Beyond Bossfights

Beyond Bossfights 10 – Becoming a Game Developer


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I’m joined this month by Joey Wiggs, who works for the startup game development company Flying Helmet Games. Joey and I talk about what it takes to break into the gaming industry and how Flying Helmet Games is hoping to grab our attention with their concept of merging table-top and video gaming.

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Show notes:

Guest this episode: Joey Wiggs from Gamer by Design and Flying Helmet Games

What Are the Kids Playing?

Kerbal Space Program – Brodkil

Definitive Gaming History

Main Topic – Becoming a Game Developer

Questions/Topics for discussion:

  • You didn’t start out in game development. Walk us through why you decided on your “first” job at Microsoft
  • What made you decide to leave the security of Microsoft for the unsurety of a startup?
  • What influenced you to go into game development?
  • How exactly does one become a game developer? What kinds of things did you do to prepare for that career?
  • Does being a dev enhance or detract from your ability to enjoy playing games?
  • Describe that moment when it hit you that you were an indy dev.
  • Is it what you expected?
  • What is a typical day like for an indy game developer?
  • What are some of the differences between working at the largest software company in the world and a tiny startup?
  • What did you learn at Microsoft that has been beneficial to working at a startup?
  • This week we got the news that a one time startup (Mojang, creator of Minecraft) was purchased by Microsoft for $2.5 billion. Is it possible for a successful indy studio to remain independent? Or is the allure of that huge payoff just too difficult to walk away from?
  • Are you able to share anything about the game you’re working on currently (Eon Altar)?
  • This game started as a kickstarter. Why was that funding avenue abandoned and what has changed philosophically since then?
  • When do you expect it to be available?
  • Would you do it all over again (going into game development) or would you alter a few things?
  • What I’ve Been Up To

    Check out the video response from Scott Vyper to Beyond Bossfights Episode 9!

    Please support my Extra Life at: Extra-life.org/participant/braxwolf

    Join Team LOTRO Players to raise funds for Extra Life!

    Feedback

    iTunes:

    (DJPimpDaddy)

    I listened to the first episode while multitasking at work and quickly realized I was doing this excellent show injustice. Braxwolf’s topics are deep, promoting very thoughtful long discussions about various gaming subjects. This show has content that is so engaging that I almost don’t remember driving several 100+ mile trips. Not that the show is boring mind you, its like reading Tolkien: you just get swept up in the story and forget reality for a bit. His revolving guest list has been excellent through the first 7 episodes I have binged through and I am excited for future shows. Its refreshing to have something in my iTunes RSS that I genuinely look forward to vs the typical sterilized commercially made gaming news and review shows. This is the first time I have felt mentally satisfied from digital entertainment since the “post Breaking Bad finale drought”. During one of our trips my wife did point out that the show does cite the MMO LOTRO a lot, but all of the guests as well as Braxwolf himself take an objective standpoint. They also cite dozens of other games and technologies, like the fantastic discussion about machinima with Pash (that guy’s a content-machine btw). You can’t fault them for using something they know and love as examples in their discussions. As for technical production value, Braxwolf puts out a fantastically polished show, devoid of all problems that plague most new podcasts, like poor skype recordings, or guests that sound like they are using a payphone on a busy NYC street. Kudos on nailing it right out of the gate and keep up the fantastic quality!

    You can send your feedback to [email protected] and I’ll read it on the podcast. Reminder that Beyond Bossfights is on iTunes and Stitcher. I would appreciate your ratings and reviews!

    Contact information:

    Guests

    Joey:

    Twitter: @Talarianjs

    Websites: Gamer By Design and www.eonaltar.flyinghelmetgames.com

    Me

    Twitter: @Braxwolf

    Facebook: www.facebook.com/braxwolf

    YouTube: www.YouTube.com/user/braxwolf

    Blog: braxwolf.wordpress.com

    Voiceover by Alexa Rubinov

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    Beyond BossfightsBy Braxwolf

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