Front Seat Gamer: Recent Episodes
Front Seat Gamer
Blake loses a whole day to organising sticks and researching slugs. Nick loses his mind spraying sticky people and tapping tutorial buttons . And Fabian gives advice on how not to play Monster Hunter.
We’re joined by PoE Artist Fabian to talk about Space Marines and Japanese Gangers. We take our best guesses at Warhammer 40k lore. And we wonder if hyper real graphics are worth striving for.
Blake goes in search for that classic MMO vibe and rediscovers Elder Scrolls Online. Nick spends three decades exploring the same city. And we all wish we could play as a middle aged Ash Ketchum.
Nick complains about invisible paths and rival Cabaret Clubs. Paul complains about XP boosts while chasing nostalgia. Blake stop complaining about rocks and starts loving puzzles.
Blake plays an amazing game but won’t shut up about the rocks. Paul drowns under the pressure of the ocean and the pressure of running a business. Nick gets into real-estate and karaoke with the Yakuza
Paul is sick of games doing story at him. Nick discovers hidden depths in a ocean diving game and also discovers hidden eggs in a cave diving game. While Blake doesn’t finish another game
Nick and Blake are a couple of cyberpunks, hacking and slashing their way throughout the city. While Paul is back to talk about the real life mega corps hacking and slashing jobs throughout the games industry.
Fabian has stayed with us to talk about review bombing and terrible DRM. Blake plays a new early access game where half the systems don’t work but is still the best village management game he’s ever seen
Paul’s away but we’re joined by Fabian Seager, an Environment Artist on Path of Exile. Fabian preaches the glory of Managed Democracy, while Nick and Blake scratch out a living in an alien wasteland
Paul has abandoned everything to play more and more Super Poker. Nick finds an ugly as sin game with no win conditions, janky UI, unintuitive systems, and asks why Blake isn't already playing it.
Paul is annoyed that Final Fantasy doesn't remember his progress. Nick tries to explain how to have fun in Solitareica, and Blake is ransacking people's houses in Dragon's Dogma II
Paul gives Final Fantasy 7 another try and is suprised how much story is there is. Blake hates when games give him FOMO and threaten to change the world. And we all wonder how AI can change NPC interactions.
Nick goes nuclear on Elden Ring again. But has a good time with God of War. Paul is hooked on dopamine from Deep Rock Galactic Survivor. While Blake felt surprisingly emotional seeing Earth in a X4
Blake realizes he prefers lemons. Nick is horrified over how little Paul cares about storytelling. Nick then spends 30 hours in a tutorial at a Japanese school. And Blake has gone mad on survival games.
We're back for 2024 and joined by GGG Lead Composer & Music Director Kamil Orman-Janowski. Kamil talks about his process of creating the amazing music for Path of Exile, and also why Nick is wrong about Dark Souls
Paul recounts his adventures in WoW Classic, and we all end up on a nostalgia trip to 20 years ago. Blake thinks having an army in BG3 is a good idea and Nick thinks that will just ruin the game.
Nick has played so much Elden Ring and has so much to say about it. Not all of it is bad.... but most of it is. Meanwhile, Blake starts playing GalCiv IV but ends up in a Stellaris DLC price rant.
Blizcon happened and a new mobile game came out that has both Nick and Paul hooked. We reminisce about our days in early World of Warcraft and complain about how difficult the game was back then
After seven years, Nick might finally be interested in playing No Man Sky. Paul has been hunting monsters in a new mobile game and Blake has been cracking a binary code.
Starfield is 1000 planets, so why does Baldur's Gate feel bigger. What makes an open world interesting. What's Paul's build for the new PoE League. Why is Blake not playing Starfield or Baldur's Gate.
After the craziness of Exilecon, we are back to talk about meeting awesome fans, conquering the galaxy but getting bored with victory, breaking into crypts and murdering so many goblins.
This week we are joined by Grinding Gear Games Level Designer Josiah to talk about an unnecessarily frustrating space sim that has both Blake and Paul hooked. We're talking X4:Foundations.
The day has come. The day Nick has been waiting for. Finally Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is out. Nick is on 4 hours sleep but that does not stop us from talking about Zelda for an entire hour.
Paul goes fishing for Cthulhu. Nick stacks bags within bags within bags and Blake cowers in the dark. We're talking Age of Darkness, Dredge, Tap Wizard, and Nick slips in some Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Paul and Blake have been playing the Diablo 4 Beta and Nick has a lot of questions. Paul has also started a business empire that’s taking over the City. While Nick becomes Prey and loves the endless options.
Blake is glad to find some Batman in his wizard game. Nick contacts a dev, and gives actual feedback on an Early Access game. While Paul doesn’t like throwing away his rocks and sticks.
Paul finally gets to talk about Disco Elysium and the neck tie the gives him advice. Hell must of frozen over because Nick bought an Early Access game. And Blake is playing lot, and very little, of Hogwarts Legacy
We’re finally back from holiday break. Nick’s been eating his way around the south pacific. Paul’s been drinking his way into new games. And Blake’s been devoting a lifetime to pressing a button.
Nick plays Red Dead 2 and cannot stop comparing it to Zelda. Paul recounts his devastating loss at a rouge-like board game. While Nick recounts his many victories as a Banner Lord
Nick is snapping his way through Marvel characters, and having a great time. Blake is slicing his way through human beings, and questioning his morality. Paul is trying to enjoy a game but keeps suffering PTSD
Nick talks about his frustration with trying to explain a complicated in a very short time at Pax Aus. Blake plays a demo of an Early Access game and Paul prefers playing a mobile game on pc.
Nick is back with tails of his trip and a new mobile game. Paul has been getting deep into the latest PoE league. We complain again about controllers and UI in both PoE and Alaloth.
Today GGG Environment Artist Fabian Seager joins us to talk about his love of phat loot and grinding for the perfect stats. Paul wants to start a harder cult and Blake is watching villagers freeze in the winter
Nick is away but we are joined by James Hurlock, an Environment Artist at GGG. James tells us about the work he did on the Eldritch Horrors boss arenas, and Lake of Kalandra. While Paul's been leading a cult
Nick complains about using menus with a controller. Blake complains about tutorial text. While Paul is having a great time slaying slimes in a spire. Also for the first time in a while, we’ve all played the same game.
Game's we talk about:
Slay the Spire
Alaloth
Blake struggles to explain the latest Early Access game he's bought. Paul is playing as a pin in a shell of a game. Nick is still trying to convince everyone to play idle games. Blake want's to know if he should get Stray
Blake competes for Zelda slow-run champion. Paul is trying to stay alive for 20 minutes, and Nick reveals an idle game hes been hiding for months. We also start to wonder how long Diablo Immortal can last
This week we end up only talking about one game. Blake has no clue what he's doing, Paul is having a great time buying lotto tickets and Nick can't remember a thing about the story.
Blake instantly de-rails the podcast with an Early Access game. Nick complains about hidden secrets and Paul keeps falling down a well. This week we have all played The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe.
Blake his spreading his dynasty far and wide, while annoying Nick with a new Early Access game. Paul has been battling grief and riding the subway. While Nick has been making an elephant fight a puffer fish.
Paul is forcing his pets to battle. Nick is actively tapping an idle game. Blake breaks his chair and has a realization about management sims. And of course we can’t help but bring up GTA and Zelda.
Sav is taking a break for a while, so we are joined by GGG Web Dev Paul. Both Blake and Paul try their best to convince Nick to play Elden Ring. Nick cannot stop comparing it to Breath of the Wild
It’s 2022 and we are back again. Nick is catching them all, but not looking to closely at them. Blake is looking forward to Elden Ring, but can’t explain why and Sav has found his next big car game.
We are all back from the Lockdown and have a lot to talk about. Saveun plays Halo for the first time since Halo 3. Nick is actually not playing a mobile game and its a MOBA! While Blake hates being the Choice One.
Everyone has been playing Action RPGs this week! Blake and Saveun have finally found a good Cyberpunk game. Nick has gone back to a bad Dungeon Crawler and Nick finally convinced someone to play a TCG
Rumors surrounding the GTA5 Remaster, for PS5, sparks a massive argument about Rock Star, Skyrim, Zelda and game remasters in general. Nick is spending hours building decks, while Blake is spending hours building roads.
Blake admits to being a huge Star Wars fan now and talks about his frustration with Jedi Fallen Order. Saveun is working on the cutting edge of video game development. While Nick is still lovin Legends of Runeterra
Saveun is getting interested in Twine Games, Blake as rediscovered his interest in Game Books and Nick is still interested in Legends of Runeterra and continues to rant about Zelda and Nintendo.
GGG Environment Artist Fabian Seager joins us today. Fabian tells of his journey from making PoE Fan Art to making the real thing. We talk about his favorite two games, Monster Hunter and Escape from Tarkov.
Nick returns. Saveun has some thoughts about the latest Unreal Engine Demo. Blake wastes his life again with another game that’s barely a game and Nick gets frustrated with Borderlands money.
Today we’re joined by self proclaimed Horse Girl and UI Artist Kiara du Toit. Kiara worked on the new 3D HUD for PoE 2 as well as being the IGDA Scholars Program Coordinator.
This week we’re joined by David Peryman an Environment Artist at GGG. David worked on the Badlands from the PoE 2 Trailer, but before joining GGG he worked at A44 on Ashen.
We’re are joined by Dane Brennand, the main weapon artist at GGG. We talk about our work on the second Path of Exile 2 trailer and Dane also talks about the work he did on the PS5 Remaster of Demon Souls
Nick tries his hardest to convince Saveun that idle games are interesting. Blake plays an idle game that Nick recommended and also talks about another Early Access Game he’s playing.
Nick talks about all the idle games he played over the holiday break. He tries to convince Sav and Blake that these are the future of video games. We also talk a bit about Blizcon and the Diablo announcements
We’re back and Blake and Saveun have a lot to rant about. They’ve both been playing Cyberpunk and they both really wanted to like it, but the game had other ideas. Nick is fascinated by the game-design issues
Saveun and Blake get straight into the Cyberpunk talk. They’ve only played a few hours so there’s no major spoilers. We also talk about our favorite games we’ve played in 2020.
Saveun’s been studying Cyber Punk trailers and checking in on Call of Duty. Blake's been studying resource graphs in Anno 1800 and finding more Korok seeds in Zelda. While Nick returns to a PoE item mystery.
We're joined one last time by Tom Mooney, this episode however focuses on me Saveun.
We explore many topics related to game development and all that good stuff.
Social Media Stuff;*frontseatquestions@gmail.com
@frontseatcast
frontseatgamer.wordpress.com*
Blake and Nick complain about Stellaris. Nick plays a non-mobile game, Hades, but has some problems with the dialog. Saveun is loving Teardown, a game where you destroy everything in site.
Very fortunate to have John Espiritu on this week. We hear about the journey he took on his way to his current position as Rigging Lead at GGG.
John's ArtStation page;https://www.artstation.com/raynehaize
Contact information;frontseatquestions@gmail.com
@frontseatcast on Twitter
frontseatgamer.wordpress.com
Saveun buys a Scottish castle, Nick eats his feet and Blake goes to School. We share our dream-like experiences with AI Dungeon. Also Nick has beaten Mount and Blade, while Blake buys another Early Access Game
Tom Mooney joins me and we talk about humble beginnings and explore various interests and ideas he has.
The many interesting things Tom was talking about;https://maxwellrender.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Clerk_Maxwell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H59cVnnF9Y&ab_channel=DavidSurman
https://www.drseussart.com/secretandarchive
https://imgur.com/gallery/FPO3S59
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympia_(Manet)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_D%C3%A9jeuner_sur_l%27herbe
Contact information;frontseatquestions@gmail.com
@frontseatcast on Twitter
frontseatgamer.wordpress.com
Blake is on the fence about buying VR. Saveun’s just wants someone to clean his room, but he keeps getting dragged into a war with the Russian Mob. Nick is fascinated by video game economies
Something a little different here between episodes as I sit down with GGG's very technical VFX Artist Jackson.
Hoping to have other guests from the NZ Game Development scene (mainly GGG). Interested to hear feedback if you have any.
Let us know.
frontseatquestions@gmail.com
@frontseatcast on Twitter
Frontseatgamer.wordpress.com
On this episode of The Fried Chicken Podcast, Saveun is distracted by the bad lip-sinking in Life is Strange 2. Blake is very suspicious of his wife's pregnancy in Bannorlord. And Nick is charmed by Paper Mario
Saveun has been flying around his home town in Microsoft Flight Sim and getting excited about new Graphics Cards., while Nick and Blake have been commanding armies of farmers in Mount and Blade II
The trials are over, but only three of our four heroes have passed. They now have access to the Witch Hunter's Academy. With the danger over, what could go wrong now?
Cover image – Michael Hutter
https://macabregallery.com/artists/michael-hutter/
https://www.saatchiart.com/account/profile/410362
https://www.instagram.com/kunstkrake/
We’re talking The Last of Us 2. Spoiler warning! Saveun has some thoughts about the story and the game development itself. We argues about the ending and Nick takes Saveun’s side for once.
The strange series of trials continues. It seems that our heroes are being tested. But for what and why? This time they must face their most horrific enemy yet.
We talk a little about Last of Us with very minor spoilers. We get into the new Xbox announcements, Nick is not impressed with Halo, Saveun is impressed with Forza, and Blake wants to be impressed with Fable.
Our four Heroes awaken in a strange room with no memory of how they got there. Could this be some kind of test? Could the answer be, setting the room on fire?
Last of Us Spoiler Warning for the first 10 hours from 18:00-34:29! Blake has been catching fish and eating bananas, Saveun has been surprised by Last of Us, Nick has a problem with a game he’s not played.
Blake is being a terrible pirate in Sea of Thieves, Saveun is loving the snow in Last of Us and we talk very very vaguely about the first few hours of the game. Nick struggles to play Minecraft Dungeons
Blake is dancing with ghosts, Saveun is following a Stray, and Nick hates long drives. This week we’re talking about the PlayStation 5 announcement trailer and the games that caught our attention
Nick forms a cult. Blake is catching blacksmiths, and Saveun doesn't want to talk about Star Wars. We get into Final Fantasy disappointments and staying well away from Last of Us leaks.
Nick’s found a new mobile card game. Blake’s found what No Man’s Sky should of been, and Saveun gets into the new Unreal 5 Demo, which leads us into a huge argument about characters touching things in games
Saveun has been in a murder simulator giving his money to a helicopter. Nick has been in a debt simulator giving his money to a raccoon, and Blake has been playing Path of Exile and having a really great time.
After saving the day once again, our heroes discover that they cannot leave town without the proper papers. So they begin to hatch a plan, involving a wizard’s severed head
This week Saveun plays the new Final Fantasy 7 demo. We get into a discussion about real time Ray Tracing. We also talk about embarrassing VR set ups and Blake plays AOE2 the wrong way.
Our heroes need to keep a low profile and stay inconspicuous. Surly dragging a cart full of rotting corpses into town wont draw any unwanted attention
Saveun plays an indi game! Nick plays a mobile game. Blake plays a 20 year old game. We go down a rabbit hole into some deep Zelda conspiracy theories, and we talk a bit about Wolcen
Our Heroes set out on the campaign trail and immediately side track themselves in search of treasure and votes. They also make an unexpected friend along the way
This week Sav’s away but we’re joined by GGG Animator Ed, to talk about his time at ExileCon, the game’s he’s been playing lately, and some behind-the-scenes of creating Kitava
It’s the future 2020 and we’re back. Saveun’s been messing with some new 3D Software and finding creepy stuff in Red Dead. Nick lasts 20 mins before talking about Zelda, and Blake is tempted to start a colonial war
With the battle seemingly over, our Heroes stand around loudly arguing for way too long, right outside the Lich’s front gate. Of course, they get ambushed.
Thrown onto the front lines of the latest battle against the evil Lich. Four, not so heroic, heroes must work together or die horribly.
Both Saveun and Nick are away this week so Blake has gathered a team of GGG Devs to talk about their time at ExileCon. We talk about meeting the fans, our reactions to the announcements, and the costumes we made
Saveun has trouble with Red Dead on PC, and is still playing Zelda. Nick tries to start another Zelda vs Red Dead argument. Blake shares his video game motto and describes more Death Stranding weirdness.
This week we’re joined by Jake Dodunski from RocketWerkz to talk about Borderlands, Fire Emblem, South Park and Barotrauma. Saveun shocks everyone by playing Zelda.
Nick’s been acting a goose, and staring up at the Morrowind sky. Saveun’s excited for Red Dead PC and has started buying RockStar merch in support. While Blake cannot explain Death Stranding
Nick is very proud of his work on Path of Exile: Blight and we end up talking quite a bit about it’s development. Saveun’s played more Control and is still lovin it. Blake’s started another new marathon Civ game.
This week we're joined by Rian and Dane from Grinding Gear Games. Rian has been doing some truly unethical things in Minecraft, and Dane has been piling up office trash in Remedy's new game Control.
Nick and Blake have a huge argument about endless games. Saveun spins a casino wheel for XP and gives us more hints about his secret game project. We revolutionize Esports and answer listener emails
We have a Front Seat Gamer Exclusive this week! Sav announces his new mobile game Tumble now in the PlayStore. Nick makes a return to Hearthstone, and Blake is smiling so much playing Civ 6.
Saveun’s been drinking and gambling and getting thrown out of casinos. Blake’s been conquering the world with his Donkey Chariot, and Nick’s been slowly driving his Kingdom into the ground.
We have a new podcast studio! Blake has a new house. Saveun just wants to jump in the air with his rocket car. Nick just wants to re-write and improve the rules of Dungeons and Dragons.
Blake’s been growing food, but doesn’t know what to do with it. Saveun’s been walking through a house, looking for remains and dabbling in alchemy. Nick’s been dancing with Zelda, and arguing about Dark Souls.
Today we’re joined by Grind Gear Game’s new Weapon Master Dane Brennand to talk about Plastic Zelda, Keanu Reeves, Nintendo, Final Fantasy, Nolan North, Dark Crystal, Control, and bad Pokemon names
This week we’re joined by GGG Lead Audio Engineer, Andrew Reid. We chat about how he got started at GGG, the good games he plays, the garbage movies he watches, and the great music he listens to.
In celebration of our 100th episode, we thought it would be cool to release our unaired pilot test episode. We recorded this in January 2015 and only a handful of people have ever heard it.
If you boil it down, isn’t every game like an idle game? Nick thinks so. Blake and Saveun disagree. This week we’re talking Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Anthem, Ashen, Idle Wasteland and some other random idle games.
Saveun’s been working on a secrete foot fetish project. Blake’s been laying down explosive buttons. And Nick’s been getting real mad at Elder Scrolls Blades. We’re talking Unreal Engine, Outward, and Blades
We have a special episode this week. It’s the second instalment of our infrequent food podcast, Lunch Eat Flavour. Jonathan and Mark, from Grinding Gear Games, joined us for dinner at Chikos Restaurant & Cafe
Saveun is fully on board with Dark Souls style games. Nick is jumping and kicking. And Blake is slowly falling from the sky. This week we’re talking Ashen and Apex Legends.
Nick has gotten back into Mario Odyssey. Blake has gotten back into God of War. And Saveun just can’t get into Red Dead 2 Online. We also talk a bit about our work on Path of Exile: Synthesis
Saveun just wants to get in there and kill people. Blake struggles to explain his words, and Nick doesn’t know what to do with all the eggs he’s got saved. We also create an amazing poltergeist simulator
Saveun’s been loving that Apex feel. Blake’s not been loving that Anthem feel. Nick still doesn’t get that Dark Souls feel. This week we’re talking Apex Legends, Ashen, Anthem Demo, and Katamari Damacy
It’s 2019 and we’re back!
We played a ton of games over the holiday break. Saveun tried to make friends in Ashen, Blake followed his Destiny, and Nick was sad about Gregory Peck
Too Cool.
Rick Troll, Anime Jones, Dank Frank and Steve the Necromancer, finally come face to face with the coolest, raddest, most totally awesome evil this world has ever known.
Butter and Gunpowder.
The gang cause havoc in the Goblin Town has they search for sugar and milk. Steve the Necromancer has real regret for his choice of travelling companions.
Eggs.
Three Excellent Adventures, Anime Jones, Rick Trolls and Dank Frank are given a totally bizarre quest by the ancient Necromancer, Steve.
Blake uses Back To The Future to describe Fallout 76 and Bethesda’s game engine. Saveun is still in awe of Red Dead’s technical achievements, and Nick commits a Voice Director crime.
This week we have an awesome chat with GGG Co Founder Jonathan Rogers, who has some harsh thing to say about Red Dead 2. He also shares some interesting thoughts about Diablo Immortal and Diabl
It’s finally here. Saveun didn’t think he’d live to see this day. This week we’re talking about Red Dead Redemption 2. Both Saveun and Blake have been playing it, and Nick can’t stop comparing it to Skyrim and Zelda.
Nick and Saveun get into a huge fight about Red Dead Redemption 2 and The Elder Scrolls series. This week we’re talking, Red Dead, Oblivion, Life Is Strange, and Northgard.
This week we're joined by Path of Exile Community Manager Bex. We chat a lot about her life at Grinding Gear Games, how she got started at the studio, and what she thought she'd be doing before joining GGG.
This week we get right into arguing about the new Nvidia RTX. Blake is getting deep into Kingdom Come. Nick doesn’t solve a murder mystery, and Saveun is a little underwhelmed by Cyberpunk.
We've been threatening to do it for years! This week we finally have the Food Podcast. We're joined by Nick's wife, Kerri, to chat about our experience at the fanciest restaurant in town, The French Cafe.
We've all been busy working on Path of Exile's latest expansion Delve. But we've still had time to play some games and argue about trailers. This week we're talking, Red Dead 2, Kingdom Come, Last of Us, and Alto's Odyssey
Nick’s back from his honeymoon, where he spent the time playing mobile games! This week we’re talking about the NZ GDC that just happened, Pokemon Quest, No Man’s Sky and Kingdom Come Deliverance
Nick is still on his honeymoon, so we are joined by Grinding Gear Game Devs Rian and Ash to talk about what they've been playing and why everyone should by a Nintendo Swtich.
Nick's on his Honeymoon this week, so we're joined by Grinding Gear Games Concept Artist George, and UI Programmer Jake. We chat about everything from Games, Books, Movies, and 90s TV Shows.
Saveun is soundlessly Twitching, Nick hates jacket buttons and Blake loves a uniform. This week we're talking about E3, mostly The Last of Us. We also chat about AI in games and if there is too much focus on detailed art instead of good AI
We have a huge meandering chat this week going from Path of Exile: Incursion League to the first Matrix movie. Nick gets angry about mobile game business models and Blake raves about how strange life is.
This week we’re joined by Jonathan Rogers, Co-founder of Grinding Gear Games. We chat a lot about God of War, and why Jonathan was so impressed by it. Nick also rants about the naming again.
This week we chat about our work on the latest Path of Exile League, Incursion. Saveun also talks about what’s going to be coming in Red Dead 2, and Nick tells us about a movie he’s making.
This week we’re joined by fellow Grinding Gear Games Devs, Rian and Jake, to chat about Nintendo Labo and God of War. Nick rants about naming convention and Saveun is unimpressed by Nintendo
Blake struggles to explain why he's still playing Sea of Thieves. Nick gets into Survivor Gambling and Saveun is playing a Driving Game that's not GTA!
Is Sea of Thieves what No Man's Sky should of been? Not really, but we talk about it anyway. Saveun talks about new Real-Time Ray Tracing tech and Nick is obsessed with a new mobile game.
He’s back! Nick returns from getting married. We chat about his Wedding, his bachelor party, Laser Tag, Escape Room games and fancy Japanese dinning. Also Shadow of Colossus, Hearthstone and Path of Exile.
Both Nick and Saveun are away so Blake has assembled a crack team of professionals to take their place. Ash, Ashleigh, Chris H and Rian join the podcast for some of the most off topic talk we’ve ever had.
We’re joined by GGG Designer Carl de Visser to talk about the board game Endeavor: Age of Sail, which he co created, and the crazy Whale Hunting video game he’s been playing.
This week we're joined by Monster Hunter Expert and Grinding Gears Programmer Rhys Abraham to chat about the new Monster Hunter game. Also Saveun talks about his new drug empire.
2018 and we’re back! Nick and Saveun argue over Nintendo while Blake thinks an Amiibo Doll House would be a big hit. We’re talking Overcooked, Divinity: Original Sin 2, and Nintendo Labo
Dig!
The band are shocked, and a little confused, to discover who’s sabotaged the Museum and also realise there’s more to this than they first thought.
Frogs.
The band of adventurers continue to bumble their way through a sabotaged Magical Museum full of monsters, necromancers and frogs.
Spared no Expense
Opi the Paladin, Drift the Druid, Keith the Warlock, and Mezmero the Magician are invited to a private tour of the newly built Museum of Magic. Nothing could go wrong..
It's our final regular podcast of the year. Today we're joined by Grinding Gears Animator Ed, to talk a little about his work on the latest Path of Exile expansion, as well as what he's been playing and his favourite game of 2017
Nick tells us a story from 2008 when he worked of a game developer who has now, in 2017, been accused of embezzling Kickstarter money. We also reminisce about old TVs and talk about the Horizon Zero Dawn DLC.
Rian Drake from Grinding Gear Games joins us this week to talk about his life as the Nintendo Switch poster child. This week we're chatting about the Nintendo Switch, Mario Odyssey, Zelda Breath of the Wild and Dungeons and Dragons.
Where does magic come from? What are the rules? How was it discovered? Why does it sound like Goth poetry? This week we’re talking Cuphead, Hearthstone, and Middle-Earth: Shadow of War.
We continue are chat with Grinding Gear Games Co Founder Chris Wilson. We find out about Chris's new hobbies, his deep deep love of Magic the Gathering and his exhausting experience at E3
Chris Wilson from Grinding Gear Games joins us this week. Chris chats with us about the early garage days of Grinding Gears, the games that influenced Path of Exile, and just what he’s been playing lately.
Saveun is obsessed with the new Red Dead 2 trailer. Nick is obsessed with vegetable police, and Blake is obsessed with what No Man's Sky should of been. This week we're talking, Battlefield One, Red Dead Redemption 2, Morphite and Beat Cop
Saveun doesn't trust the bad guy, Nick fall down a wikipedia hole, and Blake touches some cows. This week we're talking about, SoloLearn, Quantum Break, Yonder, and Hearthstone.
We're back from our post 3.0 break. Saveun watches an alien train crash, Blake likes being the bad guy, and Nick talks about Hearthstone. We're talking, Path of Exile 3.0, Hellblade, No Man's Sky, and Tyranny
Nick convinces Saveun to play a game. Saveun is annoyed buy the game. Blake unravels an ARG mystery. This week we're talking about, The Stanley Parable, Everspace, Black Desert Online and ARGs
A special episode this week.
We're joined by Grinding Gear Game devs, Carl, Rian, and Josiah, to talk all about the 4x space empire game Stellaris, which as swept through the GGG office like a Hivemind Swarm
Nick is back from E3 with tales of wonder, imagination, and people waiting in line. Blake can't wait to be a pirate, and Saveun thinks Mario Odyssey looks maybe ok. This week we return to the heated debate about Story in Games.
A special episode! We continue our game development chat with Grinding Gear Games Programmer Rhys Abraham. We go deeper into Rhy's love of Monster Hunter, and how he got started in Game Development
Nick's away, Saveun defends himself from listeners, and Blake describes a Mario fever dream. Also this week we're joined by Grinding Gear Programmer and Monster Hunter Mega Fan Rhys Abraham
This week we’re joined by Grinding Gear Games co founder and Lead Programmer Jonathan Rogers. We chat about games he’s been playing, and answer a bunch of listener questions
Nick and Saveun argue over Pixel Art, Blake asks stupid questions and we’re joined by Grinding Gears Programmer Rian Drake. This week we’re chatting about Thea: The Awakening, Oxygen Not Included and Dead Cells.
This week we’re joined my Path of Exile Xbox dev Chris Howlett. We chat about the new Xbox version of the game and answer listener questions specifically about the Xbox.
Nick wants his property back, Saveun is chilling on a couch, and Blake is just playing Zelda. This week we talk about Saveun's experience developing his mobile game Turret Town. We're also talking about mobile games in general and the latest Hearthstone expansion
Nick's been missing Zelda. Blake's been playing Zelda, and Saveun says Zelda is not terrible. This week we're talking a whole lot of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, a bit of Horizon: Zero Dawn and we answer some listener questions.
Saveun's been hunting robo dinos, Blake's been collecting sticks, and Nick's been fighting a Ganon. This week we're talking about Horizon: Zero Dawn and Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Nick's been playing Zelda, Saveun's been playing Horizon, and Blake wants to play both. This week we're talking The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Horizon Zero Dawn
Saveun likes a game that's not made by Rockstart, Nick eats a Bread Bowl, and Blake's getting better at murder. This week Nick is back from the Path of Exile press tour, we're talking about Path of Exile, Halo Wars 2 and Dishonored 2 and Deus Ex.
Nick's away on a press tour. Blake struggles at hosting. Saveun wants more trains in his space sim. We're joined by fellow Path of Exile Developers Rain Drake and Edward Tate. This week we're talking Besieged , Kerbal Space Program, Farming Simulator, Dishonored 2, XCom 2
It's 2017 and we're back! Nick loves Mario, Saveun hates Mario, and Blake loves the Mario Movie. This week we'er talking Nintendo Switch, New Mario and Zelda, Clash Royale, Uncharted 4 and Solitairica
Betrayed.
The heroes journey closer to the Mage King’s Tower. What horrors await them inside?… Confusion, that’s what, confusion and arguing...
The great heroes continue their journey into the mountains and meet a mysterious warrior woman along the way, who seems far more capable than any of the heroes. But can she be trusted?
Tourism.
Len the Rift Walker, Petyr the Chaos Mage, and Steve the Necromancer have made it to the City, but can they pass through without being brutally murdered by Thorn Creatures.
The Beginning.
Len the Rift Walker, Petyr the Chaos Mage, and Steve the Necromancer set off on a vague quest to save the world... sort of.
Saveun loves knuckle bones, Nick doesn't like surviving, and Blake thinks boring = fun. This week we're talking Titanfall 2, No Man's Sky, Survival Games, Last of Us 2, Drawful and Path of Exile
Nick has hope for the streets, Blake keeps finding portals, and Saveun continues to insult a work mate. This week we're talking Elder Scrolls Online, Old MMOs, Samorost 3, and Hearthstone
Nick is worried about the streets, Saveun is fighting giant robots, and Blake is welcoming our AI overlords. This week we're talking about Titanfall 2, Diablo III< Hearthstone, Red Dead 2, and BlizzCon
Saveun is impressed with Rockstar, Blake is impressed with Batman, and Nick is not impressed at all with Nintendo. We're talking Battlefield 1, Nintendo Switch, and Red Dead 2
Nick is back! and with tales of Disney World. Saveun's looking to the future and Blake has an Early Access problem. We're talking ZBrush, Osiris New Dawn, Early Access, and Disney World
Nick is still away, so this week we are joined by Game Designer Rory Rackham and Programmer Chris Howlett. We're talking about Mobile Games, Path of Exile, Stellaris, and Game Design.
Nick's away! So this week we're joined by Concept Artist George Lovesy and Animator Edward Tate. We swear up a storm while chatting about NZGDC, No Man Sky, Overwatch, Path of Exile and answer a bunch of listener questions
Blake tries to justify his No Man Sky purchase, Nick is still spending the night in Karazhan, and Saveun discovers DOTA in Titan Fall 2. This week we're talking No Man's Sky, Hearthstone, Drawful, and Titan Fall 2
Nick is spending a night in Karazhan, Saveun is painting with some substance, and Blake is exploring the sky. This week we're talking, Hearthstone, Substance Painter, No Man's Sky, and Path of Exile
This week Blake and Saveun fight it out over The Witcher 3 vs GTA5. Nick finally gets to talk about some Hearthstone. We're talking GTA5, The Witcher 3, Inside, Hearthstone, Pokemon Go and Elite Dangerous
This week we’re joined by Concept Artist George Lovesy, who is also the GGG Pokemon Master. This week we’re talking about Pokemon Go, Clash Royale, Pokemon Go, Overwatch and also Pokemon Go.
Blake has jacked into The Grid, Saveun's clocking up the hours in Rocket League, and Nick is still calling VR a fad. We're talking Rocket League, Kingdom Death: Monster, and VR
Nick has become a Clash Royale Legend. Saveun wants more Uncharted in his Zelda. and Blake wages Total War - Hammer. This week we're talking, Clash Royale, Total War: Warhammer, Path of Exile: Prophecy, E3, Zelda, Horizon: Zero Dawn.
Today we're joined by Indie Game Developer Lianne Botoon. Lianne is a well known name in the NZ indie community, she's created dozens of games, participated in tons of Game Jams and shown her games at NZ Gaming Events, like Armageddon Expo and DIGITAL NATIONZ She also created this podcast's logo.
We're joined once again by Grinding Gear Games Animator Edward Tate to chat about game development and answer listener questions.
Our souls get dark on this episode. We're joined by Grinding Gear Games Animator Edward Tate, to chat about Dark Souls. Nick isn't sold on the game. While Saveun has gone deep into Clash Royale.
This week Nick and Saveun are clashing their clans together in Clash Royale. While Blake is executing people in public and suppressing his people into happiness. We're talking Clash Royale, Overwatch, Total War: Attila, Magic: Shadows Over Innistrad, Hearthstone, and Path of Exile
Saveun has made a game, Blake is in the Hunger Games, and Nick worries about game balance.
This week were talking, Overwatch, TF2, Paladins, Early MOBAs, Ark: Survival of the Fittest, Hearthstone, Clash Royal, Saveun’s game: Turret Town, and Path of Exile
Saveun joins The Division, Nick hears Whispers of the Old Gods and Blake crafts some mines. This week we're talking, The Division Beta, Minecraft, Cities: Skylines, Monopoly the Video Game, Clash Royale, Hearthstone, Firewatch and Path of Exile: Ascendancy. We also discuss the question. Are modern AAA games too easy?
Today we're joined by Eli and Paula from rival game studio Ninja Kiwi. Ninja Kiwi are best known for their Bloons series of mobile games. There's lot more talk about 2013 Tomb Raider and what makes a good quick time event. We go wildly off topic into Russia's Space Program and New Zealand's earthquakes. We talk Hearthstone, Final Fantasy 7, Doom 4, Amnesia, Outlast. We discuss whether or not VR is just a fad, and our guests answer a bunch of listener questions.
Big talk this week about Tomb Raider, but not the new Tomb Raider. We're talking 2013s Tomb Raider. We morn the loss of Gameloft in NZ and discuss the state of NZs gaming industry. The games we cover this weeks are, Tomb Raider, Ashen, Hearthstone and The Witness.
We're back after a good holiday break. Saveun's been Raiding Tombs, Nick's been capturing Mortys and Blake's been finding the Homeworld. This week we talk about Tomb Raider, Rocket League, Paintball, Homeworld Remastered, Pocket Mortys, and Mario Galaxy 2. We also chat about good and bad game design and answer listener questions.
This week we have a Special Episode. We're joined by Path of Exile Designer Rory Rackham who, aside from working on Path of Exile, has created a unique card game based on D&D. He is currently calling it Seven Gates. We sit down with Rory and his friend Isaac for a short adventure in the world of Seven Gates, and we chat a little about his plans for the game and how close he is to publishing it.
This week we talk a ton about Fallout 4 and where the "fun" is. Blake doesn't care about his stolen son, Nick struggles to make a bad Hearthstone deck and Saveun plays a different Rockstar game! We chat about the new Talisman League in Path of Exile as well as a little bit about the Labyrinth that will be coming in a few months. We answer listener questions and continue the great food debate.
We're joined again by Game Designer and Producer Carl de Visser. We spend the hour answering listener questions and trying not to stray wildly off topic. Unfortunately, in the hour we had, we couldn't get all the listener questions sent in for Carl so we will most likely have him back in the new year for another special episode.
We have a special 4th host today. Carl de Visser, a Game Designer and Producer on Path of Exile. This week we're talking about GTA 5, Fallout 4, Civ Beyond Earth, Endless Legend, Student games, Free Blade, This War of Mine. As well as some very cool board games, 504 and Romance of the 9 Kingdoms.
We’re back! Since we’ve been gone, Nick has developed a bad trivia addiction, Saveun has built a computer, and Blake played a bit of Fallout 4. This week we discuss character design through concept art vs writing.
Nick is back, thank god! This week Blake refuses to play Rocket League with Saveun any more and Nick loves him some Hearthstone. We chat about Lovecraft's influence on Path of Exile. We also talk about Spec Ops the Line, Grow Home, Ark, Best Fiends and Triple Town.
Nick's away! So this week anything goes! We're talking about some really awesome mobile games, 80 Days and Sorcery. We also chat about, Card Hunter, Ark, Super Hot, Witcher 3. We have a guest host as well, an Animator from Path of Exile. We talk about how he got started and what drove him to pursue a career in Animation.
Should we get hype over CG trailers? Do we even still need CG cinematics in games? We talk Rocket League, Fallout Shelter, Peggle Blast, Magic the Gathering, Hearthstone, Ark Survival Evolved and Payday 2
How much art does a game studio typically out source? What makes a game world feel alive? This week we’re talking, The Witcher 3, Bethesda Games and Payday 2.
What kind of things does a Game Designer have to think about? We chat about this and some games we've been playing. We're talking, Ark : Survival Evolved, The Witcher 3, Rocket League, Magic The Gathering and of course Hearthstone. Welcome to Front Seat Gamer.
We continue our conversation with Grinding Gear Games Lead Artist Erik Olofsson. He chats about his favourite games, what makes a good game, and what he looks for in potential employees.
This week we have special guest Erk Olofsson, Lead Artist at Grinding Gear Games. We chat about the artists that inspire him, how he got into games and what games he’s been playing.
Blake steals from an honesty box. Nick is annoyed by food logs. Saveun hordes video game boxes. We’re talking Hearthstone, Ark, GTA Heists, our new office, and how your social media effects your job opportunities.
Nick is hosting a Paleo dinner party so we have a shorter episode this week. We talk, Ark: Survival Evolved, Survival games, GTA5, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, and E3. This is Front Seat Gamer.
We continue our conversation with Game Designer Rory Rackham. We talk about dealing with negative feedback, Hearthstone, Survivor, and The Smash Brothers documentary.
This week we have a special guest, Rory Rackham. Rory is a game designer at Grinding Gear Games. We talk a lot about getting into the games industry and what it's like working inside the industry.
We also talk about Van Helsing 3, Don’t Starve Together, Street Fighter vs Tekken vs Mortal Kombat, the many uses of glitter, Borderlands and the D&D card game Rory is creating. Rory also answers a ton of listener questions.
Nick likes Jazz but not Punk. Blake spreads vicious Dark Souls rumors. Saveun cheats at Cluedo. We talk Broforce, Magic: The Gathering, Fallout 4, Jaz Punk and The Witcher 3.
Nick plays more Heathstone. Saveun hates jump-scares. Blake starts reading The Witcher novels. We’re talking Mad Max, Hearthstone, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter and The Witcher 3…
Blake and Saveun eat the hottest chilli in the world. Nick questions his fire making skills. We talk, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, Red Dead Redemption 2, and The Witcher 3.
Nick confesses his love for Survivor. Saveun talks about Hitman Blood Money. Blake gets stuck in Dark Souls II. We answer listener emails and talk about the first steps towards a job in the games industry.
We continue our conversation with Jonathan, the Lead Programmer and Co Founder of Grinding Gear Games.
Jonathan Rogers, Co Founder of Grinding Gear Games, joins us for a chat about the good times and the bad times of developing Path of Exile. What it’s been like building a studio that started in a garage. And what other games he’d like to make one day.
We discuss the importance of a good show reel vs qualifications. Nick paints some beautiful word pictures. Blake is still trying to convince everyone that Dark Souls II is a good game. Saveun has now bought three copies of GTA 5
Act 4 of Path of Exile has been announced. We talk about what it was like working on it. Nick is still deep in Hearthstone. Blake is trying to fill a Bloodborne shaped void with Dark Souls. Saveun talk about the GDC Baby Brain. And we answer listener questions.
There’s a new Hearthstone Expansion. Sony has bought OnLive. We talk about level design and answer listener questions.
Nick has finaly played some Magic. Blake is sad that he can’t play Bloodborne on a PC. We discuss up coming ARPGs. And we answer more listener questions.
Nintendo is making mobile games. Saveun tells us why Rockstar is the greatest studio. Nick still wishes he was playing Magic. Blake spies on a rival game studio. And we answer some listener questions.
Magic anyone? This week we finally have our own mics. Our apologies, we’re still configuring them, there is a butt load of echoo. Touching on steam machines and answering more forum questions.
Episode 2 of Front Seat Gamer. You know what… Not too many announcements on the game front 😦
Three guys and one microphone talking about video games. This week we talk about The Order 1886, touch on Blizzards new MOBA and answer a few questions from the PoE community.