What happens when a Juilliard-trained playwright and award-winning comedian designs video game narratives?

Leif Olesen-Cormack (The Low Road, Tales Noir Preludes) discusses the biggest creative challenges in game development today. Plus, more on his multifaceted arts career.

Leif and Cory attempt to unpack their version of the heated debate around artificial intelligence, discussing why AI is fantastic for mundane tasks but can lack the crucial "soul" and human experience needed to craft truly meaningful art and comedy. This leads to a discussion on how Leif’s work in games forced him to reverse-engineer stories to align with existing game mechanics and complex conversation puzzles. Not to mention dealing with the unique difficulty of landing jokes in a game where traditional comedic timing is disrupted. In the final act, we learn why growing up in the Edmonton arts scene provides an unexpected advantage over major creative hubs like New York.

Plus, Leif offers a preview of his upcoming comedy album recording, Alone Ranger.

Important Links:

• thelowroad.com/
• store.steampowered.com/app/2020030/Tails_Noir_Preludes/
• leifoc.com/
• edmontonarts.ca/event/leif-oleson-cormack-alone-ranger-live-album-taping
• instagram.com/leifoc/
• store.steampowered.com/app/3001200/Tails_Noir_Rebel_Rush

It's the Q3 Party Chat from Good Game Edmonton and Digital Alberta!

This time, welcoming two industry voices: Nathaniel Rossol of VR Cave and Travis Gibson of Snowed In Studios to break down the latest in Alberta's interactive digital media (IDM) scene.

This episode celebrates major wins and tackles industry-wide disruption:

• Shipping & Scaling: Hear how VR Cave landed CMF funding to build a "full-blown, much larger" game, Heroes Together VR, and scored almost 2,000 wishlists at Gamescom.
• Co-Dev & AAA: Snowed In (Starfield, Fallout Shelter) offers insight into the essential world of co-development and what it takes to thrive in the AAA pipeline.
• Industry Shakes: The panel addresses the anxiety around recent widespread layoffs and the massive $55 billion leveraged buyout of EA, offering advice on resilience and why smart studios still greatly value juniors and new professionals.
• Community Milestones: A rundown of the 10th anniversary of GDX, the recent Alberta Game Jam, new initiatives like Baby Ghosts Alberta, and the Alberta Scholastic Esports League (ASEL) call for venue proposals for the 2026 Alberta Esports Championship.

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• ⁠Important Links:

  • digitalalberta.com

  • snowedin.ca

  • vrcave.io

  • basementbunkerlabs.com

  • interactiveartsalberta.org

  • itch.io/jam/alberta-game-jam-2025

  • babyghosts.fund/peer-accelerator

  • lucidrainestudios.com

  • gameinvestwest.ca

  • norquest.ca/esports

  • asel.gg

  • edmontonscreen.com

  More of the show: goodgameyeg.ca⁠

  
  

The Alberta Scholastic Esports League (ASEL) is officially heading into its first school year as a newly independent organization, and Shadi Hanna is here to share all the details. After a successful pilot year, ASEL is building on its momentum to create a supportive and competitive ecosystem for students and teachers across Alberta.

Join us as we explore the vision behind ASEL, from its roots in the Alberta Esports Association to its new identity. We cover everything you need to know about getting involved, whether you're a teacher looking to start a program, a parent curious about the benefits of esports, or a student eager to compete. Learn how ASEL is fostering teamwork, sportsmanship, and even boosting school attendance.