Scottish Games Network Podcast
By Scottish Games Network
Background music:
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick-back
License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F
Scottish Games Network PodcastFeb 08, 2021
Interview with Ally Low (Lowtek Games) | SGN Pod
On the podcast this week we have Ally Low, founder of LowTek Games. LowTek burst onto the indie scene last year and have continued to grow from there. Working on both retro games (that you can actually play on NES, Dreamcast and soon to come to Gameboy) and dyslexic friendly titles and game-making tools. We spoke to Ally in February before his talk at the Tinderbox collective's Play Away Festival. In this episode, Ryan and Ally sit down for a catch up on everything he's been up to since then (Spoilers, he's been busy... he always is).
Ally speaks about everything from his ever-growing Tik Tok presence to his work on his upcoming title, 'Tapeworkm Disco Puzzle' as well as the recent release of Disletek and his arts and crafts animation side projects! He has been incredibly busy, we're not even sure that he sleeps.
Also, Ryan is returning for this episode...
If you have any feedback or questions, leave a comment below or send us an email. You can also get in touch with the show via the hashtag #SGNpodon Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
Ally on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wallmasterr
Ally on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wallmasterr?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
LowTek: http://lowtek.co.uk/
Gary McCarten (Pocket Sized Hands)
On the podcast this week is Gary MacCarten, the CEO of Dundee-based AR and VR specialists Pocket Sized Hands. This chat with Gary was another of the terrific conversations put together by Sebastian MacKay of The Scottish Business Podcast earlier this year. Seb’s kindly let us re-air all of his videogame interviews, including one-to-ones with Maxwell Scot-Slade of Glitchers (makers of Drive Buy) and Marc Williamson from Tag Games.
Gary gives Seb a younger games company’s perspective on the industry and Scotland as well as an insight into how an indie studio can use consistent client work as a launch pad for developing their own original titles. Originally from Ireland, Gary also explains how Abertay University attracted him to Dundee in the first place and the important role that the university and its links with local veterans has played in fostering a healthy industry.
If you've have any feedback or questions, leave a comment below or send us an email. You can also get in touch with the show via the hashtage #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
- Gary McCarten on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zecbmo
- Pocket Sized Hands: https://pocketsizedhands.com/
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/kindness
License code: PQTTVBC9YOWGLEV3
Maxwell Scott-Slade (Glitchers)
We’ve got another brilliant archive interview for you this week with Maxwell Scott-Slade, the director of the BAFTA-nominated, Edinburgh-based developer Glitchers. The conversation was conducted by Sebastian McKay of The Scottish Business Podcast and follows his similarly enlightening chats with Marc Williamson from Tag and Colin Mcdonald from Rivet Games that we’ve previously featured on SGN.
Seb caught Maxwell just a few weeks before Glitchers launched their fantastic "delivery car combat" game Drive Buy. The pair chatted about the business side of preparing to release a game and a whole swathe of other interesting topics in this tangent-happy episode, including: the value of the Switch and the Nintendo eShop as a platform for indies; the difference between being doing client work and being a collaborator; building a sustainable studio in a title-focused industry; Maxwell's eye-opening trip to Tokyo; and even Maxwell and Seb’s strategies for surviving a zombie apocalypse. (Seb’s is ingenious btw)
If you've have any feedback or questions, leave a comment below or send us an email. You can also get in touch with the show via the hashtage #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
- Maxwell Scott-Slade on Twitter: https://twitter.com/maxscottslade
- Glitchers: https://glitchers.com/
- Drive Buy: https://glitchers.com/drive-buy/
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/kindness
License code: PQTTVBC9YOWGLEV3
Marc Williamson (Tag Games)
The CEO of Dundee-based mobile games developer Tag Games Marc Williamson has been in the games industry for more than 15 years. With Tag, he's overseen projects working with some of household names in entertainment, including the BBC, Adult Swim and Angry Birds creators Rovio.
This conversation is another achive episode courtesy of Seb McKay of The Scottish Business Podcast. Marc tells Seb about operating as business-facing game developer in a consumer-facing industry and how that dynamic shapes the public profile Scottish games industry.
The pair also touch upon the benefits of working in Dundee, the advantages of growing your company gradually and why playing buggy games like Cyberpunk 2077 can be especialy frustrating for game devs.
If you've have any feedback or questions, leave a comment below or send us an email. You can also get in touch with the show via the hashtage #SGNpod
on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
- Marc on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mungry
- Tag Games: https://www.tag-games.com/
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/kindness
License code: PQTTVBC9YOWGLEV3
Claire Morwood (3-Fold Games)
With the console versions of Before I Forget released earlier this week, we took the opportunity to have an extended chat with Claire Morwood, who co-developed the game alongside narrative designer Chella Ramanan. Before I Forget is the first release from 3-Fold Games, the studio the pair formed together.
Previously based in Bristol (which was where she met Ramanan), Morwood has recently relocated to Dundee and is now also a member of Biome Collective.
In this podcast, Morwood tells us about how 3-Fold Games got started, the logistics of making a game like Before I Forget, how she went from a geology graduate to a celebrated game designer and what it feels like to be nominated for BAFTA.
You can listen to this podcast interview with Claire Morwood of 3-Fold-Games via our usual podcast feed, or via the YouTube video embedded below.
If you've have any feedback or questions, leave a comment below or send us an email. You can also get in touch with the show via the hashtage #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
- Claire on Twitter: https://twitter.com/shimmerwitch
- 3-Fold Games: https://www.3foldgames.uk/
- Teenage Blob: https://teamlazerbeam.itch.io/teenage-blob
- Bitsy: https://bitsy.org/
- Flat Jam 2017: https://itch.io/jam/flatgame-annual-2017
- This System (by Claire Morwood): https://shimmerwitch.itch.io/this-system
- flatpack: https://candle.itch.io/flatpack
- Mycorrhiza (by Claire Morwood): https://shimmerwitch.itch.io/mycorrhiza
- Suzanne Simard TED Talk on mycorrhizal networks: https://www.ted.com/talks/suzanne_simard_how_trees_talk_to_each_other/
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/kindness
License code: PQTTVBC9YOWGLEV3
Colin Macdonald (Rivet Games)
In this episode Seb chats with Rivet Games' commercial director, Games Jobs Live head honcho and SGN bestie Colin Macdonald about the advantages of serving a niche audience and the importance of app store search optimisation. Colin also talks about how the industry has changed over the course of his career and reveals how he once succesfully used Brexit to market a game while working at Channel 4.
If you've have any feedback or questions, leave a comment below or send us an email. You can also get in touch with the show via the hashtage #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
- Colin on Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottishcolin
- Rivet Games: https://www.rivet-games.com/
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/danijel-zambo/kindness
License code: PQTTVBC9YOWGLEV3
Shut Up Ryan! | SGN Podcast
We welcome a friendly new voice to the podcast this week while also giving Ryan a stricly sensitive and respectful send-off.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod
on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
- The Scottish Business Podcast: https://anchor.fm/scottish-business-podcast
- Drive Buy: https://glitchers.com/drive-buy/
- Young Enterprise Scotland Articel: https://scottishgames.net/2021/04/12/young-enterprise-scotland-glasgow-university-gamify-enterprise-skills/
- Dundee Article: https://scottishgames.net/2021/04/12/dundee-in-21-places-of-the-future-report/
- Raise Your Game Article: https://scottishgames.net/2021/04/13/raise-your-game-creative-edinburgh-2021/
- Remote Control Production Case Study: https://scottishgames.net/2021/04/14/case-study-remote-control-productions/
- Bonus Podcast With Gaberiel Elvery: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/16/play-away-gabriel-elvery/
- Dislectek Article: https://scottishgames.net/2021/04/15/make-your-game-more-accessible-with-dislectek/
- A Familiar Fairytale: https://store.steampowered.com/app/929570/A_Familiar_Fairytale_Dyslexic_Text_Based_Adventure/
- "Stay In" - Late Fees: https://ffm.to/stayin
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/jonny-boyle/carefree-in-france
License code: NK5PZTEH1VZDZH14
Wii Talk Peripherals | SGN Podcast
This week is Ryan's last week working full time with the team and because of that, the episode is characteristically off-topic.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
SGN Website: https://scottishgames.net/
Ally's Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wallmasterr/video/6945957292546247942?lang=en&is_copy_url=1&is_from_webapp=v1
Eltanin Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUQTl7GY9CY
Ryan's video with Zork: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I7fiWSFnqM
Interview with Eltanin from Team Junkfish | SGN Pod - Bonus episode
Andrew and Ryan sat down with Eltanin from Team Junkfish to discuss Monstrum 2, her role and what to expect from Team Junkfish moving forward. Thank you, Eltanin for taking the time to sit down with us and we hope to work together again in the future.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpodon Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
Team Junkfish: https://www.teamjunkfish.com/
Junkfush on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TeamJunkfish
Monstrum 2: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1093170/Monstrum_2/
Attack of the Earthlings: https://store.steampowered.com/app/621930/Attack_of_the_Earthlings/
Junkfish Discord: https://discord.gg/junkfish
SGN Discord: https://discord.gg/RecfNDT
Scottish Games Network: https://scottishgames.net/
News! SO MUCH NEWS! | SGN Pod
There was so much news this week that we decided to dedicate a whole episode to what we've been reporting on in the world of Scottish games and tech.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
Where to find all the stories we discussed: https://scottishgames.net/
Our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scottishgames/
Our Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/scottishgames
Out LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scottish-games-nw/
Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottishgamesNW/
User Generated Content | Scottish Games Network Podcast
Last week we mentioned user-generated content and so in this episode, we thought we'd discuss our opinions on topics such as modding, fan fiction, art and animations. As always we'd love to hear what you'd have to say so let us know on any of our social media channels or in our YouTube comments section.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
Play Away Article: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/15/play-away-festival-2021-review/
5 Game Studios in Aberdeen: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/16/5-games-studios-in-aberdeen/
Pure4D: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/16/di4d-launches-pure4d/
Case Study: Hyper Luminal Games: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/17/case-study-hyper-luminal-games/
Games Jobs Live report: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/17/games-jobs-live-shares-optimistic-report/
Scotland's New Digital Strategy: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/18/a-changing-nation-scotlands-new-digital-strategy/
Ally Low on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wallmasterr?lang=en
Scottish University eSports Network | w/ Mark McCready from British eSports
British eSports have launched a network for university students to expand what they can do within the world of eSports. We spoke to Mark McCready, Scotland Representative, about what the network offers and how students can benefit.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links:
British eSports: https://britishesports.org/
British eSports on Twitter: https://twitter.com/British_Esports
Mark on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkMcCreadyUK
Scottish Games Network Podcast | ep.7
Brian has returned! This week we're back in full swing with our usual format. You can expect a weekly news recap that covers everything that has been on the website. We also discussed Reboots and Remakes and what separates the two.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Background music: Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick... License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F
Links :
Scottish Games Network: https://scottishgames.net/
Island Saver: https://natwest.mymoneysense.com/island-saver/
The Computer Games Journal Ceases Publication: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/08/the-computer-games-journal-ceases-publication/
Ubisoft Dunoon vacancies story: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/10/do-ubisoft-dunoon-vacancies-hint-at-assassins-creed-highlander/
Skills Development Scotland Survey: https://wh1.snapsurveys.com/s.asp?k=161374870523
Stronghold Warlords: https://www.strongholdwarlords.com/
GTA V Remaster: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/11/new-version-of-gta-v-will-be-a-remaster/
A Wild Pokemon Episode Appears! | Scottish Games Network Podcast
This week with Brian away Ryan and Andrew run wild talking all things pokemon and kinda forget to talk about the rest of the news... (hopefully it's still enjoyable)
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Background music: Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick... License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F
Links :
Scottish Games Network: https://scottishgames.net/
Cairngorms in Minecraft: https://scottishgames.net/2021/03/01/cairngorms-recreated-in-minecraft/
The Crew Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NeRaCsf6Jk
Zoe on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/jaffacakexd
Scottish Games Network Podcast | Play Away Special
This week we've been attending the talks and panels at this year's Play Away festival! Here's our rundown on everything that happened and what we thought.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Background music: Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick... License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F
Links: (Links to everyone we discussed is on their respective event pages)
Play Away Programme: https://tinderboxcollective.org/playaway-full-programme/
Jane McGonigal Keynote: Fireside Conversation & Q&A: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/22/playaway-welcome-and-keynote/
Game Design Panel with Shay Thompson: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/22/playaway-game-design-panel/
Gaming for Health, Education & Wellbeing: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/23/playaway-games-education/
Games Research with University of Glasgow Games & Gaming Lab: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/25/games-studies-university-of-glasgow-games-gaming-lab/
Careers in Games – Games Jobs Live with Into Games: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/25/playaway-careers-in-games/
CI Lab 15: Just the ticket – Performance, Payment and Data: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/25/ci-lab-15/
Beyond Parasocial Interaction: Speed Dating with Ghosts: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/25/speed-dating-with-ghosts-workshop/
Scottish Games Network Podcast | ep.4
Hello and welcome to the Scottish Games Network Podcast. Let's start by saying this as a weirder one, our big topic this week is marketing in video games and the importance of speaking to the press.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Background music: Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick... License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F
Links to everything we spoke about :
Developing a Data Driven Creative Company: https://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/event/developing-a-data-driven-creative-company-2021
UKIE Proposal: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/16/ukie-submits-proposals-for-uk-games-growth/
Gabriel Elvery interview article: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/16/play-away-gabriel-elvery/
Gabriel Elvery Interview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trXyKLg80XM&t=1753s
William Kavanagh interview: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/17/playaway-william-kavanagh/
Bafta Scotland Guru Live Online: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/17/bafta-scotland-guru-live-online-entries-open/
Ally Low Interview Article: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/18/playaway-ally-low-dyslexia-in-games/
Ally Low Interview video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuUKD-qW-I&t=163s
Marina Diez Interview Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxVLhweRgXc
Dyslexia in Games | Interview with Ally Low | Play Away Festival
We spoke to Ally Low from LowTek games about his upcoming talk at the Play Away Festival. He will be discussing Dyslexia in games and what we can do to improve gaming for dyslexic people in a series of Mini Talks.
Background music: Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick...License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F
Links!
Play Away Festival: https://tinderboxcollective.org/playa...
Games and Empathy Mini Talks: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/...
Ally on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wallmasterr
LowTek Games: http://lowtek.co.uk/
Ally's Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/wallmasterr
Ally on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wallmasterr?l...
Speed Dating with Ghosts | Interview with Gabe Elvery | Play Away Festival
In this bonus episode of the Scottish Games Network Podcast, we speak to Gabe Elvery about her upcoming Play Away Festival talk "Speed Dating with Ghosts"!
Links!
Play Away Festival: https://tinderboxcollective.org/playaway/
Speed Dating with Ghosts: https://tinderboxcollective.org/2020/02/25/speed-dating-with-ghosts-workshop/
Gabe on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DigiFantastic
Gabe's Blog: https://digital-fantastic.com/
Gabe on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/digitalfantastic
Scottish Games Network Podcast | ep.3
Hello and welcome to the Scottish Games Network Podcast. Let's start by saying this as a weirder one, our big topic this week is the Scottish Games Network Podcast... yes we're talking about ourselves (not at all narcissistic). However, as always you can expect us to be chatting about the Scottish games industry as well as the occasional off-topic conversation.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links to everything we spoke about :
The Website: Scottishgames.net
Games Master: https://www.4sales.com/latest/2021-02/news/gamesmaster-returns-seeking-brand-partner
GTA hits new high: https://scottishgames.net/2021/02/09/gta-online-has-biggest-year-yet/
Games Jobs Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grE43bjeWwg
Dwerg Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/dwergsaga
Dwerg Itch.Io: https://haikuinteractive.itch.io/dwerg-saga
Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/scottishgames
Play Away Interview | Bonus Episode
We sat down with Luci Holland, festival director for Play Away. In this episode you can find out about the upcoming event and what to expect from it. Play Away will run between Monday 22nd February and Friday 5th March.
Play Away Website: https://tinderboxcollective.org/playaway/
Scottish Edge Interview | Bonus Episode
We sat down with Steve Hammill, COO of the Scottish Edge competition. In this episode, you can find out what Scottish Edge is, how to apply and what winning Scottish Edge can do for your company! Applications end Wednesday 10th of February so you still have time to get involved.
Scottish Edge website: https://www.scottishedge.com/
Application: https://portal.scottishedge.com/apply-select/
Scottish Games Network Podcast | ep.2
Hello and welcome to the Scottish Games Network Podcast! This is our second episode, we're still learning but hopefully, we've improved since last week.
This week we talked about what you can find on Scottishgames.net as well as the Google Stadia
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links to the wonderful people we spoke about:
Dwerg Saga: http://dwergsaga.com/
Tentacle Zone: https://tentacle.zone/incubator/
Henderson Loggie: https://hlca.co.uk/
Play Away: https://tinderboxcollective.org/playaway/
Glasgow Creative Accelerator: https://www.elevatoruk.com/accelerators/glasgow-creative-accelerator/register/
Final Directive: https://store.steampowered.com/app/777790/Final_Directive/
Scottish Games Network Podcast | ep.1
Hello and welcome to the Scottish Games Network Podcast! This is our first ever episode, with that in mind the show is still a little rough around the edges so bear with us as we find our feet.
This week we talked about what you can find on Scottishgames.net as well as what the hell is going on with Gamestop.
If you want to get in touch with the show you can use #SGNpod on Twitter or message us directly @ScottishGames.
Links to the wonderful people we spoke about:
Team Junkfish: https://www.teamjunkfish.com/
Amicable Animal: http://www.amicableanimal.com/
Queer Me: https://www.queergameslibrary.com/
Dwerg Saga: http://dwergsaga.com/
Background music:
Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mountaineer/kick-backfindo
License code: EX1VAMCYAZ0NDQ6F