Share
The official podcast of GamersWithJobs.com, the GWJCC is our way of providing a podcast that feels like you are hanging out with friends after a long day in the office. We strive for smart, in-depth discussions about the latest games and gaming-related news, as well as light, playful tangents. We're always thrilled to talk about the new hotness, explore fun and strange indie gems, and revisit games old and new.
…
continue reading
Manage episode 513895355 series 3462424
Content provided by Alexander Seropian & Aaron Marroquin, Alexander Seropian, and Aaron Marroquin. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Alexander Seropian & Aaron Marroquin, Alexander Seropian, and Aaron Marroquin or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://staging.podcastplayer.com/legal.
VP of Amazon Games Christoph Hartmann is our guest. At BMG he helped launch GTA and went on to co-found 2K Games and publish NBA 2K, Civilization, Bioshock and Borderlands. We discuss the upcoming King of Meat, a very fresh take on how AI can help gamedev and more - this week!
Episode Highlights
[00:00:00] Intro: Christoph Hartmann
[00:20:32] From Music to Games: Christoph’s First Break at BMG
Christoph shares how his early exposure to computers led to an internship at BMG Interactive — a move that launched his career from music into video games
[00:28:03] Learning from Sam: Building for the Future
Christoph reflects on learning from his leaders and how to run a company with one eye on the horizon — always anticipating industry shifts to stay ahead.
[00:31:32] Founding 2K Games: Building a Creative Powerhouse
He talks about the creation of 2K Games and how the studio became home to major franchises like BioShock and Borderlands.
[00:40:10] Captain Kirk, Not Spock: Leading Overnight
Christoph shares how he was suddenly handed leadership responsibilities, earning the nickname “Captain Kirk” while his second-in-command was called “Spock.” He jokes, “I’m not Spock,” but explains what it taught him about command and trust.
[00:42:12] Spotting Winners: How Christoph Evaluates Studios
He breaks down what he looks for when assessing game studios — from creative spark to execution — and when it’s the right time to buy in or step back.
[00:49:12] Embracing AI: Innovation, Adaptation, and Opportunity
Christoph discusses how new technology, including AI, could actually improve development — making gameplay more adaptive and lowering production costs.
[00:59:34] Joining Amazon Games: Betting on Live Service Futures
After a moment of career reflection, Christoph joined Amazon to explore live service games — a model he believes represents the future of the industry. He shares why he finds Amazon’s culture both exciting and rewarding.
[01:04:15] Leading Smart Teams: Managing a Crew of “Spocks”
At Amazon, Christoph leads teams full of brilliant problem-solvers — his “Spocks.” He explains how he adapts his leadership to align incentives, empower experts, and keep learning as a leader.
[01:11:57] Bridging Creativity and Business: The In-Between Role
Christoph describes himself as the bridge between creative vision and business strategy, uniting both worlds to make better games. He also teases Amazon’s upcoming project, King of Meat.
[01:16:56] Outro: Wrapping Up and Reflecting on AI’s Power Demand
Alex and Aaron close out the episode, reflecting on Christoph’s insights and joking about the future of AI — and the nuclear power plants we might need to keep it all running.
Thank you for listening to our podcast all about videogames and the amazing people who bring them to life!
Hosted by Alexander Seropian and Aaron Marroquin
Find us at www.thefourthcurtain.com
Join our Patreon for early, ad-free episodes plus bonus content at https://patreon.com/FourthCurtain
Come join the conversation at https://discord.gg/KWeGE4xHfe
Videos available at https://www.youtube.com/@thefourthcurtain
Follow us on Twitter: @fourthcurtain
Edited and mastered at https://noise-floor.com
Audio Editor: Bryen Hensley
Video Editor: Sarkis Grigorian
Producer: Kimya Taheri
Art: Paul Russel
Community Manager: Doug Zartman
Featuring Liberation by 505
Chapters
1. Intro: Christoph Hartmann (00:00:00)
2. From Music to Games: Christoph’s First Break at BMG (00:20:32)
3. Learning from Sam: Building for the Future (00:28:03)
4. Founding 2K Games: Building a Creative Powerhouse (00:31:32)
5. Captain Kirk, Not Spock: Leading Overnight (00:40:10)
6. Spotting Winners: How Christoph Evaluates Studios (00:42:12)
7. Embracing AI: Innovation, Adaptation, and Opportunity (00:49:12)
8. Joining Amazon Games: Betting on Live Service Futures (00:59:34)
9. Leading Smart Teams: Managing a Crew of “Spocks” (01:04:15)
10. Bridging Creativity and Business: The In-Between Role (01:11:57)
11. Outro: Wrapping Up and Reflecting on AI’s Power Demand (01:16:56)
104 episodes
))
