

Game Dev Unchained
Game Dev Unchained
Our podcast breaks the mold of don't ask don't tell about the video game industry. We give everyone the real inside look at what its like to be a professional game developer, Every week we'll interview pro and indie developers, we'll talk jobs, studios, salaries and of course crunch horror stories. Tune in!
Hosted by Brandon Pham
Hosted by Brandon Pham
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 3min
0359: Roundtable News | Tencent is a Military Company?
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About this episode:
Tencent comes into question and is listed as a military company. Ray and I also talked about Ubisoft latest update, and how the industry is recovering.
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained
Special Links:
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X

Jan 14, 2025 • 1h 31min
0358: Staying Strong in the Game with Jordan Smith
About this episode:
In this episode, I sit down with Jordan Smith (20 year game design veteran) to talk about what it takes to keep pushing forward as a game developer when the industry feels like it’s falling apart. We share stories about staying passionate, dealing with uncertainty, and finding strength in tough times—things I know we’ve all faced at some point in our careers.
(1) Jordan (Altura) Smith | LinkedIn
ArtStation - Jordan Smith
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Jan 7, 2025 • 35min
0357: New Year Resolution & Kicking off 2025
About this episode:
Coming back after a hiatus, I talk about what conversations and topics I'll be tackling for 2025.
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Oct 15, 2024 • 1h 18min
0356: Escape From Hadrian's Wall with Jim Gray
About this episode:
Jim Gray is a seasoned video game professional with over two decades of experience, having led engineering and development teams at notable companies such as ILMxLAB, Sledgehammer Games, and Midnight Society. He has a strong background in gameplay programming and engineering management, contributing to titles like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and Ralph Breaks VR. Currently, Jim is the Founder and CEO of Jim Gray Productions, building a new video game production company from the ground up.
Escape from Hadrian's Wall Demo on Steam (steampowered.com)
Jim Gray Productions
Jim Gray Productions (@JimGrayProds) / X
Jim Gray Productions: Overview | LinkedIn
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Oct 8, 2024 • 1h 14min
0355: Roundtable News | Ubisoft is Falling Hard
About this episode:
Ubisoft is making all types of bad headlines. This was recorded even before the rumor that the brothers are looking to sell to Tencent. Given more credence to our doomsday prediction that Ubisoft is on its last desperate legs.
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Sep 3, 2024 • 1h 2min
0354: Tabletop Game Design ‘Your Turn’ with Scott Rogers
Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20
About this episode:
Scott Rogers with over 25 years in the game industry and an accomplished author drops by on the show to discuss the latest in the game development scene.
Your Turn!: The Guide to Great Tabletop Game Design: Rogers, Scott A.: 9781119981596: Amazon.com: Books
(1) Scott Rogers 🔜 PAX West | LinkedIn
Scott Rogers 🔜 PAX West (@mightybedbug) / X
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Aug 27, 2024 • 1h 3min
0353: Roundtable News | Concord and AAA Games Failure to Launch
Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20
About this episode:
From the horrific Sony exclusive Concord and bug-filled Star Wars: Outlaws, when people hear AAA most gamers groan and moan knowing that they are paying top-dollar for incomplete games. What is going on?
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Jul 9, 2024 • 58min
0352: Desktop Virtual Pet WEYRDLETS with Shawn Beck
Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20
About this episode:
Shawn Beck is from an award-winning Malaysian game studio, Weyrdworks, introduced his studio's philosophy and shared insights into the Malaysian game development scene. The discussion also focused on the development and potential of their virtual pets game, the evolution of the video game industry, and strategies for developing a free-to-play game.
Weyrdlets on Steam (steampowered.com)
Weyrdworks - Award Winning Game Development Studio
Shawn Beck | LinkedIn
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Jun 27, 2024 • 55min
0351: Remote Collaboration with Magma and Socializing Game Development Featuring Oli Strong
Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20
About this episode:
We discussed the current challenges and future outlook for the game industry. Oli suggested that while the industry is experiencing a delayed effect from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still an exciting area with significant attention from investors. However, Oli noted that larger funds are now participating in earlier stages of funding, which is causing more competition and reducing accessibility for exciting deals. Despite this, Oli remained optimistic, citing the industry's history of thriving during times of financial constraint. Brandon emphasized the importance of collaboration and the ongoing challenges of remote work in the aftermath of Covid-19.
Collaborative Art Software: Draw Together on Magma
(2) Oli Strong | LinkedIn
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained

Jun 13, 2024 • 1h 13min
0350: Roundtable News | XBOX & Sony & Indie Games Future Plans
About this episode:
Ray and I discussed various challenges and trends in the game development industry, including funding issues, layoffs, and the impact of streaming services like Game Pass and Netflix. We also critiqued the current state of publishing and movie industries, and the trend of game publishers and developers moving towards subscription services. Lastly, we discussed the evolving PC gaming industry, the issue of library account ownership, and the extended tenure of Phil Spencer at Microsoft.
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X (twitter.com)
Connect with us:
• 🖥 http://gamedevunchained.com
• 🎞️ https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...
• ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
• 💰 https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...
•📸 http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained