Guest Ted Price shares insights on his 30-year journey in the gaming industry, from Spyro to Ratchet and Clank. Topics include odd jobs, hands-on mechanics, and the fusion of art and logic in programming. The podcast also explores desk setups, security risks in connected cars, remote work challenges, childhood gaming influences, networking in the industry, evolution of game development craft, handling data breaches, and overcoming intimidation in starting new projects.
Analytical and communication skills from college helped bridge concepts in game design at Insomniac.
Studying successful games like Mario highlighted the importance of gameplay feel and mechanics analysis.
Insomniac's willingness to adapt, pivot, and innovate led to diverse game genres and compelling mechanics.
Deep dives
From English Major to Game Design
The importance of skills developed as an English major, such as analyzing text and communicating ideas effectively, came to light during Ted Price's journey from college to game design at Insomniac. Applying the ability to make sense of diverse ideas in college to the complexities of game design and business plans at Insomniac highlighted the relevance of analytical and communication skills bridging seemingly unrelated concepts.
Lessons from Failure and Learning from Others
Facing setbacks like game failures and challenging playable demos taught valuable lessons about gameplay feel and mechanics. Mark Cerny and Michael John's guidance in analyzing other games for their accessible play factor, like Mario on the Game Cube with its immersive world and responsive controls, highlighted the importance of studying successful titles to understand player engagement and the art of game design.
Adaptation and Innovation in Game Development
The evolution of Insomniac's game portfolio from FPS to character action to open world genres showcases a willingness to adapt and innovate. Transitioning from unsuccessful ventures like Disruptor to popular titles like Spyro and Ratchet & Clank demonstrated the studio's ability to pivot based on gaming trends, constraints, and the desire to explore new gameplay mechanics and storytelling aspects.
Collaborative Learning and Evolving Game Mechanics
Collaborative feedback from industry veterans like Mark Cerny and internal team discussions fueled the exploration of compelling game mechanics. The iterative process of analyzing player experiences, evolving from Spyro's limitations with game mechanics to the dynamic character interactions in Ratchet & Clank, emphasized Insomniac's commitment to storytelling, engaging gameplay, and continuous innovation in game development.
Evolution of Game Development Focus
The studio has explored various game genres like mobile games, VR games, and AR games, but has consistently returned to creating story-driven, character-focused action-adventure games. Titles such as Spider-Man, Miles Morales, and Wolverine exemplify the studio's proficiency in developing single-player, third-person character action games. The discussion delves into the studio's history of experimenting with different game styles, eventually refining their expertise in third-person character-driven narratives.
Challenges and Adaptation in Game Production
The conversation shifts towards the challenges faced during game production, particularly highlighting the experience with the game Resistance. The team navigated the transition from first-person shooters to third-person games, emphasizing the need to adapt creatively and strategically to industry competition and shifting player preferences. The dialogue underscores the importance of effective team management, project allocation, and transparency in addressing development hurdles and fostering a sustainable game development culture.
Beginning with a 3DO dev kit he was developing on alone (!), Ted Price went on to make Spyro the Dragon, Ratchet and Clank and Spiderman. His company Insomniac has been making games for a boggling 30 years! We talk odd jobs, Hail Marys and hands for mechanics this week.
Thank you for listening to our podcast all about videogames and the amazing people who bring them to life! Hosted by Alexander Seropian and Aaron Marroquin Find us at www.thefourthcurtain.com
Join our Patreon for early, ad-free episodes plus bonus content at https://patreon.com/FourthCurtain
Audio Editor: Bryen Hensley Video Editor: Sarkis Grigorian Producer: Shanglan (May) Li Art: Paul Russel Community Manager: Doug Zartman Featuring Liberation by 505
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
