Game Wise: The IGEA Educates Podcast

Welcome back to season two of Game Wise, where we are highlighting Australian success stories, aimed at inspiring the next generation of game makers. This episode is a frank discussion with Jens and Bryce Szandro, CEO and Founder of Paragon Interactive. Bryce and Jens explore the journey behind Bryce's career into games, from 3D art beginnings to managing a full-service game development studio. Bryce shares key points from his career, highlights from the projects he's worked on to the people he's met, and how sometimes the best way network is to just get in front of people, and get remembered as "that Aussie Guy".

This is yet another episode in our series highlighting Australian success stories, aimed at inspiring the next generation of game makers. In this episode, Jens speaks with Jay Topping, Co-Founder and Creative Director of WeForge Studios, about the journey behind the co-op horror game Macabre . Starting as a lockdown project between friends with no prior games industry experience, WeForge gradually built a community around the game through continuous iteration, transparent communication and a deep understanding of audience engagement. Jay shares lessons on validating ideas early, using marketing to inform development, running a successful Kickstarter campaign, and navigating the challenges of self-publishing and launching an indie game. It’s an honest conversation about the realities of building a studio from scratch, and the persistence, adaptability and authenticity required along the way.

In this special episode of Game Wise, Jens sits down with Peter Xi, Partner at RSM specialising in R&D Tax and Government Incentives, and Roisin Arkwright, National Tax Technical Director at RSM, to unpack what the latest Federal Budget means for Australian game studios. Together, they explore the proposed changes to the R&D Tax Incentive, including the shift toward “high-intensity” R&D, the removal of supporting activities, and what studios should start doing now to prepare for the changes expected from 2028 onwards. The discussion also dives into the broader investment landscape, including the proposed capital gains tax reforms and what they could mean for founders, investors, and early-stage studios seeking funding. Along the way, the episode offers practical guidance on documentation, structuring, compliance, runway management, and how studios can make the most of existing incentives and tax concessions.

We’ve released another episode in our series highlighting Australian success stories, aimed at inspiring the next generation of game makers. There’s no such thing as overnight success, so how did they do it, and what are their superpowers? In this episode, Jens sits down with Dineth Abeynayake, Founder and Product Lead at Foxie Games, to unpack the journey behind building one of Australia’s most successful niche game studios. From an unconventional start as an aerospace engineer, Dineth shares how a self-taught, highly iterative approach – shipping games rapidly and testing them in-market – led to a breakthrough hit and ultimately to more than 100 million downloads across Foxie’s titles. The conversation dives into the studio’s core “superpowers”: identifying underserved niche audiences, taking those communities seriously, and building games through continuous feedback loops to achieve product–market fit. Dineth also highlights the importance of de-risking projects for investors, balancing creativity with structure as teams scale, and building a strong internal culture that empowers teams while maintaining focus.

This is another episode in our series highlighting Australian success stories, aimed at inspiring the next generation of game makers. There’s no such thing as overnight success, so how did they do it, and what are their superpowers? In this episode, Jens talks to the team behind Unpacking , one of Australia’s most celebrated indie successes. Wren Brier and Tim Dawson share how a simple real-life moment – moving in together and unpacking boxes – sparked the idea for a game that tells a deeply emotional story without dialogue. They reflect on their journeys through the Australian games industry, the challenges of going indie, and how years of experience, persistence, and creative instinct came together to shape Unpacking . The conversation explores how the team used everyday objects to convey narrative, balanced player freedom with design intent, and leaned heavily on playtesting and empathy to refine the experience.

This episode is the first in a series on Australian success stories. There’s no such thing as overnight success, so how did they do it, and what are their superpowers? We start this series with the makers of one of Australia’s best-known games: Massive Monster’s Cult of the Lamb . In the episode, Jens sits down with Creative Director Julian Wilton to explore the long road behind the game, from early indie experiments to building one of Australia’s most recognisable global game hits. Julian reflects on the studio’s early years in Flash, the hard lessons learned from projects that didn’t land, and how those experiences helped shape Massive Monster’s distinctive creative identity. They also discuss the value of authenticity, accessible design, bold marketing, and why success in games is usually the result of years of persistence rather than an overnight breakthrough.

In this episode of Game Wise, Jens is joined by Peer Schneider , Executive Vice President at IGN Entertainment , to unpack insights from IGN’s Gaming Trends Report . The conversation explores how games are increasingly functioning as long-term platforms and cultural spaces , rather than one-off releases, and what that shift means for development, marketing, and audience expectations. Jens and Peer discuss the continued rise of “ forever games ,” the influence of platforms like Fortnite and Roblox , and how discoverability, community engagement, and live support are reshaping success metrics for studios of all sizes. They also touch on nostalgia , cross-generational audiences , and the growing overlap between games, media, and creator ecosystems, offering useful context for developers thinking about sustainability, IP strategy, and where player attention is heading next.

In this episode of Gamewise , Jens is joined by Video Game Insights' Vic Bessey for a data-driven look back at 2025 and what it tells us about where the games industry is heading. Drawing on VG Insights’ latest datasets and reports, the conversation explores global game sales and spending trends , the growing dominance of Steam , and the mounting challenge of visibility and discoverability in an increasingly crowded market. Vic breaks down why success is no longer guaranteed , even for well-funded projects, and what metrics like wishlists, demos, and platform showcases really mean in practice. The episode also dives into VG Insights’ Soulslike Report , highlighting the genre’s continued growth and its strong traction across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the Big Game Engines Report , which shows how Unity and Unreal continue to dominate development pipelines despite ongoing industry debate. Packed with practical insights for studios, publishers, and policymakers alike, this episode offers a clear-eyed view of 2025 as a year of “shifting sands" – and what developers should take with them into 2026.

In this episode, Jens is joined by Dr Jeff Brand and IGEA CEO, Ron Curry, to unpack the latest Australia Plays report , now marking 20 years of tracking how the nation plays. Together, they explore what the data reveals about modern Australia: games as an intergenerational pastime, the rise of female players to 51%, and the powerful role games play in connection, wellbeing, and digital literacy. From cosy games to family bonding to the uniquely Australian flavour of our homegrown titles, the conversation reflects on how games have become a cultural staple, as familiar and universal as sport, music, or film. It’s a lively look at where gaming has been, where it’s heading, and why Australia remains one of the most exciting places in the world to play and make games.

In this episode, Jens and Andy speak with Scott Reismanis (Mod.io) and Monty Martin (Space Cadet Studios) about the explosive growth of user-generated content (UGC) in games. They unpack how platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and mod.io's tools have turned players into creators, why UGC is now driving engagement, revenue and game longevity, and what this shift means for studios, publishers and developers. From modding communities to full creator economies, this episode explores how UGC has moved from the fringes of game development to one of the industry’s most powerful growth engines.

In this episode of Game Wise , Jens and Andy sit down with Chris Wright (Fellow Traveller) and Tomas Rossel (Spawn Ventures) to explore what publishers and venture capitalists look for in game developers. Chris shares insights on the publishing side — from why niche focus matters to how early signals like wishlists and social buzz shape decisions. Tomas explains the VC perspective, highlighting the importance of the team, long-term vision, and how investors spread risk across multiple studios. Whether you’re considering a publisher, seeking venture funding, or just curious about how investors think, this episode offers practical advice to help studios make smarter decisions. Music is Atlantis, by Karl Casey of White Bat Audio. Post-production audio by 'Dark Half Studios ( darkhalfstudios.com ).

In this episode, hosts Jens and his co-host Andy chat with Manea Castet , Head of Studio at Gameloft Brisbane , and Joe Donoghue , CEO & Co-founder of The Three Thousands , about what makes Australian game development unique. Together they reflect on the country’s vibrant indie scene, world-class creativity, and the “can-do” culture that drives fun, engaging games. They also dive into the challenges of distance from global hubs, attracting and retaining senior talent, and the path from indie beginnings to larger studios. With generous incentives, strong talent, and a thriving community, Australia is well placed to seize the next wave of opportunities, particularly in mid-sized AA titles. More than just a “remote outpost,” the vision is for Australia to step onto the world stage as a globally significant creative hub for games. Music is Atlantis, by Karl Casey of White Bat Audio. Post-production audio by 'Dark Half Studios ( darkhalfstudios.com ).

In this episode, Jens and his co-host Andy chat to Emmanuel “Manu” Rosier, Director of Market Intelligence at Newzoo, to unpack the latest trends from Newzoo’s PC and Console Gaming Report. From the stickiness of legacy titles to the discoverability challenges facing new games, Manu offers a data-rich yet accessible look at what’s shaping player behaviour, market saturation, and platform dynamics in 2025. Hear why older games are dominating playtime, what the rise of co-op and cosy genres says about player preferences, and how developers can navigate increasingly crowded storefronts and shifting business models. Music is Atlantis, by Karl Casey of White Bat Audio. Post-production audio by 'Dark Half Studios ( darkhalfstudios.com ).

In this podcast, Jens from IGEA and his co-host, Andy from GameGlass, dive into the world of game marketing. They explore the critical role of marketing in the games industry, featuring insights from industry experts Kate Hall (PlayIndies), Michal Napora (32-33), and Jonny Roses (PlaySide Studios). Discover how to navigate the challenges of marketing for both large studios and indie developers. Learn about the importance of hooks, building a community, and leveraging social media platforms like TikTok and Discord. Our guests share their journeys, from creating content on YouTube and Twitch to founding successful marketing agencies and working with renowned studios. Whether you're an indie developer or part of a large studio, this episode is packed with valuable tips and strategies to help you stand out in a crowded market. Tune in to get wise about games and take your marketing game to the next level! Music is Atlantis, by Karl Casey of White Bat Audio