The Sandbox.Space Weekly Podcast by GDEX

Catching up with our good friend Wes as we discuss Playstation committing to fully-digital games, and the generally-rising prices across the industry. We dig into the history of game distribution and the relationship between players and publishers.Wesley Adams is a former partner and lead designer at Multivarious / GDEX. You can find him helping with administrative support with the Central Ohio Gamedev Group by night and leading cutting edge learning & talent opportunities as a Product Solution Manager by day.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260701Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Nathan Wooten of Wooshido joins us on the 'cast, discussing many things, including the day-to-day of being a published indie dev fighting for exposure, what it's like to have a rival game's release timing overshadow your game, different strategies for games to engage with their communities and monetize, and the pros and cons of story-driven games vs. "endless" games.Nathan Wooten is the owner of Wooshido, an indie studio known for Cast Out Colony and Toaster Defense, both of which have been well-received at GDEX over the years. Check out their newest game, Smash Out Colony, which was released this January!Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260617Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Claire Molitors has 10 years of experience in literacy education and curriculum development and has earned a BFA in Creative Writing and MA in Applied Linguistics. Currently she is a doctoral student in Instructional Design, with a focus on Game Development and researching women in collegiate competitive esports. You can visit her Weebly or check out Turtle Burger Gaming on YouTube or TikTok.https://www.thegdex.com/speakers-2026/claire-molitorsVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260610Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Andrew Czarapata joins us this week, with Tom as special guest host standing in for Chris.Andrew is the owner and founder of Chiaroscuro Entertainment, currently developing Odyssey of Dremid'ir, which released last month! Check out their YouTube for gameplay videos, developer streams and vlogs.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260603Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Today's guest is Adam Keith from Tekkou Studios. #gamedev Adam Keith is Director and Developer at indie studio Tekkou Studios. They have made Stitched Together on Steam and are planning to debut their new game QURIOUS at GDEX 2026.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260527Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

The team from Creation Mode Studios joins us to talk about their game Violets of Amicus. Daniel and Kennedy Jewett run Creation Mode Studios together. They have been working on The Violets of Amicus since 2018, and recently made the jump to being full-time game developers.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260520Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Special Guest A.J. Caimi from ajtoons joins us on this week's episode. A.J. Caimi is an indie dev and is the founder and solo developer of a studio called ajtoons, working on a visual novel called SIS and BRO: The Cyborg Siblings.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260506Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend of the show Caleb Eno is this weeks special guest to discuss the new changes to #xbox #gamepass pricing. #oregontrail. And the continual layoffs in the tech space. Caleb Eno is one of Ohio's most devoted and passionate developers and is a core admin of the Central Ohio Gamedev Group. He has been building web and application software since at least 2015 and knows a thing or two about cybersecurity, technical design, level design and educational software. You can catch him gaming with his wife as GamingInTheGarret on YouTube and Twitch. You can also hear him on another podcast, Pages of Play, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260429Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Adam Bankhurst from IGN is our guest today.  @IGN  Adam Bankhurst is a news writer, reviewer, and features writer for IGN, where he also helps manage the homepage. Having joined in 2018, he has written thousands of articles and covers major gaming and entertainment events like E3 and PAX. Before IGN, Bankhurst gained experience in a variety of roles, including co-founding the website and podcast The Gamer's Advocate and serving as a chief strategy officer for a marketing group. An Ohio native, he also works with Extra Life Columbus, a fundraising program of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® which raises money for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Bankhurst is known for his expertise in all things related to gaming and entertainment franchises, particularly Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel. You can find him on Twitter and Instagram.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260422Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Chris Kuhn is our special guest talking about his latest game.Chris Kuhn runs Casey Jones Labs and plans to present a new game called SkyChart: Airline Executive at GDEX 2026.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260415Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Jeff Stevens joins us this week to talk about the exciting world of ASCII art and creating a cult simulator. Jeffrey Stevens is founder of Bucephalus Studios (Website) and creator of CultGame (Steam, Itch.io)Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260408Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Associate Professor Chris Totten from Kent State University is our special guest today and wow what a conversation! Chris Totten is an Ohio-based 3D artist and indie dev with a studio called Pie for Breakfast. He has been in the industry for over 17 years. He is an Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of the Animation Game Design program at Kent State University and has authored several books on game design, including Game Character Creation in Blender and Unity and An Architectural Approach to Level Design.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260401Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Founder & CEO of Midwest Games is our guest today. Enjoy our excellent conversation on the future of GDC as well as other regional shows and how the industry might look in the future.  @GDCFestivalofGaming  #videogames #indiedev Ben Kvalo from Wisconsin is the Founder and CEO of Midwest Games and the President of the Wisconsin Games Alliance. He is an experienced manager and marketer with experience at Netflix, Blizzard, and 2K.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260325Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Garrett Davis, Managing Director of the ShawneeXP gaming accelerator joins us for a post  @GDCFestivalofGaming  and the changing landscape for #indiegame. #gamedev #videogames Garrett Davis is a game developer, serial entrepreneur, and startup accelerator director with a deep passion for building and scaling gaming companies, consulting firms, and startup ecosystems. He is the Managing Director of the ShawneeXP Gaming Accelerator, where he leads efforts to support early-stage game studios through funding, mentorship, and industry connections. His work focuses on strategic partnerships, fundraising, curriculum development, and community engagement. https://www.linkedin.com/in/garrettdavis23/ ShawneeXP Gaming Accelerator: https://www.storydoc.com/85e93215b8017cbbdcea59963f9fd646/f854aab-f80-c03e-ca68-4684ca04fa8c/67dbb3cce4ee1f3952614babVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260318Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend of GDEX, Senior Engineer and long time #gamedev Duke Paulus is our special guest for this week! Duke Paulus is an extremely talented programmer and indie game developer who has been building software since 1998, running Smiling Cat Entertainment since 2009, and currently works as Senior Engineer for Cold Iron Studios. https://www.linkedin.com/in/duke-paulus-86982620/ https://www.smilingcatentertainment.com/ https://coldironstudios.com/Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260304Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Mike Geig from @unity joins us today with some really insightful conversation. This is a good one, don't miss it! Mike is Unity Technologies' leader of Advocacy and Community (formerly their Technical Evangelist), he hails from Canton Ohio and has championed Ohio game development for over a decade. He even penned a book, "Unity Game Development in 24 Hours" for the "Sams Teach Yourself" series. https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikegeig Unity Game Development in 24 Hours: https://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/images/9780672336966/samplepages/0672336960.pdfVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260225Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Professor Roger Crawfish from The Ohio State University ( @theohiostateuniversity ) joins us to discuss educational games for good, creativity, and creating great code. As both a professor of computer science and a founder of a game-focused start-up, Professor Roger Crawfis bridges academia and industry—mentoring the next generation of developers while continuing to innovate in production. His blend of technical mastery in C# and Unity3D, deep understanding of design patterns, and decades of creative problem-solving make him a rare figure in the field: someone who has not only witnessed the evolution of games but has actively driven it. https://crawfis.com/Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260218Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Good friend Chris Bergman from Gylee Games joins for a wild conversation about #gamedev, #ai and #life! Chris Bergman is CEO and Founder of Gylee Games. He is based in Cincinnati where he is General Partner at the Midwest branch of The Fund of Everywhere Ventures. (He also co-owned Highball Cincy until 2026.)Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260204Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend Renee Gittins joins us for this weeks podcast to talk about #gamedev and non-gamedev things alike. Renee Gittins is former Executive Director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and currently Creative Director at her indie game studio, Stumbling Cat, which made the game Potions: A Curious Tale.Website: https://www.reneegittins.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneegittins/ Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260128Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Our friend IzzyDojo joins us today. We're talking #gamedev, #GDEX, #indiegames and a load more.  @izzydojo  #videogames #indiedevMike Schmittle is a content creator and the founder of IzzyDojo. Hailing from Ohio, he is on a mission to cultivate a thriving gaming community. When he's not immersed in virtual worlds, you can find him constructing intricate models and engaging in lively discussions on a wide range of topics on YouTube, Twitch and TikTok.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260121Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Boundary Condition developer and long time @thegdex guest Andrew Groot join us. We talk about the nature of #indiedevelopment and #indiegame.Andrew Groot is a very talented indie dev under the moniker TheSquareGroot, and most recently won our Independent, Student & Experimental (ISE) Award at GDEX 2025 for his game The Boundary Condition, which is coming soon on Steam! Check out his page at thesquaregroot.comBoundary Condition https://store.steampowered.com/app/2141790/The_Boundary_Condition/Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/260114Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Justin Kogge, Founder of Game Arena and Esports Foundry, joins us to talk about the world of Esports and where he thinks it's going.Justin Kogge has been the Managing Principle of Esports Foundry and Owner of Vanguard Esports Team for over 6 years and Owner/Cofounder of Game Arena for over 13 years! He helps build our GDEX Underworld gaming space and has a ton of insights on the Esports scene, not to mention being a fierce competitor himself.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251217Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Esteban from Unity joins us this week for a great conversation about supporting communities and the power of game dev tools to bring your ideas to life.Originally from Puerto Rico, Esteban Enrique Maldonado Caban is a passionate gamer and geek with a lifelong love for video games, which he uses now to spread the word about Unity solutions. With a background in tools development for designers and content creators, Esteban brings his experience and knowledge and experience to his role as an advocate. Additionally, he applies his experience and passion for teaching to help his teammates and game developers of all ages.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251203Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Our Thanksgiving episode with Tom and Chris. Lots of great topics covered in #gamedev and #ai. Ubisoft AI: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/ubisofts-ai-npc-project-can-now-deliver-sarcastic-gms-helpful-team-mates-and-hidden-lore-and-is-being-playtested-nowEmbracer: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/embracer-sells-off-arc-games-and-cryptic-studiosTo The Moon: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/to-the-moon-expo-i-probably-couldve-counted-the-number-of-attendees-on-one-handTom Allenbaugh is the technical lead of Multivarious, GDEX and the Sandbox.Space. He also teaches a game development capstone as an adjunct at Columbus State Community College. You can find him around many corners of the internet as Argembarger.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251126Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Game Industry Lawyers Veda Cruz & Conner Richards join us from Oden Law with a ton of really insightful conversation.Veda Cruz is a video game lawyer, educator, and indie game developer passionate about helping creators thrive. Former in-house counsel at award-winning game studio Gearbox Software, she now teaches video game law and business at the University of Miami and advises developers on contracts, IP, and publishing at Odin Law & Media, a boutique video game law firm. She's also certified as a Scrum Master and personal trainer, and founded Mana & Muscle, a game dev wellness initiative.Connor Richards is an attorney at Odin Law & Media. The esports and video game worlds are near and dear to Connor’s heart. Like most of the Odin team, Connor grew up a gamer, and more recently became interested in esports. To this day, Connor competes in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournaments and actively participates in Esports Bar Association events. He has authored articles on video game legal issues and featured on various podcasts discussing the esports world.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251119Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend of GDEX Tony Justo joins us this week for some really good conversations about how to make your games using #unity and other tools to make your dev life easier.Tony Justo is a seasoned game enthusiast and software development professional, public speaker, and entrepreneur, who has over a decade of industry experience. He dedicates his time to creating custom tools and assisting other developers in achieving their objectives. Whether it’s understanding business, marketing, or customer relations, he provides guidance and support through his company, Creative Vein Studio. (If you live around the area, please do yourself a favor and check out the Central Ohio Gamedev Group!)Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251112Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend of Multivarious and GDEX, Jon Gazda, comes to us live from Germany with some really good conversations about developing your first game and running a studio, and the importance of building a good team.Jon Gazda is our longtime friend who composed music for Multivarious for our game Hatch-It! He is now Founder and Project Manager for Couch Lion Studios, which is based out of Columbus Ohio and Berlin, Germany and is a regular indie exhibitor at GDEX. They have a free PG-13 visual novel dating sim on Steam called Dream & SugarVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251105Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Developer Jason Wheeler from Nationwide Children's Hospital is our guest today. We have some good conversations about Virtual Reality and a host of industry topics!Jason Wheeler is a Senior Interactive Media Developer in the IT Research & Innovation division at Nationwide Children's Hospital with over 15 years of full stack development experience ranging from desktop applications and web apps to mobile games and interactive media. Nearly half his career has been dedicated to bringing innovation to healthcare providers in central Ohio.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251029Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

John Daly from VIV Games joins us this week for a great discussion around #GDEX, challenges in the games industry, and sex in games. Come join us for this great conversation!XBOX Dev Kit Price Increase: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/new-report-claims-xbox-has-increased-costs-of-its-development-kits-to-2000-a-33-price-hikeSex in Games: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/report-nearly-half-of-us-adolescents-avoid-games-that-portray-women-in-stereotypical-and-harmful-waysEU Game Dev Layoffs: https://www.gamesindustry.biz/over-26-of-european-game-professionals-were-laid-off-in-the-past-year-more-than-10-still-searching-for-jobsJohn Daly and his brother Jack form the inimitable Violence in Videogames, AKA VIV Games! He and his brother were fresh faces in our Independent/Student/Experimental (ISE) section at GDEX 2025, and they even made a cool devlog of their experience on their YouTube channel! Check out VIV Games' itch.io library.VIV Discord: https://discord.gg/vaSbKWtPM8Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251022Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend of the community Caleb Eno joins us this week to discuss AI & Adult content, as well as the importance of personal connection in growing your career and a community.Caleb Eno is one of Ohio's most devoted and passionate developers and is a core admin of the Central Ohio Gamedev Group. He has been building web and application software since at least 2015 and knows a thing or two about cybersecurity, technical design, level design and educational software. You can catch him gaming with his wife as GamingInTheGarret on YouTube and Twitch. You can also hear him on another podcast, Pages of Play, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251015Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Garrett Davis of ShawneeXP Gaming Accelerator joins us for the latest news and all the craziness going on around AI and it's impact on the industry and country.Garrett Davis is a game developer, serial entrepreneur, and startup accelerator director with a deep passion for building and scaling gaming companies, consulting firms, and startup ecosystems. He is the Managing Director of the ShawneeXP Gaming Accelerator, where he leads efforts to support early-stage game studios through funding, mentorship, and industry connections. His work focuses on strategic partnerships, fundraising, curriculum development, and community engagement.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251008Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Thomas Allenbaugh, lead programmer and partner at Multivarious, joins us today to talk about the latest news around the EA acquisition and lots more.Tom Allenbaugh is the technical lead of Multivarious, GDEX and the Sandbox.Space. He also teaches a game development capstone as an adjunct at Columbus State Community College. You can find him around many corners of the internet as Argembarger.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/251001Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Henry Bawden from Bawden Studios joins us today to talk all about the latest in Game Industry news.Henry Elmo Bawden is a 3D art and animation wizard, as well as an up-and-coming author, a devoted professor and loving husband and father. Among many other hobbies and interests, he runs Bawden Studio and is Volunteer Czar and runs the Art Portfolio Review panel for GDEX.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250924Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Stephen Heywood joins us to recap the exciting GDEX & Corgscon 2025!As the founder of The Tech Buzz Gaming, Stephen has created a hub where gamers from around the world can come together to celebrate their shared passion. Through his platform, he continues to educate, entertain, and inspire a new generation of gamers, shaping the future of gaming one pixel at a time.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250910Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Chris chats with the community as we prepare for GDEX!Chris Volpe is the final boss of GDEX and The Sandbox.Space! Executive Director and Founder of GDEX and Multivarious Games. He has been helping to grow the games industry in the Midwest for over a decade and has worked in the indie and AAA space to develop games. You can check out many of his personal works at volpecreates.comVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250903Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Friend of the show Ross Hersemann joins us for some legal chat and our excitement for the upcoming #GDEX2025Ross Hersemann is the founder and lead of Loading Law (@LoadingLaw), an Adjunct Professor of Video Game Law at DePaul University, a leader of IGDA Chicago, and organizer of the Chicago Video Game Law Summit.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250827Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Aaron Brown from Table Top Cafe joins us to discuss the changing Boardgame and Tabletop industry. There are challenges to be overcome as the industry finds itself in a difficult position.Aaron Brown is the owner of Tabletop Game Cafe in Columbus, Ohio, which hosts a vibrant gaming community and which believes that we all need more time around the table with people we like.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250813Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Great community conversation about XBOX's Future, Fishing in games, and of course the upcoming GDEX 2025 Expo!GDEX: www.thegdex.comFishing in Games: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/please-stop-making-me-fish-in-video-games/1100-6533681/XBOX: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-is-an-increasingly-unstable-platform-for-anyone-to-invest-in/1100-6533717/Outworlds 2: https://www.ign.com/articles/xbox-u-turns-on-the-outer-worlds-2-80-price-point-reverting-to-70-and-reimbursing-pre-order-customersChris Volpe is the final boss of GDEX and The Sandbox.Space! Executive Director and Founder of GDEX and Multivarious Games. He has been helping to grow the games industry in the Midwest for over a decade and has worked in the indie and AAA space to develop games. You can check out many of his personal works at volpecreates.comVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250806Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Caro Murphy (Experience Designer & Educator) joins us to talk about starting BostonFIG, games education, and the Disney Star Wars experience.Caro Murphy is a game and interactive experience designer with a focus on live performance and live-action gameplay. They are Cofounder and Creative Director of Incantrix Productions (founded 2016), Co-Executive Director of Playable Theatre (founded 2020), and former Immersive Experience Director on Disney’s Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. They are also a former board member of the Boston Festival of Indie Games.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250730Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Caitlin Burt, Actor/Voice Actor and Motion Capture Artist, joins us for a conversation about voice acting in the games space, and then a rambling road through the political wilderness. Kojima Name: https://www.polygon.com/videos/2019/11/11/20959269/unraveled-kojima-name-generator-death-strandingPS Dual Sense: https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/playstation-30th-anniversary-collection-restock/2900-5784/#1Mass Effect: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-fallout-tv-show-writers-room-board-the-andromeda-for-mass-effect-show/1100-6533296/Caitlin Burt is an actor working in games of all sizes and business developer at Haptix Studio. She loves talking business, especially when it comes to entertainment projects, and happy to lend a voice or movement on your project. You can check out her IMDb, her YouTube, her Facebook, find her on Instagram as @caitsly or on Twitter as @caitlinburt.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250723Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

ShawneeXP Gaming Accelerator Managing Director Garrett Davis joins us today to talk about the changing dynamics of the industry and how indies may be the hope for the future.Garrett Davis is a game developer, serial entrepreneur, and startup accelerator director with a deep passion for building and scaling gaming companies, consulting firms, and startup ecosystems. He is the Managing Director of the ShawneeXP Gaming Accelerator, where he leads efforts to support early-stage game studios through funding, mentorship, and industry connections. His work focuses on strategic partnerships, fundraising, curriculum development, and community engagement.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250709Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Voice Actor & Director, Michael Schwalbe joins us for a great conversation about the industry and creativity. This one is not to be missed!Sand. Cloth. Metal. Screams. Weeny...worm. Let's Go Plac-...wait, what? Voiceactor and casting / performance director Michael Schwalbe has contributed to over 100 released videogames and anime in their career (and a whole lot of commercials and other stuff that people care about much less). Formerly Senior Voice Director for miHoYo's Zenless Zone Zero, Michael has directed over a thousand hours of recording sessions for indies and AAA alike, and specializes in unlocking the physicality and freedom of performance that allows a talent to tap into their true artistry. You can also find him on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky. Some past credits can be found at https://imdb.me/michaelschwalbe.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250702Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Our friend IzzyDojo joins us today to talk GDEX, game development and a lot more.Mike Schmittle is a content creator and the founder of IzzyDojo. Hailing from Ohio, he is on a mission to cultivate a thriving gaming community. When he's not immersed in virtual worlds, you can find him constructing intricate models and engaging in lively discussions on a wide range of topics on YouTube, Twitch and TikTok.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250625Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Lead Programmer and long time game developer Tom Allenbaugh joins the show for a great conversation about the Nintendo Switch 2 and getting weird with video games.Switch 2: https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch-2/606222/switch-2-launch-sales-recordGames Pass: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dev-who-launched-game-into-game-pass-warns-against-launching-games-into-game-pass/1100-6532306/Hideo Kojima: https://www.polygon.com/news/605954/hideo-kojima-weird-games-death-stranding-2-walking-simulatorTom Allenbaugh is the technical lead of Multivarious, GDEX and the Sandbox.Space. He also teaches a game development capstone as an adjunct at Columbus State Community College. You can find him around many corners of the internet as Argembarger.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250611Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Game designer and programmer Caleb Eno joins to talk about the changing game engine landscape, building communities, and lots more.GDEX: https://www.thegdex.comCOGG: https://thecogg.comVolpeForAmerica Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/volpeforamericaWitcher 4 Tech Demo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_aRhNcHryAHypercharge Article: https://www.polygon.com/news/602867/hypercharge-ps5-shooter-bestseller-devs-defend-gameCaleb Eno is one of Ohio's most devoted and passionate developers and is a core admin of the Central Ohio Gamedev Group. He has been building web and application software since at least 2015 and knows a thing or two about cybersecurity, technical design, level design and educational software. You can catch him gaming with his wife as GamingInTheGarret on YouTube and Twitch. You can also hear him on another podcast, Pages of Play, on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250604Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Sandbox.Space Executive Director does a solo show and talks to the chat about community toxicity in what is an industry we all love and how we can focus on making the industry better for all of us to enjoy.Chris Volpe is the final boss of GDEX and The Sandbox.Space! Executive Director and Founder of GDEX and Multivarious Games. He has been helping to grow the games industry in the Midwest for over a decade and has worked in the indie and AAA space to develop games. You can check out many of his personal works at volpecreates.comVisit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250521Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

We're talking a ton of Nintendo Switch 2 in this weeks episode featuring special guest @AbdallahSmash!Abdallah "Smash" Elayan is a renowned Nintendo Ambassador and family-friendly content creator on YouTube, offering a diverse range of engaging gaming content for viewers of all ages. With a passion for Nintendo games, he is the go-to destination for families and gamers looking for high-quality, entertaining, and informative content. As the #1 destination for family-friendly gaming, Abdallah brings an exciting mix of gameplay, reviews, tutorials, and community engagement to his channel. You can also find him as @AbdallahNation on Twitter/Instagram.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250514Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Narrative Designer and Founder of Digimancy Games joins us this week to discuss creating compelling game stories, and how to build strong main and side quests.George Ziets is a veteran design lead and writer who has been developing games since 2001. He spent most of his career making RPGs at Obsidian and InXile, where his credits included Wasteland 3, Pillars of Eternity, Neverwinter Nights 2: Mask of the Betrayer, and Fallout: New Vegas. In 2019, George co-founded a new RPG studio, Digimancy Entertainment, where he is now CEO and Narrative Director.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250507Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Good friend of the show, Voice Actor and Director, DB Cooper, joins us this week.With a pedigree in musical and dramatic theater, DB Cooper has been acting and directing for more than 30 years. You’ve heard DB in Bioshock 2, Shadowverse, DC Universe Online, Hearthstone, Job Simulator; and in Monster Train where she created voices for 47 Good Guys, 18 Bad Guys, and 10 other creatures for the Legions of Heaven and Hell. Her work on the 2025 release of Monster Train 2 included 37 voices. DB was VO Supervisor for ZeniMax Online Studios; casting and directing 13 projects for The Elder Scrolls Online. She's the voice of the BMW iVISION Dee, featured at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, 2023, and the announcer for the 2025 Nordics Bartender’s Choice Awards. DB has narrated corporate films for Chanel, Merck, NVIDIA, and HTC. She's also the narrator for Run. Hide. Fight. -- The FBI’s active shooter training program. She was producer/director for summer stock theater-in-a-barn for 9 years, a classic rock radio deejay for 6, and a commercial announcer for CBS Radio for 13 years. DB is a vocal archetype, creature sound, and video game combat consultant, teaching people how to take bullets, howl in agony, and die since 2007.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250430Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex

Long time game dev Marcus Cenci talks with chris about the important steps in getting started designing games. Loads of great conversation for those looking to improve their game design processes.Marcus Cenci, Founder of Mumble Mouth Games and Cofounder of Brass Knuckle Development, is an accomplished professional in the video game industry with over 17 years of experience as an Art Director and Lead Artist. Among many other impressive accomplishments, he has gotten to make his mark on the Saints Row and Madden NFL series, and was once the Studio Art Director at Lost Boys Interactive.Visit this episode's page and watch the video version at https://www.thesandbox.space/podcast/250423Watch the show live on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thegdex