This year, we had the chance to attend and work the 2026 Columbia Retro Game Convention, where we also hosted a special live panel with none other than John Riggs. During the panel, we sat down for a fun, wide-ranging conversation covering retro gaming, the future of computing, YouTube, nostalgia, breakfast cereal, and plenty of unexpected detours along the way. We also opened the floor to audience questions, which made for an even more entertaining and unpredictable discussion. If you’re a fan of retro games, gaming culture, tech talk, and off-the-wall conversations, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Check out this special live interview from the Wired Nerdy podcast.

In this episode, we go full Con Crazy as we break down our experiences at two outstanding events from last month: Ron Con and KC Planet Comic Con. From tabletop vibes to comic con chaos, we share what we loved, what surprised us, and what made each convention stand out.

We also play a little catch-up and dive into Doug’s latest tech pickups and upgrades because, let’s be honest, there’s always new gear to talk about.

If you’re into conventions, nerd culture, or just hanging out with us while we swap stories, this one’s for you.

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What really goes into making a great game?

In this episode of Wired Nerdy, we sit down with Benson Russell, a veteran game designer with over 30 years in the industry and credits that include Uncharted 3, The Last of Us, and Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. From the early days of breaking into a scrappy industry to shaping some of the most iconic modern AAA titles, Benson shares the real story behind game development.

We go beyond surface-level talk and dive into:

• How Benson got his start in game development

• The biggest lessons from 30+ years designing games

• What players don’t see behind AAA development

• Why modern games are so complex to build

• The truth about updates, delays, and shipping games

• Game-to-film adaptations, what works and what fails

• Fixing “development dysfunction” inside studios

• AI’s real impact on the future of gaming

• What excites (and concerns) him about where games are headed

If you love games, game design, or want to understand how the industry really works, this conversation gives you an insider’s perspective you won’t hear anywhere else.

About Benson Russell

https://www.unhandledexceptions.io/

Benson Russell is a veteran game designer and founder of Unhandled Exceptions, where he helps studios solve development challenges and ship better games. Over his career, he has contributed to some of the most influential AAA titles in modern gaming.

Wired Nerdy Instagram:
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Wired Nerdy Facebook:
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Also, check out the Wired Nerdy Website and Merch Store:

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