The Examined Game
Visit theexaminedgame.com for all episodes.
What do video games reveal about us? In The Examined Game Podcast, peabody-nominated documentary producer Steven Lake speaks with the creators of the world’s most celebrated video games about how they were made and the personal and professional impact games have had on their lives.
Steven is a Peabody-nominated producer whose work has appeared on Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS, and The Guardian.
About Steven Lake
Steven Lake is the host of The Examined Game Podcast and a Peabody-nominated documentary producer. His work has appeared on Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian.
His films include Roll Red Roll, described by The New York Times as “an essential watch,” as well as Phantom Parrot, rated 4 stars by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian, and Dungeon Masterhood, a coming-of-age documentary with dragons.
Episodes
10 episodes
Hell Broke Loose - The Making of Far Cry 2 | Clint Hocking (Creative Director)
Today I’m talking with Clint Hocking, Creative Director of Far Cry 2 and Watch Dogs: Legion.Clint has had a long and varied career in the video game industry, working on the original Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell series, as well as roles at...
Making Atomfall: Risk & Reward | Ben Fisher (Head of Design)
In today’s episode, I speak with Ben Fisher, Head of Design on Atomfall and Sniper Elite: Resistance. Ben is a key figure at Rebellion, and we break down how Atomfall’s opening establishes tone, pacing, and player behaviour in its open-world RP...
Writing Outer Wilds: Joy, Grief, and Letting Go | Kelsey Beachum (Outer Wilds, Avowed, Outer Worlds)
Today I sit down with Kelsey Beachum, writer of Outer Wilds, for a deeply honest conversation about the creative process — including what it was like collaborating with her brother Alex Beachum on one of the most loved games of the pas...
Scope, testing, and Finishing Games | Nina Freeman: Cibele, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage
In today’s episode I speak with Nina Freeman about how one learns from their mistakes, and how one learns to learn from them.Nina is a video game developer who finishes every game she starts. She is known for her autobiographical approac...
Why Platformers need to evolve | Chris Wade, Big Hops
Today i'm speaking with Chris Wade, game director at Luckshot Games and creator of Big Hops. Big Hops really caught my attention as a platformer that bought in emergency gameplay mechanics to create a truly unique experience. Kotaku said Ninten...
Why Great Games still Fail | Mario R. Kroll, Video PR & Marketing expert
Today I'm speaking with Mario R. Kroll, founder of UberStrategist. Mario has over 30 years of industry experience in PR and marketing within video games.This was a fun and candid conversation about what it takes not only to get a game no...
How Portal Was Written | Erik Wolpaw (Portal) — The Examined Game
The Examined Game #4In this episode of The Examined Game I speak with veteran Valve writer Erik Wolpaw on the power of great writing in video games. I am such a huge fan of Erik's work, particularly across the Portal series a...
Why Play Matters | Julia Minamata (The Crimson Diamond)
The Examined Game #3Julia Minamata is the solo developer of the text parser adventure game The Crimson Diamond, a love letter to the classic Sierra On-Line adventures. I adored playing The Crimson Diamond and wanted to talk with ...
Restoring the Mona Lisas of video games | Larry Kuperman (Nightdive Studios)
The Examined Game #2In today's episode I speak with Larry Kuperman, Vice President of Business Development at Nightdive Studios. Nightdive Studios have made a well-deserved name for themselves with their near-flawless remakes and remast...
Taking risks in AAA Games | Richard Lemarchand (Uncharted, Naughty Dog)
The Examined Game #1In today's episode I pose to Richard Lemarchand, the co-lead game designer for the original Uncharted trilogy, the question: “How do you learn to take risks in AAA games?”I have wanted to speak with Richard on...
