Martin's journey in game development, starting from his early days as a web developer to his current focus on iOS mobile applications. Martin shares his thoughts on AI in game development, his preferences for using Swift and Godot over Unity, and his experience with board game conversions and licensing. Martin also delves into his design philosophy, the challenges of monetizing games in the App Store, and his latest game projects, including a Zelda-ish 2D story-based game. Check out Martin's Resources:http://abstractpuzzle.com/http://martingrider.name/http://chesstris.com/Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/livingtech/https://www.facebook.com/AbstractPuzzle/about--(00:00) - Introduction to AI in Game Development (00:25) - Welcome to the Hey! Good Game Podcast (00:35) - Meet Martin Greider: Creator of Abstract Puzzle (01:21) - Martin's Favorite Games and Tetris Variants (02:08) - The Journey of GoTetris and Programming Languages (03:36) - Porting Games to Android and Thrive's Development (05:32) - Challenges of Swift and Game Engines (07:45) - Freelancing and Board Game Conversions (10:05) - Licensing and the Evolution of Digital Board Games (18:08) - Paid vs. Free Apps: The Monetization Dilemma (23:48) - Developing for Apple Vision Pro (27:25) - Income Sources and New Game Projects (39:04) - Game Design Philosophy and Chess Variants (44:12) - Conclusion and Where to Find Martin Online --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Johannes Ahvenniemi, a seasoned mobile gaming industry professional with a diverse portfolio, including working on hits like Best Fiends and Angry Birds. Johannes shares how his interest in games started at a very young age, inspired by his brother. He discusses his passion for creating quality games without ads, his consulting work, and innovative projects like escape puzzle magazines and Sudoku solvers. Johannes also shares his experiences working at top companies like Seriously Digital and Rovio Entertainment and founding Papukaija to make games for underserved audiences. Tune in to learn more about his unconventional journey and ambitious future projects.Check out Johannes's Resources:https://adartis.fi/http://tikola.com/https://cluehound.com/ https://sudokugen.com/https://adartis.fi/games-by-sam/Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannes-ahvenniemi-0b71ab19/--(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast (00:26) - Guest Introduction: Johannes Ahvenniemi (01:18) - Johannes' Favorite Games (02:40) - Escape Room Games and Market (05:08) - Early Coding Journey (07:39) - Transition to Professional Game Development (08:31) - Experience at Rovio (11:18) - Game Industry in Finland (13:45) - Time at Seriously Digital (15:18) - Starting Independent Projects (23:12) - Games by Sam (32:43) - Consulting and Future Plans (36:53) - Conclusion and Contact Information --Check out our brainy games:Sumplete - https://sumplete.comSqueezy - https://imsqueezy.com/Kakuro Conquest - https://kakuroconquest.comMathler - https://mathler.comCrosswordle - https://crosswordle.comSudoku Conquest - https://sudokuconquest.comHitori Conquest - https://hitoriconquest.comWordga - https://wordga.com

Join game designer Osebo Akhigbe, known for Couples.Game and his work with Tumblr and Oculus, as he shares his dynamic journey in game design. He discusses the creative fusion of paper prototyping and AI in modern gaming, revealing how he crafts engaging puzzles and efficiently develops mobile games. Osebo also highlights the resurgence of chess, community engagement in gaming, and the challenges of monetization. Tune in for insights on blending traditional methods with cutting-edge technology!

Brian Reynolds, co-owner of The Bridge Teachers, is an actor, writer, and director on a mission to modernize bridge education. He discusses innovative online teaching strategies for bridge that appeal to younger players. Brian highlights the cognitive health benefits of bridge and the massive potential market of 37 million players in the U.S. He also shares personal insights into the community challenges and the creative solutions he's implemented through their subscription platform, all aimed at revitalizing this classic game.

Slavi Grozev, the mastermind behind Random Trivia Generator, transitioned from acoustic engineering to creating a beloved trivia platform inspired by quiz bowls and long drives. He shares how he manages to evolve the site while juggling family life and a full-time job. The discussion covers user engagement strategies, the impact of the pandemic on growth, and future enhancements like gamified quizzes. Slavi also reveals the challenges of monetizing passion projects while maintaining accessibility for trivia lovers.

David Ngo, creator of ChessHub.com and software engineer at Amazon, shares his journey of merging game development with his love for chess. He discusses the evolution of ChessHub, emphasizing user-friendly features and personalized game analysis tools. Insights into monetization strategies reveal how he enhances user engagement through community feedback. David also highlights future plans for tailored lessons and multiplayer options, aiming to revolutionize the chess learning experience. Aspiring game creators will find his advice invaluable!

Linmiao Xu, creator of Blitztactics.com and a passionate chess enthusiast, discusses his journey in developing a unique online chess puzzle platform. He shares his love for blitz chess and how it fuels his creative process. Lin also connects his charcoal art inspired by challenging games like Dark Souls to his travels across Asia. He dives into his role in enhancing AI, particularly with Stockfish, and explores future projects in game development. The conversation highlights the blend of gaming, creativity, and community engagement.

Richard Rognlie, creator of Gamerz.net, dives into the nostalgic world of play-by-email games. With a programming background that spans from self-taught BASIC to web development, he shares insights on over 270 games hosted on his platform. Richard discusses the mechanics of asynchronous gameplay, challenges in game design, and the community dynamics of email gaming. He reflects on personal gaming experiences from his childhood, the future of email-based games, and innovative twists to classic games like Risk. A fascinating discussion that blends tech and play!

Sandro Wahl, CEO and founder of PreAlpha, shares insights from his journey in creating Make It Meme, a viral multiplayer game centered around meme creation. He discusses the challenges of moderation and monetization while highlighting the game's unique gameplay mechanics. Sandro reveals the dynamics of meme culture within the game and its community impact. Exciting updates for the future are also in the spotlight, showcasing how player engagement shapes the evolution of this innovative game.

Gabriele Cirulli, the genius behind 2048, reflects on his journey from creating the viral hit at just 19 to establishing a full-time commitment to its reimagined version. He shares insights on navigating sudden success and the creative legacy of his work, viewing countless clones as a form of artistic inspiration rather than theft. Gabriele discusses game development complexities, the transition to online multiplayer, and the importance of community feedback in evolving the game, offering a fresh perspective on originality in gaming.