Podcast
Win Conditions
Hosted by A16Z Games · EN
The business of games is ever changing however the phrase “games are hard to make” seems constant. As a reaction to this sentiment, we wanted to sit down with battle-tested developers, entrepreneurs, and startups, to learn how they navigated their own choppy waters. What we found is that winning isn't defined by the hand dealt but the strategy and foresight of how to play it. This is Win Conditions.
6episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Tom & Tony Cannon: The Birth of the FGC, Founding EVO, Riot Games, and 2XKO...
Jan 3, 202500:54:57Tap to summarizeIn 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 | @TonyCannonFGLearn more about EVO: evo.ggJoin the conversation: #EVO #FightingGames #EsportsChapters:0:00 - Intro1:59 - Early Life: Games & Programming5:20 - Arcade Culture, Forums, and Rivalries9:55 - The Birth of Local Tournaments14:50 - The Business of EVO17:31 - The Genius Marketing of 'Moment 37'20:01 - The Power of Community22:44 - "The CRT TV Heist"29:06 - GGPO and Online Play34:52 - Founding a Game Studio (Radiant)38:37 - Game Recognize Game: Riot Acquisition44:03 - Riot's Influence on 2XKO50:45 - Conclusion
Transcribe →How Dave the Diver Sold Over 4 Million Copies | An Interview with Jaeho Hwang
Dec 5, 202400:41:26Tap to summarizeFrom 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.
Transcribe →Forest Willard on Creating Among Us and Staying Indie...
Nov 28, 202400:38:25Tap to summarizeIn 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 UsHow his partnership with Marcus Bromander (creator of Henry Stickmin) shaped InnerslothThe design philosophy behind Among Us, including its simplicity, social aspects, and focus on funHow they handled the viral explosion during the pandemic, with big-name streamers and Twitch helping push the game into the spotlightTips for indie devs: start small, focus on gameplay, and create fun experiences that resonateWhether 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.
Transcribe →How to Succeed in the Game Industry: Alan Wake 2 Director Kyle Rowley’s Path from Fan to Game Developer
Nov 21, 202400:45:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Kyle Rowley, the co-director of Alan Wake 2, as he shares his journey through the gaming industry, starting as a Max Payne fan and ultimately landing his dream job at Remedy Entertainment. Discover how Kyle transformed his passion for games into a 20-year career, working on iconic titles like RuneScape, Cyberpunk 2077, and Alan Wake 2. Kyle explains how he broke into the industry, his experiences in game design, and the challenges he faced and overcame in one of the most dynamic fields out there.Along the way, Kyle reflects on his childhood inspirations, navigating various roles from QA tester to game director, and shares insights into the creative process behind Alan Wake 2. Aspiring game designers, developers, and anyone interested in game production will gain valuable knowledge on what it takes to succeed in the game industry, from building the right skillset to fostering strong teamwork and communication. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on the art, challenges, and triumphs of game development, and learn from one of the leading voices in survival horror and narrative design.Join us to hear about the creative challenges behind Alan Wake 2 and the experiences that transformed Kyle from gamer to game director.
Transcribe →Mastering Twitch Growth: Cohh Carnage on Building a Thriving Streaming Career
Nov 14, 202400:47:03Tap to summarizeCurious about how to succeed on Twitch? In this episode, we uncover the path to Twitch success with one of the platform’s leading streamers, Ben Cassell, better known as Cohh Carnage. With over a decade of experience, Cohh shares his playbook on how to grow on Twitch, from building a loyal, positive community to mastering the balance between entertainment and strategy. He explains the pivotal “streamer triangle” for success, which includes picking games viewers want to watch, knowing your worth, and understanding the importance of metrics—all crucial steps for any aspiring streamer aiming to make their mark.Beyond streaming, Cohh dives into his exciting journey into game development, where he’s working on his own project, Emberville. He discusses how his extensive background in gaming and streaming informs his approach to game design, community feedback, and industry insights. This episode offers essential advice for those looking to turn Twitch streaming into a successful career, navigate viewer retention challenges, and even explore the world of game development with insights from a top creator.Tune in for a deep dive into the art of streaming, community-building, and the intersection of gaming and influencer culture.Chapters:00:00 - Intro01:22 - Growing up in Norrath03:41 - Discovering Lethal Frag & Twitch04:51 - A Long Way from DJ'ing10:11 - Finding Mentors12:19 - Understanding Success17:31 - The Decision to Go Full Time20:47 - Influencing success & Establishing Values24:02 - It All Could End at Any Moment25:42 - Learnings from Failure27:13 - The Fall of Traditional PR29:28 - What every streamer needs to know31:31 - What every developer needs to know34:43 - How the Gaming Industry is Changing39:07 - The Genius of Baldur's Gate 340:36 - Palworld Chat & Meme Games
Transcribe →From $22k to Generation Defining Games - Blizzard Entertainment Co-Founder, Allen Adham Reveals His Lessons in Game Design, Risks, and Scaling
Oct 31, 202400:37:43Tap to summarizeFrom $22K to World-Changing Games: Co-Founder Allen Adham: Lessons in Game Design, Risks, and ScalingIn this episode, we dive into an exclusive interview with Allen Adham, co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment, as he reflects on his storied journey in the gaming industry and the vision that brought iconic games like Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch to life. Starting from his early days at UCLA, Allen shares insights on bootstrapping Blizzard with only $22,000, recruiting a team of dedicated gamers, and the unique design philosophies that drove Blizzard's successes.Allen opens up about Blizzard's creative process, the challenges of building games with mass appeal, and the nuances of sustaining high-quality games through constant updates and live operations. We explore the cultural and strategic factors that allowed Blizzard to dominate the gaming world, as well as Allen's hiatus from Blizzard to establish a quantitative hedge fund—a move as daring as it was unorthodox. Now on the verge of a new era, Allen discusses his next moves and advice for aspiring game developers on balancing vision, community, and the drive to innovate.Whether you’re a budding developer, a die-hard gamer, or simply curious about the evolution of one of gaming’s most legendary companies, this episode delivers deep industry insights and personal reflections from one of the minds behind the world’s most beloved gaming franchises.Tune in for a masterclass in game development and an inside look at Blizzard’s lasting legacy in gaming.Chapters:00:00 - Intro01:20 - Early Life02:23 - How did your parents influence your early career?04:10 - Early Mentorship: Brian Fargo05:40 - Meeting Mike07:00 - The inception of Blizzard08:30 - What motivated Allen to start a company09:50 - Blizzard’s Philosophy behind Game Development12:15 - Approach to IP Development15:24 - Hiring and Scaling21:11 - Finding creative inspiration?24:44 - New Adventures26:35 - "Leaving Blizzard was the biggest mistake of my life"28:53 - How did you go back to Blizzard?30:42 - What were the biggest changes?32:10 - Challenges from success33:29 - Leaving Blizzard again, what excites you?36:11 - Advice for a gaming company founder
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