The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Mike Morasky, a longtime composer for Valve, shares his fascinating journey from the visual effects industry, working on films like The Matrix, to creating iconic game music for titles such as Portal and Counter-Strike 2. He discusses how his early experiences shaped his transition to gaming, the importance of collaboration in creative projects, and the unique challenges of composing for sequels. Morasky also reflects on the impact of music on player experience and the enduring legacy of the beloved anthem 'Still Alive' in gaming culture.

Tynan Sylvester, the creative mind behind RimWorld and author of a game design guide, shares insights into the art of storytelling in games. He discusses the concept of 'elastic failure,' showing how setbacks can enhance players' narratives. The podcast dives into the philosophy of game design, prioritizing meaningful player experiences, and the importance of emotional connections over mechanical complexity. Sylvester also reflects on the transition from solo development to leading a larger team while balancing player feedback and core gameplay.

This episode is supported by Xsolla Trent Kusters chats with brothers and co-founders of SFB Games, Adam & Tom Vian. Together they discuss how they began creating games in the early days of Flash and Newgrounds; transitioning to console development and working with Nintendo on the multi D.I.C.E. Award winning Snipperclips; the inspirations and development of Crow Country; and the secret to making games look and feel how we remember while avoiding the limits of the past. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review. Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

Nick Kaman, the Studio Head and Art Director at Aggro Crab Games, and Caelan Pollock, the Creative Director and Lead Writer, dive deep into their latest undersea soulslike, Another Crab's Treasure. They share how their college game design club evolved into a thriving studio and discuss the blend of challenge and accessibility in gameplay. The duo also emphasizes humor amidst darker themes and the importance of addressing climate change within their narrative. Plus, they explore community engagement and the journey from crabbing in Seattle to coding crabs!

This episode is supported by Xsolla Greg Rice chats with David Hellman, Nico Recabarren, and Nick Suttner of Furniture & Mattress, about their debut title as a studio, Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure. Together they discuss how the team got together; the ground rules they established for the puzzle designs; decisions around scope; and how they balanced gameplay and narrative elements. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review. Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

This episode is supported by: Xsolla Adam Orth chats with Matt Wood and Micah Breitweiser from Double Dagger Studio about their first tile as a studio, Little Kitty, Big City. Together they discuss how Little Kitty, Big City began as a teaching opportunity for Matt's children; the iterative nature of development and having malleable design pillars; the importance of scope and restraint; the conscious decision to direct players as little as possible; and the process of bringing the kitty to life and how Micah's career outside of games helped make that a reality. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review. Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

Trent Kusters chats with Xalavier Nelson Jr., the studio head, writer, and creative director of titles such as El Paso Elsewhere, Space Warlord Orgran Trading Simulator, Clickolding, and the upcoming I Am Your Beast. Together they discuss Xalavier's ideas around sustainable game development such as the importance of prioritizing shipping projects on time and within scope; how giving players unique experiences keeps them coming back for the next game; and the challenges of their approach when pitching to potential partners.  Watch this episode on our YouTube channel. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review. Donate to AIAS Foundation Sponsors: Xsolla iam8bit

Alexa Ray Corriea chats with Max and Nick Folkman. Nick is a writer at Insomniac Games and Max a writer at Riot Games who together also host the Script Lock podcast where they chat to fellow game writers. Together they discuss their ideas around writing for games; what it takes to get into the games industry; how to write for live service games versus single player games; and about their experiences interviewing fellow writers and what they've learned from them. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Join writers Jaclyn Seto, known for her work on diverse characters, and Christal Rose Hazelton, an advocate for inclusive narratives in gaming, as they explore the art of character development. They discuss the unique challenges of writing for live service games like Apex Legends, the importance of diverse voices in the writers' room, and how fan fiction influences lore. The conversation dives deep into breaking stereotypes and the need for authenticity in representing characters from varied backgrounds.

Billy Basso, solo game developer of 'Animal Well,' discusses the game's inception, challenges, and critical success with Trent Kusters. They explore puzzle design, working as a solo developer, business needs, and the journey to a successful launch. Topics include childhood gaming influences, transitioning from film to game development, and the evolution of the gaming industry. The conversation touches on sprite art, animation, code efficiency, audio creation, and exploring real-world inspirations. 'Animal Well' is praised for its immersive gameplay and creativity.