Season 1- Episode 1

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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.

Subscribe. Share. Review.
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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Episode Transcript

SPEAKER_00 (00:01):
Hello there, and welcome to Behind the Games.
My name is AJ Scarlato.
I am an educator, entrepreneur,former industry executive, game
fanatic, and most importantly,your host on this weekly journey
into the minds, mechanics, andmadness of the game dev world.
As a former developer at one ofthe largest AAA studios, I'm

(00:21):
excited to bring you keyinsights and connections from
this crazy industry.
Have you ever dreamed oflaunching your own indie game?
Have you ever wondered how AAAStudios manage multi-million
dollar projects?
Are you curious about the techand business behind the games we
all love?
Well, if you said yes to any ofthese, then you are in the right
place.
This is episode one, a quickpreview of what to expect here

(00:44):
on Behind the Games.
Each week, I'll sit down andinterview one-on-one with game
developers, product managers,creative directors, startup
founders, indie game studios,and much, much more.
From industry legends at AAAStudios to scrappy indie teams
just shipping their firsttitles, you'll hear real stories
from real people shaping thefuture of gaming.

(01:05):
Also, as a sneak peek, I'mexcited to advise I have two AAA
Studio leaders lined up and manysmall studios lined up as well.
And this just is about how gamesare made.
It's about how studios build,how they launch, scale, fund,
fail, learn, and level up.
You'll get practical takeawayson game production, funding

(01:26):
strategies for indie studios,the technology behind the games,
the tools that are used, thesecrets behind everything,
navigating burnout, crunch time,how leadership works, and the
hard truths of surviving andthriving in game development.
And hey, if you're a startupjunkie yourself, a tech-savvy
dreamer, or someone who simplyloves decoding the why behind
the wow, this podcast is foryou.

(01:49):
This show is designed to be abackstage pass and a playbook.
Whether you're an aspiringdeveloper, a veteran looking to
pivot, or just obsessed withgaming as a craft, I'm here to
bring you closer to those peopleand those strategies pushing
this industry forward.
The game industry is extremelylarge and expanding every single
day.
So sit down, relax, grab yourfavorite beverage, or press play

(02:11):
while you're running, driving,or wherever you listen to
podcasts.
Please enjoy this experience.
Take a moment to subscribe tothis podcast so you can see the
next version.
It is just starting, but I amhere to take you on a great
journey and something I am trulypassionate about.
Until then, keep building, keepdreaming, and I'll see you
behind the games.