About

The Examined Game is a video game podcast that explores the question: "What is the meaning of life... in video games?"

To answer it, host Steven Lake sits down with the developers, writers, designers, creators, and artists behind some of the world's most acclaimed and beloved video games. Through in-depth conversations about game design, storytelling, and the influences that drove these individuals to make video games, both personally and professionally, The Examined Game examines how games reflect the ideas, values, and experiences that shape our lives.

The Examined Game features long-form conversations with influential game developers and creators including Clint Hocking (Far Cry 2, Splinter Cell, Watch Dogs: Legion), Scott Miller (Commander Keen, Duke Nukem, Wolfenstein 3D, Max Payne, Prey), Richard Lemarchand (Uncharted, Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver), Erik Wolpaw (Portal, Half-Life), Kelsey Beachum and Alex Beachum (Outer Wilds), Jon Ingold and Joseph Humfrey (80 Days, Heaven's Vault, A Highland Song), Amandine Marest (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), Francisco González (Rosewater, Lamplight City), Jonathan Zimmerman (Life is Strange: Reunion), Nina Freeman (Cibele, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage), Ben Fisher (Atomfall, Sniper Elite: Resistance), Julia Minamata (The Crimson Diamond), Chris Wade (Big Hops), Larry Kuperman (Nightdive Studios), and Mario R. Kroll (UberStrategist).

Steven Lake is the host of The Examined Game and a Peabody-nominated documentary producer. He has produced work for Netflix, BBC Storyville, PBS POV, Al Jazeera, and The Guardian. His films include Phantom Parrot, Roll Red Roll—which The New York Times called "an essential watch"—and Dungeon Masterhood, a coming-of-age documentary with dragons. Other work includes Anonymous Comes to Town, one of The Guardian's most-watched documentary shorts, and The Family Statement for Field of Vision.