This is a podcast about technologies that have changed our lives and the people who invented them.
We're surrounded by tech, so much so that we don't even realize how much it shapes our lives. But every gadget, every app, started as a wild idea in someone's head. In this podcast, I'll be diving deep into the stories behind some of the most groundbreaking innovations. We'll meet the inventors, learn about the hurdles they jumped, and discover how their creations changed the world. And hey, you might just get inspired to create something amazing yourself!
Rival Abdrakhmanov recounts the history of the video game Disco Elysium and the ZA/UM studio from an insider's perspective, revealing behind-the-scenes stories about the studio's development process.
4 Sept 2025
Disco Elysium. A detective story - Part 1
Rival Abdrakhmanov explores the gripping real-life story behind the creation and surprising success of Disco Elysium, interviewing key figures about its challenges and sequel prospects.
20 May 2025
Virtual Reality. Supposed to be the future
Virtual Reality was once hailed as the next big leap for the gaming industry, a technology aimed to revolutionize how we play and interact with games. Yet, despite its promise, the VR revolution hasn’t fully materialized. In this episode, we take a closer look at the journey of VR, from its early experiments to today’s most prominent products. We’ll explore the trials and triumphs, the failures, and the companies competing for dominance in the VR space. What went wrong? And what does the future of virtual reality look like today?
00:00 Hi there!
01:48 History of Virtual Reality
13:08 Home consoles
18:53 Oculus Rift and HTC Vive
33:15 VR on your phone
34:51 Augmented Reality
38:08 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: nebcks, Clips & Footage, MechDesignTV, Meta Quest, Meta.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
4 May 2025
Lake, Druckmann, Kojima. Three stories about game designers
In this episode, we dive into the stories of three legendary game designers: Sam Lake, Neil Druckmann, and Hideo Kojima. What drives these creators to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling? We explore their sources of inspiration, the challenges they face, the techniques and tools they use, and what it truly means to be a game designer at the top of their craft.
00:00 Hi there!
01:38 Sam Lake: cottage by the lake and Dungeons & Dragons
06:27 Neil Druckmann: criminology and Computer Science
09:39 Hideo Kojima: films and Super Mario Bros.
13:21 Sam Lake: Max Payne
19:20 Neil Druckmann: Uncharted and The Last of Us
24:33 Hideo Kojima: Metal Gear
29:39 Sam Lake: Alan Wake, Quantum Break and Control
35:11 Neil Druckmann: Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us Part II
40:59 Hideo Kojima: Death Stranding
44:51 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: Old Gods of Asgard.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
6 Apr 2025
The Legend of Zelda. To open the World
The Legend of Zelda is one of the most influential game series ever created, revolutionizing the way we play and experience games. With Ocarina of Time often hailed as one of the greatest games in history, the franchise has left a lasting mark on the gaming world. In this episode, we dive into the origins of Zelda, how it evolved over the years, and what continues to make it such a beloved and groundbreaking series.
00:00 Hi there!
02:12 The Legend of Zelda
10:13 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
15:25 The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask
16:24 The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
17:45 The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
28:07 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: Star Sessions, David Erick Ramos - Ocarina, Nintendo of America.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
20 Mar 2025
Larian Studios. The path to the perfect RPG
In this episode, prepare for a +2 boost to your determination and a dash of luck, because we’re diving into the story of Larian Studios - the creators behind some of the most acclaimed RPGs of all time. The path to success wasn’t easy, with the studio facing countless challenges along the way. How did they overcome adversity and create Baldur’s Gate 3, one of the greatest RPGs ever made? Tune in as we explore Larian’s incredible journey and their quest to perfect the role-playing game.
00:00 Hi there!
02:25 Dungeons & Dragons
04:13 Swen Vincke and Larian
10:28 The Lady, the Mage and the Knight
15:23 Divinity and Beyond
23:32 Divinity II
26:51 Original Sin
33:24 Baldur's Gate
38:21 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: BAFTA, Gameumentary, GameSpot Trailers, Larian Studios, thegameawards.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
27 Feb 2025
Unreal engine vs Unity. To become the Engine of game development
Behind every great game lies a powerful engine, and today’s game engines are so sophisticated that the line between reality and virtual worlds is often blurred. But how did we get here? What sparked the rivalry between two of the biggest names in game development - Unreal Engine and Unity? In this episode, we dive into the history of game engines, from their humble beginnings to the high-tech marvels of today. We’ll explore how this fierce competition has not only driven innovation but reshaped the entire gaming industry.
00:00 Hi there!
01:47 Game engine
03:50 History of game engines
06:01 Creating Unreal Engine
09:47 Indie development
15:38 Creating Unity
20:53 Unreal Engine 4
24:12 Unity runtime fee
26:47 Conclusion
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
13 Feb 2025
Grand Theft Auto. How RockStar changed pop culture
Few game franchises have shaped pop culture like Grand Theft Auto. From its humble beginnings to record-breaking releases, GTA has constantly pushed boundaries - both in gameplay and controversy. But how did Rockstar Games turn an experimental top-down crime sim into a cultural phenomenon? How has each installment evolved the open-world genre? And why does GTA continue to captivate millions despite (or perhaps because of) its many scandals? In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking history of Grand Theft Auto and its lasting impact on gaming and beyond.
00:00 Hi there!
01:35 Foundation of the DMA Studio
05:56 Lemmings
08:36 Race and Chase
09:51 BMG Interactive
12:45 Grand Theft Auto
15:59 Grand Theft Auto 2
18:53 Grand Theft Auto III
22:35 Vice City and San Andreas
25:36 Grand Theft Auto IV
28:36 Grand Theft Auto V
31:41 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: BBC Archive.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
4 Feb 2025
Valve. To power up the community
Few gaming companies have had as much influence as Valve. From revolutionizing PC gaming to shaping the rise of esports and defining entire genres, their impact is undeniable. But what makes Valve so unique? How has their relationship with the gaming community fueled their success? And why do they seem so reluctant to release sequels to some of their most beloved franchises? In this episode, we explore the history of Valve and the philosophy behind their game-changing innovations.
00:00 Hi there!
01:04 Foundation of Valve
05:54 Half-Life
18:56 Team Fortress
21:04 Counter-Strike
23:05 Portal
26:47 Dota
28:58 Left 4 Dead
31:33 Developers of mods
32:13 Steam
36:00 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the videos from YouTube channels: GameSpot Trailers, Code.org, Valve, The Chalkeaters, TheCranberriesTV
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
16 Jan 2025
The Witcher. Something ends, something begins
Before The Witcher became a global phenomenon, CD Projekt Red was just a small Polish studio with big dreams and no game development experience. How did they go from selling pirated software to creating one of the most beloved RPG franchises of all time? What obstacles did they face along the way? And how did ignoring conventional wisdom lead them to unexpected success? This episode unpacks the incredible journey of CD Projekt Red and the making of The Witcher.
00:00 Hi there!
01:24 The Witcher novels
04:09 CD Project foundation
10:48 The Witcher
25:57 Rise of the White Wolf
28:43 The Witcher 2
29:30 The Witcher 3
31:28 The Witcher IV
31:46 Black sheep
33:04 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the interviews from YouTube channels: Ryslaw, Noclip - Video Game Documentaries, CD PROJEKT RED, TEDx Talks.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
5 Jan 2025
PlayStation. How to win the console war
Sony never originally planned to enter the home console market, yet they ended up creating one of the best-selling gaming systems of all time, reshaping the industry in the process. How did they achieve this? What made the Sony PlayStation revolutionary? How did collaboration give them an edge over competitors? And what new challenges did Sony face along the way? All this and more in the very first episode of the podcast.
00:00 Hi there!
02:00 History of consoles
04:48 Deal with Nintendo
09:10 Developing own console
10:38 Partnership with third-party game studios
14:02 Bold and unusual advertising
15:01 Entering the market
17:08 Games on PlayStation
19:15 Nowadays
20:46 Conclusion
The episode used quotes from the interviews from YouTube channels: Big Bang Theory, PlayStation, Polygon.
Author: Rival Abdrakhmanov
Cover: Katya Pavlova
Jingle: Ildar Fattakhov
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
728
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
27
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
32
Contact Released!
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