Best Videogame Writing Podcasts (2025)

1
Karrie Shao & Ros Dachtler 1:31:52

27d ago1:31:52

1:31:52

We're over halfway through 2025 and we've got Karrie (Lead Writer and Lead Narrative Designer of Pacific Drive, previously wrote and designed on League of Legends for Riot Games, Totemic for Collage Games, and Not Tonight 2 for Panic Barn. Also worked as a Director of Marketing at Strangely Compelling Multimedia, a Producer at tinyBuild Games, a Le…

1
Brendon Chung & Laura Michet 1:17:58

3M ago1:17:58

1:17:58

Hello hello! We're back with returning guests Brendon Chung (founder of Blendo Games and creator of such games as Gravity Bone, Flotilla, Atom Zombie Smasher, Thirty Flights of Loving, Quadrilateral Cowboy, and the recently released Skin Deep) and Laura Michet (writer and editor who's worked on such games as Where the Water Tastes Like Wine, Frog F…

1
The GDC 2025 Grab Bag Episode 1:08:41

4M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

We return with another grab bag episode for GDC 2025! Like last year, we brought a bunch of simple questions to ask folks, and in these three groups you get to hear how their answers differed. In our first group we had Chase Dodge (NYU student), Ruari Root (NYU student), Calliope Ryder (prev Lead Producer on Tales of the Shire at Weta Workshop), Ch…

1
Adam Dolin & Jolie Menzel 1:35:14

7M ago1:35:14

1:35:14

It’s been an embarrassingly long time but we are BACK! Again!!! And this time we’ve brought returning guests Adam Dolin and Jolie Menzel to discuss breaking in, how they define narrative design, the differences between creative directors who come from narrative versus other displiclines, the three c’s, can game writers exist without knowing narrati…

1
Jaclyn Seto & Christal Rose Hazelton 1:20:15

1y ago1:20:15

1:20:15

Moving on from our GDC episodes, we're back with Jaclyn (Writer at Respawn Entertainment on Apex Legends, instructor & student mentor at Vancouver Film School. Previously a Writer on RPG Puzzle Legends and Merge Tales for Microfun) and Christal Rose (previously a Writer at Respawn Entertainment on Apex Legends and an Associate Writer on Hogwarts Le…

1
The GDC 2024 Grab Bag Episode 2:02:29

1+ y ago2:02:29

2:02:29

Hey hey! We're back with our second episode that we recorded at this year's GDC, and it's a doozy! In a switch from how we normally do things, we brought a grab bag of simple questions to the conference and hit up people who were free, and so y'all get to see how everyone's answers differed. In our first group, we had Ben Starr (actor, Final Fantas…

1
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland & Sarah Elmaleh 41:54

1+ y ago41:54

41:54

Coming to you NOT LIVE from GDC, we've got a special episode of the podcast covering SAG-AFTRA's negotiations with game studios! Duncan Crabtree-Ireland (National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator for SAG-AFTRA) and Sarah Elmaleh (Chair of the SAG-AFTRA Interactive Media (IMA) Negotiating Committee, as well as actor in titles like Helldivers …

1
Stephen Rhodes & Danny Homan 1:13:41

1+ y ago1:13:41

1:13:41

First ep of 2024! We've got Stephen (scriptwriter and narrative designer, currently Narrative Director on Motive's untitled Iron Man project in collaboration with Marvel Games. Previously a Senior Writer on Vampyr and Greedfall, Associate Narrative Director/Lead Narrative Designer on Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, Lead Narrative Designer/Senior Sto…

1
Only In Silence The Word 1:01:20

1+ y ago1:01:20

1:01:20

"The final victory of sci-fi is its final defeat," says AK, gnomically, before we sing the Beverly Hills Cop theme tune and talk about trombones. Join us for a discussion of 'the best fiction novel of the 20th century', A Wizard of Earthsea, and its masterful magic system: from Native American folklore to shamanism, demonic to natural theurgy, and …

1
331: FOLLOW THAT POD 1:26:53

1+ y ago1:26:53

1:26:53

Happy holidays! ATARI BYTES returns from hiatus with episode 331, the annual holiday special. We take a break from games and story writing to catch up on some movies. And we've made it all the way to 1985! So that movie-catching is coming along great! Earlier this year, we played the Sesame Street inspired game "Cookie Monster Munch", so it seemed …

1
The Wood Between the Worlds 1:05:36

1+ y ago1:05:36

1:05:36

Lord of the Rings + Narnia + Jane Austen = ? A smash-hit 800-page faux-Victorian novel of realist magic and alternate histories, of course! Welcome to the world of Susanna Clarke, whose rules-based, Mametian and very 'English' magic system is one of the best we've had the good fortune to meet. Join us for a discussion of made-up magical scholarship…

1
Alexa Ray Corriea & Ben Starr 2:01:08

1+ y ago2:01:08

2:01:08

Happy Holidays! We're closing out this year with the absolutely amazing Alexa Ray Corriea (Writer and narrative designer currently working on Black Panther in partnership with Marvel Games and EA, serving as both a writer and systems designer. Previously she worked on Aztech: Forgotten Cods, Call of Duty: Vanguard and the Call of Duty: Warzone Pafc…

1
The Kilns of Smorgasbord 1:02:45

1+ y ago1:02:45

1:02:45

Author. Visionary. Dreamweaver. Plus bellhop. Meet Jack Vance, one of the most inventive fantasy authors we've ever heard of, and probably not a pirate king. What happens when fairies become too lumpen and earthy? Why are Lvl1 wizards in D&D so rubbish? Who is Larkin the Baby-Stealer, and why are you reaching for that kazoo? We talk Cugel the Cleve…

1
Magic That Hath Ravish'd Me 47:32

2y ago47:32

47:32

"If magic works, why isn't the President of the United States doing it?" After a 'brief' hiatus, we're back! We pick up where we left off and talk about the magic of Doctor Faustus, whether magic is 'liberation or damnation', and the distinction between ceremonial magic and what specialists term 'Doing A Big Spell'. Games / books mentioned in this …

1
Ally Hennessy & Natalie Watson 1:35:57

2y ago1:35:57

1:35:57

We've got Ally (producer at The Voxel Agents, game director at Lemonade Games on Mystiques, Production Director at League of Geeks on Solium Infernum and the recent Jumplight Odyssey. Previously was a senior producer and development manager at Mighty Kingdom, expert product manager at Wargaming, and gamerunner on Rumu at Robot House) and Natalie (p…

1
Jennifer Hale & Debra Wilson 1:21:18

2y ago1:21:18

1:21:18

Everyone said it’d be impossible, but we managed to find another pair of twins to come onto this podcast. That’s right. The incredible Jennifer Hale (Has acted in the original Mass Effect trilogy, the Metal Gear Solid series, Overwatch, Star Wars: The Knights of the Old Republic, Bioshock Infinite, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart, and many many many …

1
Chris Garbutt & Rikke Asbjoern 1:02:04

2+ y ago1:02:04

1:02:04

Apologies for the wait, but we're back! We don't often do episodes focused around one specific thing, but we're making an exception to talk about Netflix's newest interactive special: We Lost Our Human, and we're joined by its two co-creators, Chris and Rikke! (They also co-created the Nickelodeon series Pinky Malinky, and both have worked on many,…

1
330: 'CAUSE I'M THE TAX AVOIDER, MAN (Tax Avoiders for the 2600) 36:02

2+ y ago36:02

36:02

We're getting down to the last few days of tax time in America as this episode goes out. Why not relieve some of that mathematical stress with a podcast! In 330, we're playing the 1982 game TAX AVOIDERS, the intense adventure of tax sheltered investments. Then once you've listened to this episode...go back and listen to some of the other 329 - for …

1
329: ME WANT COOKIE! ER...EPISODE. NO, DEFINITELY COOKIE! (Cookie Monster Munch for the 2600) 43:00

2+ y ago43:00

43:00

Peanut butter and jelly. Laverne and Shirley. And now Atari and Muppets. All great things that belong together. In episode 329, we're playing COOKIE MONSTER MUNCH for the 2600. This 1983 joint effort by Atari and The Children's Computer Workshop is a showcase for Cookie Monster. (I was more of a Grover man, myself. But Cookie is pretty cool.) But i…

1
328: MASTER OF NONE (Master Builder for the 2600) 34:44

2+ y ago34:44

34:44

In 328, we build on the massive tower of gaming experiences we've had on this show with MASTER BUILDER from Spectravision, 1983. Does it stand tall and proud or all come tumbling down? Listen and find out! ORIGINAL SHORT STORY: Building Up Expectations Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Hidd…

1
327: GET YOUR KICKS! (Kickman for the 2600) 40:14

2+ y ago40:14

40:14

327 features the 1983 prototype KICKMAN from CBS Electronics, based on the arcade game, which also wasn't that popular. Why didn't it work out? One guess.... No, not that. It's balloons! This game is full of 'em. And even in 1983, they knew to stay away from balloons. Why didn't we listen? Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative comm…

1
326: SLAM THE CHAMBER DOOR! (Dark Chambers for the 2600) 32:53

2+ y ago32:53

32:53

By 1988, the 2600 was feeling a bit long in the tooth. But once in a while, it could still enthrall the gamer of the day. So, does DARK CHAMBERS from Sculptured Software enthrall or enrage? Throw open the chamber door on this episode and see what happens. Bad Poetry Corner: HEART BEAT ON DARK CHAMBER DOORS Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com …

1
325: GO FOR THE GOLD! (INCA GOLD for the 2600) 36:17

2+ y ago36:17

36:17

In 1982, Canadian-based department store chain Zellers thought it would be fun to take a break from selling washers and socks and whatever and instead program Atari games. Why? Dunno. But I played one. It's called Donkey Kong. No, wait. Sorry! It's called INCA GOLD. You'll understand why I was confused after episode 325. Original Short Story: GOLD …

1
324: RAISE A GLASS TO GAUNTLET! (2600) 37:09

2+ y ago37:09

37:09

Is Answer Software's 1983 title GAUNTLET the answer to all our gaming needs? Hold your water and listen to episode 324. Raise a glass to not spilling a glass. No, really. Look, just listen to the episode. Thanks! Original Short Story: UNDAUNTED GAUNTLET Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance",…

1
Ep 323 TIME WARP (2600) 35:44

2+ y ago35:44

35:44

Episode 323 is a bargain. I mean, not like cheap socks or 2-for-1 toasters like you could get at Zellers in Canada in the 1980s. (I'm just guessing about that.) But in this episode, we're playing TIME WARP, one of two games Zellers developed in 1983 all on its own for the 2600, maybe in aisle 3 between the winter coats and MC Hammer parachute pants…

1
322: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!! 1:40:46

2+ y ago1:40:46

1:40:46

No Christmas content really this episode, but it's dropping on Christmas Day, so...MERRY CHRISTMAS! Hope you and yours have a lovely day and joyous holiday season! Here at the podcast, we're relaxing with a movie as is our tradition for the last episode of the year. This time, it's the 1963 classic JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS. Ancient Greek Gods! Skele…

1
George Lockett & Mary Goodden 1:28:48

2+ y ago1:28:48

1:28:48

It's the end of the year, which means it's time for us to put out a new episode and feel guilty for not releasing more this year! (We were busy, but we got lots more planned for next year!) Our guests this month are George Lockett (Senior Writer at Failbetter Games and a Narrative Consultant, Writer, and Designer at Bear Wolf Narrative. Previously …

1
321: A BIT OF AUDIO COAL IN YOUR HOLIDAY STOCKING 42:05

2+ y ago42:05

42:05

Ok, look. It's the holiday season. And while we all try to be good, if you're like me, you stumble a bit. We probably all deserve a bit of coal in our holiday stockings. Just think of episode 321 as your penance before the Big Guy brings your presents. This episode, we're talking about the 1982 Hanna-Barbera animated special "Christmas Comes to Pac…

1
320: CIRCUS CONVOY (2600) 38:43

2+ y ago38:43

38:43

While you gulp down the last of the pumpkin pie, give episode 320 a listen. We're clowning around with one of Audacity Games' 2021 debuts CIRCUS CONVOY. Does the game barrel down the highway of fun? Or does it stall out in a ditch somewhere? BAD POETRY CORNER: OVER THE BIG TOP Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of hi…

1
319: MONKEY TIME! 37:41

3y ago37:41

37:41

As a kid in the arcade, I found Sega's 1983 title CONGO BONGO...interesting. So, of course, when I got hold of a copy of the game for the 5200, I had to try it. And now in episode 319, I have. That's a thing I've done. What did I think? Well, you'll have to listen and find out. SHORT STORY: THE BONGO BASTARDS https://incompetech.com/Thanks to Kevin…

1
318: MIDNIGHT MUTANTS (7800) 43:46

3y ago43:46

43:46

On this Halloween Eve...eve, we've got an awesome treat. No, not candy. No, not money. No, not world peace in our time. Look, it's another podcast episode, ok? Episode 318 is MIDNIGHT MUTANTS for the 7800. Is it a tasty confection or a bitter pill? And why is Grampa Munster here?!?! Bad Poetry Corner: MIDNIGHT MUTANTS - A POEM Into the Vertical Bla…

1
317: AIRLOCK (2600) 40:36

3y ago40:36

40:36

In 1982, did Data Age got a LOCK on the submarine adventure genre? Or does this game suck the AIR out of gaming fun? We're playing AIRLOCK. Well, mostly we're cursing AIRLOCK. There's a nice story though... SHORT STORY: AIRLOCKED AND LOADED - A STEVE STETSON, 1980's SUPERSPY ADVENTURE Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons u…

1
316: NO ESCAPE! (2600) 34:57

3y ago34:57

34:57

With the game NO ESCAPE!, episode 316 is escapist fun you can't escape from! Well, you could just not listen, I suppose. But you wouldn't do that, would you? Would you?!?!? We're playing this 1983 title from iMagic. Goddesses! Guys named Jason! Getting stoned! It's all here! Original Short Story from Me: Yourself and Nowhere to Go From There - A Pl…

1
Rob Forman & Andrew Walsh 1:35:54

3y ago1:35:54

1:35:54

We've got a unionization-heavy episode for y'all as we've got Rob (additional writer on Indivisible for Lab Zero Games, writer on Spider-Man 2 for Insomniac Games, and current co-chair of the WGAW's LGBTQ+ Writers Committee) and Andrew (writer, narrative designer, narrative director, story consultant, and more on games like Horizon Forbidden West, …

1
315: RUSH HOUR (2600) 38:59

3y ago38:59

38:59

Beep! Beep! Move it...to episode 315 of ATARI BYTES! We're playing CommaVid's unreleased 1983 title RUSH HOUR. Honk if you love games! Bad Poetry Corner: GET OUT OF MY WAY! Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Reformat", "Take a Chance" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "Storytime" the…

1
314: FROG DEMO (2600) 32:57

3y ago32:57

32:57

This episode croaks on arrival. In 314, we're "playing" (Sort of) CommaVid's unreleased demo for something maybe called FROG that the programmer dug out of an old box after twenty years and chucked out to the masses without a care...much like this podcast is produced. Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "…

1
313: STRONGHOLD (2600) 29:58

3y ago29:58

29:58

Does episode of 313 get a strong hold on your heart as we play Commavid's 1983 space game STRONGHOLD? Listen and decide for yourself! Original Short Story: THE INEVITABILITY OF HISTORY Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pinball Spring". Thanks to Sean Courtney for the "St…

1
Sarah Baylus & Mike Laidlaw 1:26:23

3y ago1:26:23

1:26:23

Somehow we're over halfway through the year, but this podcast is still going! Our guests this month are Sarah Baylus (Principal Writer at Larian Studios where she’s currently working on Baldur’s Gate III, and previously she wrote on Divinity: Original Sin, and its sequel Divinity: Original Sin II) and Mike Laidlaw (Chief Creative Officer at Yellow …

1
312: TUNNEL RUNNER (2600) 44:49

3y ago44:49

44:49

In episode 312, we've got tunnel vision, focused only on bringing you a doozy of an episode! This time, it's the 1983 CBS Electronics game TUNNEL RUNNER, a ground-breaking, immersive 4D experience. Okay, actually, they call it it 3D. We added the fourth D for "DAMN!" Original Short Story: TUNNEL VISION Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for …

1
311: COSMIC SWARM (2600) 35:06

3y ago35:06

35:06

Call the Orkin man! (Gratuitous Orkin Man shout out. Send me a check.) In episode 311, I'm sorry to tell you, you've got termites. And not just any termites. Giant, space-faring, killer nest-building termites. It's COSMIC SWARM, the 1982 title from CommaVid. Termites all over the darn place. And you, friend, must destroy them. Fight that creepy cra…

1
310: WABBIT (2600) 33:27

3y ago33:27

33:27

Episode 310 is going to the dogs...er, rabbits. We're playing Apollo's 1982 title WABBIT for the 2600. The bunnies are on a fluffy rampage! So grab your carrots...er, joysticks and join us! This episode's original short story: THE CABAL Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "…

1
Corey Brotherson & Kelsie Mhoon 59:47

3y ago59:47

59:47

Back in the throes of summer, we've got Corey (lead narrative designer at Silver Rain Games, writer and narrative designer on WindRush Tales, editor and social media manager of Butterfly Books, and a journalist, critic and content producer for companies such as PlayStation, Yahoo! and the Eurogamer Network) and Kelsie (narrative designer at Obsidia…

1
309: SPACE SPARTANS (INTELLIVISION) 44:22

3y ago44:22

44:22

In ATARI BYTES 309, I hear voices. This is nothing new, but this time, I know the voices are coming from outside my own head. Probably. We're closing out Intellivision Month on the podcast by playing the 1982 Mattel title "Space Spartans" with - holy crap! - the "Intellivoice" voice synthesizer module. Is the game fun? Who cares! There's a robotic …

1
308: SPACE HAWK (INTELLIVISION) 27:46

3y ago27:46

27:46

Episode 308 of ATARI BYTES is a blast! A GAS blast, specifically! It's true! In SPACE HAWK, your gas is the only thing that can save the universe. Tell you significant other to stop complaining. The 1982 Mattel title SPACE HAWK is for the Intellivision console. Why an Intellivision game on an Atari-based podcast? Well, it's our annual INTELLIVISION…

1
S3:E4: The A to Z of Game Design 1:04:28

3y ago1:04:28

1:04:28

We talk Game Design with Ziba Scott- Owner of PopCannibal- and Amor Estandian - Senior Game Designer at Pipeworks Studios. Topics include: What do designers do? Working with Licensed IPs vs Your own IP Dealing with community expectations. Controlling Budgets Guests: Zib Scott Amor Estandian Hosts Katie Postma Rick Heaton Other links: Crossing the S…

1
S3: E3: Social Media for AAA vs Indie Games. Key tactics and strategy differences. 1:03:41

3y ago1:03:41

1:03:41

Boka Agboje shares his thoughts on the differences between Triple A and Indie game social media strategies. Topics include: Humanizing your brand. Growth vs Engagement: Size matters, until it doesn't. Corporate Responsibility. Follow our Guests and Hosts on Twitter Guests: Boka Agboje Hosts Katie Postma Rick Heaton Other links: Bromance Podcast: Ro…

1
307: COUNTERMEASURE (5200) 46:54

3y ago46:54

46:54

Does the 1983 nuclear terrorism game COUNTERMEASURE for the 5200 measure up to the quality you've come to expect from this podcast? Counter point: Don't sweat it. The podcast is free. Short Story: MEASURE TWICE, CUT ONCE...TO THE BONE Thanks to Kevin McLeod at Incompetech.com for creative commons use of his songs "Take a Chance", "Reformat" and "Pi…

1
S3: E2: Writing for Games Part One 1:13:19

3y ago1:13:19

1:13:19

Guests Amy Noel Green (That Dragon Cancer) and Nicole Hamlett (Writer for interactive story games) join us to discuss writing for games. Topics include: How being Neurodivergent can present challenges, but can also be a superpower. Writing for established IPs vs creating your own worlds. Are you a "shower or a grower" Women in Gaming About our Gues…

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Videogame Writing Podcasts

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