The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

Jeff Kaplan (Overwatch, World of Warcraft) chats with Ted about Overwatch, quest design in MMOs, the differences between company and team culture, and how playing hours of EverQuest eventually led him to Blizzard Entertainment. **NOTE: Jeff mentions how he believes Reaper is currently the oldest hero in OW. He now correctly remembers it is Reinhardt at 61. :) Kaplan is the Vice President at Blizzard and Game Director on Overwatch.  Follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS or visit us at interactive

Ed Boon (Mortal Kombat) joins Ted to talk about their origins as game developers, the history of Mortal Kombat, video game movies, his place in pop culture, and the challenges of leading a studio. Boon is the founder and creative director at NetherRealm Studios. He is also the co-creator of the Mortal Kombat series.  For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.org.

Ian Dallas (The Unfinished Swan) sits down with Greg Rice (Broken Age) to talk about his journey into games, their thoughts on What Remains of Edith Finch (SPOILERS), maintaining a studio size of one, and publisher transitions in the middle of development. Dallas is the Creative Director at Giant Sparrow. Rice is the VP of Biz Dev at Double Fine Productions. For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.o

In this special episode, Sean Vanaman (Firewatch) and Amir Rao (Bastion, Transistor) meet up to talk about leadership challenges, the importance of team chemistry, job interview rejection stories, and how many more games they will make before they die. Vanaman is the founder and studio director at Campo Santo. Rao is the founder and studio director at Supergiant Games.    For more info, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.or

Todd Howard of Bethesda Game Studios chats with Ted Price about the history, decisions, production challenges behind The Elder Scrolls and Fallout series, the relationship between games and their own family lives, and the games they play vs the games they create. Howard currently serves as the director and executive producer at Bethesda Game Studios. For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.org.

Capy's Nathan Vella stops by to chat with Ted Price of Insomniac Games about his journey from film into game development, leading a multi-project studio, comedy in games, and the future of indie development.  Nathan Vella is the Co-Founder & President at Capybara Games. He is also a current and founding member of the organization, Indie Fund. For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.org.

Christina Norman of Riot Games joins Insomniac Games' Ted Price to talk about League of Legends, game design, and how to foster a unique studio culture.  Christina is a lead designer at Riot Games. In the past, she worked on the Mass Effect series as a senior programmer and lead gameplay designer.  For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.org.

Neil Druckmann from Naughty Dog sits down with Insomniac Games' Ted Price to discuss trailer reactions, The Last of Us, narrative vs gameplay, and the drive to create something meaningful. Neil Druckmann is the creative director for The Last of Us, Uncharted 4, and the upcoming sequel, The Last of Us Part II.    For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.org.

Guerrilla's Hermen Hulst joins Ted Price of Insomniac Games to discuss learning from other studios, going with your gut, maintaining team passion and morale, and how their roles have changed over the years at their respective studios. Hermen Hulst is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Guerrilla Games, developer of the Killzone Series and Horizon: Zero Dawn For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us atinteractive.org. Email us at info@interactive.o

Robin Hunicke sits down with Insomniac Games' Ted Price to talk about building Journey, representing yourself and your game on stage, staying genuine, and amplifying new voices in the industry.  Robin Hunicke is the Co-Founder of the independent game studio Funomena. She also serves as Associate Professor of the Arts Division at UC Santa Cruz. For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.org.

Brendan Greene, aka PLAYERUNKNOWN, talks about being on welfare before PUBG, traveling the world and meeting fans, the importance of having a team you can trust, and the power of game mods.    Greene is the creative director and lead designer for PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds. Before PUBG, Greene worked on the ARMA 2 mod DayZ: Battle Royale and H1Z1.    For news and info on the AIAS, follow us on Twitter @Official_AIAS, Facebook or visit us at interactive.org. Email us at info@interactive.