The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Austin Wintory chats with Composer Lennie Moore. Together they discuss his work on the original Outcast and its sequel Outcast: A New Beginning which came recently, 25 years later; the ins and outs of the business of composing music for video games including tips for young composers entering the industry; and the profound effect Lennie had on Austin's own career being one of his formative teachers at USC.  Watch this episode on our YouTube channel. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving us a rating and review.

Multidisciplinary artist Niklas Åkerblad discusses his career, love of games, impact of Hotline Miami, and the complexity of games as art. They delve into the philosophical and poetic storytelling inside his newest title, Ultros, highlighting the evolution of the video game industry and his artistic journey in game development.

Actor Neil Newbon discusses his journey in video games, challenges in acting, and starting to teach. Topics include creativity in gaming, social media impact, and finding fulfillment in the industry. He also talks about motion capture evolution, developing characters, balancing multiple roles, and embracing self-confidence.

Katsuhiro Harada, longtime producer of the Tekken series, discusses the evolution of the game to target a global audience, the importance of live events for the fighting game community, and his thoughts on the future of the genre and game development in an insightful and engaging conversation with Shuhei Yoshida.

Actor Nadji Jeter discusses his decade-long journey as Miles Morales, the emotional depth of the character in Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the impact of diverse representation in media, and influential video game performances that shaped his career. He reflects on being part of the Marvel universe, meeting influential figures, embracing nervousness, and gratitude for future opportunities.

Gabe Amatangelo discusses the impact of Cyberpunk 2077 release, emphasizing game design and storytelling elements. They address challenges in game development, cultural authenticity, and ethical dilemmas in the game. The podcast explores gameplay mechanics, AI themes, and the transition to Unreal Engine 5.

Roman Campos-Oriola, Eric Baptizat, and Philippe Ducharme from Motive Studio discuss remaking Dead Space, deciding what to keep and improve, and balancing tools, enemies, and environments for tension-filled gameplay. They explore enhancements in graphics, gameplay mechanics, storytelling, weapon design, ammo drops, zero gravity, and checkpoint systems in the remake process.

Actor Samantha Béart discusses challenges entering the games industry, romance in Baldur's Gate 3, and the need for diversity. They explore the industry's journey, unconventional character dynamics, and the importance of representation.

Award-winning composer Oleksa Lozowchuk discusses his career in games, TV, and film, highlighting his work on Dead Rising and Horizon franchises. Topics include pitfalls of self-referential compositions, transitioning to creative director role, and advice for young creatives navigating game challenges.

Narrative designer Meghna Jayanth talks about her childhood experiences, writing for games, development challenges, and the emotional journey in 'Thirsty Suitors'. Discussions include inclusivity in gaming narratives, decolonization in indie gaming, character growth, and challenges faced by developers amidst market saturation.