In this episode, Jeff Linville — co-founder of Ritual Studios — returns to Game Dev Advice to talk about the journey behind his band-inspired RPG Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson. From starting a studio with college friends to launching worldwide with French publisher Playdigious, Jeff shares the hard-won lessons of taking the leap into full-time indie development.

We go into what it really takes to form a studio, ship a first game, and survive the chaos between passion and business reality.

Topics We Cover

• Founding Ritual Studios after meeting at Columbia College Chicago

• How Fretless mixes music, RPG, and deck-building mechanics

• The moment they quit their jobs to “really do it” and chase a publishing deal

• Lessons learned about funding, taxes, lawyers, and running a real company

• Building a standout pitch deck and landing a deal with Playdigious in France

• Managing bugs, Steam feedback, and localization into seven languages

• Outsourcing art and engineering — and why it’s harder than it sounds

• Choosing FMOD over Wwise for advanced Unity audio integration

• Why getting your game playable early is key

• How Cardio Ex shaped Jeff’s music-driven sound design

• Thoughts on AI tools in audio, from noise cleanup to creative limits

• Favorite soundtracks: Hyper Light Drifter and Guild Wars 1

• Current go-to games: Pillars of Eternity and Lord of the Rings Online

• Reflections on Mortal Kombat, Midway Games, and player nostalgia

• Advice for anyone going indie: “Be ready for it — it’s a business.”

🎥 Making-Of Documentary

Making a Musical Indie Game from Scratch (30 min): https://youtu.be/3USobO6qRHE?si=aEhUEI0dwQbMqki2

🎮 Play / Follow

• Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson (Steam): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/Fretless__The_Wrath_of_Riffson/

• Ritual Studios (Bluesky): https://bsky.app/profile/ritualstudios.bsky.social

• Ritual Studios (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/ritualgamestudios/?hl=en

• Fretless Original Soundtrack (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/album/1VXVxtFzJOUYJypudcF9DN?

• Jeff Linville @Dovetail (Linktr.ee): https://linktr.ee/dovetailmusic

• Rob Scallon (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/RobScallon

• Playdigious (Bluesky): https://bsky.app/profile/playdigious.bsky.social

Bio

Jeff Linville is Co-Founder of Ritual Studios, a Chicago-based indie studio that published their acclaimed debut, Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson, in July 2025. With 8+ years in game audio and production, Jeff has worked on Fretless, Cardio Ex, and more.

🕹️ Game Dev Advice

Whether you’re a student, aspiring dev, or industry veteran, you’ll find practical takeaways and stories from inside game development.

Start Here

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg

• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NChfUVhFxV9NCoUVp4uD0

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• Hotline: (224) 484-7733

• Email: [email protected]

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In this episode, we dive deep into Tim’s creative journey behind Disney’s hit mobile game Where’s My Water? and what it really takes to break into and succeed in the game industry. From starting out in QA testing to leading creative teams at Disney, and later becoming a successful solo indie developer, Tim’s conversation is packed with insights, stories, and advice for anyone passionate about making games.

We cover topics every developer, designer, and indie creator will relate to:

The making of Where’s My Water? and how it became a global success

Transitioning from QA tester to game designer and creative leadership

Using unique skills (like Japanese language fluency) to break into the industry

Why communication and flexibility are key to creative careers

The challenge of finishing projects and navigating free-to-play models

How to handle fears, impostor syndrome, and career advancement in gaming

Current trends shaping the industry, from indie development to AI in games

Streaming game development on Twitch and building community

Indie game recommendations you should play now

Whether you’re a student, aspiring game developer, or industry veteran, you’ll find practical takeaways and entertaining stories from inside the world of game development.

🎮 Want to learn how to build your own career in games? Start here:

👉 Subscribe for more Game Dev Advice: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg  

👉 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NChfUVhFxV9NCoUVp4uD0 & https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-dev-advice-the-game-developers-podcast/id1450096263

👉 Patreon: career coaching through Gain Wisdom: https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice  

👉 Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

👉 Email: [email protected]

👉 Website: www.gamedevadvice.com 

Bio:

Tim has been making games for more than 20 years now, at companies like Disney, Universal, and now as an independent creator under his own studio, Walaber Entertainment. At Disney, he was the lead designer of the hit mobile game "Where's My Water?", as well as the creator of the "JellyCar" series of games. As an indie, he has released multiple games such as "Pro Gymnast Simulator", "JellyCar Worlds", "Parking Garage Rally Circuit", and "Replicube". He also streams live game development several times a week on twitch.tv/walaber.

Connect With Links:

* website: https://walaber.com

* Twitch: https://twitch.tv/walaber

* Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/walaber.com

Games He’s Playing
* Öoo on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/oo/

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In this episode of Game Dev Advice, writer and comedian Mike Drucker shares his journey across the worlds of television, video games, and comedy. Starting as an assistant and researcher at Saturday Night Live, Mike moved into game localization at Nintendo—where he even played basketball with Reggie Fils-Aimé—before joining The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as a writer and then Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He dives into the creative challenges of translating humor across mediums, from crafting jokes for a global audience to building narrative in games.

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In this interview, veteran game designer Stuart Maine shares his 28-year journey in the gaming industry, detailing his humble beginnings in a cyber café to becoming a senior designer at Two Desperados, a mobile games company in Serbia. Stuart recounts his early days at Bullfrog and his time at renowned companies like Acclaim and Blitz, working on notable projects such Warhammer Combat Cards, Epic Mickey 2, and Angry Birds Transformers. He offers insights on remote work, the importance of team dynamics, and the lessons he has learned about people skills and communication. Stuart also discusses his latest venture, a book titled 'Designing Video Games,' which aims to guide newcomers through the complexities of the industry. Alongside this, he has authored two books on the history of first-person shooters, 'I'm Too Young to Die' and 'Hurt Me Plenty,' with a third in the works. He touches on the challenges and rewards of game development, reflecting on the necessity of taking risks, the difficulties of maintaining work-life balance, and the evolving landscape influenced by technological advancements like AI. The conversation wraps up with Stuart sharing anecdotes from his career, advice for aspiring developers, and his excitement for current gaming projects, highlighting his ongoing passion for the industry.

Bio:

Stuart Maine has been a game designer and writer for 28 years across console, PC, and mobile. He’s worked on licensed titles at studios large and small, and co-founded and later sold the indie studio Well Played Games. Stuart also writes books, including two on the history of first-person shooters (I'm Too Young To Die, 2022, and Hurt Me Plenty, 2025, with Bitmap Books) and Designing Video Games (2025, with White Owl), a guide for breaking into the industry. He also tutors on John Yorke’s Story for Video Games course.

Show Links:

* Two Desperados: https://twodesperados.com

* Well Played Games: https://www.wellplayed.games

* John Yorke’s Story for Video Games course (Stu’s a tutor): https://www.johnyorkestory.com/course/story-for-video-games/ 

* White Owl Books: https://www.whiteowlbooks.co.uk/ 

* Designing Video Games: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1399038664 or

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Designing-Video-Games-Hardback/p/52503 

* Bitmap Books: https://www.bitmapbooks.com

* I'm Too Young to Die: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/video-game-history/products/i-m-too-young-to-die-the-ultimate-guide-to-first-person-shooters-1992-2002 

* Hurt Me Plenty: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/video-game-history/products/hurt-me-plenty-the-ultimate-guide-to-first-person-shooters-2003-2010 

* Warhammer Combat Cards: https://www.combatcards.com

* Atomfall: https://store.steampowered.com/app/801800/Atomfall/ 

* Love & Pies: https://www.loveandpies.com

* G-Police: Weapons of Justice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-Police:_Weapons_of_Justice

* Epic Mickey 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Mickey_2:_The_Power_of_Two

* Blitz Games: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_Games_Studios

* Bullfrog Productions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfrog_Productions

Connect With Links:

* Stuart Maine on Twitter/X: https://x.com/maine_stuart

* Stuart Maine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-m-280155205/ 

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* Website: show notes, links, stuff - https://www.gamedevadvice.com 

* Patreon: career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership - https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice 

* YouTube: main channel link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg   

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733
* Email: reach out - [email protected]

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In this episode, Adam Coster, CEO of Butterscotch Shenanigans, shares his unique journey of joining and growing the indie studio with his brothers Sam and Seth. Adam discusses their beginnings in 2012, the steep challenges they faced, and how a personal family crisis redefined their mission to bring joy through games. 

He then shares insights into their different projects, including the highly anticipated sequel Crashlands 2, set for release in April. Balancing roles at the studio, the evolving game industry, and the impact of subscription services, Adam offers a candid look at the realities of indie game development. He also provides useful, actionable advice for aspiring game developers and discusses the potential and limitations of incorporating AI into game dev. Join us as we explore the fascinating intersection of science, family, and grassroots game development to share joy.

Bio:

Adam Coster's love for science carried him through a PhD in Cellular & Molecular Biology. Turns out it wasn't science he was into, but solving hard problems in general. Building a company from scratch in the highly-competitive and rapidly-changing games industry certainly fit that bill, and so Adam joined the team immediately after defending his dissertation. Adam creates all of the web technology that powers Butterscotch Shenanigan’s games and studio, crunches numbers to figure out how the industry works, leads our business development efforts, and makes sure that the team has what it needs to make great games.

Show Links:

* Crashlands 2 - trailer

* Crashlands 2 - Steam

* Global Game Jam - website

* PopCon Indy - website

* GameMaker game engine - website

* Battle Chef Brigade Deluxe - Steam

* Butterscotch Shenanigans - podcast

* Scientists Warn Trump’s NIH Cuts Will Drop ‘Atom Bomb’ On Health Research - HuffPost

* The Creator of ‘NBA Jam’ Admits That The Pistons Are A Cheat - SBNation

* What Is ‘Balatro’ And Why Is Everyone Addicted To It? - Forbes

Connect With Links:

* Adam Coster - website

* Adam Coster - LinkedIn

* Adam Coster - Bluesky

* Butterscotch Shenanigans - website

* Butterscotch Shenanigans - games

* Butterscotch Shenanigans - YouTube

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* website - show notes, links, stuff

* [email protected] - reach out!

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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In this episode, industry veteran Adam Boyes discusses the complexities of the video games industry, from the challenges of sustaining AAA games to navigating market dynamics and the impact of large-scale layoffs. 

He shares insights from his journey founding Vivrato and highlights the importance of innovation and thoughtful leadership. The conversation also covers practical advice for aspiring game developers and industry professionals, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking and resilience. 

Hear behind-the-scenes stories, including memorable moments with celebrities like Sammy Sosa and Lawrence Taylor, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to thrive in the ever-evolving world of video games. The conversation also covers practical advice for aspiring game developers and industry professionals, emphasizing the need for strategic thinking, resilience, and curated searching. 

Bio:

As co-CEO of Iron Galaxy Studios, Adam Boyes steered the company’s strategic direction, partnerships, and commitment to a people-first culture. Prior, as Sony Interactive Entertainment America’s Vice President of Third Party Relations & Developer Technology Group, he cultivated groundbreaking collaborations that propelled PlayStation’s revenue to record levels. With leadership roles at Midway Games, Capcom, and his own consulting venture, Beefy Media, Boyes championed open communication, stable growth, and premium gaming experiences in a rapidly evolving industry. His deep passion for the games industry fuels his new journey with Vivrato, where he is focused on inspiring people and forging innovative solutions that transcend traditional boundaries.

Show Links:

* Adam interview - VentureBeat website

* Chicago’s Deep Tunnel (the flood story) - Slate website

* MLB Slugfest: Loaded - wikipedia

* DICE Summit - website

* MDEV - website

Connect With Links:

* Vivrato - website

* Vivrato - LinkedIn

* Adam Boyes - LinkedIn

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* website - show notes, links, stuff

* [email protected] - reach out!

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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In this episode, I caught up with Alan Noon, founder and CEO of Drill Creative, Inc., to discuss his journey from decades in the game industry to launching his own studio. Alan shared how his work on UEFN at Epic Games, including shipping Deserted Domination and the big GDC reveal, plus his desire to return to hands-on game creation. After a layoff, he quickly turned the setback into an opportunity, forming Drill Creative to build games within Fortnite’s ecosystem using UEFN’s powerful tools for small, nimble teams.

We explored the rise of user-generated content (UGC), which Alan likened to the early days of the iPhone App Store, when hobbyists had room to experiment and innovate. He highlighted challenges like monetization and platform restrictions, which can limit developers’ ability to build sustainable businesses and lasting IP. Alan also reflected on the importance of empathy, collaboration, and creating opportunities, offering advice for developers to focus on tangible work, stand out, and take initiative in today’s competitive market.

Finally, Alan shared insights on industry trends like AR, VR, and AI, as well as his excitement for UGC’s growing potential. With personal stories and sharp observations, Alan delivered a thoughtful look at the evolving game development landscape.

Bio:

From a career that spans AAA to indie dev and now UGC, Alan Noon is a cross-discipline game industry veteran, having shipped on all manner of platforms including arcade, console, PC, mobile, VR/AR/XR, and class 3 slot machines. Presently he leads Drill Creative, Inc. as CEO and Creative Director, building games for Fortnite with UEFN.

Show Links:

* Elimination Confirmed is Out! - Fortnite website

* UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite) - website

* Street Fighter (movie) - Wikipedia

* Valley of the Ancient - Epic Games website

* Deserted: Domination - Epic Labs website

* Incredible Technologies - website

Connect With Links:

* Drill Creative, Inc. - website

* Drill Creative, Inc. - LinkedIn

* Drill Creative, Inc - Twitter/X

* Alan Noon - Twitter/X

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* website - show notes, links, stuff

* [email protected] - reach out!

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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Summary:

Bio:

Jeri Ellsworth is an inventor, product creator, chip designer, and system-level engineer. Her love for invention began with building race cars before working with hardware design, creating a complete Commodore 64 system on a chip housed within a joystick, called C64 Direct-to-TV. Her combined passion for gaming and invention has fueled the creation of many cutting edge technologies, culminating in the creation of Tilt Five, the world’s first augmented reality gaming system. Her vision for the future of gaming is driving innovation for the entire Tilt Five team.

Show Links:

* Tilt Five - website

* Tilt Five - YouTube

* Steve Wozniak - Wikipedia

* C64 Direct-to-TV - Wikipedia

* Valve Corporation - website

* How two Valve engineers walked away with the company's augmented reality glasses - The Verge

* Alan Alcorn - Wikipedia

* Silicon Valley - HBO website

* Stern Pinball - website

* Nolan Bushnell - Wikipedia

* Ham Radio - Wikipedia

* 2019’s Global Game Industry’s 50 Over 50 List - website

Connect With Links:

* Jeri Ellsworth - Wikipedia

* Jeri Ellsworth - YouTube

* Jeri Ellsworth - LinkedIn

* Jeri Ellsworth - website

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* website - show notes, links, etc.

* [email protected] - reach out!

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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In this episode, I speak with Brad Hendricks, CEO and Founder of Blind Squirrel Entertainment. Brad talks about his path from working with new game technologies to starting his own company after his previous job at Gamebryo ended. He shares how he and his team landed their first project with 2K Games, kickstarting their game development journey before even having a company name :)

Brad then reflects on the ups and downs of being a CEO, stressing the need for flexibility and constant learning. We then share practical advice for newcomers, highlighting the importance of perseverance and staying in tune with industry changes. He touches on the challenges studios face, like dropping game dev budgets and the need to be creative and adaptable, plus thoughts on VR, AR, and how AI’s evolving. 

Towards the end Brad gets into some favorite projects, like the highly praised BioShock Remastered, which dramatically boosted BSE’s profile. He talks about recent work with Microsoft and Amazon and remains optimistic about the future despite current challenges. We wrap up urging listeners to support each other and stay strong as the game industry recovers through this dramatically difficult period.

Bio:

A gaming industry veteran with over 25 years of experience, Brad Hendricks is the CEO and Founder of Blind Squirrel Entertainment, a AAA game studio that creates original content and provides full game development services to various publishers and developers. Under his leadership, BSE has become the top collaborator for industry leading titles such as Disney Infinity 3.0, BioShock: Infinite, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Borderlands 2, Sunset Overdrive, and Evolve, to name a few.

Show Links:

* Gamebryo - website

* Gamespy - Wikipedia

* gamescon - website

* BioShock Remastered - 2K website

* New World - Amazon website

* State of Decay 3 - website

* Curt Schilling Lost His Entire $115 Million Career Earnings On A Video Game - Sportscasting website

* Grackle HQ - website

Connect With Links:

* Brad Hendricks - LinkedIn

* Blind Squirrel Entertainment - website

* Blind Squirrel Entertainment - LinkedIn

Bonus:

* Midwest Games Discord Webinar: Paths in the Gaming Industry they Don’t Teach in School - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeg3xKiiwJNSNI4HeYUyKWq6ObuqfolefrZIipv0LzO4dC0RQ/viewform 

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* website - show notes, links, stuff

* [email protected] - reach out!

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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In this episode, I speak with Alex Gombos, a seasoned talent acquisition manager who shares her insights and career journey in the gaming industry. Most recently, she supported the game development studios at PlayStation. Alex highlights the importance of networking, building an online presence, and being proactive in pursuing career goals, whether you're aiming for your first job or looking to level up in your career. She also emphasizes the significance of having a clear, accessible portfolio for job seekers in game development.

Alex reflects on the industry's current state, discussing the challenges of recent layoffs and studio closures, the rise of indie studios, and the potential shift towards AA games. She also explores the impact of emerging technologies like AR, VR, and MR, particularly their applications beyond gaming, such as in healthcare. Her excitement for the industry's future is evident as she shares her experiences in game development recruiting.

Towards the end, Alex shares personal anecdotes about her involvement in non-digital games, including a memorable moment receiving a PlayStation 5, playing Wingspan, and being part of her first D&D campaign. We wrap up talking about her successful LinkedIn series, Ask Alex Anything, where she offers career advice for current and aspiring game industry people.

Bio:

Alex Gombos is an accomplished talent acquisition leader with over a decade of recruitment experience. She has led recruiting efforts and strategies for notable AAA studios including Firewalk Studios and PlayStation Studios Creative Arts, while also supporting hiring efforts at Santa Monica Studio, Naughty Dog, Insomniac Games, and Bluepoint Games. A LinkedIn top voice, Alex shares her expertise and insights with the games community through her series, Ask Alex Anything.

Show Links:

* PlayStation Studios - website

* ArtStation - website

* Amir Satvat’s Game Community - website

* Magic Leap 2 - website

* Brainlab - website

* GameDiscoverCo Newsletter - website

* The Last of Us - PlayStation

* Man’s Search for Meaning - Amazon

* Wingspan - Stonemaier website

* Product of Play Podcast - website

Connect With Links:

* Alex Gombos - LinkedIn

* Asked Alex Anything - LinkedIn

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* YouTube Podcasts - check out this episode with a guarantee of 100% more video

* Patreon - career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* website - show notes, links, stuff

* [email protected] - reach out!

* Level Ex Jobs - Current openings for advancing the practice of medicine through play

* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links

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