Devoted Speakeasy

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Every day we see shiny headlines about games making gazillions, but nothing to help us do our jobs better or support each other's growth. Devoted Speakeasy is a podcast hosted by Ninel Anderson for inspiration and as a practical guide for leveling up within the game industry. Let’s get real!

Devoted Studios


    • Apr 25, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 40m AVG DURATION
    • 29 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Devoted Speakeasy

    What's Behind Meta's Avatar 2.0 Evolution? | SpeakEasy with Chris Hunt

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 41:36


    We're recording in a brand-new studio for SpeakEasy Ep. 33! This time, Ninel chats with Chris Hunt, Art Director at Meta Reality Labs, who's been deeply involved with designing avatars for the metaverse.

    The 2025 Reality of the Indie: Interview with Alx Preston (Heartmachine228) | SpeakIndie #2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 89:43


    We're shaking things up with our second in-person SpeakEasy episode - SpeakIndie. Ninel Anderson came to visit the Heart Machine studio and talked with Alx Preston, the studio's CEO. We filmed this interview in October 2024 but couldn't release it earlier for some reason. A lot of things have happened since then. Heart Light Breaker was released in early access, Heart Machine suffered layoffs, Alx started a new campaign on Patreon, and much more. So all this stuff is not discussed here. However, the interview covers tons of resonating topics about our industry that shouldn't remain silent:▶️ How to start and maintain the Kickstarter campaign▶️ How to communicate with publishers▶️ What is the current situation in the industry▶️ How to plan the budget for the project▶️ How to produce a game in the brand new genreIt's personal, it's insightful, and yes, it's a lot of insights.Watch the video version of the interview:https://youtu.be/xP71U7EZPhM

    What REAL Collaboration With VFX Artists Looks Like | SpeakEasy 32 with Jason Keyser

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 58:43


    Ninel Anderson meets with VFX expert Jason Keyser to discuss building and growing a VFX team for video games. Jason brings 18 years of experience to the table and offers INSIGHTFUL advice on finding top VFX talent, what to look for in portfolios, and how to create a team that really clicks. If you're looking to learn more about the VFX process in game development or how to build a solid team, this SpeakEasy episode has you covered!Links on the platforms and sources mentioned in the episode:Fusion by Devoted platform: https://devotedfusion.com/ VFX Apprentice: https://www.vfxapprentice.com/ Realtime VFX forum: https://realtimevfx.com/ Jason Keyser on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-keyser-42070b3/ YouTube VFX Apprentice:  https://www.youtube.com/@VFX_Apprentice -------------------------------------------------------------------Watch the video version on YouTube:https://youtu.be/Y0J2YjBEM5w

    What It Takes to Bring Battlefield & Call of Duty to Mobile! SpeakEasy 31 with Steve Abeyta

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 50:21


    In this episode of Speakeasy, Ninel, CEO of Devoted Studios, sits down with Steve Abeyta, the creative genius behind Battlefield Mobile and Call of Duty Warzone Mobile.Watch the video version on YT:https://youtu.be/99Nn9sWQhbI⁠ Steve Abeyta's LinkedIn page:https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveabeyta/ Ever wondered what it takes to bring massive console games to your phone? Steve spills the secrets on the creative process (spoiler: it's way more than just shrinking down graphics!).What you'll learn in this episode:

    Seekers of Skyveil: How The Development Goes | SpeakEasy 30 with Billy Ahlswede

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2025 41:37


    In this special episode, Ninel Anderson sits down with Billy Ahlswede, a game industry veteran who's worked on League of Legends, Valorant, and now the exciting new title Seekers of Skyveil! We dive into:

    The Art of Creating Horror Game Design | SpeakEasy Ep. 29 with Jesse Lee

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 51:07


    In SpeakEasy Episode 29, we chat with Jesse Lee, the Concept Art Director at Striking Distance Studios, about how to create horror games and bring terrifying creature design to life. Jesse shares fun stories, and cool tips, and shows us how his concept art for games like Dead Space and Callisto Protocol is so creepy it'll give you nightmares! We also spotlight some awesome work by Boris Turano. You'll love this episode if you love concept art, horror game design, or visual storytelling in games! Featured guest: Jesse Lee https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseleeconceptart/ https://www.artstation.com/jesse_lee Artist Spotlight: Boris Turano https://www.artstation.com/birez   Topics Covered: Jesse's start with Dead Space and what makes it so special What goes into creating a terrifying game The process of designing horror creatures and environments Overcoming limitations and finding inspiration A special shoutout to Boris Turano's art How long does it take to bring horror to life in games? Tips & Tricks in Creating Horror Games

    Inside Sky: Cecil Kim on Art Direction & Innovation at ThatGameCompany | SpeakEasy Ep. 28

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 32:11


    Join us for SpeakEasy Episode 28 The guest of the episode is Cecil Kim, Art Director of thatgamecompany ("Sky: Children of the Light" game) https://www.linkedin.com/in/cecil-kim-ba4985/  https://www.cecilkim.com/  Don't miss to subscribe on our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/45MiTfC  Timecodes for your convenient navigation: 0:00 Intro 2:17 A Back Story: The Team Behind ThatGameCompany 5:12 Taking the Next Big Step 9:03 Building the Direction of Sky 13:02 Taking Risks to Build A Masterpiece 16:41 Creating an Organic Social Interaction in Sky 17:53 Building Worlds: The Art of Sky 20:01 COZY: The New Feel in Games 21:12 Sky: The Bedtime Game 22:18 Creating Skyfest IRL for an Online Community 24:18 An Interactive Experience 25:25 The Transmedia Evolution 26:48 Creating an Expanded Universe 28:55 Working Across Multiple Projects 31:13 The Difficulty of the Gaming Industry 32:34 Ending In this episode of SpeakEasy, we sit down with Cecil Kim, the visionary Art Director behind Sky: Children of the Light from ThatGameCompany. Cecil takes us through the journey of building Sky—from assembling a talented team to taking bold creative risks that pushed the boundaries of social interaction in gaming. Discover how Cecil and his team created immersive worlds, brought a new sense of coziness to games, and developed transmedia experiences that expanded the Sky universe. Cecil also shares his insights on hiring top talent, managing multiple projects, and the challenges faced in today's evolving gaming industry. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a game developer, or a fan of Sky, this episode offers a deep dive into the creative process behind one of the most unique games of our time. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful episodes!

    Blizzard's Former Art Director Allen Dilling on Starcraft & Warcraft | SpeakEasy Ep. 27

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 31:40


    Join us for SpeakEasy Episode 27 featuring Allen Dilling, a renowned Art and Creative Direction Consultant with a 25-year legacy at Blizzard Entertainment. Here's Allen's profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-dilling/ Watch the episode's video version on our YouTbe channel @DevotedStudios https://bit.ly/45MiTfC  Timecodes for your convenient navigation: 0:00 Intro 0:59 Highlights of a 25 yr career 1:53 Art Styles & Trends 4:44 20 Years of WarCraft  7:57 Creative Freedom 11:05 The Anxiety of Working with Beloved Titles 12:49 The Secret Sauce 14:35 The Key things that make a title successful 16:42 The Transition Period Between Sequels 18:28 RTS Meeting its end? 21:20 Live Service vs Paid Games 23:50 Strategies around Updates 26:09 Tips, Tricks, & Inspiration 28:30 Making Fresh Ideas 30:17 Ending In this episode, we dive deep into Allen's illustrious career, exploring his highlight moments at Blizzard and his work on iconic titles like Starcraft and Warcraft. Discover the evolution of art styles and trends in the gaming industry and learn about the creative freedom and challenges involved in developing beloved franchises. Allen shares his insights on the anxiety of working on high-stakes projects and offers valuable tips and tricks for generating fresh ideas in a competitive field. Whether you're an aspiring artist, a gaming enthusiast, or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes magic of Blizzard games, this episode is packed with inspiration and expertise. Topics Covered: => Allen Dilling's career highlights at Blizzard => Evolution of art styles and trends in gaming => Creative freedom in game development => Managing anxiety while working on beloved titles => Tips for innovative and fresh creative ideas Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful episodes!

    Crafting Immersive Gaming Environments | A Conversation with Minoh Kim, Art Director at Riot Games | Devoted SpeakEasy Ep. 26

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 32:22


    Legendary Call of Duty Maps: How They Were Created | SpeakEasy #25 with Shaun Bell

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 32:33


    Like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell to stay updated with our latest episodes!! https://bit.ly/45MiTfC Timecodes for your convenient navigation: 0:00 Intro 1:42 Shaun's Journey: From a Small Studio to the Big Leagues 4:15 Top 5 Skills Learned from the Call of Duty Franchise 5:24 Building Maps for Call of Duty 10:36 Strategies to Speed Up Map Creation 13:20 Learning to Fix Production Pitfalls 16:37 Maps for CoD BO 4 and the First Battle Royal Map 18:29 How the Blackout Map was Developed 21:15 Iterating Small while Pitching and Developing New IPs 21:46 Cinematics for Black Ops Cold War and Warzone Specifics 23:12 The Gear and Weapons in Call of Duty 26:13 Pitching Your Ideas in AAA Studios 27:39 Multiple Experiences in the Same Environment: How to Make Them Universal? 28:54 Diversity in the Video Gaming Industry 31:50 Ending Welcome to Devoted SpeakEasy Episode 25! Join us for an insightful conversation with Art Director Shaun Bell as he shares his experience working within the expansive Call of Duty franchise. Listen in as Shaun provides invaluable insights into the art of map creation, learning processes crucial for game development, and the essential considerations every Art Director in the gaming industry should know.

    How Live Service Games Are Engineered. Ex-Riot Director Reveals| SpeakEasy 24 with Serge Knystautas

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2024 36:39


    Timecodes for your convenient navigation:00:00 Intro and guest presentation01:59 Key things to know about developing live service games07:22 Release process and release managers11:58 Building the culture of engineering teams 16:26 About the Palia experience: how to grow the team efficiently  18:18 Working at Gardens: what is Serge's role in the project19:45 Collective performance: what it means22:06 Tech debt. Examples of how to deal with it27:36 Riot experience: what Serge did good and bad30:38 AI tools for engineers   In today's episode, we delve into the intricate engineering world with our guest, Serge Knystautas. With a solid background as a software entrepreneur in the gaming industry, Serge has held pivotal roles such as Director of Software Engineering at Riot Games, Head of Engineering at Singularity 6, and currently serves as the head of engineering at Gardens Interactive.  Gardens Interactive gained significant attention last year for securing $31.3 million in funding to develop a fantasy action role-playing game. Join us as we explore the complexities of live service games, navigate their releases, and delve into the future landscape of AI and engineering environments. Don't miss out on this insightful episode! Tune in now.

    Valorant, Halo Reach, and Overwatch: Building Successful Game Art | Speakeasy 23 with Artem Volchik

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2024 31:57


    Licenses, Brands, and IPs in Video Games: Tips from LEGO Art Director Emmanuel Valdez | SpeakEasy 22

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2024 32:05


    Viral Content for Apex Legends and Star Wars | ex-EA Creative Director Neel Upadhye | SpeakEasy #21

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 30:43


    Exploring Photogrammetry 2023: Chris Matthews' Insights from Ridgeline Games (EA) | Speakeasy #20

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 29:11


    In this captivating episode, our CEO Ninel Anderson sits down with Chris Matthews, the brilliant Art Director and Co-founder of Ridgeline Games, an EA first-party studio. Chris leads and mentors a talented team of artists and creatives, crafting the immersive and engaging narrative experiences that have become synonymous with the iconic BATTLEFIELD franchise.

    Palia: Invisible Side. Interview with Game's AD | #SpeakEasy N19 with Jeremy Fenske

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 30:15


    In the 19th episode of the Devoted SpeakEasy podcast, Ninel Anderson interviews an honored Concept Artist and Art Director Jeremy Fenske who is currently working at Singularity 6. Jeremy is one of those guys who stood at the origins of Palia. He created the unique visual style of this charming game which was recently launched in its open-beta version. Ninel and Jeremy talk a lot about Palia's development: how it all started, how the team was looking for inspiration and was building their processes, and what makes the game so special. Moreover, our guest shows the early concepts of Palia. It's your unique chance to check them out. Jeremy Fenske's story is extraordinary and his talent to switch between different art styles amazes. He had contributed to Elder Scroll Online and Destiny 2 before starting to work on Palia. Besides, Jeremy is known for his streaming activity. He hasn't been on YouTube for a long time. And now he is back. So meet him and check out the episode. Follow us on Social Media: Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/devoted-st... LinkedIn:   / mycompany   Facebook:   / devotedstudios   Twitter:   / devotedstudios_   Visit our website: https://devotedstudios.com/

    Ex-Amazon Art Director — About Pitfalls of Outsourcing | #SpeakEasy N18 with Tuan Ngo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 29:24


    Let's talk about outsourcing game development. It's an essential part of the industry and no one of prominent AAA titles wouldn't be released without it. However, some people consider external developers as something unreliable. In the 18th episode of the Devoted SpeakEasy podcast, we're going to break this myth and prove that outsourcing game-dev may be both efficient and high-quality. Besides, we try to find out how to set up a workflow, how to build communication with artists from different time zones and with different cultural backgrounds, what tools to use, and what to consider while preparing an outsource brief. Join the nice company of our host Ninel Anderson and her titled guest Tuan Ngo. Both of them are experienced experts in the field of external development. Ninel is the CEO of Devoted Studios which contributed to the production of Guild Wars 2, Halo The Masterchief Collection, WWE 2K22, Grounded, Angry Birds, and other prominent titles. Tuan had been working as an outsourcing specialist at Amazon. Before that, he had collaborated with Blizzards, EA, Konami, Snap Inc., and other studios. Listen to the episode, get useful insights, and feel free to share it. YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TEgbn4 Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/devoted-studios  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devotedstudios/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devotedstudios  Twitter: https://twitter.com/devotedstudios_   Visit our website: https://devotedstudios.com/ 

    Virtual Production Roundtable | #SpeakEasy E17 with Vitalii Boiko, Dani Bellar Pilukas, and Joan Bevan Webb

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 39:35


    Prepare to be inspired as Virtual Production industry powerhouses discuss the transformative impact of virtual production on the filmmaking landscape. Gain valuable insights into the creative possibilities, technological advancements, and the future of virtual production as they share their firsthand experiences and expertise. Joan Bevan Webb, formerly a Strategic Brand Marketing Consultant (Media Webb) and VP of Entertainment Marketing & Business Development (Mav12), brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Her illustrious client list boasts renowned names like James Cameron, Oliver Stone, Doug Trumbull, Tim Burton, and the Coen Brothers. With collaborations with industry giants such as IMAX, Pixar, Sony, DreamWorks, MGM, and Disney, Joan Bevan Webb has been at the forefront of cutting-edge virtual production techniques. Joining Joan Bevan Webb is Vitalii Boiko, Founder and CEO at PixelaLabs, a leading virtual production company. Known for their groundbreaking UE4/5 cluster rendering technology called nDisplay, Vitalii Boiko has been revolutionizing the virtual production landscape. With previous experience as a Lead Engineer at IndustrialVR and Software Engineer at EON Reality, DirecTV, Softline, and Frogwares, Vitalii Boiko brings a unique perspective and technical prowess to the roundtable. Completing the panel is Dani Bellar Pilukas, the Director of Physical Production at Lux Machina Consulting. With an impressive background as an Imagineer, Show Programmer, and Principal at Walt Disney Imagineering, Dani Bellar Pilukas has played a pivotal role in the development and engineering of cutting-edge technical video solutions for film and TV, broadcast, live events, and permanent installations. Her notable projects, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Thea Award 2020), Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (Thea Award 2019), and Pandora: World of Avatar (Thea Award 2018), have showcased his innovative approach to physical production. Follow us on Social Media: YouTube: https://bit.ly/3TEgbn4 Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/devoted-studios  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devotedstudios/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devotedstudios  Twitter: https://twitter.com/devotedstudios_   Visit our website: https://devotedstudios.com/ 

    Exploring the Future of Animators | #SpeakEasy E16 with Harvey Newman

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 37:56


    Join us in this exciting episode as we delve into the world of animation, uncovering its future prospects, industry challenges, and common mistakes made by animators. Our special guest, Harvey Newman, a distinguished BAFTA Board Member, YouTube blogger, and renowned figure in the animation industry, shares invaluable insights on building effective teams and fostering cross-department collaboration. Harvey's remarkable journey encompasses notable positions, such as Animation Director at Build a Rocket Boy from 2020 to 2022, where he contributed his expertise to the upcoming “Everywhere” project. Prior to that, he served as a Lead Animator at DICE, working on acclaimed titles like Star Wars Battlefront 2 and Battlefield V between 2017 and 2020. Take advantage of this enlightening episode as we explore the future of animation, gain valuable insights from Harvey Newman, and uncover the secrets to success in this ever-evolving industry. Tune in to discover how to navigate challenges, avoid common mistakes, and unleash your animation potential! Check out the YouTube version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/X3Re0lwAiCI Visit our website and check out our projects: https://devotedstudios.com Follow us on Social Media: Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/devoted-st... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devo... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devotedstudios Twitter: https://twitter.com/devotedstudios_

    Virtual production: Bridge between GameDev and Hollywood #SpeakEasy E15 with Noah Kadner

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 29:42


    Watch the episode video version on our YouTube! https://youtu.be/w4gWNJlrIZg   Noah Kadner's LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noahkadner/   Visit our website and check out our projects: https://devotedstudios.com  Follow us on Social Media: Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/devoted-studios/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/devotedstudios/   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devotedstudios     Twitter: https://twitter.com/devotedstudios_ Have you heard of Virtual Production? It's cutting-edge technology that has revolutionized the movie industry. Believe it or not, some of the blockbuster movies you've watched recently were created using game engines. In this episode, we'll explore the exciting new possibilities that Virtual Production offers filmmakers. We'll discuss the skills required for artists who work with this technology and the demand for professionals in this field. We'll also take a look at other industries that can benefit from Virtual Production and how to get involved in creating Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. Our special guest for today is Noah Kadner, a renowned figure in the Virtual Production world. He's the founder and editor-in-chief of VirtualProducer.io, co-founder of The Virtual Company, and a senior writer for Epic Games, Apple, and American Cinematographer magazines. Noah is also the author of the Virtual Production Field Guide series for Epic Games and the host of the Virtual Production Podcast.  So, tune in and join us for an insightful discussion on Virtual Production.

    How to Create Weapons for AAAs | #SpeakEasy E14 with Ryan Lastimosa

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 30:26


    Join us as we sit down with Ryan Lastimosa, ex-Creative Director of Respawn Entertainment, to get insights from his wisdom and experience in the game industry. Our guest is an honored specialist who has designed hundreds of weapons for AAA Shooters: Call of Duty 4, Apex Legends, Titanfall 1, Titanfall 2, and more. We'll hear firsthand advice from Ryan on what it takes to build a successful portfolio and build a dream career. Our guest will also share his invaluable insight into achieving a balance between work and life. Tune in for this exclusive interview and learn how to create your own success story in the gaming industry!

    Fall Guys: Creating a Hit That Makes Millions — Alexander McKinney-Raphelt | Devoted SpeakEasy E08

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 41:52


    Fall Guys is one of the most successful video games over the last decade. This cartoony platformer earned $185 million of revenue from 8.2 million players just in its first month — awe-inspiring numbers! In the new episode of the Devoted SpeakEasy podcast, we are peeking behind the scenes of Fall Guys' development. So welcome our guest — Alexander McKinney-Raphelt, a studio Art Director at Epic Games. He is one of those responsible for the visual side of Fall Guys. Join our host Ninel (Gryuner) Anderson and find out tons of insight about creating a legendary game, character customizations, working with a community, managing methods, and more.

    Spellbreak: x2 in size and 4 platforms release amidst pandemic with Cardell Kerr | Devoted Speakeasy E07 by Ninel Anderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2021 30:40


    In this episode of Devoted Speakeasy, join the host Ninel Anderson and special guest Cardell Kerr, the Executive producer of Proletariat, sharing their secret formulas of successful game release and efficient team management through the crazy times of pandemic. Tune in and find the answers to the hottest production and team management questions. What makes Proletariat as a team successful? What are the tips and tricks of creating addictive games like Spellbreak? What are the problems and challenges of a fast growing team? How to keep your distributed team motivated? Why should you sometimes let your employees ‘drown'? How to find and hire people with the right skills?

    Character customization that sells - with Tramell Isaac | Devoted Speakeasy E06 by Ninel Anderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2020 35:57


    Want to learn how to build scalable character customization pipelines without spending your entire project budget ? Want to learn new tricks on how to create valuable content that players actually want to buy? Want to learn how PlanetSide2 and Team Fortress uses community efforts to create customizable content, increase engagement and spend less money? Want to learn how to become a successful Lead Artist? In E06 of Devoted Speakeasy, join host Ninel Anderson as she chats with Tramell Isaac, currently the Vice President of Art at IllFonic, whose Art Direction credits include the Fallout series, Planetside 1/2, Duke Nukem Forever, Lawbreakers and Predator: Hunting Ground. (0:58): Game production steps from the very first day (3:06): Character customization tips and tricks (4:02): Building unique distinguish character factions (7:31): Creating valuable and sellable content (9:03): How to find out what your users want to buy (13:17): Involving community into building content (15:26): Budgeting character customization (21:45): Career choices and recommendations (27:00): What makes a great artist (29:07): DO's and DON'T's in becoming a Lead Artist (33:42): Lead artist: creating content VS management #devotedSpeakeasy #gaming #gameart #gameartist #gamecharacter #gameartproduction www.devotedstudios.com

    14 Things to Know to Raise Money in Gaming in 2020 | Devoted Speakeasy E05 by Ninel Anderson

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 42:38


    You've heard it everywhere by now - it's a brave new world in gaming in 2020. And as people are more open than ever to finding ways to spend more time together online, there are thinkers who analyze these trends to figure out which companies and founders are worth investing time, energy - and of course, those big bucks - into. In E05 of Devoted Speakeasy, join host Ninel Anderson as she chats with Sam Englebardt, Managing Partner of Galaxy Interactive, Richard Kim, Partner at Galaxy Interactive, and William Rhys Dekle, Partner at Strategic Alternatives. Between them they've supported the likes of Mythical, Proletariat, DazzleRocks, and more. Find out how these decisions are made, straight from the minds of some of the industry's most experienced and thoughtful investors. 14 Things to Know to Raise Money in Gaming in 2020: 01) (01:50) 5 things investors are looking for in a pitch 02) (03:53) How do investors do their due diligence on content? 03) (07:43) The Pitch Process, and case studies from Galaxy's portfolio 04) (20:53) Cold calling investors vs. warm intro? 05) (22:42) Is building a “Founder Brand” a necessity? 06) (23:10) How to research investors? 07) (27:25) Are consultants helpful in raising money? 08) (29:17) Supporting each other is key! 09) (30:27) What is the difference between a lead investor and a follower? 10) (31:10) How do you price your business? 11) (36:05) Do your math! Is VC actually a good solution for you? What other options do you have? 12) (37:29) Overall time, from starting pitching, to term sheet draft, to final version. When would you actually receive the money in your account? 13) (38:55) What's the usual time between the rounds? What should the founder be doing in between rounds? 14) (42:52) How has the process changed with the advent of the pandemic? #devotedSpeakeasy #gaming #GamingVenture www.devotedstudios.com www.galaxyinteractive.io www.strataltllc.com

    Building Compelling Game Worlds: Destiny and Halo | Christopher Barrett | Devoted Speakeasy E04

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2020 40:54


    This episode is a master class in how to compel players to explore and thrive in fictional worlds. Christopher Barrett started out creating maps and mods as a fan of Myth, which led to opportunities at Bungie that have never stopped coming. Over the course of two decades, he has been an artist on Halo 1, Environmental Art Director on Halo 2 and Halo 3, Art Director of Destiny, Art and Game Director of Destiny 2, and now Game Director of an unannounced project. In E04 of Devoted Speakeasy, join host Ninel Anderson as she chats with Chris about: (2:18): Building worlds you want to explore (5:15): Using the concept of “postcards” to tease an idea of a place you want to visit (9:15): Drawing inspiration from beloved fiction from childhood (12:20): How to communicate personal achievement through the visual language of gear rarity (17:50): The importance of building upon existing, recognizable tropes (24:15): The challenge of helping artists in a big team find common language (30:40): The nuances between an Art Director and Game Director in leading a team (37:50): Being a social media ambassador for Destiny through its ups and downs

    Bigger than Games: Character World, Design Kits in LoL, GoW with E.Gonzalez | Devoted Speakeasy E03

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2020 46:59


    Following the journey of Eduardo Gonzalez's career is a case study in thoughtful creative team building and character design. He started out as a contracted concept artist contributing to series such as God of War, Socom, and Kill Zone, spent seven years at Riot as a pivotal player on the Visual Development and World Building teams, and is now the lead Art Director for Super Evil's new battleground shooter Catalyst Black. Through personally designing a total of 37 different champion skins for League of Legends, he learned the all-time importance of building “possibility” into characters so that they can be transported into other forms of media while maintaining the identity of the original game. In E03 of Devoted Speakeasy, join host Ninel Anderson as she chats with Eduardo on: (1:00): Riot: how it all started (5:08): Co-Founding World Building Team with the knowledge that the IP will transcend the game (11:40): Shape language and symbolism of specific champions in League of Legends (17:28): Subcultures within characters to give depth and possibility without touching the game (20:40): How does the collaboration between different roles work in champion design? (29:00): Surfacing “hooks” or “clues” that will give games their identity (35:15): Estimating time spent on assets as a trial and error process (40:00): A glimpse into early visual development for God of War (45:40): What are the secret ingredients to a successful new IP?

    Daniel Dociu: Developing IPs; Styles, Technics & Leading like a Conductor | Devoted Speakeasy E02

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2020 41:10


    “If you truly want to tap into the talent of that person, and the sensibility of that person, you let them bring their own touch to that instrument. And the end result will be infinitesimally different, yet different nonetheless.” - Art Director Daniel Dociu on leading an art team like a conductor in an orchestra Daniel Dociu doesn't need an introduction - he is one of the most renowned and beloved Art Directors of the games industry; the Art Father of Guild Wars. His concept art is the type of mindblowing work that makes one want to become an artist in the first place. In E02, join Devoted Speakeasy host Ninel Anderson as she chats to Daniel on topics such as: How to lead a team like a conductor (7:50); How the art teams of Guild Wars 1 and 2 were built (9:20); Things Daniel looks for in artists (20:20); How allowing aberrations in art style builds more plausible worlds (33:00); How to develop IPs? (35:40); Techniques and brushes (39:50), and the differences between original IP development vs movie based (42:30).

    From Hobbiton to Stars: Lance Powell's Journey as a Video Game Art Director | Devoted Speakeasy E01

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 74:57


    What can game art production learn from movies? How do you work as a team when every discipline has different priorities? How do you ship a world's favorite game when your only management tool is Excel? In the very first episode of Devoted Speakeasy, join Devoted Studios CEO Ninel Anderson as she chats with Executive Art Director Lance Powell about the challenges of being a digital artist in the 90s, working in software that doesn't have an “undo” button, how to inspire, lead the team and find middle ground with your peers… and much more! Lance Powell is an Executive Art Director with more than 20 years in the movie and game industries. He started his career in art in the 90s working on Mech Warrior ll at Activision, and developed his skills as a texture / surfacing artist working on Lord of the Rings 2 / 3 and Shrek 2. After working on textures for Uncharted at Naughty Dog, he transitioned into Art Direction on Medal of Honor: Airborne, and has since served as North America Art Director at GameLoft, lead Art Director on Cloud Imperium's Star Citizen, and more. -- FAIR USE NOTICE: This video contains copyrighted material the use of which was not always specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to the public for comment, news reporting and educational purpose. We believe this constitutes a fair use of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this video for the purposes that go beyond fair use, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Namely: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) Company: New Line Cinema Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYcw5ksV8YQ&t=2s -- Shrek 2 (2004) Company: DreamWorks Pictures Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBgSfhp5Fxo&t=5s -- Uncharted: Drake's Fortune (2007) Company: Naughty Dog, Sony Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGuNhvaL7A0&t=3s -- Medal of Honor: Airborne (2007) Company: DICE Los Angeles, EA Games Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQBYpmwB-u4 -- Star Citizen (2016) Company: Cloud Imperium Games Source: https://www.youtube.com/user/RobertsSpaceInd -- Battlestar Galactica (2004) Company: David Eick Productions Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U55zz4RhFks&t=214s -- Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy (2001) Company: Naughty Dog, Sony Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTTISVFz8ow -- Medal of Honor 3 (2010) Company: DICE Los Angeles, EA Games Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQBYpmwB-u4 -- The Flintstones: Bedrock Bowling (2000) Company: Ubisoft, SouthPeak Games Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z74fVEiiXog&t=22s

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