Mentors And Mentees: A Guide - #229 - Game Dev Local Podcast Game Dev Local podcast

47:44

In this episode, Zsuza, Head of People and Culture at Wushu Studios, joins us to chat about what makes the people at Wushu tick, and what spirit and values they aim for consistently

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Is University Worth It? - #241 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:45

12 days ago58:45

58:45

In this episode, Emily and Sadie will discuss the pros and cons of their University experience whilst also discussing and providing advice for Networking.

Game Dev Local Podcast

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A Journey into the Industry - #240 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:01:39

19 days ago1:01:39

1:01:39

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to learn everything about #gamedev you never dared to ask by fellow #GDL Host and indie game legal consultant Myska Hattersley. They talk about her journey from growing up in South Africa with a focus on law (and Drones) into finding her place in the industry she had always aspired to.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Keeping The Game on Track - AAA vs Indie - #239 - Game Dev Local Podcast 57:00

26 days ago57:00

57:00

In this episode, Oscar is joined in his podquest to learn everything about #gamedev you never dated to ask by fellow #GDL Host and producer at Climax Roni Yosko. They talk about the differences and challenges we face when making games in an AAA team verses indie - and what lessons can be learned on both sides.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Surviving and Thriving in Indie VR with Brendan Walker - #238 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:04:40

5 weeks ago1:04:40

1:04:40

In this episode, Nina is joined by Brendan Walker to dive deep into the evolving world of indie VR development. Over the last decade, the landscape of VR has shifted - so what does it take to survive as an indie VR dev today? Brendan shares his experiences navigating the highs and lows, from pitching prototypes to dealing with touch development decisions, and the challenges and considerations made in developing for multiple VR platforms.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains ep. 9 - Data in Games with Timofey Sugaipov - #237 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:12:41

6 weeks ago1:12:41

1:12:41

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Timofey Sugaipov, ex-Analytics Engineer at Trailmix Games to talk all things Data. Data has become one of the biggest keywords in the last decade in both the Games and Tech industries, but its role and function in studios is still a bit of a mystery to most. In this episode, we deep dive into the core functions of Data in a Studio; looking from setup and execution. Tim is definitely one of the experts in this field; I think his knowledge of Data as a discipline will be indispensable if you want to understand better how to use data to empower the creative process rather than limit it. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry. In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question 'Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today's games market?'…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Platforms, Channels and Discovery Oh My! - #236 - Game Dev Local Podcast 55:41

7 weeks ago55:41

55:41

In this episode of the Game Dev Local Podcast, host Oscar continues his ongoing podquest to uncover everything about game development that you never dared to ask. This time, he's joined by Game Dev Local founder Stuart De Ville for a deep dive into platforms, channels, and discovery—three key pillars of getting your game noticed in today’s competitive market.From choosing the right platforms for your game to understanding different distribution channels and the ever-evolving challenges of discoverability, Oscar and Stuart break down what developers need to know to maximize their reach and connect with their audience. Whether you’re an indie dev navigating self-publishing or a seasoned pro looking to refine your marketing strategy, this episode is packed with insights to help you get your game into the hands of players.Tune in for an engaging conversation on the opportunities and pitfalls of launching games in the modern industry landscape!…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Game Over or Game On? Succeeding in the Indie Games Industry - #235 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:02:25

8 weeks ago1:02:25

1:02:25

Success in game development isn’t just about making a great game—it’s about making the right decisions at every stage. From prototyping and team management to marketing and funding, indie developers need solid strategies to navigate an increasingly competitive industry. In this episode, GDL Director Tom Morgan and Founder Stuart De Ville break down key tactics indie devs can use to build sustainable studios and successful games. They’ll explore smarter prototyping, effective leadership, community engagement, and how to position your game for success in today’s market. Whether you're a solo dev or running a small team, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you develop, market, and sell your game more effectively.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains ep. 8 - The State of Play in 2025 and Beyond - #234 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:29:33

9 weeks ago1:29:33

1:29:33

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Rhys Elliott, Games Journalist and Games Analyst at MIDiA Research, together they discuss some of the biggest gaming trends that are impacting the industry today. Delving into everything from AI to Ads and the ever-elusive Switch 2. This episode covers our top takes for some of what 2025 holds in stake from a broader business perspective for the Games Industry. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry. In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question 'Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today's games market?'…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Lessons From Audio Drama - #233 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:48

10 weeks ago58:48

58:48

In this episode, Chris Gregory and Emily Inkpen from Alternative Stories, the team behind 'The Dex Legacy' join Oscar to explore what lessons we can learn from the writing and sound world-building from Audio Drama. Oscar was previously a guest on Alternative Stories and Fake Realities Podcast which can be found here: Alternative Stories: https://alternativestories.com/ Emily Inkpen: https://www.emilyinkpen.com/ You can find the full audio version of this episode by visiting: https://anchor.fm/game-dev-london Visit Our Website - https://www.gamedevlocal.com - for meet ups, game jams, competitions and more! Join Our Discord - https://www.gamedev.london/join Follow Us On Twitch - https://www.twitch.tv/gamedevlondon…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Design Direction and Publishing - #232 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:26:21

11 weeks ago1:26:21

1:26:21

In this episode, Nina and Jeff chat about the secret sauce in strong teams and the value of passion, perspective, and communication across all forms of design.

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Growing Pains ep. 7 - Live Games & Leadership with Teemu Haila - #231 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:32:20

12 weeks ago1:32:20

1:32:20

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Teemu Haila, CPO and founder of Metaplay, they discuss Teemu's path in Games from the early days of mobile and live-service games to the behemoth the industry has become today. His journey in games has seen him found and lead several teams across various facets and regions within the industry. So tune in as he shares some of his learned insights from his time growing and building games as well as the teams that empower them. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games industry. In this series, Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question 'Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today's games market?' Jay Uppal https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayant-uppal-18ab34a5/ Teemu Haila https://www.linkedin.com/in/teemuhaila Metaplay Inc https://metaplay.io/…

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New Year Special – Jay & Stu Talk Games - #230 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:23:13

13 weeks ago1:23:13

1:23:13

The GDL podcast is back for 2025. In this special episode, the Founder and CEO of GDL is joined by Jay Uppal (host of the popular GDL Growing Pains series) to talk all things Games and beyond. Warning: Lot of tangents abound. So, if you want to hear more about The State of Play and where we’ve been, where we are going, and how we fit into the world, and hey if that’s not enough, then just tune in to hear two grown men complain about being British!…

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Mentors and Mentees: A Guide - #229 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:15

14 weeks ago58:15

58:15

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Mastering the Virtual Tabletop Game - #228 - Game Dev Local Podcast 48:40

15 weeks ago48:40

48:40

Gunnar Holmsteinn from Quest Portal joins Oscar on his Podquest to explore the influence of Dungeons and Dragons and his decision to make the next generation of Virtual Table Tops (VTTs) - we also talk a little about a positive use of AI to support the games master.

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains ep. 6 - The Downfall of Payload Studios - #227 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:19:49

16 weeks ago1:19:49

1:19:49

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Kae Cheung, senior designer at Payload Studios, they discuss Kae's path into game design and the broader industry trends that impacted Payload Studios. Once a proud champion of UK's games industry, Payload is only one of a number of studios that has recently been brought to the verge of bankruptcy. Jay and Kae have a candid discussion about the time period leading up to the recent decision that has seen Payload lay off roughly 90% of its staff, in a bid to understand what went wrong and if there were ways to mitigate it. Note from Jay: The conversation in this episode is a crucial one to understand and learn from what we are currently seeing in the Games industry. While we are discussing this through the lens of Payload Studios, they could be replaced by any number of studios in the games industry that have seen similar results this year. While I'm seeing an abundance of people supporting one another in the industry, I have not yet seen much from the leadership perspective in terms openly addressing the decisions that have been made in recent years. I think without the conversation around accountability and the role of leaders in studios we're essentially bound to repeat a similar cycle n the future. My hope with this episode is not to single Payload out but to start a conversations around the broader topic of leadership in the games industry, why the industry is in its current slump, and how can we put safeguards to prevent similar situations in the future. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry. In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all important question 'Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today's game market?'…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Sustainability in Film and Games - #226 - Game Dev Local Podcast 53:10

17 weeks ago53:10

53:10

Amelia Price from Sustainable Film joins Oscar on his Podquest to explore the different challenges and lessons faced by Film and Game Studios when it comes to leaving a reduced impact on the world. What practical ways can we be more sustainable?

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Structured Creativity Ep. 4 - Creating Spaces for Creativity - #225 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:07:49

18 weeks ago1:07:49

1:07:49

Greg Hennessey, Design Director at CCP Games (Eve Online), has had an interesting and winding journey through games which has brought him from his home country of Canada all the way to Iceland. In this episode, we take a peek at his life as a Design Director, cover how leaders can make themselves open to critique and leave the door open for conversation and talk about the his idea of a great party.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains ep. 5 – The Japan Episode - #224 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:18:19

19 weeks ago1:18:19

1:18:19

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant Jay Uppal sits down with Anime Producer Will Feng to discuss everything about life in Japan. Will has been in the Animation space for 20+ years and has been right on the frontlines of the recent Anime boom that has inspired some of the recent transmedia strategies in games. Jay and Will dive deep into everything from life in Japan as a foreigner to the secrets behind building working relationships in Japan. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry. In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question ‘Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today’s games market?’ Jay Uppal Social https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayant-uppal-18ab34a5/ Will Feng Social https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-feng-93528a3/ Episode 5 Segments: 00:00 Introduction to Episode Five 01:46 Introduction to Will 03:46 Animation in US vs Japan 11:40 Cultural Differences Working in Japan 16:40 Business in Japan is just Done Differently 24:10 Legal is Still a Nightmare 28:10 Find Your Clan (Networking in Japan) 34:00 Life in Japan as a Foreigner 40:30 Bars in Japan 44:30 Transmedia in Japan 50:50 Are Visual Novels Games? 55:00 Do the Grind 57:00 Netflix – Anime, Games, & Live Action 01:03:15 Korean Webtoons on the Rise 01:05:15 Collaborating with Japanese Productions 01:10:20 Japanese Idol Culture 01:16:20 Ending Segment…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Playing the Learning Game - #223 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:15

20 weeks ago58:15

58:15

Fellow host Laura joins Oscar on his Podquest to explore the nature of professional learning in various forms from the humble webinar to interactive workshops, accelerator programs, mentoring and even peer information sharing. Why does it matter that we keep on learning? And what does someone doing that training need to consider in the ways they deliver that?…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Inspirations and Reflections - #222 - Game Dev Local Podcast 48:48

21 weeks ago48:48

48:48

In this episode, host Nina Kim sits down with David Evans, the indie developer of Sail Forth. David delves into the creative inspirations behind his project, reflecting on the journey of building a game as a solo dev. With candid stories from his personal experience, David opens up about the challenges and triumphs he faced during development, and offers insights for anyone who is starting on a similar journey.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains 4 – Finding your Audience - #221 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:12:37

22 weeks ago1:12:37

1:12:37

In this episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal sits down with Bastian Bergmann, the Co-founder of Solsten.io. Solsten is a Consumer Insights research firm that aims to put individual players back at the core of the game development cycle. They use psychologically backed techniques meshed with traditional behavioural research to identify the way and how behind a player’s action to offer clearer insights for decision-makers to better understand their audience and more effectively communicate with the player rather than the statistic. In this discussion Jay and Bastian delve into Solsten’s journey so far and the importance of understanding your gaming audience and their intrinsic motivations; as well as how a players psychology offers new insight into your players mindset and what that could mean for your game. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry, In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question ‘Is having a fun game sill enough to succeed in today’s games market?’ Jay Uppal https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayant-uppal-18ab34a5/ Bastian Bergmann https://www.linkedin.com/in/bergmannbastian/ Solsten 2024 – State of the Player Report: https://solsten.io/state-of-the-player Gen-Z Traits Article: https://solsten.io/blog/gen-z-traits-ideology-gap Bastian’s Blog: https://technicallyentertaining.substack.com/ Solsten Website: https://solsten.io/ Episode 4 Segments: 00:00 It’s Getting Harder to Make Successful Games 00:30 Introduction to Episode Four 02:04 Introduction to Bastian 04:07 Founder’s Journey for Solsten 13:04 Player Research: Behaviour vs Psychology 23:50 When Player Psychology Matters 32:05 How to use Player Insights 37:05 Empowered Marketing: Finding your Players 46:50 Gaming & Gender 52:15 The Startup Mentality 01:01:05 Opportunities with AI 01:05:35 Navigating Data Privacy 01:07:35 Tips for Founders 01:10:45 Solsten’s Vision & Closing Thoughts…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Design Matters - #220 - Game Dev Local Podcast 57:13

23 weeks ago57:13

57:13

Nina Kim from Rare joins Oscar on his Podquest to discuss the challenges of defining the multifaceted role of game designer, as well as the joys of the ever-evolving nature of design.

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains Ep. 3 - Understanding AI - #219 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:09:57

24 weeks ago1:09:57

1:09:57

In this third episode, of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal sits down with Kamen Brestnichki, an AI researcher and Co-founder of Martian Lawyers Club, a newly founded Indie Games Studio based out of the UK. They dive into all things AI, discussing the hype behind the AI ecosystem and the broader ramifications of AI technologies in games and beyond. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry. In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question 'Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today's games market?' Jay Uppal https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayant-uppal-18ab34a5/ Kamen Brestnichki https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamen-brestnichki https://martianlawyers.club/ https://x.com/MartianLawyers https://store.steampowered.com/app/2824790/GUG Episode 3 Segments: 00:00 Introduction to Episode Three 04:45 What is AI? 12:25 Using AI to Make Games 21:47 Humans vs AI 31:05 MLC's AI Stack 34:40 Ethics of Using AI for Development 42:05 Advice for New Adopters 45:10 Do we need Intelligent NPCs? 52:15 Efficacy of No-code 56:00 State of the AI Ecosystem 01:00:10 AGI and the Singularity 01:04:35 Favourite Games 01:07:10 Ending Segment + Learning Resources…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Designing Games Meant for Sharing - #218 - Game Dev Local Podcast 58:35

25 weeks ago58:35

58:35

In this episode, Ioana from Mojiworks joins Oscar on his Podquest to learn everything about game development to explore how to design games meant for sharing, which is also the topic of her new book with CRC press.

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Structured Creativity Ep.3 - Creativity as a Practice - #217 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:11:26

26 weeks ago1:11:26

1:11:26

This week I am joined by my friend, Nicholas, who is a narrative designer, artist, and founder of Essay Games. His artwork and games have been featured in Kotaku, Rock Paper Shotgun, Game Developer, Critical Distance, Unwinnable, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. His games are interesting, thoughtful, and delve deeply into human stories. While his last two games relied on his skill for research, his current undertaking, Bundle of Joy, draws on his recent experience of becoming a parent during the pandemic. We speak at length about creativity as a practice and what his personal go-to tools are to tell stories and create games Wishlist Bundle of Joy: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3138370/Bundle_of_Joy/ https://bsky.app/profile/essaygames.bsky.social https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-o-brien-essaygames/ https://essaygames.itch.io/…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains Ep. 2 - Learning Leadership - #216 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:32:35

27 weeks ago1:32:35

1:32:35

In this second episode of Growing Pains, GDL host and Games Strategy Consultant, Jay Uppal sits down with Shariar Sharabi the Creative Lead at VR studio Realities.io. They delve into the VR ecosystem, the process of learning and what it means to lead. Sha's personal journey in games and endless drive for growth provide an interesting backdrop for framing this discussion around learning and leadership in a new light. Growing Pains is a series focusing on key business trends and people shaping the Global Games Market and their impact on the Games Industry. In this series Jay speaks with industry leaders across the Games and Gametech space; trying to demystify the industry, understand the state of leadership, and answer the all-important question 'Is having a fun game still enough to succeed in today's games market?' Jay Uppal >> https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayant-uppal-18ab34a5/ Shariar Shahrabi >> https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahriar-shahrabi/ Sha's Portfolio + Blog >> https://shahriyarshahrabi.medium.com/ https://ircss.github.io/ Episode 2 Segments: 00:00 Introduction to Episode Two 02:25 Early Career Pressures 16:10 Transitioning to VR 23:10 The VR/XR Ecosystem 31:40 Growing in a Startup Environment 38:15 The Makings of a Manager 54:22 Burdens of Leadership 01:12:15 Learning & Growth 01:23:25 Sha's Book Recommendations 01:27:40 Making a Good Game 01:30:30 Ending Segment…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Hot Takes: Early Access - #215 - Game Dev Local Podcast 56:20

28 weeks ago56:20

56:20

In this episode, 'Hot Take', Stuart, Laura, and Oscar explore what the what, why, and wherefore of using Early Access in game development and give our own hot takes on the topic at the end.

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Crafting a Freelance Career in Game Art - #214 - Game Dev Local Podcast 52:20

29 weeks ago52:20

52:20

In this episode, our host Max Louis of MLC, and freelance artist James Brady sit down to explore his journey into the world of game art. James shares how he first got into freelance work, detailing the challenges and rewards of building a career in this competitive field. We dive deep into his experiences, discussing the highs and lows of freelancing, from the creative freedom it offers to the unpredictability of the work. James also gives us an insider's look at his impressive career in AAA game development, revealing what it's like to contribute to some of the industry's most well-known titles.…

Game Dev Local Podcast

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Growing Pains Ep.1 - Trends From the Global Games Industry - #213 - Game Dev Local Podcast 1:53:30

30 weeks ago1:53:30