Best Game Dev Local Podcasts (2025)

1
Different Ways To Look At Game Dev - #251 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:14:52

2h ago1:14:52

1:14:52

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by veteran game designer Alex Moore, to explore the multifaceted world of game design. They discuss their extensive experiences in the industry and the importance of defining game design language. Alex also shares a tool he is developing to …

1
Community Management and Accessibility - #250 - Game Dev Local Podcast 44:33

6d ago44:33

44:33

In this episode, Carina sits down to talk with Jarvs Tasker about her community management journey, some of her favourite indie games that inspire her, the gaming industry as well as advocating for more Accessibility within the Gaming Industry at Nothing Without Us

1
Representation and Support for the Marginalized - #249 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:11:49

13d ago1:11:49

1:11:49

In this episode, Nina is joined by the wonderful 2D/3D artist Hana Noelle, to talk about what it's like to be a queer, neurodivergent migrant in the industry and how we can create spaces and communities that support and consider the marginalized.

1
Disturbing Content In Games And What Should Be Done About It? - #248 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:22:29

21d ago1:22:29

1:22:29

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by gamedev legal consultant Myska Hattersley. In this episode, they talk about recent incidents of misogynistic content in games including materials which Sky News called disturbing and game advertising and and how complex it can be when bad…

1
Growing Pains 10 - Secrets from the Korean Games Industry - #248 - Game Dev Local Podcast 59:47

30d ago59:47

59:47

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Daniel Kim. Dan has spent most of his professional career working across the Korean Games Industry, working with giants like Kakao, Smilegate and XL-Games in the past. In this conversation, Jay and Dan dive into some of the nuances that are currently d…

1
What Devs Get Wrong About Game Vision - #247 - Game Dev Local Podcast 59:08

1M ago59:08

59:08

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask by Graham McAllister, specialist in Game Vision and Team Alignment. We explore the underlying cause of too many game failures. A failure to properly define game vision and how this is a question of psychology. Do we accurately understand why …

1
Design Process and Insights - #246 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:16

2M ago58:16

58:16

In this episode, Nina sits down with Marshall, a seasoned game designer whose career spans both F2P mobile and AAA titles like Shadow of Mordor and Shadow of War. We dig into their journey into game development, uncovering the twists and turns that led them to the industry, as well as diving into their design philosophies, favorite tools, and learn…

1
What EU Consumer Protection Rules mean to #Gamedev - #245 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:48:27

2M ago1:48:27

1:48:27

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by gamedev legal consultant Myska Hattersley. In this bumper episode they talk about the EUs investigation into the practices of Star Stable Online and Consumer Protection Principles released on 21/03/25. What the implications are and how th…

1
Are We 'Doing' Culture - #244 - Game Dev Local Podcast 59:23

2M ago59:23

59:23

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by Simon Sparks, an expert in People, Talent, and Culture in games. We explore what 'culture' means in practice in games and how.

1
Friendly Fire Digital - #243 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:03:43

2M ago1:03:43

1:03:43

In this episode, we will discuss Friendly Fire Digital's experience on the Game Academy course and what we are currently working on with the team we have created since the course ended

1
Creating Culture with Zsuzsa Kollati - #242 - Game Dev Local Podcast 47:44

2M ago47:44

47:44

In this episode, Zsuzsa, Head of People and Culture at Wushu Studios, joins us to chat about what makes the people at Wushu tick, and what spirit and values they aim for consistently

1
Is University Worth It? - #241 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:45

3M ago58:45

58:45

In this episode, Emily and Sadie will discuss the pros and cons of their University experience whilst also discussing and providing advice for Networking.

1
A Journey into the Industry - #240 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:01:39

3M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask by fellow #GDL Host and indie game legal consultant Myska Hattersley. They talk about her journey from growing up in South Africa with a focus on law (and Drones) into finding her place in the industry she had always aspired to.…

1
Keeping The Game on Track - AAA vs Indie - #239 - Game Dev Local Podcast 57:00

3M ago57:00

57:00

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to learn everything about #gamedev you never dated to ask by fellow #GDL Host and producer at Climax Roni Yosko. They talk about the differences and challenges we face when making games in an AAA team verses indie - and what lessons can be learned on both sides.…

1
Surviving and Thriving in Indie VR with Brendan Walker - #238 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:04:40

3M ago1:04:40

1:04:40

In this episode, Nina is joined by Brendan Walker to dive deep into the evolving world of indie VR development. Over the last decade, the landscape of VR has shifted - so what does it take to survive as an indie VR dev today? Brendan shares his experiences navigating the highs and lows, from pitching prototypes to dealing with touch development dec…

1
Growing Pains ep. 9 - Data in Games with Timofey Sugaipov - #237 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:12:41

4M ago1:12:41

1:12:41

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Timofey Sugaipov, ex-Analytics Engineer at Trailmix Games to talk all things Data. Data has become one of the biggest keywords in the last decade in both the Games and Tech industries, but its role and function in studios is still a bit of a mystery to…

1
Platforms, Channels and Discovery Oh My! - #236 - Game Dev Local Podcast 55:41

4M ago55:41

55:41

In this episode of the Game Dev Local Podcast, host Oscar continues his ongoing podquest to uncover everything about game development that you never dared to ask. This time, he's joined by Game Dev Local founder Stuart De Ville for a deep dive into platforms, channels, and discovery—three key pillars of getting your game noticed in today’s competit…

1
Game Over or Game On? Succeeding in the Indie Games Industry - #235 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:02:25

4M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

Success in game development isn’t just about making a great game—it’s about making the right decisions at every stage. From prototyping and team management to marketing and funding, indie developers need solid strategies to navigate an increasingly competitive industry.In this episode, GDL Director Tom Morgan and Founder Stuart De Ville break down …

1
Growing Pains ep. 8 - The State of Play in 2025 and Beyond - #234 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:29:33

4M ago1:29:33

1:29:33

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Rhys Elliott, Games Journalist and Games Analyst at MIDiA Research, together they discuss some of the biggest gaming trends that are impacting the industry today. Delving into everything from AI to Ads and the ever-elusive Switch 2. This episode covers…

1
Lessons From Audio Drama - #233 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:48

5M ago58:48

58:48

In this episode, Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen from Alternative Stories, the team behind 'The Dex Legacy' join Oscar to explore what lessons we can learn from the writing and sound world-building from Audio Drama. Oscar was previously a guest on Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast which can be found here:Alternative Stories: https://alt…

1
Design Direction and Publishing - #232 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:26:21

5M ago1:26:21

1:26:21

In this episode, Nina and Jeff chat about the secret sauce in strong teams and the value of passion, perspective, and communication across all forms of design.

1
Growing Pains ep. 7 - Live Games & Leadership with Teemu Haila - #231 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:32:20

5M ago1:32:20

1:32:20

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Teemu Haila, CPO and founder of Metaplay, they discuss Teemu's path in Games from the early days of mobile and live-service games to the behemoth the industry has become today. His journey in games has seen him found and lead several teams across vario…

1
New Year Special – Jay & Stu Talk Games - #230 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:23:13

5M ago1:23:13

1:23:13

The GDL podcast is back for 2025. In this special episode, the Founder and CEO of GDL is joined by Jay Uppal (host of the popular GDL Growing Pains series) to talk all things Games and beyond. Warning: Lot of tangents abound. So, if you want to hear more about The State of Play and where we’ve been, where we are going, and how we fit into the world…

1
Mentors and Mentees: A Guide - #229 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:15

5M ago58:15

58:15

In this episode, GDL Host Laura Donohue Speaks to Jimmy Zhou, an Insights Manager at Riot Games, about the benefits of being a mentor and mentee, how to get the most out of a mentorship, and how to find your perfect mentor.

1
Mastering the Virtual Tabletop Game - #228 - Game Dev Local Podcast 48:40

6M ago48:40

48:40

Gunnar Holmsteinn from Quest Portal joins Oscar on his Podquest to explore the influence of Dungeons and Dragons and his decision to make the next generation of Virtual Table Tops (VTTs) - we also talk a little about a positive use of AI to support the games master.

1
Growing Pains ep. 6 - The Downfall of Payload Studios - #227 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:19:49

6M ago1:19:49

1:19:49

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Kae Cheung, senior designer at Payload Studios, they discuss Kae's path into game design and the broader industry trends that impacted Payload Studios. Once a proud champion of UK's games industry, Payload is only one of a number of studios that has re…

1
Sustainability in Film and Games - #226 - Game Dev Local Podcast 53:10

6M ago53:10

53:10

Amelia Price from Sustainable Film joins Oscar on his Podquest to explore the different challenges and lessons faced by Film and Game Studios when it comes to leaving a reduced impact on the world. What practical ways can we be more sustainable?

1
Structured Creativity Ep. 4 - Creating Spaces for Creativity - #225 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:07:49

6M ago1:07:49

1:07:49

Greg Hennessey, Design Director at CCP Games (Eve Online), has had an interesting and winding journey through games which has brought him from his home country of Canada all the way to Iceland. In this episode, we take a peek at his life as a Design Director, cover how leaders can make themselves open to critique and leave the door open for convers…

1
Growing Pains ep. 5 – The Japan Episode - #224 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:18:19

7M ago1:18:19

1:18:19

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Anime Producer Will Feng to discuss everything about life in Japan. Will has been in the Animation space for 20+ years and has been right on the frontlines of the recent Anime boom that has inspired some of the recent transmedia strategies in games. Ja…

1
Playing the Learning Game - #223 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:15

7M ago58:15

58:15

Fellow host Laura joins Oscar on his Podquest to explore the nature of professional learning in various forms from the humble webinar to interactive workshops, accelerator programs, mentoring and even peer information sharing. Why does it matter that we keep on learning? And what does someone doing that training need to consider in the ways they de…

1
Inspirations and Reflections - #222 - Game Dev Local Podcast 48:48

7M ago48:48

48:48

In this episode, host Nina Kimsits down with David Evans, the indie developer of Sail Forth. David delvesinto the creative inspirations behind his project, reflecting on the journey ofbuilding a game as a solo dev. With candid stories from his personalexperience, David opens up about the challenges and triumphs he faced duringdevelopment, and offer…

1
Growing Pains 4 – Finding your Audience - #221 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:12:37

7M ago1:12:37

1:12:37

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal sits down with Bastian Bergmann, the Co-founder of Solsten.io. Solsten is a Consumer Insights research firm that aims to put individual players back at the core of the game development cycle. They use psychologically backed techniques meshed with traditional behavio…

1
Design Matters - #220 - Game Dev Local Podcast 57:13

8M ago57:13

57:13

Nina Kim from Rare joins Oscar on his Podquest to discuss the challenges of defining the multifaceted role of game designer, as well as the joys of the ever-evolving nature of design.

1
Growing Pains Ep. 3 - Understanding AI - #219 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:09:57

8M ago1:09:57

1:09:57

In this third episode, of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal sits down with Kamen Brestnichki, an AI researcher and Co-founder of Martian Lawyers Club, a newly founded Indie Games Studio based out of the UK. They dive into all things AI, discussing the hype behind the AI ecosystem and the broader ramifications of AI te…

1
Designing Games Meant for Sharing - #218 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:35

8M ago58:35

58:35

In this episode, Ioana from Mojiworks joins Oscar on hisPodquest to learn everything about game development to explore how to designgames meant for sharing, which is also the topic of her new book with CRCpress.

1
Structured Creativity Ep.3 - Creativity as a Practice - #217 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:11:26

8M ago1:11:26

1:11:26

This week I am joined by my friend, Nicholas, who is a narrative designer, artist, and founder of Essay Games. His artwork and games have been featured in Kotaku, Rock Paper Shotgun, Game Developer, Critical Distance, Unwinnable, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.His games are interesting, thoughtful, and delve deeply into human stories. …

1
Growing Pains Ep. 2 - Learning Leadership - #216 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:32:35

9M ago1:32:35

1:32:35

In this second episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal sits down with Shariar Sharabi the Creative Lead at VR studio Realities.io. They delve into the VR ecosystem, the process of learning and what it means to lead. Sha's personal journey in games and endless drive for growth provide an interesting backdrop for f…

1
Hot Takes: Early Access - #215 - Game Dev Local Podcast 56:20

9M ago56:20

56:20

In this episode, 'Hot Take', Stuart, Laura, and Oscar explore what the what, why, and wherefore of using Early Access in game development and give our own hot takes on the topic at the end.

1
Crafting a Freelance Career in Game Art - #214 - Game Dev Local Podcast 52:20

9M ago52:20

52:20

In this episode, our host Max Louis of MLC, and freelance artist James Brady sit down to explore his journey into the world of game art. James shares how he first got into freelance work, detailing the challenges and rewards of building a career in this competitive field. We dive deep into his experiences, discussing the highs and lows of freelanci…

1
Growing Pains Ep.1 - Trends From the Global Games Industry - #213 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:53:30

9M ago1:53:30

1:53:30

In the first episode of a new series titled Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal dives into some of the key trends that are currently driving the Global Games Market alongside Devan Brennan of Newzoo. They discuss all things in Games Business and share tips for doing business in today's global games industry. Growing Pai…

1
Structured Creativity Ep.2 - Powering Creativity with UX - #212 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:03:13

10M ago1:03:13

1:03:13

In this episode, Laura Donohue, Senior Design Researcher joins me this week to dive into the realms of user research, and how it can be used to empower and inform creativity in game dev. We talked about collecting player feedback, how to use it responsibly as well as personas and knowing how to balance vision and player desires!…

1
Inclusive Design -#211- Game Dev Local Podcast 59:48

10M ago59:48

59:48

In this episode, GDL Host Laura Donohue speaks to Claire Vergnes about what inclusive design is, why it's important, and how to do it. We also talk a lot about how smells impact memory, we promise it's related!

1
UX Designing the Perfect Meatloaf -#210- Game Dev Local Podcast 1:14:20

10M ago1:14:20

1:14:20

In this episode, GDL Host Laura Donohue speaks to Jonathan Bieda about the iterative process of UX Design and how it can help teams better cater to their audience. There was also a lot of talk about meatloaf. Find Laura Donohue at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ljdonohue/ Find Jonathan Bieda at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonbieda/https://www.jonathan…

1
Data Analytics - #209 - Game Dev Local Podcast 56:00

10M ago56:00

56:00

In this episode, GDL Host Laura Donohue speaks to Steve Stopps from Excalibur Games about all things data! Steve shares his not so secret secrets on how to leverage data to make vital game development decisions. Editor's Note: Due to technical issues, the mic sounds were too low and picked up unintended background noise, so we had to use echoed aud…

1
Structured Creativity Ep.1- Jason Thai-Kennedy - #208 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:02:03

10M ago1:02:03

1:02:03

It is the very first episode of Structured Creativity with Najmah Salam (but you can call her Naj). In this show, we'll be exploring that space between process and play and how leading figures in games and otherwise nurture and harness creativity. In this episode,Our guest is Jason Thai-Kennedy, Senior Communications Manager at Electronic Arts. We …

1
Hot Takes: Publishers vs. Self Publishing-#207- Game Dev Local Podcast 1:01:22

11M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

Hot Takes is a new format where GDL hosts from various professional backgrounds share their opinions on the latest news and trends in the game industry. In this episode, Stuart De Ville, Laura Donohue and Oscar Clark exploring the realities of the publisher (and self-publishing) from the perspectives of a new indie dev, experience developer and a p…

1
What the GRUX? The Importance of Game Research- #206 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:09:21

11M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

In this episode, GDL Host Laura Donohue speaks to Dr. Mark Brady from Sutherland Labs about their shared experience in games research. They discuss why research is important, what are some of the types of topics and methods they've tackled, and how to become an empathetic and effective researcher.

1
Can Ads Be Good?- #205 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:04:39

11M ago1:04:39

1:04:39

In this episode, Oscar's ongoing "Podquest to learn everything about #gamedev that you never dared to ask" continues with Kristian Rivers, Founder of Adinmo. They talk about their shared history of the earliest days of mobile games and the rise of the role of ads in the ecosystem. But what has led to poor experiences using ads and why it's importan…

1
Getting into the Game Industry with Transferable Skills- #204 - GDL Podcast 55:45

11M ago55:45

55:45

In this episode, Join Tom Morgan as he interviews Daisy-may Hutton, the new GDL Host and Producer at Glowmade. Daisy shares her journey into the games industry, offering insights on entering the industry with transferable skills, pivoting your skill set from another industry to game development and what life is like as a game producer. Tune in for …

1
Can Games Actually Do Good?- #203 - Game Dev Local Podcast 53:14

12M ago53:14

53:14

In this episode, Oscar's ongoing "Podquest to learn everything about #gamedev that you never dared to ask" continues with PlanetPlay CEO Rhea Loucas. They talk about how games and developers strive to make real world impacts on the world around them. PlanetPlay were recently nominated in the Sustainability category of the Develop: Star Awards 2024.…

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