Released!

Last time, we talked about the history of Disco Elysium and the ZA/UM studio. This time, I’m telling the same story — but from the perspective of someone who was actually there, watching it all unfold. We’ll kick things off with the very beginning — how the world of Elysium came to be — and take it right up to the most recent events. And trust me, in this episode you’ll hear plenty of behind-the-scenes stories about what really went down inside the studio.

00:00 Hi there!

04:55 The Overcoats

15:43 Disco Elysium

20:20 Project C4

29:55 Project X7

37:15 Project P1

44:38 Crunch

49:52 Summer Eternal

54:15 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: People Make Games, The 41st Precinct.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

Disco Elysium may not have the flashiest graphics or the most explosive action, but it’s a game that stays with you - the kind you can’t stop thinking about long after the credits roll. Behind its unforgettable world lies a real-life story just as gripping as the game itself. From the humble beginnings of ZA/UM, through years of creative struggle, to a surprise global success - and then to a tangled web of conflicts, lawsuits, and sudden departures. In this episode, we dive into how Disco Elysium was made, the challenges its creators faced, and the question that still haunts fans: will we ever see a true sequel?

00:00 Hi there!

02:48 History of the game's creation

18:01 After the incredible success

28:57 Interviews

42:46 A sequel to the game

44:54 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: People Make Games, Tallinna Raamatukogud.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

Virtual Reality was once hailed as the next big leap for the gaming industry, a technology aimed to revolutionize how we play and interact with games. Yet, despite its promise, the VR revolution hasn’t fully materialized. In this episode, we take a closer look at the journey of VR, from its early experiments to today’s most prominent products. We’ll explore the trials and triumphs, the failures, and the companies competing for dominance in the VR space. What went wrong? And what does the future of virtual reality look like today?

00:00 Hi there!

01:48 History of Virtual Reality

13:08 Home consoles

18:53 Oculus Rift and HTC Vive

33:15 VR on your phone

34:51 Augmented Reality

38:08 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: nebcks, Clips & Footage, MechDesignTV, Meta Quest, Meta.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

In this episode, we dive into the stories of three legendary game designers: Sam Lake, Neil Druckmann, and Hideo Kojima. What drives these creators to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling? We explore their sources of inspiration, the challenges they face, the techniques and tools they use, and what it truly means to be a game designer at the top of their craft.

00:00 Hi there!

01:38 Sam Lake: cottage by the lake and Dungeons & Dragons

06:27 Neil Druckmann: criminology and Computer Science

09:39 Hideo Kojima: films and Super Mario Bros.

13:21 Sam Lake: Max Payne

19:20 Neil Druckmann: Uncharted and The Last of Us

24:33 Hideo Kojima: Metal Gear

29:39 Sam Lake: Alan Wake, Quantum Break and Control

35:11 Neil Druckmann: Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us Part II

40:59 Hideo Kojima: Death Stranding

44:51 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: Old Gods of Asgard.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

The Legend of Zelda is one of the most influential game series ever created, revolutionizing the way we play and experience games. With Ocarina of Time often hailed as one of the greatest games in history, the franchise has left a lasting mark on the gaming world. In this episode, we dive into the origins of Zelda, how it evolved over the years, and what continues to make it such a beloved and groundbreaking series.

00:00 Hi there!

02:12 The Legend of Zelda

10:13 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

15:25 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask

16:24 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

17:45 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

28:07 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: Star Sessions, David Erick Ramos - Ocarina, Nintendo of America.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

In this episode, prepare for a +2 boost to your determination and a dash of luck, because we’re diving into the story of Larian Studios - the creators behind some of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time. The path to success wasn’t easy, with the studio facing countless challenges along the way. How did they overcome adversity and create Baldur’s Gate 3, one of the greatest RPGs ever made? Tune in as we explore Larian’s incredible journey and their quest to perfect the role-playing game.

00:00 Hi there!

02:25 Dungeons & Dragons

04:13 Swen Vincke and Larian

10:28 The Lady, the Mage and the Knight

15:23 Divinity and Beyond

23:32 Divinity II

26:51 Original Sin

33:24 Baldur's Gate

38:21 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: BAFTA, Gameumentary, GameSpot Trailers, Larian Studios, thegameawards.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

Behind every great game lies a powerful engine, and today’s game engines are so sophisticated that the line between reality and virtual worlds is often blurred. But how did we get here? What sparked the rivalry between two of the biggest names in game development - Unreal Engine and Unity? In this episode, we dive into the history of game engines, from their humble beginnings to the high-tech marvels of today. We’ll explore how this fierce competition has not only driven innovation but reshaped the entire gaming industry.

00:00 Hi there!

01:47 Game engine

03:50 History of game engines

06:01 Creating Unreal Engine

09:47 Indie development

15:38 Creating Unity

20:53 Unreal Engine 4

24:12 Unity runtime fee

26:47 Conclusion

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

Few game franchises have shaped pop culture like Grand Theft Auto. From its humble beginnings to record-breaking releases, GTA has constantly pushed boundaries - both in gameplay and controversy. But how did Rockstar Games turn an experimental top-down crime sim into a cultural phenomenon? How has each installment evolved the open-world genre? And why does GTA continue to captivate millions despite (or perhaps because of) its many scandals? In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking history of Grand Theft Auto and its lasting impact on gaming and beyond.

00:00 Hi there!

01:35 Foundation of the DMA Studio

05:56 Lemmings

08:36 Race and Chase

09:51 BMG Interactive

12:45 Grand Theft Auto

15:59 Grand Theft Auto 2

18:53 Grand Theft Auto III

22:35 Vice City and San Andreas

25:36 Grand Theft Auto IV

28:36 Grand Theft Auto V

31:41 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: BBC Archive.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

Few gaming companies have had as much influence as Valve. From revolutionizing PC gaming to shaping the rise of esports and defining entire genres, their impact is undeniable. But what makes Valve so unique? How has their relationship with the gaming community fueled their success? And why do they seem so reluctant to release sequels to some of their most beloved franchises? In this episode, we explore the history of Valve and the philosophy behind their game-changing innovations.

00:00 Hi there!

01:04 Foundation of Valve

05:54 Half-Life

18:56 Team Fortress

21:04 Counter-Strike

23:05 Portal

26:47 Dota

28:58 Left 4 Dead

31:33 Developers of mods

32:13 Steam

36:00 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: GameSpot Trailers, Code.org, Valve, The Chalkeaters, TheCranberriesTV

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov

Before The Witcher became a global phenomenon, CD Projekt Red was just a small Polish studio with big dreams and no game development experience. How did they go from selling pirated software to creating one of the most beloved RPG franchises of all time? What obstacles did they face along the way? And how did ignoring conventional wisdom lead them to unexpected success? This episode unpacks the incredible journey of CD Projekt Red and the making of The Witcher.

00:00 Hi there!

01:24 The Witcher novels

04:09 CD Project foundation

10:48 The Witcher

25:57 Rise of the White Wolf

28:43 The Witcher 2

29:30 The Witcher 3

31:28 The Witcher IV

31:46 Black sheep

33:04 Conclusion

The episode used quotes from the interviews from YouTube channels: Ryslaw, Noclip - Video Game Documentaries, CD PROJEKT RED, TEDx Talks.

Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov

Cover: Katya Pavlova

Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov