Episodes

  • Work Cultures (with Chris Bergman)

    Work Cultures (with Chris Bergman)
    May 10 2024

    Most of our favorite games aren't created by solo devs; they're created by groups of people. And, when you get a bunch of people together in a group, culture happens. So, what makes for a good working culture in a game development team? How do you establish such a thing and maintain it? When we say someone doesn't "fit the culture" of a team, what does that mean—and what should the team do about it? Chris Bergman, CEO of Gylee Games, joins us for an enlightening discussion about how he thinks about work culture, and he didn’t swear even one time!

    Work CulturesMisc.ProductionGylee GamesRa Ra Boom! - SteamGylee and Friends PodcastAsk A Manager BlogChris BergmanGuest

    Chris is the founder of Gylee and creator of Ra Ra Boom. Gylee is named after his kids, Guy and Lee. Chris is a longtime serial entrepreneur who is passionate about creating entertainment that is uplifting and enlightening. He's also an imposter DJ and has been rollerblading since 1994.

    External linkChris on InstagramChris on Twitter (X)
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  • "Everything is everything." South by Southwest 2024; Player Friction

    "Everything is everything." South by Southwest 2024; Player Friction
    May 2 2024
    In this more games-adjacent episode, Mark recounts his experiences at the South by Southwest conference this year! Many fascinating discoveries to be found within that topic, in addition to Stephen's continued obsession with Dragon's Dogma 2 and Ellen's experience with the podcast as a listener.Stagg EKG Pro Electric Kettle - FellowStephen's used this for a couple of weeks now (in fact as he's editing this episode). It's... okay! Not as many features as expected with the app, it just updates the firmware of the kettle. It is nice to wake up to hot water though! And it's quite fast.0:09:52South by Southwest 2024South by SouthwestJust Play JamCinereachJust Play Jam 2023itch.ioHow Design Thinking Protects White Supremacy talkSWSXWhat Is the Design Thinking Process? The 5 Steps Complete GuideEmily StevensCareer FoundryIntel crushed its supplier diversity targets 8 years early. Here’s howBen UnglesbeeSupply Change DiveIntel® One MonoIntelIntel One Mono TypefaceGitHubNet neutrality restored as FCC votes to regulate internet providersDavid HamiltonAP NewsMoneySpyresYouTube1:08:31Player FrictionDragon's Dogma 2 Is Polarizing Its Community, And It's Not Just the Microtransa…Rebekah ValentineIGN
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  • GameMaker (with Seth Fulkerson)

    GameMaker (with Seth Fulkerson)
    Apr 25 2024
    In this Episode Seth Fulkerson joins us in the clubhouse to talk the game engine, GameMaker. Seth is a long time user of GameMaker who's latest project is "Arzette: the Jewel of Faramore." The clubhouse discusses the history of GameMaker, the scripting language GML, and the advantages and disadvantages of the system.And Stephen learns a bunch of the stuff he wished he knew when he actively using GameMaker.GameMakerProgrammingToolsSeth's body of work:CDi Zelda Titles Remastered - Retro RGBArzette: The Jewel of Faramore - WikipediaGameMakerGameMaker Licensing CostsYoYoGames GameMaker Github - GitHubGameMaker history on Wikepdia - WikipediaGameMaker Language (GML)GML ManualGameMaker ToolsGameMaker MarketplaceAdd Ons for Game Maker: -Scatterbox -Yellow Afterlife -Juju AdamsShaun Spalding GameMaker Tutorials - Shaun Spalding, YouTubeSeth FulkersonGuestSeth Fulkerson is a longtime GameMaker user, and enthusiast of CD-ROM Full Motion Video games. He championed the Zelda CD-i remakes. External linkThe Dopster aka Dopply LinkTree
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  • Visual Worldbuilding (with Laura Onderwater)

    Visual Worldbuilding (with Laura Onderwater)
    Apr 19 2024
    We’re joined this week by Laura Onderwater, friend of the show! Laura is an experienced concept artist currently working with Greensky Games. In this interview, she shares a bit about her workflow and how she thinks about worldbuilding from an artistic perspective. Plus, your hosts learn when to cry into a pillow, and Stephen repeatedly asks for THE limit.Greensky GamesSWARM - "The Epic Arcade Shooter Built for VR" - Greensky GamesVisual WorldbuildingArtMeow Wolf - Immersive ExperiencesWrist and forearm stretches for the workplace - Mayo ClinicThe Art of Psychonauts 2 - Ashley Esqueda, Double Fine ProductionsLaura OnderwaterGuestLaura is a passionate concept artist with years of experience in creating art for games. Laura is always excited to work on new projects, and to bring ideas and worlds to life.External linkLaura on LinkedInLaura on Artstation
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  • GDC 2024 Special (Part 3) (with Alyssa Walles and Audi Sorlie)

    GDC 2024 Special (Part 3) (with Alyssa Walles and Audi Sorlie)
    Apr 11 2024
    Your nice hosts conclude their GDC 2024 coverage with a pair of interviews they conducted at the show. Mark catches a post-show cold, Stephen gets over his, and Ellen thought everything sounded great.Midwest Games / Carbon EngineMidwest GamesMidwest GamesChris Klimecky - LinkedInMidwest Games - Work with usCarbon EngineCarbon Engine - Limited RunShantae Advance - Shantae WikiArzette: The Jewel of FaramoreAlyssa WallesGuestAlyssa Walles is Midwest Games' Chief Operating Officer, as well as the Executive Director of the IGDA Foundation.External linkLinkedInMidwest Games Leadership AnnouncementAudi SorlieGuestProducer at Limited Run Games and Member of Digital Foundry.External linkLinkedIn
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  • GDC 2024 Special (Part 2)

    GDC 2024 Special (Part 2)
    Apr 4 2024

    And now, the conclusion (sorta!), as tour nice hosts recount the back half of the week at this year's GDC. It's a long one, but there's somehow even more on our Patreon.

    GDC 2024 Special (Part 2)ReSpec: Accountability SupportHow Nintendo made Super Mario Bros. Wonder so weirdAndrew WebsterThe VergeJack Foley (sound effects artist)WikipediaThe return of 1ReasonToBe and why we still need itMarie DealessandriGamesIndustry.bizPanic says two pallets of Playdates worth $400,000 have vanished in VegasChris KerrGame DeveloperA frequently-cited "good first episode" of Nice Games Club is one where we interview August Brown:Developer/Publisher RelationsWe had Monica on the show to help create a Nice Game Jam game in:Blame the Cat! (with Monica Fan)
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  • GDC 2024 Special (Part 1)

    GDC 2024 Special (Part 1)
    Mar 28 2024

    Some of your nice hosts, plus some nice guest hosts, traveled to San Fransisco last week for the 2024 Game Developers Conference. There was so much to see and do and it ended up being too much for just one episode... actually, it was too much for just two episodes!

    So, how much GDC 2024 content is there exactly? Well, plans changed and it's too complex to summarize here, so be nice and have a listen to find out!

    (SPOILER: There's 2+ hours of extra GDC content on our Patreon page!)

    • Musée Mécanique
    GDC 2024 (Part 1)Unity 6 and beyond: A roadmap of Unity Engine and servicesWe discussed the first "Flash Games Postmortem" in:GDC 2017 Special (Part 2)
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  • "Things just happen, somewhere." Partnering Up; Control Flow

    "Things just happen, somewhere." Partnering Up; Control Flow
    Mar 22 2024

    It's our first roundtable of the year! And did you know that Minneapolis is "partnered up" with Saint Paul? Stephen's not sure what either of these topics have to do with game development, but don't worry—we get there. Ellen kicks off a conversation about how the people we work with have a huge influence on what we create, and the experience of creating it. Mark tries to explain "control flow" in programming, and pretty much everyone gets it. You probably will, too.

    • Cover image by RF Studio - Pexels
    Partnering UpClick: The Magic of Instant Connectionby Ori Brafman, Ron BrafmanGoodreads0:41:08Control FlowControl flowWikipedia
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