What makes a great level designer? How do you take the leap from AAA studios to launching your own indie game studio? In this episode, Greg sits down with Willem Kranendonk, founder of Odyssey Cocktail Interactive and former level designer at Velen and Zynga. They discuss Willem’s journey from LEGO-loving kid to designing levels for Knockout City and Star Wars: Hunters, the philosophy behind great level design, and why he believes game studios need to take more risks. Willem also shares insights into his new studio, OCI, and their vision for "Cocktail Games"—a bold new approach to game development.

• Founder, Odyssey Cocktail Interactive
• Former Level Designer at Velen Studios (Knockout City) & Zynga (Star Wars: Hunters)
• Passionate about innovation in game design & the power of hybrid genres

⏳ 01:25 – From childhood LEGO builds to professional level design
🔨 06:15 – What is level design, really? (Hint: It’s more than just making maps)
🎭 12:30 – Finding creativity in unexpected places (Pink Floyd, JFK conspiracies & more)
🔥 22:00 – Proactivity in game development: Learning by doing
🏗️ 26:50 – Why Willem launched Odyssey Cocktail Interactive
🍸 36:40 – What are “Cocktail Games” & how they blend genres for fresh experiences
📢 41:58 – The importance of community-driven development
🚀 45:25 – The future of game development: Risk-taking, AI & industry shifts

🎤 “You can have all the great mechanics in your game, but it’s nothing without the right playground.” – Willem Kranendonk
🎤 "Level design is about executing the fun. It's about taking an idea and making it feel right." – Willem Kranendonk
🎤 “Indie games are taking the world by storm because they’re willing to take risks AAA studios won’t.” – Greg Posner

🔗 Odyssey Cocktail Interactive Website
🔗 Willem on LinkedIn