Rise Above by Ascendant Studios Ascendant Studios

Join Art Director and Co-Founder of Ruckus Games, Scott Kester, as he shares how his love for comic books and video games took him on an unconventional path into the games industry, and the many lessons he learned along the way.

Scott Kester fell in love with video games as a kid, but didn’t head directly into the industry as an adult. He worked in comic books at first, and eventually landed a job at Gearbox almost by accident. Creating a small video game project with a friend in their spare time opened a door that has enabled Scott to have an incredible career creating memorable characters and doing art direction on fan favorite projects like Borderlands and Battleborn.

Catch up with our previous podcast guests on YouTube, SpotifySpotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

Just like when creating games, we're trying new things and learning along the way as we work to create the best podcast possible. Let us know what you think about Rise Above by rating and reviewing the show so we can grow and improve our podcast together.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Standup, for more insights and inspiration from industry-leading developers who are masters of their craft. We'll also occasionally provide inside info and updates about our game if you're interested in that.

Check out more content from Ascendant Studios on our website and YouTube channel, where you can watch talented developers from around the industry talk candidly about their experiences creating some of the best games ever made. We'll also take you inside the studio to meet the team behind our debut title, Immortals of Aveum.

Join us for a special behind-the-scenes look into the inspiration and design of the brand new magical world in Immortals of Aveum. Associate Art Director, Julia Lichblau and Senior Art Director, Dave Bogan discuss what it took to craft kingdoms, costumes, gear, and characters from scratch, and how new tools in Unreal Engine 5.1 helped them bring this world to life.

Rise Above season 1 has arrived! Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

Just like when creating games, we're trying new things and learning along the way as we work to create the best podcast possible. Let us know what you think about Rise Above by rating and reviewing the show so we can grow and improve our podcast together.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Standup, for more insights and inspiration from industry-leading developers who are masters of their craft. We'll also occasionally provide inside info and updates about our game if you're interested in that.

Check out more content from Ascendant Studios on our website and YouTube channel, where you can watch talented developers from around the industry talk candidly about their experiences creating some of the best games ever made. We'll also take you inside the studio to meet the team behind our upcoming title, Immortals of Aveum, as we're developing the game.

Bret Robbins, game director and CEO of Ascendant Studios, tells how he and lead writer, Michael Kirkbride, envisioned the world and narrative of Immortals of Aveum. He shares insights into character development, the history of the Everwar, why they chose to ground the fantasy world of Aveum in modern dialogue, and the importance of balancing a serious tone with humor in storytelling.


Join us to learn more about Immortals of Aveum, its intriguing cast of characters, and how Bret Robbins and Ascendant Studios crafted a brand new, unique fantasy world.

Rise Above season 1 has arrived! Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

Just like when creating games, we're trying new things and learning along the way as we work to create the best podcast possible. Let us know what you think about Rise Above by rating and reviewing the show so we can grow and improve our podcast together.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Standup, for more insights and inspiration from industry-leading developers who are masters of their craft. We'll also occasionally provide inside info and updates about our game if you're interested in that.

Check out more content from Ascendant Studios on our website and YouTube channel, where you can watch talented developers from around the industry talk candidly about their experiences creating some of the best games ever made. We'll also take you inside the studio to meet the team behind our upcoming title, Immortals of Aveum, as we're developing the game.

Anthony Nicholson grew up playing video games, but always saw game makers as rock star geniuses that did something impossible for everyday humans. Being a professional athlete seemed more attainable. Anthony had a scholarship and played football in the NCAA, but his passion for games never faltered, and he eventually sought a path into the video game industry and never looked back.

Today, Anthony harnesses the leadership skills he’s cultivated his whole life as Senior Project Producer at Gearbox Software, with over 12 years of experience working on titles like cult favorite Battleborn and the beloved Borderlands franchise. Join us as Anthony provides a peek into life as a rockstar genius, aka everyday human who makes games, and shares what he’s learned along the way.

Rise Above season 1 has arrived! Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

Just like when creating games, we're trying new things and learning along the way as we work to create the best podcast possible. Let us know what you think about Rise Above by rating and reviewing the show so we can grow and improve our podcast together.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Standup, for more insights and inspiration from industry-leading developers who are masters of their craft. We'll also occasionally provide inside info and updates about our game if you're interested in that.

Check out more content from Ascendant Studios on our website and YouTube channel, where you can watch talented developers from around the industry talk candidly about their experiences creating some of the best games ever made. We'll also take you inside the studio to meet the team behind our upcoming title, Immortals of Aveum, as we're developing the game.

In this episode, award-winning game designer, Haden Blackman, shares his journey as a writer and creative lead for incredible franchises including Star Wars, The Force Unleashed at LucasArts and Mafia III at Hangar 13.

Haden Blackman has led teams and built entire studios from the ground up, is an award winning author of over 100 comic books, and is currently CEO and co-founder of his own start-up game development studio.

Rise Above season 1 has arrived! Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

Just like when creating games, we're trying new things and learning along the way as we work to create the best podcast possible. Let us know what you think about Rise Above by rating and reviewing the show so we can grow and improve our podcast together.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Standup, for more insights and inspiration from industry-leading developers who are masters of their craft. We'll also occasionally provide inside info and updates about our game if you're interested in that.

Check out more content from Ascendant Studios on our website and YouTube channel, where you can watch talented developers from around the industry talk candidly about their experiences creating some of the best games ever made. We'll also take you inside the studio to meet the team behind our upcoming title, Immortals of Aveum, as we're developing the game.

Approaching three decades in gaming, Kevin Boyle has shipped over 30 titles while working for industry titans like LucasArts, WB Games, SEGA, and Telltale Games. He has worked on multiple Game of the Year award-winning titles with over 90 awards between them, including two BAFTAs. Now he oversees production on Ascendant Studios’ AAA magic shooter, Immortals of Aveum. Join us as Kevin reflects on the challenges of game development and the hard lessons he learned along the way.

Rise Above season 1 has arrived! Hit the subscribe button so you don't miss an episode.

Just like when creating games, we're trying new things and learning along the way as we work to create the best podcast possible. Let us know what you think about Rise Above by rating and reviewing the show so we can grow and improve our podcast together.

Please consider subscribing to our newsletter, The Standup, for more insights and inspiration from industry-leading developers who are masters of their craft. We'll also occasionally provide inside info and updates about our game if you're interested in that.

Check out more content from Ascendant Studios on our website and YouTube channel, where you can watch talented developers from around the industry talk candidly about their experiences creating some of the best games ever made. We'll also take you inside the studio to meet the team behind our upcoming title, Immortals of Aveum, as we're developing the game.