In this episode, Tom and Tony Cannon, the visionary brothers behind EVO, share their incredible journey from the fading days of arcades to creating the largest fighting game tournament in the world. Learn how these pioneers brought communities together, introduced innovative technologies like rollback netcode, and transitioned the fighting game scene to the global esports stage.

Discover behind-the-scenes stories of iconic moments like "Moment 37," their passion for preserving arcade culture, and how their experiences shaped the modern fighting game landscape. Whether you're a gamer, developer, or esports fan, this conversation is packed with inspiring insights and untold stories about perseverance, innovation, and the power of community.

📌 Topics Covered:

• The evolution of arcade culture into esports.
• Building EVO: The challenges and triumphs.
• The invention of rollback netcode and its impact on online gaming.
• Behind "Moment 37": Capturing a historic event.
• Transitioning to console tournaments and the creation of new opportunities.
• Launching indie projects like Rising Thunder and their integration into Riot Games.
• The future of fighting games and the role of community-driven innovation.
• How Riot Games is shaping their current project, ‪2XKO‬ to revolutionize the genre

🎮 Connect with Us:

• Follow Tom and Tony Cannon on Twitter: @TomCannonFG | @TonyCannonFG
• Learn more about EVO: evo.gg
• Join the conversation: #EVO #FightingGames #Esports

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

1:59 - Early Life: Games & Programming

5:20 - Arcade Culture, Forums, and Rivalries

9:55 - The Birth of Local Tournaments

14:50 - The Business of EVO

17:31 - The Genius Marketing of 'Moment 37'

20:01 - The Power of Community

22:44 - "The CRT TV Heist"

29:06 - GGPO and Online Play

34:52 - Founding a Game Studio (Radiant)

38:37 - Game Recognize Game: Riot Acquisition

44:03 - Riot's Influence on 2XKO

50:45 - Conclusion

From over 4 million copies sold to its overwhelming positive response on Steam, Dave the Diver has captured hearts globally with its unique blend of exploration, humor, and RPG elements. In this insightful interview, we sit down with Jaeho Hwang, the game director behind Dave the Diver, one of 2023's most celebrated indie games. Jaeho shares the journey of creating this underwater adventure, inspired by his experiences in Jeju Island and love for Japanese RPGs.

Jaeho opens up about his experiences as a Korean game developer creating for a global audience, from his early days learning Japanese through video games to navigating creative decisions as a startup founder. He also shares valuable insights on team-building, cultural differences in game design, and the importance of balancing user feedback with creative vision. Whether you're a fan of the game or an aspiring developer, this conversation is filled with lessons on humility, innovation, and the art of creating memorable games.

Key Highlights:

• Jaeho’s early influences: Growing up with Japanese games, learning the power of storytelling, and making friends through gaming.
• Building Dave the Diver: Drawing from real-life experiences, refining through user feedback, and the creative risks involved.
• Design Philosophy: How simplicity, humor, and accessible visuals made Dave the Diver universally appealing.
• Advice for Aspiring Developers: Start small, be open to feedback, and always stay connected to what players want.

Join us to hear how Jaeho and his team turned a love for the ocean and RPGs into an indie gaming phenomenon, proving that anyone can create something impactful with the right approach and dedication.

In this interview, we talk to Forest Willard, co-founder of Innersloth and co-creator of the worldwide phenomenon Among Us. From its humble beginnings as "Space Mafia" to amassing over half a billion downloads, Among Us has taken on a life of its own, with a VR expansion, new maps, and even an upcoming animated series featuring top talent like Elijah Wood and Ashley Johnson.

Forest dives deep into his journey, sharing what it’s like to build an indie game studio, handle a viral hit during the pandemic, and keep an indie vibe even as the team grows. Learn how he and co-founder Marcus Bromander developed their creative partnership and evolved Among Us from a small multiplayer experiment to a massive cultural icon.

Key Takeaways:

• Forest’s journey from playing retro PC games to developing Among Us
• How his partnership with Marcus Bromander (creator of Henry Stickmin) shaped Innersloth
• The design philosophy behind Among Us, including its simplicity, social aspects, and focus on fun
• How they handled the viral explosion during the pandemic, with big-name streamers and Twitch helping push the game into the spotlight
• Tips for indie devs: start small, focus on gameplay, and create fun experiences that resonate

Whether you're an aspiring game developer or a fan of Among Us, this conversation is packed with insights into game development, the challenges of indie gaming, and how a simple concept can become a worldwide phenomenon.