The Examined Game

Steven Lake
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Video Games

Visit theexaminedgame.com for all episodes.What do video games reveal about us? In The Examined Game Podcast, peabody-nominated documentary producer Steven Lake speaks with the creators of the world’s most celebrated video games about how they were made and the personal and professional impact games have had on their lives.Steven is a Peabody-nominated producer whose work has appeared on Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS, and The Guardian. About Steven Lake Steven Lake is the host of The Examined Game Podcast and a Peabody-nominated documentary producer. His work has appeared on Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian. His films include Roll Red Roll, described by The New York Times as “an essential watch,” as well as Phantom Parrot, rated 4 stars by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian, and Dungeon Masterhood, a coming-of-age documentary with dragons.

  1. 4d ago ·  Video

    Who's Going To Save The Games Industry? | Sara Hebert Marketing Expert (Ballgame, Oxenfree II)

    Send us Fan Mail Today I'm talking with Sara Hebert, Marketing Lead at Human Computer, the creators of the upcoming game Ballgame. She is the former Studio Manager at Night School Studio, the team behind Oxenfree, Oxenfree II and Afterparty. Sara and I talk about one of the biggest challenges facing video game developers today: continuing to bring new players into the space and getting them to buy games. Sara discusses the challenge that developers, big and small, face in getting their games in front of an audience. From the early days of shareware and classics like Super Mario Bros. and Pokémon Yellow, to modern indie games like Return of the Obra Dinn, Celeste and Titanium Court, we explore why brilliant games struggle to get noticed, what developers can learn from the past, and why marketing should be considered just as important a part of game development as the games themselves. Sara also shares the deeply personal story of how Oxenfree helped her process the loss of a close friend and her drive to help bring Oxenfree II into the world. Sara is now working with Human Computer on their upcoming game Ballgame, where they're experimenting with new ways of reaching audiences in an increasingly crowded gaming landscape. #oxenfree #oxenfree2 #afterparty #indiegames #gamedevelopment #gamingpodcast The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    Who's Going To Save The Games Industry? | Sara Hebert Marketing Expert (Ballgame, Oxenfree II)

  2. Oct 20 ·  Video

    The Making of Dishonored & Prey | Raphael Colantonio

    Send us Fan Mail Support me on Patreon for free: https://www.patreon.com/TheExaminedGame?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Today I'm talking with Raphaël Colantonio, former president of Arkane Studios, responsible for bringing Dishonored, Prey, Arx Fatalis and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic into existence. This is a conversation about the dark art of making the perfect immersive sim, and the influences that led him to build on games like Ultima VII and Thief to create some of the most evocative immersive sims of all time. Raphaël is now president of WolfEye Studios, where he's working on a new immersive sim. Dishonored and Prey are two of my favourite games of all time, and it was an absolute pleasure to speak with him about his various inspirations, his thoughts on where the games industry is heading, and what he'd like to see more of in the games he plays. #dishonored #prey #arkanestudios #immersivesim The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    The Making of Dishonored & Prey | Raphael Colantonio

  3. Oct 15 ·  Video

    I Asked the Brother and Sister Behind Outer Wilds How It All Began

    Send us Fan Mail Today I am talking with Alex and Kelsey Beachum, the creative director and writer behind Outer Wilds. I previously interviewed Alex and Kelsey separately, but I took a punt on asking if they'd have a chat with me about their childhood and the creative inspiration that eventually led to Outer Wilds. This is a much more personal deep dive than usual, digging into the joy of play that led them down the path of wanting to make video games. Alex and Kelsey are such generous and lovely people, and it's always such a pleasure to chat to them. We discuss everything from making real life video games out of Duplo to their deep love of Zelda, and what it's like being a brother and sister team working on a video game. #outerwilds #gaming #gamingpodcast The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    I Asked the Brother and Sister Behind Outer Wilds How It All Began

  4. Oct 8 ·  Video

    The Game Dev Trying to Ruin Your Life (And Save It) | Bennett Foddy (Getting Over It, Baby Steps)

    Send us Fan Mail Today I'm talking with Bennett Foddy, creator of QWOP, GIRP, Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, and co-creator of Baby Steps. Bennett's games are known for torturing players, but today I get to deep dive into the philosophy behind his design choices, and they run a lot deeper than you might think. Bennett is incredibly thoughtful and considered when it comes to players, which might surprise you considering the challenges he puts in their way. In this interview, we talk a lot about player expectations, the value of difficulty in video games, and what he hopes to give players who persevere with his games. #gettingoverit #babysteps #bennettfoddy #gaming #gamingpodcast The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    The Game Dev Trying to Ruin Your Life (And Save It) | Bennett Foddy (Getting Over It, Baby Steps)

  5. Sep 29 ·  Video

    The Examined Game Special - Resident Evil Movie, Star Wars Zero Company and Assassin's Creed Addiction

    Send us Fan Mail Hi all, Steven Lake here from The Examined Game. So i've had a couple weeks where i've been short of a guest but I didn't want to leave you totally hanging so I thought i'd have a chat with you all about the new Resident Evil movie, how Star Wars Zero Company has saved me from a bad save scumming habit and to get really honest with you about my addiction to buying and not playing Assassin's Creed games.  I'm trying to get a good work flow in place so i'm not missing weeks so please do bear with me and i've got some great guests lining up for the next few weeks! The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

  6. Sep 23 ·  Video

    Betting My Career on Talking About Video Games — 6 Months In

    Send us Fan Mail Technoblade Never Dies Documentary Announcement: https://youtu.be/Lj0mDrEKSmA?si=N0pV54fYQg5HlnxF Variety Piece: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/technoblade-never-dies-documentary-minecraft-riot-games-1236850438/ Today my guest on The Examined Game Podcast is me... Steven Lake. Look life has been busy with a few projects and for the first time in 7 months I didn't line up a guest for the podcast. So I thought i'd spend a bit of time telling you what i'm up to outside of the channel (I'm making some movies!) and talk a little bit about the podcast, why I do it, what I love about it etc. I do talk a little bit about Technoblade Never Dies, the feature documentary I am directing about the life and times of Technoblade and the upcoming film Raised By Dragons directed by Carina Nichaouchine. A Coming of age dungeons and Dragons documentary. The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    Betting My Career on Talking About Video Games — 6 Months In

  7. Sep 18 ·  Video

    TellTale Game's Fireside Chat with Jon Ingold (Inkle Studios) on 80 Days and The Walking Dead

    Send us Fan Mail Today I am talking with Jon Ingold, co-founder of Inkle Studios. Inkle have brought us some incredible adventure games over the years, including 80 Days, TR-49, Heaven’s Vault, Expelled and Overboard. This discussion was part of Telltale Games’ Choices Matter Festival, which premiered on Steam back in August. They gave myself and Jon the opportunity to dive into all the potential that comes from great choice making in video games. We cover everything from The Walking Dead through to Jon’s own catalogue of games. It was such an honour to participate in this event with Telltale Games. I am such a huge fan of their work. Enjoy! #thewalkingdeadtelltale #gaming #inklestudios #thelastexpress #80days The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    TellTale Game's Fireside Chat with Jon Ingold (Inkle Studios) on 80 Days and The Walking Dead

  8. Sep 9 ·  Video

    How Obsidian Make Games That Actually Come Out | Carrie Patel (Avowed, Outer Worlds)

    Send us Fan Mail Today I am talking with Carrie Patel, director of Avowed, who worked on the Pillars of Eternity series as well as The Outer Worlds while working at Obsidian. I've long wanted to have a discussion around the direction that Obsidian decided to take with its RPGs by making games that actually get released! So we talk about the scope and ambition that went into making a game like Avowed, how Obsidian made an RPG that could stand on its own two legs and separate itself from the Skyrims of the world, and how crucial good writing and quest design are when you are reducing scope elsewhere, such as removing in-depth crime and murder mechanics. Much like when I spoke with Josh Sawyer, Carrie just exuded so much love and joy for video games, both the ones she has played and the ones she works on. We also discuss the pathway she took from author, to video game writer, to directing one of the biggest RPGs of recent years. The Examined Game Each week, host Steven Lake asks the creators behind some of the world’s most influential video games about the meaning of life (in video games), leading to conversations about the personal and creative impact games have had on their lives.

    How Obsidian Make Games That Actually Come Out | Carrie Patel (Avowed, Outer Worlds)
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About

Visit theexaminedgame.com for all episodes.What do video games reveal about us? In The Examined Game Podcast, peabody-nominated documentary producer Steven Lake speaks with the creators of the world’s most celebrated video games about how they were made and the personal and professional impact games have had on their lives.Steven is a Peabody-nominated producer whose work has appeared on Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS, and The Guardian. About Steven Lake Steven Lake is the host of The Examined Game Podcast and a Peabody-nominated documentary producer. His work has appeared on Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian. His films include Roll Red Roll, described by The New York Times as “an essential watch,” as well as Phantom Parrot, rated 4 stars by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian, and Dungeon Masterhood, a coming-of-age documentary with dragons.

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Lake
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Examined Game
  • Show Website
    The Examined Game

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