Bryant Francis
Reporting and statements that mention Bryant Francis.
Latest coverage
What devs need to know about localization
This article discusses the importance and often undervalued role of localization in game development, particularly for reaching overseas markets. It highlights the challenges localizers face, including being excluded from credits and the pressure from AI translation, and aims to bridge the gap between developers and localizers.
What to do about Game Engines with Rez Graham
This article discusses the implications of game engine choices, particularly focusing on Unity's controversial per-install fee policy change in late 2023. It explores the downsides of relying on third-party engines and the importance of valuing human assets within game development companies, referencing Nintendo's past leadership under Satoru Iwata as an example of prioritizing employees.
Photography Games | Game Developer Spotlight Series
Game Developer is hosting a "Photography Week" exploring the genre and its mechanics, featuring new interviews and essays. Topics include how photography games encourage players to notice their surroundings and document experiences. Discussions will cover game design choices, balancing artistic freedom with progression metrics, and applying basic photography tips to improve in-game photo modes.
Mike Bithell’s Journey From Auteur To Studio Boss
Mike Bithell, CEO and creative director of Bithell Games, discusses his journey from creating the indie hit Thomas Was Alone to leading a studio. He reflects on the challenges of modern indie development and the inspiration behind his TRON-inspired games, TRON: Catalyst and TRON: Identity. The interview also touches on the evolution of game development and the importance of studio leadership.
What is the Game Developer Podcast? | GameDeveloper.com
The GameDeveloper.com podcast features interviews with prominent figures in the video game industry, discussing game development, design challenges, and labor relations. Hosted by Bryant Francis, the bi-weekly show includes past conversations with developers like Liz England, Sarah Elmaleh, and Charles Cecil, covering topics from game preservation to marketing.
Creating the card-based RPG Battle Suit Aces
Trinket Studios, the developer behind Battle Chef Brigade, discusses the creation of their new card-based RPG, Battle Suit Aces. The interview covers the challenges of game development, including recovering rights from a collapsing publisher, and the process of creating a compelling anime-inspired story.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Analyzing the 2026 GDC State Of The Industry Report
The 2026 GDC State of the Industry Report, compiled by GDC Festival of Gaming, offers new insights into game development by expanding its survey pool and modifying its format. This episode features content marketing manager Beth Elderkin discussing the changes, followed by a conversation with news editor Chris Kerr and columnist Nicole Carpenter on key data points regarding layoffs, unionization, generative AI, and tariffs.
Can co-development save the game industry?
This article discusses co-development as a potential solution to the game industry's economic challenges, highlighting how external studios can assist both large and small developers. CEOs from Blackbird Interactive, Sweet Baby Inc, and Wolfjaw Studios share insights on the practice's role in preserving professional employment.
Opinion: Everything hurts and no one knows when the pain will end
The article discusses the ongoing financial struggles and mass layoffs within the game industry, attributing them to a combination of economic factors, executive mismanagement, and alleged abuses of power. The author, Bryant Francis, shares personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the constant stream of bad news and emphasizes the need for the industry to learn from past mistakes.
We tested the Steam Controller
Game Developer magazine tested Valve's new Steam Controller, examining its trackpads, button placement, and overall user experience for PC games. Freelance contributor Alessandro Fillari joined the Game Developer Podcast to discuss the pros and cons of the hardware.
The GDC 2026 wrap-up show
The Game Developer Podcast discusses the GDC 2026 Festival of Gaming, featuring insights from editors Bryant Francis, Alissa McAloon, Danielle Riendeau, and Chris Kerr. The episode covers interviews, indie games, talks, and casual conversations from the show floor. Game Developer is a bi-weekly podcast focused on game development lessons and strategies.
Here's where to find Game Developer's coverage from GDC Festival of Gaming!
Game Developer is providing extensive coverage from the GDC Festival of Gaming, including interviews with developers, session writeups, and live podcast recordings. The editorial team is actively interviewing industry figures to discuss trends and innovations.
Book excerpt: The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope
This excerpt discusses the evolution of game writing and narrative design, highlighting how the industry has moved from a peripheral role to a central focus. It emphasizes the diverse approaches and craft involved in modern game storytelling, drawing from various artistic disciplines and featuring contributions from a wide range of industry professionals.
How publishers can do better by devs (and still profit)
Hooded Horse CEO Tim Bender suggests that some publishers do not adequately support their developer partners, leading to developers considering self-publishing. The Game Developer podcast discusses strategies for a more sustainable game industry, with hosts Bryant Francis and editors Pierre Landriau and Mike Meehan.
