The Creative Juice Podcast
Creative Juice is a bi-weekly podcast dedicated to Fortnite Creative and UEFN game development. It brings together game developers, business professionals, and gamers for authentic, casual, and humorous conversations about creativity, industry insights, and real-world success stories. Episodes are recorded with video using tools like Riverside and later distributed as audio on major podcast platforms. Each episode lasts between 30 minutes and 1 hour and features in-depth interviews with top talent and studios—all while keeping the focus on uncovering what fuels each guest’s creative juice. This is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Epic Games, Inc.
Episodes
Yu7a, CEO and Co Founder of Vysena Studios, joins me to break down the real story behind some of Fortnite’s most iconic creative projects. We talk about how Naruto and BTS came together in Creative 1.0, what brands still get wrong when entering Fortnite, and why Vysena just launched a new era focused on building long term player focused UEFN games.
He shares behind the scenes stories from the March Through Time project, early Creati...
Fortnite creators always talk about the Discovery system, but almost nobody understands how it actually works. In this episode, I sit down with Jon Hughes, founder of FCHQ and one of the leading analytic minds in Fortnite Creative and UEFN. Jon breaks down the real numbers behind map success, why certain genres explode, why others fade fast, and what the data shows about player behavior in 2025.
We talk about viral loops, live event...
Jim Ying, Managing Director & Founder of Mihada Capital, joins me to break down what it really takes to sell your studio or game. We dive into when to sell, what buyers actually look for, common mistakes creators make, and how acquisitions happen behind the scenes.
This episode is a masterclass for any creator or studio thinking about scaling, raising capital, or getting acquired.
Connect with Jim:
LinkedI...
From Tiffany & Co. to Hive Studio, Dummblond has built some of Fortnite’s most iconic Creative hubs and maps, with more than 100 million plays worldwide. In this episode, she shares how she transitioned from luxury retail to game development, her creative process inside Hive (the studio behind 1v1 With Every Gun), and what it takes to lead in Fortnite’s UGC space.
Connect with Dummblond:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/...
Philipp Batura, founder of Topcat, joins me to share how he went from failing at his first Roblox game to building a 7-figure digital fashion business featured in Forbes. We talk about the rise of Roblox UGC, scaling to over a million avatar items sold per month, why digital fashion matters more than ever, and how Topcat became one of the biggest names in virtual streetwear.
Connect with Philipp:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/Topc...
Michael Herriger, co-founder of Atlas Creative, joins me to talk about building the OG Fortnite map with UEFN, working with brands like the NBA and Microsoft, and expanding into Roblox with hits like Arcade Basketball. We cover player-first design, pitching brands the right way, lessons from billions of plays, and what’s next for Atlas.
Connect with Michael:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelherriger/
Atlas Creat...
On this episode of The Creative Juice Podcast, Matt Zanazzo sits down with Ethan Guest, co-founder of Bloom Creative and one of the masterminds behind Zombie Escape, a Fortnite Creative map that exploded with millions of players.
We talk about:
• The scariest moment of publishing their first map
• How Zombie Escape became addictive and impossible to copy
• What playtesting every single day taught Bloom Creative
•...
Dylan “SirRifty” Benn is the 18-year-old CEO of Genesis Studios, the Fortnite UEFN team behind some of the platform’s most ambitious projects. From building Squid Game with over 1M players in a single day to recreating Fortnite’s iconic live events, Genesis is setting new standards for creative studios.
In this episode, we cover:
• SirRifty’s journey from Roblox to Fortnite UEFN
• How Genesis Studios scaled from a friend g...
Adam Starr is a video game lawyer helping UGC creators navigate the complex world of platform policies, contracts, mods, and IP rights across Fortnite, Roblox, and beyond.
In this episode, we cover:
• Who actually owns your Fortnite/UEFN map
• Brand usage rules (LEGO, NFL, Nike, music, etc.) developers usually get wrong
• What types of mods and copyrighted assets can get you in trouble
• How to structure contract...
Zak Phelps helped the early evolution of Fortnite Creative while at Epic Games, shaping the tools and systems that now power millions of player-made maps.
In this episode, we cover:
• How Fortnite’s most viral game modes started with broken tools
• The real reason “Steal a Brain Rot” and “Grow a Garden” exploded
• Why discovery is more math than magic
• What brands get wrong when launching in Fortnite
• How ...
Hannes Van der Haegen (aka UtaSmoota) went from full-time dad and software architect to building one of Fortnite's most successful studios: Team Unite.
In this episode, we cover:
• How Hannes built a 10M-player Oral-B game
• Creating viral Fortnite maps for LEGO, Adidas, and Gillette
• The real strategy behind discovery, retention, and brand work in UEFN
• Why modular Verse code is the secret weapon for scal...
This week on Creative Juice, I’m going solo to share the full story of how I left a stable 6-figure job in the oil field to go all in on Fortnite Creative and content creation.
No guests, just raw truth about the risks, sacrifices, and wins along the way.
I talk about:
- Why I almost didn’t take the leap
- How I built 50+ games before one took off
- What it really takes to go full-time in UEFN
- The hardest part of being a Fortnite cre...
Curious how a Fortnite Creative game becomes a viral sensation? In this episode, Enrique Fuentes, CEO of Terravision and creator of Havoc Hotel, shares the secrets behind some of the most successful maps in Fortnite UEFN. Learn real strategies for player retention, sequels, brand collaborations like The Walking Dead, and what it takes to stand out in the competitive Fortnite Creative scene. Hear Enrique’s journey from launching a s...
Thanks to Epic Games for sponsoring this episode!
#EpicPartner #StateofUnreal
How did Snoop Dogg, Creed III, and Rocket League end up in Fortnite? JJ Armstrong of Team 404 shares how to land major brand deals, integrate IP into your maps, and stand out as a creator. Get real tips, industry stories, and creative strategies in this can’t-miss episode.
Connect with JJ Armstrong:
X (Twitter): https://x.com/yojj47
Website: ...
Get the inside scoop on the wildest brand collabs ever built in Fortnite! In this episode, Mack Jack breaks down how Alliance Studios brought Doritos, SpongeBob SquarePants, Prime Energy, and Kid Laroi to life inside Fortnite Creative. Hear the untold stories behind each map, the creative chaos, and what it’s really like working with global brands in the gaming space. Plus, Mack Jack shares advice for creators, her personal journey...
In Episode 4 of the Creative Juice Podcast, we sit down with MustardPlays to uncover the real story behind how the biggest Battle Royale in the world got its start — from a simple dinner table conversation to a 3-week prototype that changed gaming forever.
We dive into:
🔹 How Fortnite + UEFN on iOS could spark a second boom for creators
🔹 Why building fast and testing early still drives his creative process
🔹 ...
Creative Juice Podcast • Episode with Kevin Marciano of Future Trash
Matthew “Immature Gamer” Zanazzo sits down with Kevin Marciano, CEO and co-founder of Future Trash, the studio behind Boom Tycoon, Mr Beast Games, and several of Fortnite’s most polished custom experiences. Kevin shares how his background producing the hit animated series Miraculous Ladybug (now streaming on Netflix and Disney) gave him the storytelling chops to bu...
Welcome to Creative Juice Podcast Episode 2 featuring Tom Jank. In this episode Tom shares his journey from working at Pixar to creating unforgettable Fortnite maps. Watch him reveal how making a map in 3 hours taught him that perfection is overrated and why embracing the jank is the secret to creative success. He discusses turning challenges into viral moments, the power of daily warm ups, and the importance of taking breaks.
The Creative Juice Podcast - Ep. 1 w/ Birdo
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Birdo – the former Microsoft engineer who made 300% more money after QUITTING to dive into Fortnite Creative. In this episode, Birdo shares his journey into game development, revealing the viral Fortnite hacks that are setting new trends in the gaming world. Discover how his bold career move transformed his life, learn about his creative ...
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