Dingus and Dingus

9 Episodes
Subscribe

By: Floyd Bishop

www.dingusanddingus.comStop listening to the PR-friendly version of the video game industry. Most conversations about gaming and tech stay on the surface. We’re here to dig up the hilarious, chaotic, and often bittersweet reality from the perspective of two industry veterans with over 100 years of collective experience. From the peaks of Triple-A development to the trenches of the "shifting sands" in modern tech, this is your all-access pass to the stories that usually stay behind NDAs.🎮 What Really Happens Behind the Scenes?We’ve seen it all: the games that defined generations and the legendary titles that vanished right b...

Episode 9: Interview with Dan Mueller
#9
Last Friday at 3:04 AM

The conversation delves into the early days of PlayStation development, the innovation of game control schemes, and the unique experiences and culture of the gaming industry. The conversation covers the importance of art and animation quality in game development, as well as the transition from game development to film production. The conversation delves into the legendary encounters with industry icons and the art of skill development, highlighting the importance of persistence and continuous improvement in the creative field. The conversation delves into the gaming industry, contract work, dining experiences, and the journey of developing and marketing a game. It...


Episode 8: Interview With Transformers Narrator Victor Caroli
#8
05/15/2026

The conversation delves into the nostalgia of Transformers, Victor Caroli's journey into voice acting, the impact and legacy of his voice work, technological changes in voice acting, the implications of AI voices and voice cloning, advice for aspiring voice actors, and the challenges faced by voice actors in the industry. The conversation covers the longevity of commercials, the evolution of the voiceover industry, the transition to digital portfolios, the early days of voiceover, entering the voiceover business, achieving professional success, pursuing dreams and opportunities, taking initiative and seizing opportunities, living a fulfilling life, and upcoming events and engagements.

<...


Episode 7: All Toys!!
#7
05/11/2026

The episode features a showcase of various toy collectibles, including Ninja Turtles, Star Wars, LEGO, cereal mascot figures, and vintage toys. The conversation delves into the evolution of toy articulation, the nostalgia of collecting, and the unique appeal of different toy lines. The hosts share their experiences with toy collecting and highlight the significance of these toys in their lives. The conversation delves into the art of toy design, the nostalgia and excitement surrounding new releases, the current state of the toy industry, collaborations and crossovers between toy companies, the personal aspect of collecting and displaying toys, personal stories...


Episode 6: Everquest Animator Tom Tobey
#6
05/03/2026

The conversation covers the journey of two individuals in the animation and game industry, highlighting their early career challenges, transitions between companies, and experiences with game development. It also delves into the dynamics of game development teams and the challenges faced in the industry. The speakers share insights into their career choices, project cancellations, and the impact of industry changes on their professional paths. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the legacy of Midway, game development challenges, workplace dynamics, industry connections, creative process, workplace fun, career transitions, and industry challenges. The speakers share anecdotes, experiences, and...


Episode 5: Steve Merghart and Dave Oelkers
#5
05/03/2026

The podcast episode begins with introductions and an overview of the podcast. The conversation then transitions to discussing the first project collaboration, followed by a detailed exploration of the participants' career paths and work history. The episode features humorous anecdotes and reflections on past experiences in the industry. The conversation covers a range of topics including favorite projects, studio transitions, animation techniques, workplace anecdotes, and collaboration with engineers. The speakers share insights into their most enjoyable projects, challenges faced during studio transitions, creative problem-solving in game development, and humorous workplace anecdotes. The conversation covers nostalgic food memories, health mishaps...


Episode 4: Battle of the ChatBots
#4
05/03/2026

The Dingus and Dingus podcast celebrates its one-month anniversary and features discussions on favorite games, AI interactions, and special guests. The hosts engage with AI models such as ChatGBT, Google Gemini, and Anthropics Claude, asking them questions and evaluating their responses. The podcast also delves into the nostalgic appeal of 80s and 90s pop culture, retro toys, and video games, while exploring the intersection of AI technology and digital art. The Dingus and Dingus podcast features an interview with Floyd Bishop and Matt Case, former Free Realms developers, who discuss game development, gaming history, and share insider information. The...


Episode 3: AI in art and Design
#3
05/03/2026

The conversation explores the role of AI in art and design, discussing its impact on the industry and the creative process. It delves into the use of generative AI to create visual art, the ethical considerations, and the potential for collaboration between AI and human artists. The conversation explores the use of generative AI to create digital art, with a focus on transforming hand-drawn sketches into photorealistic images. The hosts engage in playful banter and discuss the challenges and limitations of AI-generated art.

Takeaways

AI as a tool for artistsEthical considerations in AI artCollaboration...


Episode 2: Free Realms
#2
05/03/2026

The conversation delves into the evolution of Free Realms, from the creation of the Kakenstein model to the changing game design and scope, emphasizing the game's accessibility and player experience. It explores the creative freedom and development process, character design and animation, as well as the artistic vision and collaboration behind the game. Additionally, it touches on the planned intro cinematic, the game design document, and the visual style and performance of Free Realms. The discussion concludes with insights into professional relationships and networking within the industry. The conversation delves into the memories of departed colleagues, the challenges of...


Episode 1: THE SECRET HISTORY OF GAMING
#1
03/27/2026

The conversation covers the career journey in the gaming industry, challenges and lessons learned, transition to tech and AI, the impact of AI on the industry, and nostalgia for old toys. The speakers share career advice and industry insights, providing valuable perspectives on the evolution of the gaming and tech industries. The conversation covers childhood memories, collectibles, and toys, as well as the transition into adulthood, remote work, hobbies, video games, and tech. It explores the nostalgia of childhood collectibles, the influence of childhood experiences on adult life, the impact of remote work, and the world of video games...