
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

Jun 20, 2023 • 1h 7min
0322: SoapBox | Games are taking 4-6 Years to Make? Why that isn't a bad thing...
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About this episode:
In our latest episode, we delve into the controversy stirred up by Xbox executive Matt Booty's recent comments. Booty stated that AAA games now take 4-6 years to develop, and that the industry needs to adjust its expectations accordingly. His remarks sent shockwaves through the gaming community, with gamers, journalists, and developers alike branding it as an irresponsible statement indicative of everything wrong with AAA games. But is that really the case?
In this exclusive soapbox episode, I'm taking a deep dive into the controversy, challenging the popular narrative, and offering my own perspective. Is the time taken to develop AAA games truly an issue? Or is this criticism simply a lack of understanding of the complexities and demands of creating these immersive experiences?
We'll discuss what it takes to create a AAA game in today's gaming industry and why the typical development timeline has stretched. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of game development, the challenges faced, and the effort that goes into delivering the experiences gamers love.
So if you're ready to explore a different viewpoint on this hotly-debated issue, this episode is a must-listen. We'll challenge assumptions, debunk myths, and hopefully shed some light on the true state of AAA game development. Don't miss out on this in-depth discussion.
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Jun 13, 2023 • 1h 19min
0321: Roundtable News | Apple Vision Pro: Rewriting Reality
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About this episode:
Journey with us as we delve into Apple's latest masterpiece, the Vision Pro, a groundbreaking augmented reality headset that's revolutionizing the VR/AR landscape. Immerse yourself in a world where 3D interfaces blend seamlessly with reality, and everyday interactions like watching movies or capturing moments get a futuristic makeover. Explore the cutting-edge features that set it apart, like the ability to adapt to a user’s environment and unique control methods using your eyes, hands, and voice. Plus, tune in as we size up Apple's formidable contender against Meta Quest and delve into Xbox's much-anticipated games - Starfield and Outlaws, set to drop later this year.
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / Twitter
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Jun 7, 2023 • 59min
0320: Harnessing User Feedback- Refining Game Design with John Li
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About this episode:
Dive into the world of game development in our latest podcast episode featuring John Li, co-founder of Pick Fu. Discover how Pick Fu revolutionized user testing, offering rapid, targeted insights to optimize game design and launches. Learn from success stories where testing has led to improved game design and boosted user acquisition ROI. Explore the intricacies of game concept development, market validation, and the future of game design. Gain tips for finding a market for your game concepts, perfect for indie developers. Understand how Pick Fu handles massive user data and the trends in user behavior in gaming. Tune in to leverage Pick Fu's platform and elevate your game development journey.
Split testing, optimization, and instant consumer research | PickFu
John Li | LinkedIn
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May 31, 2023 • 1h 13min
0319: Beyond Borders - Game Localization Insights from Allcorrect's Demid Tishin & Marina Turkina
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About this episode:
In this captivating episode, experts, Demid Tishin & Marina Turkina, in video game localization discuss the intricacies of their field. They highlight how the process often comes in at the end of the development cycle, leading to a crunch situation, and share interesting anecdotes about the challenges of dealing with missed deadlines, tight budgets, and large amounts of text. The team delves into the importance of culturalization in the localization process, explaining how it can prevent potential cultural issues while improving player engagement. They touch upon the role of voiceovers in games, the organization of their localization teams, and some unique cases they've handled. If you're interested in the behind-the-scenes world of game development and want to understand how games become accessible to diverse global audiences, this is a must-listen episode.
Game localization, 2D and 3D art services | Allcorrect - Games Localization Company (allcorrectgames.com)
Marina Turkina | LinkedIn
Demid Tishin | LinkedIn
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May 23, 2023 • 1h 6min
0318: Unraveling the Challenges of Building Successful Game Development Studios with Dino Patti & Tadej Gregorcic
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About this episode:
Dive into a captivating conversation with veteran game developers, Dino Patti & Tadej Gregorcic (Cofounders @ Coherence) as they share their rollercoaster experiences in the rapidly changing gaming industry. Listen to their tales of starting afresh with each new project, their transitions from being hands-on coders to leadership roles, and their adoption of advanced tools like Unity and Unreal to bring visions to life. Learn about the delicate balance they strike between creation and management, and the lessons they've gleaned from both successes and setbacks. Above all, explore their insights on building motivated teams, and the undeniable value of being surrounded by talented individuals. This episode is not just about gaming – it's a treasure trove of leadership wisdom that resonates far beyond the digital world. Don't miss out!
Home · coherence
Dino Patti | LinkedIn
Tadej Gregorcic | LinkedIn
For full show notes: https://wp.me/pcB0ew-1ai
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May 16, 2023 • 1h 8min
0317: Roundtable News | Behind the Veil: The Complexities of Game Development and Market Reception
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About this episode:
Redfall's post-release period has been turbulent, adding to an already challenging week at Microsoft. Arkane Studios, typically a favorite among critics and fans, has been met with widespread disappointment, prompting questions about what went wrong. As day-1 glitches and significant bugs in games like Redfall become increasingly common, the gaming community's patience is wearing thin, leading to a surge in fervent reactions. In this week's roundtable news episode, we delve into the paradox of how advanced tools, rather than enhancing games and expediting their development, seem to be having the inverse effect. Our panel also addresses recent tech industry layoffs, Meta's change of strategic direction, and Apple's plans to both rectify and capitalize on the potential of AR/VR technology.
Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / Twitter
Full show notes can be found here:
Behind the Veil: The Complexities of Game Development and Market Reception – Game Dev Unchained
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May 9, 2023 • 1h 7min
0316: Indie Gaming's Last Stand: How Willem Delventhal Is Battling Corporate Dominance!
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About this episode:
As a digital ecosystem thrives and transforms at a rapid pace, a recent conversation with game designer and educator Willem Delventhal offered insights into the evolving realm of game development. From the nuances of technological advancements to the ideological tug of war between indie creators and corporate giants, the discussion spanned a variety of pertinent topics within the gaming industry.
For a complete breakdown and something to reference in written form visit the article here:
https://wp.me/pcB0ew-19J
Home | The Wizard of Joy (willemdelventhal.com)
Experience | Willem Delventhal | LinkedIn
Indie Game Academy | Online Video Game Development Bootcamp and Classes
Willem Delventhal (@IfYouWillem) / Twitter
Indie Game Lunch Hour (spreaker.com)
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May 2, 2023 • 1h 31min
0315: How AI is Taking Over the Gaming Industry and What It Means for You with Adnan Chaumette
Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription.
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About this episode:
In a recent episode of Game Dev Unchained, host Brandon Pham sat down with Adnan Chaumette, founder of Polygon Flow, to discuss the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the gaming and entertainment industries. Chaumette, shared his insights on how AI technology has the potential to revolutionize the creation process for artists and developers.
For a complete breakdown and something to reference in written form visit the article here:
How AI is Taking Over the Gaming Industry and What It Means for You with Adnan Chaumette – Game Dev Unchained
Polygonflow - Workflows of the future
Adnan (@AdnanChaumette) / Twitter
ArtStation - Adnan Chaumette
Adnane Chaumette | LinkedIn
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Jan 17, 2023 • 1h 16min
0314: Students Getting into the Industry with Ian McDonell
About this episode:
Recruitment have faltered for industry entry jobs this past year as more companies are embracing the hybrid/remote work. The main reason has been shifting towards more mature/disciplined candidates to offset the long onboarding process. This is obviously bad news for younger students who are looking to break into the industry near-term.
Ian McDonell is an Associate Environment Artist @ Lost Boys Interactive, have conquered the odds and is on this week's episode to give some insight on what worked for him and what didn't.
Ian McDonell | LinkedIn
Ian McDonell - 3D Artist
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Jan 10, 2023 • 1h 35min
0313: Roundtable News | What is up with Meta?
About this episode:
There are a million things on how to run a tech company to the ground and that seems to be what Meta is all about lately. We talk about the best value for the buck as a gamer and also we catch up on the latest news affecting game developers.
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