Colorful Pixels, host Carmen Askerneese speaks with Agnesa Belegu about her journey from a curious child playing video games in Kosovo to becoming a professional game designer.

Agnesa shares her early memories of gaming, the challenges she faced as a woman in the industry, and how games helped her learn English.

More about Agnesa:

Agnesa Belegu is a Senior Game Designer at EA Maxis, working on The Sims 4. She's previously worked on titles like SEED, Dying Light, EA Sports’ NBA Live 2018, and has a proud background of grassroots game development in her home country Kosovo. Agnesa's lead multidisciplinary teams, taught game design and continues to actively mentor emerging game developers globally. She continues to build bridges between global and local ecosystems in Kosovo, believing that games are powerful tools for character development

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gaming Memories

04:43 The Journey from Player to Developer

11:23 Learning English Through Games

15:05 Discovering Game Development

19:39 The Path to Becoming a Game Designer

25:11 Reflecting on Achievements and Challenges

30:01 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

34:04 Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

Follow Carmen online for more Colorful Pixels episodes and news:

• Instagram, TikTok, Blue Sky, YouTube: @CarmenAskerneese
• Substack: The Save Point

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#gaming, #gamedevelopment, #childhoodmemories, #womeningaming, #gamedesign, #mentorship, #storytelling

Carmen Askerneese speaks with Jay-Ann Lopez about her journey in gaming, the importance of representation, and the impact of Black Girl Gamers in the industry.

Jay-Ann shares her early gaming memories, the evolution of game development, and the need for inclusivity and nuance in storytelling.

More about Jay-Ann Lopez:

Jay-Ann Lopez is the Founder and CEO of Black Girl Gamers, a leading organization championing diversity and inclusion in the gaming industry. A BAFTA member and Honorary Professor at Norwich University of the Arts, and is internationally recognized for her advocacy for Black women in gaming. Black Girl Gamers collaborates with major brands, promoting equity through talent brokering, consultancy, education, media and events.

Jay-Ann's influence extends beyond gaming, blending beauty and fashion with initiatives like Gamer Girls Night In. Named a top innovator by the Institute of Digital Fashion, she’s been featured in Vogue, Dazed and Forbes and is a sought-after speaker and presenter.

Follow Jay-Ann and Black Girl Gamers:

• Black Girl Gamers Website: https://www.theblackgirlgamers.com/

• Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/blackgirlgamers

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gaming/blackgirlgamers

• Twitter/X: https://x.com/blackgirlgamers

• Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/blackgirlgamers

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblackgirlgamers/

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blackgirlgamers

  
  

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  Follow Carmen on socials for Colorful Pixels updates and more:

  TikTok: @CarmenAskerneese

  Instagram: @CarmenAskerneese

  Bluesky: @CarmenAskerneese

  Substack: The Save Point

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  #videogames, #gamedevelopment, #gaminghistory, #programming, #gamedesign , #career , #madden , #careeradvice, #gamingindustry

Host Carmen Askerneese speaks with Guest Josh Navarro this week. From nostalgic arcade memories to the intricacies of game design, Josh shares his journey from a passionate gamer to a seasoned professional in the industry.

Josh's Bio: Josh was raised in Dallas, TX and went to Texas Tech University for undergrad before moving to Florida to pursue game design at the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy. Since then, he has worked at Electronic Arts, Crystal Dynamics, and most recently Cloud Chamber. He has 6 years of game development experience as a Technical and Systems Designer and has contributed to titles such as Madden, Marvel’s Avengers, Perfect Dark, and the upcoming Bioshock.

Josh's Links:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/joshmnavarro

Instagram: @jnavarro_

-------------Follow Carmen on socials for Colorful Pixels updates and more: TikTok: @CarmenAskerneeseInstagram: @CarmenAskerneeseBluesky: @CarmenAskerneeseSubstack: The Save Point

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#videogames, #gamedevelopment, #gaminghistory, #programming, #gamedesign , #career , #madden , #careeradvice, #gamingindustry

Host Carmen Askerneese speaks with James Mielke about his journey from a passionate gamer to a game developer and journalist. They discuss the early days of gaming, the evolution of the industry, and the importance of independence in game development. James shares insights on how aspiring developers can navigate their careers and the significance of shipping games, regardless of their commercial success. The conversation highlights the changing landscape of the gaming industry and the opportunities available for new creators.

Chapters

00:00 The Spark of Gaming Passion

05:02 From Player to Creator: The Journey Begins

13:22 Navigating the Game Industry: A Career Path

17:52 Transitioning to Game Development

22:27 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

Links:

• Stay up to date on James’ upcoming projects: https://www.tigertron.co/

• BlueSky handle: https://bsky.app/profile/milkman.bsky.social

Bio:

James Mielke is a 27-year veteran of all aspects of the game industry, having worked at EGM before moving into game dev and publishing, working for Square Enix, Q Entertainment, and Q-Games where he founded the indie gaming festival BitSummit. He now runs his own development studio, Tigertron, with his co-founder Sam Kennedy.

-------------Follow Carmen on his socials for updates: TikTok: @CarmenAskerneeseInstagram: @CarmenAskerneeseBluesky: @CarmenAskerneeseSubstack: The Save Point

#podcast #gamedevlopment #GameSpot #career #games #videogamemusic #IndieGame

Host Carmen Askerneese sits down with Eric Dies to explore his journey from a young gamer to a seasoned game developer. They discuss Eric's early influences, his work on iconic games like Halo, and his passion for storytelling through game design. Eric shares insights into the creative process, the evolution of gaming communities, and the importance of collaboration in the industry.

About Eric:

Eric Dies is a multidisciplinary designer and screenwriter, shaped by an MFA from SCAD and a career building high-impact experiences for major franchises. At 343 Industries (now Halo Studios), he led design and realization efforts across the Halo franchise, crafting its transmedia portfolio, UI/UX, and narrative marketing. His work—recognized by SXSW, PromaxBDA, and Adobe—blends visual innovation with immersive storytelling. Recently named a Semi-Finalist in the BlueCat TV Writing Competition, Eric also writes character-driven thrillers with speculative sci-fi leanings.”

Socials & Links:

Instagram: @mrdies

LinkedIn: Eric Dies | LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrdies/

IMDB: https://imdb.me/ericdies

Design Site: https://www.mrdies.com

Other Projects:

“END_LOOP” (TV Series // In Development): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt37745204/

Chapters

00:00 The Early Days of Gaming

02:30 Influences and Inspirations in Game Development

05:18 The Evolution of Gaming Communities

07:54 Transitioning to Professional Game Development

10:19 The Journey from Animation to Game Design

13:21 Skills Transfer in the Gaming Industry

15:57 Reflections on Career and Community

18:37 Connecting with Eric Diaz

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#gaming, #gamedevelopment, #animation, #community, #careerpath, #ElderScrolls, #Halo, #co-opgames, #gamingindustry, #storytelling

Host Carmen Askerneese talks with Emily Mei about her lifelong passion for video games, her journey into the game development industry, and the balance between art and programming. They discuss the challenges of breaking into the industry, and the importance of confidence and trying new things.

Emily shares her insights on navigating the gaming world and offers advice to her past self, emphasizing the value of travel and exploration.

About Emily:

Emily has been in the game industry (or adjacent) for over 15 years! Mostly as a project manager/producer. Aside from playing video games, she also loves gardening, traveling, photography, all things science, and sharing these nerdy interests with her family.

Links:

https://mtsgreenway.org/

Volunteer group that cleans up parks and trails in the Seattle area, including removing invasive plants that overrun native ecosystems.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Gaming Beginnings

05:02 The Journey to Game Development

09:58 Balancing Art and Technology in Gaming

14:53 Navigating the Game Industry

20:00 Favorite Games and Personal Connections

25:02 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

29:57 Conclusion and Social Connections

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#videogames, #gamedevelopment, #gaminghistory, #programming, #art, #QA, #Pokemon, #careeradvice, #gamingindustry

In this episode, host Carmen Askerneese interviews Grace P. Fong, a narrative designer in the gaming industry. Grace shares her journey from childhood experiences with educational games to her career in video game development. She discusses her transition from technical roles in animation to narrative design, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in games. Grace also highlights the significance of honing one's craft, balancing emotional depth in writing, and maintaining personal well-being while pursuing a creative career. The conversation touches on collaboration within diverse teams and the evolving landscape of the gaming industry.

Grace P. Fong is a Canadian-American narrative designer with a technical and pipeline specialty. She currently works in video and trading card games, having contributed to Cyberpunk 2, Palia, and Magic: the Gathering. In addition, her short fiction and artwork have appeared in Uncanny Magazine, Apex Magazine, Tor.com, Strange Horizons, and others. Follow her work at http://www.gracepfong.com.

Follow Grace Online:

• www.gracepfong.com

• • Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/fictograph.bsky.social
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fictograph/

  Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Grace Fong
  • 03:09 The Journey into Game Storytelling
  • 09:41 Transitioning from Technical to Narrative Design
  • 12:10 Honing the Craft of Storytelling
  • 20:40 Balancing Emotion and Creativity
  • 25:07 Building a Sustainable Career in Narrative Design
  • 30:00 Maintaining Passion Outside of Work
  • 32:57 Collaborating in a Diverse Writer's Room

  
  

  
  

  #gamedevelopment #narrativedesign #storytelling #careerjourney #animation #videogames #creativeprocess #mentalhealth #collaboration #industryinsights

  
  

  
  

Welcome to Colorful Pixels, the show where Host Carmen Askerneese talks with the people behind the pixels. Each week, a new guest will share their journey in the Video Game Industry. Be sure to Like, Share, Subscribe, and Ring the Bell for new episodesThis week's guest is Robert Knorr! Robert is a Producer who specializes in art production and has worked both in games and TV animation. Most recently, he's worked on Netflix's Squid Games Unleashed.He loves the action genre and is a lifelong fan of the Resident Evil series.