GameDev Breakdown

We put out the call for topics, questions, and feedback on our new account at Swell, and you answered! Topics this time include: Our viral retelling of adventure at the last Aladdin's Castle arcade Coaching and tutoring in esports The legend of Atari VP Howie Rubin An upcoming chat with Shammi Mohamed of Microsoft first-party games and now Tesla?! Jonathan Rando heard we were talking smack Thanks as always for your calls and clips. Keep them coming! If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

In this episode of GameDev Breakdown, Clinton Keith calls in ahead of his GDC 2020 presentation on project management to discuss the crises facing game development, the strategies in his latest book, Agile Game Development: Build, Play, Repeat (2nd Edition), and how to recapture the fun in making games. Clinton has collaborated with many of the industry's most legendary designers and studio founders including Shigeru Miyamoto himself as well as Rockstar Games' Houser brothers. His game credits include Midnight Club, Smuggler's Run, Midtown Madness, and more at Angel Studios as well as Darkwatch and The Bourne Conspiracy at Highmoon Studios. Clinton's Links Agile Game Development: Build, Play, Repeat (2nd Edition) AgileGameDevelopment.com @ClintonKeith on Twitter Clinton Keith at GDC 2020 If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Che

Last week's discussion of community management with our friend Matt Hill spun off some great discussion around other promotional topics. Although it's not the first time we've explored the optimal role of a website in your ongoing creative efforts, some time has passed and a lot has changed. In this episode we'll look at the current benefits and challenges involved in running a game development-centric website, how to get going easily, how to expand on it, and how to make it competitive in search engine results. If you don't currently believe you need a website--or the work involved intimidates you--give me a chance to change your mind. I should note here that I don't have anything to sell you, I don't want to be involved in building it, and I frankly don't even want to hear about it when you're done. That's how you know I'm being sincere. Here are some points you'll hear about in this "second edition" of GameDev Breakdown's Guide to Websites: Benefits of controlling your web presence Building out your web

When we last checked in with Matt Hill, he was growing a thriving community around his Mixer channel and optimistic about the future. Then Microsoft killed Mixer. In this episode, we discuss the state of streaming, including a look back at the good things Mixer tried to do, what went wrong, and the first official discussions about it starting to emerge from Xbox leadership. We also take a look at our recent efforts with Discord servers and discuss how studios and other content creators can integrate this option into their community-building and promotional efforts. Matt's links OHCMrDay on Twitch Matt Hill on Twitter If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: h

Here are highlights from this week's news roundup: Our new Discord server is really taking off! Join us, won't you? You can now download the free GameDev Breakdown Channel on Roku! You can text the show or call to leave a voicemail at (812) 682-0336. We may use it on the show! Please note: This is not part of any marketing program. You won't receive a reply. Your phone number will not be saved elsewhere, sold, or shared with anyone. I'll never use it for anything.  PlayDate is well on its way to making sure no one wants it.  Eat the Twitter super accounts.  So long Mixer, thanks for nothing.  Guess who's working on a new digital magazine?  2 companies are making high-value learning and asset resources available absolutely free! If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles a

For those new to Mat Bradley-Tschirgi's work, here are a few things you should know: he may be the leading authority on the work of notorious video game filmmaker Uwe Boll, he's an accomplished game development educator, and he's a prolific interviewer. During this episode, we follow up to hear about how readers responded to The Films of Uwe Boll Vol. 1: The Video Game Movies, and hear about his latest book, Simply the Best: Interviews with Video Game Designers, Composers, and Scofflaws. It's difficult to pick the best topics to go over during calls with Mat--I'm too much of a noob film critic to get on his level and talk about his work on the SequelCast 2 and Friends podcast and I'm not sure he can actually teach us mortals how to match his propensity for Getting Things Done--so we tend to talk like old friends about similar QA work we've done, funny mistakes we've made doing interviews, and amazing FLASH projects we lost to the Toilet of Time. Despite my refusal to guide the discussion in any particular dir

Todd appears on The Dialog Tree with Roger Reichardt to discuss industry event cancellations and other challenges facing developers amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Roger's Links The Dialog Tree Podcast Roger on Twitter GamerHeadsPodcast.com If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

Salvatore Pane calls in to talk about his work for the upcoming release of RetroMania Wrestling. We discuss his work as a Boss Fight Books author (Mega Man 3), his focus as a university professor, and the trouble with bite-sized physical video games. Sal's Links @SalPane on Twitter @RetrosoftStudio on Twitter Salvatore-Pane.com Mega Man 3 at Boss Fight Books If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

Since I started podcasting somewhere around 2013, I've spoken with a lot of people who passed on appearances simply because they didn't think they could do a good appearance. I haven't been doing this so long that I've forgotten having that feeling as well, so the last time I heard this concern I decided to do this primer on all aspects of PR interviews and appearances. If you are in charge of your own marketing efforts, this one is for you. If you're one of the several people who have told me they've decided to forge ahead with a podcast of your own recently, consider this collected wisdom my podwarming gift to you--welcome to the neighborhood. I even finished up with a story I haven't shared before about being the subject of a very tricky interview with a major news outlet. Here are just a few questions I tried to answer here: What should I expect from a basic interview about my game or work? What if I get surprised by a question?  What if I'm not a natural communicator? (I'm not either, I promise

A pro FIFA player loses a qualifier over a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. EA's response is...surprising...we discuss the takeaways for anyone developing a potential eSports game. If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

GDC 2020 is postponed as COVID-19 becomes a real concern in the US. Several organizations have stepped up to support indies impacted by the change. Here's the scoop on what's happening and how you can get involved. Show Links Official news at GDConf.com The GDC Relief Fund GameDev.World's upcoming GDC Relief Effort If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

Some devs have all the fun. Aaron Clifford is the head AR/VR developer for KOVR, a new VR division of video production company, KO Group. He's a FLASH game dev from back in the day--all of us cool kids were--and managed to leverage his experience into cool projects like the Dragon Age: Inquisition web-based party builder that launched along with the proper game. More recently, Aaron tackles cool client projects, pitches awesome game concepts to Oculus, creates official Snapchat Lenses, guides users as a Unity Live Help Expert, and more. We could have filled much more than an hour with his stories and expertise, but if it needs to be said, he's very busy. This is a must-listen for anyone curious about the state of Oculus Quest Store submissions and what to expect before you get serious about developing for the headset. Aaron's Links Aaron on Twitter KOVR If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow u

Learn the tools of the storytelling trade from one of western culture's greatest story analysts. We'll examine the findings of the late screenwriting expert, Syd Field, and look at how collected writing wisdom from outside games translates to our area of expertise. Relevant Links Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting Dan Harmon's slightly different take If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

Reyan Ali returns after the launch of NBA Jam from Boss Fight Books to weigh in on Cowboy vs. McGregor, Smash Bros. headlines, the Aaron Hernandez documentary, how to cover up an R. Kelly tattoo, and making loved ones eat just a small, supermarket-sized sampling of crow. Reyan's Links NBA Jam from Boss Fight Books Reyan Ali on Twitter If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

I met David via Twitter while freelancing for Zam.com (now Fanbyte). Beyond writing the definitive unofficial book on Roblox, David has picked up bylines at Forbes Games, IGN, Vice, Polygon, and other outlets. He now juggles tasks as a senior editor at UploadVR and trust me when I say his work in the virtual reality space has been a boon to developers and enthusiasts alike. It's my fault we didn't manage to have David on during 2019, and it's my fault again that his appearance was in the middle of a CES crapstorm, but it's all good news for you! Thanks to this timing, David not only sheds light on the most recent developments for Oculus hardware owners and the company's apparent direction for the near future, but we also get the scoop on some of this year's most promising sights from CES itself. Go send David some love; it's a difficult time of year. David's Links UploadVR David on Twitter The Ultimate Roblox Book If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscri

Todd heads to the post office to record the pre-Christmas mailbag episode. Chaos ensues. Despite this episode's misadventures, Eggnog Games' Leaving the Tree box set arrived and it's incredible, check it out! https://twitter.com/mechatodzilla/status/1207413888628727809?s=20 If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

We all hear about the importance of non-disclosure agreements, particularly in the game industry. Should we take them seriously? Is anyone ever truly held accountable for breaking one? We explore the topic on this episode of GameDev Breakdown. If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

A developer asks the community: How do you maintain the motivation to finish projects? It's a simple question, but what lies beneath the surface? In this episode we discuss both the simple answer to this question, and what is usually the deeper, more scientific answer. If you've ever heard of concepts like "self-sabotage" or "self-handicapping," this episode offers the actual mechanics of this phenomenon as well as the causes and the steps you can take to break the cycle. Stop stopping, start finishing. If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support

Welcome back! This time on GameDev Breakdown we're discussing the finer points of tutorials in games, and yes, whether or not they even have a rightful place in them. That idea may surprise you, unless you spend any time talking about development on Twitter where it's become oddly commonplace. This idea comes from a well-intentioned place. As games and players have matured, we've seen a lot of games with subtler, more innovative introductions. As seen in one of the tweets above, for some reason people who like attacking game designers like bringing up the introductory stage of Mega Man X. I generally go out of my way not to criticize the work of other designers, but I would be very hesitant to set up an introductory stage like what Mega Man X features. For one thing, MMX seems to depend on the player having played previous games in the series and having some sense of what's going on. It leaves players to experiment with what amounts to an unusually easy level, mashing buttons and experimenting with enemies an

A viral tweet suggests coding isn't hard, developers are just gatekeeping. Yikes. If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown Sign up for our free game dev newsletter! Subscribe to the podcast on the platform of your choice Follow us on Twitter: @GameDevPod, @CodeWritePlay, @Mechatodzilla Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on Discord! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/gamedevbreakdown/support