Pixel Pushers

Deepak Nair, Dilmer Valecillos, Jake Steinerman

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GAMES
UPDATED WEEKLY

Meta's developer advocates interview creators from across the entire UGC and VR landscape—Roblox, Fortnite, Unity, Quest, VRChat, Spatial, Horizon Worlds, and beyond. Each episode features innovators building amazing experiences across all platforms, sharing insights that inspire creators everywhere. Join us to explore the people and projects pushing creative boundaries across the complete creator ecosystem.

24 MAR

From Painting Houses to Building a Game Studio

What does it really take to build a game studio from nothing? In this episode of Pixel Pushers, I sit down with Austin, founder of Illuminated Studios, who made the leap from painting houses to building successful games in VR. We talk about the real journey behind breaking into game development, building in UGC platforms like Horizon Worlds, and transitioning from a solo creator to running a team. We also dive into hiring, studio culture, and the challenges of scaling while staying creative. If you're thinking about starting your own studio or getting into game development, this is a grounded look at what it actually takes.

19 min
16 FEB

Are Game Dev Hackathons Worth It? Indie Funding, Burnout & Marketing in 2026

Are game development hackathons actually worth it or are they just a high-risk lottery for indie developers? In this episode of Pixel Pushers, I sit down with indie developer Drew (SADJOY) to talk about the real experience of chasing hackathons from Meta-sized prize pools to burnout, opportunity cost, and the pressure to ship polished games in today’s market. We dive into: - The tradeoffs between entering hackathons vs building your own game - Learning new platforms under pressure - Why polish and retention matter more than ever - Marketing indie games with no budget - Building for niche ecosystems like Playdate, Reddit, and Snapchat - GDC networking and finding real opportunities - Why modern game developers have to be half marketer Drew shares his journey building games like Fingerholers, Animal Crackers, and Monster Dating and how experimenting across platforms has shaped his approach to funding and visibility. If you're an indie dev, solo developer, or trying to figure out how to survive in the current game industry landscape, this episode is an honest look at what it really takes.

46 min
2 FEB

The Pros & Challenges of Building Games on UGC Platforms (Roblox, Fortnite UEFN, Horizon Worlds)

In this episode of Pixel Pushers, host Deepak Nair sits down with UGC developer Ben East to break down what it’s really like building games on creator-driven platforms like Roblox, Fortnite UEFN, and Meta Horizon Worlds. + Ben shares firsthand insights from years of experience across multiple UGC ecosystems, including: + What defines a UGC platform today + The real tradeoffs between platform support and revenue cuts + Passion projects vs sustainable development + Community-driven design and playtesting + Managing burnout, risk, and work-life balance + Using AI tools responsibly in modern game development + The highs of launching games and watching player numbers grow Whether you’re an aspiring creator or a seasoned developer exploring UGC platforms, this conversation offers practical advice and honest lessons from the front lines of UGC game development. 🎮 Pixel Pushers explores the people, platforms, and ideas shaping the future of games.

21 min
13 JAN

Pixel Pushers: Best Tech of CES 2026's Ft. Leo Estrella

This week, the hosts of Pixel Pushers, Deepak, Jake, and Dilmer discuss the biggest announcements from CES 2026. They are joined by their friend Leo Estrella, a game developer who works primarily on Meta Horizon Worlds, Meta's UGC platform.

37 min
5 JAN

AI, Art, and the Human Story featuring Nikki Slaughter

Welcome to a brand-new year of Pixel Pushers! In this episode, host Deepak is joined by UX Designer and Illustrator Nikki Slaughter to tackle one of the most nuanced topics in the modern creative landscape: the role of Artificial Intelligence. Nikki shares her unique perspective as a "technology care bear," discussing the vital differences between generative AI and the broader tools we’ve used for years. From the ethical dilemmas of AI-generated content to the irreplaceable value of a human life story behind a piece of art, we dive deep into where the line should be drawn. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between GenAI and traditional AI tools. Why the "human story" and life experiences are essential to meaningful art. Practical uses of AI for accessibility, stabilization, and color correction. The importance of transparency and "tagging" AI-generated content. How to have constructive conversations and advocate for fair practices in the creative community. Whether you’re an artist, a gamer, or just curious about the future of technology, this conversation offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of humans and machines. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and join the conversation!

27 min
29/12/2025

10-Year UGC Journey: From Roblox OG to Horizon Worlds Pioneer

Jake and Deepak chat with Josh (Joshua Martheze), a seasoned game developer with nearly 10 years of UGC experience. Josh shares his incredible journey from discovering Roblox as a teenager to founding Onward Studios and working on major branded projects with Disney. Key highlights: • From modding games to Roblox Accelerator participant and intern • Building experiences for 850k+ concurrent players (Roblox Bloxy Awards) • Quantum computing meets gaming: AI-generated tracks and procedural music • Transitioning to Horizon Worlds development through Meta's accelerator • Balancing passion vs. market demands in game creation • How AI is revolutionizing game development workflows • Essential advice for new creators in the UGC space Josh discusses his current project "Famulator 2" on Horizon Worlds and shares insights on building sustainable creative careers in the evolving landscape of user-generated content platforms. Follow the hosts: Deepak: @brown_lantern (Twitter) Jake: @jasteinerman (Twitter) Follow the guest: Josh: @AlgyLaceyRBLX (Twitter), @j_martheze (Instagram)

27 min
22/12/2025

Radical Realities - OGs in AR/VR: The Future of Immersive Design with Gravity Sketch & Spark AR

This week Jake and Deepak chat with Kuba and Christian, co-founders of Radical Realities. Radical Realities is an immersive studio based in Amsterdam that has worked with brands like BMW, Disney, Coachella, and Walmart. - Kuba and Christian discuss their work in the AR/VR space, including: Their experience as OGs in the AR/VR space. - How they met and started Radical Realities, which began as a collaboration out of a shared passion for designing in VR. - Their remote studio setup, with Kuba based in Amsterdam, Christian in England, and a third member, Ben, in Germany. - How they use Gravity Sketch, a free app on the Quest store, for collaboration, sketching, 3D modeling, and creating virtual showrooms. - A challenging and novel project—a VR opera experience. - The evolution and eventual end of Spark AR, a free tool for creating augmented reality effects. - Their thoughts on the future of VR and the contrasting views of the younger generation regarding technology. Don't forget to check the description for Kuba and Christian's links and experiences, and be sure to like and subscribe!

38 min
16/12/2025

Solo Dev Success: Revolutionary Mixed Reality | Thomas Van Bouwel

Join Deepak and Dilmer as they sit down with Thomas Van Bouwel, the solo developer behind Cubism and Laser Dance. Discover Thomas’s journey from architecture to VR, his approach to rapid prototyping, the secrets behind Cubism’s success, and how Laser Dance is redefining mixed reality gaming. Whether you’re a VR enthusiast, indie dev, or just love a good creator story, this episode is packed with insights, advice, and inspiration. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

50 min

Meta's developer advocates interview creators from across the entire UGC and VR landscape—Roblox, Fortnite, Unity, Quest, VRChat, Spatial, Horizon Worlds, and beyond. Each episode features innovators building amazing experiences across all platforms, sharing insights that inspire creators everywhere. Join us to explore the people and projects pushing creative boundaries across the complete creator ecosystem.

Creator

Deepak Nair, Dilmer Valecillos, Jake Steinerman
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

14
Show Website

Pixel Pushers