   One of the things that I find challenging as a podcast creator is finding input threads that provide concise and evergreen gaming career content to explore our profession. Today we are speaking with James Portnow - the Writer for the immensely popular videogame career youtube channel - Extra credits - and the CEO of Rainmaker Games - To help us with pointed video game career advice. Resources Discussed in the Show: EXTRA CREDITS- Concise videos about all things game career related.  I can't recommend this more highly! Poetics by Aristotle Design of Everyday Things Understanding Comics Art Of Game Design 

The Gaming Careers Podcast - Game Development/ Gaming Jobs/ Gaming Entrepreneurship

TGC: 086 Extra Credits and Game Careers with James Portnow

 We as gamers can all look back into our past and remember a gaming session that was truly EPIC.  Something  happened in game to challenge you in a way or forced you to think about a problem differently.  Even though the goal was just to have fun, that game helped you learn something new and engage the world with new skills. Today we are joined Keven Ballestrini- the Co-founder of The Pericles Group, A company that publishes games to allow players to explore learning as a narrative. On a personal note I think I'd like to explore how games can affect behavior and learning, both in an educational and professional setting.  Its something that I'm passionate about and something that I'd like to explore further. That being said, I'd love to hear from you.  Let me know if there are any games that have affected your development or learning in someway OR what kind of things do you think GAMES can teach particularly well?  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or via email.   Resources Alfie Kohn Punished by Rewards Underlings of Underwing - Color Theory Learning Game Find out More about Kevin and the Pericles Group Practomime Website Kevin's Twitter Account 

TGC: 085 Game Based Learning from Kevin Ballestrini from the Pericles Group

 Do you want to know how you can turn your own gaming group into a whole blown out convention?     Today we are joined by Sheena Vandevanter and Terry Whisenant from CHUPACABRA CON who talk to us about how they built a Tabletop Convention and how your can do the same. This episode actually captures another interesting aspect of the gaming profession- how relationships can turn into game career opportunities. Over the course of talking with Sheena we were able to work out a partnership with Austin Boardgame Designers (a group I help lead) to create a sort of mini-protospiel/unpub type playtesting event within the convention.  It was through this relationship and others that we were able to put together a 3 day event, with speakers, workshops, and sponsors, for great mutual benefit. Ill let you listen to the episode for more details, but it's a cool way to showcase how you can use your relationships to build communities and expand the audience for your projects.  For More Details on the Stuff: CHUPACABRA CON MAY 12-14, 2017 Austin Boardgame Designers 

TGC 084- Making Your Own Convention with Sheena and Terri from Chupacabra Con

 Today we are joined by Jason Miceli of Geek Fever Games.  We get the chance to talk about all the success Geek Fever games has had in the past several years.  During the discussion we talk a little bit about how the company actually merges with another publisher in order to make their offering stronger. I think this is a really interesting idea to consider as an aspiring indie publisher.  When starting out, people often want to focus primarily on the game and not the underlying business structures that are needed in order to succeed.  I love how the story of how Geek Fever Games found a strong partner in the industry and decided to make each other by paring up. In addition to that, Geek Fever Games has started a new gaming convention - Connecticut Festival of Indie Games - in order to help other designers achieve success. Finally, this is another one of those two-part episodes where half of the content lives here and the other half lives over on The Game Crafter News Feed.  If you want to hear that side of the show, you can check it out HERE Find Out More: Geek Fever Games Twitter CT Festival Of Indie Games CRAFTER CORNER TGC EPISODE  

TGC Express: 083 Merging Publishing Companies with Geek Fever Games' Jason Miceli

 Today we are joined by Jason Walters, the general manager of Indie Press Revolution to give us an idea on the state of tabletop RPGs, how to make them, how to sell them, and how to get them into stores.  Jason also gives us a huge storehouse of cutting edge RPGs and discusses the development of the Tabletop RPG Genre. I have to admit that I thought I had the tabletop RPG market figured out.  Dungeons and Dragons was my gateway drug that got me started on this whole thing.  I've played Rifts, Heroes, TMNT, Vampire Mascarade, Werewolf Apocalypse, Mage Ascension, Dungeon World, FATE... and SO many others.... I have it all covered right?  I didn't know how much I didn't know... until I talked to Jason. Indie Press Revolution is a vendor, warehouse, consolidator, and curator.... all for the Tabletop RPG market.  If you have something special or unique in that space, Indie Press Revolution may be able to help you get your game out there and in stores.  This is definitely an episode to check out if this is your flavor- you will get a heads up on whats hot and the trends in RPG games. Find Out More Here: Indie Press Revolution Website Hero Games High Rock Press 

TGC- 082 All Things Tabletop RPG with Jason Walters from Indie Press Revolution

    Today's career express episode is  hear Scott Morris, the president of Passport Game Studios.  Scott tells us how to approach publishers with our game ideas and get the most out of our interactions.  Note: This is a LIVE RECORDING from a presentation at the Austin Game Designers and Playtesters group that I help organize - So be aware that the sound quality is... different :)   More about Passport Game Studios: Passport Game Studios PODCAST- I'm definitely putting this on my list :) Passport Game Studios Website On Twitter!   More about Austin Game Designers and Playtester's Group: Meet Us Monthly Facebook Group  

TGC Express: 081 How To Talk To Publishers- With Scott Morris from Passport Game Studios

 Introduction Today we are joined by long-time power gamer and founder of Behavioral Technologies and creator of Pavlok, Maneesh Sethi, who has managed to use his gamer powers to Hack The System of Life.  He’s here to help us unlock our potential. This is a really cool interview.  I like to think of myself as a fairly productive person, but after talking with Maneesh are really need to step up my game.   I have long believed that games DO have a transformative effect on behavior, and we as game designers have to take the responsibility seriously. Maneesh has taken this challenge and made a whole company out of it...but not in the way you might expect. Pavlok is a device that you wear on your wrist that gives you electric shocks, beeps, or vibration when you do things you things you want to stop.  By forming a negative association with your desired habit you actually end up short circuiting your body's draw for that behavior.  Its a cool feedback loop system that we can use to help drive our productivity. In this interview, Maneesh shares how he started his career by writing a videogame programming book for teens (at the age of 12) but not until someone told him he couldnt do it.  The need to overcome that negative reinforcement has helped propel Maneesh into the success he is today.   Check it out, I know you are going to get a lot out of this interview... I know I did :)  Happy listening! Productivity Tools Discussed On The Show: PAVLOK.com  Rescue Time BeeMinder Stickk Headspace App Calm App Find out more about Maneesh Sethi and Pavlok Maneesh on Twitter Pavlok Case Studies Hack The System Website 

TGC: 080 Powergaming Our Behavior with Maneesh Sethi- Founder of Pavlok

 Gaming Careers EXPRESS- A new format Hello Hello All! This is the first ever Gaming Careers Express Episode.  The idea of this content is that it is short, to the point, and gives you some concrete business and career advice to help you on your path.  I look at it as opportunity to share additional interviews, recorded lectures, or musings that I wouldn't otherwise be able to share on the show due to length. Since this is the first segment of its type, I am really interested to get your ideas on how you like it and what you might like to hear in future segments.  I intend for these segments to come out in the off-weeks of the show, as extras, or whenever... depending on the backlog of content I have. Really, its just extras for you to help you Find Your Fit in the Industry. With that Said- Lets Jump into the interview for today! Alisha Volkman from Bouncing Bomb Games In this compact conversation we dive directly in to what it is like being an artist in the boardgame space.  Alisha shares key points about how first-time designers/publishers can work with artists and how artists can guide designer/publishers who have never worker with an artist before.  Since Alisha is both an artist and designer, she has the inside scoop on where both sides can run into potholes. ALSO-  This particular segment (and some in the future ) are actually part of a dual release show format.  Half of the interview (related to gaming careers) shows up here, while another segment will show up on The Game Crafter newsfeed. As part of  my research of the Game Crafter, I wanted to reach out to some Crafter community members to find out their experience working with them.  Its an important part of my process, and I hope this research helps you make decisions for your own projects. YOU CAN FIND THAT INTERVIEW HERE:  COMING SOON Anyway, that's all for now!  Let me know what you think about the above at: Steve (at) thecompanybard (dot) com.  Until next time :)   Find out More About Alisha Home Website - Includes her free game assets! Facebook Page On The Game Crafter 

TGC EXPRESS: 079 Alisha Vokman from Bouncing Bomb Games- How to be and work with Artists

 Getting people to take notice of your tabletop game is one of the toughest nuts to crack in the business.  Today we are joined by Avonelle Wing, the senior vice president of Double Exposure, to let give us advice about how to get more table time for our games. On a personal note- This podcast episode is very special to me.  I love the opportunity to share what the gaming industry has to offer, but most times I'm focused primarily on what the guest has to offer you as the listener. There are a few episodes that stand out to me where I learn something or share something personal on the show.  Episode 60,-where I talk with Jamey Stegmaier about using the 5 love languages in customer service, and Episode 26- where discover my guest actually helped me personally with my color-blind disability and didn't even know it, are both examples of this. This episode is like those.  While Avie and I have a great discussion about how to get exposure for your tabletop game, we also explore how we are all shortsighted in our worldview and how that can affect others in our game designs.  I end up sharing some embarrassing details about my own design process and the awkwardness of working through that in a global marketplace.   This further highlights the need for services to help expose our product to a wider audience before it is complete.     Finally, we also discuss the transformative power of games in education, LARPing, and favorite convention picks :)  Its a long episode... but Ohhhh so good!  Enjoy. Resources Discussed Recommended Conventions Dexcon Dreamation Metatopia Geekway to the West Midwinter Gaming Convention Orca Con Chupacabracon LARPing Resources Learn Larp Distopia Rising Warbirds  

TGC: 078 Avonelle Wing From Double Exposure on Networking, Inclusion, and Shaping Behavior

   With ever increasing voices in the games space- being a games news and entertainment provider takes a ton of effort, talent, and “hustle” to succeed. Today we are joined by Christian Spicer- one of the hosts of the DLC podcast- a show dedicated to videogame and tabletop entertainment… To help us figure out how to crack that nut. I want to send a special shout out to one of my listeners: Hugo Vasquez!  It was his enthusiasm and encouragement that caused this episode to come about. I originally intended to talk to Christian about how he assembles the show, finds his content, and grows his audience.  While we do cover that a bit, we actually ended up stumbling into an awesome tangent about how to be a REAL PERSON and network at the same time. Basically it comes down to developing real friendships and then asking for help.  Many people aren't comfortable with the idea of asking others for help... but its something that we just have to get over. This is a great episode where Christian and I get to deep dive about how to legitimately gain influence and grow your audience in an honest and genuine way... Very Cool. Check Out Christian and all his stuff HERE: 2nd Comedy Album:  We Are All Going To Die DLC Podcast Department of Parenting Podcast At Least 20 More Minutes Christian's Website Funny Marriage Series Twitter: https://twitter.com/spicer Email: Christian(dot)Spicer(at)Gmail(dot)com  

TGC: 077 Christian Spicer from the DLC Podcast- On Human Networking

 Introduction Today we are joined by a favorite returning guest-duo and board-game resource powerhouse.  Chris and Suzanne Zinsli ARE Cardboard Edison- A Boardgame Industry Resource aggregator AND Game Design Team - To talk to us about the importance of game design contests. On the show I try to have a great variety of different career options in the games industry as well as highlight great tools for gaming professionals to use.  I would by lying if I said that a lot of the podcast content didn't comes from my own research for projects that I am working on; this show is one such episode :).   In this interview Chris and Suzanne give us some great advice about how to find great game design contests, run your own game design contests, and MAYBE even talk me into submitting my own game to their contest Contests Discussed on the Show Jelly Bean  Games Competition Boardgame Geek Contests Ion Award- Salt Con Contest Geekway to the West Contest The Game Crafter Game Contests Game Design Forum Showdown Hippo Dice Contest Here is a link to Cardboard Edison COLLECTION OF CONTESTS also! Other Awesome Resources Provided by Cardboard Edison: Publishers Directory THE COMPENDIUM Industry Reports Tools to run your own game design contests: Survey Monkey Google Drive Meetup.com Find out more about Cardboard Edison! Website Twitter Support On Patreon 

TGC- 076 Chris and Susanne Zinsli from Cardboard Edison ON Game Design Contests!

   Virtual Reality in videogames is HERE- its new technology and everyone is trying to figure out how best to set up shop in the next generation of gaming experiences.… Today we are Joined by long-time Video Game Art Director and Co-Founder of Gyoza Games- John Sommer- to talk to us about how to make a quality games that are pretty- and VIRTUAL-- All on a shoestring budget.     Resources: http://austingamecon.com/ - Austin game Conference https://www.assetstore.unity3d.com/en/ Unity Asset Store https://www.gnomon.edu/ School of Visual Effects   Where to find out more about Gyoza Games http://www.inboundvr.com/ https://twitter.com/Gyoza_Games  

TGC 075 John Sommer on Making Indie VR Games Cheap, Fast, and Pretty

 They say a product never survives its first encounter with the customer-  The point for game designers is that you will NEVER be able to work out your game to perfection in your head or with your prototype.  You MUST test the game with someone outside your immediate circle of friends to make your game the best it can be.  But how do you find or work with playtesters? Today we are Joined by Jeffrey Wolfe- who has been a playtester for a number of Plaid Hat games- to tell us all about what it like to be a playtester and how to interact with playtesters on your own projects.   Resources Want to try Playtesting right HERE?   Plaid Hat Playtesting Program Plaid Hat Games Contact Jeff on TWITTER  

TGC: 074 Jeffrey Wolfe- Becoming A Boardgame Tester

 Designing a blockbuster video game is an increasingly difficult proposition with all the games that flood the market daily.  I think one of the true keys to success is really knowing what motivates your flavor of gamer.  Today we are joined by Nick Yee- The cofounder and Analytics lead at Quantic Foundry- A consulting company dedicated to helping users identify gamer motivations! Resources: Get Your Board and Video Game Profile Here (VERY COOL:) Quantic Foundry Home Site Quantic Foundry Twitter  

TGC: 073 Nick Yee- Using Big Data to Design Your Videogames

   Today we are talking to Brian Henk from Overworld Games about the Highs and Lows of running a board game company.  This episode has a ton of practical advice about how you can carefully transition to full time board game work from a different career. I have to congratulate Brian in this episode :)  He manages to catch me off guard and ask me some questions during the show that get me ranting on a completely different topic.  So... this episode ALSO has some good discussion on how to apply to a video game company, get noticed, and sell your weaknesses as strengths in an interview. BUT WAIT- There is more :)  I have the RARE opportunity to give a timely plug for a Kickstarter that just went live for Overworld Games LEADERS OF EUPHORIA KICKSTARTER Even if you miss the Kickstarter- you might be able to get a copy sometime after the fact... you know... if you are nice to Brian and ask him for one :)   Find out more about Overworld Games Here: Overworld Game Website Overworld Games Twitter Overworld Games Intagram    

TGC: 072 Brian Henk From Overworld Game Highs and Lows of Boardgame Publishing

Experts from the Gaming Industry Help You Turn Your Passion for Gaming into Real World Careers

hubhopper

The Gaming Careers Podcast - Game Development/ Gaming Jobs/ ...

hubhopper