80 Level Podcast

Nick Grant
80 Level Podcast is an episodic show for game developers, digital artists, animators, video game enthusiasts, CGI and VFX specialists. Join us to learn about new workflows, discuss new tools and share your work.

All Episodes

Send us a Text Message.Ian Smith, CG Supervisor at SideFX walks us through Project Pegasus (learning tech demo showcasing Houdini workflows with Unreal Engine 5). Explore non-destructive, procedural content generation in gamedev and how different tools can be used to create detailed open-world environments. Ian talks about software strengths and emphasizes how indie developers can leverage Houdini for fast and dynamic world-building that doesn't require lots of manpower.Check out Project Pegasus and improve your Houdini skills: https://www.sidefx.com/pegasus/ Read the article on 80.lv: https://80.lv/articles/ian-smith-on-becoming-an-artist-houdini-s-new-project-pegasus/ Ian’s socials:https://www.artstation.com/iansmithartist https://www.youtube.com/@iansmithartist/videos https://twitter.com/iansmithartist Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalent Get your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Feb 14

25 min 45 sec

Send us a Text Message.Designated digital chef Patrick Foley (PATRICK_4D) takes us to his kitchen. He shares interesting facts about a unique niche in digital art - photorealistic food renders, and delves into the importance of lighting, texture, and why choosing a specialty can supercharge your career. Patrick also discusses how he builds his brand with social media and its impact on attracting big clients. You better not watch it hungry cause this guy cooks! More from Patrick:https://www.instagram.com/patrick_4d/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@patrick_4d?lang=en https://www.patrick4d.com/ Get industry-ready 3D assets designed by Patrick 4D:https://p4d.store/Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalent Get your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Jan 31

27 min 45 sec

Send us a Text Message.Trent Claus, VFX supervisor from Lola Visual Effects joined our podcast. Learn about the complex process of creating realistic aging effects for characters in major films: from the challenges of preserving actors' unique features to the intricacies of the facial anatomy. Trent shares fascinating insights into the evolution of VFX and how AI is shaping its future, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from top-tier movie projects, including Marvel Cinematic Universe. Check out Lola Visual Effects projects: https://lolavfx.com/ The episode was recorded at VIEW Conference 2023: https://www.viewconference.it/ Episode cover image copyright: © 2019 MarvelOther images used in the episode:  © The Walt Disney Company © Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. © Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Jan 17

26 min 50 sec

Send us a Text Message.Scott Eaton, multi-disciplinary artist & creative technologist, joins 80 Level Podcast. We discuss machine learning, its impact on human creativity, and the limitations & potentials of AI-generated content in gamedev. Scott shares his thoughts on future changes and possibilities for artists in the gaming world and tries to find a balance between art and technology.The episode was recorded at the VIEW Conference 2023: https://www.viewconference.it/ Scott’s website:https://www.scott-eaton.com/ Scott’s Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/_ScottEaton_  Check out Scott's online courses (Winter session starts in January): https://www.scott-eaton.com/courses Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Dec 2023

30 min 51 sec

Send us a Text Message.Join 80 Level Podcast for a deep dive into game design with Jamie Smith, Principal Game Designer at People Can Fly. We discuss the core principles that make open world games stand out. Jamie shares how to design captivating gameplay mechanics, maintain player engagement, and balance form and function. If you're a game developer or simply fascinated by the world of video games, this episode uncovers the creative and technical aspects that drive the industry forward.More about Jamie: https://linktr.ee/smithstock Some examples in the video used by JamieYakuzahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKiFfCE949s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k71rZSh0ipM Fallout: New Vegas Maphttp://www.gamemapscout.com/falloutnewvegas_interactive.htmlThe player starts at Goodsprings (to the left of the map), meaning they can only go up, right, or downElden Ringhttps://mapgenie.io/elden-ring/maps/the-lands-between Super Mariohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLl7lbbpjig Destiny 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLpD4KH6kwI Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for digital artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Dec 2023

47 min 5 sec

Send us a Text Message.William Faucher, 3D Generalist & Unreal Engine Mentor joined 80 Level Podcast. We discuss all-things Unreal Engine and the best ways to master it. William talks about his career journey & YouTube experience, and gives valuable advice for aspiring 3D artists on honing skills, choosing the right software, and understanding the evolving gamedev landscape.Watch William’s tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/c/williamfaucher Check out the EasyFog tool for UE: https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/easyfog William’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamfaucher.vfx/  William’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillFaucherVFX  Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalent Get your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Nov 2023

43 min 19 sec

Send us a Text Message.Nick Seavert, Founder & CEO of JangaFX Software joined 80 Level Podcast. Explore the art and science of visual effects in game development and learn how Nick turned his love for games into building software aimed at empowering game artists and making VFX easier. Stay tuned for an inside look at JangaFX's future plans, where they're venturing into real-time terrain and environment generation, promising to revolutionize game development.Janga VFX website: https://jangafx.com/Janga VFX tutorials on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jangafx/videos  Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Nov 2023

37 min 5 sec

Send us a Text Message.Join us for another episode of 80 Level Podcast. Anna Kozlova, CEO at Room 8 Group, shares her expertise on why outsourcing can be a game-changer, how to retain top talent, and the potential impact of AI on game development. Find out how studios handle workloads and strike a balance between creativity and efficiency.Room 8 website: https://room8studio.com/ Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalent Get your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Oct 2023

35 min 27 sec

Send us a Text Message.Dive into the world of 3D modeling and video game development as we chat with Josh Gambrell from Blender Bros. Discover how he went from a beginner to an expert in Blender and how you can too. Learn how AI is shaking things up in the industry and how to embrace these changes for success.Check out Josh’s tutorials on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshGambrell/featuredMore online courses by Blender Bros: https://www.blenderbros.com/Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/blenderbros Instagram: http://instagram.com/blenderbros3d Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Oct 2023

36 min 30 sec

Send us a Text Message.Join us for an exciting peek behind the scenes of Japan's gamedev world with Ben Roach, ex-Level Designer at FromSoftware and now Founder of Upsurge Studios. Ben talks about his experience working on the Elden Ring. We also delve into the magic of Japanese game design, discuss the role of cultural influences, and reveal the secrets that make Japanese game development unique.Official Upsurge Website: https://www.upsurgestudios.com/  Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/upsurge_studios  Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/StudiosUpsurge Revisit Ben’s Dark Souls tutorial on 80 Level: https://80.lv/articles/dark-souls-3-in-ue4-production-interview/ Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Sep 2023

41 min 22 sec

Send us a Text Message.Jasmine Katatikarn, 3D Lighting Artist and CEO of the Academy of Animated Art joined 80 Level. Jasmine talks about learning lighting art, technologies, software, and storytelling through light in movies & games. She delves into the job opportunities for artists: what companies are looking for, and how to overcome the stigmatization of art careers among older generations. We also discuss the difference between animation and VFX and the dynamic interplay between human creativity and AI-powered tools.Check out the Academy of Animated Art if you want to learn lightning: https://academyofanimatedart.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/academyofanimatedart/Jasmine’s review and critique of students' works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6a5ibb24LY Jasmine’s socials:  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-katatikarn/ Instagram (personal): https://www.instagram.com/jazzkatat/ Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty  https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Sep 2023

39 min 27 sec

Send us a Text Message.Elliot Callighan (CEO and Composer at Unlock Audio) and Krzysztof Chodkiewiczd (Sound Designer and Music Producer at TSHASK) joined 80 Level podcast. Discover why sound design is a crucial element in gaming, enhancing immersion and gameplay satisfaction. Gain insights into the process of creating unique sounds, overcoming challenges, and tailoring audio to elevate your games to new heights.Unlock Audio: https://www.unlockaudio.com/  TSHASK: https://www.tshask.com/ Sound examples used in the podcast:Sewing a Musical Patchwork: The Music of 'Sackboy: A Big Adventure': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9J9A7EwFpc&t=1722s Returnal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV4XwWEBLEA&t=122s Halo sound design: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgx4E_21D4&t=395s Cuphead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnEv-WgfjpAElite Dangerous: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5GiG-AqAXYINSIDE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qd4w_XFFOsk   Follow 80 LEVEL on social media:https://www.facebook.com/LevelEighty https://www.instagram.com/eighty_level/https://twitter.com/80LevelWe are looking for more artists!Join 80 LEVEL Talent for free: https://80lv.pro/join-80lvTalentGet your work noticed by some of the biggest and best developers, publishers, and studios in video games today.The Gaming BlenderCould you design a video game?Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifyThis video is sponsored by Xsolla, a global video game commerce company with a robust and powerful set of tools and services designed specifically for the video game industry: http://xsolla.pro/8023

Aug 2023

1 hr 7 min