Game Japan

How do you stand out in an industry where talented game designers are dime a dozen? Simple: use the 🦄Unicorn Method🦄! A game designer with supplemental technical abilities such as art or programming will have a huge advantage in the job market!

In today's episode of FLAMA: The Ultimate Guide to the Gaming Industry, Jordan Runyan, former Senior Production Engineer at Bungie and former Test Analyst at Blizzard Entertainment will help us dive deep into this concept and become more valuable professionals!

In this episode we will break down:

🦄Understanding Version Control in Programming.

- Reach out to Jordan

- Check out ⁠⁠Leap of Faith Studios!⁠

- Play the ⁠HAVEN demo⁠ on Steam

How do you make the "right game"? What does the "right game" even meant? In today's episode of FLAMA: The Ultimate Guide to the Gaming Industry, Casey Donnellan, Owner of Casey Donnellan Games LLC and creator of Kill It With Fire and Kill it With Fire 2 will dive deep into this concept. 🕷️🔥

In this episode we will break down:

🕷️Publishing a financially successful game.

Game creation does not always reflect a passionate process, sometimes it is important to be pragmatic and data driven! Casey's approach to indie games creation is calculated, down to earth, self-aware and most importantly, very successful! 💸

Get Kill it With Fire

Get Kill it With Fire 2

Reach out to Casey

Product Design in the gaming industry can feel like a massive puzzle, but my friend Emma May, Founder & Creative Director at Emmerse Studios Ltd, has the perfect roadmap to get you on the right track!

In this episode of FLAMA: The Ultimate Guide to The Gaming Industry, Emma breaks down her 6 Key Steps of Product Design to help you bring your ideas to life:

🔑 A spark of inspiration – Every game starts with a great idea!

🔑 Gauge interest – See if your audience is as excited as you are.

🔑 Set expectations – How do you want your players to feel?

🔑 Make something – Develop an MVP quickly and on budget.

🔑 Test & Iterate – Refine until it’s just right!

🔑 Release to early adopters – Your reviews should align with your original vision.

From designing card games to video games, Emma’s “one-person army” approach is nothing short of inspiring.

- Contact Emma

- Emmerse Studios

- Buy Quirk

What kind of skills are necessary to get an internship at a world-renowned game studio like Bungie? How do you go from intern to an employee? What are Game Jams and how do they help you accelerate your game creation journey?

In this episode, Drew Simmons, former Production Engineer at Bungie,⁠⁠⁠ will answer all of these questions and more! Drew went from College Student to Intern to Production Engineer at Bungie by following his own philosophy of leading through support, being helpful and human connection. In addition, he will show us the importance of asking "dumb" questions and entering game jams.

Key Takeaways:

🚀 The Power of Leading by Supporting your Team

🤝 Networking in College, during Internships and while on the job.

⚙️ Accelerating your Game Developer Journey through Game Jams.

🛠️ The Courage to ask Dumb Questions: How to get better at your job.

⚖️ Constraints that Lead to Effective Creativity

Whether you’re an aspiring game creator or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss out!

- Reach out to ⁠⁠Drew!

- Check out Powder Day.

Human development or profit 🤑 ? How can we manage upwards and bring better accountability to the leaders 👆 ? What is the future of game studios, is it AAA looking for that billion dollar game, or are there leaner more efficient ways to be successful in the gaming industry? How to find funding as a new game studio? 🤔

In this episode, Robert Beyer, Co-Founder of Leap of Faith Games,⁠ will answer all of these questions and more! While there are some concerning situations going on in the gaming industry at the moment, Robert believes in a brighter and leaner future where studios can profitable and sustainable with less!

Key Takeaways:

🚀 The Smaller, Leaner Future of Game Studios

🤝 The importance of Leadership in Game Studios

⚙️ The G.R.O.W coaching model

🛠️ Accountability and Managing Upwards

⚖️ Acquiring Funding for Game Studios

Whether you’re an aspiring game creator or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss out!

- Reach out to ⁠Robert!

- Check out ⁠Leap of Faith Studios!

- Play the HAVEN demo on Steam

Coaching (articles and books) information:

- Servant Leadership.

- Good to Great.

- Fierce Conversations.

- Situational Leadership.

- Strengths Finder 2.0

Interested in becoming a Game Producer? Interested in working in the Gaming Industry in the UK?

In this episode, Annie Durwood, Founder & Creative Director of Antivenin Games shares her insights on how to become a Game Producer, by using her philosophy of leading by being a helper and her experience working in the Gaming Industry in the UK. In addition, Annie gives us a sneak peak at her upcoming title: The Joe Chronicles which is a unique spin on fairy tales and storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

🚀 Becoming a Game Producer

🤝 Networking in the Gaming Industry

⚙️ Bringing Project to Fruition Effectively

🛠️ Being a Helper

⚖️ Dealing with Ego in the Creative Field

Whether you’re an aspiring game designer or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss out!

- Reach out to Annie!

- Check out Antivenin Games

Part 2/2

In this episode, titled Creating the Perfect Gameplay Loop: Iterating Through the Design Process, ⁠Mondae Atughonu⁠, former Senior Production Engineer Manager at Bungie shares insights from his extensive experience in Process Optimization and Management. We'll explore the entire gameplay creation process—from ideation to implementation—while also getting a sneak peek at his latest projects, Haven and COVEN.

Key Takeaways:

🔍 Understanding Your Niche

🔄 Building a Feedback Loop

⚙️ Embracing Change

🛠️ Building Processes

⚖️ Pros and Cons of Implementing Feedback

🌀 Pivoting Strategies

Whether you’re an aspiring game designer or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss out!

- Reach out to ⁠⁠Mondae!⁠⁠

- Checkout ⁠⁠Haven⁠⁠ on Steam

Part 1/2

In this episode, titled Creating the Perfect Gameplay Loop: Iterating Through the Design Process, Mondae Atughonu, former Senior Production Engineer Manager at Bungie shares insights from his extensive experience in Process Optimization and Management. We'll explore the entire gameplay creation process—from ideation to implementation—while also getting a sneak peek at his latest projects, Haven and COVEN.

Key Takeaways:

🔍 Understanding Your Niche

🔄 Building a Feedback Loop

⚙️ Embracing Change

🛠️ Building Processes

⚖️ Pros and Cons of Implementing Feedback

🌀 Pivoting Strategies

Whether you’re an aspiring game designer or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Don’t miss out!

- Reach out to ⁠Mondae!⁠

- Checkout ⁠Haven⁠ on Steam

In this episode we breakdown the secrets to becoming an effective world designer with Molly Carroll, Art Director at Lazy Lion Games.

🎮 A deep dive into the World Design process, from initial research to final implementation.

🎮 How to transition your “non-gaming” work experience into a successful career in gaming.

🎮 Games as tools for personal development.

🎮 The art of creating powerful and cohesive art direction, from concept to release.

We are honored to welcome the Founder and President of Lazy Lion Games: Leonardo de Andrade! In our debut episode, we dive into The Secret to Making Games That Are Fun to Watch and Play. Leo shows us that it’s possible to step into the gaming industry and create your studio! He and his team are currently working on the exciting new game, Mythic Merchants!

Here's what we'll be discussing:

🎮 What makes a game popular?

🎮 Changing your career and stepping into the gaming industry.

🎮 The crucial traits of a successful game developer that attract AAA company employers.

🎮 Starting your gaming studio from scratch. Don’t miss this chance to get inspired and learn from a true industry leader. Tune in and get ready to level up your game! 🚀