Best Dev Log Podcasts (2024)

1
Things to Know when Considering Multi-Tenant or Multi-Threaded Applications 1:58:45

10m ago1:58:45

1:58:45

For the full show notes head over to: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode241By Michael Outlaw, Allen Underwood, Joe Zack

1
088: From Idea to Design 28:48

3h ago28:48

28:48

Game: The Idea vs The Design of... An MMO Celeste Hollow Knight Develop: My first game (Sut) How to transition from idea to design Repeat: What is your smallest creative idea right now? What core design assumptions do you have about some genre? Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/anxiousbuddhagames My fi…

1
087: It's Time to Remake Final Fantasy 8 (FFVIII) 30:09

2h ago30:09

30:09

Game: Final Fantasy 16 Demo The action RPG angle FF8 isn't as "sacred" as other FF titles Clear areas for improvement Other games entering Final Fantasy's old niche Develop: Iteration Final Fantasy always tries something new Improve where you know you can Trying to beat a masterpiece Repeat: What game would you like to see remade? Do you know any "…

1
086: Binge Gaming vs Patient Gaming 36:58

3h ago36:58

36:58

Game: Games that invite a binge Games that invite patience Playing games differently from their design Binge games that never end Develop: Binge-worthy design elements Patient design elements Story Recaps Repeat: What gaming pace do you, on average, enjoy more? How compelling do you want your next game to be? Tip: Whichever pace you normally take, …

1
Two Water Coolers Walk Into a Bar 1:33:43

41m ago1:33:43

1:33:43

Grab your headphones because it's water cooler time! In this episode we're catching up on feedback, putting our skills to the test, and wondering what we're missing. Plus, Allen's telling it how it is, Outlaw is putting it all together and Joe is minding the gaps! View the full show notes here: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode240 Reviews Thank …

1
085: On Uncertainty 25:59

23h ago25:59

25:59

Game: Certainty and Uncertainty Saving the game Real world safety Develop: Noticing and embracing security in unfamiliar skills Repeat: Are there skills you're avoiding learning due to uncertainty? Community Shoutout: SurvivalScape (https://store.steampowered.com/app/2862660/SurvivalScape/) Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Stream:…

1
084: Why Are MMOs Fun? (WoW) 39:39

15d ago39:39

39:39

Game: The social element Addictive grinds Monthly subscriptions World of Warcraft Guild Wars 2 Anarchy Online Everquest Develop: Interconnected goals and skills The developer motivation issue Addictive vs Entertaining Repeat: What is the most entertaining game you've ever played? What is the most addictive game you've ever played? Notice the differ…

1
How did We Even Arrive Here? 1:37:14

21d ago1:37:14

1:37:14

For the full show notes please visit: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode239By Michael Outlaw, Allen Underwood, Joe Zack

1
083: Simplicity (Fishy) 19:03

15d ago19:03

19:03

Game: Bubble Wrap Fishy (https://www.addictinggames.com/action/fishy) Develop: Excessive mechanics Insecure design Trusting simplicity Repeat: What simple actions in life do you find satisfying? What is the simplist version of a complex game you enjoy? Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/anxiousbuddhagam…

1
082: In Defense of Being Bad 29:17

22d ago29:17

29:17

Game: Bad at games Fundamental gaming skills Razbuten Game Design and Communication Develop: Learning New Skills Bad = new Treating yourself gently (child analogy) Protect your creative passion Repeat: Can you vividly remember a the development of skill you were once terrible at? What things are you currently "bad" at, and are they "new?" Ko-Fi: ht…

1
081: Getting Stuck 30:39

1M ago30:39

30:39

Game: Unclear rules Puzzles Difficulty curves Untested skills Morrowind and Getting Lost Develop: finding joy while stuck/lost game dev update Repeat: What creative challenges do you enjoy? What can you safely explore when stuck? Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/anxiousbuddhagames My first game, "Sut"…

1
080: Mindless Satisfying Games (PowerWash Simulator) 28:08

1M ago28:08

28:08

Game: Mindless Games Accelerated productivity Constant rewards "Oddly Satisfying" Develop: Marketing: Serve specific communities Build rewards into gameplay Accelerate real life satisfaction New project update Repeat: What mechanics do you find deeply satisfying? What niche hobbies do you have that might inspire a game? Seek out fresh perspectives …

1
AI, Blank Pages, and Client Libraries...oh my! 1:47:21

1M ago1:47:21

1:47:21

It's Water Cooler Time! We've got a variety of topics today, and also Outlaw's lawyering up, Allen can read QR codes now, and Joe is looking at second careers. View the full show notes here: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode238 News As always, thank you for leaving us a review – we really appreciate them! Almazkun, vassilbakalov, DzikijSver Atla…

1
079: How to Make a Good Game Bad 33:29

2M ago33:29

33:29

Game: Big Picture: Poor communication, taking control from player Unskippable filler content/cutscenes Bad default controls Horrible marketing Constant waiting Removing interaction indicators Examples: Skyrim, Celeste, Breath of the Wild Develop: Communicate clearly Have multiple people test it Don't make assumptions about player mindset Don't wast…

1
078: The Joy of Consequences in Games 31:53

2M ago31:53

31:53

Game: Choices-matter genre Baldur's Gate 3 The Quarry Disco Elysium Diablo II and re-rolls Investment Develop: Immediate feedback Frustrating consequences Satisfying consequences Proving impact Repeat: What in-game choices do you find most satisfying? Do you prefer experiencing every option, or embracing one path? Roll with the consequences. Ko-Fi:…

1
Alternatives to Administering and Running Apache Kafka 1:05:15

2M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

View the show notes on the web: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode237 In the past couple of episodes, we'd gone over what Apache Kafka is and along the way we mentioned some of the pains of managing and running Kafka clusters on your own. In this episode, we discuss some of the ways you can offload those responsibilities and focus on writing stre…

1
077: How Games Help Us Grow 30:58

3M ago30:58

30:58

Game: Creating Space Emotions and Indie Games A quick note about practical skills Taking the training wheels off Game of thrones taught me about myself Develop: Just be open I'm not advocating for preaching Doesn't have to be a whole emotional journey Repeat: How do games help you? Start experimenting a little more. Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxious…

1
076: Why Make Games 29:16

3M ago29:16

29:16

Game: What does making games do for you? Love of the results Chasing some goal Fame and Fortune Develop: Love of the process Learning new skills Growing as a person Repeat: What is your favorite part of making games? Are you taking time to enjoy the process? Don't overthink it, just enjoy it. Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Strea…

1
Nuts and Bolts of Apache Kafka 1:37:26

3M ago1:37:26

1:37:26

Topics, Partitions, and APIs oh my! This episode we're getting further into how Apache Kafka works and its use cases. Also, Allen is staying dry, Joe goes for broke, and Michael (eventually) gets on the right page. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode236 News Thanks for the reviews! angingjellies …

1
075: Pure Goofy Fun (Worms) 23:19

3M ago23:19

23:19

Game: The Worms series Less story Goofball immersion Develop: Knowing your game's emotional impact Creating space for unintended fun Repeat: What is fun for you? Is your game idea fun? Should your game idea be fun? Goof around in games, game development, and life. Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Stream: https://www.twitch.tv/anxi…

1
074: On Touching Grass 24:51

3M ago24:51

24:51

Game: How reality improves gaming Childhood love of gaming Childhood love of touching grass Develop: Incentives in Game Development Players need to digest Repeat: What games have you thought about during real life? How has real life made gaming more fun? Tip: "Touch grass" as often as possible Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiousbuddhagames Twitch Stre…

1
Intro to Apache Kafka 2:04:48

3M ago2:04:48

2:04:48

We finally start talking about Apache Kafka! Also, Allen is getting acquainted with Aesop, Outlaw is killing clusters, and Joe is paying attention in drama class. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode235 News Atlanta Dev Con is coming up, on September 7th, 2024 (www.atldevcon.com) Intro to Apache K…

1
073: No Bad Ideas (Parappa the Rapper) 31:27

4M ago31:27

31:27

Game: No bad ideas Insane concept First rhythm game Deeply beloved despite absurdity Just make games Develop: Art style Pure, goofy gameplay Stop being serious Design standards and preconceptions Repeat: What dumb idea can you think of right now? How could you make it interesting? Tip: It's about skills, not success. Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/anxiou…

1
072: Why Play Games 33:52

4M ago33:52

33:52

Game: How a few games impacted me: Final Fantasy 7 Morrowind Starcraft Diablo II Warcraft 3 Stardew Valley Celeste Spiritfarer Develop: Don't be afraid to share You can't know what someone else will get from yo ur game Excessive Gaming Repeat: How has gaming impacted you at different points in your life? Notice the little positive things Ko-Fi: htt…

1
StackOverflow AI Disagreements, Kotlin Coroutines and More 1:41:39

4M ago1:41:39

1:41:39

https://www.codingblocks.net/episode234 Reviews iTunes: ivan.kuchin News Atlanta Dev Con September 7th, 2024 https://www.atldevcon.com/ Topics People trying to remove their answers from StackOverflow to not allow OpenAI to use their answers without permission/recognition? https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/stack-over…

1
071: Propaganda and Helldivers 2 38:39

4M ago38:39

38:39

UPDATED CONTEXT: About half an hour after I finished editing this episode, Sony announced via twitter that they will not be moving forward with the update that initiated this controversy. Game: Incredible satirical propaganda Community controls the marketing Great lore, full commitment Accidentally creating a union Develop: "Everything is game desi…

1
070: Upward Spirals and Game Development 35:31

4M ago35:31

35:31

Game: Celeste - Confidence WoW - Investment JRPGs - Power Dark Souls - grit Develop: The spiral curriculum Small projects, footholds Acknowledging victories Velocity and Acceleration HealthyGamerGG Repeat: What footholds have you recently found? How might you build your current victories? Tip for myself: Be patient, work consistently Ko-Fi: https:/…

1
Llama 3 is Here, Spending Time on Environmental Setup and More 1:33:37

4M ago1:33:37

1:33:37

Full episode show notes can be found at: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode233By Michael Outlaw, Allen Underwood, Joe Zack

1
069: The Gameplay Loop of Game Development 29:33

4M ago29:33

29:33

Game: My current project is bad Gameplay loops A sense of risk Develop: Overcoming Struggles Exploring new areas Leveling up Building a party/community Repeat: What type of gameplay is most motivating for you? What part of working on a project is most motivating for you? Tip for myself: Sort out priorities, filter for what's most important. Ko-Fi: …

1
Episode 116: Game Industry Downturn? 1:07:59

5M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

The boys are back! In this week's episode, the gang reunites and catches up on what everybody has been up to over the past couple of years. We also address the ongoing layoff crisis in the game industry. What does it mean for the future of AAA and indie game development. We hope you enjoy the show!By The Debug Log

1
068: Conquering Creative Paralysis 37:13

5M ago37:13

37:13

Game: No guarantees, just like creating Things that paralyze you Is there ever only one path ahead? Risk less, work patiently Develop: What power do we actually have? Notice, notice, notice The invisible work Considering trying might be harder than trying Repeat: What is the worst thing you can do for your creative energy? How can you get to know y…

1
Ktor, Logging Ideas, and Plugin Safety 1:38:39

4M ago1:38:39

1:38:39

Picture, if you will, a nondescript office space, where time seems to stand still as programmers gather around a water cooler. Here, in the twilight of the workday, they exchange eerie tales of programming glitches, security breaches, and asynchronous calls. Welcome to the Programming Zone, where reality blurs and (silent) keystrokes echo in the de…

1
067: My Favorite Pokemon Game (Jade Cocoon) 26:24

5M ago26:24

26:24

Game: Creature collector without the cuteness Creature Combinations A darker, otherworldly aesthetic Story is pretty good, but probably nostalgia Develop: A little bit of choice adds a lot of potential Allow players to explore systems Check-In: Still learning how much I have to learn. Looking into more formal education paths. Repeat: What game do y…

1
066: I Earned a World Record (Dustforce) 35:37

5M ago35:37

35:37

Game: I got a world record 246 way tie Awesome community Flowy, skill based speedrunner Satisfying skill development, significant space for mastery Incredible soundtrack Beautiful animations and art Develop: Navigating levels in game, alternative selections Blocking levels based on ability to reach them Leader-boards add a lot to the gameplay Check…

1
Importance of Data Structures, Bad Documentation and Comments and More 1:40:43

4M ago1:40:43

1:40:43

Full show notes at: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode231By Michael Outlaw, Allen Underwood, Joe Zack

1
065: When to Ditch a Project 35:27

5M ago35:27

35:27

Eastshade Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCzhyUsDHPE Game: Backstory of my current project Full description of the project Getting stuck after the prototypes Develop: Eastshade Studios video: "Marketing is not why most indie games fail" Why I'm considering scrapping this project Scope realizations Too much stuff to polish Check-In: Godot Te…

1
064: Why Grinding Doesn't Feel Like Work 33:34

6M ago33:34

33:34

Game: Different types of grinding Loot Grind Player Skill Grind Character Power Grind Video Game Grind vs Day Job Grind Develop: The obvious stuff Flashing lights, audio rewards Story with clear conclusion Near-guaranteed success No need to plan Check-In: Building up momentum Twitch has been a fun way to start working on art more and bonding with c…

1
Decorating your Home Office 1:21:18

5M ago1:21:18

1:21:18

This time we are missing the "ocks", but we hope you enjoy this off...ice topic chat about personalizing our workspaces. Also, Joe had to put a quarter in the jar, and Outlaw needs a cookie. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode230 News Thank you for the review Szymon! Want to leave us a review? De…

1
063: Being Willing to Fail (Chess) 28:05

6M ago28:05

28:05

Games: Chess as a psychological horror game Chess as a fast paced shooter How bad I am at chess Crushing failure Forcing you to recognize the inaccuracy of your own confidence. Develop: Chess - learning a theory, applying it, appearing worse at the skill Learning about lighting, making uglier art. "The next big step forward" will often make you wor…

1
062: The Most Relaxing Games 31:45

6M ago31:45

31:45

Games: Truly relaxing games: Eastshade A Short Hike Mountain Dragon Quest 11 Walking simulators Most games I play are stressful: Cook Serve Delicious Almost any Real Time Strategy game Almost any MOBA Chess Shooters and such Many games that we think of as relaxing can be quite stressful: Stardew Valley Roller Coaster Tycoon Develop: What makes a ga…

1
Multi-Value, Spatial, and Event Store Databases 1:07:14

6M ago1:07:14

1:07:14

We are mixing it up on you again, no Outlaw this week, but we can offer you some talk of exotic databases. Also, Joe pronounces everything correctly and Allen leaves you with a riddle. The full show notes are available on the website at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode229 News Thanks for the reviews! ivan.kuchin (has taken the lead!), Yoondoggy…

1
061: The Difference Between Bad and Incredible (Front Mission 3) 41:28

6M ago41:28

41:28

Game: Front Mission 3 vs Front Mission 1st remake, initial impressions. Design Fundamentals The UI and maps in Front Mission 3 The difficulty tuning in Front Mission 3 RNG Damage sponges in Front Mission 1st Develop: Design Fundamentals Examples of bad vs good execution Things that age poorly Fine tuning the player experience Putting time into the …

1
060: How to Git Gud (League of Legends) 28:40

7M ago28:40

28:40

Game: Deep and wide gameplay Practice does not make perfect Difficult learning environment What matters is hidden until you look for it Lot of misinformation Unwelcoming culture Develop: Discovering what matters by observing others "High Ranked" game developers Avoiding misinformation/misleading paths Finding a welcoming culture (avoid the doom and…

1
Overview of Object Oriented, Wide Column, and Vector Databases 2:03:38

6M ago2:03:38

2:03:38

Show notes at https://www.codingblocks.net/episode228By Michael Outlaw, Allen Underwood, Joe Zack

1
059: How to Panic (Incredible Crisis) 40:05

7M ago40:05

40:05

Game: What makes Incredible Crisis special? Ska soundtrack Completely absurd story Brutal button mashing (creates physical response) High pressure, simple minigames Develop: The utility of panic The utility of frustration How your players physically interact with your game Impact of emotional moments on gameplay My own development Keystone Habits W…

1
058: Planning Your Game (Stardew Valley) 43:25

7M ago43:25

43:25

Game: Cleaning up Planting Seeds Maintaining Connecting and exploring Harvesting If you over-plant... Develop: What stardew teaches us about development How much can you really plan Patience and Consistency Energy Management Community Process My own development Struggling with rest vs burnout Negativity spirals Believe in yourself, not in your acco…

1
Picking the Right Database Type - Tougher than You Think 2:10:55

7M ago2:10:55

2:10:55

For the full show notes, head to: https://www.codingblocks.net/episode227By Michael Outlaw, Allen Underwood, Joseph Zack

1
057: Patiently Pushing Limits (Subnautica) 36:36

7M ago36:36

36:36

Game: Subnautica's air mechanic Exploring and discovering more and more cool stuff How easy it is to drown Develop: Drowning in development and/or features Subnautica oxygen as a metaphor for effort over time Weightlifting and rest days Why this segment is called repeat Sacrificing the short term for the long term Ego lifting and ego game dev Repea…

1
056: Scams and Games 39:42

7M ago39:42

39:42

Game: Scams in loot based games Justifying scams in video games Items with real world prices Ethical lessons learned through gaming Develop: Scams that target developers Post-launch scams Game Dev Courses that toe the line Cheating, shortcuts, and player behavior My development progress over the past three weeks Repeat: What mechanics in your game …

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