GameDev Loadout | A Game Developer Podcast

Latest Episodes:

69: How to Cast Actors and Direct Voice Dialogue with DB Cooper Nov 22, 2017

Show notes

DB Cooper - "(Having to go through hierarchy) I really rather be able to sit around a proverbial campfire with everybody and say let's share ideas and I know that doesn't always work but that's when it works the best as if you got everybody's view in the open and the authority to make decisions."

DB Cooper has been acting and directing for more than 30 years. You've heard her in Bioshock 2, Hearthstone, Firefall, and DC Universe Online. She casts and directs game dialogue, is a vocal sound consultant, and a voice coach with students worldwide.

We Discuss:

Jump start her gaming career Sent a fan letter to George Oldziey of the Wing Commander seriesHer voice acting career, cast and direct game dialogueHow to cast people for your gameBenefits of being in the city where the work isYou feel alive being around your peopleYou lose nothing at all by asking for help and make the questions specificFF X had a baller castKnow when to end a project if it doesn't workConnect:

Website: dbcoopervo.comEmail: db@dbcoopervo.comGame: Dead and Buried for OculusResources:

Rooster Teeth Voice 123 Hatsune Miku Hologram VocaloidLook at Game Credits for mentors and ask questionsOrcaHQ GameDevMapCheck out PHP discussionRemember that knowledge is only Potential power, Execution is the game. I highly encourage you take what you learn and put it to good use. Don't let it go to waste. Connect with my guests and ask them questions, they are willing to help. Comment below to share your thoughts and experience because I read every single message. Subscribe to the podcast to hear more inspiring stories. Thank you for your time! www.gamedevloadout.com

68: Marketing, Social Media, and Friendships with Daniel Doan Nov 13, 2017

Show notes

Daniel Doan - "I can of take failure in strides and I feel kind of happy when I fail because I know what not to do next time. I'm always failing and I think that's why I also have a lot of successes."

Daniel Doan is the Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer at Black Shell Media with over 10 years of experience in the industry. He published over 65 titles on Steam, co-authored the ebook called "Guide to Game Development Success," and now runs a publishing and marketing firm dedicated to helping us reach success.

We Discuss:

He started by modding gamesHow to market early and to the right audienceFinding the right publisherMaking a hook and maintaining retentionA troll leaving a negative review on his gameHow to increase social media presenceBuilding relationshipsMany failures = many successAnd much more...Connect:

Black Shell Media WebsiteTwitter: @doandanielInstagramEmail: daniel@blackshellmedia.comSanctuaryRPG $2 - 25 minutes Consultation with Daniel Doan to walk through your marketing strategies.Resources:

RedditLinkedInRemember that knowledge is only Potential power, Execution is the game. I highly encourage you take what you learn and put it to good use. Don't let it go to waste. Connect with my guests and ask them questions, they are willing to help. Comment below to share your thoughts and experience because I read every single message. Subscribe to the podcast to hear more inspiring stories. Thank you for your time! www.gamedevloadout.com

67: The Influence of Sound and Finding Great People with Michael Sweet Nov 06, 2017

Show notes

Michael Sweet - "The investments that you make with other people, they invest back in you too and they believe in you.

Michael Sweet is an award winning composer and sound designer. Currently, he is the associate professor at Berklee College of Music where he led the development of their video game scoring curriculum. He also received the best audio award at GDC Independent Games Festival, and nominations for multiple game audio network guild awards. His work includes the Night Journey project as well as Waldan, a game.

We discuss:

He never thought his music career would merge into the game world in the early 90sWhat 7.1 Surround Sound isHow influential the sound can be on a technical levelFinding great people to work with can help you bounce back from the worst of timesWhy it's good to be to be versatileExercise and cooking are great for lifeShow your enthusiasm!Connect:

Walden, A Game Night JourneyEmail: msweet@berklee.eduResources:

IGDAFacebook GroupsPodcastsLocal Communities

66: Doing Monthly Game Jam with Henrique Olifiers of Bossa Studios Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

Henrique Olifiers - "When someone ask you during an interview or process. Have you made a game? Have you made a mod? Have you made anything? Can I see it? It doesn't matter the quality of what you have done. It doesn't have to be the best game ever. That's not about it. It's about initiative. It's about having gone through the hardship to put that together. That already puts you above 99% of the people who are competing with you for the same thing."

Henrique Olifiers has been in the game industry for more than 30 years working on web-based games, massive multiplayer games, and social games. He is currently the CEO of the award-winning Bossa Studios, which are the makers of Surgeon Simulator, Monstermind and I Am Bread. Now they are currently working on Worlds Adrift, a sandbox MMO with real-time physics where you band together to build skyships and explore floating islands of a shattered world.

We discuss:

Made games since he was a kid in school in a third world country. The games were in cassette tapes! I didn't know there was even such a thing.Do 2-day game jams every single month at his companyThere are no oversaturation of good gamesThink about marketing from the beginningIt's not the players job to know how hard game development isBe wary of people that say or post something as gospelExcitement for AI that changes the game experience for each type of playerand much more...Connect:

Bossa Studios Worlds AdriftTwitter: @OlifiersCompany Twitter: @bossastudiosResources:

Book: A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph KosterBook: The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses by Jesse SchellMentorsYoutube

65: Honest Communication in Business Development with Jake DiGennaro Oct 23, 2017

Show notes

Jake DiGennaro is the senior business development manager at Virtuos Games. The leading video game content production company specializing in game development and Triple A 3D art production. He is tasked with coordinating critical projects for clients like Sony and Blizzard to optimize their pipeline, identify opportunities, and develop solutions.

We discuss:

Business developmentDon't assume how other people operateA game he heavily invested in was cancelledConstantly learn new skills to build more avenuesExcitement for Microsoft HalolensDo information interview with experience peopleand much more…Connect:

LinkedIn Jake DiGennaro Website Virtuos GamesResources:

Gamasutra Craigslist GDC Vault VentureBeat Book: Blood, Sweat, and Pixels Itch.io Kickstarter Unity Tutorials Amazon Lumberyard GameMakerThank you for listening and if you enjoy the episode and find the resources helpful, please share it with your peers.

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64: The Scary Thought of Being Homeless with Nicolae Berbece Oct 16, 2017

Show notes

Nicolae Berbece in 2012 found Those Awesome Guys which is a small independent video game studio formed out of people from around the world with the purpose of, you guessed it, creating awesome games. He works on the design, art, and management for their game, Move or Die.

We discuss:

How to manage a team that's across the globeNot overshooting a projectMilestones act as motivationScary thought of being homeless if the game didn't succeedReasons for hiring people and deciding their payAnd much more...Connect:

Game Move or DieTwitter: @xelubestEmail: nick@thoseawesomeguys.comFacebookWebsite: ThoseAwesomeGuysResources:

Discord Dropbox Extra Credits Game Jams Git Hub Google Docs Indie Game The MovieGame Engine: Love2D Newgrounds forum Game Dev Reddit Slack Trello Unity Unreal Engine Upwork

63: Research for Authenticity with Alexandra Lucas Oct 09, 2017

Show notes

Alexandra M. Lucas is a content writer for Microsoft's Cortana GCS Team and a game writer for Immersed Games. She writes dialogue, design characters, and develop quest arcs for educational MMO-RPG. She also is the podcast host at Cheat Codes Entertainment and does consultants at SoYouWantToMake.Games.

We discuss:

Game writing & Narrative DesignThe importance of research for authenticityHer persistence after having a game canceled and losing her jobUsing social media for branding and having a updated resume readySupporting female game developersAnd much, much moreConnect:

Website:https://www.alexandramlucas.com/Twitter: @silkenmoonlightPodcast: Cheat Codes PodcastHer book coming out in November: Digital Love: Romance & Sexuality in Video GamesResources:

GDC ScholarshipSocial MediaGameDevMap - game companies locationOrcaHQ - job siteGame Writer Facebook group Game Dev SubReddit IGDA ScholarsEnjoy!

62: Ensure Everyone Knows the Vision of the Game with Richard Rouse III Oct 02, 2017

Show notes

Richard Rouse III is a creative director, writer, designer, and consultant at his company Paranoid Productions currently working on the game "The Church in the Darkness." His past projects include Quantum Break, Sunset Overdrive, and numerous other titles. He also wrote the popular book Game Design: Theory & Practice and is a frequent speaker on game design and interactive storytelling at conferences and universities. https://www.gamedevloadout.com/single-post/62RichardRouse

61: Don't Underestimate the Value of Pre-Production with Michael Csurics Sep 25, 2017

Show notes

Michael Csurics is the founder of the Brightskull Entertainment Group, a for-hire production services company providing dialogue and audio solutions to video game developers. Some of his works include Bioshock 2 and The Vanishing of Ethan Carter. He also speaks at GDC, game audio network guild, and game voice actors coalition. You can learn more at https://www.gamedevloadout.com/single-post/61MichaelCsurics

60: How to Playtest Games with Deborah Hendersen Sep 18, 2017

Show notes

https://www.gamedevloadout.com/

Deborah Henderson is a cognitive psychologist who has worked in games for more than 6 years. She specializes in helping teams understand when they are delivering on their design vision, or what is blocking players from getting to that vision. Currently, she works at Microsoft Studios User Research.

Key Points:

Playtest the game before the prototype by using pen and paper.

Do a risk analysis to figure out which feedback can be implemented.

Be transparent with the community so they know what you are trying to accomplish.

Use strangers for playtesting because friends and family might be too soft on you.

Thank you for listening. Connect with me at tony@gamedevloadout.com