This week’s episode of Dev to Dev - the podcast about everyday videogame developers and why they do what they do every day - is one of those episodes that can sneak up on you.

What starts as a nostalgic dive into arcades, Sega consoles, and early PC adventures slowly evolves into something much deeper - a conversation about empathy, leadership, and why UX might be one of the most important (and misunderstood) disciplines in game development.

Ed’s journey from level designer to UX specialist wasn’t planned. It was shaped by opportunity, curiosity, and a willingness to own problems that others overlooked. Along the way, he discovered that great interface design isn’t about menus or polish but about understanding people.

Highlights:

Growing up immersed in arcades and early home computers
Writing a physical letter to Jane Jensen for career advice
Breaking into the industry through level design and technical curiosity
How UX became his niche — almost by accident
Why user research acts as an “insurance policy” for creative teams
The connection between accessibility and better design for everyone
How practicing empathy in design influences leadership and parenting

For me, this episode captures something central to Dev to Dev: careers aren’t linear, and the skills that define us often begin as side paths. What matters is the willingness to lean in, adapt, and care deeply about the people on the other side of the screen.

Find the Podcast at:

Find Ed At:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmoore-ux/