Pixel Retentive Podcast

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with A. Khedron DeLeon, engineer-turned-writer and narrative designer, and one of the creative leaders behind Vampire: The Masquerade – Reawakened—an ambitious fan-made recreation of the cult classic RPG built entirely within Skyrim's Creation Kit. Together they explore what it takes to revive a beloved game, build a global volunteer development team, and balance storytelling, systems design, and technical limitations to create an unforgettable player experience.

Khedron shares how he evolved from voice actor to one of the project's creative leaders, why passionate communities can outperform traditional development teams, and the unique challenges of rebuilding a classic while respecting established lore and intellectual property. The conversation also dives into narrative design, voice acting, world building, and why great games are built by people who genuinely love what they're creating.

Editor's Note: During the conversation, the CD-Action Expo schedule is mentioned incorrectly. The event takes place Saturday, May 30, through Sunday, May 31, not beginning on Friday as stated in the recording.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• Building Vampire: The Masquerade – Reawakened inside Skyrim
• Why volunteer game development can produce incredible results
• The challenge of honoring classic RPG lore while creating something new
• Narrative design, dialogue systems, and world building
• How engineering influences storytelling and game mechanics
• Working with an international team of writers, artists, and voice actors
• Balancing fan expectations with creative innovation
• The future of the Reawakened and Chronicles projects

Guest Links

🌐 Website: akhedrondeleon.com/

🧛 Vampire: The Masquerade – Reawakened

Special Thanks

Special thanks to A. Khedron DeLeon and the volunteer development team behind Vampire: The Masquerade – Reawakened for sharing their passion for storytelling, game preservation, and collaborative creativity.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about game development, storytelling, animation, design, creativity, and the business of art, visit:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, writer, RPG fan, creative director, or anyone passionate about building unforgettable interactive experiences.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#VampireTheMasquerade #SkyrimMod #GameDevelopment #NarrativeDesign #Storytelling #IndieGames #RPG #WorldBuilding #GameDesign #CreativeLeadership #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with legendary graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister to explore why now is better than most people believe. From award-winning album covers for The Rolling Stones and Talking Heads to groundbreaking exhibitions, TED Talks, and his latest book Now is Better, Stefan shares how design can shape not just what we see—but how we think about the world.

Together, they discuss why modern media makes us believe everything is getting worse, how data tells a very different story, and why designers have a responsibility to communicate ideas that create meaningful change. Stefan also shares insights into his famous seven-year sabbaticals, designing exhibitions that challenge perspectives, and how AI may reshape the future of creativity without replacing the human spirit behind great design.

Whether you're a designer, artist, creative entrepreneur, marketer, or simply someone looking for a more hopeful perspective on the future, this conversation is filled with timeless creative wisdom.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• Why "Now is Better" became Stefan's latest creative mission
• How negativity shapes modern media and public perception
• Turning complex research into compelling visual storytelling
• Designing exhibitions that change how people think
• Why communication design is about creating change
• The value of seven-year sabbaticals for long-term creativity
• Keeping design a calling instead of just a career
• What AI means for the future of graphic design
• Why human creativity will always matter
• Lessons from decades of experimental design and storytelling

Guest Links

🌐 Website: https://sagmeister.com

📖 Now is Better

🎤 TED Talks

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Stefan Sagmeister for sharing decades of creative insight and reminding us that great design isn't just about aesthetics—it's about changing perspectives and creating meaningful human experiences.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about creativity, design, storytelling, animation, leadership, marketing, and the business of art, visit:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a designer, creative leader, marketer, artist, or anyone who could use a more optimistic perspective on creativity and the future.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#StefanSagmeister #GraphicDesign #Creativity #DesignThinking #CreativeLeadership #VisualStorytelling #NowIsBetter #TEDTalks #Happiness #AI #Design #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Eduardo Gonzalez, Head of Art at Super Evil Mega Corp, to explore what separates memorable game worlds from truly legendary ones. Having helped shape iconic franchises including League of Legends, Arcane, God of War, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, Eduardo shares how worldbuilding becomes the foundation for scalable, lasting IP.

Together, they discuss why great worldbuilding isn't the same as storytelling, how successful game studios create immersive universes with consistent rules, why art should always serve gameplay, and what creative leaders look for when building worldbuilding teams. Eduardo also shares lessons from Riot Games, Blizzard, and decades of experience creating worlds players don't just see—they believe.

Whether you're a game developer, artist, writer, creative director, or simply love incredible game worlds, this episode offers practical insights into building unforgettable interactive experiences.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• Eduardo's journey through more than 25 years in game development
• Building the world of Runeterra at Riot Games
• Why worldbuilding is different from storytelling
• The foundation behind scalable game IP
• What made League of Legends and God of War so immersive
• How great game art supports gameplay instead of distracting from it
• Creating characters that feel authentic and memorable
• Why consistent world rules matter
• Building creative teams that think beyond concept art
• Lessons from Blizzard's cinematic storytelling
• Leadership advice for creative directors
• Why happy teams create better games

Guest Links

🌐 Super Evil Mega Corp

🎮 Riot Games

💼 LinkedIn

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Eduardo Gonzalez for sharing his experience building iconic game worlds and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process behind some of gaming's most beloved franchises.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about creativity, game development, storytelling, animation, design, leadership, and the business of entertainment, visit:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, concept artist, creative director, writer, or anyone passionate about worldbuilding and interactive storytelling.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#EduardoGonzalez #LeagueOfLegends #Arcane #GodOfWar #Worldbuilding #GameArt #GameDesign #CreativeLeadership #GameDevelopment #RiotGames #SuperEvilMegaCorp #Storytelling #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Ryan Canuel, CEO and co-founder of Petricore, an award-winning game studio building innovative experiences across augmented reality, virtual reality, and emerging gaming platforms. Since founding the studio in 2015, Ryan has helped Petricore create immersive experiences for partners including Meta, Google, Scholastic, Bose, and Burger King while developing original games like Mythic Realms that push the boundaries of mixed reality.

Together, Carl and Ryan dive deep into what it really takes to build a sustainable game studio in one of the fastest-changing areas of technology. They discuss why niching down beats chasing trends, balancing client work with original IP, how Meta supports mixed reality developers, the future of XR gaming, healthy studio culture, AI in game development, and why long-term success comes from building a business—not just making games.

Whether you're a game developer, studio founder, entrepreneur, XR enthusiast, creative leader, or someone curious about where immersive technology is headed, this episode is packed with practical advice and behind-the-scenes insights from a studio that's helping define the future of interactive entertainment.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• How Ryan founded Petricore immediately after graduating college
• Why niching into AR, VR, and XR helped the studio stand out
• Building a sustainable game studio instead of chasing trends
• The importance of passion when choosing a creative niche
• Lessons from developing games for emerging technologies
• Why mixed reality offers opportunities traditional gaming doesn't
• How Meta helps fund innovative VR and XR experiences
• Balancing client work with developing original game IP
• The biggest mistakes studios make when creating passion projects
• How to pitch original games that actually get funded
• Maintaining a healthy studio culture during long development cycles
• Why commerce often has to come before artistic perfection
• Emerging technologies that could shape the next generation of games
• How AI is improving production workflows inside game studios
• Leadership lessons for running a creative business over the long term

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="9e3d7e94-796d-4154-9b22-2d513d41e438" data-turn-id-container="9e3d7e94-796d-4154-9b22-2d513d41e438" data-testid="conversation-turn-48" data-turn="assistant"> Guest Links

🌐 Petricore Games

💼 Ryan Canuel on LinkedIn

🎮 Learn more about Project Death Game and Petricore's latest VR projects on their website.

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to Ryan Canuel for sharing his journey from college graduate to studio founder, along with practical insights into building sustainable creative businesses, developing immersive technologies, and navigating the rapidly evolving world of AR, VR, and mixed reality.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about game development, creative leadership, storytelling, emerging technology, animation, marketing, design, entrepreneurship, and the business behind entertainment:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, XR creator, studio founder, entrepreneur, creative leader, or anyone fascinated by the future of immersive technology.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#RyanCanuel #Petricore #MixedReality #XR #VirtualReality #AugmentedReality #GameDevelopment #GameStudio #MetaQuest #IndieGames #CreativeLeadership #Entrepreneurship #GamingIndustry #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Trevor Davis, founder of Trevor Joey Development, a Roblox game development studio specializing in immersive experiences, scalable game systems, and branded virtual worlds. At just 20 years old, Trevor has already spent over 11 years building games on Roblox, transforming a childhood hobby into a thriving business working with brands and millions of players.

Together, Carl and Trevor explore what it takes to build successful games, why strong gameplay always beats flashy visuals, how brands can create meaningful experiences instead of intrusive advertisements, and why Roblox has become one of the most exciting business opportunities in gaming. They also discuss AI's growing role in development, entrepreneurship at a young age, hiring remote teams, learning through failure, and why the next generation of creators has more opportunity than ever before.

Whether you're a game developer, entrepreneur, marketer, Roblox creator, studio founder, parent of an aspiring developer, or simply curious about the future of gaming, this episode offers practical insights into building successful businesses inside virtual worlds.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• How Trevor started building Roblox games at just nine years old
• Turning a childhood hobby into a successful game development studio
• The business opportunities inside Roblox's massive player ecosystem
• How brands are using Roblox for immersive marketing
• Why gameplay systems matter more than beautiful graphics
• The biggest mistakes brands make when entering Roblox
• Lessons learned from hiring and leading remote development teams
• Building games that keep players engaged for years
• Why execution matters more than having great ideas
• Entrepreneurship, failure, and learning at a young age
• How AI is changing game development without replacing creativity
• Roblox's evolution into a serious business platform
• The future of immersive digital experiences and branded games
• Advice for young developers who want to build games professionally

Guest Links

🌐 Trevor Joey Development (Roblox): roblox.com/communities/TrevorJoey

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevor-daviz

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to Trevor Davis for sharing his entrepreneurial journey, insights into Roblox development, and lessons on creativity, leadership, AI, and building businesses inside virtual worlds. His story is proof that passion, persistence, and execution can turn a childhood curiosity into a thriving career.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about game development, storytelling, animation, creative leadership, marketing, design, technology, and the business behind entertainment:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, Roblox creator, entrepreneur, parent of an aspiring creator, marketer, or anyone interested in the future of gaming and immersive digital experiences.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#TrevorDavis #Roblox #RobloxStudio #GameDevelopment #GameBusiness #GameMarketing #Metaverse #AI #Entrepreneurship #CreativeLeadership #GamingIndustry #IndieGames #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Kay Gruenwoldt, co-founder of Magic Fractal and a veteran game industry executive with more than 30 years of experience building game studios across Europe and the United States. From creating Doom levels in the early days of PC gaming to leading teams at PlayStation and helping develop more than 50 games, Kay shares what it really takes to build studios that survive, adapt, and create unforgettable experiences.

Together, Carl and Kay explore the evolution of the video game industry—from the rise of MMORPGs like EverQuest and the mobile gaming revolution to today's AI-powered future. They discuss why leadership matters more than ever, how healthy studio culture is built, why creativity and business must work hand in hand, and what the next generation of game developers should understand about making games that stand out in an increasingly crowded market.

Whether you're a game developer, studio founder, creative leader, producer, entrepreneur, or simply passionate about the future of games, this conversation offers practical insights from someone who has spent decades helping great teams do their best work.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• How Kay went from General Electric to building game studios
• Why leadership is the hidden force behind successful games
• Lessons learned from over 30 years in game development
• The evolution of gaming from Doom to today's AI era
• What EverQuest, mobile gaming, and subscriptions changed forever
• Why AAA game development has become so expensive
• The future of consoles, indie games, and digital distribution
• How AI is changing game development without replacing creativity
• What makes a healthy studio culture actually work
• The three pillars of successful game studios
• Why adaptability is one of the most valuable leadership skills
• Marketing lessons for launching games in today's crowded market
• Building Magic Fractal alongside Jason Blundell
• Advice for aspiring game studio founders and creative leaders

Guest Links

🌐 Magic Fractal: https://magicfractal.com

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaygruenwoldt/

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to Kay Gruenwoldt for sharing decades of hard-earned wisdom on leadership, studio culture, AI, creativity, and the future of game development. His thoughtful perspective on balancing people, process, and innovation offers valuable lessons for anyone building games—or building teams.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about game development, storytelling, animation, creative leadership, marketing, design, technology, and the business behind entertainment:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, producer, studio founder, creative director, entrepreneur, or anyone passionate about building the future of games.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#KayGruenwoldt #MagicFractal #GameDevelopment #GameStudios #Leadership #PlayStation #AAA #IndieGames #AI #GameDesign #StudioCulture #GameBusiness #CreativeLeadership #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Eric Koziel, Director of Systems and Product at Azra Games, MIT engineer, cybersecurity researcher, speedrunning expert, and author of Speedrun Science, to explore the hidden systems that make video games work.

Eric shares how a lifelong fascination with understanding games evolved into a career designing them, revealing how reverse engineering, scientific thinking, and player behavior all intersect to create better gaming experiences. From uncovering impossible world records to breaking decades-old encryption hidden inside classic NES games, this conversation dives deep into the technical side of creativity.

Whether you're a game developer, designer, programmer, speedrunner, cybersecurity enthusiast, or simply curious about what happens behind the code, this episode offers a fascinating look at the science powering the games we love.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• How speedrunning changes the way we understand games
• Why reverse engineering is a powerful creative tool
• The science behind optimizing game systems
• What developers can learn from speedrunners
• How Eric transitioned from analyzing games to building them
• Designing better player experiences through data
• The story behind debunking the famous Dragster world record
• How MIT and cybersecurity shaped Eric's approach to game design
• Why seemingly impossible game secrets still exist decades later
• The mystery behind Treasure Master's hidden level
• Balancing creativity, mathematics, and player psychology
• What the future holds for game systems and optimization

Guest Links

📘 Speedrun Science: Eric's book on the science of speedrunning and game systems

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erickoziel

🎮 X (Twitter): https://x.com/TheOmniGamer

Special Thanks

A huge thank you to Eric Koziel for sharing his unique perspective on the intersection of science, engineering, creativity, and game development. His passion for understanding the hidden systems behind games continues to inspire developers, researchers, and players alike.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about creativity, storytelling, game development, animation, design, technology, leadership, and building unforgettable experiences:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, programmer, designer, speedrunner, cybersecurity enthusiast, or anyone fascinated by how games really work.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#EricKoziel #SpeedrunScience #GameDevelopment #Speedrunning #ReverseEngineering #GameDesign #AzraGames #MIT #Cybersecurity #SystemsDesign #Gaming #VideoGames #CreativeTechnology #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Richard Foos, co-founder of Rhino Records and Shout! Factory, to explore how a small record store evolved into one of the most influential forces in preserving music, television, and film history.

Richard shares the unlikely journey from opening a struggling record store near UCLA in the 1970s to pioneering the reissue music business, helping revive legendary artists whose catalogs had disappeared from public access. Along the way, Rhino Records transformed how fans discovered music, proving that passion, curation, and community could be just as valuable as chasing the next big hit.

The conversation dives into the origins of Rhino Records, the rise of Shout! Factory, preserving cult television and film, serving niche audiences, and why fan-first thinking continues to outperform corporate trend chasing. Richard also reflects on entrepreneurship, creativity, philanthropy, storytelling, and the importance of preserving culture for future generations.

Whether you're a creator, entrepreneur, storyteller, music lover, filmmaker, collector, or fan of pop culture history, this episode offers valuable lessons on building communities, protecting creative legacies, and staying connected to the audiences you serve.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• How Rhino Records began as a small independent record store
• The challenges of launching a business near UCLA in the 1970s
• Discovering the opportunity hidden in out-of-print music catalogs
• How Rhino helped pioneer the reissue music industry
• Why fan-first thinking became the company's competitive advantage
• Preserving forgotten artists and musical history
• The surprising story behind Rhino's first record release
• How punk rock culture influenced independent music distribution
• Meeting his wife through the early punk scene
• Building collectible music products for passionate fans
• Why major labels overlooked their own catalog treasures
• The evolution of compilation albums and curated music experiences
• How Rhino grew into an industry-defining brand
• The transition from Rhino Records to Shout! Factory
• Preserving cult television and film for future audiences
• Bringing Freaks and Geeks back to fans
• Working with Roger Corman and preserving cult cinema
• Why niche communities are often the most passionate audiences
• The future of media creation and decentralized storytelling
• How technology is changing entertainment production
• The role of storytelling in healthcare and human connection
• Why creativity and philanthropy remain deeply connected
• Lessons from more than 50 years in entertainment and media

Guest Links

🎵 Rhino Records: https://www.rhino.com

🎬 Shout Studios: https://www.shoutstudios.com/

📖 The Narrative Method: https://thenarrativemethod.org

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Richard Foos for sharing his remarkable journey through music, film, television, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. His commitment to preserving culture, serving fans, and supporting meaningful storytelling continues to inspire creators and communities alike.

Special thanks as well to Fred Seibert for making the introduction and for his continued impact on creativity, storytelling, animation, and original content.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about creativity, storytelling, animation, entrepreneurship, entertainment, gaming, technology, leadership, and building meaningful brands.

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a creator, entrepreneur, music fan, filmmaker, collector, storyteller, media executive, or anyone passionate about preserving culture and building communities around great ideas.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#RichardFoos #RhinoRecords #ShoutFactory #MusicIndustry #PopCulture #Storytelling #CreativeLeadership #Entrepreneurship #MediaHistory #CultMovies #CultTV #MusicHistory #IndependentMedia #FanCommunities #CreativeBusiness #EntertainmentIndustry #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade #PreservingCulture #MusicFans

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Chris Hewish, gaming industry executive, strategist, and business leader whose career spans companies including Games Workshop, Activision, DreamWorks, and Xsolla. From starting in the mailroom at Games Workshop with an unforgettable Warhammer-inspired application letter to helping shape global game publishing, monetization, and platform strategies, Chris shares a unique perspective on how creativity and commerce work together to build successful games.

Together, they explore the evolving business of gaming, direct-to-consumer strategies, player engagement, game publishing, Web3, blockchain technology, and why the industry is entering one of its most transformative periods. Chris breaks down how developers can build stronger relationships with players, why ownership of customer relationships matters, and how emerging technologies may reshape game economies in the years ahead.

The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship, creative leadership, passion-driven careers, and the importance of balancing art and business. Along the way, Chris shares lessons learned from decades in gaming and offers insights for developers, creators, and business leaders looking to navigate the future of interactive entertainment.

Whether you're a game developer, entrepreneur, publisher, marketer, investor, or lifelong gamer, this episode provides valuable perspective on where the industry has been and where it's heading next.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• How Chris landed his first job in gaming
• Why passion can outweigh experience
• Transitioning from tabletop games to video games
• The difference between game development and publishing
• Building a career on the business side of gaming
• Why direct player relationships matter
• The future of game commerce and digital ownership
• What Xsolla does for game developers
• Why great games still fail
• The realities of Web3 and blockchain gaming
• Balancing creativity with business strategy
• Advice for aspiring game industry professionals

Guest Links

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrishewish

🎮 Xsolla: https://xsolla.com

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Chris Hewish for sharing his experiences across game development, publishing, platform strategy, and emerging technologies. His insights into player relationships, business innovation, and the future of gaming provide a valuable roadmap for creators and companies navigating a rapidly evolving industry.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about gaming, creativity, animation, storytelling, entrepreneurship, technology, leadership, entertainment, and building memorable experiences:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, entrepreneur, marketer, publisher, startup founder, investor, or anyone interested in the future of gaming and interactive entertainment.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#ChrisHewish #Xsolla #GameDevelopment #GamingIndustry #GamePublishing #Web3Gaming #BlockchainGaming #DirectToConsumer #GameBusiness #GameMarketing #InteractiveEntertainment #CreativeLeadership #Gaming #Entrepreneurship #DigitalOwnership #PlayerEngagement #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade #GameMonetization #FutureOfGaming

In this episode of the Pixel Retentive Podcast, Carl sits down with Cameron Dayton, acclaimed creative and narrative director whose career spans more than two decades across some of the most influential franchises in gaming, including Overwatch, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, NBA 2K, and Infinity Blade. From helping found Chair Entertainment alongside future Fortnite creative director Donald Mustard to shaping narrative experiences at Blizzard, Activision, Scopely, and 2K, Cameron offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how great game stories are actually built.

Together, they explore why storytelling in games is fundamentally different from film, television, and books. Cameron shares lessons from working on Blizzard's ambitious Project Titan (which eventually evolved into Overwatch), developing stories for Call of Duty Nazi Zombies, collaborating with legendary creators, and navigating the unique challenges of building narratives inside massive AAA franchises.

The conversation dives deep into player agency, collaborative creativity, world building, game design, team culture, and why some of gaming's most memorable moments happen because of constraints rather than despite them. Cameron also explains why the best game stories aren't written by a single person, but emerge from passionate teams working together across design, art, music, engineering, and narrative.

Whether you're a game developer, writer, designer, creative leader, or simply someone who loves great games, this episode offers valuable insights into the art and craft of interactive storytelling.

Here's a Glimpse of What You'll Learn:

• Cameron's journey from pre-med to game development
• Founding Chair Entertainment with Donald Mustard
• The making of Infinity Blade and its impact on mobile gaming
• Behind the scenes of Blizzard's Project Titan and the birth of Overwatch
• What makes storytelling in games unique
• How player agency transforms narrative design
• Environmental storytelling in AAA games
• Creating memorable stories within established franchises
• Why production constraints can fuel creativity
• The importance of collaboration across art, design, music, and narrative
• Lessons from Call of Duty: Nazi Zombies
• Advice for aspiring game developers and storytellers

Guest Links

💼 LinkedIn

🎮 Cat Daddy Games

📚 Etherwalker: Available through major book retailers

Special Thanks

A special thanks to Cameron Dayton for sharing his experiences from some of gaming's most iconic franchises. His insights into collaborative storytelling, player agency, creative leadership, and world-building provide a fascinating look at what it takes to create games that stay with players long after they've put down the controller.

Connect with Epic Made

For more conversations about gaming, storytelling, animation, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurship, entertainment, and building meaningful experiences:

🌐 https://www.epicmade.net/resources/category/Podcast

If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a game developer, writer, designer, producer, creative director, student, or anyone passionate about the future of interactive storytelling.

Until next time,

✌️ – Carl

#CameronDayton #GameDevelopment #NarrativeDesign #Overwatch #CallOfDuty #WorldOfWarcraft #InfinityBlade #NBA2K #InteractiveStorytelling #GameWriting #CreativeLeadership #AAA Games #BlizzardEntertainment #GameDesign #Storytelling #GamingIndustry #PixelRetentivePodcast #EpicMade #etherwalker #VideoGames