GameDev Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Let’s Make a Nintendo Game Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 26, 2020 - In continuing our console development basics series, we look at what it takes to develop an indie game for Nintendo's latest game console, the Switch. If you like more options, we'll look at a way you can make a limited Switch game with no permission from Nintendo whatsoever. Finally, we'll take a look at the most manageable option for going old school with your own NES project.Community EventsCatch Todd's http://gamedevcamp.org/ presentation free via https://www.facebook.com/events/2831497403760825/ on Saturday, November 28th, 2020, 4 AM - 1 PM CST, 10 AM - 7 PM GMT. Watch the website/Facebook for speaker schedule.Show Notes • Developing for Switch - https://developer.nintendo.com/ • Main call to action is to register. Registration is free, but you'll sign an NDA right away before gaining access to the dashboard, tools, or forums. This does not include a game pitch, similar to the ID@Xbox program. Nintendo requires info about your planned project and your development background before approving a game. • Listed Nintendo consoles: Switch, Wii U • The Wii and Wii U are still getting games in 2020, Michael McWhertor - https://www.polygon.com/2020/6/26/21304491/shakedown-hawaii-nintendo-wii-u-ports-release-date-vblank • 3DS • Nintendo 3DS officially discontinued (Hardware) https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-17-nintendo-3ds-officially-discontinued, Tom Phillips: "We can confirm that the manufacturing of the Nintendo 3DS family of systems has ended," a Nintendo spokesperson told our sister site GamesIndustry.biz. "Nintendo and third-party games for the Nintendo 3DS family of system will continue to be available in Nintendo eShop, on Nintendo.com and at retail. There's no expectation that the 3DS eShop or online services will be affected in the near future. • Alternatives • Games within a game • Fuze4 - Provides a basic-like language and assets to allow you to make your own games to play on the Switch. You can plug in a keyboard to code with. You can download and upload games for other Fuze users, but that’s it. https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/fuze4-nintendo-switch/ • NESMaker - $36 homebrew engine. Allows you to make games you can play on an NES emulator, make cartridges with your game, or even dive into 6502 AssemblyIf you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

Let’s Make an Xbox Game Nov 23, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 23, 2020 - There's a lot of new buzz about Microsoft's love for indie developers. Have they really made it easy to target the Xbox? In this episode, Todd looks at indie options for bringing a new or existing project to Xbox systems.If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

Jason Lee of Pixelmatic Nov 18, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 18, 2020 - Pixelmatic Chief Creative Officer, Jason Lee, calls in to discuss his design contributions to legendary RTS series (Age of Empires, Company of Heroes, and Warhammer 40,000), Pixelmatic's upcoming space strategy game (Infinite Fleet), and the challenges of implementing actual cryptocurrencies both for in-game trade and to raise funds for the game's development.Jason's Links • http://InfiniteFleet.com • https://www.youtube.com/c/InfiniteFleet/featured • https://twitter.com/jleegamedesignIf you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

On Motivation Nov 15, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 15, 2020 - By community request: Thoughts on the topic of motivation, both in everyday life and in indie game development.This episode came from the Patreon vault! It was recorded last year but never widely released. My book project is mentioned a number of times. That book is still forthcoming. The topic was changed to incorporate expertise from numerous people I've interviewed here on GameDev Breakdown, then we started the pandemic. The last chapter is being written and a number of transcripts are going out to interviewees for review. It's really happening!If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

Legomania! Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 12, 2020 - Lego and Unity have teamed up to offer an educational experience set in the Lego universe, but is there more than meets the eye? We'll discuss who the new Lego microgame project is for, what you can accomplish with it, and speculate wildly about what's next.The https://blogs.unity3d.com/2020/09/09/create-your-first-game-brick-by-virtual-brick-with-the-lego-microgame/ is available at Unity's blog. Once you have the right version installed, you'll find it in the Hub in the Learn tab.https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/download.page is the model-building application we mention for advanced users and all of you AFOL. You might want to grab https://www.bricklink.com/v3/studio/partdesigner.page while you're there.So what does the future hold? Check out the episode to hear our predictions and let us know if you agree.If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

Playing Under Pressure with Weakest Link Contestant Spencer Scott Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 9, 2020 - Weakest Link contestant Spencer Scott calls in ahead of his debut on NBC's popular game show to talk about his experience, his mindset under pressure, and the early experiences in his life that may have helped set him on his path. We also take a look at the design of The Weakest Link, what makes it compelling, and what might make for a successful video game adaptation in the modern day.Show topics: • Catch our chat with Spencer ahead of his episode of Weakest Link on NBC at 9 PM Central! • There's some discussion of this https://www.mobygames.com/game/weakest-link of the show • If you aren't familiar with the old 1 vs. 100 game on Xbox Live, there's https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssWZhHBeNVQIf you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

Games as a Service Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 5, 2020 - By community request, we take a look at the games as a service model, its performance in the game industry, and its impact on traditional revenue models in games.As mentioned in the show, this episode uses a study on industry data collected in 2018, but you'll notice many of the trends we'll discuss are still holding strong.Thanks again to Charlie Cox for the topic! If you enjoy hearing the Patreon vault shows, let us know and we'll bring you more!If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

Avoid Millions in Fines Nov 02, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Nov. 2, 2020 - A major industry publisher has finally been burned in the global crackdown on loot crates. It could have been easily avoided.EA gets wrecked in Netherlands district court • GamesIndustry.biz - https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-29-ea-fined-10m-over-loot-boxes-as-dutch-court-sides-with-gambling-authority • TheSixthAxis.com - https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2020/10/29/fifa-ultimate-team-fut-packs-dutch-law-netherlands-fine-removed/If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

My Big Stupid Mouth Oct 29, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Oct. 29, 2020 - Trying to leverage LinkedIn and participating in a discussion about parenting, revenue models, and publisher trust may have recently landed me deeper in enemy territory than I intended to go. Get the full story, hear a good rule of thumb for dealing with publishers, and learn a two-word phrase that lets you know to stop listening to anyone immediately.Show notesHighs and lows in leveraging LinkedIn • GaryVee swears by it, but he’s popular everywhere • GameDev tags are relatively quiet and full of self-promotion • Too many dreamers looking for free labor • Engagement/conversion is awfulThere are decent tips on using it professionally https://www.dummies.com/social-media/linkedin/10-tips-leverage-linkedin/Article: The £900 bill from my child’s Roblox gaming • Rachel Davies - TheTimes.co.uk - https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-900-bill-from-my-childs-roblox-gaming-ccjjkdmrzhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-900-bill-from-my-childs-roblox-gaming-ccjjkdmrzhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-900-bill-from-my-childs-roblox-gaming-ccjjkdmrz • Most of article behind paywall, intention clear • Davies is “generally against online gaming, BUT...” • Several children, one or more parents working from home • Let 8-year-old play Roblox with insufficient supervision • Says child had no idea they were spending real moneyDiscussion from LinkedIn • Claim: Game designers are seeking insane profits by exploiting players • Over 70% of all games revenue comes from IAP (unverified) • AI models developed by Ivy League PhDs are preying on you and your children to carefully extract money in-game • The industry should ask itself not how to improve models, but whether it should be doing this • The industry needs to “self-regulate” in the manner we saw in the 90s and the formation of the ESRBIn this episode • More to consider on the claims and ideas above • What parents say to manipulate you • Why key executives in games are helping the media create the screen time boogeyman • How parents and consumers should look at any publisher • Parental responsibility pertaining to softwareIf you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

The Public Opinion Trial of Alex Hutchinson Oct 26, 2020

Show notes

Original Air Date: Oct. 26, 2020 - A creative director at Google Stadia makes surprising comments about the relationship between streamers, studios, and publishers. The community points out it's not the first time he's gained controversial attention. Jason Schreier emerges from the Fortress of Condescension to dunk on...everyone. We look for the dividing line separating fact from fiction about Alex Hutchinson.Alex Hutchinson • Active in game industry since early 2000s. • Credits at EA, Ubisoft, Stadia, and others • The Sims, Spore, Assassin's Creed III, Far Cry 4 • Typhoon Studios was acquired by Stadia in DecemberJapanese developers incident • https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-08-17-alex-hutchinson-game-journalists-exhibit-subtle-racism quoting Hutchison to Computer and Video Games (defunct) • "I think there's a subtle racism in the business, especially on the journalists' side, where Japanese developers are forgiven for doing what they do. I think it's condescending to do this." • "Just think about how many Japanese games are released where their stories are literally gibberish. Literally gibberish. There's no way you could write it with a straight face, and the journalists say 'oh it is brilliant."Women are too hard to animate? • Playable women didn't make it into Assassin's Creed 3 or Far Cry 4 • Everyone's linking to two articles and quoting either Alex Hutchinson or Alex Amancio as saying "Women are too hard to animate," either in the articles or on Twitter • Kotaku - https://kotaku.com/ubisoft-in-trouble-over-comments-about-female-character-1589611410 • Polygon - https://www.polygon.com/2014/6/11/5801330/far-cry-4-women-ubisoft • No actual evidence seems to exist of either person ever saying or tweeting this. Deleting publicized tweets never results in no remaining evidence. Where's the proof? • This matters because representation is important, and if studios are having a dialogue about it, they need support--not backlash.Twitch takedowns • Twitch streamers are experiencing https://www.theverge.com/2020/10/20/21525481/twitch-streamers-dmca-takedown-notices-riaa-copyright over unauthorized use of copyrighted music • This is simple: You can't use other people's music. The end. We all learned this a decade ago on YouTube. • There are many places to get https://www.youtube.com/audiolibrary/music to use in your content.Alex Hutchinson weighs inhttps://twitter.com/BangBangClick/status/1319305553454288896?s=20If you enjoy GameDev Breakdown • Sign up for our https://codewriteplay.com/newsletter/! • https://codewriteplay.com/the-gamedev-breakdown-podcast/ to the podcast on the platform of your choice • Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gamedevpod, http://twitter.com/codewriteplay, http://twitter.com/mechatodzilla • Check show notes and articles at CodeWritePlay.com Join us on https://discord.gg/auVvvK3!

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