Rephonic
Artwork for Lightmap

Lightmap - Conversations with video game creators

SIFTER
Magic: the Gathering
The Drifter
Ghost Of Yōtei
Jackbox Games
Universes Beyond
Baby Steps
World Of Warcraft Midnight
Housing
Good Games Morley
Powerhoof
Adventure Games
Celeste
Sucker Punch Productions
Open World Design
Party Pack 11
Final Fantasy
Australian Culture
Tiktok Algorithm
Sifter
Getting Over It

Lightmap is an Australian Podcast Award winning show that explores the creative process of making videogames and interactive media, and introduces you to the creators of some of the most exciting titles. You'll meet developers, musicians, artists, journalist and more, so come join us here and on SIFTER.com.au

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes290Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureVideo Games

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Lightmap

Latest Episodes

If you're a fan of the Gameboy era Zelda games, MINA THE HOLLOWER would have caught your eye. When you found out it's the team behind SHOVEL KNIGHT, I bet you got pretty excited.

Well David D'Angelo and Nick Wozniak developers on the game say don't ... more

Game design legend Josh Sawyer sat down with Roy Wagner at PAX Australia to talk about his journey into the industry, from being a fan of Black Isle Studios to eventually working on the games that inspired him.

Sawyer digs into the tension between i... more

In the entertainment industry, a triple threat refers to someone ridiculously talented at acting, singing and dancing. So, what does that make Alanah Pearce, the Australian video game writer, actor, content creator, film producer, and one-time boxer:... more

YouTube

How do you keep a game like World of Warcraft that has had ten previous expansions, fresh?

Paul Kubit is Associate Game Director and sat down with Seamus Byrne ahead of the launch of WoW's 11th expansion which promises revamped zones, a return to Qu... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

David D'Angelo
Programmer on Mina The Hollower
Yacht Club Games
Episode: MINA THE HOLLOWER might look like Zelda, but prepare yourself for something different
Nick Wozniak
Art/Pixel Artist on Mina The Hollower
Yacht Club Games
Episode: MINA THE HOLLOWER might look like Zelda, but prepare yourself for something different
Josh Sawyer
Studio design director and game director at Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment
Episode: Will Obsidian ever get the chance to make another FALLOUT game after NEW VEGAS? Josh Sawyer answers
Paul Kubit
Associate Game Director
Blizzard Entertainment (World of Warcraft)
Episode: World of Warcraft: Midnight revisits the old with housing, revamped zones and a massive middle chapter
Edmund McMillen
Game designer, creator of The Binding of Isaac and Mewgenics
Edmund McMillen / Studio MDHR? (note: primarily Edmund McMillen's projects)
Episode: Edmund McMillen on the making of Mewgenics, BIG Camdrome rumours and more!
Bennett Foddy
Designer of Getting Over It and Baby Steps, Australian game creator
Independent/Collaborator on Baby Steps
Episode: Taking BABY STEPS to get over it: Bennett Foddy says his games aren't that difficult
Good Games Morley crew
Crew interviewed on-site at PAX Australia
Good Games Morley
Episode: Where the heck is Morley? Good Games Morley on breaking the algorithm as Magic The Gathering stars
Gavin Verhey
Principal designer of Magic: The Gathering at Wizards of the Coast; lead designer on Universes Beyond and Final Fantasy set
Wizards of the Coast / Magic: The Gathering
Episode: GAVIN VERHEY principal designer of MAGIC on gamebreaking FF8 Vivi, Universes Beyond & potential Australia set
Mike Bilder
CEO of Jackbox Games
Jackbox Games
Episode: Keeping the party going, the Jackbox developers share JACKBOX PARTY PACK 11 and what is coming next

Hosts

Fiona Bartholomaeus
Co-host for Lightmap; frequently featured across intro/closing and Walkthrough segments
Cat Jahne
Co-host and host of Walkthrough segments; contributes to interview framing
Naomi Jackson
Host of Lightmap interview series; frequent on-air interviewer
Gianni Di Giovanni
Host of Lightmap and Walkthrough segments; involved in interview execution
Chris Button
Host/Co-host; contributes to Walkthrough segments and Lightmap hosting

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 43 ratings
  • Extremely polished deep interviews

    A great examination of what goes into making games and the culture behind them. Radio-level production quality and good hosts make Lightmap an essential games podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BibbyBhoy
    Australia3 years ago
  • Gamealicious

    Amazingly consistent podcast putting out a weekly episode (more or less) since 2015! Perfect podcast for those looking for new games and who want to know more about the industry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mere Mortals Podcast
    Australia5 years ago
  • Very informative

    It’s great to hear more about the video game industry in WA

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Silvermoth
    Australia7 years ago
  • I've been out of the "Gaming community" for some time now. I still play, but I don't follow it like I used to. Pixel Sift made me feel like I never missed a beat. Very informative show, while not being snobby or overwhelming to folks who may not be avid gamers.

    Podchaser
    5
    DannyJBurnham
    8 years ago
  • Great show

    Very good production quality.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nattydb
    Australia9 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The production quality is radio-level and the hosts are well-informed.
Australian perspective and industry insights are frequently highlighted.
Episodes are consistently published and feature deep dives with guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

MINA THE HOLLOWER might look like Zelda, but prepare yourself for something different
Q: What is Mina The Hollower intended to be in relation to Shovel Knight and Zelda?
They describe Mina as the Zelda to their Mario, aiming for Zelda-like exploration and world-building while keeping Shovel Knight's platforming roots intact and not turning it into a puzzle-focused game.
World of Warcraft: Midnight revisits the old with housing, revamped zones and a massive middle chapter
Q: What was it like telling a team that housing should be a long-term pillar and not just a temporary feature?
We built a long runway, defined core pillars, and designed housing to be a boundless, socially-driven, and expressive system that integrates with professions and add-ons, ensuring it remains relevant and engaging beyond a single expansion.
World of Warcraft: Midnight revisits the old with housing, revamped zones and a massive middle chapter
Q: So what's the pitch to someone like me who plays a lot, but I haven't actually messed around with the prey system yet? Why should I turn it on?
The prey system offers a fresh hunt-based gameplay loop where you track a dangerous foe across zones, with multiple difficulties and new torments that change how you approach combat and exploration, providing a dynamic challenge even for seasoned players.
Pulpy point and click THE DRIFTER is one of this year's most stylish games
Q: All right. Now take us into the world of The Drifter. How would you explain what this game is?
The Drifter is a pulp adventure thriller—a fast-paced, modern take on the point-and-click genre about Mick Carter, who survives a murder, is hunted by high-tech soldiers, and finds himself mysteriously alive again. The core setup leads into a tension-filled narrative where every puzzle chain pushes the story forward and the player feels the clock ticking without relying on old-school game-overs.
Edmund McMillen on the making of Mewgenics, BIG Camdrome rumours and more!
Q: Let's unpack Mewgenics for people who haven't played it yet. What can they expect?
They can expect a unique experience that blends roguelike mechanics with a deeply narrative, character-driven world and a lot of quirky humor and surprises, far from typical genre boxes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Lightmap

What is Lightmap about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A well-produced, Australia-centered series that interviews a range of game creators—from veterans at big studios to indie solo developers—focusing on the creative processes behind notable titles, design decisions, and the evolving landscape of game development. Episodes commonly explore narrative design, gameplay systems, collaboration across teams, and the cultural context of the Australian game scene, often with deep dives into specific projects, industry trends, and personal journeys of the guests. The show stands out for its thoughtful questioning, strong production values, and a consistent emphasis on craft, community, and the realities of making games from concept to release. Potential listeners seeking behind-the-scenes insights, pra... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Lightmap?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Lightmap. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Lightmap and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Lightmap get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Lightmap, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Lightmap?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Lightmap, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Lightmap have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Lightmap has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Lightmap?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Lightmap:

1. Noclip Crewcast
2. Triple Click
3. Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

How many episodes of Lightmap are there?

Lightmap launched 11 years ago and published 290 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Lightmap?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Lightmap?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Lightmap from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Lightmap?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Lightmap. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Lightmap?

Recent guests on Lightmap include:

1. David D'Angelo
2. Nick Wozniak
3. Josh Sawyer
4. Paul Kubit
5. Edmund McMillen
6. Bennett Foddy
7. Good Games Morley crew
8. Gavin Verhey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days