Best Game Dev Local Podcasts (2025)

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Biz Dev Is About People - #271 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:08:39

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6d ago1:08:39

1:08:39

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by Melanya Laz, Head of Growth at AI monetisation engine, Elevatix, and host of the GameBix Heroes podcast. We talk about business development, networking and sales with plenty of tips and secrets that anyone can follow; even those who don't…

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952: VS Code, GitHub & Copilot - UNIVERSE 25 Announcements + Reactions 35:54

12h ago35:54

35:54

Live from GitHub Universe, Wes, Scott, and CJ talk about the latest AI and developer tools from GitHub, including Agent HQ, Copilot integrations, and the new mission control for agents. They also share stories from the Syntax meetup, hack their conference badges, and debate AI’s role in coding. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 03:39 This year’s …

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951: A first look at Remix 3 47:41

1d ago47:41

47:41

Scott and Wes dive into Remix 3, exploring how it embraces native web standards like Events, Signals, and Streams to become a truly full-stack framework. They unpack what “LLM-ready,” thin APIs, and a standards-based approach mean for the future of web development. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 03:21 Uses the platform - native Events, Signals…

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Your Analytics Stack Is Killing Your Studio (The New Meta: PostHog FTW) 46:18

7d ago46:18

46:18

Most game studios waste weeks of runway on the wrong analytics decision—here's how to avoid that mistake. Traditional analytics SDK vendors like Amplitude, Mixpanel, and Braze promise plug-and-play simplicity but deliver silent failures, contract negotiations, and escalating costs that can destroy startup velocity. In this episode, we discuss why t…

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950: Even SCARIER Web Dev Nightmares (Spooky Stories Pt. 2) 57:57

6d ago57:57

57:57

In part 2 of this year’s Spooky Stories special, Wes and Scott discuss the most chilling developer horror stories—from six-month-old unprocessed donations and runaway dog-food orders to vanishing databases, DNS disasters, code that literally tore apart a mall’s ventilation system, and more! Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:33 A Bug Beyond the…

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949: Web Dev HORROR Stories + Spooky Trivia! (Spooky Stories Pt. 1) 40:51

10d ago40:51

40:51

It’s that time of year again, Scott (as Dracula) and Wes (as a big bad shark) return for their annual Spooky Stories special! They’re joined by a mysterious guest for a round of creepy coding trivia and chilling true tales of web dev gone wrong; dropped databases, haunted passwords, and more. Beware: these are real developer horror stories. Show No…

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Why Game Studio Failures Are Structure Problems, Not Talent Problems | Chris Casanova (Microsoft, Mojang, Relic, Hypixel) 55:21

13d ago55:21

55:21

Most game studios think they have a talent problem. They don't. They have a structure problem. Chris Casanova spent 15+ years as a producer across Microsoft Xbox, Mojang (Minecraft), Relic Entertainment, Offworld Industries, and Hypixel Studios. He's watched talented teams fail repeatedly—not from lack of skill, but from organizational friction. Tr…

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948: Zed is Ready For Primetime 53:08

13d ago53:08

53:08

Wes and Scott talk about what makes Zed—the hot new editor built in Rust—fast, beautiful, and finally ready for primetime. From Git UI to extensions and AI tools, they break down what Zed gets right, what it still lacks, and whether it’s time to finally ditch VS Code. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! Syntax San Francisco Meetup We need your Spoo…

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The Battlefield 6 Redemption, What UCLA Football Teaches About Leadership, & Structuring Teams to Win | MAG #7 59:16

17d ago59:16

59:16

Western AAA development is not dead. Battlefield 6's 7 million unit launch proves it. This episode deconstructs how EA and Vince Zampella reversed the "disaster" of Battlefield 2042 by focusing on leadership, community feedback , and a smarter studio structure. Then, we explore why leadership is the ultimate "alpha". Joseph Kim breaks down the stun…

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947: S-Tier MCP Servers for Developers 32:55

15d ago32:55

32:55

Scott and Wes break down the top-tier MCP servers developers are using right now. From browser automation to debugging superpowers, they explore how these servers are changing what’s possible in modern dev workflows. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:52 Brought to you by Sentry.io. 02:46 Submit your Spooky Stories! 03:37 Syntax San Francisco M…

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First Steps to Making Games - #270 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:12:52

19d ago1:12:52

1:12:52

What does it really take to start making games? In this episode, Stuart De Ville (CEO of Game Dev Local) sits down with Rob MacKay (Creator of RobsGameShock.com) to talk about the messy, magical first steps of becoming a game developer.From finding your path and overcoming imposter syndrome to finishing your first project and building the right com…

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946: We Got Roasted for Our Websites — Fair 57:35

20d ago57:35

57:35

In this potluck episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott answer your questions about why devs neglect their own websites, hosting shady projects (hypothetically), AI rules in version control, balancing side projects and family life, and more! Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:43 Why devs neglect their own websites (and how to convince your parents cod…

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Inside the $55B EA-Saudi Deal: Why It's Not a Typical LBO (with Chris Petrovic & Matthew Kanterman) 59:56

24d ago59:56

59:56

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund just closed the largest gaming acquisition in history—$55 billion for Electronic Arts. But this isn't the typical private equity playbook. In this episode, host Joseph Kim sits down with two M&A experts who break down what's really happening:- Chris Petrovic - Board Chairman & CBO at FunPlus, former President o…

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945: Chrome Dev Tools MCP Server 29:14

22d ago29:14

29:14

Scott and Wes dive into Chrome’s new MCP server; a dev tools API powered by Puppeteer that gives your scripts, editors, and AI agents full access to Chrome. They break down how it works, what it can (and can’t) do, and how it might change debugging and automation for developers Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:15 Syntax San Francisco Meetup. …

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The Ad Monetization Playbook: Fixing Leaky Revenue, Boosting CPMs, and Scaling Your Team with Kelly Kang 1:08:48

28d ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Why is your ad revenue flat even when your game's traffic is growing? Margins are getting squeezed by hidden fees, and old strategies of yelling at partners no longer move the needle. In this episode, we sit down with veteran ad monetization consultant Kelly Kang to get her modern playbook for building a resilient and profitable ad strategy from th…

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944: Is Coinbase Really Writing Half Their Code With AI? 49:06

27d ago49:06

49:06

Wes and Scott talk with Kyle Cesmat about how Coinbase is writing nearly half its code with AI—while keeping quality and security front and center. They dig into tools like Cursor and Claude Code, agent-driven workflows, code review challenges, and how AI is reshaping developer productivity without replacing developers. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to …

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7 Months to Deliver a Game! - #269 - Game Dev Local Podcast 54:35

29d ago54:35

54:35

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MAG: Inside EA’s $55B LBO, Lessons from Grow A Garden, and the Intent→Action Gap ("Alien's Eye View") 57:11

29d ago57:11

57:11

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943: Modern React with Ricky Hanlon (React Core Dev) 38:36

29d ago38:36

38:36

Scott and Wes sit down with Ricky Hanlon from the React core team at Facebook to dive into the latest features and APIs shaping modern React development. From transitions and Suspense to fetching strategies and future directions, this episode breaks down what’s next for React and how developers can take advantage of it. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to …

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Unlock 82% of the Global Gaming Market: The Ultimate Localization Guide 1:41:41

1M ago1:41:41

1:41:41

Is your game only available in English? You could be ignoring over 80% of your potential players. In this deep dive, I sit down with Alexander Murauski, CEO of localization agency Alkonost, to unpack the entire game localization playbook from start to finish. We cover the critical strategies, ROI analysis, and common mistakes that can make or break…

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942: Mental Health Q&A w/ Dr. Courtney Tolinski 57:44

1M ago57:44

57:44

Wes and Scott talk with Dr. Courtney Tolinski about supporting neurodivergent teammates, navigating workplace dynamics, and recognizing strengths beyond labels. They explore ADHD diagnosis and treatment, productivity mindsets, burnout, AI in mental health, and practical routines for focus and balance. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 00:09 Meet …

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Game Mod Madness with Fallout London - #268 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:14:21

1M ago1:14:21

1:14:21

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by Jordan/Sunny and Daniel/Dansky of Team Folon, two of the incredible team behind the epic Fallout London. The guys talk through their journey, the issues they faced, the challenges they had to overcome to make that amazing, the crazy scale…

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Can Delta Force Beat PUBG? Is the Take-Two Mafia a Myth & How to Fix Recruiting? | MAG #5 26:52

1M ago26:52

26:52

On this episode of Game Makers, we explore three critical topics: how Delta Force's mobile revenue soared past PUBG's by 75% , why the "Take-Two Mafia" thesis is a myth centered on the wrong company , and a powerful framework for fixing your recruiting process by treating candidates like customers. In this episode, you will learn: MACRO: How Delta …

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941: Is Responsible AI Possible? with Dr. Sarah Bird of Microsoft 22:51

1M ago22:51

22:51

Scott heads to Microsoft’s campus for the VS Code Insider Summit to sit down with Dr. Sarah Bird and explore what “Responsible AI” really means for developers. From protecting user privacy to keeping humans in the loop, they dig into how everyday coders can play a role in shaping AI’s future. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:27 Brought to you…

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Start With 2 Languages - #267 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:03:11

1M ago1:03:11

1:03:11

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by Alex Murauski, CEO of Alconost, about the world of localisation and culturalization for text, images and voice, and the value of modern platform approaches for managing game assets.

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940: Picking a Fullstack Stack, Is Next.js Too Complex? Services vs Self-Hosted + More 1:05:45

1M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

In this potluck episode, Wes and Scott answer your questions about modern full-stack stacks, Node.js backend options, managing database indexes, developer burnout, handling toxic bosses, and more! Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 02:36 What’s your go-to Node.js backend in 2025? Polka 06:18 Do you proactively manage database indexes—or fix them o…

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Arena Breakout: Infinite Breaks Out to PC!, Destiny: End of Western IP + China Dev, Secrets and Stupid Ideas | MAG #4 51:40

1M ago51:40

51:40

In this episode, we explore the major headwinds facing the games industry, from publisher-developer tensions to the viability of long-standing business models. We start with a raw look at industry layoffs before pivoting to a deep-dive analysis of Arena Breakout Infinite's turbulent PC launch, which reveals a massive culture clash in monetization s…

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939: Creator of Vite: Evan You 54:10

1M ago54:10

54:10

Scott and Wes sit down with Evan You, creator of Vue, Vite, and VoidZero, to dig into the future of frontend tooling. From the speed of Rolldown to why he chose Rust, they explore the evolution of developer experience, bundlers, and what’s next for the web. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 00:31 Who is Evan You? Vue.js. Vite. Void0 01:19 Making …

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The Importance Of Game Dev Events - #266 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:09:39

2M ago1:09:39

1:09:39

In this episode, Stu sits down with GDL’s brand-new Director Monty to: Officially welcome them to the team Dive into why game dev events matter more than ever Share what GDL is building for the UK indie community (and beyond) We talk about the power of events in helping developers connect, showcase, and survive in an industry that’s as tough as it …

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938: Hot Takes + Bike Shedding 27:53

2M ago27:53

27:53

Wes and Scott dive into some hot takes and classic debates—tabs vs spaces, camel vs snake case, export styles, barrel files, variable naming, and more. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:26 CSS variables: descriptive vs. semantic 03:38 snake_case vs. camelCase 04:54 Default exports vs. named exports 06:23 Barrel files vs. direct imports 09:15 F…

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MAG Monday #3: India's RMG Ban, Failure of GenAI, Amazon x Netflix Gaming+Streaming Bundle 1:29:21

2M ago1:29:21

1:29:21

Alpha: Clash Royale 5x Revenue, Understanding the Illegible Margin GameDev: The Problem with Product Validation Happy MAG-nificent Monday! 3-Macro: 3 stories impacting the competitive environment in which we operate Hike shuts down after India RMG ban Why GenAI is failing Amazon and Netflix announce Gaming+Streaming bundle 2-Alpha: 2 potential sour…

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937: Is The Omarchy Hype Real? 48:21

2M ago48:21

48:21

Scott takes Wes on a tour of Omarchy, DHH’s polished Arch + Hyprland Linux setup that promises speed, beauty, and endless keyboard shortcuts. From first impressions to daily workflows, Scott debates whether it’s good enough to pull him out of the Apple ecosystem for good. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 02:31 Brought to you by Sentry.io. 02:55 …

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936: Realtime LED Wall With React + Websockets (I Let Strangers Control It) 47:12

2M ago47:12

47:12

Scott, Wes, and CJ dive into Wes’s Hackweek project: a real-time, web-controlled LED grid. They break down the hardware build, custom 3D-printed diffuser, ESP32 microcontroller, and Cloudflare durable objects powering live pixel art, GitHub activity displays, and interactive web drawings. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 02:03 Wes’ Hackweek proj…

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What Does LiveOps Actually Involve? - #265 - Game Dev Local Podcast 51:15

2M ago51:15

51:15

In this episode Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by Constantin-Alexandru Iorga, Sr LiveOps Manager at Scopely working on Stumble Guys. We talk about what's involved with managing a community game that needs sustainable ongoing updates as part of LiveOps.Constantin-Alexandru Iorga…

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3-2-1 MAG #2: Dreamhaven Layoffs, Silksong Success, GamePass Worth Jack**** | Magic Tiles 3 - Piano Game, Rise of AA | On Decision Making 1:03:49

2M ago1:03:49

1:03:49

3. Macro Top 3 Most Significant Gaming News From Last Week: Dreamhaven Games Hit by Layoffs (GamesIndustry.biz): Dreamhaven, the studio founded by former Blizzard Entertainment co-founder Mike Morhaime, confirmed it has undergone an unspecified number of layoffs. Despite the cuts, the CEO expressed optimism about the studio's future and the project…

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935: CJ Made A Sega Game In 2025 52:29

2M ago52:29

52:29

CJ takes us behind the scenes of Hackweek to share how he built a custom Sega Genesis game from scratch, complete with assembly code, level loading, and retro hardware tricks. From SGDK to parallax faking, this episode is a deep dive into old-school game dev with a modern twist. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 00:44 Why a Sega game? Sega Genesi…

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934: We Built a Real-Time, Local-Data, Competitive Coding Game 37:07

2M ago37:07

37:07

Scott, Wes, and CJ dive into SynHax, Scott’s Hackweek project for code battles. They discuss live coding duels, referee controls, and the surprisingly simple tech stack that delivers instant updates and audience engagement. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:50 Brought to you by Sentry.io 02:30 What is SynHax? This Button Broke Our Brains (CSS …

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Everyone Has a Podcast But How Can They Help Devs - #264 - Game Dev Local Podcast 57:25

2M ago57:25

57:25

In this episode Oscar is joined in his podquest to 'learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask' by Andrew Pappas, Founder of Indie Game Movement Podcast and Regen Marketing about the role of podcasts and how different people approach sharing their expertise with the #gamedev community.

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3. 2. 1. Retro #1: Netease Bails on Western Studios, IGN Restructuring, Ubisoft and King Showcase AI 47:23

2M ago47:23

47:23

Top 3 Gaming News From Last Week: NetEase Shuts Down Another Western Studio (Game Developer): NetEase has closed T-Minus Zero Entertainment. This marks the third Western studio closure as part of a broader reassessment of business priorities and has raised concerns about the stability of Western studios under NetEase's ownership. IGN Publisher John…

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933: Hackweek Overview - What Is It, What Did We Build 32:05

2M ago32:05

32:05

It’s Hackweek at Syntax! Scott, Wes, and CJ break down what Hackweek is all about - how they picked their projects, what came out of them, and why it’s the best excuse to experiment, build, and have fun before the deep-dive episodes roll in. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 00:04 What is Hackweek? 01:05 Hackweek projects spark motivation. 04:05 …

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Finding Alpha: How to Find Your Company's Secret Advantage! 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

In an era where “good” isn’t good enough, this talk breaks down how to generate alpha—company-specific excess returns—by choosing the right game to play and going all-in on the highest-leverage moves. We cover the macro forces reshaping competition, case studies of teams that found alpha, and where velocity and AI change the basis of competition. W…

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932: Vibe Coding’s Huge Problem 22:57

2M ago22:57

22:57

Wes and Scott talk about the dangers of vibe coding when it comes to authentication and access control. They share real-world examples of security fails, discuss how to avoid client-side-only checks, and offer practical tips for protecting sensitive user data in your apps. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! We build the world’s most painful CAPTCH…

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Leveraging Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn - #263 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:41:22

2M ago1:41:22

1:41:22

In this episode, we'll explore how to leverage LinkedIn effectively to build a personal brand that not only attracts opportunities but also aligns with your professional goals. Whether you're seeking new roles or aiming to establish your own video game or art studio, Mel's expertise offers invaluable guidance.…

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Call of Duty vs. Battlefield, Dreamhaven Struggles, AI - Tencent & Unity | Game Dev Review #1 1:07:59

2M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

GAME DEV REVIEW #1 NEWS: Top 5 Gaming News Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Officially Revealed (GameSpot): Activision has unveiled the next entry in its massive first-person shooter franchise, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7." The reveal trailer, showcased at Gamescom, provided a first look at the game's near-future setting and hinted at a narrative connected…

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931: Project Init - How to Make Good Choices When Starting a New Coding Project 30:46

2M ago30:46

30:46

Scott and Wes dive into the fundamentals of project initialization and planning, from outlining ideas and choosing the right tools to making smart technology decisions. They also chat about leveraging AI and collaboration to shape better projects before rolling up your sleeves and getting to work. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 02:12 Brought t…

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930: Text Editor Keybindings, WASM Replacing Docker, LLM apathy and hosting mini apps 55:37

3M ago55:37

55:37

In this potluck episode of Syntax, Wes and Scott answer your questions about VS Code vs Cursor, navigating promotions and job titles, database fundamentals, avoiding decision paralysis, how AI is shaping frameworks, and more! Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 00:56 Brought to you by Sentry.io 06:24 Moving from VS Code to Cursor without losing you…

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Growing Pains 13 - Scaling Search & Impact Products - #262 - Game Dev Local Podcast 59:36

3M ago59:36

59:36

What does it take to shape how millions discover content on Reddit and develop tech to fight global malnutrition? In this episode of Growing Pains, I sit down with Rachel Caisi Miller, Product Manager for Reddit Search Experiences and Product volunteer at Taimaka, to unpack her journey scaling one of the internet’s most influential discovery engine…

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Navigating the Game Industry Reset: Layoffs, AI Hiring & Career Strategy with Keith Caswell (ex-EA, Microsoft) 1:57:45

3M ago1:57:45

1:57:45

The games industry is in a state of flux. Layoffs are widespread, AI is disrupting hiring, and the future feels uncertain. To navigate this new landscape, we're joined by Keith Caswell, a 20-year HR veteran with leadership experience at Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Wizards of the Coast, for a masterclass in career and talent strategy. Whether yo…

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929: Cloudflare Blocks AI Crawlers × Debugging Local Data × Raising Kids with Healthy Digital Habits and More 53:58

3M ago53:58

53:58

Scott and Wes tackle listener questions on everything from local-first databases and AI-built CRMs to protecting APIs and raising kids with healthy digital habits. They also weigh in on Cloudflare’s AI crawler ban, portfolio critiques, and more hot takes from the dev world. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 00:49 Dreaming about web components. 02…

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928: State of Devs 2025 Results 51:40

3M ago51:40

51:40

Wes and Scott talk about the 2025 State of Devs survey, diving into trends in salaries, job titles, remote work, health, hobbies, and more. Show Notes 00:00 Welcome to Syntax! 01:44 Brought to you by Sentry.io 02:08 Years of experience vs yearly income 11:48 Layoffs 18:07 Job title 19:55 Remote work 24:40 Job happiness 25:40 Work hours 26:24 Workpl…