The GamesIndustry.biz Microcast

This week we're joined by Kelly Wallick, CEO of Indie Megabooth and chairperson of the Independent Games Festival. Wallick shares her views on the current state of the industry for independent developers, touching on the issues of discoverability, the varying success rate for studios that have previously exhibited at the Megabooth and the hard work that goes into sustaining an indie studio. She also discusses the need for better curation on digital stores, plans for this year's Independent Games Festival, and some of her favourite recent indie games. As always, you can find more news, analysis and insight into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're joined by Paul Barnes of App Annie and Adam Telfer of Chatterbox Games to discuss the future of the free-to-play market on mobile. Recorded at Pocket Gamer Connects, we ponder the most recent trends and shifts in the mobile market, the impact the ongoing loot box debate might have on free-to-play games, and how the monetisation model might in the coming years. Barnes and Telfer also offer advice on best practices and how to ensure your free-to-play mechanics are effective but not offensive. As always, you can get more news, analysis and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The GamesIndustry.biz team reflects on the games we have most enjoyed over the course of the year, ranging from major AAA blockbusters to mobile hidden gems – and, of course, a certain Switch game. Our collective game of the year may not come as much of a surprise, but listen in to find out which other, more unusual titles we've been playing across all platforms. We also discuss which games we're most looking forward to in 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're privileged to be joined by three prominent actors from the world of video games, all of whom appeared together in Assassin's Creed Origins. Our guests this week are Abubakar Salim (who plays main character Bayek), Alix Wilton Regan (Bayek's wife Aya) and Zora Bishop (Cleopatra). The trio share their experiences with performing in video games – which in Alix's case stretches back to 2009's Dragon Age: Origins – as well as the merits of voice recording versus motion capture and the challenges actors face as publishers turn their attention to established Hollywood talent. As always you can find all your news, analysis and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined this week by Gary D Nissenbaum, founder of the Nissenbaum Law Group, to talk about licensing out your IP. Gary talks us through the pitfalls to watch out for, such as termination rights, and offers advice on how developers can ensure their property isn't abused by licensees. The discussion covers everything from merchandise to cosplay, and even touches on how best to secure other licenses that you can develop games around.  As always, you can find all your news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're joined by a quartet of VR pioneers: Dave Ranyard, founder of Dream Reality Interactive and former Sony London developer; Stuart Whyte, director of VR product development at SOny London; Anna Hollinrake, senior artist at Climax Studios; and Simon Barratt, director and founder of Cooperative Innovations. Recorded during this week's Develop:VR conference, this episode discusses the next steps for virtual reality, the ongoing hunt for that killer app, the importance of social aspects in VR titles, the evolution of out-of-home VR and advice on how to best get started when developing for the technology. As always, you can find all your industry news, analysis and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're joined by Playful CEO Paul Bettner to discuss his studio's forthcoming release – colourful platformer Super Lucky's Tale – and more. During the episode, we talk about the potential for family-friendly titles on the traditionally hardcore Xbox One, how less realistic art styles might benefit from the power of Xbox One X and the leap from VR to standard 3D gaming for Playful's Lucky franchise. We also touch upon recent pessimism surrounding virtual reality, why Playful isn't about to give up on the technology, and how it hopes to break new ground for VR with its upcoming adventure Star Child. As always, you can find all your games industry news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're joined by games composer Gareth Coker to talk about his work on titles like Ori and the Blind Forest and most recently Ark: Survival Evolved. In our interview, Coker discusses the challenges of composing for a game that's constantly evolving through the process of taking an Early Access game like Ark to launch, as well as the varied community feedback he received throughout the project.  He also talks about conveying the game's thematic mix of prehistoric beasts and science fiction through the music, as well as his work on the Ori series and why he has published the entire Ark soundtrack to YouTube for all to enjoy freely. As always, you can find all your news, analysis and insight into the business of video games at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded during the GamesIndustry.biz Investment Summit at last week's EGX 2017, we're joined by Good Shepherd's business and product development consultant Ben Andac. Our latest discussion explores the realm of indie publishing, touching on how firms like Good Shepherd decide whether or not to invest in a new studio, what developers should expect from their publisher and why even a one-game deal has repercussions for your business going forward. As always, you can find all your news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're joined by Luke Savage (senior academic development manager at Sony Interactive Entertainment UK) and Marcia Deakin (games partnership manager at Next Gen Skills Academy). The discussion focuses on the relationship between the games industry and academia – not just universities, but Higher Education and schools as well. With the oft-pondered 'skills gap' making it harder for studios to find the talent they need, what more can the industry be doing to help educational institutes train better potential recruits. As always, you can find more news, analysis and insight at www.gamesindustry.biz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices