Ray Hazlip

Games Analysis and Producer Perspectives

Leisure EN ↓ 35 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.

Author

Ray Hazlip

Episodes

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...

Forced AI Art in Gaming Ep. 18 23.11.2025 42:26

Yup. Yapping about AI and it in the gaming space for a bit. It's not great, but also...there is hope at the end of this oddly yellow tunnel with too many fingers. 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...

You Can't Buy Your Way Into Gaming Ep. 17 04.11.2025 38:40

Amazon and Microsoft, two of some of the largest US based companies, are floundering in the gaming space. Maybe that's okay. 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/unscript...

The Stupidity of AI in Gaming Ep. 16 25.10.2025 30:40

A rant about Generative Ai in gaming and how dumb I think it all is. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE 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 "Electromotive Skyfo...

The Netflix of Gaming Curse Ep.15 11.10.2025 31:48

There will never be a "Netflix of Gaming" and I'm tired of hearing it. Here's why... Aspire Drinks: https://aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE Afurera Coffee Co. : https://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 &am...

The Weirdest Week for Xbox Gaming Ep.14 02.10.2025 24:20

Ok I added another one. This is all about Microsoft's very odd business decisions. ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P...

Saudi Arabia Buys EA Ep. 13 30.09.2025 9:18

Short one today, cause wow. WOW. Stupid news about EA getting bought by a petro-state. ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marc...

: Indie Studios vs "AAA" Games Ep. 12 25.09.2025 15:38

People going to work in gaming are scared. People that love talking about games are scared. Should they be, though? ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWU...

Physical Media vs Digital Media, the people have spoken. Ep.11 01.09.2025 34:25

Physical Media is something we take for granted, and more and more people are finding this out. www.videogameschronicle.com/features/an…-3ds-games/ insider-gaming.com/disc-editions-m…-console-sales/ ► ► ► www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ►...