In this week's packed episode we're joined by the fantastic designer and good friend Tim Spencer (Lead Designer @TTGames) to chat game design, World of Warcraft, what a minimum viable product needs to have, how to balance fun, and what happens

EP33_ with Susan O'Connor | Writing Bioshock, NPCs as Actors, Player vs Character Stories

Nov 24th, 2020 1h 4m

In this week's merry episode we're joined by narrative-design angel and good friend Susan O'Connor (Narrative Designer & Writer for Tomb Raider, Bioshock, Telltale & Consultant to fix your narrative :-)) to talk all things game narratives and c

EP32_ Environmental Foreshadowing, Source 2, Agency

Nov 17th, 2020 1h 2m

We're back! In this week's exciting episode, we're talking about the Video Upgrade, Environmental Foreshadowing, DualSense Haptic Feedback, Accessibility, Source2, Player Agency, and the Hammer Editor. Also, big thanks for 2500 listeners - ama

EP31_ with Thierry Lauret | Playing vs. Making, Quest Design, Story or Gameplay

Oct 6th, 2020 1h 4m

In this week's insightful episode, we're joined by quest-master and good friend Thierry Lauret (Acting Lead Quest Designer @ Ubisoft Québec for Immortals Fenyx Rising) to talk all things Quest and Game Design! We chat the passion for creating g

EP30_ Future Idiots 2.0, Game Awards, Mafia Remake

Sep 29th, 2020 1h

In this week's exciting episode, we're celebrating 2000 listeners, talk about the future of the podcast, Sam's Zoom call with Geoff Keighley and Troy Baker, Sven's demo release of Pizzabot and the Mafia Remake (which he is equally excited about

EP29_ with Jeff Gagné | Dynamic Worlds, Combat X Level Design

Sep 22nd, 2020 1h 10m

In this week's exciting episode, we're joined by our good friend Jeff Gagné (Associate World Director @ Ubisoft Stockholm) to talk all things World Design! We chat AC: Syndicate, Prince of Persia, Might & Magic, Jeff's Game Dev Journey, Big Ope

EP28_ with Lena Falkenhagen | Building Worlds, Writing Process

Sep 16th, 2020 1h 3m

In this week's magical episode, we had the honor to sit down with award-winning author, the dark eye professional design expert, national chairwoman of the German Writers Association (V S union), narrative designer for beloved games like Draken

EP27_ No One Lives Forever, Re-inventing Counter-Strike

Sep 8th, 2020 1h 3m

In this week's episode, we talk about flying-tornado houses and what it would take to create a new, modern Counter-Strike.As part of the industry and in love with games, best buds Sam & Sven explore both sides of relevant topics in not-too-thic

EP26_ with Edwin McRae | Narrative Design & Writing Games

Sep 1st, 2020 1h 3m

In this week's hilarious episode, we had the pleasure to sit down with Narrative Designer & Video Game Writer Edwin McRae (Path of Exile, Lost Ember, and more) to discuss all things writing and narrative design. We talk about the profession, wo

EP25_ Titanfall 2, DC & Game Releases, Movement in VR

Aug 25th, 2020 1h 1m

In this week's episode, we talk about game's release windows, upcoming DC games, and Sven gets really hyped about finally having played Titanfall 2. We also discuss movement and locomotion in VR, potential interaction systems, and diegetic desi

EP24_ Fall Guys, Nemesis System, Total War Troy, Metagaming

Aug 18th, 2020 1h 3m

In this week's episode, we're chatting about the success of Fall Guys as well as the latest Total War game called Troy. We also discuss Shadow of Mordors Nemesis System and what makes it great. Finally, we also touch on metagaming. Enjoy!As par

EP23_ Open World Cinematography, Procedural Narratives

Aug 11th, 2020 1h

In this week's episode, we're talking about mastering the dungeons, open-world games, and how players are less likely to get lost as well as procedural narratives. We also disagree on motivations to play games and the notorious Flaneur. Enjoy!A

EP22_ Nostalgia Games (Special + New Support Structure)

Aug 5th, 2020 2h 11m

In this week's episode, we're publishing one of the recent Patreon specials as it's vacation time for the idiots and you'll still have something to listen to while Sam is roaming ancient forests and Sven is busy doing, you know, Sven-stuff (we

EP21_ with Mitja Roskaric | Leading Teams, Level Design Expectations

Jul 28th, 2020 1h 3m

In this week's episode, we had the pleasure to sit down with Mitja Roskaric (Lead Level Designer @ Machine Games) to discuss being in a leadership position, designing for coop games, and managing player expectations within levels and games. We

EP20_ with Max Pears | Combat & Level Design

Jul 20th, 2020 1h 4m

In this week's episode, we had the pleasure to sit down with Max Pears (Level Designer @ CD Projekt RED, Host @ LevelDesignLobby) to discuss all things level design, why & how games touch us, as well as the design in procedural generation. We a

EP19_ Ports, Cross-platform, Battlefield Nostalgia

Jul 13th, 2020 1h 11m

In this week's episode, we discuss what makes a good, bad or mediocre port (sorta). While also touching on designing games that are cross-platform (or multi-platform) and their challenges, we also passionately discuss the recent state of Battle

EP18_ Quest Design & Procedural Narratives

Jul 6th, 2020 1h 4m

In this week's episode, we dive deep into the realm of quest and mission design. What makes up quests anyway? Whats is the DNA of a quest? How does it work with procedural narratives? Come hang!As part of the industry and in love with games, be

EP17_ Summer of Games Reveals, 1000 Listeners Special

Jun 29th, 2020 1h 16m

In this week's episode, we celebrate 1000 listeners across all episodes! Come hang as we talk about our favorite and most exciting game reveals of the past weeks. As part of the industry and in love with games, best buds Sam & Sven explore both

EP16_ Franchises & Innovation, PS5 Event, Demon Souls

Jun 22nd, 2020 1h 6m

In this week's episode, we recap all the games from the PS5 event and talk about the revealed console as well! We also discuss franchises & innovation in games. Enjoy!As part of the industry and in love with games, best buds Sam & Sven explore

EP15_ Elden Ring, Valve, Narrative Designers

Jun 15th, 2020 1h 5m

In this week's episode, we discuss passion, marketing merch and Elden Ring. We also talk about employment hierarchy, Valve, Narrative Designers and team structures. Enjoy!As part of the industry and in love with games, best buds Sam & Sven expl

EP14_ Skyrim VR, HL: Alyx Level Design

Jun 8th, 2020 1h 4m

In this week's episode, we extensively talk about the experience of playing Skyrim in Virtual Reality. We also then discuss some level design learnings about Half-Life Alyx and what you can spot when going into the editor. As part of the indust

EP13_ Console Markets, Playing Games Wrong

Jun 1st, 2020 1h 5m

In this week's episode, we get lost in too many topics at once. But - the highlights include a discussion about whether you can play games wrong or not. Also, we briefly talk about characters as role models as well as building your development

EP12_ with Roberto Padron | Level Design

May 25th, 2020 1h 8m

In this week's episode we had the pleasure to sit down with Roberto Padron (Junior Level Designer @ Ubisoft Barcelona) to discuss all things level & game design. We also talk Unreal Engine 5, Portfolios, Mafia, Dishonored & working from home. E

EP11_ Next Gen Xbox, Half Life Alyx

May 18th, 2020 1h 11m

In this week's episode we mainly talk about Half-Life Alyx, its interaction design, and what it takes to design games in the VR space. We also chat a bit about Xbox and next-gen reveals.As part of the industry and in love with games, best buds

EP10_ AC Valhalla, Summer Game Fest, Flow in Level Design

May 11th, 2020 59m 51s

In this week's episode we get excited about the new Assasins Creed, Summer Game Fest, and flow in Level Design!As part of the industry and in love with games, best buds Sam & Sven explore both sides of relevant topics in not-too-thick German ac