It's a one-two move with Sucker Punch's Chris Zimmerman and Brian Fleming. Now shipping Ghost of Yotei, they tell us about leaving Microsoft for Sony and becoming a gamedev powerhouse. Tales of exact pitches and being great instead of good - this week!

Episode Highlights

[00:00:00] Intro: Chris Zimmerman & Brian Fleming of Sucker Punch Productions
An introduction to Chris and Brian, co-founders of Sucker Punch Productions (Sly Cooper, Infamous, Ghost of Tsushima).

[00:08:23] “Name it Anything But Sucker Punch”
Brian and Chris talk about the founding of Sucker Punch and how the studio got its name. 

[00:14:06] Early Days at Microsoft
Brian and Chris reminisce on learning how to run a business, trial and error, and early days at Microsoft.

[00:21:04] Growing Up in the “Right” Place
Brian and Chris trade stories of growing up and working in tech in the early 90s. 

[00:27:54] Leaving Microsoft and Starting Sucker Punch
Chris and Brian talk about leaving Microsoft, building a team from scratch, making their first games, and landing a deal with Ubisoft.

[00:37:17] The Silver Lining
After a release riddled with mistakes, the team lands a first party deal for their next game series, Sly Cooper. 

[00:47:28] Was Sony the Right Choice?
Chris and Brian discuss the advantage of having a stable, long-term relationship with your publisher and building trust.

[00:51:19] How Ghost of Tsushima Started
From an alpha that never got approval, to developing one of the fastest-selling first-party PlayStation titles and a BAFTA-winning game.

[01:01:50] The Studio Now vs. Then and COVID’s Impact
Releasing 3 months into the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris and Brian review how they adjusted their plans and how the studio has evolved over time.

[1:10:27] Outro: Closing Remarks

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