EFWSOT with Santiago Nuñez

Ever wonder how the sausage is actually made behind your favorite AAA games? In this episode, industry OGs Gary and Rick sit down with legendary game developer, animator, and motion-capture pioneer Santiago Nunez (EA, Sony, 2K, God of War, Zenimax). From starting as EA's very first paid intern on Nuclear Strike, shipping Road Rash 3D and Tiger Woods Golf, to managing massive external animation pipelines for God of War, Santi pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to ship games at scale. What we cover in this episode: The wild reality of early PlayStation development and shipping games without a countdown timer. How a chance meeting with Muhammad Ali became a career highlight. The critical difference between managing a lean team versus a massive 300-person studio. Why "ships games" is the ultimate badge of honor in the gaming industry. How AI is transforming motion capture, skinning, and independent game development. Explore how AI tools are reshaping game development workflows. If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to hit Subscribe and leave a comment below sharing your favorite behind-the-scenes gaming industry story!