Game Dev Loadout | A Game Developer Podcast
Tony Chan
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I know the feeling of frustration when trying to get started or quitting a passion project in the game industry. It’s tough finding that motivation to take action. This is why I deconstructed 100+ industry experts to extract the tactics, tools, and routines you can use to succeed. Stop feeling confused and do not give up. Subscribe now for inspiring episodes every Monday. - Host Tony Chan
Available episodes
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Apr 6, 2020
117 Don’t Overestimate The Game Industry but Don’t UnderEstimate Yourself with Trynn Check
Trynn Check is an independent game designer from DePaul University. She works at iThrive Games that promote mental health and teen thriving. She also has her studio called Intrynnsic Entertainment. We talk about her journey of going to school, working, and breaking into the game industry. Breaking into the game industry is hard, and entry-level jobs pay low, and she needed to keep her corporate responsibility to pay off school. It did not stop her from investing in skills like in Udemy or implementing game design elements into her job. She also pointed out not to assume your game is not worth it because there might be people who will resonate. So take small steps, be self-motivated, and make your game. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast for more inspiring content. Share it with your friends. Support my work at patreon.com/gamedevloadout.
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Mar 30, 2020
116 Ask Developers Ahead of Time On Exactly What They Want in a Voice Over with Ben Britton
Voice actor Ben Britton graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of Arts and has been behind the mic for more than 30 years. You can hear him in a variety of games such as Lamplight City, Spellforce III, The Occupation, and many more. You have to learn how to edit files, work on volume levels, create a functional space for consistent recording, and learn acting because you will be expressing a range of emotions. One important tip is to get the exact criteria for the voice-over recording to ensure it works with the game. Support my work at patreon.com/gamedevloadout.
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Mar 23, 2020
115 Step Number One: Get a Purpose with Vincent Michael
Vincent Michael is one of the founding directors of YHWH Games that teach students how to create video games and transform them into self-sustaining artists. We discuss: Exploit your strengths and stop wasting time on your weakness Learn the different type of artists and stages of an artist There is no work/life balance, only work/life decisions Best investments: god, family, self, board, company Hammer in your value and do not sell your service for cheap *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in ranking higher. Subscribe to the podcast if you felt inspired and loved this content. Sign up for Tony's email newsletter at gamedevloadout.com/subscribe Follow Tony: Twitter: twitter.com/gamedevloadout Facebook: facebook.com/gamedevloadout Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantony/
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Mar 9, 2020
113 Trust Your Inner Voice When Composing Music with Mikolai Stroinski
Mikolai Stroinski is a music composer that has worked on the Witcher 3, Dark Souls 2 trailer, Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and much more. We discuss: Think not just as a composer but as a video game maker as well. You don’t want to get too attached to your music because it might not fit the game. Trust your inner voice because it's a sign to either continue or stop composing. Study different music vocabularies and play lots of different games. Don't just study video game music. Be a good human being because good karma ricochets back to you. Don't think about just making money. Think about how you can contribute more and positively affect people's lives. The challenges of getting a visa in America. *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in ranking higher. Subscribe to the podcast if you felt inspired and loved this content. Sign up for Tony's email newsletter at gamedevloadout.com/subscribe Follow Tony: Twitter: twitter.com/gamedevloadout Facebook: facebook.com/gamedevloadout Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantony/
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Mar 2, 2020
112 Who Are Your Games For and What Are Their Needs with Jeremy Liu
Jeremy Liu was the narrative design lead at NetEase Games, an intern at EA, and a technical designer at Rockstar Games. Titles include Red Dead 2, NBA Live Mobile, and Realm of Duels. We discuss: How to get into technical design Why you need to study and plan ahead of time before taking action His worst moment of working on a game that was destined to not be a commercial hit Listening is a great quality of a leader Do power naps, 20 minutes How he becomes a walking exoticism in China because of his experience in the USA The culture shock of working in the USA and China Imagine ramming through a brick wall to join the game industry. You have to want it badly enough. Market yourself as niche as possible, show how different you are to everyone else Network with the people who you want to model *** If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in ranking higher. Subscribe to the podcast if you felt inspired and loved this content. Sign up for Tony's email newsletter at gamedevloadout.com/subscribe Follow Tony: Twitter: twitter.com/gamedevloadout Facebook: facebook.com/gamedevloadout Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantony/
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Feb 24, 2020
111 Take Breaks, Get a Co-Producer & Co-Writer, Take Breaks Again with Gary Kings
Gary Kings of National Insecurities is a lead game designer, writer, editor that has worked on games such as Once Upon a Crime in the West and 2000:1 A Space Felony.
We discuss:
Get a producer to optimize teamwork and productivity.
Before choosing a university, make sure it has the courses you want and need.
Get better at game design - play lots of games, have outside people play your games, figure out what’s have been done and what hasn’t been done before.
How Gary overcome his worst moment of not getting his game funded and his granddad passing away. He still found the motivation to make plans and finish his games.
Don’t get too excited if a publisher is excited about your game, it’s not a guarantee that they will fund you.
Take a proportional break based on your project to go on vacations, events and relax.
Keep making plans even when the last one fails. Keep a lookout for new opportunities.
Have an editor on board to improve the quality of writing.
Go to game jams to network and create quick games.
When you network, focus on making friends instead of just networking.
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If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes? It takes less than 60 seconds, and it really makes a difference in ranking higher.
Subscribe to the podcast if you felt inspired and loved this content.
Sign up for Tony's email newsletter at gamedevloadout.com/subscribe
Follow Tony:
Twitter: twitter.com/gamedevloadout
Facebook: facebook.com/gamedevloadout
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chantony/
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