by Lars Janssen
Join Lars Janssen on ‘Game Changers: Voices of the Industry’ as he spotlights the unsung heroes of gaming facing career transitions. Each episode delves into personal journeys, creative insights, and future aspirations of those who’ve shaped our favorite games. From designers to developers laid off in recent shifts, Lars explores their stories and talents, offering a unique glimpse into the industry’s heart. Tune in for inspiring conversations that celebrate resilience and innovation in gaming.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/18/2023
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
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February 27, 2024
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p><br></p> <p>In this extended episode, Lars Janssen interviews Bill Roper, a veteran in the games industry with 30 years of experience. Bill shares his journey in the industry, from working at Blizzard Entertainment to founding his own studio and working at companies like Cryptic and Disney. He discusses his passion for games and the characters he has worked with, highlighting the character of Sarah Kerrigan from Starcraft. Bill also talks about the projects he would have loved to work on and the eureka moments he has experienced in game development. Finally, he addresses the challenges in the games industry, particularly the issue of layoffs and the need for better treatment of employees. The conversation with Bill Roper covers topics such as the timing of hard decisions, the importance of transparency and long-term relationships, personal sacrifices for the company, the significance of transparency in small companies, dreams and ambitions for Lunacy Games, remote work and radical transparency, and building a studio with solid foundations.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p> <p><br></p> <ul> <li>Passion for games is a driving force in the industry, and it is important to maintain that passion throughout one's career.</li> <li>Characters in games can have a profound impact on players and creators alike, and they can provide valuable insights into the minds of their creators.</li> <li>The games industry is constantly evolving, and there are always new challenges and opportunities to explore.</li> <li>The industry needs to address the issue of layoffs and improve the treatment of employees, ensuring that they are valued and supported. Timing is crucial when making hard decisions that affect employees.</li> <li>Transparency and honesty with the team are essential for building long-term relationships.</li> <li>Personal sacrifices may be necessary to keep a company afloat during challenging times.</li> <li>Transparency is especially important in small companies, where everyone's contributions and ideas are valuable.</li> <li>Lunacy Games aims to create cooperative and collaborative games that reward creativity and encourage meaningful player experiences.</li> <li>Remote work can enhance work-life balance and allow for a more diverse and inclusive team.</li> <li>Building a studio with solid foundations involves combining established game genres with unique twists and innovations.</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Chapters</strong></p> <p><br></p> <p>00:00 Introduction and Background</p> <p>03:00 Passion for the Games Industry</p> <p>05:03 Favorite Characters</p> <p>08:33 Projects Bill Roper Would Have Loved to Work On</p> <p>09:29 Eureka Moments in Game Development</p> <p>19:41 Challenges in the Games Industry</p> <p>43:41 Timing of Hard Decisions</p> <p>45:07 Transparency and Long-Term Relationships</p> <p>48:23 Personal Sacrifices for the Company</p> <p>50:22 Importance of Transparency in Small Companies</p> <p>52:25 Dreams and Ambitions for Lunacy Games</p> <p>54:03 Remote Work and Radical Transparency</p> <p>55:18 Building a Studio with Solid Foundations</p>
February 11, 2024
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p><br></p> <p>In this episode of the Game Changers podcast, Lars Janssen interviews Henrik Jonsson, a game industry veteran with over 25 years of experience. Henrik shares his journey from programming games, working for a TV show to working at Ion Storm and eventually starting his own company, Radgivery. They discuss the challenges of working with independent studios, memorable characters in video games, and the games Henrik would have loved to work on. Henrik also shares his eureka moments and changing perspectives throughout his career. They touch on the current challenges in the industry, including layoffs and the need for diversity and inclusion. Henrik concludes by sharing his dreams and aspirations for the future.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p> <p><br></p> <ul> <li>Henrik Jonsson has over 25 years of experience in the game industry, working on various games and projects.</li> <li>He has worked with independent studios, both as an investor and as a technical advisor.</li> <li>Henrik shares his thoughts on memorable characters in video games and the games he would have loved to work on, including God of War and Valheim.</li> <li>He had eureka moments that changed his perspective, realizing the importance of communication and the joy of helping others make their games.</li> <li>Henrik acknowledges the challenges in the industry, such as layoffs and the need for diversity and inclusion, and expresses his desire to contribute to positive change.</li> <li>His dream role is running his own company, Radgivery, and supporting game developers and industry stakeholders.</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Chapters</strong></p> <p><br></p> <p>00:00 Introduction and Background</p> <p>02:21 Working with Independent Studios</p> <p>04:21 Discussion on Games and Characters</p> <p>07:06 Games Henrik Would Have Loved to Work On</p> <p>10:26 Highlight of Henrik's Career</p> <p>17:40 Eureka Moments and Changing Perspectives</p> <p>22:46 Challenges in the Industry</p> <p>27:25 Dreams and Aspirations</p>
January 29, 2024
<p><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p><br></p> <p>In this episode of the Game Changers Podcast, Lars Janssen interviews Egil Strunke, a veteran of the games industry. Egil shares his journey from working at Electronic Arts and Panvision to joining Embracer Group and starting his own consulting company. He also discusses his new role at Starbreeze Studios and his dreams of creating a story-driven adventure game. The conversation touches on topics such as the impact of AI on the games industry, the challenges of standing out in a crowded market, and the importance of listening to the audience. Overall, Egil's insights provide valuable perspectives on the evolving landscape of the games industry.</p> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p> <p><br></p> <ul> <li>The games industry has seen significant growth and change over the years, with new opportunities and challenges emerging.</li> <li>AI has the potential to revolutionize game development, making it faster and more efficient, but it also requires careful consideration and planning.</li> <li>Standing out in a crowded market is a challenge, and studios need to listen to their audience and adapt to their feedback to create successful games.</li> <li>Building a strong community and engaging with players early on in the development process is crucial for success.</li> <li>Egil's aspirations include running his own studio and creating a story-driven adventure game that captivates players.</li> </ul> <p><br></p> <p><strong>Chapters</strong></p> <p><br></p> <p>00:00 Introduction and Background</p> <p>03:00 Working at Electronic Arts and Panvision</p> <p>08:06 Joining Embracer Group and Starting a Consulting Company</p> <p>09:20 Joining Starbreeze Studios</p> <p>10:11 Favorite Gaming Characters</p> <p>11:21 Games Egil Would Have Loved to Work On</p> <p>13:14 Impact of AI on the Games Industry</p> <p>19:35 Business Challenges in the Games Industry</p> <p>22:17 The Future of AI in Gaming</p> <p>27:52 Challenges as a Game Enabler</p> <p>32:46 Dreams and Aspirations for the Future</p> <p>34:36 Closing Remarks</p>
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