Tiny changes that transform interviews into real opportunities, without needing to be flawless.

Welcome to the 19th issue of Talent Play Zone!

Hey there, it’s Matteo!

If you're reading this, chances are you did something right, because landing an interview in the gaming industry is no easy feat. It means your work got noticed.

That’s worth celebrating.

But now comes the part that often makes people freeze: talking about yourself.

Over the last two issues, we’ve been building your momentum.In Issue 17, we explored how to get noticed before you even apply, by building real, quiet visibility.In Issue 18, we broke down how to craft applications that actually get read, tailored to a studio’s needs and full of real intention.

Now comes the next step: the interview.

This is your moment to bring everything to life... your thinking, your potential, your story.And this issue is here to take the pressure off.

Because interviews aren’t about proving perfection; they’re about connection, growth, and clarity.Let’s make sure you don’t just show up, you stand out.

Anyone can memorize answers. But the candidates who stand out?They prepare like future teammates, not test-takers.

Here’s how to get ready with impact:

✨ Bonus tip: Link your work to theirs.

Instead of saying “I love systems design,” try:“Your latest patch changed how enemies behave... it inspired me to explore dynamic AI in my own project.”

It’s not always big blunders that hurt interviews.Sometimes it’s the small things that go unnoticed.

Watch out for these:

🎯 Strong answers aren’t about saying the “right” thing, they’re about being clear, self-aware, and real.

Let’s break down real questions and how to elevate your answers:

“What’s a game mechanic that impressed you recently?”Don’t just name a title; share why it stood out—was it the pacing, the player feedback, the innovation?

“Tell me about a time you failed.”Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result. Then reflect:What did you learn? How did you grow? What would you do differently now?

“Why do you want to work here?”This is where many candidates lose momentum.Be specific. Mention their art style, a dev talk, a studio value, or a mechanic that resonates with your own approach.

Pro tip: End strong by asking something meaningful, like:

“What’s a challenge your team is excited to tackle this year?”

The best interviews don’t feel like a test...They feel like a first conversation between future teammates.

That happens when you:

Studios aren’t looking for solo heroes... they want collaborators.

Show them what building something with you would actually feel like.

You don’t have to “master” interviews to succeed.You just have to keep growing with each one.

Try this challenge:

Confidence doesn’t come from pretending; it comes from preparation and self-awareness.

NetEase, the publisher behind Naraka: Bladepoint and Marvel Rivals, has revealed its first narrative-driven action-adventure game, Blood Message. Set during the final years of the Tang Dynasty, the third-person title blends cinematic storytelling with glossy, AAA visuals reminiscent of Uncharted and Assassin’s Creed.

Players follow a “messenger” and his son on a 1,000-mile journey back to Chang’an, navigating deserts, wilderness, and political upheaval. The story explores loyalty, family, and survival in a culturally rich historical setting inspired by Wuxia traditions.

While some note the art direction feels a bit like an Unreal Engine 5 tech demo, community response has been strong, with many praising its ambition and cinematic flair. Comments on the reveal trailer include, “NetEase is cooking” and “What Ubisoft could’ve been.”

🖥️ Blood Message is coming to PC and consoles, though no release date has been announced yet.

Source: Polygon

As the dust settles after this year’s Summer Game Fest, one title remains firmly in the lead for Game of the Year, and it’s not a sequel or a AAA giant. It’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a surprise RPG hit from Sandfall Interactive.

Launched to critical acclaim, the game combines emotionally rich storytelling, refined mechanics, and striking art direction. It currently sits at the top of Metacritic and OpenCritic’s 2025 best games lists... and more importantly, it has become a community favorite, much like Baldur’s Gate 3 in 2023.

Despite strong upcoming competition including Death Stranding 2, Ghost of Yōtei, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, Clair Obscur may hold the edge. Not just because of its polish, but because of what it represents – a bold, unexpected success from a small studio with big creative vision.

Meanwhile, contenders like Silent Hill f, Blue Prince, and Keeper are still in the conversation; however, none have yet matched Clair Obscur’s momentum, impact, or emotional resonance.

🎯 Clair Obscur may not have the biggest budget, but it might have the biggest heart... and the kind of underdog story that the GOTY jury loves to reward.

Source: Polygon

Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, has been delayed indefinitely, canceling its planned September 23 release. No new release window has been announced yet, leaving fans uncertain about what’s next for the project.

The studio cited feedback from alpha playtests as the main reason behind the delay. In a statement, Bungie said it’s taking the extra time to better align the game with community expectations, based on real-time input from Discord, social media, and direct testing.

Behind the scenes, Marathon has faced multiple challenges, including:

Moving forward, Bungie says it will focus development on three areas:

Closed testing will continue over the next few months, including alpha participants. A new update on the game’s progress and a revised release date is expected sometime this fall.

🖥️ Marathon is still planned for PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X|S.

Source: Polygon

So... you had the interview. Now what?

Next issue, we’ll explore:

Because interviews aren’t the end of the journey, they’re simply part of the process.Let’s help you stay visible, stay confident, and stay ready for what comes next.

📱 DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram if you have questions, thoughts, or just want to share your story.And if this issue helped you, pass it along to someone who could use a little support too.

Let’s keep building a more human industry, one step at a time.

unsubscribe