ReadyAimFire

ReadyAimFire

The ReadyAimFire podcast invites you to fall in love with your favourite video games all over again. Every two weeks, we take you behind the scenes as we interview the designers, artists, and storytellers who craft the worlds we escape to—from iconic blockbusters to cult classics. These are the people responsible for the characters you love, the levels you’ve memorised, and the moments that still give you goosebumps. Hosted by actor Kezia Burrows (Alien: Isolation, Star Citizen) and producer Tom Stacey, the ReadyAimFire Podcast is a show for anyone who’s ever been moved by a game—and wants to know how the magic really happens. You’ll hear untold stories from inside the studio, breakthroughs and breakdowns, creative chaos, craft insights, and of course the deeply personal journeys that led our guests into the games industry in the first place. We speak to the voices from the booth and the bodies from the capture volume, alongside the directors, writers, sound technicians, composers, level designers and developers who work in the shadows, creating the games we love to play. Whether you’re here for the juicy stories or the technical insights, you’ll come away inspired, entertained, and reminded why you picked up a controller in the first place. 🎧 New episodes every other week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and anywhere else you get your podcasts! Follow us, subscribe, and get ready to fall back in love with the games you thought you already knew.

  1. Ryan Laley on Teaching a Sidemen Member, Success on YouTube, and Making the Survival Horror Game Mimic

    SEP 3

    Ryan Laley on Teaching a Sidemen Member, Success on YouTube, and Making the Survival Horror Game Mimic

    What’s it really like to make games solo? In this episode of the Ready Aim Fire Podcast, Kezia & Tom chat with Ryan Laley, teacher, YouTube content creator and indie dev behind Mimic, a multiplayer survival horror game built for players and streamers.  Ryan reveals how he went from teaching game design (including a member of the Sidemen) to building a thriving YouTube community and now running his one-man studio. We talk about the highs and lows of solo development, coding, art, marketing, late night testing and the surprising ways he keeps the momentum going.  You’ll hear: How a hobby project became a full time careerWhy teaching (and even architecture) shaped his processLetting fans watch and influence development liveBuilding a community on YouTubeBehind the scenes stories from conventions, Sidemen and Mimic “I think the number one thing is having an idea that you are interested in first and foremost. Because games take a long time to make and you want to make something that you are interested in. If you don’t have interest in it, then it won’t matter” — Ryan Laley If you’re curious about indie games, YouTube dev culture, or the future of survival horror, this episode is packed with insights, laughs and inspiration . 🧭 Timestamps:00:00 - Games: Art, Story, & Interaction 06:21 - Balancing Freedom and Responsibility 12:05 - Student Foley Project Success 18:18 - Teaching's Impact: Learning and Explaining 25:25 - Engaging Players in Indie Games 27:23-  Game Launch with Diverse Maps 33:11 - Creating a Tactile Game for Son 39:45 - Blueprints: Intense Puzzle Gaming 43:27 - Role of a Game Publisher 51:05 - Passion Essential in Game Development 55:03 - Wholesome Feedback at Game Exhibitions 59:28 - Leveraging Audience to Fund Indie Game 👤 Guest Info:Ryan Laley - Is a notable figure in the game development community, known for his expertise in Unreal Engine. He shares comprehensive tutorials and educational content on YouTube & Twitch, helping thousands of aspiring developers. Ryan is also the founder of Ryan Laley Games and the creator of Mimic, a multiplayer survival horror game built for both players and streamers. 🌐YouTube  📸 Instagram 🔗 Resources & Mentions:(chronological order of appearance) KSI Sidemen Unreal EngineMimicRyan Laley GamesAmong UsPatreonResident EvilCall of DutyTwitchSteam Decka href="https://www.sony.co.uk/" rel="noopener noreferrer"

    1h 2m
  2. Inel Tomlinson on The First Descendant, Space Marine 2 & Shaping Game Worlds

    AUG 20

    Inel Tomlinson on The First Descendant, Space Marine 2 & Shaping Game Worlds

    What really happens when the person behind your favourite gaming hero finally steps into the booth knowing their voice could change a world, or let down a legion of players? In this episode of ReadyAimFire, actor and comedian Inel Tomlinson brings us into the volatile, high stakes craft of bringing video game characters to life. From embodying the fearless Quartus in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 to revealing what it’s really like to join an established franchise as the cool-headed Keelan in The First Descendant, Inel pulls back the curtain with warmth and surprising honesty. In this episode you’ll hear: The untold emotional reality of voice acting how actors navigate secrecy, fan expectations, and the fierce vulnerability of creating a character nobody’s met yet.The unsung art of voice direction in games, where scenes are recorded out of order and directors become your “gods” often saving actors’ voices in the process.Find out what it’s like to balance the unpredictable life of a jobbing actor, from surreal filming days with set dogs and Resident Evil mansions, to grappling with the looming threat of AI in creative industries. “It’s a really tough job… you’re having to use your imagination to put yourself there, and it’s up to the voice director to transport you.” — Inel Tomlinson Step into the fire with us this conversation might just change how you think about the stories, voices, and people who shape the games you love. Press play and join the journey. 🧭 Timestamps:00:00 - Voiceover Studio for Game Development 05:54 - Blueprints: A Unique Mystery Experience 08:27 - Unveiling Game Characters Post-Audition 10:04 - Voice Director Guides Actor's Performance 13:21 -  Joining an Established Franchise Challenges 16:52 - Behind-the-Scenes in Gaming 19:41 - Wii Motion Control Memories 23:14 - Diverse Voices Enrich Gaming 26:42 - Balancing Fun and Future Uncertainty 30:23 - Real Life Resident Evil Filming 35:06 - Challenges of Solo Game Development 38:31 - AI Job Market Challenges 39:35 - AI's Impact on Video Game Ethics 44:22 - Monster Hunter's Growing Popularity 48:44 - Celebrating Button Bashing in Gaming 50:09 - Horrible Science New Series Launch 👤 Guest Info:Inel Tomlinson  is known for his voice work in Space Marine 2, The First Descendant, and other major video game titles. He has appeared on the BAFTA award-winning series Horrible Histories, and continues to work across television, radio and stage.  🌐IMDb  📸 Instagram 🔗 Resources & Mentions:(chronological order of appearance) Fractured Space on SteamPinewood Studios Official SiteRed Dwarf Official SiteAldi UKWikipedia: NESWikipedia: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (NES video game)a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2621340/Blue_Prince/" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    52 min
  3. Becoming Amicia – Charlotte McBurney on A Plague Tale, Final Fantasy and more

    AUG 6

    Becoming Amicia – Charlotte McBurney on A Plague Tale, Final Fantasy and more

    After a childhood spent backstage at the opera, what’s it like to find yourself voicing one of gaming’s most unforgettable heroines? This episode, ReadyAimFire welcomes Charlotte McBurney, the BAFTA-nominated actor behind Amicia de Rune in A Plague Tale: Innocence and A Plague Tale: Requiem, and young Jill in Final Fantasy XVI. From a whirlwind of a creative upbringing to stepping into roles that challenge heart and soul, Charlotte takes us through her journey so far, with some hilarious anecdotes and revealing insights. You’ll hear:  How Charlotte grew up backstage at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and once ‘kidnapped’ a lollipop lady off the street to perform her own version of The NutcrackerHow the Requiem script was written with Charlotte in mind, after the devs saw what she could do in the first gameWhat Charlotte really thinks about Amicia’s signature slingshot killsWhy she believes actors who truly love games change the medium from within. “I feel very, very deeply connected to Amicia. It's my first character that I ever got to play professionally. We sort of grew up together.” Charlotte McBurney If you’re curious as to how a theatrical family pedigree, late-night dinner debates with Yo-Yo Ma, and sheer creative audacity combine to shape one of gaming’s most unforgettable heroines, this episode is for you. 🧭 Timestamps:00:00:00 – Introduction to acting: enchanted by the opera stage 00:05:05 – Theatre's timeless influence on gaming 00:06:36 – Voice acting: the craft of amplifying expressions 00:10:12 – Charlotte’s first experience: learning on the job 00:15:44 – The emotional toll of voice acting  00:17:09 – A script that brought her to tears: A Plague Tale’s incredible writing  00:21:56 – Surprising similarities: narrative and design in gaming and opera 00:25:44 – Discovering gaming through friendship 00:28:45 – Charlotte’s favourite game scene in A Plague Tale 00:32:30 – Recording Requiem, insights into the process 00:35:20 – Amicia de Rune’s journey ends 00:37:19 – Siblings vs the Inquisition – and rats! 00:39:41 – Why Charlotte loves rats 00:44:28 – The power of character: the bond between Charlotte and Amicia 00:47:29 – Respected in the room: R&D and game development 00:51:27 – The process of performance 00:55:27 – Charlotte’s (surprising!) musical instrument of choice 58:09 – Solo show: The City for Incurable Women   👤 Guest Info:Charlotte McBurney is known for A Plague Tale: Requiem, A Plague Tale: Innocence, Final Fantasy XVI and podcast series Abridgd... Too Far! She is also part of theatre collective fish in a dress, and is currently appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe in The City for Incurable Women at the Pleasance Courtyard.  🌐IMDb  📸 Instagram 🔗 Resources & Mentions:(chronological order of appearance) Chicago Symphony OrchestraLyric Opera of Chicagoa...

    1 hr
  4. You’re Becoming Hysterical – Inside Alien: Isolation with Will Porter & Anthony Howell

    JUL 23

    You’re Becoming Hysterical – Inside Alien: Isolation with Will Porter & Anthony Howell

    What goes down when several creators of a cult classic finally step into the same room – over a decade on from shaping one of gaming’s most terrifying sci-fi experiences? In this special episode of ReadyAimFire, we welcome Anthony Howell and Will Porter, two pivotal forces behind Alien: Isolation alongside our very own Kez, who provided the likeness and performance capture for Amanda Ripley. From the chaos of early table reads to alchemy inside the studio, together they reminisce over the creative process that redefined survival horror – and the Alien franchise itself.  You’ll hear: The cast’s first rehearsal felt like “table read for a film”, a rarity in video games, with the entire script in hand before anything was shotWill Porter landed his writing gig after showing a game demo in a pub. He never planned to stay, but became “part of the furniture” for a year and a halfHow Samuel’s iconic “can we see it?” line became a personal favourite of the writing team, living rent-free in their vocabularyKez’s face was scanned for Amanda Ripley, before months later she had to return – just to have her ears scanned!Anthony Howell was gifted a handmade Samuels Christmas ornament by a fan, and proudly hangs it on his tree every year. “The thrill of being part of that franchise was definitely there because it's iconic, it's a huge thing. It was more excitement than nerves.” – Anthony Howell Whether you’re new to the original, or a superfan whetting your appetite for the upcoming Alien: Isolation 2 – this episode’s a timely trip down memory lane, and an insight into the creation of a gaming classic.    🧭 Timestamps:00:00:28 - Alien: Isolation “reunion” – meeting again after over 10 years 00:02:38 - Anthony Howell’s surprise: only his second game job 00:03:18 - How games were uncharted territory for many UK actors 00:05:41 - Project Zomboid’s unique vision and unexpected cult following 00:07:31 - Designing vulnerability: traits and accessibility in Zomboid 00:08:33 - Will Porter joins Alien: Isolation to provide “overflow writing” 00:09:47 - Creative adaptation: writing for evolving game features in real time 00:13:53 - “Like a film”: sensations from the first full script table read  00:15:29 - Anthony on acting Samuels: “a good android” and emotional restraint 00:17:30 - How Kate Saxon’s theatre background shapes performance direction 00:20:11 - The epic “spacewalk” scene – bringing theatre scale to games 00:22:45 - Will on the thrill of experiencing RSC actors performing his lines 00:24:23 - Being part of something that changes a franchise 00:28:08 - The special feeling of performance capture versus ‘just’ voice 00:29:00 - Streaming the game: Anthony’s hilarious trouble escaping the pods  00:33:48 - Building fear: rules for vulnerability and horror in game design 00:41:06 - Getting her ears scanned - a first for Kez 00:42:19 - The real question: how would you survive a zombie (or Alien) attack?   👤 Guest Info:Anthony Howell is an actor who has appeared as lead roles with the RSC as well as on TV in series like Foyle’s War and Outlander. His gaming credits include Black Myth Wukong, Final Fantasy XVI and Margit in the Elden Ring series.  🌐IMDb  📸 Instagram Will Porter has written for many games as well as Alien: Isolation, including No Man’s Sky, Observation and Mafia: Definitive Edition. He’s also the...

    47 min

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About

The ReadyAimFire podcast invites you to fall in love with your favourite video games all over again. Every two weeks, we take you behind the scenes as we interview the designers, artists, and storytellers who craft the worlds we escape to—from iconic blockbusters to cult classics. These are the people responsible for the characters you love, the levels you’ve memorised, and the moments that still give you goosebumps. Hosted by actor Kezia Burrows (Alien: Isolation, Star Citizen) and producer Tom Stacey, the ReadyAimFire Podcast is a show for anyone who’s ever been moved by a game—and wants to know how the magic really happens. You’ll hear untold stories from inside the studio, breakthroughs and breakdowns, creative chaos, craft insights, and of course the deeply personal journeys that led our guests into the games industry in the first place. We speak to the voices from the booth and the bodies from the capture volume, alongside the directors, writers, sound technicians, composers, level designers and developers who work in the shadows, creating the games we love to play. Whether you’re here for the juicy stories or the technical insights, you’ll come away inspired, entertained, and reminded why you picked up a controller in the first place. 🎧 New episodes every other week on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and anywhere else you get your podcasts! Follow us, subscribe, and get ready to fall back in love with the games you thought you already knew.