The Secret Lives of Games 155: GDC 2026 LIVE Special!
Mar 23, 2026
Andy Schatz, indie designer behind Tooth and Tail and Monaco, talks GDC life and a long IGF history. He recalls career highs and setbacks, live awards antics, staging confetti gags, and why he returns to solo prototyping. Lively GDC atmosphere, debates on AI in art and code, tiny card-game shoutouts, and playful prototype ideas keep the conversation loose and surprising.
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Transcript
Episode notes
Late Night Writing Saved The IGF Awards
- Rob Dubbin described being pulled out of TV retirement to help write the 2026 IGF Awards and how his late-night experience shaped the show's structure.
- He focused on setting Carrie up to succeed, preferring bits that read well in a large, awkward awards room rather than late-night graphics bits.
Prioritize Host Energy For Live Award Shows
- Rob recommended designing live shows to serve the host's energy first so the room can follow, especially in large, difficult venues.
- He advised avoiding bits that rely on screen graphics or fragile timing in big, awkward award-ceremony rooms.
Confetti Poppers Replaced Dangerous Squibs
- Rob told a redemption story about replacing risky squibs with confetti poppers for a staged stabbing, which he tested only the day of the show.
- The confetti popper stunt became cathartic for him after a past live squib failure involving Steve Buscemi and Vincent D'Onofrio.