The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Robin Hunicke chats with the duo behind Unsighted, Studio Pixel Punk's Tiani Pixel and Fernanda Dias. Together they discuss their journey leading up to developing their first game; the challenges of game development in the emerging Brazilian game dev scene; what inspired the look and feel of Unsighted; and the importance of diverse viewpoints in games.  Unsighted is the first game by Studio Pixel Punk which is comprised of the two-person team of Tiani Pixel and Fernanda Dias. Published by Humble Games, Unsighted is a top-down action-adventure, tasking players to explore a world ruined by war. Alma must traverse the vast city of Arcadia before the life force of her friends and herself withers away, turning friend to foe. Time is ticking, and every moment matters. Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org.

Austin Wintory chats with audio engineer, architect, and programmer Buzz Burrowes. Together they discuss his early career at Sony, developing many tools and techniques still used in game audio as well as his recent work in exploring interactivity with music in games like FUSER. Buzz Burrowes is currently an Audio System Architect at Epic Games, which recently acquired Harmonix Music Systems where he helped develop titles such as FUSER. Previously, he was the Chief Audio Engineer at Sony Computer Entertainment America (now Sony Interactive Entertainment America) where he is credited on several classic series such as God of War, Syphon Filter, and Twisted Metal. Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org.

Robin Hunicke chats with Art Director Lisette Titre-Montgomery of Double Fine Productions. Together they discuss her career trajectory into video games; advocating for a work-life balance; navigating sensitive complex issues in Psychonauts 2; how art and gameplay influence each other during development; and her work with Gameheads, a Game Development Accelerator program for Oakland youth. Lisette Titre-Montgomery is an Art Director with over twenty years of industry experience and 13 shipped titles. Specializing in creating studio cultures where artists and creatives thrive. Lisette has contributed to some of the industry’s highest profile games, including Tiger Woods Golf, The Simpsons, Dante’s Inferno, Dance Central 3, SIMS 4, South Park, and Transformers Age Of Extinction for Android and iOS. Her most recent project is Psychonauts 2 with Double Fine Productions. Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org.

Austin Wintory chats with composer and sound designer Martin Stig Andersen. Together they discuss his thought process behind designing the music behind the intense action packed scenes of Back 4 Blood; how much his classical music background informs his current work; his work on Playdead's LIMBO and INSIDE; and his performance work outside of video games. Martin Stig Andersen is a composer and sound designer with a background in the fields of acousmatic music, sound installations, electroacoustic performance, and video art. He is best known for his work in audio and music across several award winning titles including LIMBO, INSIDE, Control, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and the recently released Back 4 Blood.  Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org.

Ted Price chats with brothers Mike and Josh Grier, co-founders of Ember Lab who developed the recently released Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Together they discuss Ember Lab's genesis in the advertising and film industries; their transition into game development; Kena's mechanics and design; Ember Lab's studio culture; and ways for the games industry to increase diversity.  Together, Mike and Josh founded Ember Lab, an animation and digital content studio. Mike is the Chief Creative Officer and Josh the Chief Operation Officer. Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a story-driven action adventure set in a charming world rich with exploration and fast-paced combat. In addition to Kena, Ember Lab is best known for the short films Dust and Majora's Mask - Terrible Fate. Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org.

Brought to you by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the 24th Annual #DICEAwards is an annual awards celebration by game makers for game makers, honoring the games that connect us around the globe. These awards honor our fellow creators and the very best in interactive entertainment. Listen to our extended roundtable conversations from the 24th Annual #DICEAwards, moderated by Spawn on Me's Kahlief Adams, with candid conversations and insights from the nominees for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year. The nominees include: +Crusader Kings III +Desperados III +Microsoft Flight Simulator +Monster Train +Per Aspera Make sure to watch the full 24th Annual #DICEAwards on YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things AIAS at Twitter.

Brought to you by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the 24th Annual #DICEAwards is an annual awards celebration by game makers for game makers, honoring the games that connect us around the globe. These awards honor our fellow creators and the very best in interactive entertainment. Listen to the nominees for the 24th Annual #DICEAwards Fighting Game of the Year chat with one another in intimate roundtable sessions, moderated by Spawn on Me's Kahlief Adams. The nominees include: +EA Sports UFC 4 +Granblue Fantasy Versus +Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate +Them's Fightin' Herds Make sure to watch the full 24th Annual #DICEAwards on YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things AIAS at Twitter.

Austin Wintory chats with audio director, Eduardo Vaisman. Together they discuss his journey from film to video games; their focus on authenticity when designing the audio for the fictional island nation of Yara for Far Cry 6; integrating the score and music to give the locale a distinct feel; and how his own experiences growing up in Argentina helped define his artistic viewpoint. Eduardo Vaisman is an Audio Director at Ubisoft Toronto, having recently released Far Cry 6. He is also known for several other titles in the Far Cry series as well as Splinter Cell: Blacklist.  Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org.

Brought to you by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the 24th Annual #DICEAwards is an annual awards celebration by game makers for game makers, honoring the games that connect us around the globe. These awards honor our fellow creators and the very best in interactive entertainment. Listen to our extended roundtable conversations from the 24th Annual #DICEAwards, moderated by Spawn on Me's Kahlief Adams, with candid conversations and insights from the nominees for Outstanding Achievement in Game Direction. The nominees include: +Ghost of Tsushima +Hades +Half-Life: Alyx +Kentucky Route Zero: TV Edition +The Last of Us Part II Make sure to watch the full 24th Annual #DICEAwards on YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things AIAS at Twitter.

Brought to you by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, the 24th Annual #DICEAwards is an annual awards celebration by game makers for game makers, honoring the games that connect us around the globe. These awards honor our fellow creators and the very best in interactive entertainment. Listen to our extended roundtable conversations from the 24th Annual #DICEAwards, moderated by Spawn on Me's Kahlief Adams, with candid conversations and insights from the nominees for Racing Game of the Year. The nominees include: +Dirt 5 +F1 2020 +Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit Make sure to watch the full 24th Annual #DICEAwards on YouTube and stay up-to-date on all things AIAS at Twitter.