LeisureVideo GamesNewsTech News

Games Analysis and Producer Perspectives

Ray Hazlip

Game Design and Project Management instructor and industry veteran Ray Hazlip discusses weekly news, thoughts, and analysis from a vide game producer's perspective.

Play

Open in

20 episodes
Avg 33 min
English

Support the show

Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.

Support

Episodes 20

Newest Oldest Longest

All20 Unplayed20 In progress0 Played0

S2 · E37
August 23 · 23 min
Five INDIE GAMES to play in 2026 Ep.37
Here are five indie games you should definitely try! Buy the games! Ball X Pitt - https://store.steampowered.com/app/2062430/BALL_x_PIT/ DenshAttack: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2524850/Denshattack/ Mina The Hollower: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1875580/Mina_the_Hollower/ Mouse PI for Hire: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2416450/MOUSE_PI_For_Hire/ MotorSlice: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2830030/MOTORSLICE/ Iron Nest: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2950790/IRON_NEST_Heavy_Turret_Simulator/ Ads Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE Socials: ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E36
August 13 · 37 min
Is a Genre Dying Before Our Eyes? Ep.36
So the extraction shooter genre is a tricky one. I think it's going to still exist and be around, but I don't think it's going to be around like battle royale games are around. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E35
July 10 · 34 min
It's Phil Spencer's Fault Ep. 35
Game Pass. It's all Phil Spencer's fault. This is his legacy with Microsoft, a massive "Netflix of Gaming" gamble that didn't pay off and may have cost us ID Software. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E34
July 7 · 44 min
Reading about 3,200 people being laid off -Ep.34
AND NOW Microsoft, not satisfied with not being front and center of gaming news, the XBOX (in caps) division has laid off 3,200 people, with 1,600 effective today. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E33
July 2 · 47 min
Sony wants you to own nothing Ep.33
Sony announced some they are no longer going to make physical media in 2028. Everyone hated that. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E32
June 27 · 45 min
USA "AAA" Game Dev is Breaking Ep.32
Lots of weird news today. Studio closures, console price hikes. A passing of a friend. But also...Nintendo? Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E31
June 21 · 42 min
Yeah so, XBOX Games is in Trouble. (and other obvious observations)
Want to hear something obvious? Unsustainable business practices are unsustainable. There ya go. Here's 30 minutes of that. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E30
June 9 · 18 min
The Looming Threat of GTV6: Ep. 30
Grand Theft Auto 6 has caused the release calendar to get super crunched. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E29
May 11 · 32 min
What's Next for Bungie?: Ep. 29
Sony posted their quarterly report, and it does NOT look good for Bungie. Or Marathon. Or Destiny. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E28
May 8 · 22 min
A Star Fox Rant: Ep. 28
Imma spend 20 minutes talking about Star Fox because a Nintendo Direct demands it. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E27
May 4 · 35 min
The Indie Game Revolution is here: Ep. 27
We are in a video game crash. Right now. At this moment. Why don't most notice? Because there is a Plan B already in the works, and you may not have noticed. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► Background Music: "Straight" by www.bensound.com ► ► ► Want to read Ray's Sci-fi books?: a.co/d/5k2hEU3
S2 · E26
March 25 · 38 min
The Uncomfortable Marathon Discussion - Ep.26
If you like the game Marathon (2026), then you must really like it. Unfortunately, it looks like that the niche is growing smaller and smaller by the day. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ
S2 · E25
March 16 · 43 min
Who is Project Helix for? - Ep. 25
Who is Project Helix for? You? Likely not me. Let's crunch some numbers and talk business. Sources: - www.ign.com/articles/xbox-confi…-also-play-pc-games - www.windowscentral.com/gaming/my-xbo…repair-volume - windowsreport.com/asus-projects-hu…er-record-sales/ - www.asus.com/event/Investor/Con…en/2025Q3%20IR.pdf - seekingalpha.com/article/4880756-…-call-transcript - expertbeacon.com/what-percentage-…n-pc-vs-console/ - newzoo.com/resources/blog/cros…e-on-pc-and-console - screenrant.com/nintendo-switch-2…17-million-sales/ - www.statista.com/statistics/13394…t-sales-quarter/ - www.vgchartz.com/article/465608/2…es-xs-vs-switch/ - www.vgchartz.com/article/467231/m…gaming-and-xbox/ Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S2 · E24
February 23 · 26 min
The Reaper has been busy - Ep. 24
Lost of things happened in one week. Mostly some game studio closures and, ya know, Microsoft gaming is still dying. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S2 · E23
February 17 · 19 min
Please Go Away Already - Ep. 23
Pop already. Let the damage be done. No one wants "AI" and especially not GenAI. GO. AWAY. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S2 · E22
January 28 · 28 min
What's in a name? Metroidvania Thoughts Ep. 22
How long should we keep using odd portmanteaus of games? Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S1 · E21
Dec 31, 2025 · 35 min
How Long Should A Game Take? Ep. 21
How Long should it take to make a video game? 1 year? 3 Years? 10 Years? Let's talk about some successes and failures. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S1 · E20
Dec 19, 2025 · 30 min
AI Bullying Works Ep. 20
I am openly and actively telling you to bully corporations and large businesses. It's how they change. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S1 · E19
Dec 6, 2025 · 21 min
Will Steam Machine Change anything Ep 19
Quick one today about the newly announced Steam Machine and how exciting it is...maybe? Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.
S1 · E18
Nov 23, 2025 · 42 min
Forced AI Art in Gaming Ep. 18
Yup. Yapping about AI and it in the gaming space for a bit. It's not great, but also...there is hope at the end of this oddly yellow tunnel with too many fingers. Aspire Drinks: aspiredrinks.com/discount/RHAZE Promo code: RHAZE MyDeals.Page/ajhf Afurera Coffee Co. : www.afueracoffee.com/discount/RHAZE Promo Code: RHAZE ► ► ►www.unscriptedgaming.com ► ► ► unscriptpodcast@gmail.com ► ► ► Follow us on BlueSky: bsky.app/profile/unscripted-gaming.bsky.social ► ► ►Music: Sonic & Knuckles "Electromotive Skyforce" ► ► ► Background Music: Royalty Free Music: www.bensound.com License code: ZTUP1OETPAQWUQDQ ► ► ► "On Repeat" by Marcus P.

Showing 1–20 of 20 episodes