Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer’s Podcast
Leisure:Video Games
In this episode, I spoke with Sam Glassenberg, Founder and CEO of Level Ex, as we dive into subjects encompassing the gaming industry, technology, and healthcare. Sam recounts his unexpected journey into gaming, beginning as an animator at LucasArts and eventually helping lead Microsoft’s DirectX Graphics team. We then transition to discussing the critical importance of having a portfolio for job seekers, the interesting challenges of working in Tech Art, the foundational value of solid engineering principles, and the innovative ways Level Ex pushes Unity3D beyond its limits.
Our conversation also touches on the essential qualities of empathy, adaptability, and curiosity in the gaming industry. Sam fondly recalls working on his two favorite projects, Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter and Gastro Ex. We also explore the role of generative AI in skill enhancement, the unique challenges of movie-based games, and the exciting yet still maturing potential of AR/VR/XR technologies. Sam then shares an amusing story from a medical conference and emphasizes the need for improved medical training, along with his interest in casual and hyper-casual mobile games.
As the episode nears its end, Sam provides insights from his recent trip to Kiev where Level Ex is helping assist the Ukrainian armed forces in medical training and his experiences presenting at NATO. He sheds light on the neuroscience behind game design and identifies professional video games as a burgeoning opportunity within the industry. We conclude with Sam encouraging game developers to embrace AI and where to find him online for further discussions and collaboration.
Bio:
Sam Glassenberg is the CEO and Founder of Level Ex - the world's first medical video game company. Sam leads a team of veteran game developers and designers who are establishing a new genre of medical games: pushing the limits of game design, physics, and rendering to capture the most terrifying challenges of medicine. Offering the only games certified to provide AMA Category 1 Continuing Medical Education credit, Level Ex's games are played by over a million medical professionals. 20 out of the top 40 medical device and pharmaceutical companies use Level Ex game technology to train and sell their products. Level Ex's games are used by leading medical societies - and NASA - to disseminate the latest guidelines and techniques for topics ranging from COVID to Space Health. Through their work, Level Ex is rapidly establishing 'play' as a fundamental force accelerating adoption in medicine.
Show Links:
* DirectX - Wikipedia
* FarBridge - website
* ArtStation - website
* SIGGRAPH 2019 Real-Time Live! - YouTube
* Star Wars: Jedi Starfighter - Wikipedia
* Gastro Ex - website
* ChatGPT - website
Connect With Links:
* Sam Glassenberg - LinkedIn
* Sam Glassenberg - blog
* Sam Glassenberg - X/Twitter
* Level Ex - website
* Level Ex - YouTube
Game Dev Advice Links:
* YouTube - check out this episode with 100% more video
* Patreon - 1:1 career coaching through the Gain Wisdom membership
* website - show notes, links, stuff
* info@gamedevadvice.com - reach out!
* Game Dev Advice hotline: (224) 484-7733
* Level Ex Jobs - Current openings for advancing the practice of medicine through play
* Subscribe and go to the website for full show notes with links
* X/Twitter - not really using it to be honest
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Working on Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Artist Turned Designer, Serious Games to Triple A, NASA, Learning to Lead, Player Reaction Videos, Communication Skills, and the Designer’s Journey with Roxanne S
Recruiters Talk Hiring, Job Strategies, Plan B, Call of Duty, Networking, ATSs, The Industry Layoff Trend, Resume Tips, and LinkedIn’s Value with Keith Plesha of Krafton
Starting Bungie, UEFN, Teamwork, Making Halo, AI Concerns, Portfolios, UGC, Game Industry Optimism, Diversity, Building EQ, and the Fourth Curtain Podcast with founder and CEO Alex Seropian of Look No
From Improv to the Game Industry, Charting Your Path, Being Flexible, Consolidation Concerns, Working with Clients, Future Tech, the M+DEV Conference, and Taking Care of Yourself with Jennifer Javorni
Video Games Cause Violence Fallacy, Find Your Why, Indie Development, Mental Health Crisis, Neuroplasticity, Forgiveness Matters, VR Deep Dive, Creator Keys, Robotics and More with Ryan Douglas of Dee
How to Successfully Pitch to Publishers, Learning to Script, the Importance of Sound Design, Chance Encounters, Doing Great Work, Being Calm, FMOD and More with Jeff Linville of Ritual Studios
The Job Episode - Resume Strategies, Applying For Positions, Portfolios and Websites, Interviewing Tips, and Much More with John Podlasek
Starting Your Own Studio, BioShock Infinite, Anti-Crunch Culture, Learning Patience, Rendering and Graphics, ChatGPT, and Shifting Business Models with Steve Anichini of Disbelief
The Pinball Episode with Roger Sharpe from PINBALL: The Man Who Saved the Game
Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable, The Last of Us, ChatGPT, Uncanny Valley, Pizza Is Pizza, Compassionate Leadership, Halo 2 Double Team, No Jerks Policy, Document the Results, and Being Unflappable
Skywalker Ranch, Persistence, Game Designer Qualities, Working With Steven Spielberg, Being Bold, The Power of AR and VR, Not Being a Jerk, and Traveling the World with Noah Falstein of The Inspiracy
Game Jams, Resiliency, Game Dev Resources, The Future, Mentors, Neurodiversity, Bodystorming, Tech Art, Networking, Art Automation, Anxiety, Mixed Reality, and AI with Angel Muniz
Making RPGs, Remote Manager Challenges, Porting GTA Vice City, How To Get Promoted, the Power of Messaging Apps, German Game Dev, Resident Evil Design, Working in Different Roles, and The Settlers wit
QA Into Production, Web3 Challenges, Twitter For Game Dev, New Technologies, Problem Solving, Axie Infinity, and Keeping An Open Mind with Carl Leducq of Altered State Machine and Zero To Play
Accountability, College Esports, Alto’s Odyssey, Gaming Culture, Winding Paths, Changing Behaviors, Bad Apples, and an Iceberg-Shaped Problem with Jae Lin of the Games and Online Harassment Hotline
Speeding Up Development, Interviewing Strategies, Game of Thrones, Beginner's Mind, Open Economy Games, The Metaverse, Humility, and Guilty Pleasure Games with Jon Radoff, CEO of Beamable
Giving Back, Diversity, Self-Promotion, Cultural Revolution, People Skills, Immersive Experiences, and Game Jams with Renee Gittins of the IGDA
Work with Meaning, Unity, Treating PTSD, Magic Leap, AI, Healthcare Heroes, GDC, and the Future with Skip Rizzo from the USC Institute for Creative Technologies
Game Dev People, Starting a Studio, Discord’s Power, Send the Resume, Steam’s Dead for Indies, and Dota 2 with Dan Nikolaides from Studio369
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Super Best Friends Video Game Sleepover
Weekly Games Chat
Super Gamer Boys
Indie Pod: An Indie Games Podcast
The Life & Times of Video Games