Behind The Games | NEW OVERLORDS

Simply Walking Into Gamedev – Behind The Games chat with Shae Rossi of LOTRO

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One does not simply walk into video game development! Shae Rossi is a writer and content designer for Standing Stone Games working on Lord of the Rings Online. She talks to us about taking her writing skills and literature degree and building on that to break into the games industry. We also get to hear what it’s like to develop narrative and content within such a strong, established set of lore. Thanks, Shae!

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Shipping Your First Game – Behind The Games chat with Somara Atkinson

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Getting started in game development, especially indie game development takes a huge commitment and a lot of work. Sometimes narrowing the focus and just getting your first game out there is the breakthrough you need. Somara Atkinson is an indie game developer just about to ship his first game. He talks with us about what that took, how an earlier project didn’t work out as well, and what his advice is. Great talk with Somara and we hope to play Parkour Posse soon… thanks, Somara!

Wishlist/get Parkour Posse on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1666800/Parkour_Posse/

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10+ Cool Studios From PAX West 2022 – Behind The Games Podcast Special Episode

Putting Players In The Story – Behind The Games chat with Ashley Ruhl

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Bioware and Star Wars the Old Republic is well known for the strength of its narrative. Cinematic, fully voiced cut-scenes that put the player in the story with a feeling of agency is difficult to achieve without clear narrative direction and vision. Ashley Ruhl has been involved with narrative direction from the start for SWTOR and has recently taken on full responsibility as Narrative Director. She talks with us about what that means, how a narrative director puts the player in the story, and how moments that matter are created. Excellent and insightful conversation… thanks, Ashley!

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Drawing On Their Talents – Behind The Games chat with Inktale Studios

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I think we all agree that games are art, but some are more artistic than others. Inktale Studio has blended hand crafted art, story telling, and original music into an amazing game they are working on called Aron’s Gift. In this talk we are joined by all of Inktale Studios, Kristin and Joe Shiraef.

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Life Imitates Sims – Behind The Games chat with Sarah Spiers

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Sarah Spiers journey to Development Director at Maxis, and being recognized by Forbes in their 30 Under 30 In Games, wasn’t a straight line. That said, it is inspiring and shines a light on how persistent incremental step, sometimes in unique directions, can lead to the best outcomes. Her journey so far has also been bookended and maybe even informed and inspired by the Sims. Awesome, super fun conversation… thanks, Sarah!

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QA Isn’t Playing Games – Behind The Games chat with Jonah Davidson

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QA isn’t (just) about playing the game. It’s a key game dev job from start to finish. This episode we’ve got Jonah Davidson, a QA Engineer with Finji. We talk about what a QA Engineer actual does from the very early stages of the game design process, through development and post release. Jonah also gives us some thoughts on community. Thanks, Jonah!

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Leading From The Front – Behind The Games chat with Chris Schmidt of Infinity Ward

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As Game Director at Infinity Ward’s new Austin studio, Chris builds on his vast AAA game creator and leadership experience at Bioware, where we first met Chris years ago. We talk about what a Game Director does, what games and design principles inspire him, how useful and less useful feedback comes across, and what’s on his shelves. Thanks, Chris!

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Boston Indie Scene – Behind The Games chat with Kate Olguin

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We talk about Kate’s EDU experience at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, her experience building the indie game Call of Karen, her work sponsoring and organizing the Boston indie game dev scene, and her current game design role at Other Ocean Interactive working on games like Project Winter. Thanks Kate!

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From EDU to Studio – Behind The Games chat with Will Winn Games

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We talk to Brian Winn and Will Jeffery, co-founders, on the journey from MSU to founding a studio. Plunder Panic, their early access game on Steam started as an Michigan State University Games for Entertainment and Learning Lab showcase project and spun out into a new studio designed to connect the MSU programs and students to commercial projects. Thanks Brian and Will!

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