Ian Smith, CG Supervisor at SideFX walks us through Project Pegasus (learning tech demo showcasing Houdini workflows with Unreal Engine 5). Explore non-destructive, procedural content generation in gamedev and how different tools can be used to create detailed open-world environments. Ian talks about software strengths and emphasizes how indie deve…

Designated digital chef Patrick Foley (PATRICK_4D) takes us to his kitchen. He shares interesting facts about a unique niche in digital art - photorealistic food renders, and delves into the importance of lighting, texture, and why choosing a specialty can supercharge your career. Patrick also discusses how he builds his brand with social media and…

Trent Claus, VFX supervisor from Lola Visual Effects joined our podcast. Learn about the complex process of creating realistic aging effects for characters in major films: from the challenges of preserving actors' unique features to the intricacies of the facial anatomy. Trent shares fascinating insights into the evolution of VFX and how AI is shap…

Scott Eaton, multi-disciplinary artist & creative technologist, joins 80 Level Podcast. We discuss machine learning, its impact on human creativity, and the limitations & potentials of AI-generated content in gamedev. Scott shares his thoughts on future changes and possibilities for artists in the gaming world and tries to find a balance between ar…

Join 80 Level Podcast for a deep dive into game design with Jamie Smith, Principal Game Designer at People Can Fly. We discuss the core principles that make open world games stand out. Jamie shares how to design captivating gameplay mechanics, maintain player engagement, and balance form and function. If you're a game developer or simply fascinated…

William Faucher, 3D Generalist & Unreal Engine Mentor joined 80 Level Podcast. We discuss all-things Unreal Engine and the best ways to master it. William talks about his career journey & YouTube experience, and gives valuable advice for aspiring 3D artists on honing skills, choosing the right software, and understanding the evolving gamedev landsc…

Nick Seavert, Founder & CEO of JangaFX Software joined 80 Level Podcast. Explore the art and science of visual effects in game development and learn how Nick turned his love for games into building software aimed at empowering game artists and making VFX easier. Stay tuned for an inside look at JangaFX's future plans, where they're venturing into r…

Join us for another episode of 80 Level Podcast. Anna Kozlova, CEO at Room 8 Group, shares her expertise on why outsourcing can be a game-changer, how to retain top talent, and the potential impact of AI on game development. Find out how studios handle workloads and strike a balance between creativity and efficiency. Room 8 website: https://room8st…

Dive into the world of 3D modeling and video game development as we chat with Josh Gambrell from Blender Bros. Discover how he went from a beginner to an expert in Blender and how you can too. Learn how AI is shaking things up in the industry and how to embrace these changes for success. Check out Josh’s tutorials on YouTube: https://www.youtube.co…

Join us for an exciting peek behind the scenes of Japan's gamedev world with Ben Roach, ex-Level Designer at FromSoftware and now Founder of Upsurge Studios. Ben talks about his experience working on the Elden Ring. We also delve into the magic of Japanese game design, discuss the role of cultural influences, and reveal the secrets that make Japane…

Jasmine Katatikarn, 3D Lighting Artist and CEO of the Academy of Animated Art joined 80 Level. Jasmine talks about learning lighting art, technologies, software, and storytelling through light in movies & games. She delves into the job opportunities for artists: what companies are looking for, and how to overcome the stigmatization of art careers a…

Elliot Callighan (CEO and Composer at Unlock Audio) and Krzysztof Chodkiewiczd (Sound Designer and Music Producer at TSHASK) joined 80 Level podcast. Discover why sound design is a crucial element in gaming, enhancing immersion and gameplay satisfaction. Gain insights into the process of creating unique sounds, overcoming challenges, and tailoring …

In this podcast episode, we join Ethan Stearns (Head of Publishing at Atari) and Ana Ribeiro (Creator of Pixel Ripped), as they delve into the world of VR gaming and their exciting collaboration on Pixel Ripped. Discover the behind-the-scenes insights into Pixel Ripped development, Atari’s partnership with VR creators, and their vision for bringing…

In this podcast, Tyler Sigman and Chris Bourassa, Сo-founders of Red Hook Studios, talk about their experience building the sequel to the popular Darkest Dungeon game, and the success behind it. Guests dive into the process of creating DD2, communicating with team members and players, navigating the challenges of crowdfunding & early access, and ma…

80 Level talked with Alx Preston, Founder and Director of Heart Machine studio (does “Hyper Light Breaker” ring any bells?). Alx talks about games, shares his experience running an indie game studio, and offers insights on community-building efforts, staying true to the core values, and the practical nature of entrepreneurship. He also gives practi…

80 Level talked with Masaru Ohnogi and Dax Berg, Co-founder and VP at Thirdverse studio. We dive into the development of their latest VR shooter game X8 and talk about engines, mechanics, interactivity, and design. Masaru and Dax also share their insights on the future of the VR game market and what developers should focus on to make a game success…

In this podcast, 80 Level talked with Iacopo Antonelli, Senior Technical Artist at Rockstar Games. We discuss the role of technical artists in game design, the challenges and opportunities facing the industry, and the impact of cutting-edge technologies like AI and virtual reality. Iacopo also shares valuable advice for aspiring game developers and…

In this podcast, 80LV talked with Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director at Take This (mental health advocacy organization with a focus on the game industry and community). Eve delves into the complex issue of mental health in the gaming industry and provides valuable insights for both employers and employees. She explores the importance of self-care pr…

On the GDC 2023 80LV had a chance to chat with Stephen Kick and Larry Kuperman from Nightdive Studios which specializes in remastering old classic video games. Steven and Larry discuss the upcoming release of System Shock game and take us behind the scenes of the Nightdive Studios. They talk about why it makes sense to remake the old games and spil…

80LV had a talk with creative technologist Lauren Cason and multi-media artist Ehren Natay. Lauren and Ehren share their insights on various aspects of Augmented Reality and how it could transform the way we experience the world around us: from the available tools to the future outlook of technology. Guests also discuss the idea of the metaverse an…

80LV talked with Ran Manolov (Visual Effects Supervisor, Sculptor & Character Art Director), who worked on such projects as Diablo II, Love Death + Robots and many more. Ran shares his journey from being a classically trained artist to the digital realm and provides insights into the art industry. He also discusses the impact of technology on creat…

80LV talked with Vadim Kraevoy, Head of Room 8 Studio. Vadim discusses how the company adapted to the new post-pandemic work style and the importance of flexibility and organizational structure in a complex, changing environment. He also offers insights into the current state of the gaming industry and predicts trends that may shape its future, spe…

On the new podcast episode, 80LV talked to Matthew Board (developer, artist, Unreal authorized instructor partner for Epic Games). We discuss how evolving technologies, myriad tools, and students’ backgrounds turn gamedev courses creation & teaching into a real puzzle. Matthew also shared an insight, uncovering the most lucrative skills and special…

80LV talked with Jacob Claussen, Lead Environment Artist at Fall Damage & Environment Art Teacher at Vertex School. Jacob and Kirill make predictions on how new technologies will change development workflows in 2023, discuss the best ways to learn gamedev, and what crucial skills every environment artist should have. Jacob also explains the phenome…

Laura Gallagher and Kirill Tokarev discuss how to use your artistic value as a way to stand out in the age of AI tools, the current state of the game industry, and the importance of keeping track of your emotional and physical state as a developer. Laura has 13 years of experience in gamedev: she was Lead Character Artist on games like Deus Ex and …

Greg Teegarden, Emmy-nominated VFX Artist from Digital Domain takes us behind the scene of producing high-quality visual effects for DC’s Black Adam and other big-budget movies. Greg also talks about the future of VFX and the place of AI & real-time rendering tools in it. Greg Teegarden is a Digital Effects Supervisor for Black Adam movie Visit Dig…

The founder of Synodic Arc Michael Pulis talked about his experience working on mixed reality titles and the future of the metaverse. Check out Synodic Arc’s new Mixed Reality game Zombies Noir: https://www.oculus.com/experiences/quest/4745920782133500/ Visit Synodic Arc website: https://synodicarc.com/ Michael Pulis a Lead Programmer and Founder a…

Together with Jason Keyser from VFX Apprentice we've talked about stylized VFX production and the importance of learning visual effects for game developers these days. We’ve also dived into Jason’s experience at Riot Games and he shared what is it like to work for a big studio. Check out VFX Apprentice website and learn from professionals: https://…

Simon Racioppa, one of the screenwriters and executive producers behind Emmy-Nominated animated anthology, The Boys Presents: Diabolical, talked with 80 Level about scriptwriting, making it in Hollywood, and building your career in this tough business we call show. Watch a full trailer of The Boys Presents: Diabolical on YouTube: https://www.youtub…

Melissa Lee, President of Massive Black (one of the leading art outsourcing studios) has joined the 80 Level Podcast. We’ve talked about the creative challenges, the changes visual art in video games has undergone throughout the years, and its influence on the game’s perception. Massive Black Website: https://massiveblack.com/ Melissa Lee is a Pres…

Kip Katsarelis from Magic Fuel Games talked about his career journey from being an Executive Producer on SimCity at Electronic Arts to building his own games with a smaller team of dedicated developers. We also talked about hiring, retaining, and growing talent. Magic Fuel Games Website: https://www.magicfuelgames.com/ Kip Katsarelis is a Chief Pro…

Former CD Projekt Art Manager Len de Gracia talked about her experience working in big-budget games. We discussed work in Europe, the outsourcing market, and the challenges of game production, and shared some advice for artists on what they can improve to land a great job. Len de Gracia is an Associate Art Director at Build A Rocket Boy LinkedIn: h…

We've talked with the CEO of Plask AI Junho Lee about changing traditional animation workflows with modern neural network solutions. Plask is an all-in-one browser-based AI motion capture tool and animation editor. Plask Website: https://plask.ai/ Try Plask for free: https://80lv.pro/plasktrial Junho Lee is the Founder & CEO of Plask LinkedIn: http…

Animator, and department coordinator at SAE Creative Media Institute, Reza Sarkamari talked with 80 Level about his work on YouTube, discussed ways to engage with students, and shared some advice for beginners, who want to make games and film. Reza Sarkamari is an Animation Department Coordinator at SAE Institute Australia SARKAMARI YouTube Channel…

Xsolla's Slava Lukyanenka talked about his experienceing crafting big blockbusters in Poland and helping smaller indie teams find their way in today's saturated market. Slava Lukyanenka is a Director of Products at Xsolla (Formerly - Senior Producer at CD Projekt Red) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viachaslaulukyanenka/ Xsolla Website: https…

Physical game sales are still going strong. Together with Limited Run Games Marketing Director Alena Alambeigi we've discussed the need for owning your own copy in the game community and talked about modern ways of game distribution. Limited Run Games Website: https://limitedrungames.com/ Alena Alambeigi is the Marketing Director of Limited Run Gam…

Perception leaders Danny Gonzalez and Jeremy Lasky share how the company creates visions of the future for some of the world's biggest film studios. We've talked about their work with Marvel, production, design, inspiration, and also projects, where sci-fi film know-how helps improve real-world businesses. Perception Website: https://www.experience…

Sharkmob London Managing Director James Dobrowski and Art Director Benjamin Penrose talked about games made in Great Britain and shared their thoughts on helping people grow in their new studio. Sharkmob Website: https://www.sharkmob.com/ Sharkmob Job Openings: https://career.sharkmob.com/ James Dobrowski is the Managing Director of Sharkmob London…

Beyond-FX CEO Keith Guerrette joined 80 Level Round Table to discuss the studio's apprenticeship program. We also talked about VFX in games, the power of community, and the amazing stuff happening with RealtimeVFX forums. Beyond-FX Website: https://www.beyond-fx.com/ Apprenticeship program: https://www.beyond-fx.com/apprenticeship-program Real-Time…

In the new episode of 80 Level Round Table, the CEO of Feardemic Scott Millard joined Kirill Tokarev to tell us why the company decided to focus on publishing horror games, explain why people choose to develop horrors, speak about the advantages of having a publisher for your projects, and share some important piece of advice to aspiring Game Devel…

The CEO of Ichigoichie Games David Ventura has joined 80 Level Round Table to tell us about the peculiarities of Japanese game development and compare them to European and American gamedev, explain why he moved to Sweden, and speak about Ichigoichie’s games and hiring practices. Follow 80 LEVEL on social media: https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty …

Lead Designer at Techland Tymon Smektala has joined Kirill Tokarev at 80 Level Round Table to tell us about the life and culture of the studio, discuss the tools Techlannd uses to create massive open-world environments, and share some behind-the-scenes information about the studio’s recently-released Dying Light 2 Stay Human. Follow 80 LEVEL on soc…

80 Level Round Table returns in a new and improved live format! This time, Postcard Game Studio’s CEO and Game Director Ray Almaden, Lead Environment Artist Martin Teichmann, and Environment Artist Peter Wano have joined Kirill Tokarev to tell about the company’s culture and recruitment process, discuss the role of Environment Art in game developme…

Project Lead responsible for Bohemia Interactive’s Enfusion Engine Pavel Šafář has joined Kirill Tokarev at 80 Level Round Table to discuss the development process behind the engine, explain how the company has managed to stay relevant for so long, and share some thoughts regarding the future of game engines. Follow 80 LEVEL on social media: https:…

Andrew Teo, the CEO and Founder of Forust Studio, a game development studio based in Malaysia, has joined 80 Level Round Table to tell us about the development process behind their game The Company Man and discuss effective marketing strategies, indie developers can use to promote their games. Follow 80 LEVEL on social media: https://www.facebook.c…

The Co-Founder of iLogos Game Studios Alexander Goldybin and the company's CBDO and Board Member Svitlanka Sergiichuk Romaniuk have joined 80 Level Round Table to discuss outsourcing in the mobile game industry, iLogos' views on competition, and the future of blockchain technologies in mobile games. Follow 80 LEVEL on social media: https://www.face…

The COO at ÜberStrategist Gareth Williams has joined 80 Level Round Table to talk about effective PR strategies the company uses to promote the games, explain the difference between marketing and PR, and discuss how the PR industry has changed over the past years. UberStrategist is a boutique video game PR agency that specializes in positive public…

The Co-Founder of Capsule Studio Stéphane Montel and Facial Capture Supervisor from DI4D Lewis Telfer have joined Kirill Tokarev at 80 Level Round Table to discuss the production process behind a trailer for Farming Simulator 22 and shed some light on the creation of digital humans. Follow 80 LEVEL on social media: https://www.facebook.com/LevelEig…

The Founder of Zoic Studios Andrew Orloff has joined the 80 Level Round Table to discuss Zoic's history in the VFX industry, talk about movies and series Zoic has made visual effects for, and discuss the company's plans regarding Virtual Production. Follow 80 LEVEL on social media: https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty https://www.instagram.com/80.l…

A Canadian 3D character artist, illustrator, and ZBrush Live representative Alina Ivanchenko has talked about the nuances of being a character artist for videogames, discussed some of her most memorable projects, including making characters for Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and explained how to overcome the challenges character artists face. Follo…