Wired Nerdy Podcast

Wired Nerdy S4E2: Interview with Veteran Game Designer Benson Russell


Listen Later

What really goes into making a great game?

In this episode of Wired Nerdy, we sit down with Benson Russell, a veteran game designer with over 30 years in the industry and credits that include Uncharted 3, The Last of Us, and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. From the early days of breaking into a scrappy industry to shaping some of the most iconic modern AAA titles, Benson shares the real story behind game development.

We go beyond surface-level talk and dive into:

  • How Benson got his start in game development

  • The biggest lessons from 30+ years designing games

  • What players don’t see behind AAA development

  • Why modern games are so complex to build

  • The truth about updates, delays, and shipping games

  • Game-to-film adaptations, what works and what fails

  • Fixing “development dysfunction” inside studios

  • AI’s real impact on the future of gaming

  • What excites (and concerns) him about where games are headed

If you love games, game design, or want to understand how the industry really works, this conversation gives you an insider’s perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

About Benson Russell

https://www.unhandledexceptions.io/

Benson Russell is a veteran game designer and founder of Unhandled Exceptions, where he helps studios solve development challenges and ship better games. Over his career, he has contributed to some of the most influential AAA titles in modern gaming.

Wired Nerdy Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wirednerdypodcast
Wired Nerdy Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571242544979

Also, check out the Wired Nerdy Website and Merch Store:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sites.google.com/view/wirednerdypodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
(merch prices lowered!)

Search for the Wired Nerdy Podcast on your favorite platform.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Wired Nerdy PodcastBy Wired Nerdy Podcast