Real Time Strategy

Games journalist Patrick Klepek (VICE’s Waypoint, Kotaku, Giant Bomb) has covered the industry for over 20 years, and now he’s applying his experience to a needed space for games writing: parenting. Patrick joins us to discuss his gaming and parenting newsletter, Crossplay, give his advice to TriplePoint’s newest dad Nick Shepherd, explain Roblox, and more.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:07 – Patrick’s first E3

00:07:04 – Ahsoka premiere impressions

00:14:40 – What is Crossplay?

00:21:07 – Writing about gaming for parents

00:30:23 – Building a community on Substack

00:42:24 – Personal life boundaries for writing

00:52:43 –  Introducing video games to kids

01:03:43 – Most enjoyable children’s games

01:22:52 - Outro

Find all of Patrick’s work here, and check out the Crossplay newsletter here. Follow Patrick on Twitter, and listen to him discuss the latest game releases and headlines at Remap Radio.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

Podcasting legend Danny Peña is the founder and host of Gamertag Radio, the first gaming podcast to reach 1,000 episodes. He was an inaugural inductee to the Podcasters Hall of Fame, and he’s interviewed countless industry icons like Phil Spencer, Reggie Fils-Aimé, and more. Danny breaks down his career, how his hip-hop promoting experience helped him build the Gamertag audience, and how he plans to keep giving back to his community.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:52 – Dream rapper or producer for a video game

00:08:49 – Danny’s hip-hop promoting experience

00:11:17 – Getting over interview nerves

00:13:16 – Celebrity interviews vs. video game interviews

00:27:57 – Creating unique podcast episodes

00:40:11 – Building a podcast community

00:49:19 – Meeting the Gamertag crew

01:00:19 – Speaking with hip-hop artists through gaming

01:13:51 – Danny’s children’s book, Danny Loves Video Games

01:22:32 - Outro

Follow Danny on Twitter and Instagram @godfree and on YouTube @thedannypena. Listen to Gamertag Radio here, and find his book, “Danny Loves Video Games,” on Amazon.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

iam8bit founders Jon Gibson and Amanda White are experts at bringing games into the real world, whether through collectibles, vinyls, physical editions, or some of the year’s coolest events like Summer Game Fest and Day of the Devs. Jon and Amanda join us to break down the company’s history, growth, and mission to celebrate gaming communities.

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:36 – Jon and Amanda’s favorite physical item

00:06:23 – What is iam8bit

00:22:11 – Eureka moments in the past 18 years

00:35:36 – Tron Evolution cover

00:42:44 – Day of the Devs

00:51:18 – Play Days

01:03:45 – Dream collaborations

01:04:59 - Outro

Shop at iam8bit here, and keep up with the company’s latest releases on Twitter @iam8bit. To learn more about Day of the Devs, visit the official website.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

Kate Sánchez, the co-founder and editor-in-chief of But Why Tho? and recruiter for Iron Galaxy Studios, joins us to talk about her many years of experiences as a diversity specialist. Kate dives into what exactly is a diversity specialist, what recruitment in the games industry looks like, especially for underrepresented groups, and more. We also discuss But Why Tho’s inception, what sets them apart from the rest, and more. 

Timecodes: 

00:00:00 – Intro

00:02:13 – What’s one video game IP would Kate like to see adapted?

00:07:01  – What is a Diversity Recruiter?

00:11:09 – Tools Kate uses for recruiting 

00:19:41 – Setting up your Linkedin Profile

00:34:30 – Networking

00:36:20 – POC women leaving established roles

00:47:28 – But Why Tho’s? inception

00:54:18 – Balance in diversity writing

00:58:48 – Patreon pitch

01:06:00 – Connecting people to opportunities

01:09:02 – Iron Galaxy Press Start

01:13:13 - Outro

Follow Kate on Twitter or other social media @OhMyMithrandir. You can find But Why Tho’s patreon here and if you’re on the job hunt and want to work in the games industry, check out Iron Galaxy Studios on LinkedIn here. 

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

PCMag senior analyst Jordan Minor joins us to discuss his book “Video Game of the Year,” available wherever you buy books on July 11. The book chronicles over 40 years of video game history by selecting the defining game of each year. Jordan breaks down how he wrote the book and brought it to life with the help of illustrator Wren McDonald and dozens of leading industry voices.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:48 – Jordan’s Ultimate Game of the Year

00:09:02 – Surprising Game of the Year Choices

00:14:45 – The Writing Process for Video Game of the Year

00:16:58 – Pitching to Publishers

00:20:37 – Breaking Down a Chapter

00:25:07 – Contributor Essays

00:29:09 – Wren McDonald’s Artwork

00:33:34 – Thoughts on the Physical Book

00:46:47 – Easiest and Hardest Games to Write About

00:52:34 – Predicting the Next Ten Years of Gaming Trends

00:56:59 – Closing Thoughts on the Book

Order a copy of Video Game of the Year here, follow Jordan on Twitter @JordanWMinor, and find his writing for PCMag here.

Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

Apple is entering the VR and AR race with the Apple Vision Pro, a mixed reality headset releasing early next year for $3,500. How will it change the VR and AR industry? Rob Alvarez, the marketing director at Owlchemy Labs (Job Simulator, Cosmonious High), joins us to answer that question, discuss the technology powering the headset, and explain why Apple making a headset is such a big deal. 

Timecodes:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:09:19 – Rob’s Games Marketing Background

00:12:19 – Video Game Adaptations

00:18:54 – What Drove Rob to Working in VR

00:21:27 – Advancements in VR Technology

00:23:03 – Assassin's Creed Nexus

00:26:19 – Apple Vision Pro

00:31:17 – Owlchemy’s Hand Tracking Technology

00:46:46 – Apple Vision Pro’s Technology

00:49:07 – Spatial Computing

00:52:00 – Live Events and Entertainment in VR / AR

00:54:54 – Vision Pro’s Productivity Focus

01:00:09 – How Apple Can Legitimize VR

01:12:09 – Future of VR / AR Marketing

Watch Owlchemy’s GDC hand tracking demo here, and follow Rob on Twitter @Robadubdub4U. Follow the podcast on Twitter and YouTube @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

GameSpot managing editor Tamoor Hussain has reviewed massive games like Elden Ring and managed reviews for other behemoths like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. He sits down with hosts Kaitlyn Red Wing and Sam Mosher to discuss GameSpot’s review process, how to cover a massive game, finding the passion in a review, and more.

Timecodes:

00:00:00 - Intro / What is Tamoor Currently Playing

00:12:46 – How to Cover a Major Game

00:31:17 – Helping Reviewers Find Their Voice

00:46:48 – How Tamoor Chooses His Game Reviews 

00:55:39 – Reviews in Progress

01:03:16 – Tamoor’s Elden Ring Review Process

1:07:14 - Favorite Game Reviews and Reviewers

1:26:47 - GameSpot’s New Video Shows

Follow Tamoor on social media here, and find his work at GameSpot here. Check out GameSpot’s video content on YouTube, including Tamoor’s weekly show, Spot On. Read GameSpot’s game reviews here, including The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Elden Ring, and Deathloop.

Spring 2023 will go down as one of the busiest release windows for games ever, including huge titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo IV, Final Fantasy XVI, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Street Fighter 6, and more. Hosts Kaitlyn Red Wing and Sam Mosher are joined by TriplePointers Nick Shepherd and Hailey Mohney to discuss why so many games are coming out now, how they affect PR strategy, and why events still drive attention during this time.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro / Getting to Know Hailey (Role-Playing Games)

5:02 - What We’re Playing Right Now (The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor)

17:50 - Why Is Q2 2023 Packed with Game Releases?

34:27 - What Q2 2023 Games Will We Play, and Why?

45:26 - How Busy Game Release Windows Affect PR

53:58 - Dealing with a Buggy Launch

59:49 - How Do Events Stand Out Amongst Game Releases?

Follow the podcast on Twitter @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

Victoria 3 game director Mikael Andersson joins us this week to discuss the making of the historically epic grand strategy game, how Paradox approaches strategy game storytelling, and what makes a great game design team.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro / Getting to Know Mikael (Cozy Puzzle/Strategy Games)

11:01 - Upcoming Paradox Games

17:13 - Going from IT to Game Design at Paradox

25:55 - Working in Game Design

32:19 - What Does a Game Director Do?

39:46 - Victoria 3 and How It Differs from Other Strategy Titles

48:39 - Researching and Recreating the Victorian Era

56:48 - Making a Grand Strategy Game Tutorial

1:04:24 - Designing Diplomacy and War in Victoria 3

1:11:15 - How Mikael Plays Victoria 3

1:13:13 - Mikael’s Advice for New Players

For more on Victoria 3, visit the official website, check out its forum page, and join its Discord. Find the other mentioned Paradox Interactive games here. Follow the podcast on Twitter @RealTimeStrats, and email us questions at [email protected].

Doug Perry, IGN co-founder and head of public relations at Pearl Abyss America, returns to the show to discuss his transition from games journalism to games PR, his advice for journalists making the same move, and his key learnings from leading PR for Warframe at Digital Extremes.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Intro

2:36 - Game Reviews (Halo, Driver, Grand Theft Auto)

18:48 - Favorite Games Journalism Pieces (Dreamcast History)

28:40 - Post-IGN Journalism Career

32:05 - Making the Move to PR at Reverb Communications

42:01 - Advice for Journalists Moving to PR

52:25 - In-House PR for Warframe at Digital Extremes

1:02:37 - Balancing Warframe’s Community and PR Needs

1:07:54 - Other Warframe Learnings (Free-to-Play Bias, Player Feedback) 

1:18:23 - Influencers and Social Media

1:23:51 - Phone Calls with Journalists

1:26:32 - Burnout and Maintaining a Love for the Games Industry

Connect with Doug on LinkedIn here, and find his writing at IGN here. Read his Dreamcast history feature here, his literature in gaming feature here, and his interview with Donald Mustard for Infinity Blade II here.