Not every good game survives. Not every fun feature matters. So what actually makes a game work?In this episode, I sit down with Aaron Morley, Lead Product Manager at Sumo Digital, to explore how product thinking shapes the games we play — and why success in this industry is about more than just fun.We dive into: • The real difference between product and production roles • Why some features fail even with perfect data • What it means to design with players, not just for them • How live games evolve (and how to know when to pivot) • What devs can learn from dads with no time and MMO nostalgia#gamedev #productmanagement #gameindustry

In this episode, I sit down with Nathan Silvers, one of the original creators behind Call of Duty, to unpack the wild early days of FPS game development... from LAN parties and Quake mods to working with Spielberg on Medal of Honor, to the creative genius that birthed Modern Warfare.We talk about: • The startup origins of Call of Duty • How level design and scripting evolved in AAA development • Why Infinite Warfare didn’t get a fair shake • The unexpected tricks used to make massive levels run • Nathan’s honest advice for aspiring developersWhether you’re into game design, world building, or just want to hear some raw behind-the-scenes history, give this episode a listen!Follow: Nathan’s work https://natestah.com/Bio: https://callofduty.fandom.com/wiki/Nathan_Silvers🎧 Subscribe for more deep dives into game development and product thinking.#CallOfDuty #GameDevelopment #LevelDesign #FPSGames #GamingPodcast #NathanSilvers #InfinityWard #ModernWarfare #ThePartyIsFull #BehindTheGames

In this first episode of The Party is Full, Gengis sits down with Roo, Product Manager at Trailmix Games, to explore his unconventional journey from a science background to the world of game development.

Roo shares what product managers really do in games — from A/B testing and user experience to game economies, merge game design, and LiveOps strategy.

The conversation is packed with insights and advice for anyone curious about building better games or breaking into the gaming industry.