In this episode of Dev to Dev – the podcast about everyday video game developers and why they do what they do every day – I sit down with Paul Dziadzio, a Senior Gameplay Programmer. Paul’s journey is rooted in a love of storytelling and systems, from early memories of Lord of the Rings and Dungeons & Dragons to discovering programming in high school. College at Michigan State not only provided structure but introduced him to a community that pushed him toward AI, opening the door to industry connections and a lifelong fascination with how code and design intersect.

Paul’s first steps into the industry took him through internships and contract work before landing at S2 Games, where he wrote AI for Heroes of Newerth. That experience set him on a path toward larger challenges, including the scale of Planetside 2, where thousands of players created problems as complex as they were exciting. For Paul, AI is where programming meets design — a space where clever systems can shape player perception and experience. He highlights examples like Halo’s deliberate first-miss sniper and Half-Life’s illusion of ambushes as proof of how design and engineering combine to create memorable moments.

Living with ADD has been both a challenge and a strength for Paul. Diagnosed later in life, he reflects on how time blindness and focus struggles pushed him to develop habits like detailed note-taking, while also giving him the ability to juggle complex systems with creativity. What once felt like a hurdle became a superpower that fueled his problem-solving career. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for the invisible craft of AI programming, and for how personal challenges can be transformed into strengths in the world of game development.

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You can find Paul at:

• Paul Dziadzio | LinkedIn