Nhi Do, an actor from the indie game 1000xRESIST, dives into her journey from theater to gaming. She reflects on her early days in musical theater and the pivotal role her teachers played in her evolution. Nhi shares the thrill of rediscovering gaming during the pandemic and her unique experiences auditioning for indie roles, revealing the emotional complexities of voice acting. With a focus on character development, she also highlights the collaborative nature of creating narratives in games while sharing her aspirations in motion capture and horror genres.

Adam Orth chats with MachineGames' Jens Andersson and Axel Torvenius about their critically acclaimed title, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Together they discuss why they decided to make an Indiana Jones game in first person; the importance of introducing players to the Indiana Jones world by recreating the iconic opening scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark; and Troy Baker's award winning and Harrison Ford approved performance as Indiana Jones. This episode is supported by Xsolla Episode Host: Adam Orth Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review. Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

Alexa Ray Correia chats with actor Suzie Yeung. Together they discuss how she got her start acting in games; her performance as Yuffie Kisaragi in the recent reboot of FINAL FANTASY VII; her extensive work in the anime industry; the process and differences in recording for animation versus games; how she prepared for her performance as Yuffie; and her advice for young voice actors beginning their careers. This episode is supported by Xsolla Episode Host: Alexa Ray Corriea Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review. Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

Ted Price, founder of Insomniac Games and a 2025 AIAS Hall of Fame inductee, reflects on his three-decade journey in the gaming industry. He shares insights on the evolution of Insomniac, particularly the impactful partnership with Marvel on Spider-Man. Ted discusses the importance of leadership, team collaboration, and the industry's current transitions, including the rise of PC gaming. As he prepares for retirement, he expresses excitement for future endeavors in STEM education while cherishing the memories and lessons from his storied career.

Xsolla is a leading global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the industry. Since its founding in 2005, Xsolla has helped thousands of game developers and publishers of all sizes fund, market, launch, and monetize their games globally and across multiple platforms. To learn more, please visit: xsolla.com This episode is supported by Xsolla Episode Host: Adam Orth Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review. Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation  

Nicolas Doucet, the talented director behind the Astro Bot series, shares his fascinating journey in game development. He reveals how his early QA days shaped his career path at Japan Studio. The discussion dives into the innovative design strategies that brought 'Astro Bot Rescue Mission' to life, emphasizing community feedback's role in its success. Doucet also talks about the collaboration with third-party partners to integrate iconic PlayStation characters, showcasing creativity in enhancing player experiences while maintaining simplicity.

Dmitry Svetlow, the Studio Director of Odd Meter and a former architect, discusses the evocative narrative of his game INDIKA. He shares the unique blend of dark and playful imagery that defines the game's aesthetic. Dmitry dives into the challenges of narrative development, including the interplay of self-worth and faith within character dynamics. He also explores innovative game mechanics, like incorporating prayer to reflect internal struggles, and discusses the evolving nature of game design in a small indie studio setting.

In this engaging conversation, Alexey Pajitnov, the brilliant mind behind Tetris, delves into his early computing experiences and the game's innovative design. He shares insights on real-time gameplay, the pressure of his iconic creation, and the evolution of puzzle mechanics. Pajitnov also discusses Tetris's profound cultural legacy, including its memorable music and future possibilities like drone shows. You'll love how he reflects on the simplicity and connectivity that Tetris continues to inspire in gaming and beyond.

Brian Bucklew and Jason Grinbalt, co-founders of Freehold Games, dive into their monumental 17-year development journey of the science fantasy roguelike, Caves of Qud. They discuss the intricacies of balancing bespoke and procedural design, emphasizing the importance of community input and technological evolution. Listeners will find insights into the unique water ritual mechanics reflecting real social dynamics and the unexpected player creativity that leads to bizarre game moments. Their passion and challenges make for an engaging tale of indie game development.

Aldo Sampaio, an audio director with a rich background in AAA game development, shares his insights on creating sound and music for Eternal Strands. He reflects on his journey through major studios, including work on the Assassin’s Creed franchise. The discussion covers the evolution of sound design, job insecurity in gaming, and transitioning from AAA to indie environments. Aldo also delves into crafting dynamic soundscapes that enhance emotional engagement in gameplay, showcasing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the audio production process.