Directing AAA Video Games, with Brian Allgeier

Playmakers - The Game Industry Podcast

In this episode:

Jordan interviews Brian Allgeier, a veteran game designer and creative director at Insomniac Games, renowned for his work on classic titles such as Ratchet & Clank, Spyro the Dragon, and the VR game Edge of Nowhere. Brian shares his journey in the AAA game industry, lessons on creative direction, working with large teams, and how to maintain a cohesive creative vision across complex projects. He also highlights some leadership tips from his book, Directing Video Games: 101 Tips for Creative Leaders, which offers practical guidance for both aspiring and seasoned game directors.

Topics covered:

• Brian's career journey: from Spyro to Ratchet & Clank and VR gaming
• The role of a creative director in managing game design and storytelling
• Best practices for getting the most out of a game’s mechanics and assets
• How to maintain a cohesive creative vision across large development teams
• Tips on working effectively with teams and leading without dictating
• Lessons from Ratchet & Clank: balancing action, platforming, and storytelling
• The importance of “economy of design”: stretching mechanics for maximum gameplay value
• Key leadership tips from Brian’s book, Directing Video Games: 101 Tips for Creative Leaders

For more game industry tips:

• Learn more about Jordan & Bright Black
• Listen on iTunes | Spotify (Support the show and leave a review)
• Visit www.playmakerspodcast.com for the full blog post and more!

Timestamps:

[02:44] Brian’s early career: From Spyro to Ratchet & Clank

[06:00] Maximizing game mechanics and designing with economy in mind

[10:23] Transitioning from artist to creative director at Insomniac Games

[12:30] Guiding players' attention and creating focus in level design

[16:50] Techniques for managing large teams of specialists

[21:00] Working with Mark Cerny and learning about production efficiency

[26:00] Balancing creativity and budget in AAA game development

[30:30] Directing video games: Lessons from Ratchet & Clank and Edge of Nowhere

[34:20] Brian’s advice for aspiring creative leaders in game design

Resources & media mentioned in this episode:

Learn more and Connect with Marc Mencher:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Directing Video Games: 101 Tips for Creative Leaders

Games & companies mentioned:

• Ratchet & Clank series (Insomniac Games)
• Spyro the Dragon (Insomniac Games)
• Edge of Nowhere (Insomniac Games)
• Directing Video Games: 101 Tips for Creative Leaders by Brian Allgeier
• Super Mario 64 (Nintendo)
• Uncharted series (Naughty Dog)
• The Last of Us series (Naughty Dog)
• Diddy Kong Racing (Nintendo)
• Zelda series (Nintendo)
• Titanfall 2 (Respawn Entertainment)
• Final Fantasy series (Square Enix)