The Video Game Happy Hour, joined by award winning game industry vet Joseph Mares address the current state of gaming: Are indie studios taking over? What are the challenges facing AAA studios and the industry today? Joseph, author of Blueprint for Fun, gives his expert take, offering unique perspective from his 21-year career. Also get the inside scoop on game development from Joe, the mind behind the name League of Legends where he shares invaluable advice for aspiring game developers, and delves into the science behind creating engaging and fun game experiences. He unravels the psychology of player engagement, offering actionable insights for developers and creatives alike.

00:00 Intro and background of guest Joseph Mares

07:40 VR Game Design Insights

18:50 Tips for Aspiring Devs

21:47 Getting to know Joseph: Gaming Interest, Wresting Pursuits, and more!

49:25 Blueprint for Fun: Inspiration, Creating Tension, Engagement, and more!

01:14:00 How Music Impacts Gaming Experience

01:18:20 Are Independent Studios the Future of the Gaming Industry?

02:08:41 Closing thoughts

Find Joseph Mares book, Blueprint for Fun here: https://www.harbingeroffun.com/

Sinister Inn https://www.sinisterinn.com/ and Joseph's Company https://thousandbit.com/

Join our Discord where you can chat with us about games and to join our gaming events: https://discord.com/invite/REvJr4wMjg

Watch this episode and more by visiting our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@VideoGameHappyHour

Watch us live on Twitch Fridays at 11PM EST: https://www.twitch.tv/krafty1111

Check out https://videogamehappyhour.com/ for more information about our show.