Triple-A to Indie, Lessons From Blizzard, Growing Remote Teams, Future Game Trends, Animal Crossing, and Magehunter with Richard Khoo

Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's Podcast

Richard Khoo, Co-Founder and Game Director of indie studio Khookey joins me on this episode. He shares how he went from a Modder to Designer to Co-Founder working at places like Blizzard, Riot Games, Wargaming, and Pocket Gems. We talk about being recruited by Blizzard in 2004, advice for getting into the industry, furthering your career after you’re in, favorite projects, a few funny stories, growing remote teams, COVID-19 and mental health, along with his upcoming game, Magehunter. Hosted by John ‘JP’ Podlasek (See gamedevadvice.com for in-depth show notes and links.)

In This Episode We Discuss:

[01:11] Introductions

[02:11] Richard’s current role as Co-Founder and Game Director

[03:47] Advantages of developing in Unity

[04:30] Getting started in the industry

[08:35] What he wishes he’d known before getting in the industry

[10:44] Advice for someone looking to get a first job

[13:34] The three tracks for advancing your current career

[19:28] Richard’s favorite project so far

[21:56] Thoughts on nostalgia and the game industry

[23:54] Advantages around building remote teams

[27:31] Concerns around the Free-to-play model and what can replace it

[29:42] Thoughts on opportunities in the market

[33:56] Working on Heroes of the Storm at Blizzard

[39:35] Discussion about Animal Crossing, especially during times like now

[43:02] Streaming recommendations

[46:00] Mental health and personal development during COVID-19

[50:43] Finding Richard online

Resources:

*Khookey website

*Magehunter website

*Richard Khoo LinkedIn

*Magehunter Twitter

*Magehunter Discord

Game Dev:

*New: Game Dev Advice Patreon

*Game Dev Advice Twitter

*Game Dev Advice email

*Game Dev Advice website

*Level Ex website - we’re hiring for all kinds of roles

*Game Dev Advice Hotline: [phone]

*Don't forget to subscribe and go to www.gamedevadvice.com for full show notes with links

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