• Re-release: Bioshock Creator Ken Levine on Judas, Writing and Narrative in Games
    May 4 2026

    We're on a release break for new episodes, so here's one our past great chats from Oct, 9 2023!

    Adam Orth chats with Ken Levine, the legendary creator behind the Bioshock series and the upcoming Judas. Together they discuss Ken's journey into game writing; using art as a healthy outlet for processing uncomfortable subjects; dealing with the pressure of following up the first Bioshock game due to its massive success and popularity; how to tackle complex narratives and concepts aimed at general audiences; his thoughts on AI; and how to avoid falling into the trap of arrogance.

    This episode is sponsored by:

    Xsolla

    Episode Host: Adam Orth

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Support the show and get all of our episodes early/ad-free: https://bit.ly/4kU34Lt

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Re-release: Before Your Eyes with Oliver Lewin and Graham Parkes
    Apr 27 2026

    We're on a release break for new episodes, so here's one our past great chats from May 16, 2022!

    Corey May speaks with the Oliver Lewin and Graham Parkes, two of the developers behind Before Your Eyes. Together they discuss how they created the blinking mechanic in game jams; the process of "learning by doing and learning by failing"; the technical and narrative challenges that arose from the game's central mechanic; and their experience releasing their first title to wide acclaim including winning a BAFTA.

    This episode is supported by Xsolla

    Episode Host: Corey May

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Support the show and get all of our episodes early/ad-free: https://bit.ly/4kU34Lt

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Re-release: The History of Dwarf Fortress with Zach and Tarn Adams
    Apr 20 2026

    We're on a quick release break for new episodes, so here's one our past conversations from Mar 27, 2023 with Tarn Adams and Zach Adams, brothers who together created Dwarf Fortress! Trent chats with the brothers about their 20 year journey in creating the aforementioned title including the early inspirations that led them to learn programming; the games they developed before Dwarf Fortress; crucial creative and community milestones; working together with Kitfox Games on the updated version for Steam; and their favorite stories from their ever growing community.

    This episode is supported by

    Xsolla

    Episode Host: Trent Kusters

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 32 mins
  • The Sounds of ARC Raiders with Audio Director Bence Pajor
    Apr 13 2026

    Austin Wintory chats with Bence Pajor, the Audio Director behind Embark Studios' smash hit extraction shooter, Arc Raiders. Together they discuss his early career in music and how he transitioned to audio design; his work at DICE on the Battlefield series; the moral implications when designing realistic audio experiences for combat simulations; balancing music to not break player immersion; and creating modern synth music with retro aesthetics.

    This episode is supported by

    Xsolla

    iam8bit

    Episode Host: Austin Wintory

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Jenny Jiao Hsia Shares The Story Of Her Life In CONSUME ME
    Apr 6 2026

    Alexa Ray Corriea chats with Jenny Jiao Hsia, co-director of Consume Me. Together they discuss where Jenny first got the idea to tell a semi-autobiographical story through video games; learning to not micromanage and lean on your team; how personal finances restrict or enable creativity; the dangers of social media and need for external validation; and the importance of having interests outside of games to help with creative and personal fulfillment.

    This episode is supported by

    Xsolla

    iam8bit

    Episode Host: Alexa Ray Corriea

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Arc Raiders Design Director Virgil Watkins
    Mar 30 2026

    Adam Orth chats with Virgil Watkins, the design director behind Embark Studios' smash hit extraction shooter, Arc Raiders. Together they discuss his early passion in modding and how it led to him joining Embark Studios as a Technical Designer on the initial PVE version of Arc Raiders; how internal testing shaped the system design and core experience of the PvPvE version; the ways they're seeking to improve the game post-launch; and how they balance handcrafted experiences with randomness in the deadly Arc encounters.

    This episode is sponsored by:

    Xsolla

    iam8bit

    Accelbyte

    Episode Host: Adam Orth

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Support the show and get all of our episodes early/ad-free: https://bit.ly/4kU34Lt

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 18 mins
  • Ben Starr on Acting and the State of the Games Industry
    Mar 23 2026

    Alexa Ray Corriea chats with Actor Ben Starr. Together they discuss his role in the multi-D.I.C.E. Award winning game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33; balancing authenticity and restraint in the public sphere; voice acting in a game filled with intimacy in Date Everything!; and his observations on the difficulties many developers face today.

    This episode is supported by

    Xsolla

    iam8bit

    Episode Host: Alexa Ray Corriea

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 52 mins
  • Battlefield 6 Creative Director Thomas Andersson
    Mar 9 2026

    Adam Orth chats with Battlefield 6 Creative Director, Thomas Andersson. Together they discuss his path in games from level design to direction; what it takes to lead a team the size it takes to create a Battlefield title; the pillars and core features that drove the mission in the newest entry; how the kinetic movement and destruction work together to create unique and epic moments; and the technical and design challenges present when emphasizing player freedom.

    This episode is sponsored by:

    Xsolla

    Accelbyte

    Episode Host: Adam Orth

    Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

    If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review.

    Support the show and get all of our episodes early/ad-free: https://bit.ly/4kU34Lt

    Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS

    Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 23 mins