Design Memorable Video Game Puzzles | Douglas Burton - Senior Game Designer @ Polyarc | Ep 1 | Acapella

In the acapella version (no background music) of the inaugural episode, we sit down with fellow Full Sail University Alumni, dear friend, Detroit’s own Douglas Burton currently working as a Senior Designer for PolyArc in Seattle, WA.

 

Doug has worn various hats in game development riding the full spectrum between Game Design & Coding to refine his specialty in Puzzle Design. 

I got to work with Doug at Midway Austin on our first shipped game Blacksite: Area 51 where he’s gone on to work for various studios throughout the US and in the UK.

 

In this episode we'll discuss:

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Chapters:

(0:00) the dream of being a game dev consultant for Hollywood

(3:10) cheers, sante , salud, let's enjoy a stout

(4:28) developing in the pandemic

(6:00) working in mobile slot games at Scientific Games in Austin Texas.

(15:28) figuring out game development was his calling

(18:15) meeting Steven Spielberg while working on Boom Blox

(30:20) finding the right college to achieve his goals

(43:20) discuss the responsibilities of a game designer

(53:00) approaching high-level puzzle design

(1:03:00) his perspective on the importance of studio culture and equitable hiring practices at Polyarc

----more---- Links mentioned in the show:

Show Notes & Transcription on Medium

Doug's Game Credits on Mobygames

Reducing Bias in Game Audio Hiring

xMiraMira's Sims Melanin Pack

Follow Doug's team Polyarc - @PolyarcGames 

Follow Doug's work - @Dougomite_Dev

Follow your host John Diaz - @elkingpin

http://outofplayarea.com