406 episodes

Our podcast breaks the mold of don't ask don't tell about the video game industry. We give everyone the real inside look at what its like to be a professional game developer, Every week we'll interview pro and indie developers, we'll talk jobs, studios, salaries and of course crunch horror stories. Tune in!

Hosted by Brandon Pham

Game Dev Unchained Game Dev Unchained

    • Leisure
    • 4.9 • 60 Ratings

Our podcast breaks the mold of don't ask don't tell about the video game industry. We give everyone the real inside look at what its like to be a professional game developer, Every week we'll interview pro and indie developers, we'll talk jobs, studios, salaries and of course crunch horror stories. Tune in!

Hosted by Brandon Pham

    0352: Desktop Virtual Pet WEYRDLETS with Shawn Beck

    0352: Desktop Virtual Pet WEYRDLETS with Shawn Beck

    Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to ⁠⁠https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20⁠⁠



    About this episode:

    Shawn Beck is from an award-winning Malaysian game studio, Weyrdworks, introduced his studio's philosophy and shared insights into the Malaysian game development scene. The discussion also focused on the development and potential of their virtual pets game, the evolution of the video game industry, and strategies for developing a free-to-play game.



    ⁠Weyrdlets on Steam (steampowered.com)
    Weyrdworks - Award Winning Game Development Studio
    Shawn Beck | LinkedIn



    Connect with us:
    • 🖥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://gamedevunchained.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🎞️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 💰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 57 min
    0351: Remote Collaboration with Magma and Socializing Game Development Featuring Oli Strong

    0351: Remote Collaboration with Magma and Socializing Game Development Featuring Oli Strong

    Magic Mind is offering a saving of 48% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to ⁠https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20⁠



    About this episode:

    We discussed the current challenges and future outlook for the game industry. Oli suggested that while the industry is experiencing a delayed effect from the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still an exciting area with significant attention from investors. However, Oli noted that larger funds are now participating in earlier stages of funding, which is causing more competition and reducing accessibility for exciting deals. Despite this, Oli remained optimistic, citing the industry's history of thriving during times of financial constraint. Brandon emphasized the importance of collaboration and the ongoing challenges of remote work in the aftermath of Covid-19.



    Collaborative Art Software: Draw Together on Magma
    (2) Oli Strong | LinkedIn

    Connect with us:
    • 🖥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://gamedevunchained.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🎞️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
    • 💰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 54 min
    0350: Roundtable News | XBOX & Sony & Indie Games Future Plans

    0350: Roundtable News | XBOX & Sony & Indie Games Future Plans

    About this episode:

    Ray and I discussed various challenges and trends in the game development industry, including funding issues, layoffs, and the impact of streaming services like Game Pass and Netflix. We also critiqued the current state of publishing and movie industries, and the trend of game publishers and developers moving towards subscription services. Lastly, we discussed the evolving PC gaming industry, the issue of library account ownership, and the extended tenure of Phil Spencer at Microsoft.



    ⁠Raymond Graham (@Wadarass) / X (twitter.com)⁠

    Connect with us:
    • 🖥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://gamedevunchained.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🎞️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 💰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 1 hr 12 min
    0349: Fantasy Horror Kidnapping Sim ‘Life Eater’ with Xalavier Nelson Jr.

    0349: Fantasy Horror Kidnapping Sim ‘Life Eater’ with Xalavier Nelson Jr.

    Magic Mind is offering a saving of 20% for unchained listeners. This is their best offer yet and it won't last long! Give that brain a boost and start your day with Magic Mind. Go to https://www.magicmind.com/DEVUNCHAINED20



    About this episode:
    In this episode, I welcome Xalavier Nelson Jr., founder of Strange Scaffold, discussing his game "Life Eater" tackling moral ambiguity and intrusion testing. We explored geolocation risks and online security concerns, and discussed cultural sensitivity and sustainable practices in game development.



    Life Eater on Steam (steampowered.com)
    Home - Strange Scaffold


    Xalavier Nelson Jr. @ XP Game Summit (@WritNelson) / X

    Connect with us:
    • 🖥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://gamedevunchained.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🎞️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
    • 💰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 55 min
    0348: 3D Generative AI with Atlas featuring Ben James

    0348: 3D Generative AI with Atlas featuring Ben James

    Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription.
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    About this episode:
    In this episode, we dive into the transformative role of AI in the gaming industry. We explore how AI enhances creativity, streamlines game development, and empowers smaller teams to produce high-quality games. The discussion also addresses ethical concerns and job security issues, emphasizing the balance between embracing new technology and preserving artistic integrity. Join us as we unpack the future of game development in the age of AI.



    ⁠⁠⁠⁠Benjamin James | LinkedIn
    Atlas


    Connect with us:
    • 🖥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://gamedevunchained.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🎞️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 💰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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    • 54 min
    0347: Reimagining Classics: James Montagna on 'Yar's Rising' and Game Development

    0347: Reimagining Classics: James Montagna on 'Yar's Rising' and Game Development

    Subscribe to Game Dev Unchained! Get access to subscriber-only episodes for a monthly subscription.
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    About this episode:

    James Montagna discusses the challenges and creative processes behind reimagining classic games like 'Yar's Revenge' for modern audiences. He highlights the balance between maintaining the original's spirit and introducing innovative gameplay mechanics, such as hacking elements and side-view exploration. Montagna also reflects on WayForward's success, emphasizing the studio's passion, adaptability, and deep reverence for gaming history.




    ⁠Highlights by James Montagna (@JamesPopStar) / X
    James Montagna | LinkedIn


    Connect with us:
    • 🖥 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://gamedevunchained.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • 🎞️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/c/GameDevUnch...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ✉️ info@gamedevunchained.com
    • 💰 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://anchor.fm/gamedevunchained/su...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    •📸 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://instagram.com/gamedevunchained⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
60 Ratings

60 Ratings

MistahPretzel ,

Unchained and Off the Chain

Brandon Pham is the Raid Boss of game dev podcasters. He's gonna hit you from about 7 different angles with some powerful beams of truth, and he drops that most coveted of craftables, the Lustrous Pearls of Wisdom. Brandon often keeps things light and relatable, but when he needs to, he can go deep with the one-shot kill for heavier topics. His pure piercing damage is unmatched! Whether it's evergreen topics like indie game marketing and genre breakdowns or the news of the day, Game Dev Unchained has you covered. Highly recommended.

mvelasco07 ,

Highly recommend!

No matter the subject, you’re guaranteed to gain something from every episode - can’t recommend Game Dev Unchained enough. 🙌

Ball earth skeptic ,

Thanks Brandon & Larry!

I’m a prospective indie game developer. I know C# & C++ and I’m working in Unity. I’ve always wanted to make my own games but never found the motivation after working 14+ hour shifts in the transportation industry. Thanks to this podcast, I’ve eliminated all excuses to pursue my ambitions. All the interviews of self taught developers and success stories have inspired me to dedicate myself to what makes me happy, programming and developing an actual game I can share with the world one day! I can’t thank LC & BF enough for this great contribution. The podcast is very entertaining and even more informative. A true wealth of content to the community of unchained development everywhere!

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