ByteAction

In this week's episode of ByteAction Podcast I'm speaking to Vadym Syvolap - Game Director at Plarium. We talk about game design, f2p games, Ukraine, state of the games industry and Vadym's journey in game development. 

Learn about Vadim's unique journey into the gaming world, the major trends affecting the industry, how the war in Ukraine affected his life and work, and his future aspirations. We also talk a lot about leadership, the fast-paced world of mobile gaming, the importance of user experience, and the potential losses incurred by poor design.

0.00 - 12:00 Growing up in Ukraine & how you got into Games

12:00 - 17:00 Becoming a professional Game Designer

17:00 - 25:00 Plarium

25:00 - 30:00 How do you know if the game is going to succeed?

30:00 - 34:00 The game changer moment

34:00 - 38:00 Establishing game design department

38:00 - 49:00 Covid & War in Ukraine

49:00 - 55:00 Moving to Barcelona

55:00 - 1:10:00 What are you playing currently?

1:10:00 - 1:14:00 Console vs Mobile

1:14:00 - 1:24:00 Leadership

In this episode of Byte Action Podcast I am joined by María Fernanda Díez Huerta to talk about her journey in video games, her path, career in various production roles, as well as her take on Women in games and everything that's happening in the games industry today.

We discuss the indispensable role of women in the gaming industry and the importance of fostering an effective work culture. We touch issues such as visibility, diversity, and the impact of ‘culture fit'. María also shares her inspiring journey - from her early days in the industry to becoming a Head of Production. She sheds light on the gender bias in hiring, and the misconceptions that adversely contribute to the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles. Tune in for a great discussion.

0.00 - 12:00 Intro, Travels, Family & Barcelona

12:00 - 18:00 Becoming a Game Producer

18:00 - 24:00 Tutotoons

24:00 - 33:00 Experience that made you a Producer (Omnidrone)

33:00 - 42:00 How do you create and foster an environment where people can thrive? 

42:00 - 44:00 Therapy

44:00 - 46:00 Managing remote teams

46:00 - 50:00 What does culture mean to you? 

50:00 - 1:00:00 XR Games, VR & Leeds

1:00:00 - 1:07:00 Women in games

1:07:00 - 1:16:00 What’s going on with the games industry?

In this episode we delve into the exciting world of game production, board games, and game industry market. I'm joined by Daniel Rosga - experienced Game Producer and Board Game Designer who turned his passion for playing board games into actually making one. 

Listen to his journey of running a successful Kickstarter campaign as he recounts the challenges encountered and the steps one should take in order to successfully raise money on the platform.

We also discuss the role of a Game Producer, financial aspects of game development, the value of junior talent, and the evolving tastes of game audiences.

This episode is packed with practical insights, whether you're an aspiring game developer, a board game enthusiast, or just curious about the game creation process.  

0:00 - 8:00 Nujum

8:00 - 18:00 Kickstarter

18:00 - 27:00 Story behind Nujum

27:00 - 31:00 Tabletop RPG as a board game

31:00 - 39:00 Becoming a Game Producer

39:00 - 42:00 I Am Fish

42:00 - 47:00 Market saturation

47:00 - 48:00 Hire for attitude not the experience

48:00 - 53:00 Production budgets

53:00 - 1:02:00 What makes a good Producer?

1:02:00 - 1:07:00 How do you resolve conflicts?

1:07:00 - 1:14:00 Crunch in game development

1:14:00 - 1:19:00 Paths to Game Production

 

Subscribe to Nujum: https://purpleplantgames.com/#nujum

Play I Am Fish: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1472560/I_Am_Fish/

In this episode, I explore the captivating world of video game sound design and music composition with Romain Gauthier. Tune in as Romain shares his journey from childhood passion to becoming the mastermind behind the soundtracks of globally renowned games.

Focusing on the creation of emotional experiences within gaming, he talks about the real-life trials and triumphs of scoring for AAA titles, coping with market shifts, and maintaining resilience in a highly competitive environment. This episode is not just about music—it's about the art of blending passion, creativity, and commercial acumen to craft memorable gaming experiences.

We also delve into the impacts diverse cultural experiences have on artistic growth, and the importance of doing what you love. An insightful episode for any aspiring musician or game audio designer seeking to understand the delicate balance between unique creativity and reverence for original works within a global franchise.

 

0:00-2:00 intro

2:00 - 5:00 Where it all began

5:00 - 6:00 Instruments you play

6:00 - 8:00 How you compose music

8:00 - 12:00 Who & what inspires you

12:00 - 19:00 Content we consume

19:00 - 24:00 Becoming a professional

24:00 - 30:00 Gameloft days

30:00 - 35:00 Running your own studio

35:00 - 39:00 Stolen IP

39:00 - 41:00 Freelancing

41:00 - 45:00 Danghost

45:00 - 49:00 Disney

49:00 - 57:00 Travels & Learnings

57:00 - 1:00:00 advice to young people

 

Play Danghost: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1812170/Danghost/

Check out Romain's work: http://romaingauthier.net/

In this episode I'm joined by Hugo Bastien - experienced Audio Designer and Audio Director. Hugo is currently leading audio team on Crysis 4 project at Crytek. Previously he led audio teams on Talking Tom and Rainbow Six: Siege IPs. 

 

0.00 - 1.00 - Intro

1.00 - 3.00 - Why Barcelona? 

3.00 - 7:00 - Outfit7 and Talking Tom

7:00 - 12:00 - Ubisoft & Child of Light

12:00 - 13:00 - Audio Designer role

13:00 - 16:00 - Game engines & middleware

16:00 - 18:00 - D-Box days

18:00 - 22:00 - Early Ubisoft days

22:00 - 28:00 - Giving back & advice to others

28:00 - 30:00 - What are you playing now? 

30:00 - 34:00 - Psychoacoustics

34:00 - 38:00 - More about Child of Light

38:00 - 41:00 - Libraries vs original assets

41:00 - 44:00 - Composers & Voice Actors

44:00 - 51:00 - Leadership 

51:00 - 53:00 - AI