Playmakers - The Game Industry Podcast

Jordan sits down with legendary video game composer, producer, and entrepreneur Tommy Tallarico, whose career spans over 30 years in the gaming industry. Known for his work on iconic titles like Prince of Persia, Earthworm Jim, and MDK, Tommy shares his inspiring journey from homelessness to launching major projects such as Video Games Live and the new Intellivision Amico console. This episode dives deep into Tommy’s mindset for success, offering advice on goal-setting, perseverance, and the importance of networking. Tommy also discusses his approach to creating successful video games and his passion for bringing back family-friendly gaming experiences.

• How Tommy broke into the video game industry
• His journey working on iconic games like Prince of Persia and Earthworm Jim
• Tommy’s vision for the Intellivision Amico and how it aims to bring back family gaming
• Insights into building successful development teams and working with indie developers
• The future of video games post-pandemic and the impact of remote work on creativity

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[01:43] Tommy's early career journey: from game tester to game audio

[06:30] First big break with Prince of Persia and redefining sound design in games

[10:15] Tommy’s mindset on success

[13:10] Goal-setting and climbing metaphorical mountains in your career

[17:10] Networking and why selling yourself is key to success

[20:00] The importance of passion and genuine connection with others

[24:10] Intellivision Amico and the return of couch co-op gaming

[32:15] How Amico offers a unique digital board game experience

[36:00] Working with indie developers and offering personalized development support

[40:50] The impact of COVID-19 on game development and team collaboration

[44:20] Tommy’s final thoughts on on success and his future projects

• Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn
• Check out more of Tommy’s work
• Meet Amico!
• Connect with Tommy on Instagram
• Watch "The Secret" Documentary
• The Secret (Book byRhonda Byrne)
• How to Win Friends & Influence People (Book by Dale Carnegie)
• How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You (Book by Leil Lowndes)
• Explore the teachings of Eckhart Tolle

Jordan sits down with Amy Jo Kim, a game designer, community architect, and innovation coach, named by Fortune as one of the “Top 10 Influential Women in Games.” Amy Jo has contributed to hit games like The Sims, Rock Band, Ultima Online, and Covet Fashion, and has worked on non-gaming products such as eBay, Netflix, and NYTimes.com. She is also the author of “Community Building on the Web” (2000) and “Game Thinking” (2018).

Amy Jo dives deep into her concept of “Superfans” and explains why they are critical to achieving market success. She discusses her approach to creating innovative products, how to find superfans early, and how this methodology can scale projects to achieve global success.

• What are “Super Fans” and why they are critical to getting a “beachhead” in the market
• Why the “Fast Follow” method limits growth potential
• How to quickly find and engage with Superfans to grow your product
• How to create innovative projects that scale in a BIG way 
• Amy Jo’s Superfan Challenge: A free challenge designed to help teams identify their superfans

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

02:58 Introduction to Amy Jo Kim and her journey in the gaming industry

06:26 Combining game design with innovation across industries

07:44 The power of Superfans: engaging early adopters to drive product success

12:12 Avoiding the “Fast Follow” strategy: learning from copycat games

16:14 Testing your core game loop with superfans and early adopters

20:07 The role of Superfans in evolving game design

22:06 Why tuning the core loop is essential for success

25:38 The connection between the core loop and player journey

28:22 Using Superfan techniques to build a community

34:43 Identifying superfans in casual games 

38:31 Join Amy Jo Kim’s Superfan Challenge

Connect with Amy Jo Kim:

• Amy Jo on LinkedIn
• Amy Jo on Twitter
• Take Amy Jo’s FREE challenge: Superfan Challenge
• Check out Game Thinking: GameThinking.io
• Amy Jo's Podcast: Getting2Alpha
• Books by Amy Jo Kim:
• Game Thinking: Innovate Smarter & Drive Deep Engagement with Design Techniques from Hit Games
• Community Building on the Web: Secret Strategies for Successful Online Communities

Games & companies mentioned:

• Rock Band (Harmonix)
• The Sims (Maxis)
• Ultima Online (Origin Systems)
• Covet Fashion (Crowdstar)
• Zynga
• Guitar Hero (Harmonix)
• Left 4 Dead (Valve)
• Minecraft (Mojang)
• SimCity (Maxis)
• Fortnite (Epic Games)
• Roblox (Roblox Corporation)
• Dance Dance Revolution (Konami)

Jordan sits down with Jon Radoff, the founder of Beamable,the creator-centric platform for building live games in Unity. Jon's career spans across multiple areas of the game industry, from building one of the first commercial internet games to leading the development of popular mobile games like Game of Thrones Ascent and Star Trek Timelines. Jon shares his insights on building successful games by taking multiple "shots on goal," balancing creativity with data, and understanding when to pivot or push forward with a project. He also dives into the future of the metaverse and how it could impact game development.

• Jon’s entrepreneurial journey and how Beamable evolved into what it is today
• Key tips and techniques for getting your game off the ground
• The balance between iterating on a game and deciding when to move on to a new project
• Why you should get user feedback before you even have a playable version of your game
• How to know when it’s time to throw in the towel on a project
• The future of the metaverse and how creators will shape it

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[03:16] Jon’s start in games: creating one of the first commercial games on the internet

[08:26] Moving into mobile games and the creation of Game of Thrones Ascent

[10:15] How to balance creativity and data in game development

[13:00] The importance of taking "shots on goal" in game design and business strategy

[17:53] When to start testing and gathering feedback on game ideas

[20:05] Building an audience and gathering feedback before having a playable game

[25:22] Lessons learned from Star Trek Timelines and using real-time data from players

[28:30] Managing risk and deciding when to stop working on a game

[31:45] Balancing iteration time versus moving on to a new project

[35:03] Creativity in game development versus pure data-driven design

[38:25] The future of game creation and Beamable’s vision

[44:43] Jon’s thoughts on the metaverse

Connect with Jon:

• Jon on LinkedIn
• Jon on Twitter
• Jon’s Blog

Check out Beamable:

• Learn more
• Follow Beamable on Instagram
• Connect with Beamable on Facebook

Games mentioned:

• Game of Thrones Ascent (Disruptor Beam)
• Star Trek Timelines (Tilting Point)
• Archer: Danger Phone (East Side Games)
• Rocket League (Psyonix)
• Among Us (InnerSloth)
• Candy Crush (King)

Jordan interviews Joakim Achrén, a gaming entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience. Joakim shares his journey from co-founding two venture-backed gaming startups, including Next Games (which IPOed in 2017), to his current role at Elite Game Developers. Joakim helps aspiring game entrepreneurs launch their own studios and is also an angel investor in companies like Skunkworks Games, Lightheart Entertainment, and Savage Game Studios. He also provides deep insights into how mobile game entrepreneurs can navigate the challenges of game development, from early validation to scaling successful games.

• How Joakim caught “the bug” for helping other founders
• What comes between the early validation phase and obtaining data from user behavior within a playable version of your game
• The most common trap mobile developers fall into 
• The biggest takeaways you should be gaining from your metrics
• The key to building mobile games that make players want to come back
• The balance between “stealing like an artist” and innovating 
• What the gaming industry can learn from Pixar’s creative process 

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[03:31] Joakim's early career and his journey into game development

[06:52] Starting Next Games and working with AMC on The Walking Dead

[09:48] The "bug" that inspired Joakim to help game founders

[12:11] Biggest mistakes mobile game developers make

[14:56] Joakim's view on Game Pass and the evolution of free-to-play models on PC and console

[17:35] Understanding the gap between early validation and real user data

[22:06] The common pitfalls in mobile game concepting and iteration

[27:57] The balance between innovation and "stealing like an artist"

[31:45] Building an audience-first approach in game development

[36:15] Pixar’s "Brain Trust" model and how it applies to game studios

[40:36] The impact of COVID-19 on the game industry and the rise of social gaming

[44:20] Joakim’s thoughts on the future of mobile gaming and game development

Connect with Joakim Achrén:

• Joakim on LinkedIn
• Joakim on Twitter
• Joakim’s Blog

Learn more about Elite Game Developers:

• Elite Game Developers Website

Books mentioned:

• Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

Games mentioned:

• The Walking Dead (Next Games)
• Pokemon Go (Niantic)
• Jurassic World Alive (Ludia)
• Genshin Impact (Hoyoverse)

Jordan sits down with Tadhg Kelly, an experienced consultant specializing in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and video games, with a rich background in game design and production. Tadhg has held significant roles at notable companies like BSkyB, Lionhead Studios, Climax Studios, and Mobile Game Doctor. His work spans a variety of game projects, from board games and live-action role-playing games to large-scale PC games and innovative AR/VR technologies. In this episode, Tadhg shares his journey from game designer to consultant, offering invaluable insights into the industry's evolution and the lessons he has learned along the way.

• Tadhg’s transition from game designer to consultant and the lessons he learned along the way
• Understanding the "Sexy/Worthy Trap" and how to use it to your advantage in game design
• Balancing speed-to-market against feature development in game projects
• The benefit of having diverse skill sets in the gaming industry
• Common mistakes made in the early stages of game development
• The value of letting your game developer do their job

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[03:04] Tadhg’s journey from game designer to consultant

[06:15] Lessons learned from working on various game projects

[09:47] Examples of “cliff projects” and challenges in game development

[13:00] Consulting and transitioning from traditional game development

[17:19] The “Sexy / Worthy Trap” and how it influences successful games

[22:27] Simple mistakes in the early stages of game development

[24:06] Why assumptions about gameplay and player psychology can lead to failure

[26:57] The importance of being “sexy” rather than “worthy” in game development

[30:09] Writing game design documentation and focusing on the user experience

[36:30] Lessons from working on platforms like OUYA and Magic Leap

[44:43] Tadhg’s thoughts on consulting and what’s next in the game industry

Connect with Tadhg:

• LinkedIn
• Work with Tadhg at Mobile Game Doctor
• Read the What Games Are Blog
• Twitter

Games & companies mentioned:

• Lionhead Studios
• Climax Studios
• Sky Games
• OUYA
• Magic Leap
• EverQuest (Daybreak Games)
• Among Us (Innersloth)
• Minecraft (Mojang)
• Farmville (Zynga)
• World of Warcraft (Blizzard Entertainment)

Jordan interviews Travis Boatman, CEO and co-founder of Carbonated, a mobile game studio based in LA. Travis is a 25-year veteran of the game industry, with over 20 years of experience in mobile games. He has previously served as SVP of Mobile at Zynga and Electronic Arts (EA), where he led global studios and mobile game strategy. Travis discusses his entrepreneurial journey, the pillars of a successful studio, and his approach to building games in a rapidly evolving market.

• Travis’s journey from producer to Senior VP and eventually founding his own studio
• The three essential pillars of the game industry
• How to follow customer feedback toward success
• How the game industry is similar to stand up comedy
• The importance of embracing new technologies continuously
• What sets successful LiveOps games apart from others

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[03:02] Travis’ journey from game producer to running Carbonated

[06:15] The three pillars of the game industry

[10:42] How technology drives game mechanics and innovation

[13:38] Why staying updated on technology trends is crucial for long-term success

[15:18] Starting Carbonated and the role of a strong technical co-founder

[24:39] The impact of mobile on high-quality games like Call of Duty and Fortnite

[27:27] Strategies for building a two-product studio and managing team morale

[33:38] Understanding player feedback through platforms like Reddit and Discord

[37:00] Why trying to appeal to everyone in game design often leads to failure

[38:35] Travis’ thoughts on keeping focus in game development

Connect with Travis Boatman:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Learn more about Carbonated:

• Website
• Twitter
• Discord
• Facebook

Games & companies mentioned:

• Zynga
• Electronic Arts (EA)
• Unity
• Unreal Engine
• Call of Duty Mobile (Activision)
• Fortnite (Epic Games)
• Genshin Impact (HoYoverse)
• PUBG Mobile (Krafton/Tencent)
• Free Fire (Garena)
• Candy Crush (King)

Jordan sits down with Nick Fortugno, an entrepreneur, game designer, and interactive narrative expert. Nick is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer at Playmatics, a company known for creating innovative digital and real-world experiences for top organizations like Pro Publica, Red Bull, AMC (including the CableFAX award-winning Breaking Bad: The Interrogation), Disney, the American Museum of Natural History, and more. Nick also teaches at Parsons School of Design, where he's helped shape their game design curriculum.

• Nick’s journey from intern to Founder and Chief Creative Officer at Playmatics
• Key lessons on keeping a game studio afloat and competitive in a crowded market
• The game-changing principles of game design he’s picked up over the course of his career
• “Failing up” in game design: how mistakes fuel innovation
• The MDA framework (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) as an approach to game design and how he utilizes this technique
• What Nick looks for when hiring game designers and producers: what’s taught in school vs. what needs to be cultivated
• The role of artificial intelligence in the future of gaming technology

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[03:29] Nick’s early career and transition into game design

[06:35] The foundation and evolution of Playmatics

[08:02] The two key lessons that helped Playmatics survive and thrive

[11:36] Innovative game design approach at Playmatics

[16:09] How game genres evolve and how designers can think beyond genre constraints

[19:40] The value of early prototypes and using failure to innovate

[21:00] Using MDA as a approach to game design

[24:29] What Nick looks for when hiring game designers and producers

[28:56] The role of AI and machine learning in future game development

[34:25] How social gaming has grown during the pandemic

Connect with Nick Fortugno:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Learn more about Playmatics:

• Website
• Check out the Come Out and Play Street Games Festival

Games & companies mentioned:

• Playmatics
• AreaCode
• Rebel Monkey
• GameLab (Diner Dash)
• Pro Publica (The Waiting Game)
• Breaking Bad: The Interrogation (AMC)
• The Street Game Festival (Come Out and Play)
• Revolutionary Choices (Educational history game)

Jordan interviews Emma-Jane MacKinnon-Lee, a dynamic innovator at the intersection of gaming, web3, and digital fashion. Emma-Jane is the founder of DIGITALAX, the pioneer digital fashion NFT protocol and marketplace for gaming and esports. In this episode, she discusses how web3 technologies like NFTs, cryptocurrency, and decentralization are transforming the gaming industry. Emma-Jane dives deep into the metaverse and discusses how the game industry stands to be disrupted during the rise of ”web3” technologies that enable digital scarcity, decentralization, and interoperability. 

• Emma-Jane’s journey from space engineering to founding DIGITALAX
• The intersection of gaming, fashion, and NFTs in web3
• The challenges of interoperability in digital fashion and gaming
• How NFTs and cryptocurrency bring value to in-game assets
• The potential of web3 to create sustainable careers for indie game developers
• Advice for game developers looking to enter the NFT space

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[03:15] Emma-Jane's journey from space engineering to gaming and NFTs

[06:28] What DIGITALAX is and how it relates to the game industry

[09:05] What Ethereum is and its relevance to gaming and NFTs

[11:50] Layer two solutions: Making Ethereum scalable and sustainable

[14:24] The rise of the metaverse and its impact on digital economies

[16:58] How NFTs create interoperability and value across different digital ecosystems

[22:04] Challenges of interoperability between different games and environments

[24:27] How decentralized value systems (NFTs and blockchain) empower game developers

[30:29] The importance of programmable incentives in building gaming ecosystems

[33:23] The role of mod culture in gaming and digital fashion

[44:04] Emma-Jane’s advice for developers entering the NFT space

Connect with Emma-Jane MacKinnon-Lee:

• Twitter

Learn more about DIGITALAX:

• DIGITALAX
• Discord

Games & companies mentioned:

• DIGITALAX
• ESPA (casual esports platform by DIGITALAX)
• Digifizzy (Magazine for the Metaverse)
• Ethereum, Matic (Polygon)

Jordan sits down with Colm Larkin, a programmer, game designer, and board game enthusiast. He is the founder of Gambrinous and creator of indie hits Guild of Dungeoneering and Cardpocalypse. Colm has recently been appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at IMIRT, the Irish Game Makers Association. In this interview, Colm shares his inspiring journey from part-time game developer to full-time studio owner and discusses the lessons learned along the way.

• Colm’s transition from part-time to full-time game development
• The importance of conquering perfectionism when building your game
• What helped Colm the most in getting his first game off the ground
• How to know when it’s time to start expanding your team as an indie developer
• To animate or not to animate? The impacts of art on your creation process
• How to set yourself up for success when it comes to seeking out a publisher 

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

[04:51] Colm’s journey from part-time game dev to full-time studio owner

[06:18] The "One Game a Month" challenge and the early development of Guild of Dungeoneering

[10:41] Overcoming perfectionism and finishing projects

[17:15] How Colm knew it was time to expand the team

19:04 Managing time and being productive as an indie developer

20:47 Partnering with an artist and how it transformed Guild of Dungeoneering

[22:59] How unique art styles can help indie games stand out

[28:02] Early marketing strategies and pre-order success

[30:06] Advice on working with publishers and finding the right fit

[34:48] Colm’s thoughts on oversharing and working on a “secret” project

Connect with Colm Larkin:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter

Learn more about Gambrinous:

• Website
• Check out the announcement of Colm’s Secret Project!
• Watch Colm’s talk: “Share Your Games”

Games & companies mentioned:

• Guild of Dungeoneering (Gambrinous)
• Cardpocalypse (Gambrinous)
• Spelunky (Derek Yu)
• Papers, Please (Lucas Pope)
• Minecraft (Mojang)
• Limbo (Playdead)
• Superhot (Superhot Team)
• Cuphead (Studio MDHR)
• The Banner Saga (Stoic Studio)
• Versus Evil (Publisher)
• Steam Greenlight (Valve)