Welcome to Game Academy: the podcast where game design, academia, and industry chaos collides! Hosted by Dr Adam Jerrett, a game designer, educator, and PhD survivor with big golden retriever energy, this show dives into the art, craft, and culture of making and studying games. Each episode features conversations with developers, journalists, content creators, and academics from across the games industry. We break down the creative process, unpack what makes games tick, and get real about the industry’s highs, lows, and the “what just happened?!”.
From indie projects to AAA blockbusters, we discuss it all — especially if it involves making players cry (in a good way). Expect lols, frank chats (or Frank Lanz), and the occasional tangent about weird horror games or why game UIs are terrible. Whether you're a developer, a student, or just someone who loves games, pull up a chair — you’re officially enrolled in Game Academy.
Don’t worry, there’s no homework. Probably.
📧 Got questions or guest suggestions? Hit us up at gameacademypod AT gmail DOT com!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to Game Academy: the podcast where game design, academia, and industry chaos collides! Hosted by Dr Adam Jerrett, a game designer, educator, and PhD survivor with big golden retriever energy, this show dives into the art, craft, and culture of making and studying games. Each episode features conversations with developers, journalists, content creators, and academics from across the games industry. We break down the creative process, unpack what makes games tick, and get real about the industry’s highs, lows, and the “what just happened?!”.
From indie projects to AAA blockbusters, we discuss it all — especially if it involves making players cry (in a good way). Expect lols, frank chats (or Frank Lanz), and the occasional tangent about weird horror games or why game UIs are terrible. Whether you're a developer, a student, or just someone who loves games, pull up a chair — you’re officially enrolled in Game Academy.
Don’t worry, there’s no homework. Probably.
📧 Got questions or guest suggestions? Hit us up at gameacademypod AT gmail DOT com!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yes, I know we skipped April (sorry), but Game Academy is back (again) with a guest who wears many hats (literally, he just made that joke again when I saw him a few weeks ago). Designer, Doctor, Dungeon Master... Nerd! This month I’m joined by Dr. Matthew Whitby, who took his storytelling skills from Portsmouth to York and now Rebellion North, where he’s working on games like Speedball.
In this episode, we dig into Matt’s PhD research on reflection, mental health, and perspective-taking in games, and how all that theory translates (or doesn’t) into the day-to-day reality of working in industry. We talk about the shift from academia to professional development, what it’s like being "overqualified" for a Graduate Game Designer role, and why making D&D campaigns is surprisingly great training for game dev chaos.
Can game design ever be done without spreadsheets? Is academia secretly just the tutorial level for the games industry? And can you name a Rebellion character after your homebrew bard? Maybe! If you roll a natural 20...
Links & Shoutouts:
📚 Follow Matt Whitby on Twitter: @WhitbyWrites
🎮 Go play Speedball: Speedball 2024 on Steam
🧪 Check out his portfolio: https://www.matt-whitby.com/
🐉 For your next chaotic D&D session, listen to Matt's podcast The DM's Guild House
📧 Guest ideas or questions? Email us at gameacademypod@gmail.com
🐶 Adam is still yelling about game feelings on https://bsky.app/profile/twoleft.bsky.social
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.