Todd Howard from Bethesda Game Studios discusses the development of Starfield, including early ideas and the first year of development. They delve into designing complex game systems, building lore for an original IP, and the unexpected player creativity. They also touch on managing expectations, emergent gameplay, designing deep and accessible systems, the Bethesda-Microsoft transition, blending genres in RPGs, building a playable prototype, and embracing feedback in game development.

Mark MacDonald, SVP of Production at Enhance, discusses the creation of their recently released game Humanity, including its surreal puzzle-action experience, the collaboration with experimental artist Yugo Nakamura, and the decision to incorporate a Shiba Inu dog as a character. They also explore the impact of non-gamers on game teams, the importance of user-generated content and puzzles, and the cohesive visual look of the game influenced by brutalist architecture.

Strange Scaffold's Xalavier Nelson Jr. chats with Adam Hines & Sean Krankel from Night School Studio. Together they discuss releasing their latest game, Oxenfree II: Lost Signals; how new tools are improving the development process; trying to stay unpredictable as a studio; identifying core principles during development; and writing authentic worlds and characters while working with the complex conversation system present in Oxenfree. Be sure to check out Xalavier and Strange Scaffold's newest game El Paso, Elsewhere on Steam. Follow us:  Twitter Instagram Watch this episode on our Youtube channel.

Jaeho Hwang and Nolan King from MINTROCKET Games discuss the unique influences behind their game Dave the Diver, developing a relatable main character, balancing gameplay systems, and plans for future expansion.

Actor Ben Starr, lead role in Final Fantasy XVI, discusses his early love of video games and his thought process behind getting into character. They explore the psychological toll of performance art, acting for video games, and the emotional impact of video game characters. They also discuss the balance between simplicity and complexity in writing and the power of outstanding performances. Ben shares personal stories about their acting and gaming careers, experiences with PlayStation consoles, and the challenges and rewards of being involved in the Final Fantasy XVI project.

Max "Larry" Fink, developer of BattleBit Remastered, discusses the game's development for low-end hardware, the origins of the game and joining the team, their journey from 3D modeling to game development, designing for shorter attention spans, creating engaging game maps, the iterative process of remaking the game, the unique identity of BattleBit, and their passion for horror games and city builders.

Laura Bailey, an actor known for her iconic work in games and animation, discusses her early career, catching her first big break, her transition from animation to video games, and her process for getting into character. She also talks about her role in the highly popular Critical Role and working alongside the all-star cast of the recently released Stray Gods. The podcast covers topics such as breaking into the voiceover industry, motion capture challenges, fan reactions, and the importance of creating familiar music for performers.

We're back with one of our past episodes with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Creative Director, Marcus Smith!  Ted Price chats with his long-time colleague at Insomniac Games, Marcus Smith. Together they discuss their history at Insomniac Games; his experiences on the Resistance series and Sunset Overdrive; his thoughts on being a creative director; how to build consensus and foster collaboration on big projects; and the challenges the team faced on the newest entry in the Ratchet & Clank series. Marcus Smith is a Creative Director at Insomniac Games, with his most recent title being this year's PlayStation 5 hit, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. Previously he worked on several of Insomniac's best known titles including Marvel's Spider-Man, the Resistance series, and Sunset Overdrive.  The Game Maker's Notebook is sponsored by Xsolla. To learn more, go to xsolla.pro/AOIAAS. Follow us:  Twitter Instagram

We're on a break from new content this week, but check out one of our past episodes with Bryan Intihar, Creative Director at Insomniac Games for Marvel’s Spider-Man! Originally released in April 19, 2019, Bryan joins host Ted Price of Insomniac Games live on the D.I.C.E. Summit stage to talk about his journey from journalist to game developer, the challenges of working on an existing IP, and his perspective on what it takes to be a successful creative director.  The Game Maker's Notebook is sponsored by Xsolla. To learn more, go to xsolla.pro/AOIAAS. Follow us:  Twitter Instagram

Austin Wintory chats with longtime Star Wars franchise composer Gordy Haab. Together they discuss how Gordy found himself scoring more music for the space epic than even John Williams; creating music new music for an established franchise with your own voice and avoiding imitation; the complex approval process when working on Star Wars titles; and the fundamental differences between composing for video games and other types of media. The Game Maker's Notebook is sponsored by Xsolla. To learn more, go to xsolla.pro/AOIAAS. Follow us:  Twitter Instagram