Changing Gamedev Life Podcast

Pejman Mirza-Babaei
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Changing Gamedev Life Podcast

At Changing Gamedev Life, we showcase the stories and experiences of those from inside the industry, with the aim of giving listeners a peek into the joys and challenges of work in games. Our guests come from a wide array of backgrounds and disciplines, and illustrate multiple pathways into gameswork. Their narratives include useful tips and advice for those who may be aiming for careers in games, and offer insight into the non-traditional ways they found fulfilling careers. changinggamedevlife.substack.com

Episodes

  1. 20/08/2024

    Episode 6: Alexandra Orlando on Fostering Community in Gamedev

    Summary In this episode, Pejman and Jen interview Alex Orlando, the community manager for Kitfox Games. Alex recounts her journey into the game industry, her day-to-day experiences in community management, and the importance of supportive workplaces. She highlights the necessity of community managers in building and nurturing player communities. Alex also addresses the challenges she and others face in her role, touching on the issues of harassment and toxicity on different platforms, and the need for better strategies and policies to address it. Alex also reflects on her career path and emphasizes the value of pursuing different experiences and not being afraid to try new things. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of the industry and the importance of community support for game success. Key takeaways from this episode: * The role of a community manager varies from job to job, but it often involves managing social media, online communities, and gathering feedback from players. * A vibrant player community is essential for a game’s success, as it helps to generate excitement while providing support and feedback. * With limited developer control over player forums, toxic environments can develop within communities on platforms like Steam. * Despite its critical importance, the role of a community manager is often under-supported, and there is a need for better resources and mentorship for community managers in the industry. * Supportive workplaces prioritize job security, work-life balance, and flexibility. * The future of the gaming industry relies on studios being managed sustainably so that they can retain talent, refine their design ethos over time, and ultimately create better games. About Alex Alexandra Orlando is the community manager of Kitfox Games in Montreal, Canada. She has worked on launching Boyfriend Dungeon, Pupperazzi, and Dwarf Fortress on Steam, and is currently working on Dwarf Fortress’ Adventure Mode and Caves of Qud. Keywords game industry, community manager, supportive workplaces, gamer harassment, platforms, policies, community management, gaming industry, player communities, toxic communities, career journey, game development, community support This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit changinggamedevlife.substack.com

    50 min

  2. 09/08/2024

    Episode 5: Atiya Nova on The Solace in Solidarity

    Welcome to Episode 5 of Changing Gamedev Life. In this episode, Atiya discusses her decision to pursue a graduate degree in computer science, and how it has helped her in her career. She also talks about her passion for creating games as an art form and the positive impact it has had on her life. She emphasizes the importance of fostering healthy work environments and supporting each other in the industry. Atiya provides advice for students and aspiring game developers, highlighting the value of internships and the need to be prepared for the competitive nature of the industry. Key takeaways from this episode: * Choosing a program that aligns with your career goals and interests can be beneficial in gaining the necessary skills and knowledge for the game industry. * Creating games as an art form allows for the exploration of serious topics and emotional connections with players. * Supporting each other and fostering healthy work environments are essential for positive change in the game industry. * Seeking advice from mentors and alumni can provide valuable insights and guidance for securing internships and standing out in the industry. About Atiya Atiya Nova (she/her) is a User Researcher at Ubisoft Toronto, credited on Far Cry 6, Mario and Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, and Assassin's Creed Mirage. She also loves creating games on her own. Last year she released “You’re Not Family” on Steam, a game about familial conflict. As an avid fan of horror, JRPGs, and coffee, she's always looking forward to her next adventure. Keywords game industry, university degree, career goals, mentorship, work environment, art This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit changinggamedevlife.substack.com

    30 min

  3. 30/07/2024

    Episode 4: Samantha Stahlke on the State of the Art(ist)

    Welcome to Episode 4 of Changing GameDev Life! Summary In this episode, Pejman and Jen interview Samantha Stahlke, a game artist at Jam City. Samantha shares her journey into the game industry, from her early passion for drawing to her exploration of various career paths. She discusses the importance of taking a gap year and how it allowed her to discover her true passion for art. Samantha also shares her experience as a freelancer and offers insights into balancing introversion with the business side of being an artist. We discuss the importance of saying no to projects and prioritizing personal life, the challenges for artists in the game industry, ethical concerns with generative AI models, and advice for students interested in game development. Key takeaways from this episode: * Taking a gap year can provide valuable time for self-discovery and exploration of different interests. * Passion and love for the work are key motivators for consistently delivering high-quality results in multiple domains. * Sharing your work and receiving positive feedback can provide validation and motivation to continue pursuing your creative career. * Balancing introversion and the business side of freelancing requires finding ways to promote your work while staying true to yourself. About Samantha Samantha is an artist at Jam City, working on illustrations and art assets for casual mobile games. She has also worked on indie games including Cook Serve Forever, and takes pride in her very odd collection of smaller personal projects. One of those projects, in collaboration with her longtime colleague and friend Pejman, is The Game Designer's Playbook, published by Oxford University Press. She studied at Ontario Tech University, with an undergraduate degree in game development and a master's degree in computer science. If you'd like to learn more about her, you can check her website, or find her and her mother doing improv comedy at your local chocolate shop. Keywords gamedev, art, self-discovery, passion, motivation, freelancing, illustrator This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit changinggamedevlife.substack.com

    1h 1m

  4. 23/07/2024

    Episode 3: Dr. Johanna Weststar on the Importance of Unionization

    Summary In this episode, Pejman and Jennifer interview Dr. Johanna Weststar, a professor in the Department of Management and Organization Studies at Western University and co-author of the book "Not all Fun and Games". We cover Johanna's role in the game industry, her journey and interest in studying labour in games, the impact of developer satisfaction surveys, and the lack of knowledge and transparency in the industry regarding unionization. We explore the culture and environment of the game industry, the erosion of industrial citizenship, and the power of dialogue and collective action in making things better. We also discuss the power of voice and unionization, the importance of retaining workers in the industry, and advice for students and supervisors. Key takeaways from this episode: * The lack of knowledge and transparency in the game industry is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. The game industry has a culture and environment that can lead to inequity, overwork, and a lack of voice for workers. * Dialogue and collective action are important for making improvements in the industry. * Discussion on why game studios shouldn't fear unionization. * Students should enter the industry with their eyes open and consider whether its rhythms and structure align with their goals and values. * Developing voice and building collective consciousness are key for workers to make positive changes in their workplaces. About Johanna Johanna Weststar (she/her) is an Associate Professor of employment and labour relations in the DAN Department of Management and Organizational Studies at Western University in Canada. A key area of research is the video game industry where she studies workplace citizenship, representation and unionization, working conditions and the labour process, project management and occupational identity. She has published articles about the game industry in leading academic journals, is regularly consulted by the press and has been a speaker at key industry events such as GDC. Johanna leads the Develop Satisfaction Survey project for the International Game Developers Association, an important source of employment data on the industry. Her upcoming book Not All Fun and Games is a comprehensive account of citizenship at work in the game industry based on 15 years of data. A selection of papers and reports are available at  Scholarship@Western, GameQoL and the IGDA website.  Keywords game industry, diversity, equity, inclusion, unionization, game development, player communities, self-awareness, personal values, organizational goals, sustainability, inequality, retaining workers This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit changinggamedevlife.substack.com

    43 min

  5. 16/07/2024

    Episode 2: Dr. Jakin Vela on worker empowerment in making positive changes

    Welcome to episode 2 of Changing Gamedev Life! Summary In this episode, Dr. Jakin Vela, the executive director of the IGDA, shares his journey from being a sociologist to working in the game industry and becoming an executive director. Dr. Vela also discusses the challenges and lack of progress in increasing diversity in the industry and the emergence of new markets in Latin America, Africa, and Asia. He emphasizes the importance of worker empowerment and unionization in making positive changes. We also delve into the role of the IGDA in supporting game developers and balancing personal perspectives with the interests of the industry. For aspiring game developers, it's important to be prepared for the challenges and uncertainties of a career in game development. Key takeaways from this episode: * The game industry is seeing the emergence of new markets and developers in regions such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia. * Despite conversations about diversity, there has been little change in the demographics of game developers, particularly in North America. * Worker empowerment and unionization are important for making positive changes in the industry. * Self-awareness, setting boundaries, and aligning personal values with organizational goals are important for navigating the industry. * It's important to be prepared for the challenges and uncertainties of a career in game development. Chapters About Dr. Jakin Vela Dr. Jakin Vela (he/him) is a sociologist and game developer interested in how minority stress, stigma, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belongingness exist and intersect across various technocultures. Jakin serves as the Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) where he leverages his diverse background to support and empower game developers around the world in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers. He also serves as CEO of Astral Interactive, a small indie studio focused on highlighting player empathy in gameplay. Jakin is an avid gamer, an amateur vegan cook and baker, singer-songwriter, and leads an LGBTQIA+ guild in Final Fantasy XIV with his partner, Jordan.  Keywords IGDA, game industry, diversity, equity, inclusion, global perspectives, worker empowerment, unionization, game development, player communities, self-awareness, personal values, organizational goals. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit changinggamedevlife.substack.com

    42 min

  6. 08/07/2024

    Episode 1: Meet Your Hosts: Pejman Babaei and Jen Whitson

    Welcome to Changing Gamedev Life! Summary In this episode, the hosts, Pejman and Jen, introduce themselves and discuss their game development and academic backgrounds. They share how they met and their experiences working in the game industry. They also talk about their current work and research projects, focusing on the challenges and opportunities in the field. They express their goals for the podcast; demystifying the game industry and making it more accessible for a diverse range of people. Takeaways * The podcast aims to demystify the game industry and make it more accessible for a diverse range of people. Creating inclusive games involves involving diverse voices and perspectives in the development process. * Personal positionality, including factors like race, culture, and language, can shape experiences in academia and the game industry. * Increasing diversity in decision-making roles is crucial for creating more inclusive game industry. About Pejman and Jen Jennifer R. Whitson is an Associate Professor in Sociology & Legal Studies and at the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business, both at the University of Waterloo in Canada. She studies the secret life of software, mostly at the nexus of digital games and Surveillance Studies. She has been conducting ethnographic fieldwork with game developers since 2012, tracing how social and technological practices shape both developers' creative work and access to sustainable careers. Her Production Studies writing centres on the shifting production models of the global game industry, tracing how both social and technological practices shape developers' creative work and influence who exactly can have a sustainable career doing what they love. Past projects include work on social influences on software development processes, digital media surveillance, and gamification. You can find her work at:  IndieInterfaces.com, first3yearsproject.com, and jenniferwhitson.com. Pejman Babaei is a games user research consultant, author, and professor. His latest book, The Game Designer's Playbook, was published in September 2022. He also co-edited the Games User Research book (2018), a compendium of insights from over 40 experts on UX research in games. He has over 10 years of experience doing UXR and interaction design on various applications, from mobile to VR games and everything in between streaming content, console, PC games, and even delivery robots! He was the Games UX Research Director at Execution Labs (Montréal, Canada) from 2015-17 and UX Researcher at Vertical Slice/Player Research (Brighton, UK) from 2009-13. Pejman contributed to pre- and post-release evaluation of more than 35 commercial games, including award-winning titles such as Crysis 2, PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist, Weirdwood Manor, A Fold Apart, and Broken Spectre. You can connect with Pejman via LinkedIn. Keywords game industry, diversity, equity, inclusion, academia, university, introduction, game development This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit changinggamedevlife.substack.com

    36 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

At Changing Gamedev Life, we showcase the stories and experiences of those from inside the industry, with the aim of giving listeners a peek into the joys and challenges of work in games. Our guests come from a wide array of backgrounds and disciplines, and illustrate multiple pathways into gameswork. Their narratives include useful tips and advice for those who may be aiming for careers in games, and offer insight into the non-traditional ways they found fulfilling careers. changinggamedevlife.substack.com

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