The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Composer Duo Ninja Tracks, Kaveh Cohen and Michael Nielsen, discuss their composing partnership, work in video games, TV shows, and films, and venture into music publishing. They share humorous gaming memories and reflect on the evolution of music scoring in video games, emphasizing collaboration and growth in the music industry.

Developers Alex Ritchie and Joel Mason discuss their game development journeys and the early prototypes of their indie hit, Dredge. They talk about balancing difficulty and consequence in the game, as well as how they created an aura of spookiness. They also discuss their early gaming experiences, the challenges they faced in their projects, and the importance of pacing and design.

Legendary composer Grant Kirkhope discusses his long career composing iconic music in gaming, including GoldenEye 007 and Banjo-Kazooie. They talk about building a portfolio, the influence of musical compositions in video game franchises, preparing for recording sessions with live musicians, and the challenges of relocating for a job opportunity. They also share personal stories of meeting Grant Kirkhope, behind-the-scenes of GoldenEye, and discuss the evolution of the gaming industry and composing music for animated television shows.

Award-winning Composer Cris Velasco discusses his career in gaming, working on franchises like Mass Effect and God of War. He shares his love for painting and fine art and how it influences his work. They discuss the role of storytelling in game music and their unique journeys into the industry. They also explore balancing order and chaos in the creative process and the challenges of breaking into the game industry as a composer.

Producer Naoki Yoshida discusses his career, the key decisions made in Final Fantasy XVI, navigating the pandemic, and advice for young game developers. They also explore the importance of game design, storytelling in Final Fantasy XVI and XIV, and the impact of global relationships on gameplay.

Thierry Boulanger, Sabotage Studio President and Creative Director, discusses his journey into game development, founding Sabotage Studio, key lessons from creating The Messenger implemented in Sea of Stars, and playing retro games while creating modern experiences.

Jakob Schmid, Co-Founder, Audio Director, and Music Director of Geometric Interactive, discusses the intricate integration of audio and gameplay in their debut title Cocoon. He shares how generative systems create the game's music, his collaboration with Jeppe Carlsen on Inside, and the use of music cues and custom components to provide feedback to players in puzzle solving. They also explore the commitment to synthesis in audio creation and the intersection of game design and puzzle design for a unique and well-executed experience.

Bryan Intihar, Senior Creative Director at Insomniac Games, discusses the pillars of development for Marvel's Spider-Man 2, the importance of story and characters, motivating teams, identifying future leaders, and maintaining strong partnerships with Marvel.

Enrique Cabeza and David Erosa from The Game Kitchen discuss designing Blasphemous, transitioning to original IP, starting from scratch for the sequel, and using the game to share their local culture. They also talk about incorporating Spanish culture into the game, the struggles of development, fine-tuning gameplay, player feedback, and future plans.

Ben Gabbard and David Adams of Gunfire Games discuss their careers in game development, including their work on the Darksiders series and their founding of Gunfire Games. They talk about their early ideas for the Remnant series, the challenges of development restraints, and how Remnant II is the culmination of everything they've learned. They also touch on topics such as childhood memories in game development, their experiences during a major game development layoff, and the impact of the pandemic on the development process.