SophiaMar 18, 2023
Robert Yang

new blog post: I was fascinated by the Double Fine PsychOdyssey game dev documentary

it's not just a fan PR thing, it dives surprisingly deep into game dev, and I think it's essential viewing for anyone in game industry

so I wrote recaps + analysis to help you watch all the videos

here's a viewing guide for the first half, episodes 1-17: https://www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2023/03/double-fine-psychodyssey-recaps-viewing.html

Double Fine PsychOdyssey recaps / viewing guide, episodes 01-17

Mar 17, 2023 at 2:20amWeb
Show threadjuv3nalMar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang that's a good piece. I'm neither a game dev nor have I watched through the whole thing (though I have watched up to 17), but "Remember this isn't reality TV. The real-life Zak McClendon is more than just the "Zak" we see in this series." seems insightful. Like I can't speak to whether he was set up to fail from a job perspective, but from a footage selection/editing/narrative of the documentary POV, it feels like he's def being made out to be a baddie so far.
Show threadAnna Kipnis 🇺🇦Mar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang "Zak was brought in to shakeup the studio culture, after all." -- what gave you this impression? Did someone say this? There's no question that this is what happened, of course.
Show threadRobert YangMar 17, 2023
@anna I think some of his early interview segments in these early episodes gave me that impression?... I don't think anyone directly says this though, you're right, I'll clarify in my post
Show threadAnna Kipnis 🇺🇦Mar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang really enjoyed reading your thoughts so far 😊
Show threadBen JohnsonMar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang Good stuff, Robert
Show threadDaniel CookMar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang Loved how it showed me a different way to make games. Like DF prioritizes writing + art first. I get stuck in my systems + production first ways. Really interesting to see how others do it.
Show threadNic MagnierMar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang excellent summary of the episode that capture well the challenges.
For Ep 12-13, I think AF started on Brutal Legend, not Psychonauts 1.
Show threadRobert YangMar 17, 2023
@nicmagnier ah thanks, I edited the post to take that out
Show threadAnna Kipnis 🇺🇦Mar 17, 2023
@nicmagnier @radiatoryang yeah, I think the first one was in 2008. (P1 shipped in 2005)
Show threadterri vMar 17, 2023
@radiatoryang this tim schafer minnmax interview was interesting to watch afterwards, he talks about his "absence" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIn4WEHNj6M
Tim Schafer’s Ultimate Push For Transparency With PsychOdyssey - MinnMax Interview

YouTube
Show threadSylvain Douce ⚡Mar 20, 2023
@radiatoryang Thanks for the write-up! I found weird too how the junior LD gets roasted while the lead LD does not seem to offer any kind of mentoring.