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Welcome to Episode 1 of Behind the Games — the launchpad for your weekly backstage pass into the business, tech, and creative forces shaping the world of video games.

In this kickoff episode, host A.J. Scarlato— educator, entrepreneur, former game developer, and game fanatic introduces the mission behind Behind the Games: a podcast built for indie devs, industry pros, and startup-minded creatives who want to learn what it really takes to make games—and build studios that last.

Whether you're an aspiring game developer, a product manager at a major studio, or a solo dev launching your first game, this podcast gives you an edge. You’ll hear directly from the people who are building the future of gaming—from AAA studios and indie outfits to solo creators, technologists, and creative directors. Every episode is designed to offer a blend of tactical advice, big-picture strategy, and authentic stories from inside the trenches.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why this podcast was created—and what makes it different
• The types of guests you’ll hear from: producers, product managers, technical directors, community leads, studio founders, and more
• The key themes we’ll dive into: creative direction, leadership, crunch culture, innovation, marketing, tech stacks, game engines, funding models, and team building
• A behind-the-scenes look at the challenges facing modern game studios
• What to expect from upcoming episodes and how to get involved in the Behind the Games community

If you’re tired of fluffy interviews and want to hear the real talk behind the success (and failure) of games you love—or want to make—this show is for you.

You’ll hear from developers and leaders who have:

• Launched viral indie hits
• Navigated publisher negotiations and contract pitfalls
• Built sustainable studios on shoestring budgets
• Dealt with layoffs, burnout, and rebuilding
• Used emerging technologies like AI, procedural generation, and blockchain in development
• Transitioned from big tech or academia into the game industry—and brought bold new ideas with them

Each week, you’ll walk away with:

Practical frameworks and strategies
Lessons learned the hard way
Insights on scaling teams and products
Tools and resources you can apply right now

And we’ll also explore what it really means to succeed in this industry—beyond downloads and dollars. Topics like work-life balance, creativity under pressure, community, and personal reinvention are just as important.

New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen—and join a growing community of builders, makers, and dreamers.

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Let’s build something incredible!

Website: https://www.behind-the-games.com

Blog: https://www.behind-the-games.com/blog

Instagram: @behindthegamespodcast

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