Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's Podcast

Kirk Becker and Hunter Fortuin of Rushdown Studios join JP for a wide-ranging conversation on breaking into games, advancing your career, building a co-dev studio, AI's real impact, and what 2026 looks like from inside the industry.

KEY TOPICS
• Breaking into the games industry in 2026
• The "brag book" strategy for career advancement
• Networking, portfolios, and increasing your surface area of luck
• Co-development studio culture and ownership mindset
• AI in game dev: what's real, what's hype, and what to do about it
• Why NOT hiring junior talent due to AI is a long-term danger
• UEFN, Roblox, Godot, and the new wave of accessible game development tools
• Sustainable game development vs. big-budget gambles

TIMESTAMPS
0:30 — Introductions & where in the world are you?
0:39 — Current roles at Rushdown Studios
1:17 — What early career work taught Hunter the most
2:24 — Career advice that turned out to be wrong
10:41 — Mistakes game devs make when trying to advance their career
24:32 — AI: Why every game dev needs to learn to leverage it now
24:47 — What's overhyped vs. what AI actually does well
26:03 — JP's take: using AI every day & the retired engineer who wakes up excited to build
28:22 — When did joining/starting Rushdown feel like the right move?
39:44 — The most dangerous sentence in game development
40:28 — How Rushdown protects team health & sustainability
46:42 — Hard lessons learned from managing and leading teams
49:58 — What concerns you most about the games industry in 2026?
53:52 — AI: The real risk — will executives use it to stop hiring junior talent?
55:57 — AI: "It's like having an intern with a PhD in everything" — Kirk's take
57:02 — AI in practice: yelling at a computer & the Simpsons meme moment
58:26 — A game dev renaissance? Why AI + small teams = reason to be optimistic
1:03:45 — Funniest early career mistake (Kirk's League of Legends potato mode story)
1:05:35 — Final advice: build relationships before you need them + go try AI tools yourself

ABOUT THE GUESTS
Hunter Fortuin has worked in games for over a decade and has worn a lot of hats, though his specialty is in online multiplayer games. Having worked in co-development for all of his time in the industry he's gotten to see the good, the bad, and the ugly across many different studios. He's currently acting as Technical Director at Rushdown Studios where he works to support indie, AA, and AAA titles.

Kirk Becker is the Studio Director and Co-Founder of Rushdown Studios, a U.S.-based co-development studio focused on multiplayer games. He co-founded Rushdown in 2021 alongside fellow industry veterans after years of programming together on games like PUBG, League of Legends, and more. He leads the studio based in Saratoga Springs, NY.

LINKS & RESOURCES
Rushdown Studios: https://www.rushdownstudios.com
UEFN / Fortnite Creative: https://www.fortnite.com/developer
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: https://www.expedition33.com
Godot Engine: https://www.godotengine.org
Claude AI: https://www.claude.ai
Look North World: https://www.looknorth.world
Amir Satvat: https://www.asgc.gg

FOLLOW GAME DEV ADVICE
Website: www.gamedevadvice.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice
Hotline: (224) 484-7733
Email: [email protected]
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In this episode, Jeff Linville — co-founder of Ritual Studios — returns to Game Dev Advice to talk about the journey behind his band-inspired RPG Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson. From starting a studio with college friends to launching worldwide with French publisher Playdigious, Jeff shares the hard-won lessons of taking the leap into full-time indie development.

We go into what it really takes to form a studio, ship a first game, and survive the chaos between passion and business reality.

Topics We Cover

• Founding Ritual Studios after meeting at Columbia College Chicago

• How Fretless mixes music, RPG, and deck-building mechanics

• The moment they quit their jobs to “really do it” and chase a publishing deal

• Lessons learned about funding, taxes, lawyers, and running a real company

• Building a standout pitch deck and landing a deal with Playdigious in France

• Managing bugs, Steam feedback, and localization into seven languages

• Outsourcing art and engineering — and why it’s harder than it sounds

• Choosing FMOD over Wwise for advanced Unity audio integration

• Why getting your game playable early is key

• How Cardio Ex shaped Jeff’s music-driven sound design

• Thoughts on AI tools in audio, from noise cleanup to creative limits

• Favorite soundtracks: Hyper Light Drifter and Guild Wars 1

• Current go-to games: Pillars of Eternity and Lord of the Rings Online

• Reflections on Mortal Kombat, Midway Games, and player nostalgia

• Advice for anyone going indie: “Be ready for it — it’s a business.”

🎥 Making-Of Documentary

Making a Musical Indie Game from Scratch (30 min): https://youtu.be/3USobO6qRHE?si=aEhUEI0dwQbMqki2

🎮 Play / Follow

• Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson (Steam): https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/Fretless__The_Wrath_of_Riffson/

• Ritual Studios (Bluesky): https://bsky.app/profile/ritualstudios.bsky.social

• Ritual Studios (Instagram): https://www.instagram.com/ritualgamestudios/?hl=en

• Fretless Original Soundtrack (Spotify): https://open.spotify.com/album/1VXVxtFzJOUYJypudcF9DN?

• Jeff Linville @Dovetail (Linktr.ee): https://linktr.ee/dovetailmusic

• Rob Scallon (YouTube): https://www.youtube.com/RobScallon

• Playdigious (Bluesky): https://bsky.app/profile/playdigious.bsky.social

Bio

Jeff Linville is Co-Founder of Ritual Studios, a Chicago-based indie studio that published their acclaimed debut, Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson, in July 2025. With 8+ years in game audio and production, Jeff has worked on Fretless, Cardio Ex, and more.

🕹️ Game Dev Advice

Whether you’re a student, aspiring dev, or industry veteran, you’ll find practical takeaways and stories from inside game development.

Start Here

• Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg

• Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NChfUVhFxV9NCoUVp4uD0

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-dev-advice-the-game-developers-podcast/id1450096263

• Patreon (Gain Wisdom coaching): https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice

• Hotline: (224) 484-7733

• Email: [email protected]

• Website: https://www.gamedevadvice.com
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In this episode, we dive deep into Tim’s creative journey behind Disney’s hit mobile game Where’s My Water? and what it really takes to break into and succeed in the game industry. From starting out in QA testing to leading creative teams at Disney, and later becoming a successful solo indie developer, Tim’s conversation is packed with insights, stories, and advice for anyone passionate about making games.

We cover topics every developer, designer, and indie creator will relate to:


The making of Where’s My Water? and how it became a global success


Transitioning from QA tester to game designer and creative leadership


Using unique skills (like Japanese language fluency) to break into the industry


Why communication and flexibility are key to creative careers


The challenge of finishing projects and navigating free-to-play models


How to handle fears, impostor syndrome, and career advancement in gaming


Current trends shaping the industry, from indie development to AI in games


Streaming game development on Twitch and building community


Indie game recommendations you should play now

Whether you’re a student, aspiring game developer, or industry veteran, you’ll find practical takeaways and entertaining stories from inside the world of game development.

🎮 Want to learn how to build your own career in games? Start here:

👉 Subscribe for more Game Dev Advice: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg  

👉 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NChfUVhFxV9NCoUVp4uD0 & https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/game-dev-advice-the-game-developers-podcast/id1450096263

👉 Patreon: career coaching through Gain Wisdom: https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice  

👉 Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

👉 Email: [email protected]

👉 Website: www.gamedevadvice.com 

Bio:

Tim has been making games for more than 20 years now, at companies like Disney, Universal, and now as an independent creator under his own studio, Walaber Entertainment. At Disney, he was the lead designer of the hit mobile game "Where's My Water?", as well as the creator of the "JellyCar" series of games. As an indie, he has released multiple games such as "Pro Gymnast Simulator", "JellyCar Worlds", "Parking Garage Rally Circuit", and "Replicube". He also streams live game development several times a week on twitch.tv/walaber.

Connect With Links:

* website: https://walaber.com

* Twitch: https://twitch.tv/walaber

* Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/walaber.com

Games He’s Playing* Öoo on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2721890/oo/
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In this episode of Game Dev Advice, writer and comedian Mike Drucker shares his journey across the worlds of television, video games, and comedy. Starting as an assistant and researcher at Saturday Night Live, Mike moved into game localization at Nintendo—where he even played basketball with Reggie Fils-Aimé—before joining The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon as a writer and then Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. He dives into the creative challenges of translating humor across mediums, from crafting jokes for a global audience to building narrative in games.

We also discuss his book, Good Game, No Rematch, a funny and heartfelt exploration of growing up with games, self-doubt, and finding meaning in pop culture. Mike shares behind-the-scenes stories from working at IGN, creating mock news shows, and writing for Mystery Science Theater 3000. Packed with industry insights and honest advice for aspiring writers, this conversation highlights the importance of joy, resilience, and staying passionate in your craft.

Bio:

Mike Drucker is an Emmy-nominated, Writers Guild Award–winning comedian, writer, and producer based in New York. He’s written for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Bill Nye Saves the World, and more. At Nintendo of America, he worked on Kid Icarus: Uprising and Mario Party 9. His latest book, Good Game, No Rematch, blends humor and heart in a memoir about growing up, video games, and pop culture.

Show Links:

*Good Game, No Rematch - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668015477

*Late Night with Seth Meyers interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltVPFFSgUkE

*Chrono Trigger – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrono_Trigger en.wikipedia.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5

*Persona 5 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persona_5 en.wikipedia.org+12en.wikipedia.org+12megamitensei.fandom.com+12

*Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Obscur:_Expedition_33

*IGN’s Up at Noon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6fBaggwNcg

*Mystery Science Theater 3000 - https://www.youtube.com/@MST3K

*Bill Nye Saves Saves the World - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-_HKOcYBK8

*The Onion Book of Known Knowledge - https://www.amazon.com/Onion-Book-Known-Knowledge-Encyclopaedia/dp/0316133264/

Connect With Links:

Mike Drucker on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/mikedrucker.bsky.social

Mike Drucker on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikedruckerisdead/

Mike Drucker on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@mikedruckerisdead

Game Dev Advice Links:

* Website: show notes, links, stuff - https://www.gamedevadvice.com

* Patreon: career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership - https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice

* YouTube: main channel link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733

* Email: reach out - [email protected]
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In this interview, veteran game designer Stuart Maine shares his 28-year journey in the gaming industry, detailing his humble beginnings in a cyber café to becoming a senior designer at Two Desperados, a mobile games company in Serbia. Stuart recounts his early days at Bullfrog and his time at renowned companies like Acclaim and Blitz, working on notable projects such Warhammer Combat Cards, Epic Mickey 2, and Angry Birds Transformers. He offers insights on remote work, the importance of team dynamics, and the lessons he has learned about people skills and communication. Stuart also discusses his latest venture, a book titled 'Designing Video Games,' which aims to guide newcomers through the complexities of the industry. Alongside this, he has authored two books on the history of first-person shooters, 'I'm Too Young to Die' and 'Hurt Me Plenty,' with a third in the works. He touches on the challenges and rewards of game development, reflecting on the necessity of taking risks, the difficulties of maintaining work-life balance, and the evolving landscape influenced by technological advancements like AI. The conversation wraps up with Stuart sharing anecdotes from his career, advice for aspiring developers, and his excitement for current gaming projects, highlighting his ongoing passion for the industry.

Bio:

Stuart Maine has been a game designer and writer for 28 years across console, PC, and mobile. He’s worked on licensed titles at studios large and small, and co-founded and later sold the indie studio Well Played Games. Stuart also writes books, including two on the history of first-person shooters (I'm Too Young To Die, 2022, and Hurt Me Plenty, 2025, with Bitmap Books) and Designing Video Games (2025, with White Owl), a guide for breaking into the industry. He also tutors on John Yorke’s Story for Video Games course.

Show Links:

* Two Desperados: https://twodesperados.com

* Well Played Games: https://www.wellplayed.games

* John Yorke’s Story for Video Games course (Stu’s a tutor): https://www.johnyorkestory.com/course/story-for-video-games/ 

* White Owl Books: https://www.whiteowlbooks.co.uk/ 

* Designing Video Games: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1399038664 or

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Designing-Video-Games-Hardback/p/52503 

* Bitmap Books: https://www.bitmapbooks.com

* I'm Too Young to Die: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/video-game-history/products/i-m-too-young-to-die-the-ultimate-guide-to-first-person-shooters-1992-2002 

* Hurt Me Plenty: https://www.bitmapbooks.com/collections/video-game-history/products/hurt-me-plenty-the-ultimate-guide-to-first-person-shooters-2003-2010 

* Warhammer Combat Cards: https://www.combatcards.com

* Atomfall: https://store.steampowered.com/app/801800/Atomfall/ 

* Love & Pies: https://www.loveandpies.com

* G-Police: Weapons of Justice: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G-Police:_Weapons_of_Justice

* Epic Mickey 2: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Mickey_2:_The_Power_of_Two

* Blitz Games: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blitz_Games_Studios

* Bullfrog Productions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullfrog_Productions

Connect With Links:

* Stuart Maine on Twitter/X: https://x.com/maine_stuart

* Stuart Maine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-m-280155205/ 

Game Dev Advice Links: 

* Website: show notes, links, stuff - https://www.gamedevadvice.com 

* Patreon: career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership - https://www.patreon.com/gamedevadvice 

* YouTube: main channel link - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvkY8LxjGyOPqlQKuRlObhg   

* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733* Email: reach out - [email protected]
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