Game Dev Field Guide

By Zackavelli

What's Game Dev Field Guide about?

The Game Dev Field Guide is a podcast series focused on teaching you how to make and launch your own video games. This podcast is aimed at the beginner to intermediate level of game developer. Learn things like how to make crisp movement controls, making eye catching sprites, and marketing your game for it's big release. Stay awhile and listen!

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Game Dev Field Guide episodes:

06.30.2024
Ep. 085 Genre Study: MMO
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to recognize and avoid design traps. Star Wars Galaxies Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz9Ohl1MqmQ Skip to Body of Episode: 11:02 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making...
05.29.2024
Ep. 084 Design Trap Identification
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to recognize and avoid design traps. Game Makers Toolkit Balatro Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk3S3o1qOHo&t=315s Skip to Body of Episode: 10:25 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about...
04.27.2024
Ep. 083 Little Things That Go A Long Way
In this episode Zackavelli talks about how to identify little things that go a long way. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:12 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making...
03.21.2024
Ep. 082 Current Events: State Of The Games Industry
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the state of the games industry and why we may be going through a paradigm shift. Skip to Body of Episode: 13:13 Extremism in games article: https://thatparkplace.com/u-s-government-funded-organization-take-this-encourages-game-developers-to-denounce-gamers-who-are-being-harassed-by-sweet-baby-inc/ Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join...
02.21.2024
Ep. 081 Escaping Tutorial Hell
In this episode Zackavelli talks about what tutorial hell is, how you likely got there, and how to get out. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:28 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/M…Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with...
01.15.2024
Ep. 080 Dialogue And Voice Tips
In this episode Zackavelli talks about practical tips for implementing dialogue and voice acting in your games. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:40 Try the demo for my game Mirror Throne: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/Mirror_Throne_Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about...
12.28.2023
Bonus Episode 24. Patron Q&A
In this episode we do a live Q&A Session with the Patrons Check out my game "Mirror Throne" on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2520490/Mirror_Throne_Auto_Battler/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Music:...
11.15.2023
Ep. 079 Core Skill Tuning
In this episode Zackavelli talks about an experimental design method called Core Skill Tuning Skip to Body of Episode: 8:47 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Intro...
10.16.2023
Ep. 078 Current Events: Unity Pricing Changes
In this episode Zackavelli plays Buff/Debuff and gives a wider view on the recent changes to Unity's pricing. Skip to Body of Episode: 22:00 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
09.05.2023
Ep. 077 Quick Tips IX: Horde Modes And Rarity Systems
In this episode Zackavelli talks about horde modes popular around ~2010 and why Diablo 2 has the best item progression and rarity of all time. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:40 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community...
08.02.2023
Ep. 076 Genre Study: Survival Games
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the strengths and weaknesses of the survival game genre Skip to Body of Episode: 6:45 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch:...
06.26.2023
Ep. 075 The Money Side Of Indie Game Dev
In this episode Zackavelli gives you a look behind the scenes at how much indie games really make. Market Research Website: https://gamalytic.com/steam-analytics Skip to Body of Episode: 7:05 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link:...
05.22.2023
Ep. 074 Tips For Turning A Bad Game Around
In this episode Zackavelli talks about tips for turning a bad game around. Sonner or later, your gonna need these tips... Skip to Body of Episode: 8:59 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games!...
04.10.2023
Ep. 073 Finding The Heart And Soul Of A Game
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the nebulous topic of giving a game heart and soul, and identifies a few contributing factors. Skip to Body of Episode: 3:48 Portfollio: Zackavelli.com Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making...
03.20.2023
Ep 072. AI Tools For Gamedevs
In this episode Zackavelli talks about text and image genrating ai tools and how he is using them in his gamedev toolkit right now. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:33 Portfollio: Zackavelli.com Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community...
02.24.2023
Ep 071. Cheat Prevention For Indie Games
In this episode Zackavelli talks about basic fundamental cheat prevention strategies and about weather or not they are even worth it. Skip to Body of Episode: 4:10 Portfollio: Zackavelli.com Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
02.09.2023
Bonus Episode 23. Special Guest: Prescott "Lockes" Lawani
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest talks about his experience being a black Gamedev. Skip to Guest Segment: 15:00 Lockes The Thief: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1756650/Lockes_The_Thief/ Padlockes Tech on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PadlockesTech Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
01.23.2023
Ep. 070 Tips For Making Gamedev Your Career
In this episode Zackavelli talks about his journey getting a job in games and tips for getting your own job in games. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:24 Portfollio: Zackavelli.com Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making...
12.29.2022
Ep. 069 Market Research (Game Ideas That Sell)
In this episode Zackavelli talks about coming up with game ideas that can be financially successful by doing market research. Skip to Body of Episode: 12:56 How to market a game blog: https://howtomarketagame.com/blog/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community...
12.20.2022
Bonus Episode 22. Holiday GameDev Shopping List With Yanniboi
In this episode Zackavelli talks live with Yanniboi about building a gamedev holiday shopping list. Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ ♫Music By♫ ●Ikson - Christmas...
12.12.2022
Ep. 068 5 Tips For Better VFX
In this episode Zackavelli gives 5 practical things that you can start doing to improve your visual effects. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:45 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
11.22.2022
Bonus Episode 21. Special Guest: Longy
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest talks about his experience in gamedev higher education Skip to Guest Segment: 19:11 Longy's Links: https://twitter.com/DevLongy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqpVhu6jtjvL7NTz561zlHg Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
11.14.2022
Ep. 067 Camera Tips For Video Games
In this episode Zackavelli talks about camera perspectives and the importance of smooth camera motion in video games. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:24 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
10.21.2022
Bonus Episode 20. Special Guest: Carlos Cotão
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has 10 tips for game development and production. Skip to Guest Segment: 16:57 Universe 51: Tannhäuser Wars on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Universe_51_ Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1761770/Universe_51_Tannhuser_Wars/ Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about...
10.15.2022
Ep. 066 Genre Study: JRPG
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the "Golden Age" of JRPGs and what we can learn from their design. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:25 Earthbound AVGN episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ5nX0FTH6Q&t=1191s Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
10.06.2022
Ep. 065 Quick Tips VIII Game Definition, Mirroring, And Reusing Level Design
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the definition of a game, mirroring gameplay to narrative, and reusing level design. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:47 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow...
09.27.2022
Bonus Episode 19. Special Guest: Ryan Hunt (developRHUNT)
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has a keynote on coding. Skip to Guest Segment: 22:13 developRHUNT social media links: https://allmylinks.com/developrhunt Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
09.18.2022
Ep. 064 Card Game Design
In this episode Zackavelli talks about card game design and why deckbuilder rougelites are maybe the best genre of game to make for indie devs at the moment. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:00 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk...
09.01.2022
Bonus Episode 18. Special Guest: Jaluna Rolik
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has a keynote on creative writing tips for game dev. Skip to Guest Segment: 13:30 Jaluna Rolik Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuneberryChan (@JuneberryChan) Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games!...
08.30.2022
Ep. 063 Lighting For Video Games
In this episode Zackavelli talks about both the artistic and technical sides of lighting in video games. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:45 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on...
08.18.2022
Ep. 062 Quest Design
In this episode Zackavelli talks about quest design and the spectrum of styles it comes in. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:17 Oblivion Whodunit Quest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tccCzvJ0qFY Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
08.04.2022
Ep. 061 Genre Study: Metroidvania
In this episode Zackavelli breaks down the Metroidvania genre. Skip to Body of Episode: 4:45 Mertroid Dread Video by Mark Brown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pop-cc9kmY Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Youtube:...
08.02.2022
Bonus Episode 17. Special Guest: Malheur Games
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has a keynote on the struggles in gamedev Skip to Guest Segment: 9:10 Malheur Games Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurGames Once More on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1211050/Once_More/ Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
07.19.2022
Ep. 060 Current Events: Unity x Ironsource
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the recent events with Unity and Ironsource. Pocket Gamer Interview with John Riccitello: https://www.pocketgamer.biz/interview/79190/unity-ironsource-john-riccitiello-marc-whitten-merger/ Skip to Body of Episode: 9:12 Buy my game BounceShot on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1736980/BounceShot/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about...
07.03.2022
Ep. 059 Art Driven Game Development
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the advantages of focusing on art first during game development. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:34 Buy my game BounceShot on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1736980/BounceShot/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
06.30.2022
Bonus Episode 16. Special Guest: XCompWiz
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has a keynote on DevOps Skip to Guest Segment: 15:30 XCompWiz Twitter: https://twitter.com/XCompWiz MystCraft 2 Minecraft Mod: https://www.patreon.com/posts/56969328 Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli...
06.17.2022
Ep. 058 Mobile Game Development
In this episode Zackavelli talks about mobile game development, and analyzes why some game genres work better on phones then others. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:16 Buy my game BounceShot on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/1736980/BounceShot/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with...
06.03.2022
Bonus Episode 15. BounceShot Post Mortem
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and then does a post mortem for his recently released game BounceShot Skip to Post Mortem: 9:06 Buy BounceShot: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1736980/BounceShot/ Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow...
05.21.2022
Ep. 057 Quick Tips VII Demos, Execution, and Perfection
In this episode Zackavelli talks about making demos, executing your ideas, and avoiding perfection in gamedev. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:45 Buy my game BounceShot on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1736980/BounceShot/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
05.17.2022
Ep. 056 Coming Up With New Game Mechanics
In this episode Zackavelli talks about strategies for coming up with new game mechanics. Skip to Body of Episode: 7:07 Buy my game BounceShot on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1736980/BounceShot/ Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link:...
05.03.2022
Bonus Episode 14. Special Guest: Luke Klejnberg
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has a keynote on planning and production. Skip to Guest Segment: 15:45 Lukes Twitter: https://twitter.com/lklejnberg Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on...
04.21.2022
Ep. 055 Crafting System Design
In this episode Zackavelli talks about the problem with modern, shallow crafting systems. Article on Last Of Us Crafting: https://medium.com/super-jump/the-brilliant-crafting-system-in-the-last-of-us-bb33f221f2c1 Skip to Body of Episode: 5:38 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow...
04.07.2022
Ep. 054 MDA Game Design Framework
In this episode Zackavelli breaks down an academic paper about game design. Read the paper for yourself: https://users.cs.northwestern.edu/~hunicke/MDA.pdf Skip to Body of Episode: 5:30 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on...
03.31.2022
Bonus Episode 13. Special Guest: Mugamoomoo
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest has an amazing segment on sound. Skip to Guest Segment: 15:00 Mugamoomoo's Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXS5WR3QMgpoWQPFjBa51Fw Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on...
03.24.2022
Ep. 053 Designing Replayability
In this episode Zackavelli talks about strategies for making your game more replayable Skip to Body of Episode: 5:20 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on Twitter @_Zackavelli_ Twitch: www.twitch.tv/zackavelli_ Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCoGo58coz8d1jIjuJ8H2eKw Intro...
03.10.2022
Ep. 052 Polish Part II: High Value Polish
In this episode Zackavelli talks about some good "bang for your buck" polish tips. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:05 TotalBiscut on FOV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPDq_qvsKUA Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow Zackavelli on...
03.04.2022
Bonus Episode 12. Special Guest: Kevin Donnelly
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest talks about designing a game "backwards". Skip to Guest Segment: 13:25 Kevin's Links: Website: https://www.bobbybobbybobby.com/pages/chaotic-era Studio Twitter: https://twitter.com/bobbydimensionhttps://twitter.com/bobbydimension Chaotic Era Twitter: https://twitter.com/chaotic_era Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
02.24.2022
Ep. 051 Genre Study: 4X
In this episode Zackavelli takes a look at the 4X genre and discusses what makes a good 4X game. Skip to Body of Episode: 5:05 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video games! Link: discord.gg/2C8eTsU Follow...
02.09.2022
Ep. 050 Sound Effects For Video Games
In this episode Zackavelli talks about tips for how to use sound effects, and also how to make them for your games. Skip to Body of Episode: 6:31 Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community about making video...
02.01.2022
Bonus Episode 011. Special Guest: Rachel (Solo Dev of Witchhazel Woods)
In this episode Zackavelli plays buff/debuff and our guest talks about procedural generated art techniques used for her game Witchhazel Woods. Skip to Guest Segment: 11:26 Rachel's Links: Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_datababe Wishlist Witchhazel Woods! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1833560/Witchhazel_Woods/ Be come a Patron: www.patreon.com/GDFG Join the discord and talk with the community...

What's Game Dev Field Guide about?

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Game Dev Field Guide episodes:

Ep. 085 Genre Study: MMO

Ep. 084 Design Trap Identification

Ep. 083 Little Things That Go A Long Way

Ep. 082 Current Events: State Of The Games Industry

Ep. 081 Escaping Tutorial Hell

Ep. 080 Dialogue And Voice Tips

Bonus Episode 24. Patron Q&A

Ep. 079 Core Skill Tuning

Ep. 078 Current Events: Unity Pricing Changes

Ep. 077 Quick Tips IX: Horde Modes And Rarity Systems

Ep. 076 Genre Study: Survival Games

Ep. 075 The Money Side Of Indie Game Dev

Ep. 074 Tips For Turning A Bad Game Around

Ep. 073 Finding The Heart And Soul Of A Game

Ep 072. AI Tools For Gamedevs

Ep 071. Cheat Prevention For Indie Games

Bonus Episode 23. Special Guest: Prescott "Lockes" Lawani

Ep. 070 Tips For Making Gamedev Your Career

Ep. 069 Market Research (Game Ideas That Sell)

Bonus Episode 22. Holiday GameDev Shopping List With Yanniboi

Ep. 068 5 Tips For Better VFX

Bonus Episode 21. Special Guest: Longy

Ep. 067 Camera Tips For Video Games

Bonus Episode 20. Special Guest: Carlos Cotão

Ep. 066 Genre Study: JRPG

Ep. 065 Quick Tips VIII Game Definition, Mirroring, And Reusing Level Design

Bonus Episode 19. Special Guest: Ryan Hunt (developRHUNT)

Ep. 064 Card Game Design

Bonus Episode 18. Special Guest: Jaluna Rolik

Ep. 063 Lighting For Video Games

Ep. 062 Quest Design

Ep. 061 Genre Study: Metroidvania

Bonus Episode 17. Special Guest: Malheur Games

Ep. 060 Current Events: Unity x Ironsource

Ep. 059 Art Driven Game Development

Bonus Episode 16. Special Guest: XCompWiz

Ep. 058 Mobile Game Development

Bonus Episode 15. BounceShot Post Mortem

Ep. 057 Quick Tips VII Demos, Execution, and Perfection

Ep. 056 Coming Up With New Game Mechanics

Bonus Episode 14. Special Guest: Luke Klejnberg

Ep. 055 Crafting System Design

Ep. 054 MDA Game Design Framework

Bonus Episode 13. Special Guest: Mugamoomoo

Ep. 053 Designing Replayability

Ep. 052 Polish Part II: High Value Polish

Bonus Episode 12. Special Guest: Kevin Donnelly

Ep. 051 Genre Study: 4X

Ep. 050 Sound Effects For Video Games

Bonus Episode 011. Special Guest: Rachel (Solo Dev of Witchhazel Woods)