Best Gaming Creators Podcasts (2024)

1
Valve's Steam Deck designers on the making of the groundbreaking handheld computer 22:17

2h ago22:17

22:17

It took a couple of years but the Steam Deck is officially available today for players in Australia. The reason? Well why don't we let designers Lawrence Yang, Jay Shaw and Yazan Aldehayyat explain. Gianni sat down with Valve's handheld makers in Melbourne to learn how player behaviour has changed with the launch of the portable computer, what to e…

1
Making history anew with CIVILIZATION VII, the next game in the milestone series 31:34

10d ago31:34

31:34

With a game series as long running as CIVILIZATION, how do you keep reinventing and refining when you hit the seventh title? With long campaigns and countless hours for each play through, these games take on a life of their own for each player. Recently at Melbourne International Games Week Firaxis Games developers Andrew Frederiksen (Lead Producer…

1
Racing and liquid raves PHANTOM SPARK is precision racing without the pressure 40:07

3M ago40:07

40:07

If you love the feeling of racing until you perfect the line PHANTOM SPARK might be exactly what you're looking for. Joon Van Hove (NUTS) one part of Icelandic studio Ghosts shares how Torfi Asgeirsson nailed the gameplay before anyone else even came on board. How subtle storytelling, but no plot, was an essential design element, that builds to com…

1
Comedy specials and a brand new Gameboy game, comedian Tommy Dassalo on SUPER DASSALO LAND 46:56

3M ago46:56

46:56

Comedian Tommy Dassalo who you might know from podcasts Filthy Casuals and Little Dum Dum Club, thought it might be too narcissistic to make a game about yourself and charge for it. Lucky SUPER DASSALO LAND is a free prequel to his latest comedy special, so therefore not as narcissistic, and he teamed up with talented Gameboy creator Gumpy Function…

1
Complexity is fun, designing the DISNEY LORCANA trading card game 23:55

4M ago23:55

23:55

Have you every wondered what it takes to design one of those sprawling trading card games? It's not that often that a news series pops up, there are a few major series but one of the newest to hit the tabletops is DISNEY LORCANA by Ravensburger. Ryan Miller is the co-designer and brand manager and sat down to share how a childhood love of Dungeons …

1
SCHIM is a cute joyful stealth puzzle set in the shadows of the real world 27:00

5M ago27:00

27:00

Apple Arcade: Enjoy unlimited access to over 200 incredibly fun games with no ads and no in-app purchases. From puzzle and adventure games to sports, racing, and multiplayer action games, everyone can count on finding something to love. Head to sifter.com.au/arcade to start your free trial* of Apple Arcade today and you'll be supporting independent…

1
CAPES is a super heroic tactics game from the makers of HAND OF FATE 25:12

6M ago25:12

25:12

Have you ever wanted to make the ultimate super hero teamup? Inspired by XCOM: CHIMERA SQUAD, CAPES is the new tactical super hero game where positioning and combo moves are the way to win. Want to put together your own fastball special? Squad composition and positioning is the way to win. Cade Franklin one of the original team on HAND OF FATE join…

1
COZY CARAVAN has cute stepped animations and chill lo-fi vibes 29:59

7M ago29:59

29:59

Chris Conte & Dean Ferguson from Queensland's 5 Lives Studios share COZY CARAVAN and ask you te enjoy lo-fi hip hop beats to open a market stall to. Learn why the team wanted to make something that was decidedly smaller than their previous titles, designing this cool stepped animation and why they still want to return to SATELLITE REIGN one day. Ap…

1
BALADINS is a time-loopy RPG for up to four pals where you can't save everyone at once 35:59

7M ago35:59

35:59

Can't get your friends to come join you at your house for a night of tabletop gaming? BALADINS by French studio Seed by Seed takes the fun of rolling dice and playing a character and distills it to a cool timeloop adventure. Jean Nicholas and Thaïs Arias join Lightmap to share their narrative game which was featured as part of Ludonarracon, their c…

1
League of Geeks almost shut up shop, their last big play is SOLIUM INFERNUM 44:58

9M ago44:58

44:58

It's been nearly eight years since Trent Kusters one of the co-founders of Melbourne's League of Geeks joined me on the podcast. Back in the Pixel Sift days, Trent was working through the early days of ARMELLO their groundbreaking digital board game, but the last twelve months have been some of the hardest for the company. JUMPLIGHT ODYSSEY was she…

1
BERSERK BOY is a fast paced platformer with the soul of Sonic the Hedgehog 24:30

9M ago24:30

24:30

Did you grow up blasting through Green Hill Zone or Casino Night Zone? Maybe you spent hours defeating the nefarious schemes of Dr Wily. These colourful platformers hold a fond place in the hearts of many including Zu Ehtisham solo developer of the new BERSERK BOY where you blast through levels switching elemental powers as you go. Learn how Zu bui…

1
The enduring appeal of FRUIT NINJA, reinventing the game for Apple Vision Pro 30:39

10M ago30:39

30:39

Queensland based Halfbrick have been making games for almost 25 years, and chances are if you’ve picked up a phone in the last decade you’ve played one of their games. Fruit Ninja and Jetpack Joyride, Age of Zombies or maybe you’re a bit more oldschool and played one of their Gameboy Advance games or PlayStation or Wii titles. In an industry that s…

1
Austin Wintory, Tripod, Montaigne on writing the Grammy Award nominated STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL 41:43

10M ago41:43

41:43

The groundbreaking STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL is pretty unique and the very first Australian made game to be nominated for a Grammy Award, which will be awarded today. Composers Austin Wintory (JOURNEY, ASSASSIN'S CREED SYNDICATE) Scott Edgar and Simon Hall from musical comedy group Tripod, singer-songwritter Montaigne aka Jess Cerro join …

1
Managing Stress and Expectations of Daily Gaming Content Creation 1:55:11

11M ago1:55:11

1:55:11

If you are a gaming content creator on Youtube or perhaps you run a gaming podcast like our good friends Classic Gamers Guild you no doubt have run into stress of living up to your own and your audiences expectations. The Adventure Game Hotspot Network members all chime in on how they deal with poor performance or disappointing reactions to the gam…

1
The best game soundtracks of 2023: ZELDA: TOTK, BALDUR'S GATE 3 & more 54:15

12M ago54:15

54:15

We listen back through this incredible year of games with our friend Meena Shamaly, musician, composer and host of ABC Classic's The Game Show. It's Shamaly Selects 2023 and boy are there some incredible pieces to listen to. Here is what delighted and made the top eight this year. STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL - Adrift & Challenging a Queen (…

1
KNUCKLE SANDWICH is an RPG inspired by best of GBA and Nintendo DS games 33:47

1y ago33:47

33:47

If you grew up playing the Gameboy Advance and the Nintendo DS, you might have missed the aesthetic those games created at the time, but you'd definitely remember the vibes. Those vibes are what Andy Brophy and Olivia Haines are trying to recapture in their weird and wonderful roleplaying game KNUCKLE SANDWICH. With some kicking tunes and fun turn …

1
Adventure Game Communities - The Beauty and Drama -AGHN Content Creators Pod 1:59:14

1y ago1:59:14

1:59:14

On The AGHN Content Creators Podcast, we're talking about our communities and what type of comments and feedback we get: the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between. We also discuss the fun things that we are working on when it comes to adventure game content creation. The Adventure Game Hotspot Network: / @oneshorteye - adventure game s…

1
A voice says SLAY THE PRINCESS. What you do next is up to you 39:22

1y ago39:22

39:22

SLAY THE PRINCESS is a horror narrative visual novel where you've got one task. You're here to slay a princess, but if you do is actually up to you. This game brings branching narratives and a style of roguelite gameplay to the visual novel genre where all your choices can lead to an ending. Developers Abby Howard and Tony Howard-Arias join Lightma…

1
THE PLUCKY SQUIRE jumps between 2D and 3D worlds and is a gorgeous homage to gaming's past 25:11

1y ago25:11

25:11

THE PLUCKY SQUIRE feels like a world of pure imagination. Jonathan Biddle and James Turner head up All Possible Futures a completely remote studio working on the gorgeous game that acts as a love letter to some of your favourite genres and games of the last 30 years. Gianni sat down with Jonathon Biddle at PAX Australia to explore how this collabor…

1
Are video games causing climate change? 16:26

1y ago16:26

16:26

If you want to play a video game you have to plug something in, that power comes from somewhere and Dr Ben Abraham, has completed the second annual Net Zero Snapshot for the games industry. Ubisoft is leading the charge dropping their emissions, despite being one of the world's biggest studios, but for many other Triple A game developers they just …

1
Orchestrating the CULT OF THE LAMB ritual, River Boy on making this catchy soundtrack 24:57

1y ago24:57

24:57

When you first hear the soundtrack for CULT OF THE LAMB it's immediately clear how much of a part it is to the experience of the game. Narayana Johnson who performs under River Boy made his first soundtrack when working on Massive Monster's smash hit, and it will be rearranged and performed this Melbourne International Games Week with Orchestra Vic…

1
Drop Rate - STARFIELD boldly goes, a compelling science fiction adventure among the cosmos 35:58

1y ago35:58

35:58

We've got some brand new episodes of Lightmap on the way, featuring some very cool guests but to get you there here is the latest episode of Drop Rate featuring Chris Button, SIFTER EP Gianni Di Giovanni and Player2.net.au writer Jess Zammit talking all about STARFIELD Bethesda's huge spacefaring roleplaying game. Follow Drop Rate on your favourite…

1
IMMORTALITY's Sam Barlow on why AI art could never really replace people 36:05

1+ y ago36:05

36:05

The first thing you notice when you see a game made by Half Mermaid the studio lead by Sam Barlow is that it doesn't really look like a game, the full motion video looks more like a TV show or movie. For Barlow what initially started as a creative and budgetary constraint of being a small indie team has become a defining feature of his work, with h…

1
Motorbike stunts and metrovania combine in stylish LAIKA: AGED THROUGH BLOOD 27:46

1+ y ago27:46

27:46

You know when you just look at a game and think, everyone is going to be talking about this? LAIKA: AGED THROUGH BLOOD combines some of the best motorbike tricks of TRIALS with a stylish story featuring some of the coolest anthropomorphic animals in game since CULT OF THE LAMB. Ivan Papiol one of the artists from Spanish studio Brainwash Gang joins…

1
Gear Talk. AGHN Creators talk about their AUDIO SETUPS 2:04:18

1+ y ago2:04:18

2:04:18

In this episode of Adventure Game Hotspot Network Content Creators Podcast to the Max show the Adventure Game Hotspot Network creators (we need to think of a real name for this show) talk about their audio setups that they use while creating their awesome videos and podcasts. As always, you will get lots of tips and tricks mixed with some stories o…

1
The history of video games, one year and one game at a time 35:09

1+ y ago35:09

35:09

How do you condense more around forty years of interactive history into one book? Games journalist Jordan Minor (PC Mag, The Escapist) has taken on this task, with a new beautifully illustrated book "Video Game of the Year" which charts the biggest moments in games. Jordan shares his history as a games writer, the limit of a single game per year an…

1
Tips, Tricks and Sometimes Failures of Creating Adventure Game Content 1:21:58

1+ y ago1:21:58

1:21:58

The Adventure Game Hotspot Network is back and this time the WHOLE crew is here. In this episode we learn that "hair loss is a symptom of content creation. We talk about the stresses of creating YouTube, and other media content and what we are working on (and hopefully succeeding at). Space Quest Historian, Weird Gaming Adventure (AGH), Conversatio…

1
Drop Rate SIFTER's new review podcast - STORY OF SEASONS A WONDERFUL LIFE 37:12

1+ y ago37:12

37:12

Subscribe to Drop Rate our new review podcast for free. Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Amazon Music Pocket Casts -- STORY OF SEASONS: A WONDERFUL LIFE revisits the 2003 farming simulator GameCube classic. In the years since its original release, farming games have risen in popularity: Stardew Valley, Wylde Flowers, and Disney Dreamlight Val…

1
We Talk About Adventure Games and Stuff - An Introduction 1:15:25

1+ y ago1:15:25

1:15:25

In this podcast we say hello to our hero's: Space Quest Historian, OneShortEye, Conversations with Curtis and Weird Gaming Adventure introduce themselves and discuss what the Adventure Game Hotspot Network is. The guys have a great time and we believe that you will have a great time talking about Adventure Games with us? Why did I capitalize Advent…

1
PLANET OF LANA has its own secret language and galaxy spanning story 38:32

1+ y ago38:32

38:32

By SIFTER

1
The video game industry does not exist 45:20

1+ y ago45:20

45:20

You might be thinking looking at the name of this episode, hang on, haven't you been making a games podcast for nearly a decade now? Well that's the title of a new book from games researcher Brendan Keogh, who has been speaking to developers all around the world about their practice and it turns out we should be thinking about games in a totally di…

1
DROS is an alchemical platformer inspired by dark 80s fantasy like The Dark Crystal 17:37

1+ y ago17:37

17:37

Creative Director Ben Ward describes the world of DROS as kimo-kawaii or creepy cute taking direct inspiration from 1980s dark fantasy films, this platformer has you switching characters on the fly to complete each level. Producer Tim Molony and Ben join Gianni for a preview of the game ahead of the launch onto Kickstarter . Learn more about how th…

1
Why DREDGE a cosmic horror fishing game is reeling people in 28:26

1+ y ago28:26

28:26

There is something not quite right below the waves and in DREDGE you're pulling it all back up to the surface. This lovecraftian fishing game is simple and addictive, with plenty of creeping terror bubbling below the surface. Programmer, designer and narrative lead Joel Mason , 3D Artist Mikey Bastiaens and 2D Artist Alex Ridge from New Zealand's B…

1
Why real rental horror stories are part of this spooky comedic game 23:40

2y ago23:40

23:40

Everyone has a horror story to tell when it comes to renting, there are some downright scary experiences out there, and Sydney's Fuzzy Ghost are trying to collect the best of the worst for their next game JANET DEMORNAY IS A SLUMLORD (AND A WITCH), or JDM for short. Award winning Australian developers Scott Ford and Pete Foley join us to share the …

1
What is Lightmap? Meet video game creators and hear their story. 2:00

2y ago2:00

2:00

Lightmap is SIFTER's interview podcast, it's won an Australian Podcast Award and features frank and honest conversations with video game creators. We talk to developers, musicians, artists and more about why they create for interactive media. There are more than 200 stories to experience in our back catalogue so why not learn a bit more about the c…

1
Explore the heavens in JUMPLIGHT ODYSSEY and delve through hell in SOLIUM INFERNUM 33:37

2y ago33:37

33:37

The digital boardgame ARMELLO was how Melbourne's League of Geeks made their name but seven years since that ground breaking indie game was released the studio this year will be sharing not one but two new games. Kelsey Gamble is the Publishing Producer and has a hand in both the scifi anime colony sim JUMPLIGHT ODYSSEY and the hellish political ga…

1
Why aren't there more video game musicals like the upcoming STRAY GODS? 24:42

2y ago24:42

24:42

STRAY GODS: THE ROLEPLAYING MUSICAL combines narrative adventure games with realtime dynamic songs that change as you make choices. Liam Esler, Managing Director of Melbourne's Summerfall Studios shares how musicians Montaigne and Tripod helped create the soundtrack to this game inspired by the musical episode of Buffy. Written by David Gaider (DRA…

1
Has this developer nailed the modern 8bit JRPG? 8 BIT ADVENTURES 2, a love letter to classic Final Fantasy games 27:35

2y ago27:35

27:35

Retro inspired videogames are a dime a dozen but what happens if you lean in all the way, play with the nostalgic experiences of those people who grew up with the NES and the Gameboy to make something truly modern. Joshua Hallaran from Critical Games has been working on 8-BIT ADVENTURES 2 for seven years, studying the classics and creating a true l…

1
The best video game soundtracks of 2022 with Meena Shamaly 51:15

2y ago51:15

51:15

What is a game without it's soundtrack? Meena Shamaly, composer and host of ABC Classic's The Game Show joins Gianni for a musical journey through some of the best sounds in video games. Check out the full list on our website: The Best Video Game Soundtracks of 2022 with Meena Shamaly Support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by buying us a co…

1
Games of the Year 2022 - ELDEN RING, CULT OF THE LAMB & more 52:02

2y ago52:02

52:02

It's our bumper Game of The Year special, we've got six different games for you as well as a bunch of honourable mentions from the SIFTER team. It was a very hard choice this year with lots of incredible games. You can read a full write up of our favourites on the SIFTER website. SIFTER's 2022 Games of the Year Support SIFTER's independent gaming j…

1
How does morse code work? Learn in MORSE a tactical puzzle game set in World War 1 15:25

2y ago15:25

15:25

Alex Johannsson has been working on MORSE, inspired by a love of alt controllers and limited button inputs, in this game that combines real morse code and grid based combat. Alex joins Gianni to talk about the development of the game over many years and why cool weird controllers are really a big source of inspiration. Support SIFTER's independent …

1
Meet vtuber Miltia, one of Australia's favourite catgirls 7:01

2y ago7:01

7:01

Miltia is one of the biggest Vtubers in Australia, a partnered streamer on Twitch and she's made a career connecting with fans all over the world. You'll find her playing Apex Legends most days and she said vtubing as really allowed her to connect better with her audience. Mitch finds out what it's like vtubing, how the community responded to her n…

1
UNPACKING's music is a storytelling tool of colour and emotion 36:01

2y ago36:01

36:01

Jeff Van Dyck is a BAFTA award winning composer and sound designer, who has worked on FIFA, the TOTAL WAR series, and most recently UNPACKING as one third of Queensland based studio Witch Beam Games. Jeff shares the story of how he came to work with a small indie studio after working Triple A titles for years, the story telling in each of the piece…

1
WE ARE OFK is a band, a TV show, a visual novel and some of the best dialogue writing in games 34:17

2y ago34:17

34:17

WE ARE OFK is an episodic visual novel by Team OFK that pulls together a lot of really interesting elements. It's not only got it's own virtual band with an EP of great electronic pop, but contains some of the most genuinely written conversations you'd expect to overhear from that cool group of twenty somethings in the bar. Director/Writer, actor a…

1
Chill narrative game WAYWARD STRAND has 20,000 lines of spoken dialogue 28:12

2y ago28:12

28:12

Starring legendary Australian actors Michael Caton, Anne Charleston and newcomer Nancy Curtis as lead character Casey, WAYWARD STRAND is a very Australian narrative indie game with as much voice acting as 18 feature films. Nancy Curtis who plays Casey and Maize Wallin sound designer, audio programmer and composer from developer Ghost Pattern share …

1
What happened to post-apocalyptic deer game WAY TO THE WOODS? 14:50

2+ y ago14:50

14:50

Do you remember WAY TO THE WOODS? The post apocalyptic game where you play as a magical deer moving through the ruins of humanity was revealed in 2019 as an Xbox exclusive but for mostly solo developer Ant Tan, it's been a long process of getting everything right. We sit down with Ant to find out some of the design inspirations, learn more about th…

1
CURSED TO GOLF is a roguelite golf platfomer that works way better than you'd think 27:04

2+ y ago27:04

27:04

CURSED TO GOLF is a rogue-like or as developer Liam Edwards likes to call it a "golf-like" platformer with some excellent tunes and beautiful pixel art graphics. We speak to Liam about the origins of the game as a small personal project, building up the team to polish it, design decisions and gameplay design as well has find out what tips he'd give…

1
CULT OF THE LAMB developers Julian & Will share the secrets of building their roguelite cult simulator 31:52

2+ y ago31:52

31:52

CULT OF THE LAMB is really two different games in one, a town builder and a dungeon crawler, but they've been welded together using arcane magics by the creative team at Massive Monster (THE ADVENTURE PALS, NEVER GIVE UP) into an experience that keeps you busy. Julian Wilton, Creative Director and Will Mesilane, UI Developer share the secrets hidde…

1
Every piece of art in CARD SHARK was hand printed, here's how it was made 39:46

2+ y ago39:46

39:46

CARD SHARK is a beautiful picture book styled video game where you cheat your way through 18th century France and every single graphic you see was hand printed and then scanned into the game. Lead artist and animator Nicolai Troshinsky was inspired by a love of card magic and sleight of hand, as well as a 1975 Stanley Kubrick film to build this ama…

1
How Xalavier Nelson Jr realised WITCH STRANDINGS was the next "strand-type" game 32:44

2+ y ago32:44

32:44

WITCH STRANDINGS is a mouse controlled "strand-type" game, where you make connections and paths across a cursed world. Even though Hideo Kojima wanted to turn DEATH STRANDING into a genre, it was Xalavier Nelson Jr and the team at Strange Scaffold who did it first Learn more about this open world adventure through a forest, how the game runs WOLFEN…

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