In the next episode of Dev to Dev - the podcast about everyday videogame developers and why they do what they do every day - Andy Roberts explores his journey into game development. In some ways this one feels a little like a time capsule from a very different era of the industry - one where curiosity and persistence had to do a lot more of the heavy lifting - but the lessons learned and the insight given is just as valuable today as it was then.

We talk about how Andy’s early interest in creativity led him into early digital art and programming, not because he set out to make games, but because it was the only way he could actually play them. That thread - making things happen when they don’t exist - is something that runs through his entire career.

What really stood out to me was how much of Andy’s growth came from proximity to talented people. Sitting in rooms, listening, absorbing, and gradually finding his voice. It’s a great reminder that you don’t have to have all the answers, you just need to stay open and engaged long enough to learn them.

There’s also a lot here about ego, collaboration, and the reality of working in teams. The idea that design isn’t about owning ideas, but about shaping them, is something I think a lot of people struggle with early on.

And finally, there’s that sense that being a game developer isn’t really a job you switch on and off - it’s just part of how you think. That constant analysis, curiosity, and drive to create doesn’t really go away.

• Creativity as a necessity, not a luxury, in early game development
• Breaking into the industry before clear career paths existed
• Learning design through observation and collaboration
• The importance of managing ego in creative teams
• Adapting to different projects, constraints, and technologies
• Balancing being an introvert in a role that requires you to be outgoing

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• Email: DevToDevPodcast@Gmail.com

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-van-haren-5ba62544/
• And his Company: https://www.thalamusdigital.co.uk/