
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
Latest episodes

Sep 27, 2023 • 1h 3min
0332: Get Your Game Published with Jay Powell
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About this episode:
Dive into the intriguing tale of Eric Manahan, a former architect turned game developer, as he transitions from the structured world of building design to the fluid realm of 32-bit gaming. Eric's "Lucid", a nod to the SNES era, is a manifestation of his passion and a homage to his childhood gaming memories. Beyond the pixels, discover the blend of architectural principles with game design as floor plans transform into immersive side-scrollers. As we delve into Eric's story, uncover the broader allure that draws architects to the gaming universe. If you've ever wondered how diverse skills can intersect in the most unexpected of domains, this episode is a must-listen.
https://indiegame.business
IndieGameBusiness® - YouTube
IndieGameBusiness® 🎮 (@BusinessIndie) / X (twitter.com)
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Sep 19, 2023 • 1h 5min
0331: Making Lucid with Eric Manahan
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Back Lucid Kickstarter Now!
About this episode:
Dive into the intriguing tale of Eric Manahan, a former architect turned game developer, as he transitions from the structured world of building design to the fluid realm of 32-bit gaming. Eric's "Lucid", a nod to the SNES era, is a manifestation of his passion and a homage to his childhood gaming memories. Beyond the pixels, discover the blend of architectural principles with game design as floor plans transform into immersive side-scrollers. As we delve into Eric's story, uncover the broader allure that draws architects to the gaming universe. If you've ever wondered how diverse skills can intersect in the most unexpected of domains, this episode is a must-listen.
LUCID by thematteblackstudio — Kickstarter
The Matte Black Studio
LUCID by The Matte Black Studio (@_theMatteBlack) / X (twitter.com)
LinkedIn
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Aug 22, 2023 • 1h 3min
0330: Mastering Metaverse: John Krajewski’s Eco Adventure
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About this episode:
Dive into the captivating journey of John Krajewski, the mastermind behind the thriving virtual world of Eco. With a pedigree from industry giants like EA, John took a leap and has been steering Strange Loop Games to success for 14 years. Discover how Eco, with over 800k enthusiastic members, is redefining online realms by empowering players as citizens. Learn about John's vision of a meaningful metaverse and get a glimpse of what it takes to design such intricate worlds. Beyond digital realms, uncover John's passion for board games and his insatiable appetite for learning. Tune in to grasp the future of immersive gaming, straight from the vanguard!
John Krajewski | LinkedIn
Eco (play.eco)
Strange Loop Games
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Aug 16, 2023 • 1h 25min
0329: Roundtable News | Gen Z Impact on the Workplace
https://magicmind.com/unchained
56% off subscription 20% for one-time purchases with my code GAMEDEV20
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About this episode:
In this roundtable episode, we delve deep into the transformative influence of Gen Z as they make their foray into the workforce, especially against the backdrop of a post-pandemic world. As the gaming industry grapples with unprecedented shifts, the widening chasm in work infrastructure within game studios becomes a pivotal point of discussion.
We examine the eroding bridge of mentorship, which is leading to a concerning gap in best practices being imparted to the upcoming talent pool. The ramifications? A cloud of uncertainty that potentially impedes the industry's forward momentum. With Gen Z at the forefront, the gaming world finds itself at an inflection point — will they receive the guidance and knowledge transfer they need to lead the industry with stability and innovation?
This episode delves into these pressing concerns and envisions potential pathways forward. From ensuring smoother transitions and fostering mentorship to recognizing the unique values and perspectives that Gen Z brings to the table, our discussions shed light on the evolving dynamics of the gaming world.
For anyone invested in the future of the gaming industry, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Join us as we chart the course of game studios in this brave new post-pandemic era
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / Twitter
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Aug 9, 2023 • 53min
0328: The Evolution of UX from Human Factors to Gaming with Joe Schaeppi
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About this episode:
Join Joe Schaeppi, a renowned UX expert who started his illustrious career running a usability lab in Switzerland, as he dives deep into the captivating realm of User Experience (UX) in gaming. Schaeppi uncovers the transformative journey of UX, from basic user interfaces to intricate player experiences that define modern gaming. Discover how games historically leaned on their sheer interactivity and why many still miss the mark today. Venture from World War II sonar systems to Apple's iconic design ethos, retracing the roots of UX and its connection to human behavior. Tune in to unlock the secrets of crafting optimal gaming experiences and ensure every playthrough becomes an unforgettable adventure.
Joe Schaeppi | LinkedIn
AI-Driven Analytics: Revolutionizing Audience Understanding - Solsten
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Aug 1, 2023 • 1h 1min
0327: XR for Game Developers with Tony Bevilacqua
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About this episode:
Dive into the future of game development with Tony Bevilacqua, the founder of Cognitive3D, in our latest podcast episode. Uncover the emerging potential of XR in revolutionizing gaming experiences. Don't miss this insightful conversation on the intersection of XR, analytics, and gaming.
Cognitive3D | Analytics for VR, AR, MR
Tony Bevilacqua | LinkedIn
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Jul 25, 2023 • 1h 8min
0326: UEFN & HaZ Dulull- A New Dawn for Creators
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About this episode:
Our guest, Haz Dullull, a founder of Hazanimation, takes us through his journey from video games to the movie industry and back, now leveraging gaming technology to produce animated films. Learn about the convergence of games and movies as industries begin to share tools, technology, and knowledge. Haz provides a fascinating look at the evolution of the gaming industry, its rising quality standards, and the blurring lines between games and film. Tune in to gain insights into the past, present, and future of these intertwined industries.
HaZimationHaZimation (@HaZ_Dulull)
TwitterHaZ Dulull
LinkedIn
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Jul 18, 2023 • 1h 6min
0325: The Story Behind Dynopunk with Andrew and Roman
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About this episode:
In this episode, we delve into the captivating journey of indie developers Andrew and Roman, the dynamic duo behind Double and Dynopunk. They share invaluable insights on their development process, revealing how they remained motivated despite years of hard work with no immediate return. Drawing from their personal experiences, they discuss the importance of community engagement, sharing your work, and accepting criticism in the development process. As they recount their story, you'll uncover the resilience and determination it takes to turn dreams into reality in the game development world. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that might just spark your own gamedev journey.
Dynopunk | Tomato Fantasy Games (@TomatoFantasyGm) / Twitter
Dynopunk on Steam (steampowered.com)
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Jul 5, 2023 • 1h 23min
0324: The Story of Battlebit Remastered with Max Fink (theliquidhorse)
https://magicmind.com/unchained
56% off subscription 20% for one-time purchases with my code GAMEDEV20
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About this episode:
Uncover the story behind indie sensation BattleBit Remastered in an exclusive chat with developer Max Fink. Journey through their inspiring adventure, from pushing their limits to creating a game capable of supporting 250 players on low-end hardware, to their unexpected success on Steam. Discover how this ambitious trio honed their skills and crafted a gaming experience akin to giants like CS:GO and Battlefield. This remarkable story of determination, community engagement, and a love for gaming is one you wouldn't want to miss. Dive in, hear the full story, and get inspired to push your own limits in game development.
BattleBit Remastered on Steam (steampowered.com)BATTLEBIT 🚀 AVAILABLE NOW!
(@BattleBitGame) / Twitter
Discord
BATTLEBIT REMASTERED - BattleBit Remastered (joinbattlebit.com)
Max Fink (artstation.com)
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Jun 27, 2023 • 1h 13min
0323: Reality, Upgraded: Navigating VR/AR Gaming with Alex Silkin
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About this episode:
In this riveting episode of Game Dev Unchained, our guest Alex Silkin delves deep into the transformation of the VR landscape over the past decade. From pioneering hardware software prototypes at USC, leading a company, Survios, creating innovative VR games, to their present projects focusing on big IP licenses, Alex offers an insider's perspective on the VR industry. In a candid conversation about the resurgence of VR interest, the impacts of Apple's new product on the industry, and the future of VR/AR, this episode offers invaluable insights into where the technology is heading. Will the next five years see a merge of AR and VR technologies? What's the potential impact of Apple's entry into this space? Find out all this and much more in this must-listen episode. If you're a gamer, developer or tech enthusiast, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the fast-evolving world of Virtual Reality.
Alexander Silkin | LinkedIn
Survios
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