The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Jen MacLean, an industry veteran with a rich background at companies like Microsoft, shares her insights on game development and engaging younger audiences. She discusses the critical first hour of gaming and what captivates Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Jen highlights their emotional connections to brands and social issues, emphasizing new content discovery avenues. The conversation touches on balancing game mechanics with player engagement and the role of gaming in fostering social connections, especially during the pandemic.

In this engaging discussion, Abby Howard and Tony Howard-Arias, creators from Black Tabby Games, delve into their transition from graphic novels to game development. They share insights on crafting narratives with player choices in 'Slay the Princess,' tackling technical challenges, and exploring intimacy in storytelling. The duo highlights the emotional depth of character interactions and the significance of player death as a narrative tool, transforming potential failures into profound storytelling moments. Their passion for balancing artistry and gameplay shines throughout.

In this chat, Maria Cornelius, Chief Product Officer at Arrowhead Game Studios, shares her journey from Spotify to game development. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and team dynamics in her career. Maria discusses the challenges of creating 'Helldivers 2,' balancing community feedback with game design, and the transition to a live service model. She also highlights the need for innovative features and meaningful monetization strategies to keep players engaged and excited about the ongoing galactic war.

This episode is supported by Xsolla Alexa Ray Corriea chats with Final Fantasy VII actor Briana White. Together they discuss the casting process and how she originally auditioned for both Tifa and Aerith; respecting the original Japanese performance by Maaya Sakamoto; how localization transforms the creative process; how she dealt with insecurity and imposter syndrome ahead of her performance; and what her next dream role would be. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review. Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

Dom Matthews, Studio Head at Ninja Theory, discusses his journey from communications manager to leading the development of immersive games. He shares insights into crafting life-changing art with cutting-edge tech, emphasizing the significance of resonant narratives in gaming. Matthews also highlights the importance of a supportive studio culture that encourages feedback and trust. He reflects on the studio's unique identity and their creative autonomy post-acquisition by Microsoft, reinforcing the value of collaboration in game development.

Derek Yu, co-creator of the acclaimed game Spelunky, joins fellow indie developers Jon Perry and Eirik Suhrke to unravel their creative odyssey behind UFO 50, a unique collection of 50 retro-inspired games. They dive into the storytelling and teamwork that sparked this massive project, emphasizing the role of constraints in innovation. The trio shares insights from their collaborative brainstorming sessions, the challenges of maintaining diverse gameplay aesthetics, and the joy of revisiting old designs with fresh eyes. Tune in for a fascinating glimpse into indie game development!

This episode is supported by Xsolla Adam Orth chats with Tim Willits, Chief Creative Officer at Saber Interactive. Together they discuss Tim's long tenure at id Software and his work on the Quake series; why after 23 years he decided to leave and join Saber; the development of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2; the importance of "finding the fun" early; the creation of the swarm technology behind the Tyranids; and how the success of Space Marine 2 has been transformative for the entire company. 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 Trent Kusters chats with Eric Monacelli, an executive producer at Marvel Games. Together they discuss his career working on the marketing and community side of some of gaming's biggest franchises including Bioshock, The Last of Us, and Call of Duty; the process of how development studios come to work with Marvel and what a successful collaboration looks like; the steps they take to maintain authenticity; and what it's like working with fan communities of established IP with high expectations.  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review. Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

Jon Everist, a composer known for his captivating scores in games like Shadowrun and Battletech, discusses his shift from economics to music. He explores how creative constraints can spark innovation, sharing insights from his latest work on Star Wars Outlaws. Jon reflects on the emotional power of sound in gaming, drawing parallels between indie and AAA titles. He also opens up about navigating doubts in creativity and the importance of mentorship and collaboration in the music industry.

Mikolaj Stroinski, an award-winning Polish composer famous for his work on the Witcher franchise, shares fascinating insights about his creative journey. He discusses how his diverse influences, from Africa to Los Angeles, shaped his unique sound. Listeners will enjoy stories of composing for both video games and television, the significance of collaboration, and the immersive experience brought by live orchestral music. He also touches on the art of mixing and offers a glimpse into his future projects, including a film titled Diplaticus.