Game Design w/ Joe Method

Episode 30 – Freaks And Geeks star, Samm Levine

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 23:30:00 +0000

Actor Samm Levine and I talk about acting, how he got his break in show business and what kind of movies we like. Before the interview, I talk about my upcoming kickstarter project and how it expands on my fun theory. I also give my opinion on why I think figuring out what “fun” is, is such an important endeavor.

Check out Samm on the Kevin Pollak Chat Show! : Kevin Pollak's Chat Show!

Episode 29 – Sierra Developers Jim Walls and Robert Lindsley

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 01:44:00 +0000

Jim Walls is coming out of retirement to design one more game, the spiritual successor to the legendary Police Quest series. Fellow Sierra alum Robert Lindsley is the executive producer of this game which is currently undergoing funding via Kickstarter. Jim and Robert talk about working at Sierra, how they got their start in the game industry, advice on how to get YOUR start in the industry, and they talk about their latest game Precinct.

Support the spiritual successor to Police Quest! : Precinct Kickstarter

I released a kids book I co-wrote with my brother, check it out! My Fish Farted

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE!

Episode 28 – Lovecraft Creator, Jonny Rice

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 06:12:00 +0000

Jonny talks about starting out in the game industry as a game tester, going to school for game art and design, his time working at Machinima and about his new Kickstarter campaign. Before that I give a couple of tips on game development and how to balance slow and fast gameplay as well give tips on building tension versus boring your audience.

Check out and support Jonny Rice’s Kickstarter campaign: Lovecraft Kickstarter

Scott Rogers just released a brand new comic, check it out here: Mighty Bedbug

I released a kids book I co-wrote with my brother, check it out! My Fish Farted

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE!

Episode 27 – Writer/Director Lauren Ludwig

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Thu, 02 May 2013 06:19:00 +0000

Lauren and I talk about the creative and development challenges of producing a stage/movie project and how they correlate to video game development. We touch on almost every topic possible from gamification, to creating and finishing ideas to why some people’s careers take off and others’ don’t. It’s a really fun and interesting interview. Before the interview I talk a little about beginner game design decisions and how to make a good design choice.

Here is the official site of Lauren Ludwig: Lauren Ludwig's site

Here is the site of the comedy show she regularly directs: Lost Moon Radio

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE!!!!

Episode 26 – Fun Theory discussion w/ my friend Eric Garcia

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 06:14:00 +0000

This entire episode is dedicated to my Fun Theory and where I’m at with it. My Friend Dr. Eric Garcia and I discuss how much engagement is too much, how safety is important in an experience and we try and narrow done what fun is. In a related subject, we also dive into the subject of what happiness is.

Here is the official site of the psychotherapist that I referenced in the interview: Richard Carlson's website

Here is an example of a nice amount of polish/feedback: Marvel VS Capcom 3 polish

Here is a android app I released recently, check it out: Jungle Jackpot Slots

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE!

Episode 25 –Author of Been There, Done That, Rick Bassman

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 07:51:00 +0000

I talk a little about my updated fun theory and then I interview Rick Bassman who is writing a book about his life and experiences. Rick was the owner of the wrestling school I went to, he was also an NFL agent, movie producer, and lots more. It’s a very inspirational and motivating story about taking risks, and he’s got a Kickstarter out there to help tell it.

Check out his Kickstarter page here: Been There, Done That, Kickstarter

Check out his website here: Rickbassman.com

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE!

Episode 24 – Creative Director at Westside Corporate Creativity, Sean Monahan

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:22:00 +0000

Teamwork! This episode is all about creatively working on a team and how to facilitate said creativity. Awesome interview with Sean Monahan who is the Creative Director at Westside Corporate Creativity and who is an 18 year, veteran improviser.

Check out the Westside Corporate Creativity website here: Westside Corporate Creativity

Follow them on twitter: WSide Corporate on Twitter

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE! I BEG OF YOU!

Episode 23 –Walk Through Producer at Gamefront and Improviser, James Heaney

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 08:31:00 +0000

I talk about “yes and-ing” during creative development and how it helps facilitate collaboration, I also talk a little bit about the rule of 3 and my theory on why it exists. Then I interview improviser James Heaney about what makes a comedy improv scene fun and how it can relate to video game design.

Check out his regular series on Game Front: James VS Games

Subscribe to his youtube channel or else: James Heaney on Youtube

Check out his latest shows if you’re in the Santa Monica area: Westside Comedy Theater

Check out the channel of his latest guest, Epic Lloyd (who also performs at the Westside Comedy Theater) who is the co-creator of Epic Rap Battles of History: Epic Rap Battles of History

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE!

Episode 22 –Senior Artist/Industry Veteran, Scott Butler

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 22:47:00 +0000

I go over a few game design tips I posted on twitter, I also talk about Indie Game the Movie. Then I have an interview with Senior Artist/Industry Veteran, Scott Butler. Scott talks about his experience in the game industry and gives advice on how to get your start as an artist doing art for games.

Check out his site here: Scott Butler Site

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! Donate Here!

Episode 21 – How to get your start in the Game Industry

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:57:00 +0000

In this episode I compile all the advice from various guests on how to get your start in the game industry, including a guest that was never posted before as well as my own advice on how to get your start. Also, the quote I mentioned at the end of the podcast was from James Allen, and I paraphrased it, the actual quote is “We do not attract that which we want, we attract that which we are”. It’s semantics, but this actual quote is better for the point I was making.

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 20 - President of Sirlin Games, David Sirlin

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 16:08:00 +0000

David and I talk about the difference between designing table top games and video games. We also talk about our favorite games and give advice on how to get your start in the game industry. Before all that I talk about a game design technique I use that I never talked about before for some reason.

Check out EVERYTHING he’s working on here: Sirlin.net

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! Child's Play Charity :)

Episode 19 - Character Artist/2D Animator, Wellington Rawls

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:01:00 +0000

This episode is mostly a post mortem for a game Wellington and I worked on called Booga Booga! For Facebook. I talk about what worked, what didn’t work and what I learned developing this game. Wellington talks about making all assets from characters and environments to user interface and particle effects.

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 18 - Engineer, Jason Neal

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 15:37:00 +0000

Jason and I talk about game design techniques and our favorite games. I also go on a rant about how much I love the newest Double Dragon remake.

Check out a couple of the games Jason worked on here: XCOM: ENEMY UNKNOWN

And here: Playstation All Star Battle Royale

Check out the New Double Dragon game I was raving about here: Double Dragon Neon

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 17 - Senior Level Designer, Chris Molina

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:47:00 +0000

Chris and I talk about how he got his start in game development, going to school for game design and we discuss best practices on getting your foot in the door of the industry. This really is the “Making games is not all fun and games” episode, some good reality checks for young students who think they have what it takes to be game developers.

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 16 – Professor of Game Design at Carnegie Mellon University, Jesse Schell

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 21:03:00 +0000

Jesse and I talk about his latest project, Puzzle Clubhouse, which is a crowd design and supported video game development project (launching August 30th). We also talk about favorite games, what a game designer does, and give advice on how to get your foot in the door of the game industry.

Check out Puzzle Clubhouse here: Puzzle Clubhouse

Buy his book here: The Art of Game Design

Check out his site for his book, talks, and social media here: Jesse Schell

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! Donate Here!

Episode 15 – Technical Designer, Ben Vaccaro

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:24:00 +0000

Technical Designer Ben Vaccaro talks about his role in the game industry and his time working at Machinima. We also talk about our favorite games and give advice on how to get your start in the game industry.

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 14 – Pro Wrestler, Leroy Patterson

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 07:42:00 +0000

Pro wrestler/stuntman/reality show star/crazy man Leroy Patterson and I talk about the similarities about what makes something fun in a wrestling match and in a video game. We also talk about the dark side of being a game tester. He is currently performing at Freakshow Wrestling, check it out here:

Freakshow Wrestling

Here is the music video that we were talking about that his stunt crew was in:

Against Me! Music Video

Here is his most famous clip seen on G4TV, The Soup, The Tonight Show and others:

Roof Slam!

Also check out his stunt group here for all his stunt craziness: No Mercy Video

Here is his personal Facebook page, add him! Leroy's Facebook

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 13 – My Apprentice, Robert Fauver

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 03:42:00 +0000

I talk to a former student of mine, Robert Fauver. Robert is transitioning from student to peer, so he has a unique view on going to school for game design. We talk about engagement and tension in games, a game designers’ role, and we give advice for new game design students. EDIT: The indie game he was working on is called "VICTIM" not "VINDICTUS".

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 12 – Indie Game Developer, Tom Brien

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 07:29:00 +0000

Tom (of Tiny Build Games) and I talk about humor in games, and what it’s like being an indie game developer. Check out his latest game, which is really funny and I highly recommend checking out to see how humor in games is properly done, “No Time to Explain” here: TINY BUILD GAMES

I also talk about getting my copy of Swipe This! Definitely worth every penny, check it out here: SWIPE THIS!

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 11 – Author of Level Up! and Swipe This!, Scott Rogers

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 19:45:00 +0000

I talk to legendary Game Designer, Scott Rogers. We talk about what a game designer does, our favorite games, and give advice on getting your start in the game industry. We also talk about the two books he released on game design, I highly recommend them. Check out Level Up! Here: Level Up!

Check out Swipe This! Here: Swipe This!

Check out his personal blog here, he gives out really good game design advice as well: Mr. Boss

In the beginning of this episode I talk about Dolph Ziggler putting polish on a wrestling move by selling it like crazy and making the other person look good and creating a memory. Here is the video of what I was talking about. Ziggler Selling

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 10 – Lead Game Designer, Sean McNamara

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 01:27:00 +0000

Sean McNamara and I talk about game development stories, favorite games and tips on getting your start in the game industry. I also talk about engagement strategies for your game. Check out Sean’s latest game here: Survival Run with Bear Grylls

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 9 – Getting Geeky with GeekyGlamorous

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 06:11:00 +0000

I pontificate about a few engagement tools for video games. Also, I’m a huge geek, so every once in a while I need to geek out and GeekyGlamorous knows all about the latest in Geek culture. We talk about our favorite games, game development, and the Mass Effect 3 ending (SPOILER ALERT). Check out her site GeekyGlamorous

I started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity. Donate anything you can give if you feel inclined to do so. I give all donators a shout out on my podcast! DONATE HERE!

Episode 8 – Game Designer, Calix Reneau

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Sun, 10 Jun 2012 18:50:00 +0000

Game Designer Calix and I pontificate on the principals of good (and bad) game design and try to answer the question, can you have fun without progression? We also give out tips on how to be a game designer. Also, I just started a firstgiving page for Child’s Play Charity, which you can check out here: Child's Play Charity

Episode 7 - Indie Game Developer, Adversary Games

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 01:30:00 +0000

I talk about how I write my game design documents and the importance of even having one. Then I interview the founders of indie game developer, Adversary Games. They talk about the pros and cons of going Indie, their favorite game moments and give advice on developing your own indie game.

Check out their site here Adversary Games

Episode 6 - Senior Artist, Hugo Beyer

noreply@blogger.com (Joe.Method) — Sun, 27 May 2012 05:26:00 +0000

I interview Senior Artist, Hugo Beyer. We talk about what makes a game fun, how he broke into the game industry as an artist and a little about developing his own indie title in which he did all the 2d/3d/ui art for. Check it out here: Holy Moly Dragons