Best Gamedevelopment Podcasts (2025)

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0368: Small Teams Turn Passion into Project Grail with Malte and Rufino 1:20:18

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1d ago1:20:18

1:20:18

https://www.project-grail.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammalte/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ta-roy/ Malte and Roy to discuss their journey developing "Project Grail," a retro-inspired first-person shooter. The conversation covers their backgrounds in AAA studios, the influence of classic games like Doom and Wolfenstein, the challenges of balan…

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E101: How Layoffs Go Wrong—and the Right Way to Do Them 1:28:39

1d ago1:28:39

1:28:39

Ready to take your game development career to the next level? Join the Game Dev Leadership Accelerator: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 Do layoffs mean studio leadership is bad? While the popular answer is often "yes," the truth is more complex. Layoffs can reveal many things, from bad times in the market to failures to manage finances to corpo…

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Julian Winding: "The Neon Demon" Composer on His Career, Life, "Copenhagen Cowboy" and Uncle Nicolas Winding Refn 36:42

3d ago36:42

36:42

Julian Winding, the Danish composer and electronic artist behind The Demon Dance from Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon, joins me on Bonfire Conversations. In this episode, we dive deep into his upbringing in Denmark and England, his early rock beginnings, and how he found his voice in electronic and film music.Julian opens up about collaborati…

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Ep 421 - Turning Puzzles Into Player Retention Tools with Ivan Voitovich 43:15

9h ago43:15

43:15

Puzzles aren’t just a design choice — they’re a powerful driver of player retention. When done well, they keep players engaged, build trust, and create momentum. When done poorly, they frustrate players and cut your game’s lifespan short. In this episode, we dig into how puzzle design shapes retention through interesting narrative adventures and ex…

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Ep 421 - Turning Puzzles Into Player Retention Tools with Ivan Voitovich 43:15

12h ago43:15

43:15

Puzzles aren’t just a design choice — they’re a powerful driver of player retention. When done well, they keep players engaged, build trust, and create momentum. When done poorly, they frustrate players and cut your game’s lifespan short. In this episode, we dig into how puzzle design shapes retention through interesting narrative adventures and ex…

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0367: Games Recap | Crunch Deaths, Mass Layoffs, Political Firings, and Global Shifts 48:04

8d ago48:04

48:04

In this solo episode, I address three significant topics in the game development industry: backlash from social media posts following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the tragic death of Microsoft engineer Pratik Pandey linked to crunch culture, and the broader industry shakeout leading to significant job losses. The discuss…

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E100: Don’t Hire Until You See These 3 Signs 1:09:42

7d ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Ready to take your game development career to the next level? Join the Game Dev Leadership Accelerator: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 In this special Q&A episode for Episode 100, we're answering your most pressing questions from the Game Production Community Discord! Join Ben Carcich as he dives into critical topics that every game developmen…

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"Hell is Us" Director on His Life, Career, Deux Ex and Future 1:33:19

7d ago1:33:19

1:33:19

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, host Hamidreza Nikoofar sits down with Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, the visionary artist and game director behind Hell is Us and the art director of Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Mankind Divided.Jonathan reflects on his journey from Montreal to the global stage, the creation of the iconic Cyber-Renaissance a…

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Ep 420 - What to Know About Tomorrow’s Audience with Josh Bound 1:08:58

8d ago1:08:58

1:08:58

The next wave of gamers is already here. Students, from middle to high school don’t just view games only as entertainment but also as spaces for community, creativity, and leadership. But how do their unique motivations and playstyles translate into the future of game audiences? In today’s episode, we’re going to dive into insights from years of wo…

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Ep 420 - What to Know About Tomorrow’s Audience with Josh Bound 1:08:58

12d ago1:08:58

1:08:58

The next wave of gamers is already here. Students, from middle to high school don’t just view games only as entertainment but also as spaces for community, creativity, and leadership. But how do their unique motivations and playstyles translate into the future of game audiences? In today’s episode, we’re going to dive into insights from years of wo…

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E99: Stop Using 2-Week Sprints - Here's Why They’re Failing You 38:40

14d ago38:40

38:40

Stuck in slow loops and broken systems? The Game Dev Leadership Accelerator can help you make lasting change. Sign up to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 Why do most teams default to two-week sprints, even when they're wrong? In this episode, Ben Carcich breaks down a simple model with three dials that you should use to tune your ite…

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0366: Alien: Rogue Incursion | Bridging VR and Flat Screen Experience with Ross DeVito 1:00:02

14d ago1:00:02

1:00:02

Alien: Rogue Incursion - Evolved Edition | Coming Soon to PS5, PS5 Pro, Steam, Xbox, and Epic Ross De Vito | LinkedIn In this episode we have Ross DeVito, a gameplay programmer at Survios, a VR studio. Ross shares his journey from studying mechanical engineering at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to finding fulfillment in virtual reality game development.…

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Ep 419 - The Hidden Purpose of Your Steam Page with Andrew Pappas 45:43

15d ago45:43

45:43

Most developers see their Steam page as a way to describe their game. And while that’s true, its real purpose goes deeper: capturing a player’s limited attention and showing them, in seconds, that your game is for them. In this episode, I share lessons from my own posts and conversations on why the purpose of your Steam page goes beyond text, featu…

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Ep 419 - The Hidden Purpose of Your Steam Page with Andrew Pappas 45:43

14d ago45:43

45:43

Most developers see their Steam page as a way to describe their game. And while that’s true, its real purpose goes deeper: capturing a player’s limited attention and showing them, in seconds, that your game is for them. In this episode, I share lessons from my own posts and conversations on why the purpose of your Steam page goes beyond text, featu…

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0365: Roundtable News | AI, Remote Work and Industry Layoffs 1:18:56

21d ago1:18:56

1:18:56

In this episode, we discuss the recent layoffs in the game industry and the economic challenges faced by game studios, focusing on the long development cycles and mismanagement in AAA studios like Cloud Chamber's BioShock project. We examine the role of AI in game development, highlighting its potential to assist with asset creation and coding whil…

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E98: Why Most Game Launches Flop (And How to Avoid It) 1:41:08

21d ago1:41:08

1:41:08

Is there a way to predict whether a game will hit or flop? In this episode, Ben is joined by Colan Neese, who has spent a lot of time looking at how audiences relate to products at companies like Twitch and Nielsen. Colan's work at Mind Game Data is focused on "puzzling through the problem of anticipating which games are likely to take off at launc…

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Mor Loushy: Director of "American Manhunt: Osama bin Laden" 38:33

25d ago38:33

38:33

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with award-winning filmmaker Mor Loushy, director of Netflix’s powerful three-part documentary series American Manhunt: The Osama Bin Laden Mission.With the remembrance of September 11 approaching, this story carries an even deeper weight. The series takes us inside one of the most dramatic manhu…

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Ep 418 - Why You’re Not Attracting the Right Teammates with Tim Wood 1:04:09

22d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Finding the right teammates isn’t about checking boxes or broadcasting open roles. It’s about creating the kind of opportunity people want to be part of. Today, we’re digging into what actually draws people to a project by looking at how we communicate it, which is often in subtle ways we don’t even notice. We’ll explore how aligning your message w…

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Ep 418 - Why You’re Not Attracting the Right Teammates with Tim Wood 1:04:09

22d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Finding the right teammates isn’t about checking boxes or broadcasting open roles. It’s about creating the kind of opportunity people want to be part of. Today, we’re digging into what actually draws people to a project by looking at how we communicate it, which is often in subtle ways we don’t even notice. We’ll explore how aligning your message w…

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0364: The Challenges of Finishing a Game with Drew Smith 1:03:58

28d ago1:03:58

1:03:58

In this episode we sit down with longtime friend and industry veteran Drew Smith for a candid conversation about the evolving landscape of game development. Drew shares his journey from hustling his way into Take-Two, producing at 2K, and working on iconic titles like Bioshock and Destiny, to navigating the challenges of remote work, starting his o…

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E97: The 3 Tools Your Team Needs To Deliver Great Games 31:16

28d ago31:16

31:16

🎮 There are tons of “game dev tools” out there promising to fix your problems… but too often, teams end up serving the tool instead of the tools serving them. In this video, I’ll break down a simple, practical guide to streamline your process. You’ll learn not just what you need, but why it matters whether you’re running a team, starting a game stu…

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Ep 417 - Should Indies Care About Web3? with Jyro Blade 55:40

29d ago55:40

55:40

Web3 in games is loud, controversial, and often feels far removed from indie realities or vision, but is it possible that there are lessons from this space worth paying attention to? So today, we're going to explore what Web3 really means for indie developers: how accessible (or inaccessible) the tech actually is, the unique player dynamics it intr…

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Ep 417 - Should Indies Care About Web3? with Jyro Blade 55:40

29d ago55:40

55:40

Web3 in games is loud, controversial, and often feels far removed from indie realities or vision, but is it possible that there are lessons from this space worth paying attention to? So today, we're going to explore what Web3 really means for indie developers: how accessible (or inaccessible) the tech actually is, the unique player dynamics it intr…

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Escape From Tarkov and the Creation of Extraction Shooters with Nikita Buyanov 1:26:09

29d ago1:26:09

1:26:09

Log in to your account at www.escapefromtarkov.com and redeem the code NIKITAONGMNPODCAST to receive a special gift from Battlestate Games. Trent Kusters chats with Nikita Buyanov, the COO, Founder, and Game Director at Battlestate Games, creators of Escape From Tarkov. Together they discuss his journey in games to the founding of Battlestate Games…

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From Disney’s “Where’s My Water?” to Solo Indie Dev Success: How Creativity and Persistence Built a Game Career, with Tim “Walaber” FitzRandolph 1:21:34

1M ago1:21:34

1:21:34

In this episode, we dive deep into Tim’s creative journey behind Disney’s hit mobile game Where’s My Water? and what it really takes to break into and succeed in the game industry. From starting out in QA testing to leading creative teams at Disney, and later becoming a successful solo indie developer, Tim’s conversation is packed with insights, st…

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The Future of Voice Acting: AI, Games & Talent Representation | Emma Harvey Interview 29:26

1M ago29:26

29:26

In this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with Emma Harvey, founder of Harvey Voices, one of the UK’s leading voice talent agencies.Emma shares her journey from drama school to building a powerhouse agency representing some of the industry’s most recognized voices. We discuss:- How Harvey Voices began and grew into one of the UK’s top ag…

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E96: Setting Goals: It’s Not Just About Shipping A Game, with Melissa Phillips 59:12

1M ago59:12

59:12

Setting goals is harder than you think. In this episode, Ben Carcich is joined by Melissa Phillips, founder of Games Leadership, to dive deep into a topic that leaders often approach with little understanding: goal setting. From a professional perspective, goal setting is about helping people find fulfillment in what they are doing. Melissa discuss…

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Ep 416 - The Secrets to Seamless Game Localization with Alexander Murauski 53:11

1M ago53:11

53:11

Global success in games requires more than just translating text. It demands building localization into the DNA of development. But too often, devs wait until the last minute, only to find that the process is more involved than they anticipated. So in this episode, we’ll explore effective strategies for planning localization early, how to avoid com…

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Ep 416 - The Secrets to Seamless Game Localization with Alexander Murauski 53:11

1M ago53:11

53:11

Global success in games requires more than just translating text. It demands building localization into the DNA of development. But too often, devs wait until the last minute, only to find that the process is more involved than they anticipated. So in this episode, we’ll explore effective strategies for planning localization early, how to avoid com…

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Creating a Modern but Retro Immersive Sim in Skin Deep 1:44:01

1M ago1:44:01

1:44:01

Trent Kusters chats with Brendon Chung, Tynan Wales, and Suzanne Will about their immersive first-person shooter, Skin Deep. Together they discuss the inspiration for Skin Deep and how it evolved from it's original design; their desire to create an accessible entry point for the immersive sim genre; their ideas around level design and player guidan…

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GmanLives on Life, Games, Fatherhood, Humor and Success Story 1:02:17

1M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

On this episode of Bonfire Conversations, I sit down with GmanLives — the Australian critic and YouTuber known for his sharp takes, dry humor, and love for first-person shooters.We talk about his journey from childhood gaming memories to becoming one of the most recognizable voices in video game criticism. Along the way, we dive into:The origins an…

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Ep 415 - Why Marketing Is Your First Funding Strategy with Oscar Clark 1:04:12

2M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

You can have a great game idea, but if no one knows about it… who’s going to care? When it comes to funding, most devs focus on the pitch deck, but often ignore what matters just as much. How they're building traction with their marketing. In this episode, we’re going to explore how early-stage marketing builds confidence, community and momentum th…

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Ep 415 - Why Marketing Is Your First Funding Strategy with Oscar Clark 1:04:12

1M ago1:04:12

1:04:12

You can have a great game idea, but if no one knows about it… who’s going to care? When it comes to funding, most devs focus on the pitch deck, but often ignore what matters just as much. How they're building traction with their marketing. In this episode, we’re going to explore how early-stage marketing builds confidence, community and momentum th…

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The Many Roles of Actor Alex Jordan on The Alters 1:17:36

1M ago1:17:36

1:17:36

Alexa Ray Corriea chats with actor Alex Jordan who most recently starred in the sci-fi survival game, The Alters. Together they discuss his journey as an actor and his work in video games; the unique opportunity The Alters provided due to it's premise revolving around clones; how he worked with the development team to find a distinct voice for each…

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E95: The Challenge Of Live Service Games And How To Win with Ryan Scott 1:27:57

2M ago1:27:57

1:27:57

Are live service games truly dying, or are we just seeing a new era of evolution? In this episode, we sit down with game designer and product thinker Ryan Scott to unpack the difficult world of live service titles. Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge from his time working on major titles, sharing his unique insights on what makes a live service game …

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Ep 414 - The Secret to Supercharging Indie Teams with Irena Pereira 54:39

2M ago54:39

54:39

Indie studios face tight budgets, small teams, and pressure to deliver big ideas with limited resources. Meanwhile, AI in game development sparks fears of job loss and soulless design. How can small teams stay human-centered while competing at scale? In this episode, we’ll explore how generative AI can be an ally instead of a threat by discussing p…

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Ep 414 - The Secret to Supercharging Indie Teams with Irena Pereira 54:39

2M ago54:39

54:39

Indie studios face tight budgets, small teams, and pressure to deliver big ideas with limited resources. Meanwhile, AI in game development sparks fears of job loss and soulless design. How can small teams stay human-centered while competing at scale? In this episode, we’ll explore how generative AI can be an ally instead of a threat by discussing p…

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Creating the Music for Doom: The Dark Ages with Composer Duo, Finishing Move 2:10:04

2M ago2:10:04

2:10:04

Austin Wintory chats with Brian Trifon and Brian Lee White from the award winning music composition and sound design team, Finishing Move Inc. Together they discuss their history in music and what led them to games; why they began collaborating on game scores and the advantages that brings; how they tackled a massive franchise with set audience exp…

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Ep 413 - Bridging the Gap Between Developers and Artists with Rick Williams & Rodrigo Alonzo 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Bringing a game to life means more than writing great code or creating stunning art, it requires harmony between both. But technical collaboration between developers and artists often hits snags, from miscommunication to mismatched expectations. In this episode our guest explores how to build workflows that support both sides of the pipeline, drawi…

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Ep 413 - Bridging the Gap Between Developers and Artists with Rick Williams & Rodrigo Alonzo 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

Bringing a game to life means more than writing great code or creating stunning art, it requires harmony between both. But technical collaboration between developers and artists often hits snags, from miscommunication to mismatched expectations. In this episode our guest explores how to build workflows that support both sides of the pipeline, drawi…

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How Ray Chase went from Actor to Game Developer with Date Everything 1:28:46

2M ago1:28:46

1:28:46

Alexa Ray Corriea chats with actor Ray Chase about his first project as a game developer, Date Everything. Together they discuss his memorable work as the voice behind many of our favorite characters and why he decided to try his hand at development; where the idea to date household objects came from; how they managed to write dialogue for 100+ dat…