Ray Hazlip

Games Analysis and Producer Perspectives

Leisure EN ↓ 43 episodes

Game Design and Project Management instructor and industry veteran Ray Hazlip discusses weekly news, thoughts, and analysis from a vide game producer's perspective.

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: rss.com

Author

Ray Hazlip

Episodes

The '26 Blue Wave and 2027 Predictions Ep.43 08.11.2026 35:30

There was a major election on November 3rd, 2026. This affects video games. Probably in a good way! Maybe. Ads Strong Coffee Company Promo code: RHAZE Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on...

BioWare is Closed. Whose Fault is it? Ep.42 23.10.2026 37:56

BioWare was just shut down this week. Whose fault is it? Is it anyone's Is it Saudi Arabia's fault? Well, yes, it's Saudi Arabia's fault, but let's dig deeper. Ads Strong Coffee Company Promo code: RHAZE Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.c...

Forced AI in Gaming, again, BACKFIRES Ep.41 20.10.2026 38:16

Epic Games and Sega have really stepped in it by trying to shove AI into all games. Ads Strong Coffee Company Promo code: RHAZE Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/prof...

A Eulogy for Old Halo Games Ep.40 30.09.2026 34:43

Halo, the video game series, has been a part of my life in one way shape of form for 25 years. Seems like it's coming to a weird end. Ads Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsk...

Sony's Summer of Humiliation Ep.39 17.09.2026 46:07

For the last four months, Sony has burned every bit of goodwill they have earned in the last decade. Why? Dunno. How? Take a listen. Ads Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky...

Two Nintendo Direct Games I LOVED to see Ep.38 11.09.2026 18:38

Nintendo showed off The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake and Metroid 6, Metroid: RAVENOUS. They look great. Ads Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscr...

Five INDIE GAMES to play in 2026 Ep.37 23.08.2026 23:15

Here are five indie games you should definitely try! Buy the games! Ball X Pitt - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2062430/BALL_x_PIT/ DenshAttack: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2524850/Denshattack/ Mina The Hollower: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/ Mouse PI for Hire: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2416450/MOUSE_PI_For_Hire/ MotorSlice: https://store.steamp...

Is a Genre Dying Before Our Eyes? Ep.36 13.08.2026 37:00

So the extraction shooter genre is a tricky one. I think it's going to still exist and be around, but I don't think it's going to be around like battle royale games are around. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ►...

It's Phil Spencer's Fault Ep. 35 10.07.2026 34:06

Game Pass. It's all Phil Spencer's fault. This is his legacy with Microsoft, a massive "Netflix of Gaming" gamble that didn't pay off and may have cost us ID Software. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Foll...

Reading about 3,200 people being laid off -Ep.34 07.07.2026 44:43

AND NOW Microsoft, not satisfied with not being front and center of gaming news, the XBOX (in caps) division has laid off 3,200 people, with 1,600 effective today. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow u...

Sony wants you to own nothing Ep.33 02.07.2026 47:37

Sony announced some they are no longer going to make physical media in 2028. Everyone hated that. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►...

USA "AAA" Game Dev is Breaking Ep.32 27.06.2026 45:09

Lots of weird news today. Studio closures, console price hikes. A passing of a friend. But also...Nintendo? Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.so...

Yeah so, XBOX Games is in Trouble. (and other obvious observations) 21.06.2026 42:38

Want to hear something obvious? Unsustainable business practices are unsustainable. There ya go. Here's 30 minutes of that. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripte...

The Looming Threat of GTV6: Ep. 30 09.06.2026 18:13

Grand Theft Auto 6 has caused the release calendar to get super crunched. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuck...

What's Next for Bungie?: Ep. 29 11.05.2026 32:48

Sony posted their quarterly report, and it does NOT look good for Bungie. Or Marathon. Or Destiny. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ►...

A Star Fox Rant: Ep. 28 08.05.2026 22:15

Imma spend 20 minutes talking about Star Fox because a Nintendo Direct demands it. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic &a...

The Indie Game Revolution is here: Ep. 27 04.05.2026 35:04

We are in a video game crash. Right now. At this moment. Why don't most notice? Because there is a Plan B already in the works, and you may not have noticed. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on B...

The Uncomfortable Marathon Discussion - Ep.26 25.03.2026 38:18

If you like the game Marathon (2026), then you must really like it. Unfortunately, it looks like that the niche is growing smaller and smaller by the day. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on Blue...

Who is Project Helix for? - Ep. 25 16.03.2026 43:30

Who is Project Helix for? You? Likely not me. Let's crunch some numbers and talk business. Sources: - www.ign.com/articles/xbox-confi…-also-play-pc-games - www.windowscentral.com/gaming/my-xbo…repair-volume - windowsreport.com/asus-projects-hu…er-record-sales/ - www.asus.com/event/Investor/Con…en/2025Q3%20IR.pdf - seekingalpha.com/article/4880756-…-call-transcript - expertbeacon.com/what-percentag...

The Reaper has been busy - Ep. 24 23.02.2026 26:30

Lost of things happened in one week. Mostly some game studio closures and, ya know, Microsoft gaming is still dying. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gamin...

Please Go Away Already - Ep. 23 17.02.2026 19:30

Pop already. Let the damage be done. No one wants "AI" and especially not GenAI. GO. AWAY. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music:...

What's in a name? Metroidvania Thoughts Ep. 22 28.01.2026 28:31

How long should we keep using odd portmanteaus of games? Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotiv...

How Long Should A Game Take? Ep. 21 31.12.2025 35:23

How Long should it take to make a video game? 1 year? 3 Years? 10 Years? Let's talk about some successes and failures. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gam...

AI Bullying Works Ep. 20 19.12.2025 30:09

I am openly and actively telling you to bully corporations and large businesses. It's how they change. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social...

Will Steam Machine Change anything Ep 19 06.12.2025 21:54

Quick one today about the newly announced Steam Machine and how exciting it is...maybe? Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals. Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Son...