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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly

@kiwitalkz.bsky.social

351 followers 66 following 364 posts

Game Developer Interviewer - Interviewed Over 150+ Game Devs - I am particularly known for my Retro Studios/Valve/Bethesda/Rockstar & Naughty Dog interviews. 18 Million+ views on Youtube www.youtube.com/@KIWITALKZ

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Off to the NZGDC tomorrow, any NZ game devs feel free to come say hi while I am there. My Valve interview with Alfred Reynolds is on 2nd October at 3:35pm

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Here it is, my appearance on Sacred Symbols+ with Colin Moriarty This was the first time I have appeared on a show where someone actually asked me about my process to interviewing. We also discuss R*, ND, Sony, Nintendo and many other things as well. www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9jl...

The Man Who Gets Game Devs To Candidly Speak | Sacred Symbols+, Episode 530

YouTube video by Last Stand Media

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Finally done! Metroid fans! Recorded the review of Metroid Prime 4 with the Lead Technical Engineer of the Metroid Prime Trilogy, Jack Mathews. I hope to get it out soon!

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Podcast out now with @epalalic.bsky.social We cover his time working at ID Software on DOOM 2016 & DOOM Eternal, working with Mick Gordon founding the studio @emptyvesselplay.bsky.social, their debut game @playdefect.bsky.social and more.... youtu.be/hEObKR4Uc_Q

#218 - Emanuel Palalic Speaks On ID Software, DOOM 2016, Mick Gordon, Emptyvessel, DEFECT

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Podcast out now with Andrew Willis, a producer on DOOM TDA & Revelations. We talk about the ID Software layoffs, ID Tech Engine, DOOM TDA & Revelations development, Gamepass, Microsoft's False PR Statements, DOOM Slayer in Smash Bros and more.... youtu.be/pXVqYIgaiXQ

#217 - Andrew Willis Speaks On ID Software Layoffs, DOOM TDA, Gamepass, Xbox, ID Tech Engine etc..

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

If there's one interview of mine you watch, it is the one dropping tomorrow with Andrew Willis the producer on DOOM TDA/Revelations ID crunched like crazy on Revelations, so to lay off devs on the eve of Revelations release, is inhumane.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Podcast out now with @shawnlayden.bsky.social We talk about the work culture at Sony, the removal of physical discs, Asha Sharma, Strauss Zelnick, GTA, spreadsheet decisions, Live Service Games, unproductive meetings and more..... youtu.be/8ekU7qoSzTU

#216 - Shawn Layden On Physical Discs, PS6 Handheld, Asha Sharma, Spreadsheets etc.

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

In a week and a half I will be recording an interview with a designer who worked on GTA 5, RDR2 and......GTA 6 (he left partway through production.) Don't expect massive revelations to come out about GTA 6 as that is under strict NDAs So Watch This Space!

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

How in the hell is this running on the base PS5😮 R* are wizards man lol.

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Podcast out now with Rico Flores We talk about his tenure at Naughty Dog, working on Uncharted 3 & 4, ND Crunch, Bruce Straley, the current Indie game hes working on @playdefect.bsky.social and more.... youtu.be/UNrP6LDVvnE

#215 - Rico Flores On Uncharted 4, Naughty Dog's Engine, Crunch, Animation, Bruce Straley, DEFECT..

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Just finished my ID Software developer interview. It was very eye opening in terms of the layoffs☹️I am even more convinced now that DOOM and ID will NEVER EVER be the same, regardless of what Microsoft or even any PR say. One thing I do know is I will never buy an Xbox again

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

GTA 6 is being leaked online, this is clearly from an older build. It looks like it's another data breach. I've reached out to folks at Rockstar India for answers (I doubt they will provide me anything but no harm in trying.) Watch this space.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Podcast out now with Former Rockstar Designer, Kris Roberts! We talk about why Midnight Club 5 was cancelled, his work on RDR1, the RAGE Engine, RDR1 Crunch, The Houser Brothers and more..... youtu.be/L5Lc22_yAZ4

#214 - Kris Roberts On Midnight Club 5, RDR1, GTA 6, Rockstar, RAGE Engine, Houser Brothers etc.

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Podcast with Kris Roberts former Designer on RDR1 and the Midnight Club series drops tomorrow. You'll get details about Midnight Club 5, RDR1 multiplayer, the crazy crunch at R*, RAGE Engine details(extremely rare stuff) and more.....

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Was a huge honour to chat with Colin Moriarty on Sacred Symbols. I consider him and @yozetty.bsky.social the GOATs in this space It was therapeutic to learn that Colin and I have similar philosophies and approaches to game dev interviews. We also talk about R* , Naughty Dog, Nintendo, Sony and more

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

So Sam Neill's final film role looks to be in the Legend Of Zelda movie, this is incredibly bittersweet😢 As a kiwi having my 2nd favorite gaming franchise filmed in my home country and has one of NZ's best actors in it, feels truly special for me. (via @deadline.com )

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Next week I will be recording 2 interviews that PS fans will love. I am doing a follow up interview with Shawn Layden but I am also speaking to a former VFX artist at Naughty Dog. I am looking forward to it.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

It's official I am part of the Insider Gaming crew! Just to further elaborate, nothing about the show will fundamentally change, it will still be EXACTLY the same. The only difference is all my interviews going forward will be featured exclusively on the Insider Gaming App for an extended period

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

ATTENTION CONTENT CREATORS. As part of the marketing for Unleash The Avatar, Aeos Games will be going to content creators houses anywhere in the world with an Unleash The Avatar themed Steam Machine to get creators try out the demo. If you are interested reach out to the team!

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Podcast out now with Varun Mayya On India's First AAA Game, Unleash The Avatar. We also talk about why so much development is outsourced to India, how India will change the gaming landscape, Assassin's Creed India and heaps more.... youtu.be/6cTGG-FNZ8o

Inside India's First AAA Game - Unleash The Avatar

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Podcast with Varun Mayya the director on India's First AAA Game Unleash The Avatar drops tomorrow at 11am PDT. The podcast will also provide insight into why R* and many other studios outsource so much development to India and how India will change the gaming landscape in the future

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

These are my two favorite gaming trilogies, the question is which one is better. Metroid Prime Trilogy or the Modern DOOM trilogy? I have to give the edge to Metroid. Which one is it for you?

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

The reason why Rockstar games are so good is because Rockstar iterates over and over with no end in sight. The downside of this is that devs end up working late for what feels like forever because there is no cut off point.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

Podcast out now with R* producer, John Ricchio!! We talk about his work on GTA 5, RDR 1 & Max Payne 3, his thoughts on GTA 6, managing people at Rockstar, why PC ports come later, working with the Houser Brothers and much more..... WATCH HERE➡️ youtu.be/IK39id7-opI

#212 - John Ricchio On GTA 5, GTA 6, Rockstar, RDR1, Leadership, AI, Crunch, Cut Content etc.

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

With all the ID Software layoffs, Retro Studios has a great opportunity to hire some of the most talented devs in the business. Just sayin....

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

95 people have been laid off at Id Software☹️ Doesnt Id Software only have about 180 people? How are they expected to make DOOM games with a team of that size? Are they becoming a support studio? ID Software is one of my favorite studios, I am so saddened by this.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Newest Rockstar interview is out now on Patreon & Youtube for Members, it's with John Ricchio he was a producer on GTA 5, RDR1 and Max Payne 3. This is his first major interview ever. Everyone else will need to wait a bit before its available to the general public.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

My face thinking about the peril of the video game industry

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Podcast out now with Andrew Kim, the concept artist on Uncharted 2, 3 & 4. He talks about Naughty Dog, why he left, working for Marvel on the MCU and he also shows off his concept art on Uncharted 2 & 3 and breaks down his concepts. WATCH HERE➡️ youtu.be/NTL-uH0ULNM

#211 - Andrew Kim On Naughty Dog, Uncharted, Marvel, Film, Concept Art, Sony Santa Monica

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Podcast out now with @qtraincobb.ironrootgames.com designer on The Last Of Us and Uncharted 4. We talk about his time at Naughty Dog, working on TLOU and Uncharted 4, Bruce Straley, puzzle design, his time at Zenimax, @ironrootgames.com and more.... WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/zNeUng-qoP8

#210 - Quentin Cobb Interview On Uncharted 4, The Last Of Us, Naughty Dog, Ironroot Games

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

The biggest thing I took out of that State Of Play is the GTA 6 effect. Everybody's avoiding November like the plague because they don't want their game kneecapped but now September is a bloodbath of releases so their games could also be kneecapped from too many games releasing in the same window.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

To any game devs who can't find work, consider New Zealand. It's now a billion dollar industry here despite only having 1418 full time employees, which is nuts!! There are a number of former devs from Valve, Bethesda, Sony etc. living here under the radar.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

GTA 6 has come up in a number of my interviews as of late so here is a compilation of devs from Naughty Dog, Bethesda, Nintendo etc. talking about the most anticipated game ever. WATCH BELOW

Game Devs From Naughty Dog/Bethesda etc. Speak About GTA 6

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Japanese Devs don't jump around different studios like in the West because places like Nintendo, Capcom, SEGA etc. take good care of their staff, devs have a lot of job security and culturally it's not the norm. This can make it tricky recruiting Japanese Devs at Indie Studios

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Nintendo has a mandatory retirement age of 50, at which time you are taken off the frontlines and then you move into a support role to train up the next generation. That is why Nintendo is a well oiled machine.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Podcast out now with @jkooza.bsky.social we talk about the game industry in Japan including the inner workings of SEGA & Nintendo. His friendship with Eiji Aonuma, working with Hirokazu Tanaka, his new game Awaysis and more.... WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/6hpeH83NdWY

#209 -Jake Kazdal Interview On Nintendo, Eiji Aonuma, Zelda, SEGA, Hirokazu Tanaka, Awaysis

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

If you have been wondering why UE5 games on Switch 2 are still few and far between, it's because devs have been having trouble with the engine on Switch 2 It's largely been alleviated now though, this update will be a big help.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

My Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review with some former Nintendo devs who worked on Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong and Mario Kart is out now!!! Thanks again to @vonkoz.bsky.social Kynan Pearson, Jay Epperson and Brad Taylot WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/d6ZXeAemuYY

Super Mario Galaxy Movie Review With Former Nintendo Devs!!

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Man StarFox fans truly have it the worst A remake of a remake of a remake of a remake lol.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

I did a review of The Super Mario Galaxy Movie with some of the old Retro Studios crew that worked on Metroid Prime, Donkey Kong & Mario Kart. This was an absolute blast to record! The chemistry was off the charts! Will drop this weekend (Available now for Patreon & Youtube Members)

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

I think it’s safe to say that GTA 6 is definitely not getting delayed again, we are in the end game.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

I have hit 25K subscribers on Youtube, thank you everybody for all the support for my game dev interviews🙏

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Naughty Dog are all about quality and polish, Bethesda are all about quantity and getting everything in at all costs. Which games do you prefer?? youtu.be/xF3FQ7yXqLw

Naughty Dog VS Bethesda

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 25/04/2026

Podcast out now with Heather Cerlan former artist at Naughty Dog & Bethesda. We cover her work on Starfield, TLOU, Uncharted 4, work culture differences, Neil Druckmann, Todd Howard, her indie game @playhawthorn.bsky.social and more.... WATCH HERE➡️ youtu.be/XBSa5dkk9Oc

#207 - Heather Cerlan Interview On Naughty Dog, Bethesda, Last Of Us, Hawthorn, Creation Engine

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Podcast out now with Former Naughty Dog Lighting Artist, Gabriel Betancourt!! We talk about his time at Naughty Dog, The Last Of Us 1 & 2's development, Neil Druckmann, Lighting On Uncharted 4 and more.... WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/GLK-QXpStiY

#206 - Gabriel Betancourt Interview On Naughty Dog, Last Of Us, Neil Druckmann, Lighting, Nintendo

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

China will have a meteoric rise in the video game industry over the next decade, Black Myth Wukong is just the tip of the iceberg, this video details why this is WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/j7LivVUOhdY

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Naughty Dog Interview month continues..... Next interview with Lighting Artist, Gabriel Betancourt drops on 18th April at 11am PDT. It's already available for Patreon & Youtube Members.

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Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

After The Last Of Us shipped, Naughty Dog made the admission that crunch is a requirement to make games at the level they make them and they would no longer even attempt to shy away from it. That's why crunch has progressively gotten worse with every project since.

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Podcast out now with Benson Russell, former designer at Naughty Dog. We talk about his work on the Uncharted Trilogy, The Last Of Us, Neil Druckmann, Naughty Dog's work culture, the problems in the AAA space and more.... WATCH HERE ➡️ youtu.be/p9Hh18u7snE

#205 - Benson Russell Interview On Naughty Dog, The Last Of Us, Uncharted, Neil Druckmann, Scope..

YouTube video by KIWI TALKZ

Reece “Kiwi Talkz” Reilly @kiwitalkz.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Interview with Benson Russell, a designer on the Uncharted Trilogy & The Last Of Us drops on 11th April at 11am PDT. It's already available for Patreon & Youtube Members. Benson is a straight shooter and he doesn't hold back😅

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