , Program Director for both Game Development and Game Design at Full Sail University. His credits include: Marvel Trading Card Game DS, Disney Princesses: Magical Jewels DS, Ben 10: Protector of Earth DS, Club Penguin: Elite Penguin Force DS, Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords DS, Club Penguin: EPF 2: Herbert's Revenge DS, Imagine! Gy...

Welcome to episode 23! Today we continue our Game Design Deep Dive series, where we'll pick a Game Design topic and break it down further. I have Will Fitzgerald joining me today to talk about our Top Games of 2020. His credits include: World of Tanks - Agents of Mayhem - Rumii - Madden Overdrive - Madden NFL Mobile 20 - Madden NFL Mobile 21 - Madden NFL 21 We finish our discussion of the top game...

Welcome to episode 22! Tonight we have Ryan Miller , Senior Technical Designer at Ubisoft Toronto, returning to the show. His credits include: Agents of Mayhem and Far Cry 6 We discuss our time working together at Deep Silver Volition and what it’s like to accept a game job in another country. Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using the link below! JOIN US LIVE▹ https://...

Welcome to episode 21! Naveen Nattam , Gameplay Programmer @ Twisted Pixel Games joins me to talk about his career in Game Development. His credits include: Gunstringer, Lococycle, Wilson’s Heart, Defector, B-Team, and Path of the Warrior. We discuss his Full Sail Education, working on XBLA and VR games, and his recent fitness transformation. Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Ea...

Welcome to episode 20! Jordan Ajlouni , Systems Designer @ Digimancy Entertainment joins me to talk about his career in Game Design. His credits include: Agents of Mayhem and the DLC We discuss growing up knowing you want to make games, his education, and our time working together at Deep Silver Volition. Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using the link below! JOIN US LI...

Welcome to episode 19! Kenny Schwarz, Producer @ Pipeworks Studios joins me to talk about his 15 years in QA and Production. His credits include: Saints Row 1, Saints Row 2, Saints Row 3, Saints Row 4, Portal Knights, Terraria (PC Port), Adventure Academy We discuss our time together at Deep Silver Volition, playing sports, and one of my more embarrassing moments. This episode was recorded on 6/17...

Welcome to episode 18! Tonight we have Ryan Miller, Senior Technical Designer at Ubisoft Toronto joining us. We dig into his education at Full Sail University and the time we worked together at Deep Silver Volition. His credits include: Agents of Mayhem and The Far Cry Series Be sure to join us LIVE every Wednesday night at 7pm Eastern using the link below! JOIN US LIVE▹ https://www.twitch.tv/jame...