The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The plight of experimental indies Jan 25, 2021

Show notes

On this week's podcast, the GamesIndustry.biz editorial team takes a look at some of the biggest challenges facing indie developers.

Our discussion begins with the recent reveal of Moonrise Fund, which focuses on financing teams working on gameplay that hasn't been seen before. We recently spoke to the fund's creator Evva Karr about their ambitions for the project.

We then talk about the gaps in funding and even gaps in knowledge that form barriers to experimental games developers from bringing more unorthodox projects to market.

We also touch on the hurdles indies face when trying to market their game or secure press and media coverage ahead of release.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Blockbuster IP Jan 18, 2021

Show notes

This week, GamesIndustry.biz team members Matt, Rebekah and James are joined by PCMag's Mike Williams to discuss the biggest news of the past week.

Following a slew of LucasFilm Games announcements -- including the revival of the brand, Bethesda's Indiana Jones game, and Ubisoft's open-world Star Wars project -- we discuss licensed games.

It wasn't so long ago that licensed games were often hastily-developed merchandise created to tie in with a film release or ensure a publisher got the most out of its licensing agreement. But in the wake of titles like Marvel's Spider-Man by Insomniac Games, it's easier to be optimistic about the aforementioned announcements.

We discuss our expectations for these games and more, as well as changing attitudes towards the use of blockbuster IP in video games from the perspectives of developers, publishers and rights holders.

For more news, analysis and insight, head over to www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What we learned from PlayStation Vita Jan 13, 2021

Show notes

In our first weekly episode of 2021, the GamesIndustry.biz team discuss the biggest news of the past week – and slightly further back.

Matt, Brendan, Rebekah, James and Chris unpack the implications and build-up to Nintendo's acquisition of Next Level Games, the team behind Switch hit Luigi's Mansion 3.

And in the first instalment of a new monthly discussion, we expand on the most recent 10 Years Ago column to look at how things have changed in the past decade.

This month, we look at the rise and fall of the last dedicated games handhelds: PlayStation Vita and 3DS, two devices launched as smartphone gaming began to take off. Both Sony and Nintendo handled this difficult situation differently, but what did the industry learn from their strategies?

As always, you can find more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(Sponsored) Facebook on mobile game monetisation Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

In this special sponsored GamesIndustry.biz podcast, we speak with Facebook Audience Network’s Imran Khan to discuss mobile game monetisation methods and in-game advertising.

This week’s podcast discusses all forms of monetisation and provides ideas and guidance on how to maximise revenue for game developers. Khan will reveal why the games industry needs to look beyond in-app purchases as the de facto monetisation model for mobile games.

You can find more information on ad monetisation and how app bidding is transforming businesses here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Game Developer's Playlist: The Evil Within 2 with Xalavier Nelson Jr. Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

This special series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast talks to developers about the titles that influenced their careers.

This time, we have Xalavier Nelson Jr., the creator of An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs as well as an award-nominated narrative mind behind Hypnospace Outlaw, Reigns: Beyond, Skatebird, and more.

Nelson Jr. is here to chat about The Evil Within 2, specifically its modular design. He describes the game as a "puzzle box" where pushing and prodding one element can impact the whole, and discusses its influence on his own thinking about game development and specifically his work on Dog Airport Game.

Game Developer's Playlist is an extension of a series we run on the site called Why I Love, in which developers explore their favorite games. You can find these articles here.

Title music by Julian Villareal.

The weekly news show will be back on Monday, and you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Games of the Year 2020 Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

In our last podcast of the year, the GamesIndustry.biz editorial team gather around the mics to share their favourite games of 2020.

Matt, Brendan, Rebekah, Marie and James each share some honourable mentions and key highlights before delving into to their pick for the best game that they've played this year.

Note the 'that they've played' caveat, as not all choices are in fact from 2020.

You'll be able to read more about our Games of the Year at GamesIndustry.biz throughout this week.

As always, you get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Games media in 2020 Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

On this special episode of the podcast, we look at the challenges journalists and the games media have faced in 2020.

For this discussion, we're joined by USGamer editor-in-chief Kat Bailey, VideoGamesChronicle editor-in-chief Andy Robinson, VG247 assistant editor Alex Donaldson, and Kotaku staff writer Ethan Gach.

Together, the panel reflects on the impact of event closures, the unorthodox build-up to the next-gen consoles, the lack of networking, limitations when interviewing developers or previewing games, and more.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can BioWare bounce back? Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

Matthew, Rebekah, and James are joined by Mike Williams to discuss the biggest stories of the week.

Following the revelation that BioWare general manager Casey Hudson and Dragon Age executive producer Mark Darrah are leaving the studio -- for the second time, in Hudson's case -- we discuss the impact this could have on the company.

The conversation expands into exploring the 'wilderness period' BioWare has been in for some years now, and comparing it with other studios that have lost key talent but retained high expectations from fans.

We also look at the value of the Dragon Age and Mass Effect IP, the increasing competition the developer faces compared to its heyday, and our hopes for the future of BioWare.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Game Developer's Playlist: Phantasy Star Online with Fred Horgan Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

This special series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast talks to developers about the titles that influenced their careers.

This time, we have Fred Horgan, senior ideation designer at Bossa Studios, here to discuss how Sega's 2000 online console RPG shaped his understanding of social and cooperative gameplay.

Horgan talks about his experiences playing with friends, and how unique design elements of Phantasy Star Online inspired him to think differently about how players encounter one another in virtual spaces, and what kinds of challenges will encourage teamwork rather than competition.

Game Developer's Playlist is an extension of a series we run on the site called Why I Love, in which developers explore their favorite games. You can find these articles here.

Title music by Julian Villareal.

The weekly news show will be back on Monday, and you can get more news, insight and analysis into the world behind video games at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should the games industry go fully remote? Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

Matt, Brendan and James gather behind their respective mics to discuss the biggest stories of the week.

This week, we explore Square Enix's decision to make remote working permanent for more of its Japanese staff, and the implications this has for any couple that adopts such a model.

It's a topic our contributing editor Rob Fahey delved into with his latest column, and now the podcast explores the wider ramifications of going remote.

We discuss whether its viable, what it means for the future of offices, the benefits for both companies and their staff, and the challenges it creates.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices